Nothing has changed

02

Dad:

Honey. We have a dinner later, you should go. Your mom will be there.

Nakakunot kong binasa ang mensahe ni papa. I know what will happen if I go there later. Ipapaliwanag na naman sa akin lahat ng dapat ko na itama. Umirap ako.

The entrance exam will be next week, which is on monday. I don't have any plans for now. I've been here in manila for years now. Dito ako nag high school. Our house is not here in manila. Nasa pampanga iyon. But my mom and dad have a condo here in manila but not near me. Ayoko nga no, at baka lagi nalang ako pagalitan kapag magkasama kami sa iisang condo.

Binato ko sa kama ang phone ko at tumayo na. Nag plano kami ng sleepover ni Paige since it's her birthday today. There's a party later that will happen and the venue is in their house. Sinabi niya sa akin na sa rooftop gaganapin ang celebration.

Paige:

Yes, beers are allowed!!

I smiled and almost jumped. My goodness, she's now eighteen! Tumigil ako at may narealize. I smirked.

Dali dali akong pumunta sa kusina at kumuha ng tatlong bote ng alak. I didn't mind the name of those but I expect they're strong , really strong. Tumili ako at itinaas sa ere ang mga hawak na bote. This day will be great! Dali dali akong pumunta sa kwarto at nag impake ng damit. I prepared one pair of bikini and the rest are pajamas. May roon din akong dinalang damit na pang bar, why not, just in case. Hinanda ko na rin ang damit na susuotin ko pag punta.

I am now wearing a maroon tube and pairing it with a black skater skirt. Naglagay na rin ako ng belt because this is a style. Hinanap ko ang choker ko para mayroong nakalagay sa aking leeg. I curled my hair and put some make up. Now, perfect.

Shoot! I don't have a gift! Nataranta ako ng slight, goodness. Kinuha ko na ang bag ko at ang susi ng kotse.

Pinindot ko ang floor kung saan ako. The elevator opened and I started walking. Linibot ko ang tingin sa paligid. I can see some guys who are staring at me. Umiling ako. Chill kids, you will still grow up.

Sumakay ako sa kotse ko at nilagay ang bag sa front seat. I scanned the back of my car and saw some tissues and concealer na nagkalat. Oh no. Tinapon ko muna ang mga ito at nagsimula nang magpaandar.

I clicked the loud speaker when Paige called. I looked at my mirror to check my face, which is still fine. I smirked.

"Bess, c-can you do me a favor? Please.." she begged. Hmm. I know this one. She always asks me for a favor if her secret boyfriend wants to see her.

"Hmm. All about Yuji?" I smirked. Nararamdaman ko ang pag ngiti ng maharot kong bestfriend!

She laughed, "Please?"

Wala naman akong magagawa. Ang mga simpleng pabor niya lang ang pagbawi ko sa kaniya sa mga ginawa niya para sa akin. I gave her betrayal but she gave me acceptance. Ngumiti ako. I said, sure.

Dinaanan ko muna ang boyfriend niya sa condo. I decided to go to the mall to buy her a gift. Naglakad na kami sa mga jewelry sections. I want something.. like forever. I want to buy her a necklace that symbolizes forever and pureness.

"Does she like necklaces?" Yuji asked.

Hinawakan ko ang isang silver kwintas na may infinity pendant.

"Ya. She told me giving someone a necklace means that person wants to keep the person.." I smirked. I wonder why we were destined to be friends. Ibang iba siya. She is very pure, silent, kind, humble.. while me? Opposite of those.

"Someday, when we are finally official and meet each others parents formally, I will give her a necklace. And if we got engaged, I will give her a ring that worth like how much she means to me.." he said.

Liningon ko siya. Wow. I am now relieved. I have never been meet someone that's so true to their words. Kita ko rin ang kislap sa mga mata nitong katabi ko. I think, I am now happy for my bestfriend. Tinapik ko ang kaniyang balikat at ngumiti. What a great man!

"5,000 pesos, ma'am." The cashier said. I gave my credit card to pay the necklace. Ayos lang, I love her naman.

Bumalik na kami sa kotse para pumunta sa bahay nila Paige. Nilingon ko ang tao na nasa driver's seat. "What did you buy?" I asked while staring at the road.

"Something that will make her special.."

Bumaba na kami ng kotse para pumasok. I prepared myself for what's going to happen. Inayos ko ang damit at kinuha ang mga gamit. Para kaming nasa prom sa ayos namin. I would rather do this than holding hands! Mamaya ay magtampo pa sa akin ang bestfriend ko.

"Oh, April is here!" Tita hugged me tight. Ngumiti ako, feels like home though. Lumipat ang tingin ni tita sa katabi ko. Ready.

"By the way tita, meet my boyfriend, Yuji.." I smiled wide and acted good. Napaniwala ko naman si tita at umakyat na kami.

Yinakap kaagad ni Paige si Yuji. "Birthday gift, huh." Paige smiled. Nilapag ko na sa kama ang bag ko. Nilabas ko na ang mga bote ng alak para mamaya. Pinuntahan ko na ang roof top. I saw some fairy lights and 'yong light na pang disco. A long table is placed at the middle. The pool feels so great at dahil pa sa mga kulay nito. Marami na ring tao ang nandito. Some of her friends from her province and cousins. Puro halos babae ang na dito. Now I know kung bakit siya nanghingi ng favor sa akin.

I went to the section where a lot of wines and beers are. Kumuha ako ng baso ng wine at nilagyan ito.

"Tastes so good!" I danced with the music. It's like a bar but strict version. I laughed at what I said in my mind. I also saw that there's a DJ hired for the musics.

My phone rang. Mom's calling. I immediately accepted the call.

"Yes, mom?" I drank some from my glass. Napapikit ako sa tapang!

"April! We have dinner tonight, your father texted you! Nasaan ka na naman?" Lumaki ang mata ko. Shoot! I forgot!

Lumayo ako sa maingay na parte ng floor dahil baka masabihan na naman ako na nasa bar.

"Mom today is Paige's birthday. I can't go right now.." I explained. In fact, ayoko lang pumunta. Why? Because I am sure na patong patong na sermon na naman ang aabutin ko.

I ended the call and went back to basic. Napapunta ako sa dance floor para sumayaw. I danced with the smokes. Siksikan na ka agad dito sa dance floor. Shit! I spilled some of my wine. Ano ba! Sumosobra na ang mga tao rito sa sobrang likot! I decided to go back to the table and just drink there! That's better! While walking, I can feel my heels are shaking. Napasapo ako sa ulo. Sobrang sakit na ng ulo ko, I couldn't handle my self anymore! Sobrang taas ng alcohol content ng nainom ko, shit.

My heels finally gave up. Natapilok ako at muntik na mahulog sa matigas na sahig! Kung hindi lang dahil sa lalaking sumalo sa akin. I stood up clearly and faced him. Tinignan ko siya ng mabuti at kumunot ang aking noo. Some random guys again..

I started to kiss him. Walang alinlangan siyang humalik pabalik. I stopped kissing when I felt his hands are now on my waist. Oh boy, I don't like this one. Hindi ako komportable! I pushed him enough to make him distanced to me. Narinig ko ang mura niya. I know, I'm complicated but I've decided na it's a no. Alam ko na nakakairita ako minsan. Base on my actions, napakagulo ko. I just can't find, the happiness.

I received a text from my mom afterwards.

Mom:

You're very grounded, April! Alam ko ang ginawa mo. You just kissed a guy? Ano na naman ba ang ginagawa mo, April?

Pumikit ako. Fuck. I'm really fucked up! I messed up really bad. Nakita ko pa ang isang message niya.

Mom:

April. Go home here! Papaluwasin kita sa probinsya. I will make you realize what you did, and let yourself know your lessons..

What?! No! This can't be!

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