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"Ysa? What are you doing there?," I heard Loisa's voice.

Nilingon ko siya.

"Getting some fresh air.."

She smiled at tinabihan ako. Tinitignan niya ang dance floor. The party songs replaced the slow and romantic one.

"Have you seen Ej?" tanong niya sa akin.

"No. I thought he's with you.."

She cocked her head,"I told him I'll go to the loo while we're on our seats."

"Maybe he went to the buffet. Getting some foods.." sabi ko.

"Aren't you going to dance?"

Ayoko ng sumayaw. I don't want to be close with someone in that dimmed dance floor. Sasagot palang sana ako nang dumating si Ej, looking mad.

"Where have you been?" tanong ng kanyang nobya.

Ej gently grabbed Loisa's arm towards him bago ako tignan.

"Ysa, we'll be going home now. Do you want a ride? I can drop you off to your flat.." tanong ni Ej. Parang nagmamadali siya.

"Uhmm.. No no. I need to find Elain first.." sabi ko.

His jaw clenched. Loisa looked at him curiously.

"Bye, Ysa. Be careful! If you'll hail a cab, you can text Ej it's plate number.." paalala ni Loisa bago lumapit kay Ej. He held his girlfriend's waist as they walk towards the exit.

Now that my two other friends are gone, maybe it's time to find Elain. Nasaan kaya siya? Naisip kong baka nasa dance floor pa siya pero ayoko nang bumalik don. Baka may magyaya na namang sumayaw.

Inikot ko ang venue at nakita ko ang kaibigan ko sa mini bar sa gilid. Her ponytail is kinda loose. Naka-slouch din siya habang umiinom.

"Elain"

She squinted her eyes, "Oh! Ysabelle! Come, let's drink!"

Umupo ako sa stool pero hindi ako umorder ng maiinom. Elain frowned.

"Excuse me, can you give her a cocktail?"

Tumango ang bartender at binigyan ako ng cocktail drink. Nagpasalamat ako at binalingan ang kaibigan kong sira ang make-up.

"What happened to you? Bakit ganyan ang itsura mo?" I fished out a tissue in my purse at pinunasan ang smudge ng lipstick sa gilid ng labi niya.

Inubos niya ang alak sa kanyang baso before facing me. "Have you ever been in love? Like, sobra? Sobra yung pagkahulog mo dun sa tao.."

Hindi ako nakasagot. I was taken back by her random question.

"I like this particular guy
I've been friends with him since senior high. We're really close you know.. then.. college happened.."

Natulala siya saglit then she sniffed.

"College happened. He liked a girl he just met then etchapwera na ako.. I really thought we have something.. kasi close talaga kami, eh.. alam no yon? Yung akala mo kayo?"

Elain's face started to crumple. Uminom uli siya ng alak.

"Pero may mali din naman ako because I assumed. It's.. it's just hard because I love him. Ang hirap makita yung mahal mo na masaya pero hindi sayo.." she chuckled before drinking again.

Her rants went on for about an hour. Hindi ko siya iniwan. Pinakinggan ko lang ang kaibigan ko at inintindi lahat ng sinasabi niya.

"What if.. your ex -- "

Magugustuhan mo rin ang

          

"He's not my ex" pagtatama ko.

"Whatever. So, what if he's in love with someone else now? What will you do hmmm?"

I can imagine Alfred and Andrea in my head. Going out on dates, Andrea patiently waiting for him to get home safe galing sa mga misyon, him supporting his girlfriend on her TV shows and being wed. What will I do?
My heart pained.

"W-Wala.."

Elain looked at me.

"He's in love and happy. Bakit ko sisirain yon? Who am I to ruin his happiness?" I said. Sinusubukan kong ayusin ang tono ng pananalita ko like it wasn't a big deal.

"But you love him. Hindi mo ba ipaglalaban?" she furrowed her brows.

Umiling ako, "Part of loving is sacrificing. Kung saan siya masaya, I'll let him be.."

Love is not selfish. Ayokong makulong siya sa akin kung hindi naman niya ako mahal at hindi siya magiging masaya. We'll both be miserable.

Parang nahimasmasan si Elain. Tumayo siya sa kanyang silya, I thought she would loose her balance pero hindi naman. She looks fine except for her make-up.

"Oh, well. Sabi nga nila, if it's meant to be then it will be.." kinuha niya ang kanyang purse at inayos ang suot niya.

By that, kilala ko na kung sino ang tinutukoy niya.

"Let's go. Umuwi na tayo.." anyaya ni Elain.

Lumabas kami sa venue, pinauna ko na siyang sumakay sa cab. Mas malayo pa ang uuwian niyang apartment so it's better kung siya ang mauuna.

I waited for another one. Habang naghihintay ay pakiramdam ko may taong nasa likod ko. Lumingon ako to see if there's any pero wala naman.

Tinignan ko ang aking paligid. Marami lang estudyante at rinig ko pa ang music na mula sa party. At the other side of the street, bukas pa ang mga store. The streets are quite busy, may mga bus at private vehicles pa.

It's still safe.

"Lady Ysabelle?"

"Jasper!" napahawak ako sa aking dibdib dahil sa pagkabigla.

"I'm sorry I startled you.." sabi niya. He's not wearing a butler uniform, casual lang ang kanyang damit. "Are you going to your flat now?"

"Yes"

"Let me hail a cab for you.." presinta niya.

As far as I know, hindi siya rito nakatira. So, anong ginagawa niya rito? I don't remember asking him to fetch me.

"Why are you here Jasper?" I asked. Nakakapagtaka kasi talaga.

I saw how his body stiffened because of my question.

"I-I was just waiting for someone.." he answered. Malamang hindi ako iyon.

"Who?"

"A.. A friend.."

"A girl perhaps?" tanong ko muli. Ngumiti ako nang yumuko siya. Afraid to show his blushing face.

Siguro ay nasa party ang tinutukoy niyang babae. Nang may huminto nang taxi ay pinasakay niya ako at sinabi ang address ng aking apartment. Balak niya pang bayaran agad pero pinigilan ko siya.

"I have my own money Jasper. Reserve that for your date.." I said.

"It's not a date, milady.." pag-iiwas niya ng tingin.

Tinanong ako ng driver if I have any specific instructions.

"None" sagot ko.

Unti-unti nang umandar ang taxi. When we're at the other side of the road nilingon ko si Jasper na ngayon ay may sinalubong na babae. He lent his coat to her. Hindi pala date, ah.

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