Assuaging the Kindled Flames

Chapter 1

Warning: 𝗥-𝟭𝟴+

Trigger Warning: 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲.

𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚

I arrived at the party, and as expected, medyo puno na ang bahay. The lively chatter and music set the mood, but I knew exactly where my friends and I would settle. As I made my way through the crowd, I felt a wave of excitement wash over me. It was always like this when we gathered, chaotic, unpredictable, but filled with moments that I wouldn't trade for anything else. I spotted Anrie immediately, standing by the table, her bright smile cutting through the noise.

"Look who's here?" Sinalubong ako ni Anrie na may malaking ngisi na abot hanggang Cubao. "The woman who invented the first-ever vibrator, Cleopatra herself!"

Laughter erupted around the table as everyone joined in on Anrie's teasing. Of course, her wild imagination was always in full swing whenever I walked into a room. I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the smirk that formed on my lips.

"Salamat sa pared-carpet intro, Miss Monroe," I shot back as I slid into my seat, trying to maintain my cool.

"Fresh from Egypt pala ang theme mo! I thought it was Dora the Explorer-" Mavros chimed in, giving me a playful jab.

I shot him a look, narrowing my eyes before nudging him in the side. "Manahimik ka nga, fuck you!"

"Kung ako si Dora," I replied with a grin, "Ikaw, sino ka naman, yung unggoy ni Dora? Si Boots?" That did it. The whole table burst into uncontrollable laughter. Even those sitting at the adjacent table stopped talking to join in. Mavros may be an absolute clown, but he sure knows how to get everyone laughing, even when it's a little jologs.

The jokes kept flowing, transitioning from one ridiculous topic to the next. Drinks, fries, and secrets spilled across the table as each laugh, shared look, and mocking grin felt like proof that, amidst the chaos of life, we had found something real. This mismatched puzzle of people-each with their own quirks and flaws-somehow made sense. We knew each other, got each other, and in this bizarre dance of mockery and affection, I found comfort.

"Its Marilyn Monroe, stupid!" I heard Anrie mutter under her breath, her voice filled with excitement as if she was stating the obvious.

"More like Betty Boop," Mavros teased, leaning back with a smirk. The mischievous spark in his eye was undeniable, the kind that always seemed to rile Anrie up in the best way. She shot him a glare, and I could almost feel the tension bubbling between them, part irritation, part something else entirely. Watching them, I couldn't help but be amused. Their back-and-forth was almost comforting, like a rhythm that only old friends, or maybe something more... could share.

As the banter continued, I felt this intoxicating sense of belonging wash over me. Surrounded by laughter and inside jokes, I realized that this was what real friendship felt like. No masks, no pretenses, just pure, unfiltered chaos, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Hanggang sa napunta sa akin ang hot seat. Wala eh, tinamaan na ako ng kalasingan, kaya't di ko na napigilan ang sarili ko at naikwento ko sa kanila ang kababuyang patuloy na ginagawa ng tatay ko. It felt strange to open up, but the warmth of the drinks and the comfort of my friends made it easier.

"I hated him so much," I confessed, my voice trembling slightly. "He's supposed to be my protector, pero parang siya pa ang nagiging dahilan ng mga sakit ng ulo ko." The weight of my feelings spilled out like a dam that had finally broken. Makikinig ang mga kaibigan ko nang buo ang atensyon, at ang mga mukha nila ay punong-puno ng pag-aalala. In that moment, I realized how important it was to let go of the burden I'd been carrying. It wasn't just about the pain, it was about finding strength in vulnerability, about knowing that I wasn't alone in this chaotic journey of life.