Against the Tides

CHAPTER 9

I immediately look away and sip my wine. Feel ko napansin ni Jas ang pag-iwas ko kasi pinanliitan niya ako ng mata pero agad nawala 'yon nang may lumapit sa kanya na lalake at nakipag-usap. I calm myself while looking at my surroundings. Mamaya, kapag kumalma na 'ko, tatayo na 'ko at kukuha ng makakain. Hindi pwedeng puro wine lang. Food ang isa sa pinuntahan namin ni Jas, hindi pwedeng mawala sa prio.

After a few minutes, nakita ko na sila Eric papasok at kasama ang iba pa naming kaibigan. Thank goodness.

“At last! Nagkita-kita na rin tayo,” CJ happily said while we were hugging each other. Actually, we're from the same course and school, but different year. Kaya kahit same lang halos, hindi pa rin namin magawang magkasama ng matagal.

Niyakap ko rin ang iba naming kaibigan. Super weird because we go to the same school pero bibihira lang talaga kami magsama-sama. Dahil sa iba't ibang schedule na nagkakabanggaan. Buti nga ngayon nagkasundo-sundo kahit papaano, for us to catch up a little bit.

“Tangina… bat hindi pa rin kayo nag-iinuman?” sabi ni Andreu, na parang isang joke na wala pang alak na nakalagay sa lamesa namin.

Bigla namang nagsalita si Jas at nakita ko, wala na 'yung lalaking kausap niya kanina.

“Excuse me, lalandi well kami ngayon ni Jade. Kaya walang inom-inom. Ikaw CJ? Sama ka?”

Ngumuso si CJ na parang may iniisip. Actually, we have the same name—her full name is Cassandra Jade.

“Not for now,” bulong nito.

“CJ, you’re not the type of 'not for now,' girl. Kasi 'not for now because I already have for now?'” Navy said and chuckled. Tiningnan naman kami ng masama ni CJ.

“Shut up, sinisira n’yo agad mood ko.”

“Can we catch up muna? Mamaya na ang landian moments,” Reign said while frowning.

Natawa ang lahat and we did start to catch each other up. Kahit papaano, hindi ko napapansin that Elias is around. Tuloy-tuloy ang kwentuhan namin hanggang sa nagpapakuha na lang ng pagkain si Eric sa mga waiter pati na rin ng inumin. Jas and I stuck to our word na hindi iinom.

I just eat while listening to them and talk if I need to. Sometimes I take a picture or video and send it to our oldy GC na sobra sobra na kung inamag. Last chat was Eric asking if everyone was available and such for his birthday.

Bigla akong nakaramdam ng pag-ihi kaya nagpasama ako kay Eric kung nasaan ang CR nila.

“Marami rin naman palang umattend na classmates mo, ah,” I said while we were walking.

“Yep, but if you look at it very clearly, karamihan sa Kuya ko.” I glanced at him.

“Hindi naman masama ang loob mo?” Sumilip ito sa’kin bago binalik ulit ang tingin sa daan. We were walking slow to take time.

“Nope, I don’t mind. Besides, hindi man halata, my Kuya and I are very close. Honestly, before this party happened, he asked me first. Well, I don’t mind basta ‘wag lang sobrang dami.”

“Pano kung hindi ka pumayag?”

Damn, Jade. Tanong na tanong much?

“He won’t push it and he’ll respect my decision. Simple as that.”

Tatanong pa sana ako nang tumigil siya sa paglalakad kaya napatigil na rin ako. When I looked in front of us, nasa tapat na kami ng banyo.

“Here we are. I’ll wait for you.”

I nodded and went inside.

After taking a pee, inabala ko muna ang sarili ko to fix myself and also to take a pic in the mirror. Ang ganda-ganda ng aura ko—hindi pwedeng hindi picturan. I also sent it to Mama to update her. It’s currently 8:26 in the evening. Talagang napatagal ang pag-uusap naming magkakaibigan, but it's still kulang for me.

And when I was done, I decided to go out. Baka mainip si Eric sa tagal kong umihi, at baka sabihin tumae pa ‘ko. But when I went outside, wala siya. I looked around and even called his name, pero wala.

“Eric?” I called, starting to get nervous. Hindi naman ganun kadilim ang paligid, and hindi rin ganun kaliwanag. It's just dim. Medyo malayo rin sa room ng party.

I sighed. Hindi naman ako mawawala—straight lang naman ang lakad na ginawa namin kanina. I was about to walk when I saw someone walking toward me.

“Erii—” I stopped myself when I realized it was someone else. It was Jas. Napasimangot ako at napahawak sa dibdib ko.

Napatigil siya nang nasa tapat ko na siya.

“Ano naman nangyari sa’yo?”

Napaiwas ako ng tingin at hinawi ang buhok ko.

“Hmm, you’re expecting someone else, noh?”

Tiningnan ko lang siya ng masama at pumasok na sa CR. Inantay ko lang siya, at nang matapos, sabay na kaming bumalik sa room. Naiwan daw pala ako ni Eric kasi hinanap siya ng Kuya niya.

Pagbalik namin sa pwesto, agad kong hinanap si Elias. Nakaupo pa rin sila ng mga kaibigan niya kung saan sila kanina, at ngayon ay nakatupi na ang manggas ng polo niya.

“Hindi raw kayo iinom ni Jas?”

Napalingon ako kay Maru na kakatapos lang ubusin ang laman ng shot glass niya.

“Nah, lalandi well kami.” Sagot ni Jas pagkatapos niyang lunukin ang kinakain.

“Lalandi? Sino naman ang lalandiin niyo dito? Mga classmate ni Eric? Mga kaibigan ng Kuya niya?” Nakabusangot na sabi ni Andreu habang nagsasalin ng alak sa baso niya.

“Basta single.” Simpleng sagot ni Jas na ikinailing na lang ng mga kaibigan naming lalake.

“Basta kapag alam niyong red flags, tawagan niyo na agad kami.” Sabi ni Reign.

“Pass.” Sagot ni Navy na sinundan din ni CJ. “Me too.”

I just laughed nang makita ang pagkasimangot ni Jas, as if she’s been betrayed. She just shook her head and frowned more. I excused myself and went to the sweet station. Good thing meron ganito. I grabbed a paper plate and looked at the sweets in front of me. This is heaven.

While I was still choosing, I felt a hand wrapped around my waist. Biglang lumakas ang t***k ng puso ko. I slowly looked up and damn, siya nga. It’s Elias. Looking at me emotionless, just like earlier. Anong problema neto?

Binawi ko ang tingin at nagsimula nang kumuha ng kakainin ko. I won’t do the first move of talking. Baka mag-away na naman kami. Mahirap na, nasa party pa naman. I don’t wanna be known as the party destroyer. Baka sakalin lang ako ng mga babae kong kaibigan.

“I didn’t expect you here.” Bigla akong kinilabutan sa boses niya. It’s deep and cold.

“And so?” Sagot ko na lang kasi di ko rin alam kung ano ang sasabihin ko!

“You’re close with Eric?” Napalunok ako nang maramdaman ang paghaplos ng daliri niya sa bewang ko.

“Yeah,” I simply answered, naiinis kasi bakit natatagalan ang pagpili ko sa pagkain na nasa harap ko.

Pwede ko namang balikan na lang at kapag wala na si Elias, tsaka ako babalik. Pero hindi ko maigalaw ang katawan ko. I felt like he’s literally holding my whole body in one place as he is.

Dahan-dahan ko siyang tinapunan ng tingin and he is still with no emotion written on his face! Ano ba yan, nasan na yung nakakapikon niyang ngisi-ngisi?

“What?” Tanong ko na medyo naiinis, not because of him but because of me!

Nakita ko lang siya ng hindi inaasahan sa party simula kanina, wala na sa ulirat ang sistema ko.

He licked his lips before sighing. Damn, this uncle of mine.

“Until what time are you staying?”

“11, or 10, depends.” He just looked at me and sighed again. What the heck?

Things are getting cornier. Buwiset.

“Just call or find me if you wanna go home.” I raised my eyebrow at what he said.

I removed his hand from my waist and faced him.

“And why?”

“What do you mean, why?” He raised an eyebrow at me.

“Well, this kind of party is your home. You know, drinking and women at your side.” I shrugged. He just chuckled and shook his head. Ngayon natatawa siya?

“Sorry to disappoint your judgment, but that’s not my agenda for today.” He clicked his tongue and chuckled.

I rolled my eyes and nodded.

“Okay, do your agenda s**t. I’m going back to my friends.” I was about to leave when he pulled me toward him.

And when I looked at him, his usual smirk was showing.

“What is it, my Uncle?” I said in a fake soft tone.

“Hindi bagay sa’yo.” He laughed and some of the other guests looked at us! Nakakahiya!

“Eh, ano nga?” Nainis kong tanong na ikinatawa lang niya.

Siguro kung titignan kami ng iba, parang close na close kami. Like teasing each other and such, what a sweet Uncle and Niece moment. Sana. Sana ganun nga.

“If you wanna drink, drink. Don’t mind being drunk, I’m just around. Enjoy the party.” He said softly and smiled. Yun lang? Akala ko naman kung anong importante ang sasabihin.

“Salamat po, Tito.” I said softly, as fake as ever. Akala ko tatawanan lang niya ulit ako o maiinis, pero hindi ko inaasahan ang panlaban niya.

“Walang anuman, pamangkin ko,” mahinhin niyang sabi. Gusto kong matawa, pero… parang mas nangunguna ang pandidiri.

“Ha ha.” I replied and left him. Buwiset!

Pero habang papalapit sa mga kaibigan ko, hindi ko rin napigilan matawa. Nakakaloka ang vibes namin ni Elias—minsan nakakagago, minsan parang siraulo. Walang pinagkaiba.

Nagpatuloy lang kaming magkakaibigan sa momentum namin—kwentuhan, asaran, and such. Bumabawi sa bibihira naming pagkikita. Maya-maya lang din ay niyaya na rin nila ang mga kaklase at ilang kaibigan pa ni Eric, kaya mas lalo kaming dumami sa pwesto at mas lalong umiingay.

Minsan nahuhuli ko si Elias na nakatingin sa pwesto namin. I just simply looked away and continued as if nothing happened. I also noticed na hindi na siya umiinom and more on talking with their circle. I also waited na makitang live na nakikipaglandian siya, pero ilang oras nang lumipas, puro usap lang talaga ang ginawa nila. Well, baka mamaya. Hirap naman maglandian in public, diba?

Nag-aya silang sumayaw sa gitna ng palitan ng DJ yung kanta. Syempre, minsan lang ito kami magkakasama-sama, sumayaw ako kasama sila. I danced as if I felt like nilaklak ko lahat ng confidence na iniwan ko sa cabinet ko. I danced sexily, swaying my hips while caressing my body as if I’m seducing someone else.

After how many minutes had passed, tatawa-tawa kaming naupo lahat sa pwesto namin. Pano, nawala na ang sexy dance namin nung sumayaw ang isang kaklase ni Eric ng budots habang pang-sexy dance ang kanta. Kaya naagaw ang atensyon ng lahat ng paiba-iba na ang sayaw namin sa gitna.

“That was epic.” Natatawang sabi ni Navy habang pinapaypayan ang sarili.

“Multi-sayaw pala ang kayang gawin e.” Reign shook his head while laughing. Nakiasar na rin mga kaibigan at kaklase ni Eric.

Dahan-dahan akong lumingon sa pwesto ni Elias, at umiwas siya ng tingin pero may nakakalokong ngiti sa labi niya na parang pinipigilan niya.

“Anong oras na, mag-uuwian na. Let’s play a game?” Suggest ni Jas na nagustuhan naman ng lahat.

“Eric, baka naman. I mean, maybe we can invite your brother and his friends? Para sobrang laki at dami ang maglalaro. You know, some naughty one?” Saglit akong tinignan ni Jas at binatukan naman siya ni CJ.

“Nakakahiya! Tumigil ka nga.”

“Come on, minsan lang toh.” Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako.

I saw Eric smirk and shake his head bago tinawag ang Kuya niya. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng kaba. Lumapit na si Eric sa Kuya niya bago may binulong dito. Napatingin naman ako kay Elias na seryosong nakatingin sa magkapatid bago ako tinapunan ng tingin.

“Guys, stop drinking na. We’re gonna play a game. We need to have a clear mind.” Seryosong sabi sa amin ni Andreu.

Akala ko hindi papayag ang Kuya ni Eric since hello? The age gap isn’t that far, I guess, but hindi halata sa kanila ang ganitong laro-laro. The girls happily pulled the boys' hands papunta sa amin. Napairap ako nang makitang umaayaw si Elias habang hinahatak siya ng mga babae. Pero nung makita ako na nakatingin, napalunok siya at tumayo bago sumabay sa Kuya ni Eric papunta sa amin.

Mas lalong pinaikutan ngayon ang mga upuan. Well, the other guests continued their own world—drinking, talking near the pool, and etc. I watched as Elias sat beside Eric’s brother, Kuya Symon.

Our seating arrangement was like:

Jas, Me, CJ, Navy, Reign, Maru, Andreu, Eric, and Eric’s classmates and friends to Kuya Symon, Elias, and their other friends.

I licked my lips when I saw Elias sitting beside a girl to his left. Makakakita na ba ko ng live landian ni Elias ngayon?

“What’s the game?” Kuya Symon asked.

“We’re all adults naman, legal age. So let’s play this game wildly?” Maarteng sabi ng babae na katabi ni Elias habang pinapaikot-ikot ang baso na may laman ng alak sa kamay niya.

“Truth or Dare.” Nakangiti na sabi ni Jas.

Shit, please Lord, guide me.