Your Place Or Mine? BOOK VERSION (PUBLISHED BY VIVA PSICOM)

Chapter 59: Kirsten

HALEY'S POV

"CHEERS!"

This moment, that I've been long waiting for, calls for a celebration. Graduation. I can't believe I made it. I had no regrets I took this course despite my mom's disapproval. And I've never been so proud of myself. This is one of the things I considered my achievement. Sabi ng iba, kahit hindi ako mag-aral, I can still survive. I have a well-off family.

Pero iba pa rin ang nakapagtapos. Kahit alam kong baka hindi ko magagamit ang course ko. Like, how in the hell am I going to use it for hardcore business purposes? Well, this is what I wanted.

"Ano'ng iniisip mo?" Hinapit ako ni Russell sa baywang palapit sa kanya.

He's still wearing his gray long sleeves. Ito 'yung binili namin sa Cebu at ako ang pumili nito. And me, still in my soft curls and mini plum graduation dress. We decided to storm directly to our favorite bar just after the ceremony.

This is a very memorable place. Saksi ang bar na ito sa lahat ng school-related celebrations. And what made this place so special? This is where Russell and I met.

"Wala naman. Masaya lang ako," and I leaned on his chest.

Langhap ko ang amoy beer na hininga niya. It was so tempting to kiss. His shocked face almost made me laugh when I held his face and kissed him gently on the lips. But I was more shocked when he cupped my face and gave me a French kiss. Pansamantalang tumigil ang ikot ng mundo para sa akin. Napaliyad ako at napahawak sa ulo niya nang mahigpit.

"Woohh!" sigaw ng mga kasama namin sa table.

Hindi lang basta tumigil ang mundo ko. I forgot where we were. At nakalimutan kong may mga kasama pala kami. Sina Irish at ang asawa nitong si Jordan. Sumama rin sina Dana at CK. Jess is present, minus Ambrose and I don't know what's going on. Her silence tells a lot. And I know she's not fine. Alam kong hindi madali ang pinagdadaanan niya these past few days. At ayokong ungkatin ito sa kanya ngayon.

We were both gasping when our lips parted. Marami na kasi akong nainom kaya medyo makapal na ang mukha ko.

"More!" sigaw nila.

Natawa si Russell.

"More? I think we need a room," ganting biro nito.

Nagtawanan ang iba habang kilig na kilig na nakamasid sa amin sina Irish at Dana.

Ang sweet daw namin sabi ni Irish. At masaya ako dahil wala ulit kaming naging problema. Para ulit kaming bagong kasal. And I've never seen or felt anything suspicious with him. I tried to shrug off all my worries. Pero hindi ko pa ring maiwasang hindi mangamba sa banta ng babaeng 'yon. Hindi ko sinabi kay Russell ang pagkikita namin. Ayoko na siyang pag-usapan pa. And besides, it's now between the two of us. I think I have to deal with her on my own. I want Russell out of it.

May tiwala ako kay Russell. Like I promised, ibabalik ko ng buo sa kanya ang tiwala ko. Technically, he did not cheat. He just lied. Well, for a good cause, maybe. Whatever.

Nasa ganung pagmumuni-muni ako nang may mahagip ang mga mata ko sa kabilang table.

Siniko ko si Russell. "Is that Micah?"

Tumingin siya sa kabilang table. "Oo."

He's with a guy. They're so close and almost kissed. Napakunot ang noo ko nang lumipat ang kamay ng lalaki sa baywang niya.

WTH. Wala na ba sila ni Hans? Are they still living together?

"Sino 'yung kasama niya?" tanong ko.