On the Other Side

CHAPTER 4: QUESTIONS

He greeted me with a wide smile in his face. I smiled back. Honestly, I really don't know what to do or even what to say. After months of not seeing each other makes me feel like he is not that Samuel I rejected before. I'm not into him but why does my heart beats so fast as of this moment. Why the heck am I being nervous?

"Ahm thank you."

I replied. I know my voice seems like it was trembling just like the beat of my heart. I still splash those awkward smiles. I don't know why maybe because I don't know what to say? I just hope he doesn't notice.

"Did I frightened you?"

He ask while placing his hands on his pockets. I didn't expect that he will ask that question.

Am I f*****g frightened? No! I'm just ashamed.

"Ahm.. no.. I just.."

Before I can even explain my side. Anastasia, my dear friend, already speak. I didn't even notice he is still here.

"You know what Samuel, this girl who happen to be my friend."

He says while tapping my shoulders as if he is already introducing me to an unknown guy. He is looking directly at Samuel. I don't know but I feel like something isn't going to go smoothly. Knowing Anastasia, I know he'll gonna say something that will definitely shock me out.

"Kira is very shock to see you here because she regret dumping you."

He continues. My eyes widen. I expected this kind of scenario but not with that kind of words. Can't he just say I'm happy that Samuel is here? Something like that. Goodness this guy! Why bringing up the past of dumping him? Though honestly, looking at Samuel now make me really regret it. But why the hell say it! Before my sight reaches his face, he already run away while shouting.

"Come on everyone, let's enjoy Kira's party!"

And everyone starts to dance with the lively beat of the music.

Geez.

Samuel's chuckles caught my attention and the feeling of shame starts eating my whole existence again. I wish it does literally!

"He was just joking. You know. Antonio is a joker. What a funny joke, right."

I faked a laugh while slowly clapping. I saw him trying to stop himself from laughing out loud. I just stand here pretending that I didn't feel any awkwardness inside my body but goodness! I know it is obviously seen. I'm just literally standing here with my arms placed at the back and my body is swaying like a typical little girl waiting for her parents.

"I've not seen you eating something since you go out of your room. Aren't you feeling hungry?"

He ask out of nowhere. Maybe to keep the conversation going but he is right. I still don't take my breakfast since earlier and with the amount of unexpected scenes I'm going through right now, I probably need something to eat.

I followed him as he headed me outside where the foods are located. I'm living in a two-story bungalow and our front yard are spacious to accommodate many people. Seriously, I have no idea of what was going on. From the decorations around the house and even the food that are being served. I don't know how did Anastasia prepared this all by himself. Where did he get the money? I had a lot of questions circulating on my mind but I know I'm not able to get the answer because the one responsible for this is already partying and enjoying the day.

He stop in front of the table full of different kind of dishes and there are even waiters serving for us. He pull out the chair for me and escorted me. He didn't leave my side until he feels that' I'm comfortable with my place. I think Anastasia set a full package catering service huh.

"What else do you want ma'am?"

The waitress ask me to double check if I'm now satisfied with the food that are being served to us.

I look at the food placed in the table in front of me. It seems like a mini boodle fight style. A typical Filipino food placed in the banana leaves. There was rice, chicken adobo and many more. There is also salted egg partnered with fresh tomatoes. It is a typical Filipino food but not for a party but I do love it!

I smiled like a child. I didn't expect they will serve me my favorite foods. It gives me nostalgic feeling. A memories from the past starts to flash inside my mind. It feels like seeing something you used to love once again after a long period of time. I never felt happy like this but despite of the happiness that occupies my heart, there is still part that is still lacking. The space wherein I know. Only one person can fill that emptiness. In an instant realization, l've been hit with the sad reality again. That the person I want to spend my memorable day isn't even here.

"I remember you love eating turon so I brought you some."

I came back to reality as I heard Samuel's voice while handing it to me. Turon is a sweetened banana wrapped in thin crepes called lumpia wrappers.

My lips starts to curve. How sweet Samuel is.

"I remember you and tantan used to sneak out on your classes just to eat that."

He smiles as he starts reminiscing our elementary days. And yes, he is referring to Ethan.

"Ethan used to go out every class break and tend to be late in our class afterwards just to be with you. He told me that, that was your favorite so everytime we went to school I remember him reserving at the school's canteen for that so that they can already prepare it before he meets you."

He continues.

I don't have an idea about that. The only thing that I know is that Samuel and Ethan are also good friends and they were classmates before. They are also both three years older than me. He is right when he said me and Ethan loves to eat everytime. That is how he show his love for me before.

Before?

Haha. Before.

Now, even his shadows are nowhere to be found.

No communication for years.

" He is such a sweet guy, isn't he?"

He just nod, agreeing with what I say.

"Both of you are best friends, right?"

He then asks.

Ahm. Lovers. Yes, we are lovers.

"Yeah. Best among the bests."

I laughed a bit. I took a bite at the food I was holding. It is crunchy that makes me want to bite even more. I'm now enjoying it. We aren't vocals about me and him having intimate feeling with each other. Everyone really thought we are just bestfriends. But we both know we aren't. We are more than that.

"I haven't heard about him for years. Do the two of you still have communication?"

I stop for a second when I heard his question. Well, I wish we had. How I badly wish we still had. With the thought of him uttering those questions just explains that even him doesn't even know where Ethan is.

"None. I don't have any news about him either. No one in this town has the access to him and to his family too."

I replied.

"That sad. I thought he is here. I know him so well that I know he don't want to skip one of your special days."

His eyes are directly fixed on mine. It seems like he knew something is on between me and Ethan but he doesn't want to directly say it anyway.

"Actually, this is the fourth time he skipped."

I bitterly smile while placing the food I was holding at the corner of the table and as I try not to look at him. But I can sense he still looking at me the same way he did earlier.

"I'm still wondering where the hell on earth did he go? Aish. Do you think we must forget him just like how he forgot to even keep in touch?"

The silence become my answer. I don't want to but should I?

-

After a long exchange of conversations, we decided to finish eating. I really enjoyed it and I prove to myself once again that I'm such a rice lover. We finished that little boodle fight that is supposedly for four persons.

We stayed a couple of hours outside before heading inside the house. Some faces I've seen before aren't there anymore. They probably gone after eating. I don't know. I'm so focused with my agenda that is why I don't even bother to observe.

"How's your date? I mean the food I set there huh?"

Anastasia, from nowhere, suddenly speak again while holding a beer.

Is he somehow a ghost, he appeared anywhere when he don't supposed to. I feel like I'm having a heart attack everytime he enters.

I just give him a tap on his shoulder.

"That was awesome. I appreciate it so much."

I give him a wide smile. A sincere smile as I remember the food I ate earlier. That was perfect. He must thank the gods I liked the food because if not, I'll probably step him out of my house.

"Since you two are already here. It's time for us to drink. Though I started already."

He raised the bottle of beer he is holding.

I'm not an alcoholic drinker but..

"Kira you should try it. You're already 18 now. Don't be afraid. I have your parents approval with this."

He wink. What can I do? I don't even want to be called "KillJoy" for that reason.

I just nod and everyone starts clapping as if they are celebrating my consent.

There, we sit at a circular pattern around the table where drinks are placed. We are about six people. I was sitting with Anastasia on my left while Samuel is on my right. Anastasia is sitting next to Paulo– Anastasia's boyfriend I guess because they are now hugging each other. You can't just hug someone like that if you're just friends right? Or maybe I wasn't just aware with that. You'll probably gonna call me a fake friend for not knowing if he is in a relationship but gaddamn. I swear I don't know who is he talking to or flirting to because there are lots of them. He tend to talk to many boys and I really don't know who is his boyfriend or should I say maybe all of them are?

Paulo is sitting next to our other friend Ana who's sitting next to his boyfriend that made us a total of six. There are others who are drinking at other tables being set. I don't know who are those guys but Anastasia just told me they are from our school but I don't recognize them either.

We started drinking. It's not my thing but for the sake of this party, I will drink. I can sense that Samuel is looking at me throughout the time. Maybe he is just ensuring that I'm ok?

-

Time passed smoothly. We are all having fun. Some guys on the other tables starts bidding goodbyes as they need to go home but people here on our table stay still. There are still lots of drinks on the table. After few more shots, Ana raised the shot glass and handed it to me.

"Kira it's your turn."

I was hesitant to take it since I don't know if I still can handle it. I feel like my heads starts to ache a bit. I don't have high alcohol tolerance and I used to take few shots earlier. Samuel senses that I don't want to drink it that is why his next move surprised not just me but all of us in that circle. He grab the shot glass in my hand and drinks it.

I was staring at him like a statue for a couple of seconds.

"Ow, I see an overprotective boyfriend vibes."

Anastasia said jokingly and everyone starts to make that "ayie" sound.

"Are the two of you dating already? Did I missed something?"

Ana added then teases us.

Are they already drunk? I just saw Samuel smiling like a kid in there. Why not answer them with a no?

"Well, I guess Samuel is not gonna answer that willingly though."

Ana's boyfriend murmured that makes all of us silent.

" Aha. Why not.. hmm. You guys can admit it using a game?"

A game? What the f**k is wrong with them.

We aren't dating. We just met again a few hours ago. I don't even know if he still likes me. But I wish he don't.

"We aren't dating, guys. He was just concern as a friend. That's all."

I explained my side and everyone looks at me with no emotions at all. I sense dissapointments.

"Well if that's the truth then, let's just play a game."

Anastasia's voice turn up high that makes the mood come back to hype.

"What are we playing, baby?"

Paulo ask Anastasia in a flirty tone of voice. Couples are cringe, as always or I'm just being a bitter one.

"Let's play truth or dare."

Then he raised an empty bottle of beer.

From that moment, I know what's about to come. I know what's going to happen at that game.