Her Full-Time Apricity

Chapter 27: Fall Out

Chapter 27: Fall Out

After most of those who paid their visit to the funeral left, nagka-ayaan ang magpi-pinsan na mag-inuman nang k’onti dito sa garden nila Tita Liza.

With a table, all of us are seated in a long stretch.

“Behave lang ako tonight, ayaw kong magka hang over bukas.” Kyle whispered, leaning close to my ear. “Himala.” I simply replied as I play with my wine glass.

“Grabe? Ang basher na naman?” He said in response, already placing his hand above my thighs as we both returned out attention to the chaotic bunch. I don’t even know if what we’re doing is appropriate to do in a burial. “Ang mga boses naman, nasa lamay pa rin tayo.”

Travis suddenly said, calling out his rowdy cousins.

Nang medyo matahimik ang lahat, saka naman nagpa-ikot ng shots si Nexon at Dwight. Mga siraulo talaga.

Jexter and Estelle’s not with us, natutulog na ata sa kwarto ni Zach.

“Hindi ko na napigilang umiyak kanina...Ate Estelle’s really devastated.” Chlowie suddenly said as she leaned her head on Nexon’s shoulder. Naramdaman ko naman ang pagpisil ni Kyle sa hita ko na naging dahilan ng paglingon ko sa kan’ya. He then gave me a small smile, “You okay?”

Kyle mouthed.

Nagtataka man ay tinanguan ko na lang siya.

“Am I the only one who remembered how much she begged us that night?” Sef asked as she pours her glass a drink. “Nope. That was also the reason why I tear up earlier.” Reilynne answered.

Sabay-sabay naman silang napalingon sa’kin.

“Wala ka nga pala no’n, ‘no?” Reilynne commented.

Napakurap naman ako.

“Tapos hindi ka pa ma-contact.” Josef spat out bitterly.

My forehead was already creased as I listened to them when Timothy suddenly let out a nervous chuckle. “Para namang hindi niyo kilala si Nessa. Kwentuhan ka na lang namin kung ano nangyari no’n.” He said, evidently trying to shift the mood.

Kyle was sitting between Timothy and I habang nasa tapat namin si Elton, Travis at Rei. Kahilera rin namin sila Sef at Dwight habang katapat nilang dalawa si Chlowie at Nexon. Zoe’s on the other end, while Lauren sits at the head of the table between Elton and I, and I tell you, she’s awfully quiet.

Timothy and Dwight took their sweet time from filling me up on what happened the night that Zachary died.

On how Estelle arrived late to the club, drenched from the pouring rain, not even wearing appropriate clothes for the party they’re celebrating. Na bago raw makapasok sa club si Estelle ay naabutan niyang hinahalikan ni Penelope si Jexter sa labas, which Lauren also saw, na naging dahilan ng pakikipag sabunutan niya kay Penelope at pagpapa-ulan niya ng mura sa pinsan niya. Estelle then left them outside, already went ahead and looked for everyone else.

Nagulat na lang daw yung lahat dahil sa itsura niya, and when she downed a tall glass of a hard drink after Zoe and Sef jokingly dared her to do so. Pero mas nagulat sila nang biglang tumulo ang mga luha ni EJ bago siya nag-paalam at nag sorry sa kanilang lahat.

“She returned inside her car, already about to drive away when we arrived at the parking lot. Naabutan namin siya, naharangan pa nga namin yung kotse niya pero hindi na niya kami pinansin.” Timothy narrated while swirling the contents of his glass. “We drove after her of course, it was raining so bad that night, kumukulog at kumikidlat din.” He continued.

Timothy paused as he emptied his glass.

“Naabutan naming nakatigil sa gitna ng kalsada yung kotse niya, kahit umuulan nagsibabaan kami para lapitan siya. With Lauren’s duplicate car key, she managed to pull her out of the vehicle.” Dwight then followed, making me look at everyone who looks so glum with their heads held low.