Free From The Cage

Chapter 8

It's already 23rd of December and as what I have heard from Cris and Jeff when I called them yesterday, we're going to attend the same event and they know who'll be the celebrant because that girl attend with the same school as them.

I tried reading my book while listening to the punk rock music in my phone. Ever since I stop playing piano, I started to listen to music like this because of Jeff's and Cris' influence. It's still 1:00 in the afternoon and I still have time to read and relax because 7 pm is the start of the party.

Suddenly, someone knocks on my door, si nanay Cely pala telling me that I should start preparing na daw sabi ni Mommy. So I went to my bathroom and take a bath.

After more than 1 hour of preparation, I'm done and looking good on my bright red halter dress that has a darker shade on its tip. It has a deep neckline and it perfectly showing my curves and a high slit in my right legs. It also show my white back proudly because I also tie my hair in a messy bun. I decided to use my red stilettos as a pair for my dress and get my silver clutch to make it perfect. Though my outfit looks contradicting because of my dark blue cold ice and my red warm dress but somehow, it tells what I really am.

Thirty minutes before seven pm, we decided to go so we'll not be late.

As we are riding in our car, mom looked at me and smiled.

"You're so beautiful Ice." My mom said proudly.

"Mana ako sayo Mom" then I chuckled. Mas gusto ko na yung ganitong side ni mommy na hindi strict and perfectionist type.

We arrived at the hotel safe and sound. There are lots of visitors na agad even wala pang 7:00 pm though I know it's a good thing for someone like them and mom to gain business partners. I roam my eyes just to see if my friends are already here. I saw Jeff seriously standing while talking to his older brother, kuya Kenji. My mom and I went directly to our reserved table which is near Jeff's table so he quickly notice me and wave at me that makes kuya Kenji also smile and nod at me. I decided to go to then and have a talk.

"Ehem, dalagang dalaga na talaga tong si Ice. Bagay talaga kayo ni Jeff." Kuya Kenji as the usual tease me again with Jeff.

"Kuya Ji naman eh, di kami talo nan no. You know we're best of friends. " Kuya Kenji laughed at me the moment I rolled my eyes. Jeff put his hand around my shoulder.

"Wag mo na kasing asarin to sakin kuya. Don't worry babae na yan, meron ngang kasamang lalaki palagi."Kinurot ko tuloy si Jeff sa bewang niya.

"Hoy gagawan mo pa ko ng issue. Nako kuya Ji wag ka ngang magpapaniwala dyan kay Jeff. Rav and I were just friends. " Kuya Ji laughed at Jeff and I

"Defensive huh? So si Rav pala, ipakilala mo nga ng makilatis natin." That statement makes me rolled my eyes more.

"Oh bakit ganyan mukha nan?" Cris interfere and put her hands on to her waist. Cris looks gorgeous in her black sleeveless dress.

"Isa pa tong magandang to, sigurado ka ba na wala kang gusto kay Jeff?"

"Are you serious kuya Ji, don't worry may napupusuan na yata yan si Jeff sa school tsaka balita ko nandito yun." Kuya Ji smirked at Jeff and Cris and I laughed at that. Ayan tuloy Jeff,ikaw tuloy ngayon ang aasarin ni kuya.

"Ayan na pala kuya." Cris said as I also looked to where she is looking. A slender lady wearing a halter blue flowing dress. Jeff has a good taste when it comes to women huh? But she's kinda look familiar. Did I see her before? Anyway, I think Jeff can't stand a chance with this beautiful chic. Maybe that someone she is with right now is her guy. Poor Jeff.

"You have good taste on women huh little brother!" Kuya said proudly.

"Yah, I don't think he can stand a chance with that lady kuya, look, she's with someone." I said as I teasing Jeff.

"Okay lang yan Jeff, better luck next time." Cris added that make us laugh.

"Oh is that Rav, Ice?" I looked to where Cris saw Rav and he's with that slender beautiful chic. Don't tell me he has a girlfriend. I mean, how can he hang out with me when he has a girl. Don't tell me he's cheating with that girl?

"Rav? As in Ice's friend?"

"Yah, he's Rav, but why he's with Pi?" Jeff teased me back. Aba, nakabawi ha

"Ah so that chic is Pi, what a unique name. Ice boyfriend ba ni Pi yan?"

"I don't know, he doesn't tell me anything about that." Then, Rav turned to our side and it happened he saw me. He waved at me and he starts heading to us with Pi.

"Didn't expect to see you here, Ice."

"Oh so she's your bestfriend Rav?"

"Kailan mo pa ko naging bestfriend ha Alvarez, wala ata ako nainform." I replied with sarcasm. Then, Pi laughed at my retort.

"I like your guts Ice, by the way, I'm Pi, Rav's twin sister." Then the three of them smiled like winning over something.

"It's nice to meet you, didn't know that Rav has a twin. He never mention it to me."

"Oh , you're so mean Rav." Pi said to his brother.

"She never ask."

"Whatever, anyway, Pi, these are my friends, Cris and Jeff, I think you know them already, and this is kuya Kenji, Jeff's older brother. "

"Didn't know you're also friends with them."

"You never ask." I replied as I follow the way Rav said it a while ago.

Pi is easy to go with, she has this bubbly and jolly attitude that everyone will like. I think there's not a thing that can be a reason not to like her. She's pretty and friendly. I think that's the similarities she have with her twin or I think it's in their family, I mean Syre is also like that.

Pi enjoyed my friends company as what I see. Then she looked at me, maybe thinking what's in my mind.

"Don't mind her Pi, she's really a silent type and hot headed." Cris said while laughing that makes me rolled my eyes.

"I agree with that." Rav added kaya tiningnan ko siya ng masama.

"Tss. As if I care." Then they all laughed and go back to their own business.

"Is it really blue or just a contact lens."

"That's really blue. I think I inherit it to my grandmother from my mother side."

"Oh, it's cool, just like your name. Your name really suits in that eye color of yours and I think your personality, too."

"Good to know that you also notice it."

"How would I not notice it if your eyes looks like it is talking to me. Your eyes speaks a thousand words than your lips. You know eyes can't lie. Not all the things comes from our mouth is true. That's why I love to look in others eye. In that way, I may able to know and understand them." I was glued to my seat upon hearing it. Didn't know someone aside from Rav can notice me. Am I really that visible to them?

"I'm sorry for that serious conversation." I smiled to her.

"You're like Rav. How can the both of you notice it?" I said in a low voice.

"I think your friends know it also but they keep their mouth shut to keep you comfortable. As what Rav also told me, you don't want to worry them, that's why you keep to yourself what you're really feeling. But you know, you can never tell someone not to worry about you, because it's a normal thing, they will worry because they care, they are concern of you. I'm sorry if I cross out of line. I shouldn't said this to you."

I smiled to keep the atmosphere not awkward.

"It's okay, thank you."