Swayed on the Waves

Chapter Four:

It was finally Friday–prom day. The time and venue were already announced. Todo tanong pa ako kay Vera kung anong isusuot mamaya sa party dahil baka may theme.

"Mag cowgirl ka, sis!" Helene said, rolling eyes with a grin.

"Kapag ako nag cowgirl talaga, dapat ikaw ang baka ha?" I shot back, just as sarcastic.

That got everyone laughing.

"Hindi na need ng masyadong formal attire basta matinong suot, ayos na 'yon" Vera said calmly.

–

Soon enough, we were all crammed into a car. Vera had asked one of her college friends to pick her up, and we just hitched a ride. She sat in front, chatting with him, while we were squeezed into the back.

Isang oras daw ang byahe papunta sa venue kaya binilisan namin ang pagkilos kanina.

"Ang dami na palang tao,” Vera said once we were walking toward the entrance. She waved at someone up ahead.

Nasa tinitirhan kami ng isa sa kakilala niya sa college department. The place was huge. Even from the gate, we could hear the loud music and overlapping chatter of people inside, none of it really making sense from where we stood.

The house looked modern, with a bit of fancy French vibe.

"Nasaan na ba si Missy?" Vera asked the guy who was with us.

"Papunta na raw. She missed you so much. Ilang buwan ka na raw kasing hindi nakakausap.." he replied.

Nagkatinginan pa kami nila Dahlia at parehas nagkibit balikat habang patuloy sa pagsunod sa kanila. Once we were inside, I scanned the interior. It was clearly a private space, just big enough for everyone invited.

May mga nakita pa akong iilang kakilala na napatingin saamin na binati agad kami pero ngiti lang ang ginawad ko sa kanila at paminsan minsan ay nakikipag usap saglit.

"Kayo pa rin ni Jackson, 'di ba?" asked a familiar girl, holding a shot glass.

I nodded before stirring my fruit cocktail. I glanced to my left and saw Helene laughing with some guests. Talagang humiwalay pa ako sa kanila para paunlakan ang mga tumatawag saakin.

Sasha smirked at me, her lips lightly touching her shot glass. "I heard a lot of rumors about you two, you know?"

My brows furrowed out of curiosity. "Rumors like what?"

Her smirk widened. "That you are having fun with someone while you're with him,"

"H-hindi totoo 'yon," I said quickly.

She chuckled and nodded. "Hindi naman ako naniniwala doon, Silene. Atsaka kilala kita at hindi mo magagawang mangaliwa lalo na kung may boyfriend ka,"

Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag dahil doon. I took a small sip of my cocktail while she straightened up in her seat and waved at some guy who called her from across the room. When she turned back to me, she dropped another question that nearly made me choke on my drink.

"You know Russel? Russel Serevilla?"

She noticed my reaction that made her brows furrowed a bit. Napatikhim ako at umayos nang pagkakaupo bago siya sinamaan ng tingin. Napanguso siya habang nakatingin pa rin saakin.

"Bukambibig ni Ruiz na lagi ka raw nyang nakikita sa school nila. Natanong ko lang,"

"Ah, pumupunta talaga kami doon kapag niyayaya kami na manood ng laro. Bakit, may iba pa bang chismis?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

She nodded. "Sa tuwing nakikita ko ang magtotropa, naririnig ko ang pangalan mo. I thought kapangalan mo lang pero iisang Silene lang naman ang kakilala ko na lumaking spoiled," Then laughed.

Natahimik ako bago nagtawag para sa panibagong cocktail. Umayos ako ulit nang pagkakaupo at tumingin sa kabilang table. People always knew me as the spoiled one—but I wasn’t like that anymore. I’d started to actually value the things my family gave us.

"Alam mo ang ugali ni Jackson,” she said, her tone carrying a slight warning.

Medyo naguluhan pa ako sa sinabi niya pero agad ko namang naintindihan. Jackson could be really protective—possessive, even. But it wasn’t like he would ever lay a hand on me.

"I know and I love him, Sasha. Don't worry," I told her, trying to sound reassuring.

She gave a small nod. "Mabuti naman kung ganon. Ikaw lang ang nagustuhan ko para sa pinsan ko. We're not that close but he's still a family," then she smiled.

It had been hours since that conversation. Now, everyone was gathered around, singing to the birthday celebrant. Phones were out, people were laughing, clapping, and filming every moment.

Nakihalo naman kami nila Vera sa hiyawan pagkatapos hipan ang kandila. Mas lalong naging ganado ang mga tao at ang iba nga ay lasing na. I stayed at our table with the girls. I didn’t want to be left behind once the party died down.

"Boring. Walang bago,” Helene said with a sigh, eyes scanning the place–probably looking for someone to hook up with.

Natawa ako sa kanya at may tinurong lalaki sa bandang balkonahe kung saan may grupo ng kalalakihan at maiingay sila. Rinig na rinig ang tawanan nila na humahalo sa ingay ng tugtog.

"I like that one. Ano sa tingin mo?" I said, slightly pointing my index finger at someone.

She looked over to where I was pointing. Her reaction surprised me—she paused for a moment, then looked back at me with an unreadable expression.

"Sus, para sa'yo ba? Hindi ko bet," she said, shaking her head.

I blinked twice with lips parted, a little confused by the sudden shift in her mood. She looked…annoyed? And she avoided eye contact right after. I glanced again at the guy I pointed out.

Nilipat ko naman ang tingin ko kay Dahlia nang tinawag nya ako para abutan ng white wine kaya sumimsim ako kahit nagdadalawang isip pa.

The guy stood out—tall and good-looking. One glance and I could tell there was something different about him. He wore a gray hoodie, black sweat shorts, and sleek black branded sneakers. I tilted my head, watching him quietly as he laughed with his friends.

Nagulat lang ako nang tinapik ako ni Vera sa balikat. She had just come back after being called over by her college friend.

"I saw Jeff," She said.

Helene, still sitting besides me, chuckled. "Lawak ba naman talaga ng koneksyon,"

Luminga linga tuloy ako sa paligid. That was when I noticed Dahlia wasn’t with us anymore. I asked the girl she’d been talking to earlier if she’d seen where she went.

"May kumausap sa kanya tapos bigla silang nawala e," she said.

"Hayaan muna natin, baka may sesh sila" Helene joked and drank another shot.

"Huh? Hindi ba may jowa 'yon? Nakita n'yo ba?" Nagtataka kong tanong.

Helene shrugged, just as puzzled. "Ewan ko kung jowa nya nga 'yon pero mukha nga, malay ko ba"

"Babalik rin naman 'yon dito,” Vera added casually.

Tumango nalang ako at nakipag usap pa sa kanila bago ako nagpaalam na pupunta ng powder room para maghugas ng kamay at mag ayos ng sarili. I felt so lightheaded.

Honestly, I had no idea how many shots I’d taken. The three of us had been chatting nonstop and kept accepting whatever was handed to us.

After washing up, I ran my fingers through my hair in front of the mirror, trying to look somewhat put together. On my way out, I bumped into someone, but I didn’t even manage to apologize properly—I was too out of it. My stomach felt a little warm as I continued walking.

Hindi pa rin talaga ako nasasanay na uminom ng alak.

Babalik na sana ako sa table namin pero napagpasyahan kong pumunta sa terrace para magpahangin.

Luckily, it wasn’t too crowded out there. The terrace was empty, and for once, I had it to myself. I leaned on the railing and watched the wind move the plants near the parked cars below.

Naramdaman kong may presensya sa gilid ko pero hindi ko nagawang lumingon dahil abala ako sa ginagawang panonood. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the cool air hit my face.

"Kaibigan mo 'yung celebrant?" I heard someone ask.

I flinched a little from the sudden question. It took me a second to realize it was directed at me. I turned toward the voice—and had to stop myself from gasping.

It was the soft-looking boy!

He chuckled at my expression, then shifted his stance, leaning forward on the railing while keeping his eyes on the city lights. "I guess you're not? You're not familiar with me,”

I blinked a couple of times, then let out a chuckle. "Common friend lang. I got invited because of my friend,”

He nodded without looking at me. He had the clean look, fair skin, and a calm kind of presence.

"I see. I'm Leiden, by the way" he said, finally glancing at me over his shoulder.

"I'm Silene," I replied, giving him a small smile.

"College student?" he asked, raising a brow.

I shook my head. "Pa second year na sa senior high. Ikaw, college?"

“Yeah. Business student,” he said, smiling. “Let me guess…will take engineering?”

Kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Mukha ba akong mahilig sa math para masabihang mag e-engineering ako sa college? I was not that brainy when it comes to math but I can excel.

"I guess not," he then chuckled.

Nanahimik muna ako saglit at tinignan nalang ang city lights. The night was getting late, but the party inside showed no signs of slowing down. We had class tomorrow, so I knew we had to head out soon.

"Archi. Ayon ang kukunin kong course," I said.

"Ah," he replied.

Mukhang wala na atang maitanong na iba. The silence between us dragged on until I heard Helene calling my name from inside.

Napalingon ako at nakita ang kakapasok lang na Helene. She froze when she saw the guy next to me, then looked at me like she’d seen something weird. But she didn’t even spare him another glance.

She grabbed my wrist and pulled me away from the balcony, "Kung saan saan ka nakakarating. Nasa table natin si Russel,"

I raised my left brow. "Akala ko ba si Jeff lang?"

"Kumpleto sila. Pauwi na rin daw," she replied.

Hindi ko nalang pinansin ang mga sinasabi nya dahil sa ibang bagay tumatakbo ang isip ko. Something felt off, I just didn’t know what.

Pagkabalik nga namin ay nakita ko sila doon. Una kong napansin si Russel na napatingin agad saakin bago umayos ng upo. He was holding a red bull canned drink.

While his friends were busy socializing with other people.

I grabbed a glass of cold water and took a sip, trying to wash out the lingering taste of the alcohol. I shook my head a little and sat down, spacing out for a second.

Kami lang ni Russel ang nakaupo. Nakaramdam agad ako ng pagkailang sa pagitan namin pero hindi ako nagpahalata. Helene had already disappeared again–probably off to find Vera.

Napansin ko sa gilid ng aking mata na umiinom lang ng canned drink si Russel habang nakatingin sa malayo. I followed his gaze and saw him looking at a group of girls across the room, laughing and having fun.

I rolled my eyes before crossing my arms over my chest as I leaned backward to my seat then I glanced at the entrance of the place. Medyo kumalas ang pagkakahalukipkip ko nang makita si Jackson at ang hindi pamilyar na babae.

I swallowed hard when I saw her hand wrapped around his arm. My eyes stayed on them for a second before I glanced at Russel—and saw he was already looking at me.

I quickly looked away and bit my lower lip, trying to keep it together.

Pinanood ko kung paano ngumiti at makipag usap si Jackson sa babae. I couldn’t hear their conversation, but I was sure he was enjoying it.

The more I watched them, the worse I felt. Parang kinukurot ang puso ko. They sat down on the sofa, pressed up against each other. I even saw Rich talking to Jackson, while the girl just kept looking around.

Naikuyom ko ang kamao ko dahil sa sobrang panlalamig ng nararamdaman ko ngayon. Pinigilan ko ang luha na gusto ng lumabas. When Rich left, it was like the two of them were in their own world. I watched them for a few more minutes, but I couldn’t take it anymore when I saw what happened next.

Natawa nalang ako ng wala sa sarili bago iniwan na mag isa si Russel sa lamesa.

Hindi nasabi ni Jackson na hiwalay na pala kami. Sana sinabi nya at para hindi na ako nagulat na may iba na siya. Kahit sabihing hindi ko pa alam ang side nya, unang tingin palang ay alam kong may malisya sa kanila.

What kind of person kisses someone else while still in a relationship?!

I stepped outside, and the feelings I had been holding back burst out all at once. Sunod sunod ang pagtulo ng luha ko na agad ko namang pinapalis. Paulit ulit akong huminga nang malalim para ikalma ang sarili.

I had to clear things up. I needed to clear things up.

Bumalik ako sa loob at nagtataka akong natigil sa paglalakad. Everyone had gathered around.

"Tang ina, sino ka ba?!" Jackson shouted, irritated.

Nanlaki ang mata ko at nakisiksik na sa pagtitipon. I let out a gasp when I saw Russel, breathing heavily, staring down at Jackson who was sitting on the floor, blood trickling from the side of his mouth.

"Ilang beses na tayong nagkikita, hindi mo pa rin ako kilala?" Russel asked coldly.

Hinahanap ko ang kasamang babae ni Jackson. Nasa gilid lang sya at gulat na gulat sa nangyayari. I was about to step forward to try and stop them, but someone grabbed Russel’s arm and gently stroked it. He looked down at the person holding him.

It was Amanda.

I had sinking feeling that this night was about to go from bad to worse. I locked eyes with Jackson, and he seemed just as shocked as I was.

"Silene.." he whispered.

I just looked at him.

Just when I was about to speak, a warm hand grabbed mine and pulled me away from the chaos. Nag angat ako ng tingin kay Russel na salubong ang kilay at seryoso ang mga mata.

I glanced back and saw Amanda watching us coldly. Someone helped Jackson up while Helene gave me a sad smile before showing me her phone.

"Hiwalayan mo na si Jackson,” he said coldly.

My eyes widened, and my heart dropped. My mind couldn’t catch up with what he had just said. I was stunned.