what if we happened

15. A Twist in the Night

Chapter 15: A Twist in the Night

Seren

I danced with a few guys after Jethro. They were all polite and funny, but none of them were particularly memorable to me. Except for Jethro, he's really a nice guy. Even though he is a bit shy, nakuha niya agad ang loob ko.

I don't know. That's how I felt towards him. Maybe, na-cute-an lang talaga ako sa kaniya.

The sadness remains in my heart because of the missing presence of someone who would have made this event truly memorable. Hindi manlang ako makakasilay kay Elias. Saklap. I really wish he was here. I wanted to send him a get well soon message, kaso nakonsenya ako dahil sa pag-seen ko kagabi.

Nang medyo malapit na ang oras sa hating gabi, natagpuan ko ang sarili ko na nabo-boring na sa buong event at napapagod nang makipagkuwentuhan. I just wanted to go home at makatabi si Dilim. Nag-enjoy naman ako because of my friends, who had been my companions throughout the night but there's something missing talaga.

Hindi ko na kayang tayuan ang boredom ko. That's when I finally decided to say goodbye to my friends.

"Mga vebs, I think una na ako, ah," I told them as I got up.

Tumingin sa akin si Anais nang may pagtataka. "Are you serious? Ang aga pa lang, vebs. Let's enjoy!"

"Pagod na kasi ako at inaantok na rin." I yawned at ipinakita ang mapupungay kong mga mata to prove what I said.

Nagpukol ng nakalolokong ngiti si Viviana. "Sus, wala lang si Elias kaya gusto mo nang umuwi. Nandiyan naman si Jethro, ah?" Then she toop a sip of her juice.

"Baliw," natatawa kong sabi at umiling. Napasulyap ako kay Jethro na kasama ang mga kaklase niya. He was far from our table pero nahuhuli namin ni Viviana ang pasimple niyang pagsilay sa akin kanina pa.

"Kapag umuwi ka, aakitin ko 'yon," Viviana threatened me. "Tutal, guwapo rin naman. Puwede na. Why not?" Bumungisngis pa siya.

"Go, sino tinakot mo?" bato ko, walang pakialam. Again, Jethro is nice and cute but he's not my type. "Uuwi na talaga ako. I'm so tired na. I just want to lie down on my bed." I yawned once more and stretched my limbs. I also wanted to remove my makeup because it felt so sticky and heavy.

"Sure ka bang uuwi ka nang mag-isa? It's really dark outside. Delikado na. Just a little longer, sabay-sabay na tayo," Thalia said concernedly.

"Oo nga, parating na rin 'yong driver ko. Uuwi na rin naman kami in a while," dagdag ni Anais.

"Hindi na, una na talaga ako," pilit ko, my mind focused only on the comfort of my bed. "I'll be fine. I'm really sorry. I just need to get some rest. Message na lang ako sa group chat once na nakauwi na ako, alright?" Then, I forced a smile.

My friends looked disappointed but understanding. Nakipagbeso ako sa kanila and thanked them once again for providing everything I need for this event.

Pagkalabas ko ng gym, napayakap na lamang ako sa sarili ko dahil sa pagsalubong sa akin ng malamig na simoy ng hangin. I did not expect it to be this cold outside. Siguro ay dahil na rin sa suot ko na reveal ang arms ko. Pansin kong may mga estudyante rin ang pinili na rito tumabay. As I walked, unti-unti nang naglalaho sa aking pandinig ang music sa gym, leaving only the sound of my heels clicking against the pavement. May mga ilan din akong nakakasabay sa paglalakad na katulad ko ay palabas na ng school.

I took a tricycle at bigla akong nakaramdam ng gutom, so instead of going straight home, I decided to stop by a convenience store na ilang kanto na lang ang layo sa amin. 24 hours kasi iyon open. I'm craving for big bite. Marami-rami naman ang nakain ko sa event pero ewan ko, I was still hungry.