He's My Ruined Luck

Chapter 1: The Universe Plays

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Nang makapasok si Lianne sa venue ng bridal shower ni Angel, kaagad siyang napanganga sa kabuuang itsura ng lugar. Color pink, as the dominant motif, was all over the place. Then, cute and big teddy bears with pink and white balloons littered the floor and every corners of the large room. Different color of lights hyped the mood of the place and contributed to the efforts that were put for this event.

Parang hindi ito bridal shower, iyon kaagad ang impression ni Lianne sa buong ayos ng venue. Sa halip, nagmukhang playground para sa mga batang babae ang buong lugar. Nevertheless, Lianne loved the totality of the venue because pink was her color. She grew up, loving dolls and color pink.

"Lia!"

Kaagad na nabaling ang tingin ni Lianne sa sumigaw sa kaniyang palayaw. Most people around her, specially her circle of friends, were fond of calling her, ‘Lia’.

Napangiti nang malawak si Lianne nang makitang tumatakbo palapit sa kaniya si Jassmen, isa sa pinakamalapit sa kaniya sa walo niyang kaibigan. Jassmen was a successful vlogger and popular on her chosen career.

"Ikaw pa lang?" tanong ni Lianne sa kaibigan matapos itong yakapin.

Umangkla naman kaagad ang braso ni Jassmen sa kaniya bago napanguso bilang tugon sa kaniyang tanong. "They are always late, Lia. Palagi na lang tayo ang nauuna," she said with a hint of annoyance in her voice.

Ikinatawa ‘yon ni Lianne bago sinabing, "Hindi ka na nasanay.”

They went inside the room and settled themselves on the long leather couch placed on the center of the room. In front of that couch was a long glass table with liquors and different finger foods, like fries and chips, that most of which was not Lianne’s choice of foods. She got a sweet tooth and prefers sweets and candies.

Jassmen raised her brow at her when she get gummy bears and mallows. “Para ka talagang bata,” she said and Lianne giggled.

On the leftmost corner of the room was a long table of catered real foods, almost five dishes with cake and different appetizers. “Ang daming pagkain, Jass. Hindi naman sobrang dami ng pupunta,”Lianne said before munching a mallow.

Jassmen chuckled. “You know, Angel. For sure may reason ang babaeng ‘yon para magpa-cater ng ganiyan karaming foods.”

Lianne rolled her eyes before her gaze averted on the make-up stage in front of them. It was quite big and Lianne could not imagine whatever Angel planned to do for that stage. “I will never be ready for Angel’s gimiks. Sana hindi grabe ngayon.” She sighed.

Angel was known as the ‘prankster’ in their circle of friends. Maybe, because she was the youngest among them and they’re babying her so much.

“Ikaw ang vlogger pero siya ang prankster,” Lianned joked around and Jassmen gave her a goofy grin as a sign of agreement.

Hindi naman sila naghintay nang matagal ni Jassmen dahil naging sunod-sunod na ang pagdating ng iba nilang mga kaibigan makalipas ang ilang minuto. After thirty minutes of waiting, they were finally complete. All nine of them, amidst of busy schedule as professional individuals, made it to Angel's bridal shower. Lianne agreed that their friendship, indeed, became stronger as the years passed by.

The whole table was filled with non-stop chitchats and giggles, courtesy of Lianne’s ever so energetic friends. Hindi niya maiwasang maalala ang mga pagkakataong noong college na puro katuwaan lang ang kailangan nilang isiping lahat.

Katulad ng nakasanayan, tagatawa lang naman ang naging role ni Lianne sa mga jokes ng kaniyang mga kaibigan lalo na sa mga pakulo nila Michelle at Rexjene. These two ladies always have jokes under their sleeves and Lianne was that someone who would not get tired of laughing on their jokes.

Sa kabila ng pagdadalawang-isip ni Lianne sa pagpunta sa bridal shower ni Angel, matapos makita ang mga kaibigan, naisip niyang tama ang desisyon niyang dumalo. She didn’t know she was missing her friends not until now. It was a shame that adulting hindered them to interact with each other.

"Mitch and Rex are always wild. Iniisip ko talaga minsan kung anong kinakain nila at bakit hindi nauubos ang energy nila."

Natawa si Lianne sa binulong ni Cristel sa kaniya na kagaya niya ay isa rin sa mga tagatawa lang sa grupo nila.

"Mas nakakatakot kapag nawala ang energy nang dalawang 'yan." Lianne winked at Cristel before she took a shot of her margarita. The bitter and strong taste of the liquor burned and calmed her throat at the same time. There was really a weird way how alcoholic drinks provided ease and calmness to anyone.

Nailing kaagad si Lianne nang silang dalawa na naman ni Cristel ang napansin nila Rexjene at Michelle sa mga biro nito. Mas'yado talagang big deal sa dalawang 'to ang pagiging inosente ni Lianne at ang pagiging good girl ni Cristel. It was an inside joke in their circle about Lianne’s innocence and inexperience about love and relationships. She didn’t take offense about that because she loved her beliefs about being in a relationship. To be in love was too yourself growing old with that person. If not, what’s the point of committing?

They were all having the best conversation about life and love when the lights suddenly dimmed. Silence filled the whole place and a spot light turned to the make-up stage in front of them. Napatingin si Lianne nang pasimpleng tumayo si Angel mula sa pwesto nito. Kumindat pa ang dalaga sa kanilang lahat bago pumunta sa stage.

Napataas ang kilay ni Lianne sa mga nangyayari.

After a few seconds, gasps and low giggles filled the room when all of the girls’ attentions averted to the stage. Nanlalaki ang mga mata ni Lianne sa nasaksihan. Umakyat sa stage ang mga lalaking nakamaskara at ang tanging suot lang ay maikling tight shorts na hapit na hapit sa mga hita nito.

Kaagad na nag-iwas ng tingin si Lianne sa stage dahil hindi siya sanay na makakita ng lalaking nakahubad. She could literally feel how her cheeks were burning, not solely sure if it was because of the alcohol she consumed or because of the scandalous scene in front of her.

Napainom siya sa kaniyang baso ng alak at pasimpleng pinaypayan ang sarili. Hindi sigurado si Lianne sa pakulo ng bride-to-be para sa bridal shower na ‘to. But one thing was for sure, this night was going to be a one, unforgetttable and hot night for all of them.