All Over Again

CHAPTER 43: Let's Go Party

Jerwin's POV

After what felt like 100 hours of being stuck in rush hour traffic, nakarating na rin ako sa bahay. Binaba ko yung mga maleta ko sa may hagdan, and then gently closed the door behind me..That's weird..

I looked around. Bakit tahimik? Where's Venice?

Pumasok ako sa loob nung bahay, umikot-ikot. Did she go somewhere with her mom? She didn't even leave a message? I walked to the kitchen and found a pot on the stove. Aba. What's this? Tinanggal ko yung takip and saw normal-looking food. Sinigang?

Me: Ha.. I wonder if her mom made this..

Otherwise..... Venice doesn't cook, right? Is this edible? -___- It looks edible. Kinuha ko ung sandok na nakapatong dun sa counter..

I was just about to dip it in the pot nang may narinig akong biglang kumalabog sa may hallway. O__O I paused to listen, pero nawala na ulit yung ingay.

Me: I must be imagining things... -__-

Babalik na sana ako sa pagsandok nung ulam, nang may kumalabog ulit. This time, I froze. I'm not imagining it.

"May inuwi si nanay, si nanay, sa bahay... Sinabit nya, sinabit nya, sa tabi ng bahay.. Awhoooo~~"

O___O

I cautiously walked over to where the muffled song is coming from. I can feel my heart beating hard against my chest. Is it a ghost? I hate ghosts--not that I've ever seen one. Wouldn't it be more realistic to think it might be an intruder? What the hell? We just moved in and may magnanakaw na kagad?!?

"May inuwi si nanay, si nanay, sa bahay~ Sinabit niya, sinabi nya, sa tabi ng bahay..."

It's coming from the closet... May kung anong kumaluskos sa loob.. O__O Maybe it's a mouse--a singing mouse? O_o God, I hope it's a mouse.

I took a deep breath -- and then biglang bukas nung closet door. Tingin kagad ako sa loob while holding the sandok up for defense.But--there's nothing inside... All of a sudden....

GRAB!

@.@

Me: *screams* AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Something-- Something grabbed my leg! Nagkadapa-dapa ako sa paglayo sa kung ano man ung nasa loob nung closet!

Me: W-Wha?!? W-Who's in there?!?!?!

Someone slowly crawled out of the closet. I'm not exactly sure if it's a "someone". Kamukha ni Cousin It..

Where the face is supposed to be, puro buhok ang nandun and why is she crawling on the floor!?!

Venice: Argh..... Sunshine... It's me.... -_____-

Me: Venice?!?!

Venice: Yeah... argh.. -__-

She crawled out of the closet and then collapsed on the floor, groaning. I can still feel my heart beating twice its normal rate! I waved the sandok sa kanya..

Me: What were you doing inside?!? Aish! Are you trying to give me a heart attack!??!

Venice: *groans* Na-lock ako sa loob.. I couldn't move around, kaya naupo na lang ako.. Argh.. I can't even feel my legs anymoreeeeee... T^T

Me: Pano ka naman na-lock sa loob?!?

Venice: I tried to be a sardine..

-___-

I blinked in surprise and confusion. Did I hear that right or na-apektuhan na ba ng panic attack ko ang pangrinig ko?!?

Isn't a "sardine" a fish?

Me: What?!

She pulled herself up from the wooden floor, tapos sumandal dun sa wall. She started massaging her legs. Naputol yata talaga ung daloy ng dugo sa legs niya..

Venice: Sardinas.. The closet reminded me of a Ligo Sardines can..

I really heard her right..... -__- Hindi ko talaga yata maaabot kahit kailan ang ka-abnormalan ng utak ng taong 'to. Saan ba nanggagaling ang mga thoughts na pumapasok sa isip nya?!?

Nararamdaman ko nang bumabalik sa normal ang naalog kong brain. Medyo bumabalik na rin sa normal yung heartbeat ko..

Me: How stupid are you?!?

Tinuro ko ulit yung sandok sa kanya..

Ako: What are you gonna do kung hindi kagad ako nakauwi?!

Venice: I'll cryyyy. T-T And bakit ba kanina mo pa winawagayway yang sandok sa'kin? Kukuha ka lang ng weapon, sandok pa ang kinuha mo..

Ako: Eh ano pang makukuha ko?! You took me by surprise!

Napatingin ako sa relo. Aish... It's already 6.. Tumayo ako from where I staggered earlier, and binalik yung sandok sa kitchen counter tapos, lumakad ako dun sa may hagdan, where I left the things I was carrying when I came in. Kinuha ko yung isang paper bag, and then bumalik kung nasan si Venice.

Me: Maligo ka na, and go change in this.

Venice: Eh?? Ano yan??

Me: We're going to a party.

Venice: Party?!? Jerwin, I have to be at the airport by 9:30!

Me: We'll leave before your mom's flight. And really--mag-ayos ka ha.. Ayokong dalhin si Cousin It sa party na yun..

Venice: Cousin It??

Me: The hair guy -- or thing.. Adams Family.. Hello?

She stared at me confused.

Me: Nevermind.

Umakyat na ko ng hagdan to get ready for the party.. I heard Venice drag herself up the stairs kasunod ko mumbling in every step..

Venice's POV

Ako: Are we late? Whose party is this anyway? Are we late?

Jerwin: Aish.. Be quiet.

I tried to smooth the red cocktail dress Jerwin bought for me as we hurriedly walk towards the hotel entrance. I didn't know Jerwin would have such a good sense of style. NYAHAHAHAHA

Sabi nya, he bought the dress especially for tonight. In other words, impromptu buying--but the dress is gorgeous! It's a cute, satin tube dress that falls mid-thigh. It has a poufy, bubble skirt with pull-ups, and a purple satin sash around the waist.. It fits perfectly pa!

Ako: Heeyyy.. How do I look?

Jerwin: For the tenth time, you look fine.

Ako: Tumingin ka naman muna!

I didn't have much time to get ready after that little incident with the closet.. -___- Kaya, I just straightened my hair, put on light make-up, grabbed the first matching silver jewelry I could find, and then slipped in my black, high-heeled pumps and still, somehow, nauna pa rin sa'kin si Jerwin.. -__-

Nakaligo na siya, nakapag-gel ng buhok, nakapag cologne pa.. But then again, kasi naman, pants and red polo lang ang kailangan niyang alalahanin. We finally stopped in front of a banquet hall's doors. Eto nanaman kami sa mga fancy hotel parties.. -__-

Jerwin: Let's go.

He grabbed my hand and then he opened the door. I immediately scanned the place. The crowd, this time, doesn't look old. They actually look like they're around my age.. and OMG isn't that Papa Piolo!? O.O

As soon as pumasok kami ni Jerwin, nalipat yung atensyon ng lahat ng tao sa'min and then, all of a sudden, they burst into hoots and applause..

People: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Oh.. It's a birthday party... or advance birthday party. Jerwin acknowledged the crowd with smiles and waves and nods. Nung medyo na-disperse na ung attenstion, lumapit ako kay Jerwin para bumulong..

Ako: It's your birthday? Who threw the party?

Pero bago pa man makasagot si Jerwin, I saw a flash of gold walking up to us and biglang nanikip ang dibdib ko. Isang tao lang ang kilala kong mukhang dyosang bumaba sa lupa..

It's Geena.

Geena: You're late. I was starting to think I threw the party for nothing.

Then, to my surprise, she suddenly turned to me and smiled..

She SMILED at ME! O_O

Geena: It's so nice that you can come, Venice.

Ako: Uh.. yes.. O_O

Geena: Oh, well, I'll see you guys later.. The refreshments and the food are over there. Help yourself.

And with that, she walked away -- swinging her hips from side to side. As usual, she's so pretty... I hit Jerwin's arm.

Jerwin: Aw! What?!?

Ako: You brought me to Geena's party?!?

Jerwin: It's my party.. Didn't you hear them greet me happy birthday? Although.. yeah.. Geena threw it for me...

Aish!

PAK!

Jerwin: Hey, it's free food!

PAK!

Jerwin: We'll leave as soon as we can.. -__-