The blinding light from my apartment's window woke me up. I covered my eyes using the back of my hand to avoid the painful contact from the sun's excruciating touch.
I should probably change my curtain into a darker one. White is calming, especially at night—the thin cloth weaving along with the night's breeze— but when the morning comes... it's just so annoying. I am not a morning person kaya naman naaabutan ako ng mainit na sikat ng araw.
I kept my eyes close, thinking I could drift away from this melancholic existence, I just want to wander inside my head while my body's temporarily dead. It's better that way, when the reality's beyond my grasp for a little while. Sobrang nakakapagod ang mamulat at mamuhay sa reyalidad nang sabay.
My attempt to go back to sleep was to no avail, so I just stared at my ceiling. Nasa kalagitnaan ako nang aking paghikab nang may malakas na kalabog sa pinto.
The moment I got up from lying, the pain that started from both sides of my head spread like wildfire all throughout. I'm not even that drunk so why am I having hangover every time! Sa susunod na iinom ako ng alak dapat dead drunk na para naman sulit yung hangover.
"Sandali!" Sigaw ko nang 'di matigil-tigil ang katok.
"Hello..."
As soon as I opened the door, Jashiel's smiling fucking face welcomed me. He's holding two plastic bags on his left hand while the other holds a big paper bag.
I was glaring at him when his eyes suddenly dropped on my body. Kasunod ay ang kanyang malakas na sigaw.
"My virgin eyes! My virgin eyes!" Sigaw niya habang pinipikit ang mga mata. I rolled my eyes. Ang kapal, I can still remember him sending lewd videos to Chrys' phone without the latter's consent. Virgin my ass!
If it weren't Jashiel, siguro ay mahihiya na ako sa makakakita sa itsura ko ngayon, I'm only wearing my bra and short shorts since I'm living alone, but this asshole's been with me for a long time now, I'm comfortable and safe around him even though 'safe' is the opposite of how we met.
Danger made us meet. Danger built our friendship and if even the most dangerous thing in the world gets in the bond we've created, I'm willing to give up everything just to save them.
"Can you stop shouting?!" Sigaw ko sa kanya.
"Oh, e, bakit ka nasigaw?" He now mumbled.
"Ang aga-aga sobrang annoying mo, Jashiel! Why are you even here?"
He was half covering his eyes as he sauntered his way inside my apartment. Pinatong niya ang mga pinamili na mukhang milktea, at naamoy ko na rin ang chicken mula sa isang fastfood. He's gonna review here again?
"Home's a mess, need to escape." He simply said. "And una, alas tres na señorita, pangalawa, please magdamit ka na! Lalaki lang ako, natutukso." He kidded.
"Pa'no kung ayaw ko?" Hamon ko.
"Papaluin kita sa p'wet! Kaya maghunos dili ineng!"
"Spank me daddy!" I teased him more.
"Jesus Christ, Soledad. Cringe pare!"
That afternoon was filled with our laughters. Kung sana andito kaming lahat mas masaya, but then the others were too busy so they couldn't come. I could no longer feel my hangover or the pain that life inflicted upon us, I hope Jashiel feels the same. I was never this cheerful person, I seldom talk or laugh, but this child inside of me who's been deprived of good childhood and freedom has been freed whenever I am with them.
