The Brightest Star

14

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY REA!"

My friends simultaneously cheered as we clinked our glasses. Sabay sabay naming ininom ang laman ng mga shot glass namin bago muling sumigaw.

"Thank you" I cheered as I felt the alcohol burn my throat. We're in a club in BCG, dito ko talaga pinili para maiba naman ang ambiance namin, hindi puro dorm at chill top na lang.

I invited seven of my classmates, yung mga friends ko from highschool naman next time ko na lang ililibre kase hindi tugma ang mga schedule namin.

With me was Kim, Kristine, Carlo, JC, Auie, Alex and Phoebe. The usual inuman group from our class, except for Phoebe, she wanted to come with us, first time niya kase sa ganitong klase ng club, yun bang medyo wild. We were celebrating both the finals we finished earlier today and ofcourse my birthday!

As a treat to them and myself, ako ang magbabayad sa lahat ng iinomin namin ngayon. Nag-ipon ako para sa araw na ito, but when my grandfather who is an engineer abroad asked me what I had planned for my birthday, he volunteered to pay for today. He sent me money so I could treat my friends today, at may extra pa for me!

I planned to get drunk tonight. I wanted to forget these past few days. I wanted to forget about Night, even just for tonight. After our last encounter, talagang nilayo ko na ang sarili ko from him.

After that sleepless night, I decided to stop this madness. Masyado akong na distract na hangang sa nag e-exam kami siya parin ang nasa isip ko. Buti na lang nakasagot parin ako at nakapasa.

I have so many unanswered questions about my feelings for him, na parang ayaw ko ng masagot. Kase baka lalo lang gumulo, both my mind and my life.

Night kept texting me, like the usual. From goodmorning to goodnight, to asking me if I have eaten and to remind me to rest. Pero di gaya ng dati, hindi na talaga ako nag reply. I ignored his texts completely, pero patuloy parin ang mga text niya. Baka iniisip niya na busy lang ako with my studies, hindi siguro niya naisip na iniiwasan ko siya. I like it better that way though, ayokong isipin niya na iniiwasan ko siya ng walang dahilan, because he doesnt deserve that. He was so nice and caring to me, that why I know he deserves an explanation as to why I'm avoiding him. An explanation Im not ready to provide.

"To the future CPA's!" I raised my glass to propose a toast. We clinked our glasses and drank. We were seated in a U shaped couch, with me on the farthest side, for easier access to the waiter.

"Rea... look" bulong sakin ni Kim na siyang katabi ko, ngumuso siya sa direksyon na mga bagong pasok na tao.

I was instantly rooted in my seat, my heart beat doubled in speed as I saw Night, walking in with his friends, with a girl in his arm. They were guided by a waiter to a table close to us. Isang table lang ang pagitan namin.

Night looked around na para bang may hinahanap. The girl with him touched his jaw to get his attention. His hand rested on the girl's back, just a little above her perfect ass.

I cant help but stare at the girl he's with. She was wearing a maroon, spaghetti strap body con dress, na sa sobrang iksi ay kulang na lang masilipan na siya ng umupo siya. She was wearing a pair of black heels, and an expensive looking clutch. Her hair was straight and long, and I cant deny her beauty. Her skin was fair, almond shaped eyes and high nose.

Bagay sila. Thats what I thought, as I stared at them.

Night was wearing a gray shirt, jeans and sneakers. Ang simple lang ng suot niya but he could easily pass as a model sa sobrang gwapo at ganda ng katawan.

"You want to get out of here? Pwede naman tayong lumipat ng bar marami pa namang iba dyan" Kim said sounding concern for me. I told her I like Night, kaya siguro siya ganto.