Almost The One

Beginning

The graduation afterparty buzzed with excitement, laughter ricocheting off the walls as if everyone were caught in a whirlwind of joy. Megan, a batchmate of mine, was the center of attention. She was radiating in happiness as her sparkling ring perched her finger.

Six months, I thought, di pa rin makapaniwala. It was just six months of dating for Megan and her fiancé to decide this was it—their happily ever after.

"Inggit ka?" a playful smirk tugged at the corner of UA's mouth as she also gazed to the couple. Sinong maiinggit eh di pa nga umabot ng isang taon ang relasyon nila pero magpapakasal na? At this time and generation, that decision is insane.

UA, the batch's president, and a great friend of mine handed me a glass of orange juice. Malugod ko 'tong tinanggap. Nasa gilid lamang kaming dalawa nakamasid sa maiingay naming batchmates na patuloy sa pagko-congratulate kila Megan.

"Pero akalain mo 'no, grumaduate lang tayo kaninang umaga pero ikakasal na si Megan?" suminghap si UA. "Kung ako 'yan baka sinakal na ako ni kuya—pero kainggit pa rin!"

"Megan's brave," I agreed to UA. But she's also reckless. Megan leaned into her fiancé and laughter rippled between them. My lips pressed into a thin line. Blind trust... It always ends the same.

I redirected my gaze away from Megan's. Kaswal kaming naupo ni UA sa isang table. I sipped on my orange juice. My eyes beamed. "Ikaw may gawa nito? Masarap ah?" The afterparty is held on UA's house, precisely sa malaki nilang backyard.

"Talaga?" A grin spread across her face, "Ginawa ko 'yan especially for you ah! Ang hirap mo na ngang papuntahin sa party na 'to kaya naghanda ako ng sobrang bongga talaga." She slapped my arm and proceeded to explain how she made the orange juice. I listened to her every word.

It was clear na para sa'kin nga ang orange juice. At the buffet, there was an impressive spread of food with so many choices to pick from—salads, meats, and desserts. But when it came to the drinks table, it was packed with bottles of wine, champagne, and cocktails. The lone jug of orange juice sat on the edge, almost like it didn't belong to be included there. Parang nakikisali lang sa mga alcoholic beverages na nandoon.

I can't help but to smile.

After a whole minute of her explanation, she changed the subject. "Nasabi mo na ba sa kapatid mo ang plano mong mag-ibang bansa?"

Ubos na ang orange juice ko. I shoke my head, "I'm planning to tell her within this month."

"Papayag kaya siya? Eh di ba third year college pa si Astrid?" She leaned in closer, anticipating my answer.

I shrugged, trying to show UA my nonchalance on this matter. "She has no choice." I put the empty glass on the table. "I can't just leave her here. Sa States siya magpapatuloy ng studies niya."

UA studied me intently, blinking her eyes too much. Before she could say something, someone shouted from the crowd.

"PRES!" A small group had gathered near a makeshift dance floor on the grass, swaying in time to the music. Kumaway si UA sa kanila. I remained seated. "We need you here!"

"BAKIT?!" I covered my ear to her shouting. Seriously, sapat na ang ingay sa sound system para sa tainga ko. "Nandito na ba ang mga juniors natin ah?" UA tapped my shoulder, a gesture she always did before leaving me alone. Sa isang iglap ay wala na siya sa harapan ko. In the table remained her half-finished champagne.

A cool breeze moved through the garden, lifting the edges of dresses and bringing a touch of the night's chill. I stood up and decided to grab myself some foods and another glass of orange juice.

"Yow, Sexy lady, Ana Abarca!" A classmate of mine from Pol-Sci Dept called me. I waved my hand and smiled at her and the people on her table. Marami sila at mukhang nagkakatuwaan na dala ng mga nainom nila. She offered me a glass, "Isang shot ng gin naman diyan oh!"

Magalang ko siyang tinanggihan. "I don't drink but thanks for the offer."

A steady stream of my batchmates approached as I continued to load food onto my plate, their chatter blending into the background noise of the party. One by one, they leaned in with questions, their eyes darting around the room.

"Ana, nakita mo si Pres?" one asked, eyes searching the crowd.

"Ana, saan mo nabili 'yang dress mo, kaloka, ang ganda!" One said adoring my white long dress.

"Ana, wine?" and some continued to offer me alcoholic beverages.

I responded with polite nods and smiles, giving them brief answers, "Nasa dancefloor si UA," I pointed the center of the yard where a lot of our dancing batchmates. "My dress was a gift from my sister, tatanungin ko siya saan ko 'to nabili pag-uwi ko." And I continued declining a lot of wine.

The garden was alive with energy, its atmosphere growing louder and more electric as the evening wore on. The music thumped through the night air, a combination of popular songs that encouraged others to join in, swaying and tapping to the beat. Then it stopped.

"Everyone, may announcement ang beloved President natin."

UA stood at the top of one of the tables in the yard. "Mahal kong classmates, schoolmates, kaibigan, kapatid, kapamilya, salamat sa pagpunta ninyo! 10 PM na pero wala pa rin ang mga litsi nating juniors." Everyone laughed. "Nalagpasan nating lahat ang walang katapusang exams, ang di mamatay-matay na projects, at ang professors natin na palaging lagpas sa oras nila. At ngayon, heto na tayo, official ng graduates sa college! Kaya naman, deserve na deserve nating maglasing ngayong gabi! Unlimited alak sa lahat!"

The crowd cheered, the clapping and laughter rippling through the garden. Kasabay nito ay ang mas maraming estudyanteng dumating sa party. They were carrying a lot of bottles, alcoholic bottles. Mas naghiyawan ang lahat. The music roared louder than ever, each beat pounding through the garden like a heartbeat. The air was alive with energy, everyone moved in a chaotic, joyful mass beneath the twinkling fairy lights.

In the midst of swirling crowd, my gaze was drawn to a man walking to a group of chattering people. Malapad ang ngisi niya, malalaki ang lakad niya. Ang maingay na musika sa tainga ko ay biglang nawala. Everyone in the garden vanished. I was steady, but I was also shaken. Kami lamang dalawa sa paningin ko. I could hear the drum on my heart beating. I could feel the butterfly curling inside my stomach. The clock stopped. A spark in his eyes felt magnetic pulling me in. The moment lingered, leaving me with a fluttering heart and a sense of longing I couldn't quite place.

Just then, he looked back at me, and my breath caught in my throat. In a reflex, I averted my gaze, suddenly, the chatter and laughter and music came back on my senses.

My mind raced, struggling to process the sudden encounter. What happened?

#