Instant

Prologue

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Chin up.

Chest out.

Stomach in.

Butt out.

"I'm Althea Denise Suarez, 17, representing accountancy!" With pride and confidence Kong pagpapakilala sinabayan naman ito ng hiyawan at palakpakan ng mga manonood.

This is me. Though I seldom join  the beauty pageants. Di naman mapagkakaila that I have beauty and brain. Madalas napapagkamalan akong tourism student or flight attendant.

I focus my attention on my study. I just make sure na pagsasali ako ng pageants at hindi masasagasaan ang pay aaral ko. That is what I and my father agreed about and I wanna finish my accountancy and be a CPA. Career first before anything else. I study a lot pero di nawawala ang social life ko. Clubs, mall and so on.

Disco lights at up beat song ang sumalubong sakin pagkapasok ko ng Royal Club.

"Hi, Althea. Congrats! Wala ka talagang kupas!" Mary said while having me a chin to chin kiss.

"Well.." I said and shrugged my shoulders.

"Ganyan talaga pag beauty and brain. Boy friend nalang ang kulang"

"Alam mo Shasha that she's just into flings. You know she focus more on her study. Our future CPA" may highlight pang sabi ni Grethel.

"And I thank you" reply naman ng pinsan Kong so Shasha.

Its true. I just into flings but I don't do serous relationship. If boys demand more than that? I turn them down. Its just that sakit lang sa ulo ang serious relationship...like you also have time for them... And I don't wanna ruin my study.

"I heard the Rachel walk out after announcing the winners"

"Sinong hindi, Mary. Ate said that she defended her  thrown for too long. Talunin ba naman ng freshman ang senior" pagmamayabang ni Shasha

"Tama na nga yan. Let's go and have some drinks" Shasha lead the way.

We sat at the U shape sofa drinking some alcohol. Some  familiar faces greeted me. I just wave my right hand and smiled to them.

"I saw Luke with his friends. Naghahanap nanaman siguro ng kaaway" Shasha said while flipping her hair.

"That Luke. Gwapo sana kaso puro gulo hanap" Grethel add.

"Isn't his one of your suitor, Thea?"

Napabaling naman ako sakanila.

"Who?" I asked though I know who are they talking about.

"Luke" Mary said.

"The smoking hot Luke?" I said while leaning my head to them and smile.

Sabay sabay nilang tango. There's a hidden interest in their eyes.

"No"

Grethel and Shasha giggled habang si Mary at napapailing nalang.

"Enough with the conversation. Let's dance!" Shasha stand up at nagsisuniran naman kaming tatlo.

We all dance at the music. I raise my both hand and sway my hips. Ginaya naman ako ng tatlo and we all laugh at our naughtiness. I keep dancing when I felt someone hold my butt. And I flinch. I felt molested and face the person who hold my butt when I saw a man  at the ground. People at the dance floor gasped kaya pati music nahinto.

"The hell with your problem, Luke!"

"Your my problem, Rival!" Luke shouts at him and throw another punch.

Dumudugo na ang mukha ni Rival ng dumating any mga bouncers.

Everyone was shocked including me. Nawala na ang intensyong sapakin ang bang hipo sakin.

Bouncers of the club assisted Luke and Rival out. Probably assisted Luke to the police station while Rival at the hospital.

"Tsk. tsk. Luke love riot" Mary said while she shook her head.

"And he just ruin our celebration, Thea" Shasha added with the same disappointment.

"Let's just continue our drinks"

We all headed to the parking lot. Pagiwanggiwang ako habang papunta ng kotse ko.

"You sure, Thea, can you really drive?" Shasha asked with worry. She's with her boyfriend and definitely makakagulo lang ako sakanila.

"Magpasundo ka nalang kaya?"

"No, dad will know that I will go home this waisted and I'm just going to sneak in as soon as I arrive home" I saw hesitance at her face. " Its okey, Shasha. I'll drive safe. I'll be fine.. Go now" I gaving her assurance that its okey.

I went inside the car and start the engine. I feel exhausted. I look at my wristwatch.

"30 minutes to drive...not bad" sinimulan ko nang paandarin ang sasakyan and its just 10 minutes  when I feel sleepy and regret in opening the speaker 'cause it just drive me to sleep.