Leaving it to chance [ Serendipity Series #01 ]

V. yugto

Yugto — (n.) A fundamental transition or development of a story or phenomenon 

* Should there be any Bisaya words used throughout the chapter, a Bisaya glossary will be provided at the end of the chapter for your reference.

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"Sige na, Korine. Don't be shy," Genevieve whispered and playfully hit my shoulder as Emman introduced Mikie. I didn't know how to react. My heart beat a hundred miles per second. It was beating so fast that I could practically hear it through my ears. I clasped my hands together, trying to stop them from shaking too much. I clasped it so tight that my palms turned white. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko, telling her off with them, but she only laughed harder.

"Shake hands naman kayo! Ano ba naman 'to, para kayong mga bata. Korine Attina, sige na. 'Di ka pinalaki na pabebe. 'Wag mo kaming ipahiya," sumbat ni Josh. I felt like a kid getting scolded. Before I could say anything, kinuha ni Rafa ang kamay ni Mikie at ang kamay ko upang makapag-shake hands kami. I smiled tightly and prayed so hard that he wouldn't feel me quiver.

I didn't notice that I was holding my breath until he finally let go of my hand. Everyone seemed to move on after that and continued with the night, drinking and talking. Maybe because I wanted to suppress the memories from earlier, I ended up drinking more than I could handle. What was new? I tried so hard not to let my intoxicated self shine through especially with the new people around. I did not want to embarrass myself in front of them. Umabot na ako sa quota ko kanina.

I sat very, very still in my little corner, but oh gosh, my head was spinning. I physically had to shut myself up by biting my tongue just so I wouldn't say anything. Sitting still was very, very difficult, mind you. Ang bigat na ng pakiramdam ko and I wanted to just fall back. Bakit pa kasi ako uminom ngayon?! My mind and body were two separate entities at this point with the latter deciding to stop listening to the former. Was this how a dog felt when it was forced to sit?

From the corner of my eyes, I could see Mikie leave to go to the hallway. I finally let out a breath, leaning against the back of the couch. Shit, nahihilo na talaga ako. Nahihilo and naiihi actually. I had been holding it in since kanina pa.

"Hoy saan ka pupunta?" Astrid asked me, holding my arm.

"Sa puso mo, boom!" Sabay giggle. Napakabaduy, Nina.

"Gagita. Umupo ka nga. Barag ka na."

I pulled my arm away from her grasp and assured her I was okay.

I actually wasn't, but keri lang. I could hear Astrid stand and follow me to the bathroom, obviously worried. Not going to lie, I would be, too. "Okay lang ako, promise. Maganda pa rin ako." I flipped my hair and gave her a wide smile over my shoulder.

"Oo, maganda ka, kaso tanga lang. Hindi marunong pumreno sa inuman."

"Pero maganda pa rin, 'di ba?" tanong ko sa kanta sabay ngisi. I almost lost balance, but thankfully Astrid grabbed a hold of me and escorted me to the bathroom.

Hindi ko siya pinayagang pumasok sa banyo kasi I thought kaya ko. Another moment where I overestimated myself, by the way. Nakaya ko namang umihi and maghugas ng kamay, but I think that took the remainder of any ounce of sobriety I had.

"Nina, baka na-flush ka na riyan? Okay ka lang? Papasok ako, ha." Astrid pounded on the door.

Hindi na ako nakapag-react or reply kasi binuksan agad ni Astrid ang pinto only to find me grabbing onto the sink for balance and for sanity.

"Dapat kasi sinamahan na kita," she grumbled, lifting one of my arms and putting it over her shoulder, helping me out of the bathroom. Nanlambot na ang mga buto ko at medyo nahihirapan nang lumakad.