Before The Last Sunset [Before Trilogy #1]

04

Anika: Party tonight at 9, Enzo's place. All g?

The text was sent to our group chat in the late afternoon. Kanya-kanya kaming pagreply upang sumang-ayon. Knowing us, we never said no to a party. This was the first of the summer, kaya sigurado ako na maraming dadalo dito. 

Malayo-layo ang venue sa bahay namin, kaya maaga ako nag-ayos bago umalis. I decided to wear a white short-sleeved button down paired with black pants and converse. The top buttons of my shirt were undone, revealing my necklace with a cross pendant. 

I collected my phone, keys and wallet before heading down the stairs. My watch indicated that it was past 7, giving me enough time to get there before 9. Dad sat casually in the living room, looking up from the TV when he heard my footsteps. 

"May lakad ka anak?" tanong niya at tumayo. 

Lumapit ako para magmano. "Opo, dad. May party lang po ako na pupuntahan."

"Alam ba yan ng Mommy mo?" tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. 

"Opo, pumayag naman po siya basta daw po umuwi ako bago umaraw." I replied. 

He nodded and patted my back. "Sige. Ingat sa daan at gabi na." 

Tumalikod ako at nagsimula lumakad papunta ng pinto, ngunit tinawag ako bigla ni Dad. "Chase, teka lang."

"Bakit po?" I asked, confused.

Hinawakan niya ang mga balikat ko at tinignan ako mata sa mata. "Alam ko naman na nag-iingat ka, pero I just have to be sure. May.....baon ka ba?"

"Na pera? Opo." nilabas ko ang wallet ko mula sa aking bulsa upang ipakita ito.

"Hindi, hindi. Yung...isa na dapat baunin."

"Baon na alin?" it took a while for it to process in my head, but when it did I cringed. "Dad! 'Bat naman ako magbabaon ng ganun?"

He laughed lightly. "I wasn't born yesterday, son. Live while you're young, ika nga. As long as you are practicing protected-"

"Dad, please. Wag na natin ulit pag-usapan yan." lumayo ako bigla. Ayoko na maulit yung conversation na yun, nakakatraumatize pala kapag mga doctor yung nag-eexplain sayo. 

Kinuha niya ang wallet ko at may nilagay sa loob. "Ayan. Ikaw na bahala kung gagamitin mo yan." 

Hindi na ako nagtangka na tignan kung ano ang nilagay niya doon ng ibalik niya ito sa akin. I was pretty sure I knew what he just gave me.

Teka nga lang, bakit siya merong ganun na dala?

I decided not to ask to avoid the conversation to go on. "Thanks...I guess?"

"Ayoko pa maging lolo, Chase Elliot." He warned. "Tsaka, don't tell your mom. She would kill me." 

Tumango ako at lumabas sa garahe upang kunin ang kotse. I connected my phone to the speaker and played some music before leaving.

The drive to Enzo's took longer than expected. Medyo traffic sa daan, kaya nalate ako ng dating ng isang oras. Loud music filled the area and there were heaps of people inside. Sinubukan ko hanapin ang mga kaibigan ko, at nagulat nalang ako ng may umakbay sakin mula sa likod.

"Bro! Nandito ka na pala." bati ni Marcus habang hawak hawak ang isang red cup sa kanyang kabilang kamay.

Amoy na amoy ko na yung alak sa kanyang katawan, mukhang naparami na yung inom niya. Tinanggal ko yung kamay niya sa balikat ko. "Pulang-pula ka na anong oras palang. San ba yung alak?"

He led me to the table where the selection of alcohol was located. I decided to open a bottle of beer, having no plans of getting wasted.

"Bakit beer lang? Libre na nga alak hindi pa sinulit." reklamo ni Marcus.