Walang Kapalit

party of one

Leonor hadn't planned to come to the party. She had told herself she was too busy, too tired, that she didn't need the distraction. But as the evening wore on and her apartment grew quieter, she found herself craving the noise, the company. So, she threw on a dress, grabbed her keys, and headed out the door.

The party was in full swing by the time she arrived. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and the buzz of animated conversations. People were clustered in small groups, their faces glowing in the soft light of the chandeliers. Leonor navigated through the crowd, her gaze flitting from one face to another. It was when she reached the bar to grab a drink that she saw her.

Ana.

Leonor's breath caught in her throat as her eyes locked onto the woman across the room. Ana was standing near the windows, half-hidden by a group of people who seemed oblivious to the quiet elegance she exuded. Leonor hadn't seen her in four years, but the time hadn't dimmed her memory of Ana. If anything, the years had only sharpened her recollections—the way Ana's smile curved just a little crookedly, the way her eyes crinkled at the corners when she laughed.

But Ana looked different now, more polished, as if the intervening years had sanded away the rough edges. Her hair was styled in a way that made her more sophisticated. The carefree girl Leonor had known was gone, replaced by this woman who seemed more self-assured, more grounded.

Yet, when their eyes met, Leonor saw the same spark that had first drawn her in. It was there, beneath, a flicker of something that time hadn't changed. The room around them faded into the background, and for a brief moment, it was as if they were the only two people in the world.

But the spell broke as quickly as it had been cast. Ana looked away, her expression carefully neutral, and the crowd swallowed her up again. Leonor stood there, clutching her drink, unsure of what to do next. The logical part of her mind told her to leave it alone, to let the past stay buried where it belonged. But another part of her, the part that had never quite gotten over Ana, pushed her forward.

With a deep breath, Leonor began to make her way across the room, her heart pounding in her chest. As she approached, Ana turned, and their eyes met once more. This time, Leonor saw something flicker in Ana's gaze—recognition, maybe even surprise.

"Leonor," Ana said, her voice soft, almost as if she were testing the name on her tongue.

"Ana," Leonor replied, her own voice catching slightly.

They exchanged polite greetings, the kind reserved for acquaintances rather than former lovers. The conversation was stilted, filled with the usual small talk about work and mutual friends.

The night wore on, the party grew louder, the room filling with laughter and the clinking of glasses. Leonor tried to engage in conversations with other guests, but her attention kept drifting back to Ana, who had moved to a quieter corner of the room. She seemed lost in thought, her phone in hand, and Leonor couldn't help but wonder what was going through her mind.

It wasn't until later, when she saw Ana standing by the door, checking her phone again, that Leonor made a decision. Without giving herself time to think, she walked over to Ana, catching her just as she was about to leave.

"Are you driving home?"

Ana shook her head, her eyes still on the screen. "No, I'm calling a taxi."

Leonor hesitated, then took a breath. "I can take you home, if you want. Pauwi na rin naman ako."

Ana looked up from her phone, her eyes searching Leonor's face as if trying to gauge her intentions. After what felt like an eternity, she nodded. "Okay."