Caspian Royce Garcia
The bright lights are dazzling, the music is loud and deafening, and the place is crowded, which most people wouldn't like. But I'm feeling the opposite. I'm happy, I'm enjoying myself.
It's just that you can't tell from my face. It looks intimidating, and no one wants to approach me because of the aura I project. I have this habit of not wanting anyone to get close to me, kaya dinadaan ko sa ganto. Effective naman.
My back is leaning against the backrest of my seat, one arm resting on it, while I watch my friends go crazy dancing up here by the railings. Parang mga hayop na nakawala lang, some of them are already drunk.
"Come on, Cas! Join us, masaya dito!" Seren invited me, a drink in one hand, swaying to the music.
I gave her a small smile and stood up, holding a drink in my hand, and walked towards them. I placed my arms on the railings, holding my drink. Ayoko namang sumayaw dahil hindi naman iyon ang ugali ko sa mga ganito. Bukod pa rito, wala rin naman silang sinabi na kailangan kong sumayaw katulad nila.
Kilala nila ako bilang nag-iisang matino sa grupo namin. Habang may hawak na alak, malaya kong pinagmamasdan ang buong paligid. Mas maraming tao ang nasa unang palapag, kung saan tanaw ko mula sa aking pwesto ang dance floor at ang counter na may madilim na bahagi.
I couldn't really see the people drinking down there because the only light source was the flashing lights, and they only got illuminated when the lights hit them. The dance floor was chaotic, like a bunch of animals dancing. They were wild. That's why I don't like going downstairs, it's too chaotic, unlike up here where it's just chill, we're probably the only ones making a ruckus.
My glass was empty, I had been drinking while watching the people downstairs. I felt arms wrapping around my waist, and I figured the person was already drunk. I looked at her when she spoke.
"Hindi ka naman sumasayaw eh! Sino bang tinitingnan mo diyan ha!" Malakas na sigaw ng babaeng nakayakap sa akin na ikinangiti ko nalang kasabay ng pag-aya ko sa kanya papunta sa aking tabi.
I held her waist as she gazed down at the ground below. It was a precaution, in case she suddenly decided to jump. Sometimes, her intrusive thoughts take over, and she does things that should only be expressed in her head.
"Do you want to go home? I'll take you," I said, whispering close to her ear so she could hear me. She was drunk, so she probably wasn't paying attention to anything else.
I saw her nod in agreement, then she spontaneously wrapped her arms around my waist, like a child wanting to be carried. I felt her start to collapse against me, so I gently guided her to our spot and laid her down.
"C'mon, help me get everyone back home. I know you want to take him too," I said to the woman sitting straight beside Seren, holding a glass of wine in her other hand. She didn't look at me, but she suddenly got up to go to the man dancing near the railings, drunk and shouting.
After we got them all and put them in our spot, I excused myself to Amara to go to the bathroom. She stayed to watch over our drunk companions. Before going to the bathroom, I separated Seren and Ava dahil bigla nalang nag halikan dahil sa kalasingan. Ang sakit talaga sa ulo ng mga ito.
Bumaba ako mula sa ikalawang palapag para magpunta sa banyo sa baba, where many people were making noise, shouting, and dancing. I searched for the bathroom, which was also in a dark area, at doon nag bawas. When I came out of the cubicle, I saw a tall man like me washing his hands and mouth.
