MASH Romantic (Chase Series #2)

Postlude

Thank you for putting up with Drian and Jesca's craziness, really! Happy New Year to all. x

Annnd... I'm still going to write Drian's full perspective, but I'm not sure when it's going to be posted. And again, salamat! See you in Sien and Mae's! <3

EPILOGUE

Kanina pa ako nakatitig sa mga nagpa-party at nagsasayaw sa backyard ng ka schoolmate namin. Kung hindi naman sa kanila ay sa kawalan. My friends made sure they made contact with me from time to time to see if I'm alright. I've told them already, I could handle myself.

"You sure you don't want to go home?" Muling tanong ni Mae nang siya naman ang lumapit sa akin.

Umikot ang tingin ko. "I don't. Mae, mag celebrate ka. This is your party and I don't want to be the one who ruins it."

"But Drian's flooding me with texts and calls. Hindi ko na alam ang sasabihin ko."

"He's flooding you with," kinagat ko ang labi ko nang mabilis. "I'm fine. You go."

"Okay. Gusto mo bang tawagin ko si Gage? He's also worried."

Tumingin ako sa pinaroroonan ni Gage. May mga kasama siyang new-found friends at ngayon ay tila minamatahan ako, or Mae. I don't know. But he mouthed, "Are you okay?"

Tumango ako at iginiya na si Mae pabalik sa kasiyahan. I knew they just wanted me well, but I didn't think I could feel alright right now. And I didn't want to pretend that I could, because I knew deep down that I already have my fair share of wishful thoughts ever since I could remember.

I was overwhelmed by number of missed phone calls from Drian when I checked my phone. I could—should—call him back to make assurance but I figured it was best if I just shut him off tonight.

"Hey, stop enjoying the party this much!" Sarkastikong sabi ni Gage nang makaupo siya sa tabi ko.

"Goodness! You and Mae were getting annoying. Mag-party kayo and don't mind me." Umirap akong muli ngunit tinawanan niya ako pabalik.

"How can we not mind you if you're sitting here like you wanted to be in some tragic music video? But hey, I can give you a news flash: the music here doesn't suit your horrible face, big Jes." His mouth quirked, trying not to flash me an amused smile.

"You don't help at all." Napangiwi ako.

Ngumiti siya at umiling. "News flash: You don't help yourself either. Jes, it would really help if you talk to him and open up your mind to understand. Because, yeah, I didn't like Drian for you at first but looking back at all the troubles you both blessed each other with—come on!— There I asked myself what's not to like about this guy?"

"Uh, he's hurt me a hundred times?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

I looked at the time, it's past midnight but the hype had just heightened. Nangangalo ang mata ko sa pagkasilaw sa sumasayaw na ilaw sa lugar. Dumapo ang mata ko sa grupo nina Mae na ngayo'y nagsasaya na sa gitna.

"I'm getting you home to Drian." He announced just after he looked at his phone. I'm guessing it was because of a text from Drian.

"Look, Gage. Kung sinabi niya ay ihatid mo ako sa bahay, you're just wasting your time because I'm not going with you."

"Yeah, no. You're making Drian wasted again."

"Hindi ko naman sinabing mag inom siya..."

"Are you going home or do you want me to give you another news flash?" Frustration was all over Gage's face. If I'm not actually in gloom I swore I would've laughed in front of his face already.