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Mira's POV

"Miss Reina, these are the proposed documents that can be used for the upcoming events." Sambit ko sabay lapag ng mabibigat na folders na may lamang proposals na ginawa ng ibang officers ng student council sa gilid ng table ni miss Reina.

"Oh! Thank you, I'll review those later." Miss Reina replied with a smile habang busy ang mga kamay niya sa ibang papeles sa table niya.

"These are the financial report for this month."

"Ah. Thank you. Is there anything else?"

"We were planning to audit and managed the budgeting for next month. they want your approval for this, vice president."

"Okay. But you will show me the draft report first before giving it to the president. Do you understand?"

"Yes, vice pres!"

After submitting the proposals to miss Reina ay napalingon naman ako sa bandang gilid ko dahil sa mga boses na narinig ko. Nakita ko naman doon si mr. Jarom, ang vice president ng Student Council at si Cyrus na magkausap. They were having a meaningful conversation or rather, student council related conversation and based on it, I can see how hardworking and great our vice president is. At kahit ayaw kong aminin sa sarili, si Cyrus din ay pinabubutihan ang pag-training under kay mr. Jarom. For some reason, gusto ko makahanap ng bagay kay Cyrus dito sa student council na pwede ko ilait sa kanya-- okay I really sounded like a bad person right now! Stop it, Mira!

"Wow. Just by observing you two for the whole 3 weeks, both of you sure knows how does a student council work. Nakakasabay kayo sa amin." Napalingon naman ako ngayon sa kabilang gilid ko at nakita si miss Juna na naka-ngiti samin. Her expression shows satisfaction.

It's been 3 weeks or almost a month since I have gave my yes to miss Reina to be her successor in the student council. Since then, I was busy training under her by working and helping the student council. Di lang ako ang nagte-training. Si Cyrus din na kakandidato naman bilang vice president ay nagtetraining din, under naman kay mr. Jarom. Miss Juna serves as our third observer.

Sa loob din ng 3 weeks na yon ay naging busy ang buong barkada na tipong di na talaga kami nakakapagkita tuwing umaga katulad ng dati. We're just hearing updates on each other through our group chat. May times din naman na makakasabay ko pa rin mag-lunch iba sa kanila pero never na ulit kami nakumpleto sa loob ng 3 weeks. No morning dates na rin muna kami ni Rhob pero madalas ko pa rin naman sya makita sa campus, especially in the cafeteria and the main library.

"Syempre naman, Juna! Pipili ba ako ng papalit sakin na tamad at simpleng bagay lang di magawa? These two are definitely one of the best!" Pagsabat naman ni miss Reina habang busy pa rin na nakatingin sa mga papeles na hawak niya pero kita ang ngiti sa labi at mga mata niya.

Somehow, hearing their praises makes me embarrassed. Napatingin ako sa gilid ko at nakita din si Cyrus showing a shy smile. Looks like I'm not the only one who feel embarrassed right now.

Mukang matagal ako napatingin sa kanya at napansin niya ito dahil bigla sya napatingin sa akin. Nagulat ako doon at mabilis na iniwas ang paningin. That's not good. I never wanted to meet his eyes. Baka mamaya iba pa isipin niya.

"Oho! Look at these two, blushing and feeling shy. At nagiiwasan pa talaga kayo na magkatinginan ha?" Miss Reina said while smirking. Nanlaki naman dalawang mata ko dahil sa sinabi niya.

Gosh! Akala ko busy mga mata niya sa papeles na hawak niya? Napansin pa talaga niya pagiwas ng tingin ko sa lalakeng yun!?

"O-oh! That was nothing. I guess we're both feeling embarrassed by your words but... it was truly an honor to hear such kind words." Cyrus said. He was stuttering at first but it still came out smoothly and casually.

Pagkatapos niyang sabihin yun ay tinigilan na rin naman ako ni miss Reina at si Cyrus na lang ang halos asarin. I just realized that Cyrus saved just by maneuvering the conversation....again. He always do that for me before--

Wait! Why am I even remembering my memories with him? Past is past na Mira. Anukaba!

Thanks to miss Juna scolding miss Reina to continue her work, the teasing atmosphere and conversation stop. All I could feel is a sigh of relief and then we returned to our work.

Mabilis lang din naman lumipas ang umaga na yon. Lunch break came and since may isa pa akong afternoon class ay baka bukas na lang ulit ako bumalik dito sa student council office. Despite cancelling my morning date with Rhobert, I'm still grateful for today because I've learned a lot again.

"Mira! Besh! Dito!"

Umalingawngaw naman ang boses ng isang pamilyar na bakla sa loob ng cafeteria, sumabay ito sa ingay na nagaganap sa loob cafeteria. Lunch time kaya puno at maingay ang cafeteria. It's already a normal thing.

"Paolo! Lakas ng boses mo talaga ah!" Bati ko kaibigan ko pagkalapit sa kanya. Zeid was sitting across him and so, I decided to sit beside Zeid.

"At least malaki naitulong sayo. Oh! Nahanap mo agad kami and may available table ka nang kakainan oha!" He even said proudly.

I just smiled sarcastically at him, acting like I'm really grateful even though I'm really not and then he just responds at me by sticking his tongue out. And that's when I notice the man beside me was quiet and mukang malalim ang iniisip. There's a book in front of him but I don't think that he's really reading it. Mas mukha pa talaga siyang wala sa ulirat.

He's been like these for days already. I am barely noticing it dahil na rin sa kaunting time na lang kami nagkakasama at madalas tuwing klase lang, di na ako makahanap ng time para tanungin or kamustahin sya. I'm wondering kung kamusta na ba sila ni Jhaycee. I hope they're doing good sa loob ng 3 weeks na di kami nagkakasama-sama magkakaibigan?

Sana matapos na talaga itong busy times namin. I miss my barkada na, especially my Rhobert. I miss my boyfriend na!

"Papi Zeid, are you okay?" Paolo is the one who decided to break the silence of Zeid by snapping his fingers in front of his face. Zeid flinched as a reaction at mukang nabalik na sa realidad ang pagiisip.

"Huh?" He asked in low voice at nagpabalik-balik ang tingin kay Paolo at sakin. Mukhan nagulat pa syang makita na nandito na ako sa table at katabi pa siya.

"Tulala ka na naman. Are you okay? Is there a problem?" Tanong ko, bakas ang pagaalala sa tono.

Matagal muna tumingin sakin si Zeid bago bumaba paningin niya, mariing umiling at maya-maya lang ay binigyan na lang ako ng matipid na ngiti.

"It's nothing serious. Wag kayo mag-alala. Puyat lang 'to." And then he laugh it off, halatang iniiwasan at iniiba ang topic.

"You serious? Grabe ka naman pala pag puyat. Mas lalong gumagwapo." Panglalandi na lang ni Paolo kay Zeid. I can feel that Paolo was just trying to lift the heavy and awkward atmosphere. Mukang effective naman dahil napatawa non kahit papaano si Zeid. It was Zeid's usual laugh sa mga banat at kalandian ni Paolo.

"I have.... a girl, just in case you forgot. Stop flirting with me." Zeid said while chuckling. His laugh sounds fake for some reason.

"Nope. Flirting with you my crush is the only way I could feel my whole day was complete and satisfied so it's a no! I'll flirt with you until forever!" Paolo answered back at nagtawanan pa sila lalo.

I couldn't help but to smile at their interaction pero hindi pa rin nawawala ang pagaalala sa isipan ko kaya binulong ko kay Zeid sa gitna ng tawanan nila ang feelings ko sa nangyayare sa kanya ngayon.

"Zeid, just always remember that I'm here, your girl bestfriend and Jhaycee's bestfriend too will be willing to wait for you and to listen to your problems." Bulong ko at binalik na ang paningin kay Paolo at mas nakipag-kwentuhan pa.

Zeid looks at me with a surprised reaction but I can also see in my peripheral vision that he shakes his head and give a small sincere smile. 

"Thank you, Mira." I heard Zeid's whisper habang busy na rin na nakikinig sa mga chika sa buhay ni Paolo.

All I can do right now is to give him a sincere smile too. To proved that I will always be there for him, for Jhaycee, and for all of our friends. For now, maghihintay na lang muna ako kung kelan sila mago-open sakin and pag dumating yun, I'll do my best to help them and ease their worry.

After that lunch break ay sabay-sabay kaming umattend ng klase at mabilis lang din naman natapos ang araw. Paglabas namin ng building ay naghiwa-hiwalay na kaming tatlo ni Paolo at Zeid. Now, i don't know where's my next destinantion. Di ko rin naman kailangan pumunta ng student council ngayong hapon kaya siguro diretso uwi na lang ako?

"Mira!" Said by someone with a very familiar voice. Napalingon naman ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses na iyon at halos lumiwanag naman ang buhay ko at bumalik ang sigla ng makita kung sino iyon.

"Baby loves," bati ko sa kanya pagkalapit ni Rhobert ng mabuti sa pwesto ko. "I miss you!" Dagdag ko at agad na niyakap siya, not bothered na nasa campus pa rin kami. He only laughs at my action.

"I miss you too, my love." At naramdaman ko rin na pumulupot ang braso niya sa likod ko. I also feel something soft touch the side of my head for moment. I bet he kissed me, making me feel more wonderful and energetic right now. Mag-request kaya ako ng isa pa? Just kidding!

Bumitaw ako ng kaunti mula sa pagkakayakap sa boyfriend ko at sinilip ang muka niya. Bagsak ang style ng buhok niya ngayon and he looks so much good in it! He's wearing his usual school uniform at mukang kakagaling lang din niya sa klase niya.

3 days na lumipas since huli naming pagkikita. All of us are really busy because of school kaya di na kami nakakapagkita magkakabarkada talaga. Kung tutuusin ay si Zeid at Rhobert na lang ang madalas ko makasalamuha for the past 3 weeks. 

"Bakit nagawi ka dito?" I ask him. Tuluyang bumitaw na kami sa pagkakayakap pero ang kapalit naman non ay hinawakan ni Rhobert ang kamay ko and our hands naturally intertwined.

"Gusto lang kita makita. Hahatid na rin kita pauwi." He simply answered at nagumpisa nang maglakad patungo sa parking lot.

Hindi ko naman na napigilan ngumiti dahil sa sinabi niya. Napahigpit din ang hawak ko sa kamay niya dala ng sobrang kilig. Isang Rhobert Castro lang talaga sapat na!

"Talaga ba? Baka mamaya si Raquisha talaga pinunta mo at hindi ako?" I teased him to hide the butterflies I am feeling inside my stomach. Pero yung sinabi kong joke, nakakainis din pala pag nagkatotoo na hindi ako yung reason ng pagpunta niya dito hano?

Napataas naman ang isa niyang kilay dahil sa sinabi ko. A smirk also blossomed in his face. "You're seriously asking that? Di ka magseselos?"

"Actually magseselos ako. Kaya binabawi ko na yung sinabi ko and don't you dare say yes na ibang babae nga rason ng pagpunta mo!" Maagap kong bawi at narinig ko ang tawa niya.

"I wouldn't dare. I'm only inlove with you for five years and many more years will come na ikaw at ikaw lang ang babaeng gugustuhin ko sunduin, puntahan, at idate."

"Ayan, tama yan!" And then we both laugh because of our conversation.

We reached his car and bago pa ako makapasok sa loob non ay nagsalita siya. "Let's eat dinner first bago kita ihatid sa inyo."

Mas lumaki ang ngiti ko dahil sa pag-aya niya. Yes! Date muna bago umuwi!

"Okay!" I happily said and the excitement feeling rushes through my whole body.

Dinala na lang ako ni Rhob sa isang fastfood chain dahil karamihan sa restaurant na puntahan namin ay puno or puro may reservations. We ordered our comfort foods such as fries and sundae and my Rhobert even added a whole bucket of chicken to our foods. Habang kumakain din ay nagusap kami tungkol sa iba't-ibang bagay pero kahit ganoon lang naman ang nangyayare samin, I feel super satisfied, happy and giddy. Even this kind of simple moments, I love it. I actually treasure every single moment I had with my boyfriend, with my Rhobert. Ganoon ko siya kamahal.

And thus, that's how my day ended yesterday. Despite the busyness and tiredness because of yesterday, I oddly feel energetic and good today dahil lang sa kaunting oras na nagkasama kami ni Rhobert.

Gusto ko na ulit siya makita! I wanna hug him and talk for hours with him!

I only have 2 classes for today dahil mukang pinag-focus muna ang mga estudyante ngayon sa extra-curricular activities, specifically clubs and organizations. Ito na rin ang moment para mamili at sumali ang mga students na wala pang sinasalihan sa desired orgs nila. Since tapos na rin naman ang klase ko ay plano ko na lang ibigay ang oras ko sa student council. Maganda rin kasi ang mood ko kaya nafifeel kong madami ako maaccomplish na paperwork ngayon.

"You look happy and great today, Mira." Napalingon naman ako sa harapan ko at nakita si Cyrus na nakangiti sakin. Magkatapat lang kasi table namin at nasa gilid pa ito dahil in-training pa lang naman kami.

"I always look happy and great and you don't need to care about it." Halos irapan ko na sya matapos ko sabihin yun.

Binalik ko ang paningin ko sa ginagawa at balak na wag na sya pansinin. Baka sya pa maging cause ng pagkawala ng maganda kong mood eh... Hell no!

"Napansin ko lang naman kaya ko nasabi yun." Rinig kong sabi niya pero di ko pinansin at nagpanggap na lang na walang narinig. Inabala ko ang paningin at kamay ko sa mga papers na inassign sakin ni miss Reina.

Pero nahinto ako sa ginagawa ko dahil sa kanya. He suddenly chuckles and added, "Sungit mo pa rin talaga."

Napataas na ang tingin ko sa kanya at nakita ang masayang ekspresyon sa muka niya. I glared at his expression which makes him chuckle more. Kahit pa ipinarinig niya muli sakin ang gwapo niyang pagtawa ay wala yon effect sakin. How dare him to call me masungit pa rin!? Deserve naman niyang masungitan talaga!

"Ito na! Titigil na! Stop glaring at me okay?" Natatawa niyang sambit sabay balik ng paningin niya sa sarili niyang trabaho.

Tuluyan na akong napairap dahil sa conversation na iyon kahit di sya nakatingin. The way he teases me is still the same as it was in the past. Mapangasar but also kind, that was what's evident in his personality before. I also almost remember that his simple laugh can almost make every student in our middle school fall for him.

"Ah. Mira, can I ask your opinion about this report?" Cyrus suddenly ask while I'm in the middle of my thought. His teasing mode have now change into work mode. Ito naman ang maganda kay Cyrus, he knows when to stop and focus on his work. I can see how serious and hard working is he in the past 3 weeks. Ang pagtatanong din niya sakin ay part daw ng training dahil ako ang magiging president at siya naman ang vice president.

I still hate him but I can still at least acknowledge his hard work in training to be the next vice president.

Hours passed and it's almost 6 pm. Di ko napansin na ang oras at nahinto lang ako sa ginagawa ko matapos marinig ang ring ng phone, someone's calling. Nabasa ko naman kung sino ang tumawag at tanging pagtataka lang naramdaman ko. 

"Hello? Jaraica?" Why is she calling me at this time of the day? 

[Mira? Are you already home? We need you!] Kumunot naman lalo noo ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Maingay din sa kabilang linya.

"I'm still at school. Did something happened to you? Where are you?" Dirediretso kong tanong habang mabilis na tumayo at inayos ang mga gamit ko, I'm planning to go to where she is kahit gaano pa kalayo.

[We're actually here in a club, ano ba pangalan... ah! Klir! Here in the entertainment district.] What?

"What are you doing there!?" I'm so surprise right now dahil hindi naman mahilig mag-party itong kaibigan ko.

[I was just invited to a birthday celebration... and then nakita ko dito si Jhaycee! She's-- I can't explain basta pumunta ka na dito please!]

And that's it. After hearing the mention of my bestfriend's name ay naghadali na ako lumabas ng student council office. I'm worried. What is she doing in a club? Walang masama, oo, pero she's not the type of a party girl!

"Are you going home?" Napalingon naman ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses at nakita si Cyrus, kaming dalawa na lang pala nandito.

"No. I'm going to entertainment district." I answered shortly, naghadaling lumabas at hindi na hinintay ang sagot niya.

Wala akong sundo this time kaya dumiretso agad ako sa main gate pero sa kasamaang palad ay walang taxi na nagdadaan. Puro private vehicles! I tried calling Rhobert to know where he is and magpasundo sana but his phone's cannot be reached! Ang malas ha!?

I was about to frustratingly cuss not until a familiar silver Maserati car stopped in front of me. The window lowered down at nakita ko naman ang pagmumuka ni Cyrus sa driver's seat.

Bago pa ako makapag-tanong ay nagsalita na siya. "Hatid na kita."

Huh!? "No thank you. I'll just wait for a taxi--"

"You look so worried while to talking someone in your phone. I know you're in a hurry so please, accept my offer."

Natahimik naman ako panandalian dahil doon. He looks sincere while saying those words and since totoo namang naghahadali na ako, wala na ako nagawa at lumapit na lalo sa sasakyan niya, binuksan ang pinto at sumakay.

I noticed that he gave me a small smile dahil sa naging desisyon ko. Sinuot ko na lang mabuti ang seatbelt at finocus ang paningin sa harap. He started driving fast pero halatang maingat pa rin. Minalas pa nga lalo ako dahil naabutan ng traffic dahil sa rush hour. I immediately texted Jaraica na papunta na ako pero matatagalan dahil sa traffic. She replied saying na Jhaycee's acting more weird and nandoon na din si Keana. I tried contacting my boyfriend again para malaman sa pupuntahan ko pero wala pa rin kaya wala na ako magagawa until may bigla ako naalala.

Napasilip ako sa gilid ko at nakitang tahimik lang si Cyrus na naghihintay sa traffic. Buti di niya ako tinatangka kausapin hano? Pero bago yun, baka isumbong niya ako sa lola ko na after school ay diretso club ako!? Even though I'm at the right age already mag-aalala pa rin yun!

Tumikhim ako bago sinubukang magsalita, "Ahm..."

"Hm? Yes?" Cyrus answered kahit wala pa ako totally sinasabi. Bakit nahalata niyang may sasabihin ako?

"Uh... about me going to a club..." Gosh! Di ko matuloy-tuloy yung sasabihin ko! Pero bago pa ako makapagsalita ulit ay siya na nagtuloy ng sasabihin ko.

"I won't tell your lola. Don't worry." He suddenly said at saka tumingin sakin. Sincerity can be seen again in his eyes and smile at halos mabulag ako doon.

"A-ah! Good! Thanks." Tanging nasabi ko na lang at iniwas ang paningin.

Maya-maya lang ay nalagpasan din namin ang rush hour at halos 8pm na na nung nakarating kami sa tapat ng Klir Club. Agad akong bumaba pero bago tuluyang pumasok sa club ay hinarap ko muna ang bintanang nakababa ng kotse at nagpasalamat kay Cyrus.

"Thank you for your help."

"No problem. Ingat ka diyan." Sagot niya at binigyan na naman niya ako ng isang ngiti pero tinanguan ko na lang yun at naghadali ng pumasok ng club.

Still wearing my school uniform, sumalubong sakin ang maingay na atmosphere pagpasok ko sa loob. Amoy alak and there are people dancing in the middle. Is that the dancing floor? Whatever. Despite the big crowd, I toured inside and tried to find my friends and thank goodness at nahanap ko rin naman sila agad. May sarili silang table at may kasamang ibang babaeng mukang kaklase ni Jaraica at mga kaklase din ni Jhaycee.

"Jhaycee!" Pambungad na bati ko sa table nila at nakuha ko naman atensyon nila. Jaraica looks so relieved to see me while Keana and Jhaycee faced me and they look like enjoying so much. 

"Ohh Mira! You're here din? Come and drink!" Jhaycee happily said. She also looks like in her drunken state already.

"Take a sit, Mira! Ang tagal mo dumating ah!" Keana also said pero mukang nasa tamang pagiisip naman siya.

I take a sit beside my bestfriend since sya rin naman talaga reason ng pagpunta ko and that's when I noticed how sexy and vulgar her clothes are. Her clothes... everything's too short! Jhaycee's  dress is also tight making her sexy figure stand out. She's wearing a heavy make up and a little messy hair that makes her prettier. Jusko, kung sino mang lalake ang makakita sa kanya ngayon ay mukang mapapaluhod niya para sambahin siya!

"Are you okay? What are you doing here looking like that?" I worriedly ask.

Never have I ever seen Jhaycee looking like a real party girl. She never dressed like this before. Hindi ganito ka-revealing! Alam din ba ito ni Zeid?

"What? I was invited today and very much obliged to come! I want to drink anyway-- ahh! You should drink!" She said in her cheery voice. "Waiter!" 

A waiter approached us, Jhaycee then ask some kind of drink which I didn't understand dahil na rin sa lakas ng music. What am I even expecting? This a club, full of drunk and party people. I have already come to a club for a few times only dahil di rin naman ako ganoon kahilig uminom and I can't relaxed that much at places like this. Which is the same for my bestfriends, so bakit talaga nandito si Jhaycee?

"Mira, kita mo na kung bakit kita pinapunta agad?" Napalingon ako kay Jaraica whose currently wearing a white mini skirt, partnered with a maroon crop top, black boots and a red lipstick on her lips. Jaraica also looks like super ready to party.

"Yes, I didn't expect her to be like that." Sambit ko sabay lingon kay Jhaycee ngayon na tapos na pala makipag-usap sa waiter, busy na siyang nakatayo at nakikipag-tawanan at nagsho-shot kasama ang ilang mga babae na mukhang blockmates niya. 

"I swear, grabe gulat ko na makita siyang ganyan! I'm here kasi invited ako sa birthday ng isa kong blockmate and nagawa ko lang hilahin si Keana dahil hindi rin naman ako sanay sa mga ganitong night outs and then ayan, nakita na namin si Jhaycee na mukhang party mode na at ayaw naman niya sabihin kung bakit sya nandito." Bakas ang pag-aalala at pagtataka sa mukha ni Jar habang kinukwento sakin iyon.  

"I think its fine?" Bigla naman ako napalingon naman sa kabilang gilid ko at nakita naman si Keana, wearing a nude-color cocktail dress with a happy and partying aura, hindi katulad namin ni Jar na hindi maipinta ang mukha sa pag-aalala. "Kaibigan tayo ni Jhaycee, we're her most dearest friends-- sisters pa nga. Sa tingin ko magsasabi rin siya sa atin kung may problema talaga siya."

Right. She did have a point. 

"I guess tama ka naman... pero--" -Jaraica.

"Hephep! Tama na ha? Since ngayon lang ulit tayo nagkasama-sama without the boys, we should just enjoy it! Wooh! Party timee!" Keana exclaims loudly and cheerfully hopped into the dance floor, nandoon na rin si Jhaycee sa dance floor at mas halata na ang pagkalasing ngayon.

And yep, nangyare nga ang party time na sinasabi ni Keana. Hinayaan ko na lang din dahil may sense din naman ang sinabi ni Kea na magsasabi naman talaga samin si Jhaycee, I just stay patient about it and since I'm already here, I should just try to enjoy too. But before enjoying completely....

Keana and Jhaycee feel bothered about my clothing which is a school uniform and for some reason may dala silang black tanktop and a high waist pants na pinasuot nila sakin. Hindi daw 'appropriate' ang school uniform sa isang club, which is agree naman ako. The school's reputation is important lalo pa't kakandidato nga pala ako as president sa upcoming student council election. So after, I'm now wearing my black stilletto which seems to be in pair with my borrowed clothing. After din noon ay mas binuhaghag lang nila ang wavy hair ko at nag-retouch lang ng make-up ay good to go na rin. At mas nagsimula na after noon ang party mode namin. 

Dancing there, dancing here, drining differents shots of liquor such as tequilla and even played beerpong (kung saan nanalo ako at 2 shots lang ang nagawa kong inumin). Yup, we're definitely having our moment here in the Klir club nang mapahinto ako dahil napansin kong nagva-vibrate ang phone ko, nakaupo na kasi kami ngayon sa pwesto namin at puro kwentuhan na lang ang ginagawa habang umiinom pa rin.

Mabilis naman ako tumayo muna at inexcuse ang sarili para sagutin ang tawag lalo na noong napansin kong ang boyfriend ko lang naman ang tumatawag. "Rhob? Hell--"

[Mira!? Where are you!? Are you really in a club right now with Jhaycee!?] Uh-oh, looks like my boyfriend is mad. Pero teka, tinatawagan ko siya kanina pero siya itong hindi sumasagot kaya si Cyrus pa tuloy naghatid sakin-- speaking of, siguro naman tinupad niya promise niya na hindi niya sasabihin kay lolita kung nasaan ako ngayon diba!? 

"I am. Ikaw? Nasaan ka? I actually called you earlier but you're not picking it up." For some reason hindi ko masabi na si Cyrus ang kasama ko kanina. That's wrong pero next time ko na lang siguro sasabihin. 

[Nandito kaming boys kela Zeid. Nag-aayang uminom. He looks broken and exhausted.] He answered which made my eyes wide. Zeid and Jhaycee are both in their drinking mode?

"Nagpunta akong club dahil nandito daw si Jhaycee and naabutan ko na lang siya na ganito, having a good time and hard partying like she doesn't have a care in the world..."

Natahimik na lang kami pareho ni Rhob, both thinking what's happening to our bestfriends, do they have a personal problem? Or does their relationship has any problem?

[Tatanungin ko si Zeid. Pipilitin ko magsalita siya kahit papaano, tutulungan ako nila Angeloy at Brine. You better ask Jhaycee too.] I immediately agreed to is plan because we need some answers right now.

"Okay. Kami na rin nila Jar at Kea bahala. Wag ka uminom masyado ha? I'll drop this call, I love--" I'm suposed to say my 'I love you' to him nang bigla sya magsalita na naman and all I can do is feel touched on it.

[Wait-- please keep yourself and our friends safe, okay? Take care. I'm really fvcking worried at you being in a club right now na hindi ka naman sanay pero susunduin kita agad pagkatapos nito. Okay? I love you too, see you later babyloves.] And with that, the call ends.

The fact that he knew what I would say, hay. I really love him. But this is not the rigt time for fangirling over my own boyfriend, kailangan ko na matanong si Jhaycee!

Pagtapos maalala kung ano talaga goal ko kung bakit nasa club ako para kay Jhaycee ay naghahadali naman akong bumalik sa table namin para kwestyunin na ang kaibigan ko. Doing my best to ignore all the flirts as I make my way onto our table ay saktong pagbalik ko ay nakita ang isang unexpected na tao. 

"Jap?" A former schoolmate and former member of student council when we were still in high school is here?

Napalingon naman siya sakin at gulat din na nakita ako. Pati si Jhaycee na kausap ni Jap ay napatingin sakin and she's wearing a sexy smile for some reason, noon ko lang din napansin na masyado silang close. Nakakapit  si Jhaycee sa braso ni Jap at si Jap naman ay nakahawak ang dalawang kamay niya sa magkabilang siko ni Jhay. Naningkit ang mata ko ngayon sa sobrang closeness nila. Does this mean may problema talaga sila Jhaycee at Zeid?

"M-miss President? You're also here!" -Jap.

"Ohh! Mira! Come heree, meet Jap! My friend!" -Drunk Jhaycee. Sobrang lasing na sya kaya aayain ko na sya pauwi kasama sila Kea at Jar. 

"Yes, Jhay. I know him. Lasing ka na talaga. Magkakasama tayo sa student council noong high school pa tayo." Sambit ko sabay lingon ulit kay Jap para sya naman ang kausapin. "Hello! I hope you remember me? How are you? Bakit nandito ka at mukhang.... super close sa kaibigan ko?" I gave him a smile with matching taas kilay. Napabitaw naman na sya kay Jhaycee pero ang kaibigan ko naman mas lalo pang kumapit kay Jap na talaga namang kinagulat ko at mukhang nagulat din si Jap sa inaakto ng kaibigan ko. 

"Jhay!?"

"Jap! Diba cwush mow si Miraaa? Gow for it naa!" Jhaycee's slurred words is an evident that she is drunk. At talagang naalala pa niya yung moment na nagka-crush sa akin si Jap na pinagselosan naman ni Rhobert noong high school days? Napa-facepalm na lamang ako at namula naman si Jap.

"Please forgive my bestfriend. Dala lang yan ng pagkalasing niya." Sambit ko kay Jap para maputol na ang awkward air na nabubuo despite the loudness of music around the area. 

"A-ah n-no... It's okay. I guess its my fault din? I brought her here. I'm sorry." Sagot naman niya sabay pa napakamot ang isa niyang kamay sa kaniyang batok. 

"So you're the reason pala kung bakit siya nandito? Why?" I asked him. Dahil base sa mga salita niya ay mukang may alam siya na hindi ko alam. At mukhang close sila na again, hindi ko alam o ng pati ibang kabarkada namin. 

At dahil may alam siya, sya na lang ang tatanungin ko. I also have this gut feeling na hindi naman sasagutin ni Jhaycee at tanong ko, lasing man siya o hindi.

"Ah well..." Napatingin naman siya saglit kay Jhaycee na bumitaw na kay Jap at masayang yumakap naman kay Keana na lasing na rin. Nasa tabi naman nila si Jar mukhang nasa katinuan pa rin naman pero she's busy drinking her cocktail drink which seems to be called mimosa. At least Jhaycee is more safe now with the girls.

"Ang totoo niyan si Jhaycee ang nag-aya dito ulit. This is the 4th time already for this week only. Last week tatlong beses naman ata kami nasa club." Pagpapatuloy ni Jap sa sinasabi niya na talaga namang nagpagulat sakin.

"You mean-- madalas mag-party ngayon ang kaibigan ko!?" Without my knowledge? Nakakausap ko naman sila Jhaycee kahit through text and messenger lang pero wala siyang naikwekwento na ganito. Did I really became that busy? 

"B-bakit? Do you think alam ni Zeid ito-- wait, you remember him naman siguro? Ang bukod tanging kilala na manliligaw ni Jhay?" Tanong ko na tinanguan naman ni Jap. 

"Of course I know him, bukod sa sikat kayo ay through student council na rin kaya kilala ko sya. But I don't think he knows.... hindi mo pa ba alam?" Nagtaka naman ako bigla ngayon sa sinasabi ni Jap.

"Alin ang hindi ko pa alam?" Tanong ko naman. Napatahimik pa saglit si Jap pero di ko naman inexpect ang mga sunod niyang sinabi.

"I just heard this from Jhaycee 2 weeks ago but, she said she rejected him already?" Bakas na rin ngayon ang worried at pagtataka sa mata ni Jap but that doesn't matter right now. 

Kaya ba sabi ni Rhob na Zeid looks exhausted and broken ngayon? Is that it?

"Jhaycee!" Hinila ko si Jhaycee mula sa pagkakayakap kay Keana dahilan para mapaharap siya sakin. Napatingin din naman pareho sakin sila Kea at Jar. Jhaycee is still wearing her cheerful and goofy smile. Epekto ba talaga ito ng alak o fake lang lahat ng ito?

"Oh yes, pache ko? What is it? Let's drink mowree!" Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata. 

"Bakit ka ba nagpapaka-lasing? Why are you not acting and dressing up like your normal self? Umamin ka nga samin." I said to her and medyo nawala ang ngiti niya. Pansin ko iyon na mukhang napansin rin nila Kea at Jar na mas naka-focus na samin ngayon. 

"This is my current life right now. Imma party 'till the sun rises! It's enjoyable right? All single and ready to mingle!" -Jhay.

"What? Anong single?" -Jar. 

"Jhay?" -Kea. 

"Jhaycee, ano bang nangyayare sa inyo ngayon ni Zeid?" God, I hope she answers me seriously. I'm worried for the both of them.

And yes, she answered my question seriously that makes me, Keana, and Jaraica speechless. So this is the real reason behind her obvious facade. The reason for her club nights, the reason for Zeid's current state. I feel so hurt hearing what happened to both of my bestfriend and on the harsh and insensitive words that are coming out from Jhaycee's mouth. 

"We're okay! It's just that.... I rejected him. Binusted ko siya noong tinanong niya ako kung gusto ba niyang maging girlfriend niya ako... pfft! That was so funny! But at least I finally rejected him! No more additional problems in my life!"

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After almost 2 years(?), here's a new update. May nagbabasa pa ba nito? Haha. I truly apologize for not being "masipag" to finish this series. School is just hectic and really busy pero eto na! Thank you for reading! I will still continue this story and will try to update kahit paunti-unti hehe.

Always stay safe in this time of pandemic guys! Hoping for your votes and comments :)