Chain Reaction (On Hold)

Chapter VIII

It's such a relief for Ana to get out of that place. At least she can now breathe. She inhaled the cool air and exhaled it. Tears are already forming in her eyes. Akala niya okay na siya. Hindi pa pala.

"Girl! Why did you run?" She hear Kelly's voice, quickly she wiped her eyes and face Kelly.

"Huh? Don't worry about me." She gave her friend an assuring smile.

"Girl naman.." Kelly said with concern.

"I'm okay." Ana said without life.

"Ana, you don't always have to be so strong. Alam ko naman e. You don't have to pretend in front of me."

"Girl, akala ko okay na ako.. Akala ko nakalimutan ko na kahit papano." She cried while she hugged her friend. This was the first time ever she cried in front of anybody.

"Sige lang, cry all you want. I'm all ears." Her friend said, sa totoo lang, naiiyak na rin siya. Alam niya na hirap na hirap ang kaibigan.

"Why did he have to leave me pa kasi. Why did he leave without even explaining. Without even talking to me." She just let it all out. Maybe talking to her friend wasn't a bad idea.

"You know what, I don't know. But what I know is, that, one day. Babalik din yan. And if that day comes, doon na kayo makakapag-usap. Diba nga, everything happens for a reason? And sometimes, mas okay na hindi mo alam yung reason, because that will hurt you less. At one day, malalaman mo kung bakit kapag okay na. Yung hindi ka na masasaktan diba?" That was all she could say to Ana, sa totoo lang, Kelly felt helpless, she doesn't know how to ease her friend's pain. Ana just cried and cried. Until she was tired. Kelly was just there consoling her. Actually, Ana felt good. She's so thankful that's she has friend like Kelly.

"Oh ayan. Wipe those eyes! Sayang naman ang pretty face ng bestfriend ko!" She said while wiping Ana's tears.

Ana laughed "Thank you ha. Hay! Whooo. Okay na ako. Okay na ako." She said and fixed herself.

"Ayan! Come on. Smile na. Let's go back inside. Show me your pretty smile." She told Ana.

Ana smiled wide. And they both laughed. They went back inside the bar.

Ken was still looking at the door, still waiting if ever his wife will come back. After a while, the door opened. And came in Ana, and her friend Kelly. They were both laughing. Did she cry? He thought. Because it was evident in her eyes. Namumugto ito. He doesn't want to see his wife looking like that. Shit! Ano ba 'tong iniisip ko. Ken, niloko ka niya. He thought again. She's still as beautiful as ever. Yun ang una niyang napansin. But he also noticed that she's skinny. She lost a lot of weight. And she also doesn't look as happy as before, it's like the spark in her eyes vanished. He wants to go near her. But something's stopping him.

"Oh, andito na pala sila." Said Lara when she saw their friends.

"Nice! Ang galing mo pa rin kumanta ha!" Sabi naman ni Blake.

"Thank you! You guys want to drink? Order tayo!" She said, showing off her sweet smile.

"Taraaaaaa!!!" They all said.

They ordered drinks. Since it was midnight, malapit na mag party party sa bar. That's how it is there. Before midnight, it's a plain bar, with music and just like a restaurant, when clock strikes 12, that's when the party begins.

Ken was still looking at her. He still can't believe it. 2 years, tiniis niyang wag makita asawa niya, at ngayon, iyon siya. Damn it! Akala niya wala nang epekto sa kaniya.

"Oh, you're just going to look at her all night?" Mark asked him.

"What are you saying?" Ken answered rather defensive.

"Come on! You've been looking at her ever since you knew she was here. Go and talk to her." His friend told him seriously.

"I-I can't."

"Seriously Dude? Man up! Nababakla ka na ba? Asawa mo yon!" Pang-aasar naman ni Jake.

"Sira ulo! Kung anu-ano pinagsasabi mo dyan." He said and took a shot.

"Let him be. Pag may nakalapit sa asawa mo, wag kang magwawala dyan." Mark told him, and took a shot.

"Girl! Tama na yan! Andami mo nang na-iinom oh." Pigil ni Kelly kay Ana.

"Girl, hindi pa naman ako lasing. I'm still okay! Whoooo!" Ana said, yep. She's drunk.

"Oo nga, Ana, enough na. Ang unfair. Kahit lasing, pretty ka pa rin!" Biro naman ni Denise. That statement made them all chuckle.

"Aaaw. Jelly si Denise, wag ka mag-alala, forever pretty ka para sa akin." Blake teased her.

"Che! Gusto mo sungalngalin kita??" Ganti naman ni Denise.

Blake just laughed at her. At dahil doon, binatukan siya ni Denise.

"Hayaan niyo siya. Pag nalasing nang sobra, ihatid nalang natin. We know what she's going through." Russel said. Ever since they were kids, they've been bestfriends. They live next doors. But they're never the kind of bestfriends turned to lovers. Russel sees her and treats her like a little sister, and Ana sees him as an older brother since both of them are only children. Besides, Russel loves his girlfriend Kelly. So there's no malice between them.

"I think you're right hon. Let's just enjoy this night." Kelly said.

And they did so as told, the enjoyed the night including Ana.

"Oy, girl. Ayan kasi, inom nang inom. Tsk. Get up na. Let's get home." Kelly said, pa'no si Ana, nakatungo nalang sa table.

"Mmmm." That was Ana's response. Too drunk to even answer.

Kelly put Ana's arm around her and tried to stand her up.

"Ay! So heavy naman e. Jessica! Help me out here."

Jessica went to them and helped her. Then later on, their screams were audible.

"Ayan! Nalaglag! Ana, Ana, wake up na. Please? You have to get home." Inaalog ni Kelly si Ana.

"Oh, anong nangyari dyan? Nag-cr lang ako tapos nahulog na yan dyan?" Russel asked.

"E naman, hon e! Lasing na lasing. We can't leave her there."

"Sorry, malay ko bang sasagarin niya." Russel said then laughed.

"Hon! This is no joke. Who's going to bring her home? Oy kayo! Bring her home. Hahatid pa ako ni Hon at out of the way bahay niya." Kelly said habang tinuturo turo pa yung iba.

"E out of the way rin naman kami. Ana kasi sa liblib nakatira." Rico said.

"Grabe! We're such good friends. Who's going to bring her home???" Kelly kind of laughed by what she said, but she's still worrying about Ana.

"I will." Said a guy's voice.