"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 -- "
