The Same Romance

I

August

Mayumi

* * *

"Sa'n tayo later? ngayon na lang ulit tayo nag sama-sama ah" Saya said. Kakarating niya lang sa apartment ko at siya ang huling dumating sa aming lahat na mag kakaibigan.

"Wow nanggaling sa nag iisang laging wala" Chelsea spat as she approached us in one of the couch.

 Totoo naman ang sinabi niya. Halos araw-araw kaming mag kasamang lahat lalo na sa gabi dahil ang iba sa amin ay may trabaho. And I have no idea why they are choosing my place to loiter.

Lalo na si Tyler na katabi ko lang ang kwarto dahil nirerentahan niya ang apartment na pag mamay ari ng mga magulang ko.

And I am managing it. 

He is my long time bestfriend. He had the choice to own a house from his parents but he convince them to live under my supervision instead. I don't know with this man, I have no clue why he did chose this. 

That's a benefit for me though, I love his company.

I am telling you, our love is totally platonic. Yes, it's possible. Even though he once confessed to me in junior high school, but all I can offer him is friendship. And he is aware I know that. I almost fell for him and he doesn't know that. But yeah, here we are. We are best friends.

He has a girlfriend now. 

And it's my damn ex-girlfriend.

Imagine how awkward it is. 

"Oo na nga eto na babawi na" Saya said with remakrs of guilt.

"Club tayo? Sagot na ni Andrew" she added.

Kita ko ang dismayadong reaksyon ni Chelsea sa tapat kong pwesto niya sa couch. 

Hays. Si Andrew. 

Nilingon naman ako ni Tyler, nag hihintay sa isasagot ko.

This is one of the nicest day I want to deal with, as the last number for the month of August.

I want it to be as normal as possible you knoww. I don't want to wish for something extra good to happen. But here we are. At this deciding phase.

Isang bagong buwan nanaman bukas ang sasalubungin upang gunitain ang paparating na pasko. 

Huling araw ngayon ng agosto and the days, I mean weeks are fast approaching. Ni-hindi ko namalayan na malapit na mag disyembre. Kahit ber months pa lang sa mga susunod na buwan. 

"Ano?" Shay asked, pressuring us to decide immediately. 

She makes deciding a lot annoying.

Nasa apartment ko sina Tyler at ang girlfriend niyang si Shay, pati na ang iba pa naming kaibigan na si Chelsea at Saya.

"Ano Chels?" I asked.

"Party tayo?" yaya ni Chelsea.

"Tara na" panghihikayat ni Tyler sa amin.

Hindi kinalaunan ay napasama niya kami sa club kung saan niya kami niyayaya. 

We noticed Saya's change in attitude as she invest  more time and attention to her boyfriend. Not that I am getting jealous at her boyfriend and her having all the time in the world for themselves. 

Wala nga akong pakialam na may boyfriend siyang pangit ang ugali eh. 

My point is, she should also remember  us. But as a friend who respect a friend's personal relationship, I chose not to demand and put pressure on her for choosingus over her boyfriend.

Mag kakahiwalay naming tinungo ang destinasyon papunta sa club dahil na rin may dala kaming kaniya kaniyang sasakyan papunta sa club.

Well my purpose is to sneak early. I'd rather enjoy coffee at home than drink alcohol and dance. I am not also in the mood to do so.

Chelsea is obviously pissed off towards Saya. 

She told me once how upset she is towards Saya becoming distant to her. Mag kalapit lang sila ng kwarto sa condo at sa tuwing bibista si Chelsea sa condo niya ay palaging wala ito.

Like Chelsea, I have no idea if Saya is working a job or just cuddling with her boyfriend Andrew each day. 

That's gross and outrageous for me. 

I mean, I don't trust boys that much.

Huling subok ko sa lalaki pinilit ako mag send ng nude. 

Nag send ako pero isa lang .

Tapos nakipagbreak na ako dahil nagtatampo siya kasi ayaw kong suplayan siya ng nude pictures.

Eh ayoko nga eh. 

I just hope, Andrew won't take advantage of Saya's vulnerability and I pray he does have some sense of responsibility with her girlfriend. My friend, our friend. 

I advised Chelsea to understand that we are in no position to demand Saya's attention and share of time in any way because it could make her think that we don't like Andrew.

Andrew is nice to Saya, but there are times Saya is seeking for our advices whenever they have a fight. I know Saya. Pero sa tuwing lalapit siya sa amin for advices she just breaks down, and she's not usually like that sa mga past relationships niya.

Ngayon ko lang yata siya nakita na sobrang patay na patay sa lalaki. 

Saya is normally outgoing, pasimuno sa yayaan mag party, inuman at iba pang kabulastugan that involves alcohol and loud music and yeah boys.

I personally dislikes drinking especially alcohol. I am not outgoing at all. But the bestest of friends I have is my absolute opposite.

Nakarating na kami sa establisyimento ng club.

Dahil nahuhuli ako sa kanila sa pagdadrive. Huli na rin ako nang makarating sa parking ng club. 

I saw Tyler waiting at a spot sa parking lot. He illegally reserved the spot for my slow ass.

He guide me as I parked at the spot kung nasaan siya kanina.

"Salamat" I told him as I got off the car. 

"Bilisan mo na diyan" He told me at hinayaan na siya mauna sa loob ng bar.

Hindi ko naman nakitaan si Tyler ng pag iiba sa ugali sa pag kakaibigan namin. Kahit simula noong naging girlfriend niya ang ex-girlfriend ko. 

I am also respecting his life choices. 

Nag lalakad na ako papalayo sa kotse ko nang kapain ko ang aking purse sa hangin sa bandang balikat ko. Hindi ko nakapa iyon.

Agad naman akong bumalik sa kotse upang kuhain iyon.

I am annoyed as I go back to my car. How come I forgot to get it?

I approached my car and opened the door of the driver's seat. Hinagilap ko agad ang maliit na shoulder bag ko upang makaalis na sa parking lot. 

I am pretty sure they are searching for me already.

Dinampot ko ang cellphone ko sa loob ng purse ko para tingnan ang oras.

10pm

It is already 10pm and I am not sure if I am happy about that. It made me grumpier.

It could be early for these people but not for me. 

Nag lalakad na ako patungo sa pinto ng bar nang may bigla akong narinig na sumusuka sa gilid ng isa sa mga sasakyan.

Such a weak drinker.

I slowed down as I approached the car where I am hearing the sound. It was at the end of the parking lot. To the wall where the door is.

 Nang tuluyan akong makalapit. Nakita ko ang isang lalaki na tinutulungan ang kanyang kasamang babae sa pag susuka. 

Hindi ko alam kung hindi ko lang makita, oh wala talagang sinuka ang babae. 

Walang ilaw sa kung nasaan sila. Ang ilaw lamang na tumatama sa kanila ay ang maliit na porsyon galing sa ilaw  sa taas ng pinto ng club.

"f**k" I heard the girl spat.

You're the worst.

Narinig ko naman ang sunod na pag tawa ng lalaki.

"Binitin mo na nga ko ginawa mo pa kong alalay" the boy complained.

Oh no. I don't want to hear anymore from the guy. It was just disgusting. Mas nakakadiri pa sa suka noong babaeng kasama niya.

What a gross boy attitude. 

I crossed my hands and hold on to my arms and vanished at the sight of them.

Bakit naman kasi mag yayaya ng lalaki sa labas tapos nakarami ng inom. 

Hays girls and there play. 

Pumasok na ako sa club aat hinanap kaagad ang mga kaibigan sa loob. 

They are upstairs, una rin akong tumingin doon dahil alam kong gustong gutso nila sa parte ng club na iyon. 

Maya maya ay may bumangga sa akin kakapasok lang din galing sa parking lot. 

"Excuse me" she even held on my right shoulders to move me oput of her way. 

I am surprised by how straight she is walking towards the crowd of people. It is the girl from the parking lot. 

Parang walang nangyari sa kanya. Parang hindi siya nanghina o kung ano 'man.

Nilingon ko ulit ang pinto ng parking lot. Sandaling inaabangan kung may papasok pa ba galing sa pintuan na iyon. And to my surprise wala, walang nang sumunod na pumasok 

Nasaan ang kasama niya?

Hindi ko na masyado inisip iyon at nag patuloy na sa pag lalakad kay Tyler na nasa bar counter ta wala sa taas.

"Antagal mo ah?" he asked.

"That's yours" he said as he point the drink on my near front.

Inabot ko naman ang inumin na inalok niya upang simulan ang gabi ko.

I crossed my legs and joined him face the crowd in front.

We are facing the dancefloor full of mostly not sober people.

"I love conspiracy" I initiated.

"Unsual events you know" he lokked at me. Listening intently to what trivialities I would say.

"Tulad ng nag susukang babae kanina sa parking lot with a guy and surprisingly she is there acting sober while dancing" I added.

"Nakakasober kaya makipag make out" Tyler said.

Is it?

"Wala na yung lalake nung pumasok siya" I said.

"Baka nalasing sa halik?" he said.

"So you're theory is that it's the other way around for her?" I said.

He's not helping.

"Nasaan ba diyan?" he asked. Letting my question set aside.

"Yung naka royal blue na fitted dress" I described the girl's dress as she dance to the beat of the music.

Nakita ko naman na hinanap iyon ni Tyler sa dagat ng mga tao. Habang ginagawa niya iyon ay dahan-dahan ko na ring binabawasan ang inumin ko.

"Tara na akyat na tayo" yaya ko sayo at saka umalis na sa inuupuan.

We are just wasting our time here.

Our friends is already upstairs. Kami na lamang ni Tyler ang nakatamabya sa bar counter.

"Sa'n kayo galing" Andrew asked nang makarating kami sa taas kung nasaan sila nakapuwesto.

"Hi"  tangi kong bati sa kanya at iniwasan ang tanong niya. 

Dumiretso na rin ako kung nasaan sina Chelsea. 

Chelsea is crying for whatever reason while Saya is nowhere to be found.

So I changed my mind and turned to Andrew to catch up with what is happening.

What the hell happened? I mouthed at him.

He just shrugged, telling me that he has no idea too.

Where the hell is Saya? I mouthed him again.

Lumapit naman siya sa akin kung kaya nilapag ko ang purse sa couch at hinarap siya.

Before telling me something. He sighed very deeply.

"I am not sure but I think they fought" he said.

Well I can see that Andrew. Saya is nowhere here and her friend is suddenly crying his eyes out. 

"Why do you think?" I asked calm. It's obvious he know something.

"Nag sisigawan sila dito kanina"

"Hindi ko masyado pinansin kasi akala ko galing sa baba yung ingay" he added.

"Dahil yata sa akin" 

I was about to leave when I stopped because of what he said.

"It's not about you Andrew"

"It is about friendship" I sarcastically smiled at him.

This guy.

Dinaluhan ko ang purse ko sa couch upang kunin ang phone ko to text Saya.

Saya whatever it is just go back here sober and let's talk. That's what I told her in my message.

Dramas are cringe as f**k. We are not kids anymore. We are damn adults. 

Oh f**k I want to go home.

I comforted Chelsea for her to calm down. That is the least that I can do. Mag babati rin naman sila panigurado. 

"Ano daw nangyare?" Tyler asked me while holding a bottle of liquor. 

Parang kanina lang ay kasama ko siya umakyat. Hindi ko na namalayan ang pag dampot niya ng isang bote ng alak. Halatang ayaw din makialam sa gulo.

"Hatdog ka uuwi na ako" I told him as I fix my purse on my shoulders.

They knew me. I am not fond of any of these things. 

"Gege ingats" He told me and then pat my shoulders.

 I brushed my long wavy hair upwards and then start walking out that place.

Sa pag alis ko, Napansin ko na hindi namataan ng mga mata ko si Shay. ngunit hindi ko naman dapat siya hanapin hindi ba? Alam ko rin na nandoon siya sa table. Maybe comforting Chelsea too or what.

It is surprising that Andrew assumed that it is because of him they fought. Well I can't blame his instincts. Chelsea is a damn bully and needy of her bestfriend. 

Kawawang Andrew. Alam kong at some point nag papalakas din siya sa amin mga kabigan ni Saya. 

For me it didn't matter if they even have mistresses.

I just want to live my normal life and seek for peace..

That's what the last day of my august comprised of.

Messy. Stressful. Drama.