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Chapter 35

It was a tiring Saturday afternoon, the kind that sat heavy on my body and pulled at my eyes. The kind of day where even the quiet felt loud, and the smallest tasks felt like dragging yourself through mud.

My legs ached from running errands since morning, my phone buzzing occasionally with reminders I didn't have the energy to care about.

I had been looking forward to nothing more than collapsing into bed or curling up on the couch in silence, letting the exhaustion of the day settle without interruption.

With my lazy hands, I checked the notification that I got on my phone. 

It was from Nathalie. 

We rarely talk to each other ever since Aubrey disappeared. Hindi ko rin naman alam ang nangyari kaya I only told her what I knew.

I almost didn't open it right away. I stared at her name on my screen for a second too long, wondering if it was something urgent or just another casual check-in.

And for a second, I didn't know how to feel. There was this strange pause inside me, like the world had slowed just enough for her name and her words to sink in.

And in the middle of a day that already felt too long, too heavy, too everything... her message hit differently.

Something about it felt intentional.

My thumb moved before I even knew it. I replied. 

Ako

Of course, I'm available.

Nathalie

Bring your girlfriend if you want.

Nag 'okay' lang ako at hindi na nagtanong pa ng tungkol sa kahit na ano. I didn't even ask what the party is for.

I'm trying to be sensitive enough with regards to my replies. Mabuti na nga lang at maayos ang pakikitungo sa amin ni Nathalie despite of what Aubrey did.

I texted Janine about the party. Nag sabi lang siya na uuwi siya ng maaga. And she really did. She went home earlier than the usual.

Nauna ako sa banyo at sumunod siya sa akin. I was putting my make up on when she appeared beside me.

Inilapit niya ang mukha sa akin. Asking for a kiss na agad ko rin namang ibinigay sa kanya.

Nang matapos kami parehas, pinakatitigan ko ang ayos niya. She's wearing a beige silk dress with a low cut on the chest. Sumisilip doon ang cleavage niya. Her black pointed stiletto is on point too. And so is her natural make up with nude lipstick.

Maiksi ang suot niyang dress pero mas maiksi ang sa akin. Suot ko ang black fitted dress na binili ko last month lang. Mine is simple and elegant at the same time. Katulad ng kanya.

Hinayaan kong nakalugay ang straight na buhok na ngayon ay kulay itim na ulit. Ang kanya naman ay mahigpit na nakasakop.

When we arrived at Foamlux, people are partying so wild. Maraming tao sa dance floor pero hindi naman 'yon ang sadya namin.

Umakyat kami at dumiretso kay Nathalie na may kausap pang babae. My fiancé is staring at Nathalie. Malalim ang titig at mukhang kinakabisado ang kaibigan ko.

Janine looked at Nathalie intently, her eyes fixed and unreadable, like she was searching for something beneath the surface. 

There was no hostility in her stare, no obvious judgment, but there was weight in it. 

A kind of quiet pressure that filled the space between them without a single word being spoken.

It was the way someone looks when they have too many questions but no strength left to ask them.