After taking a bath and putting light make ups, lumabas na agad ako. Nakita kong nakapagpalit na rin ng damit si Zyle, siguro ay mat CR sa loob ang kwarto dahil basa rin ang buhok nito.
Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko saka nagbasa ng mga lumang messages para mahanap 'yung pangalan ni Steven. He's a friend of Terrence na naging substitute niya rin nang nagpapasundo ako pauwi one time. It was really weird. I mean, Terrence and his friends. I always end up meeting them once, but Steven was with me twice. Nagulat na lang ako may number niya na lang ako. I guess Terrence gave it. Tapos ayon, nagsimula na siyang manlandi but rules are rules. He's friend with Terrence so it's a no, no.
I texted him that the surprise preparation was done. Papunta na raw sila with a lot of girl friends para kay birthday boy. I shook my head. As if naman mapipilit nilang mababae 'yon.
"Papunta na raw sila," I inform Zyle para alam naman niya ang mangyayari. I was seating on one of the sofa, reading the conversation on our group chat with my US friends greeting him.
Makalipas ang ilang oras ay dumating na si Steven. He's with some guy na familiar sa akin pero hindi ko naman alam ang mga pangalan. Beside them are group of women which I think was their girlfriend and some na sa tingin ko ay 'yung tinatawag nilang girl friends for Terrence.
We greeted at nagpakilala sa isa't isa. I stood still when I saw Luke looking at me. I raised my eyebrows asking what was it pero tinalikuran niya lang ako. I rolled my eyes. He was obviously alone and can't invite his girlfriend because of me. Well, that one was a long story to tell.
"This party is so girly!" Steven laughed beside me. Everyone felt at home in Zyle's unit already. Speaking of, nasaan na ba 'yon?
"He's having his debut," I answered earning a laughed from him. Pinabayan ko na lang siya roon and excuse myself to find Zyle.
I found him in the balcony alone, sipping something clear on his glass.
"The party haven't started yet!" Inagaw ko sa kaniya 'yung baso at inamoy ang laman. Alcohol.
"Should I call Terrence now?"
"Sige. Sabihan ko muna 'yung mga nasa loob." Tumango lang siya. Uminom muna ako sa baso niya para tikman pero hindi ko na ibinalik sa kaniya.
"'wag ka magsosolo rito hanggang mamaya! Find me if you're feeling out of place, okay? Hindi ko rin naman sila kilala. But still, they are Rencey's friends. Try to socialize. Or better yet, invite your girlfriend too."
Hindi ko na siya hinayaang makasagot at umalis na para masabihan 'yung mga tao sa loob. Nagtago ang lahat habang inaayos ko ang iPad ko sa table na makikita agad ni Terrence kapag pagpasok niya. The light was turned off then we heard the door bell. I smiled to myself knowing that even I can't see anything, everyone's wearing a unicorn birthday party hat.
Zyle opened the door and since the light was turned off, Ang nakikita niya lang ang ay ang iPad ko na nakabukas kung saan naka-video call ang mga kaibingan namin.
"Happy birthday to you," they sang the first line. I saw how Terrence stiffened but still manage to act cool.
"Happy birthday to you," Zyle sang kaya napalingon sa kaniya ng kaunti si Terrence.
"Happy birthday, Happy birthday," kanta ko habang bumukas ang ilaw at lumalapit ako sa kaniya. Then everyone sang the song to the end.
Lumapit ako sa kaniya habang dala ang Mocha Caramel Cake na may kandila, na natatanging hindi kulay pink. Kawawa naan kasi siya kung pati iyong cake pink rin. Birthday niya pa rin naman, so...
"Happy Birthday," I greeted and I don't know if I smile in front of these huge number of people. I mentally rolled my eyes. Okay, just because it's Terrence day.
"I'm more surprise to the girly decors."
I smirked at him. "I knew you will." Tumawa ng mga nasa paligid namin.
Pagkaihip na pagkaihip niya sa kandila ay may sumigaw na agad. "Party!" Nagkanya-kanya na ng kuha ng mga inumin at pagkain ang lahat. Nagsimula na ring magpatugtog nang malakas at may disco light pa. May nagdla sa kanila kanina.
I saw Terrence shaking his head but I knew he was delighted that his friends are here. Someone get the cake from me kaya naman idinipa ko ang kamay sa kaniya motioning for a hug. I saw Zyle on my peripheral vision looking at us pero hindi ko muna siya pinansin.
Terrence come closer. I rolled my eyes at him and hugged him first. Walang mangyayari kung magpapatigasan kami kung sinong mauuna base sa ugali namin. Misan tuloy nagtataka na rin ako sa friendship namin.
I closed my eyes as I let myself comfortable in his arms. "This is my pay for arranging my debut too. Hindi ko naman ginusto maggagan'on at magsasasayaw, still thanks for doing that." I smiled at the thought of my 18th birthday when he together with my friends in U.S. surprise me a party.
"You like my surprise?" instead of responding, I felt him kissed my forehead.
"You liked it?" tanong ko ulit. This time, I looked up at him.
He snorted. "Almost."
I laughed knowing how he doesn't like the theme I used. Hinatak ko siya palapit kay Zyle na nakatayo lang sa gilid, nagmamasid sa loob ng unit niya.
"This big guy helped me," I informed him while I pat Zyle on the back hard. Mabuti na lang ay hindi siya umiinom sa hawak niyang baso.
Tumingin siya rito. "Thanks, dude."
Tumingin si Zyle sa akin dahil sa ginawa ko. I rolled my eyes at him.
Tumango siya kay Terrence. "Happy birthday ulit."
They do some hand gestures na hindi ko maintindihan kaya napakunot ang noo ko.
"What's that?"
"Nothing," Zyle answered abruptly. Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko.
"Are you keeping a secret from me?" I asked kaso walang sumagot sa akin. Napairap ako.
Bumaling ako kay Terrence saka siya tinulak patalikod sa amin. "Go talk to Stan, They're still on the video call." I watched him go before turning to Zyle.
"Kuha lang ako ng inumin."
I left him and go near the table. Babalik sana ako kaso may babaeng biglang kumausap sa akin hangang hindi na ako nakabalik. Some of them are playing cards on the living table. 'yung iba nakikipagtawanan lang kung kani-kanino. I even saw the guys pinning Terrence on the sofa habang pinapalapit sa kaniya 'yung isang babae. Napailing ako. Seems like his lips will be blessed this time by other girls than me?
Well that's what I thought. Bigla kasing sinuway ni Luke ang mga kaibingan. I rolled my eyes. Under ng girlfriend. Her girlfriend was best friends of Terrence's girl. Siguro pinapabantayan kay Luke si Terrence.
"Wait, I need to got the restroom." Tumango lang ako sa kausap ko saka iniikot ang tingin sa paligid. Tiningnan ko ang cellphone ko at nakitang 10:54 na. Maaga pa naman pero nakikita ko na 'yung iba na hindi na makatayo ng maayos. Napailing na lang ako saka kumuha ulit ng inumin. Nakita ko ang ilang basyo ng bote sa may table. Malakas pa rin ang tugtog sa paligid.
"Ganito na agad 'yung naubos namin?" kunot noo kong sabi. Sabagay, maya't maya ba naman ang balik namin sa mesa para kumuha ng inumin e.
I saw Zyle on the single sofa. Lumapit ako dahil nananahimik na naman siya.
"Naharang ako kanina," I reasoned out kung bakit hindi agad ako nakabalik.
Napatingin ito sa akin. "Okay lang."
Natahimik kami. Sabay kaming uminom ng alak at tumingin sa paligid. I smiled ng pinagtutulungan na naman ng mga kaibigan niya si Terrence. Kitang-kita ko ang irita sa mukha niya pero parang hindi naman siya makareklamo.
"You should've brought your girlfriend," I said to him out of nowhere. Umupo ako sa armrest ng sofa niya habang pinapanood si Terrence. He looked murderously at his friends pero wala naman siyang nagawa ng lumapit ang isang lalaki at inilapat sa bunganga niya ang isang bote at tinungga niya ito.
"How can I do that when I don't even know where is she?"
Kunot ang noo kong inalis ang tingin kila Terrence at nabaling sa kaniya. "What?"
He smiled bitterly and shook the topic away. I rolled my eyes. "Wag mo akong binibitin. Kung bibitinin mo lang, 'wag mo nang simulan, hmmp!"
Ba't gan'on ang mga tao, ano? Gagawin kang curious tapos kapag tinanong mo, hindi naman ikukwento.
Tumayo ako nang makitang wala ng tao sa restroom. The level of fluids in my body reached its limit. Kailangan ko ng magbawas. I need to pee.
Mag-aala-una na nang magsimulang mag-uwian ang mga bisita. Biglang sumakit ang ulo ko dahil sa naisip. "Ako ba maglilinis ng lahat ng 'to?" Damn! Ba't 'di ko agad 'yon naisip?!
Humawak ako sa pader para makalad ng maayos dahil nakakaramdam na ako ng hilo. Nang tingnan ko si Terrence at nakaupo na ito sa pangmahabang sofa. Nakahilata siya roon, pero nakaupo. Pikit ang mga mata at nakasandal sa headrest ng sofa.
"Rencey, gising ka pa?" He groaned. Umupo ako sa tabi niya at ginaya ang ayos. "Drunk?"
"Think so. Pinakalahati nila sa akin 'yung bote…You?"
"Tipsy." Pumikit ako pero may narandaman akong kumay sa may bandang batok ko. Nang tingnan ko si Terrence ay inilalagay niya ang kaniyang kaliwang braso sa likod ng sinasandalan ko. Yumuko muna ako sandali saka susmiksik ng kaunti sa kaniya at sumandal sa balikat niya.
Tumingin ako sa paligid at nakitang wala ng taong natira maliban kay Zyle na kinukuha 'yung mga ginamit na cup na nakapatong sa center table.
"Zyle, tara," anyaya ko sa kaniya na parang panlasing na ang boses. Pinalo ko pa ang space sa kaliwa ko para doon siya umupo. Binitawan niya ang mga hawak saka lumapit sa amin.
"Lasing na kayo."
Hindi ko pinansin ang sinabi niya at hinatak na lang siyang bigla paupo. Muntik pa siyang masubsob kaya naman napatawa ako ng kaunti. He played it cool but we all knew we have alcohols in our system tonight.
Sinubukan niyang umayos ng upo pero inilagay ko na ang kaliwang kamay ko sa may batok niya at hinatak rin siya pahiga sa balikat ko.
"Stay still!" medyo pasigaw kong sabi. "Medyo nahihilo na nga ako, ang likot-likot pa." I wanted to rolled my eyes at him but not in my current situation wherein umiikot na ang paligid ko.
We stayed like that for a moment. Me leaning to Terrence and Zyle leaning to me. I tapped Zyle's cheek because he behaved kaya napatingin siya sa akin. He's face was… so close. I leaned to Rencey more then closed my eyes.
"Napagod ka ba?" Hindi ko siya narinig na sumagot pero naramdaman ko ang pagtango niya.
"Don't worry, si Rencey bahala d'yan bukas," pinalo ko ang hita hi Rencey. "Right?"
He groaned making me laughed. I was just closing my eyes. Listening to my breathe; Feeling my friends beside me; Smelling the alcohol in my surrounding.
"Sidy."
"No!" I said dramatically, earning a laugh from the both of them.
"Damn, we're wasted!"
Nang tumigil silang tumawa ay natahimik ulit kaming tatlo.
"Zyle, you should start calling her Sidy." Hinampas ko ulit si Terrence sa hita na ikinatawa niya.
"Sure." Napadilat ako at tiningnan siya ng masama kaso ay nakapikit na rin ito. Gamit ang kanang kamay na pinanghampas kay Terrence ay hinampas ko rin siya kaso sa may bandang tiyan. Iyon kasi ang mas malapit dahil kailangan ko pang bumangon para maabot ang hita niya. Tumawa lang ito sa ginawa ko.
"Masanay ka na, medyo sadista 'yan 'pag lasing."
"Ingay mo, Rencey!" Tumawa silang dalawa. "Wag n'yo kong pagtulungan!" Lalo lang silang tumawa sa tinuran ko kaya pinabayaan ko na lang.
Damn Alcohol. Kung ano-ano talaga ang nagagawa ng mga tao kapag tinamaan ka.
"Sidy."
"Sidy."
"Pst, Sidy."
Hindi ko pinansin si Rencey at nanatiling nakapikit. Bahala siya d'yan. Hindi ko siya papansinin hanggang hindi niya ako tinatawag ng matino.
"Cass."
"O," sagot ko agad kaya tumawa sila ulit. "Don't make fun of me!"
I was about to stood up but Terrence manage to hold me at my shoulder using his hands on the back of my neck, while Zyle put his arms in front of my stomach to block me from leaving. I face Zyle then Terrence, giving both of them a murderous look.
"Pinagtutulungan n'yo ko lagi!" I whined.
"Okay, Sorry," Terrence said but there's an evident on his face that he's preventing himself from laughing. Umayos ako ng upo.
"Uuwi na talaga ako, isa pa," seryosong sabi ko. Pagkatapos noon ay natahimik ulit kami. I closed my eyes again. Anong oras na ba? I felt tired and sleepy at the same time.
"Cass, may nahanap ka na bang lilipatan?"
"Wala pa."
"Do you want to live with me?"
"What?!" Bigla akong napadilat sa sinabi niya. Parang nawala 'yung antok ko. I looked at him, nakapikit pa rin siya. Even Zyle have his eyes close.
"OA mo," he said bored.
"Ba't ka kasi nangbibigla?!"
"Is it, Zyle?" Dumilat ito at tumingin lagpas sa akin at kay Zyle. Pati si Zyle ay napadilat na.
"Yep, nagulat rin ako."
"See!"
"Is that so?" Nalilitong tanong nila. He shrugged. "Well you both new I am waiting for someone, right?" Walang sumagot sa amin pero naramdaman kong tumango si Zyle since nakahilig pa rin siya sa akin.
So they're really close that he knows about her?
"When I went to Paris--"
"Wait! You've been in Paris?!" Ba't ngayon ko lang nalaman?! "And you didn't invite or at least told me?!"
"That was your plan to be there with the man you love and that's not me--"
"You mean my baby!" Umayos ako ng upo at tinanggal na ang braso ko sa sandalan ni Zyle kaya nauntog siya sa pader sa likod ng sofa.
I made a face when he looked at me pointedly. "Oops, sorry…" I apologized slowly.
Bumaling ako kay Terrence at masama siyang tiningnan. I crossed my arms above my chest. "You know what, you're too noisy when your drunk, di ba Zyle?"
"Yep, I thought he's noisy when he's with you but it's worst when he's drunk."
"Yeah right. Akala ko, Ako 'yung kakampi mo rito buddy. Try asking Cassidy's plan for life sometimes. It was weird for me." Tinitigan ko lang siya ng masama pero binaliwala niya lang. "Anyway, back to me. Ayaan n'yo na minsan n'yo lang naman ako makita nang ganito, saka sa inyo lang naman."
He sighed. He was serious kaya pinakinggan ko na lang rin siya.
Totoo rin naman kasi 'yung sinabi niya na hindi siya ganoon ka-open sa mga tao. I was shocked that he actually told Zyle about him, waiting for someone else but nevertheless, I am glad. At least, hindi na lang ako ang outlet niya na pwedeng paglabasan ng problema.
Is Zyle that good? Maybe I should try too. It used to be the two us—Terrence and I. It would be nice if Zyle will join us. Zyle, I think, is really a godsend to us.
"When I was in Paris, I saw a girl on the bar. Akala ko talaga siya 'yon. They have the same body frame, same hair nang nakatalikod. Because of the poor lightning, I really thought it was her. Nakainom rin ako. But when she faced me, sobrang kamukha niya. I offered to drove her home but she felt asleep on my car kaya dinala ko na lang siya sa condo…" He sighed again. "I almost slipped. We already made out. Mabuti na lang, nahimasmasan kami pareho."
"You slipped?!" Hindi makapaniwalang napatingin ako sa kaniya. "That's a first for years!"
"Yeah. That's why I need you."
Kunot ang noo kong tumingin sa kaniya. I looked at Zyle and he have the same expression as mine. "What do you mean?"
"I need you to look for me so I won't slipped."
"Okay," I said slowly, still trying to analyze what the heck is he saying. "What does it have to do with me living with you?"
"That's where our deal will start."
Nanlalaki ang mga mata kong napatingin sa kaniya. "Oh, no… no, no, no! Where not having another drunk deal, Terrence!" Napatayo ako.
"You'll benefit from this."
"And how is that?" Singhal ko sa kaniya. Nakatingala ito sa akin, pinag-aaralan ang mukha ko.
"Well, I'm offering my guest room to you. If I knew you're on my unit, I'm sure I can't do a thing or even bring a girl with me. You knew how I hate hotels. If you agreed, your benefits are: first if you'll stay with me, you won't be late kasi malapit sa school. Then you won't have to pay for rent. Hati na lang tayo sa mga bills. Pwede na tayong sabay papuntang school, hindi sayang sa gas. Lastly...you won't have STD."
"What. The. Fuck?!" I felt myself raging by the last thing he said. Like, is he for real?! Does the alcohol really produce this asshole?!
He just laughed at my reaction. Zyle was listening to us. Will he just listen to us?!
"I'm just joking. The last part." I rolled my eyes on him.
"And you can't control yourself?" 'di makapaniwalang tanong ko. "Why am I even having this conversation with him?" I asked Zyle who's listening silently.
"Cass," tumingin siya kay Zyle, parang humihingi ng support. "We're guys. We have needs. We're being tempted even though we don't want to, right Zyle?" There was a glint of playfulness on his eyes kaya alam ko na hindi 'yon totoo. He love her so much I knew he can wait for her.
Napatunganga sa kaniya si Zyle hanggang sa unti-unting ngumiti at tumawa ng mahina bago umiling iling. "Ba't ako nasali d'yan?"
"Cause we're both celibate." Napatingin ako kay Terrence tapos kay Zyle. Then kay Zyle tapos kay Terrence. I blinked, once. Twice.
"You're really worst when drunk," I heard Zyle said under his breath.
"Oh My gosh! We're not having this conversation!" I told them when the information sinked in.
Terrence laughed hard he was throwing his head backwards. Napapailing naman si Zyle sa kalokohan niya. Alcohol reall got into him, he's acting crazy!
"C'mon, Zyle. Help me. Hindi lang tayo ang dapat rated G. dapat tatlo tayo. 'Di ba tama ako?"
Hindi ko alam kung bakit ko pa tiningnan si Zyle pero napatanga ako ng tumango siya. "We're friends here. I think damay-damay dapat tayo."
"Are you for real?!" Dammit. Who would have thought this night will turn like this.
Tumayo si Zyle at nilampasan ako saka lumapit sa lamesa. Kinuha niya ang isang bote na kaunti pa lang ang bawas dahil nagsiuwian na nga 'yung mga bisita kanina. I wonder what time is it already.
Nagsalin siya sa tatlong baso saka iniabot sa amin ni Terrence.
"Cheers to our friendship." He raised his glass in front of us.
"Cheers for being celibate," sabi naman ni Terrence. Am I dreaming? Why am I here again?!
"Cheers 'cause we're threesome!" Sabi ulit ni Terrence. Itinaas niya ang baso niya hanggang sa magkadikit na ang baso nila. Gulat na napatingin kami sa kanya.
"What the fuck?!"
"Three wholesome kasi 'yon." Napailing-iling na lang ako. Walangyang alak 'to, ang sama ng tama sa kanya.
Nakataas pa rin sa ere ang mga baso nila. Iniintay akong may gawin pero nanatili lang akong nakatingin sa kanila. Are they really serious?
Napatingin sila sa akin ng wala akong ginawa.
"C'mon, Cass. Wag ka KJ. " Tinitigan ko siya ng masama. Tumayo siya saka lumapit sa akin at itinaas ang kamay kong may hawak ng baso.
"Cheers!" They said in unison. I rolled my eyes at them and made a reminder to never get them drunk when they're with me.
Masaya silang uminon sa baso nila. Akala mo nga nanalo sila sa mga ngiti nila, e.
"Tangina n'yo kapag tayo naging TeamTigang!"I said to them before bringing the alcohol to my mouth. Zyle laughed.
"Language," suway ni Terrence. Hindi ko na siya pinansin at uminom na lang sa baso ko. How I wish hindi na nila maalala ang gabing 'to.
We had another set of drinks. This time, no one stop until we finished all the bottle of alcohol. Nagsasalitan na kami ng suka sa CR nang tumigil kami at mapunta sa dati naming posisyon. I was leaning to Terrence while Zyle was leaning to me. The position wasn't ideal to sleep but it was another ridiculous deal that was made that day. To sleep on the fucking sofa for the better bond of our relationship.
"Goodnight!" Terrence shouted.
I should've recorded a video. He's actions today will surely turn off a lot of lady obsessing on him. If only they knew. Napailing na lang ako.
I closed my eyes, exhausted from preparing for Terrence' birthday, to taking out everything that I've eat. Terrence moved, making a domino effect to us.
Before I drifted to sleep, I felt something soft on my neck.