Ours

Swear It Again - Westlife

J

I don't belong here.

One foot inside this karaoke and  I wanted to go home already. Jenna's hold on me, however, is similar to a wrestler's grip and it would be rude to leave.

Sean. I am sooo gonna kill you.

I don't know how he got my number but an hour ago he just called me and invited me here. It's their last night in the Philippines he said.

Umamin ka na Janella. Kaya ka lang pumunta kase nandito si Marlo. Last night na daw eh. Baka hindi na kayo magkita ulit.

I mean, they're his friends right? He should be here with them. Or is he busy packing?

Janella strongly believes he'll be here. He was not one to be absent from social events. Life of the party, that's what he was. And besides, it was always him who reaches out to his old friends and acquaintances.

"Baby J! Glad you made it!" She forced out a smile at Sean even though all she wanted now was to strangle him.

"Hann?" Jenna asked.

"Called in sick. But he'll come tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? What happens tomorrow?" Janella can't help but ask, as they made their way on one of the tables.

"We're going back home tomorrow J." Jenna explained.

"Actually it's Janella."

"Yeah but Baby J sounds cooler!"

"Oh okay." Besides, it's just a name right? "Wait. All of you are leaving tomorrow?"

A familiar tune Janella couldn't put a finger on started playing. A couple of "Hann!" "Where's Hann?" "Hann it's your song dude!" came from other people in the room.

Wala siya. Lagi namang siyang nawawala bigla eh. Masanay na kayo.

She wanted to say. But they wouldn't understand her.

*screeeeeech*

"Sorry." Sean sheepishly scratched the back of his head. That deafening screech was from the microphone. Yeap.

"So Hann's not here. That idiot. Bailing again. But! Lucky for us, we finally get to see a face behind a name. Or a letter. But yeah, J's here!"

Sinong J?

Oh wait. Why is Jenna pushing me to the stage? Ay sht. "Baby J" Ako yung J.

"Say hello to J everyone!" Sean announced as I was forced to the stage. Grabe ang lakas po ni Jenna. As in. Maskuladang babae.

Forcing a smile, the crowd cheered for me. Hala grabe sila. Like why people. They shouldn't know me right?

"Well since Hann's not here, we're telling a secret. See here Baby J, this is Hann's favorite song. Everytime we get together like this, he sings this."

Westlife huh. Yeah he likes that era. A 90's kid through and through.

"And he always dedicates it to J." What?

Missing the first line, she started singing. Marlo dedicated this song to me? Every time na nagvivideoke sila?

.

"Whoever told you I was letting go
Of the only joy I have ever known
Yeah they're lying"

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