MIKAEL ARCILLANO | Under Revision

ABS-MA 14

THE party became increasingly wild throughout the night. Some of the visitors have already passed out, others have returned to their rooms, and still others are making love in a dark corner of the establishment.

When my head throbbed, I pinched it with my fingertips. Medyo napapadami na din ang inom ko, and I can't even find Chescka or Mio right now.

Napalingon ako ng malakas na umugong ang echo ng microphone sa gitna mismo. Naglagay din sila ng mini stage at nakita ko dun si Keifere na hawak ang mikropono. So Chescka is still here because Keifere is still here. Keifere tapped the microphone before speaking into it.

"Hello? Mic test, ayan ok na." ngumiti ito at humarap sa mga bisita.

"Hello everyone! Malapit na mag-alas dose kaya naman kakantahan at babatiin na natin ang pinakagwapo nating kaibigan, ngayon lang bro kasi bukas ako na ulit pinakagwapo." naghalakhakan ang mga bisita at napailing naman si Dandreb na nasa gilid ng stage. "May we call on the birthday boy? Come here on stage, bro!"

Nagpalakpakan kami nang makaakyat si Dandreb sa stage at may nakaplastar na ngiti sa bibig nito.

"Two minutes before your birthday, bro, what do you want to say to all your friends and family who are here right now?" inabot ni Keifere ang microphone kay Dandreb.

"Of course, I want to thank everyone for making time for this staycation event of mine; I really want to make this one a memorable birthday in my life because I couldn't celebrate my debut last year due to my hectic school year; I just told myself that I would celebrate it next year then, and this is it."

Nagpalakpakan kaming lahat pagkatapos nito magsalita at umabot na ang alas-dose. Dandreb blows out the candles on his cake, and the party resumes as it had before. I started drinking again and looked around for Chescka or Mio in the crowded place.

"Are you looking for someone, Miss?"

Napalingon ako sa nagsalita, someone who I don't know. Umiling ako at inisang lagok ang alak bago tumayo. Tama na siguro yung ininom ko baka ano na naman gawin ko eh.

"Are you leaving?"

"Um, yeah, I'll go back to my room right now."

I should be friendly with them, right? Because they are also Dandreb's friends.

"Sayang, You know, I can accompany you if you want."

I was about to walk away when he grabbed my wrist.

"Only thirty minutes?"

Tatanggi na sana ako ng makarinig kami ng lalaking nagsalita mula sa gilid namin kaya parehas kaming napalingon doon.

"I can accompany you instead, Jon," Dandreb gave him a warning look, which caused the guy to let go of my wrist and stand up from his seat.

"I was just kidding around Dandreb, happy birthday man," he said, tapping Dandreb's shoulder before looking at me and walking away.

"Okay ka lang? Did he cause you any harm?" umiling ako at aalis na sana ng pigilan niya ko.

"Are you leaving already? Are you not enjoying the party?" he asked, his eyes concerned. Umiling ako agad.

"No, no... I'm enjoying your party. Hahanapin ko lang sana sila Mio tsaka Chescka,"

"Oh, Mio's already in her room, she's drunk, and Chescka? I think I saw her with Keifere a few minutes ago on the hotel elevator."

Tumango na lang ako at muling bumalik sa inuupuan ko kanina. Umupo din siya sa tabing stool at nag-order ng alak. Oo nga pala, birthday na niya ngayon. Kinuha ko sa gilid ang regalo ko at nilapag sa table tapos tinulak ng marahan patungo sa harapan niya. Tinignan niya muna yun bago tumingin sakin.