THE LAW OF LOVING YOU °[KathNiel] ✓COMPLETE

19. Alone

Serenity

After the dance, Nicko invites me to join her at the table. Five, who busies himself with his phone all night, allows me to accompany his cousin.

"For the record Justine, I am sure that you are the only reason why Seb is not interested in any girl."

"Huh? Nic, no. No." I quickly reply. "No. Hindi ko naman pinagbabawalan  si Seb na magkagirlfriend."

My forehead forms its designed frowns when Nicolette bursts into laughter. She is not drunk. We haven't taken any alcohol tonight. What is wrong with her?

"Geez, Justine! You're so naive." She muses, shaking her head in amusement. "Oh God, you still don't get it?" I shake my head to give her an honest answer. "Honey, your bestfriend is in love with you."

"Oh. We love each other." I tell her. "But if you're trying to mean romantic love...no, no. He doesn't love me like that."

"Whatever." She sighs. "One day, when you'll know, you will remember me and this night."

That silences me though. I just... I just can't really see myself with Seb in that way. And deep in my heart, I am sure that Seb will never try too. It's betrayal, you know. He is my bestfriend and if he would want to change that, I will be betrayed. It will break my heart.

"It's so boring here. How about we ditch everyone and go to the bar?" Bulong ni Nicko na nagpalaki ng mga mata ko. Omg. This is wrong. Gosh. I feel so guilty. The very first time we met her, she was a very demure  innocent face who doesn't know anything about breaking the rules. Now, she's a totally changed girl.

"Ladies." Napalingon kami sa nagsasalita. Oh, the badboy Six. He's drunk. "Can I join?"

"Ugh. Kuya, lasing ka ba?" Maarteng untag ni Nicko sa pinsan niya.

"Danni." Mahinang sambit nito saka ako niyakap. Oh no! I am not Danni!

"Kuya. Umayos ka." Sita ni Nicko sabay hila kay Six. "Kapag tayo nakita ni kuya Five, lagot ka talaga. Hindi 'yan si Danni."

"Oh." He sits on the chair and laughs. Tumawa narin ako pero nakikita ko ang sarili ko kung gaano kapeke ang tawa ko. Nabigla kasi ako sa ginawa niya. Ang lakas ng kabog ng puso ko sa sobrang kaba.

And to add salt to the injury, someone just butts in, clearing his throat to get our attention. Seeing Five whose eyes are shooting me daggers, I quickly stand up. Nagkatinginan kami ni Nicko.

"Kuya Five. Um, look. It's—"

"Nicko, I have to drive Serenity home."

"Ah. O—kay. Of course." Tiningnan ako ni Nicko, nagtatanong ang mga mata kung okay lang ba ako. Nginitian ko siya bilang sagot. Bigla-bigla ay hinila na ako palabas ni Five.

"Mo, galit ka ba?" Ang higpit kasi ng pagkakahawak niya sa'kin. "Five. Kung galit ka, kausapin mo 'ko. Ano na naman ba ang ginawa ko? Ba't hindi mo na naman ako kinakausap? Nagseselos ka ba? Uy... Mo? Kausapin mo 'ko. What did I do? We were fine earlier—"

"Serenity, can you just shut up for a minute?"

"I didn't do anything." I insist. He raises his brow at me. I get it. I know what that means. He doesn't want to hear my voice. "Can we just go home?"

"You take the cab." He answers while he pushes me away harshly. Naiwan ako sa hallway dahil mabilis na naglakad siya papalayo.

"Fine." Napairap ako. "Ayaw pa kasing aminin. Nagseselos lang naman." Nakakaasar. Umiling ako saka nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. "Ang sungit-sungit. Kung hindi lang gwapo...naku talaga."