I hate social gatherings.
I just hate the idea of it. Just the thought of it makes me suffocated and stressed. I am forcing—no, my parents were forcing me to talk to their business partners and have fun. As if their business partners are fun to be with, they're not.
I am not supposed to be here tonight but my sister didn't come because she have something in her hands right now.
As if.
I rolled my eyes to that thought. Yeah, she might be enjoying so much right now.
"Cassandra Felice Quero. What a pleasant surprise!" Somebody behind me tapped my back and I looked back and saw Nico. Namilog ang mga mata ko.
"Nico! How are you?" I asked cheerfully. I even hugged and kissed his cheeks. "Wow! It's been what? 7 years?"
"9 years, Cassie." He chuckled. "You look dashing tonight. Are you alone?" Tanong niya sabay palinga-linga. Tumango naman ako sa kaniya habang nakangiti.
"Yes! You look good either!" I complimented him. I haven't seen him for a long time and I'm so happy that this event is not boring as it was before now that he's here! "Wow! It's really been a long time. I heard you're a doctor now?"
"Yes, I am. Got that dream job already." He answered. He sound so passionate that moment. "My parents wanted me to handle the hospital chains but I'm not that sure yet."
"Oh, bakit naman? You're fit sa job, Nico!"
"I'm just enjoying my time now as a Doctor. I consider but I don't have concrete plans yet. I love having busy schedules and the thrill when I'm in the ER, so enjoy it now." He sounded so happy the way he talks that I felt a little pang of jealousy in my heart. He really do love his job then.
Nico was my friend. Was? Yes. Well, we used to be together long time ago but we didn't end up together because of some minor issues but I can see where that break up bought him. He finished his degree and finally got that dream job he always wanted. I felt so happy and proud for him.
Naging kami naman ng medyo matagal. 3 years? Naging official kami 3 years and after that we both manage to break up because again, minor issues. He was too nice for me and I feel like I don't deserve him. I feel like a jerk for breaking up with him.
"Why are you here? Diba dapat si Tatiana ang nandito?" Tanong niya. May dumaan na waiter at kumuha siya ng maiinom. Kumuha din ako. Sumimsim muna ako bago sinagot siya.
"Tatiana's busy. She has something on her plate right now. Ako na lang pinagpalit ng mga magulang ko."
"You don't even look like you're enjoying." Komento niya.
"Well, you're here now so I'm kinda happy."
He chuckled and stared at me.
"Magaling ka pa din mambola, Cassie. Ano pa bang pinagbago mo?"
"Wala! I'm still me! We should eat lunch together sometime! Let's catch up!" Aya ko sa kaniya.
"That sounds great. Number mo?"
"Ay, fishing ka?" Tumawa ulit siya but we exchanged numbers.
"You haven't changed numbers?," gulat na tanong ni Nico. I smiled.
"No. Why? Do you still have my number?"
"Damn, right. I do." Natatawang sabi niya. "Still here."
