Chapter One: Funday Gone Wrong (Part One)

The ambulance hastened up with a bold force, letting everyone know its siren wasn't a polite request to move. Every head turned, following its red and blue streak. It's a pity they are in the rain-washed town of Oaken Ridge. No one here gives a single damn about melancholia, especially during the annual feast.

The speed of our car slowed down when it turned in another direction. The rocky grounds of the parking lot show that I finally arrived at my destination. Vino clears his throat as he stops the engine.

Our eyes met when I glanced at the rear-view mirror.

"Janice," tawag niya sa akin.

Napairap ako ng mata bago ko tanggalin ang suot kong shades at madiin itong isinara.

Para siyang nayuping lata nang lumingon siya sa akin. Ngayon niya lang siguro napansin ang kamaliang sinabi niya.

Bago pa siya makapagsalita ulit, hinagis ko sa kan'ya ang mamahalin kong shades. Ngumiwi siya nang tumama ito sa kan'yang pango na ilong.

"The next time I'll hear that name, you're fired." Padabog akong lumabas ng kotse.

"Teka!" Tumaas ang tono ng boses niya at lumabas din ng sasakyan. "Hindi naman kita boss! Paano mo ako masisisante?"

Tinapunan ko siya ng masamang tingin nang sumilay ang mapang-asar niyang ngiti.

I crossed my arms. "You know what I'm capable of, Giovinno. Hindi porket kaibigan kita palalampasin na kita. I'll make sure Dad would fire you."

"Matatakot na sana ako kaso naalala ko hanggang salita ka lang pala," sabi niya na may kasama pang nakakairitang tawa. Lumapit muna siya sa akin bago sumandal sa side bumper ng kotse. "At isa pa, bakit ba pikon na pikon ka sa totoo mong pangalan? K’wento naman diyan, o."

"Oh, shut your mouth and leave!" Sumasakit na ang ulo ko sa kan'ya kaya tinalikuran ko siya. "I have a party to attend." Naglakad na ako palayo.

Bago pa man ako makatawid sa kalye sumigaw siya, "Oi, Janjan! Siguraduhin mong nandito ka na sa parking lot mamayang eleven!"

Napakunot ako ng noo. "'Wag mo na akong hintayin! Have fun yourself!"

The sky turned pale when I arrived in front of the venue. I could already hear the whistling sounds of the engine and the joyous screams of people on their roller coaster ride. The large signboard beamed so brightly, successfully luring tons of people.

Tinatakan na ako sa pulsuhan pagkatapos kong bumili ng ticket bilang tanda na nakapagbayad na ako.

Night of the Carnival is fun! Just like any peryas, it has different rides, booths, and stalls to offer. The vibrancy of this place really pops out, especially its lighting and the banderitas. Not to mention that this land is so wide, it even has an entire lot dedicated to the Musical Festival!

The committees behind this event did an impressive job for making the whole place look enchanting and pretty exciting. For sure, our birthday girl’s going to love this! Aside from the fact her favorite band is here, an epic surprise is waiting for her.

A photo of myself, featuring my sun-kissed skin, would be an adorable remembrance from this day on, so I stopped for a while and searched for a great angle.

I shared my selfie right after editing it. A smile forms on my cheeks when my post gains attention and reaction from my followers.

I was planning to snap more photos to share on my stories and fleets later, when new notification rings bombarded my moment.

Now

(Gabby Andrada to HAPI TRIXIE DAY): we're at the food stalls

2m ago

(Vino on iMessage): Pinalagay ko na shades mo sa kwarto mo. Paalalahanan lang kita na 11:30 dadating si Boss.

5m ago

(Gabriella and 186 others liked your tweet): "At the Night of the Carnival! Felt cute, will not delete later!"

A notif to our secret group chat pops up again kaya ayun ang pinakauna kong binasa.

5:27 PM

(You): yall wer u at?

5:36 PM

(Gabby Andrada): we're at the food stalls

(Rina Banaba): bITCH BILISAN MO ANG HAHABA NG MGA PILA DITO

Napakamot ako ng tenga dahil ngayon na nga lang pinansin tanong ko hindi pa nila nilagyan ng details reply nila! I mean which food stall I'm supposed to meet them? Ang daming food stalls dito, my God! Hindi ba nila naiisip struggles ko?

5:38 PM

(Britt Quirion): Bilhan niyo na rin kaya ng foods si janey diyan?

Britt, being the closest person I could consider as a nice, sensible friend, is an exception to my frustrations. Her message made me smile as usual. Buti pa siya naiisip niya ako.

(Rina Banaba): Eh kung ikaw na lang kaya bumili?

(Rina Banaba): Teka nasaan ka ba?

(Britt Quirion): Secret >:D

(Britt Quirion): Hanapin mo muna ako!

(Shae Fronda): MGA SISZT

(Shae Fronda): [sent a photo]

Pinindot ko 'yung picture na sinend ni Shae. Agad kong nakilala ang babaeng nakatayo malapit sa ferris wheel kahit pa nakasuot siya ng itim na shades. Hawak-hawak ni Trixie ang iilang hibla ng buhok niya habang nakatingin sa ibang direksyon. She’s wearing a blue denim shorts and a white crop top under her denim jacket, showcasing her fitted body. This is my first time seeing her liberated and confident with her own skin, so I reacted to that picture with a smiling face with heart-eyed emoji.

(Shae Fronda): SHE'S HERE

(Shae Fronda): PAPUNTA NA KAMI SA TABLE NATIN

I was about to ask their exact location, but then a familiar voice shouting Janey in the distance stopped me from sending my message. It was Britt and her daring clothes with yellow henna tattoos who caught my attention. She’s not so far from where I stood.

Kumakaway siya habang nakikipagsiksikan palayo sa isang corn dog stand. The boys on her way are definitely checking out her curvy features, but she doesn't seem to care because her eyes are fixated on mine. Sumilay ang napakalaki niyang ngiti na nakapagpalabas ng dalawang malalalim niyang dimples.

Britt's kinda clumsy and having so many people around us doesn't help her avoiding that at all. Buti na lang hindi tumapon 'yung orange soda niya sa damitan ko nang makalapit na siya sa akin. Akmang yayakapin niya pa ako kaya agad akong umatras.

"Did you bring our booze?" Inakbayan niya na lang ako at bumungisngis.

Duh. There's no way I would forget it.

Pinakita ko sa kan'ya ang hip flask na nasa loob ng sling bag ko. Tuwang-tuwa siyang kumapit sa kaliwa kong braso bago niya ako hilain patakbo sa food court na sinasabi niya.

Wala akong nagawa kung 'di sumabay sa bilis niya kahit na kung sino-sino na ang nakakabangga namin. Pasalamat sila at maayos pa ang mood ko. Kung hindi tatapakan at tutulakin ko rin talaga sila isa-isa.

The never-ending crowd amassed to a greater degree when we reached the food court. Red and white striped parasols are all over the place. They hung some of it on an almost invisible string, making the passersby awe with its floating aesthetics.

Mabuti na lang hindi kami nahirapan hanapin sina Gabby, Shae, at Rina nang dahil sa sunod-sunod nilang pag-se-send ng mga groupie pics sa isa naming gc. Nagsisimula na silang kumain. Samantalang wala pa ring kamuwang-muwang si Trixie para sa surpresa namin mamaya.

It's also a good thing they really bought me some foods kaya 'di ko na kailangan makipagsiksikan ulit para pumila sa pagkahaba-habang pila. Inabot ko na sa tapat ni Rina 'yung pagkain kaso bago ko pa ito tuluyang makuha inagaw niya ito sa akin.

"Kapal ng mukha, magbayad ka muna!" Inilahad niya ang kan'yang kanang palad sa harapan ko.

This time I just smirked at her. Everybody knows I get what I want, even if it means to destroy them. In the end, Rina couldn’t resist and gave me the sandwich and soda for free.

We strolled into the open field after our merienda. There are also booths and small stands present here. Merchandises like glow sticks, t-shirts, bracelets, and any various abubots are the common products that sell the most.

Mostly young adults like us are the ones who loiter here, setting up their own blankets on the freshly trimmed Bermuda grass. As if they are here to picnic and spend their time on the soft ground rather than engaging in the party. Well, to be fair, I love their sense of style, though. A classic boho at a musical event.

The next song blasted in full volume. The iconic style of the blended electrical distortion of pitches of guitars, bass, and a drum made us feel wild, young, and free. With Imagine Dragons' Radioactive, the people become more hype than before.

A group of young guys shouted its lyrics as they jumped and jostled throughout the crowd like a train. Others are simply dancing to the beat. While there’s me trying to capture the crowd’s silhouette under the blazing sky.

We are seizing this moment yet it feels something’s off with the ambiance. Misty strong winds caress my skin, making me shiver a little. Maybe it was such a bad idea to wear a sleeveless dress and not bring a cardigan. However, the truth isn’t because the cold bothers me.

I don't think everyone notices it. From the exchanging looks of the police officers, there must be a problem. I don't know whether it's because of a possibility that there might be a drug syndicate somewhere selling drugs or recruiting some drug pushers. Worse, there may be a serial killer out there lurking amongst us. Because if that isn't the scenario, why would they even be here?

Sure, they might just be protecting us from a stampede. It’s one of the most common possibilities for rave parties like this, but why do they look so tense, like they messed up big time?

I may be a dumb bitch, but I am not naïve.

Trixie slightly elbowed me, making me go back to my senses. First thing I noticed was the sudden darkness of the ground, filled with shadows I couldn’t explain. I looked up at the sky and all I could see were flocks of birds flying in a dispersed direction. They seem disoriented and make this high-pitched sound, which sends an odd feeling to everyone.

Peace is nowhere to find. Fear became apparent to everyone, and we all welcomed it in a murky dusk of August.