Chapter II: Party Out

Sinalubong ako ng malamig na hangin ng makalabas ako sa apartel. Mukhang uulan pa. Mabilis akong lumakad papunta sa kotse. Pagkasakay ko sa kotse ay saktong bumagsak ang malalaking patak ng ulan.

Lucky huh?

I started the car's engine and drive away.

I'm Savannah Caily Davis Abad, a Third-year Accountancy student from NU- Laguna. My older brother is Dr. Stephen Alexander Davis Abad. He is a resident doctor of St. Luke's Medical Center. He finished his studies abroad.

My Dad is Atty. Alvaro Abad. He's obviously a workaholic. Masyado s'yang busy kaya wala na s'yang time samin. Guys like my dad are not great with clingy women. I can say that I'm not clingy but I still long for fatherly love. On the other hand, my fabulous mom is Arabella Davis. I love her so much. She's really supportive. Sobrang hands-on ni mommy sa pag aalaga samin.

We grew up not having a housemaid. Kaya sa bahay namin kailangan kumilos talaga. Ako ang reyna ng paghuhugas ng mga kubyertos at pinggan samantalang si mommy naman ang reyna ng kusina kapag mga putahe na ang usapan. Her dishes are so delicious.

"Mom, okay lang ba if dalhin ko ang backpack ko? Dadalhin ko sana ang laptop ko at iPad sa condo ni Kuya. Baka kasi hanggang bukas malakas pa rin ang ulan," paalam ko kay Mommy.

"Sure! Bring extra clothes din. Just call me if you will come home or not," she reminded me.

Tumayo ako sa sofa at lumapit kay mommy para yakapin ito.

"Thanks, mom!"I cheered. 

"Maghanda ka na. Alas-kwatro na oh. Baka mamaya hindi ka pa ayos tapos nandyan na kuya mo." She pushed me towards the stairs. With that umakyat na ako sa kwarto ko para ayusin ang gamit ko at susuotin ko.

Binuksan ko ang closet ko at pumili ng damit para suotin mamaya papuntang Taguig.

Hmmm, what to wear? Should I just wear a dress? Or a top and jeans?

I pulled out skin-tight jeans and a lacey top with a plunging neckline. I placed it on top of my bed and then proceeded with my unfinished program.

After a few hours...

"Ready to go?"Napalingon ako kay Kuya na ngayon ay nasa may pinto ko na. Tinignan ko muli ang sarili ko sa salamin. Yup, everything is done.

"Yup!" masigla kong sagot at kinuha na ang backpack ko mula sa kama.

"Let's go." Agad n'yang inagaw sakin ang dala-dala kong gamit.

"Kuya, mag convoy na lang tayo. I might stay sa condo tomorrow," sabi ko dito. Nakarinig ako ng pag-angil mula sa kanya.

"Fine, whatever, suit yourself,"bakas sa boses nito ang pagkairita.

I used my Audi to go to Taguig while Kuya used his Fortuner. Kuya was the first one to head out and I just trail from behind.

Shaun is my friend who happens to be my ex. Yeah, as much as I want to avoid him I can't. Seems like God has a different plan for me. We will be heading to The Island. The Island is our go-to club whenever my cousins want to go clubbing. I'm not really into clubs but if it's with my cousins and friends I'll go.

We were at Alabang when I receive a phone call from an unknown number. I picked it up. Maybe it's something important.

"Ahmmm," a voice from the other line spoke.

I put the call on speaker so I can drive safely.

"Hello, who's this?" I inquired.

"Cai, Si Dave 'to," the caller introduced.

"Hi, Dave! What do you need?" tanong ko dito.

"I just want to ask kung kamusta ka na. I saw you earlier sa Inspire kaso you were busy kaya hindi na kita inaapproach," he answered. Basketball player nga rin pala si Dave.

"I'm doing good! You should've approached me. I went to Inspire to pass a thesis for the subject," paliwanag ko dito.

"Yeah, I saw you peeking at Dr. Apulencia's door," a subtle laugh followed.

"Hmmm, if you're at Inspire that means that you're part of the Gilas. Kuya Guard told me that there are athletes at Inspire for training. So I guess you're one of them, huh? Wow, you're going international now. I am a proud supporter," I concluded and cheered.

"Supporter my ass. I wasn't part of the pool for the 3rd window. I'm injured," he remarked.

Napitlag ako sa sinabi nya. He's injured? How?

"Well sorry if I'm not a big fan of basketball." Pagtataray ko dito.

"Yeah, I know. I can still remember when Kuya forces you to watch," he laughed but stopped after a few seconds.

"Oh I'm sorry." Hingi ng tawad nito.

"No worries. So how's Shaun?" seryoso kong tanong dito.

"Kuya is doing good. We just got into a small fight. You know brotherly fight," he explained.

"Made sense," I thought. 

"Are you at home? Imma stop by tomorrow. It’s the last day of the training. The team will be heading to Bahrain Overmorrow," he inquired and explained. 

"Ahmm I'm actually on my way to Taguig. My cousins are in town and you know what that means." I let him finish the sentence.

"Oh, so you'll be at island partying huh?" he confirmed.

"Yup, I'm actually with Kuya Stephen," I explained further.

"Alright. Just text me if you're coming home tomorrow or not so we could talk and chill. I'll be staying here at the apartel. Some athletes already went home after the last session earlier at 4 pm but I stayed," he instructed. 

"You know Dave you haven't change a bit." Kinabig ko ang manibela para lumiko.

"Old habits die hard I guess," Tawa nito

"S'ya sige malapit na kami sa pad ni Kuya I'll hang up na," paalam ko.

"Alright. Ingat," he replied. 

"Ikaw din ingat." I ended the call as I pulled up at the parking lot of Kuya's condominium. I went out of the car and opened the backdoor to get my things. As I closed the door, Kuya grabbed my things from me.

"Leave your car here. I'll drive us to island." Tumango na lang ako.

Dave Alfonso is Shaun's younger brother. He developed a habit of checking on me and reporting what he did for the day. Even though it's been a year since Shaun and I broke up, he still contacts me. Shaun on the other hand went out of my radar after the breakup.

We arrived at the island and I can say that it's a busy night. Kuya walked in front and I tailed him. As we pass by the tables I saw familiar faces. Some celebrities, and athletes. For a second I think I even spotted the Castillos.

"They've made it," anunsyo ni Ate Jenny na nakatayo at sumasabay sa beat ng music.

"Wouldn't miss it," sabi ni Kuya. Ngayon ko lang napasadahan ang kasama ni Ate Jenny. It's just the Sonido siblings. Beside Ate Jenny is Ate Judy who is sipping his cocktail.

"Whoooo, our fresh blood is here," sabi ni Ate Jenny at hinigit ako papalapit. Tatawa-tawa ito at bumulong sakin.

"We'll find you a man tonight, dear cousin." Makahulugang ngumiti ito.

"Stop it, Jenny. She's still in college so no guy is allowed to go near her," singit ni Kuya.

"Tsk, you're just too uptight!" The two of them started arguing. I gestured Ate Judy that I'll head to the bar counter for my drink.

I walked through the sea of drunk party people. Island is a go-to place for anybody I guess. I can see many handsome faces tonight.

"One Vodka please," sabi ko sa bartender.

"Coming up!" The bartender tonight is a new face. He's not the hot guy who used to asked for my number every time I ask for a drink.

"Caily?" someone from behind calls my name. When I turned around I was shocked. It was Dave's close friend, Juan.

"Juan," bati ko dito

"Wow, it's been months since we last saw each other," nakangiti nitong sabi.

"Yeah, it's been months," natatawa kong sabi.

"Are you alone?" he asked.

"Nope, I'm with my cousins and my brother," I answered. 

"Great! Wanna meet my friends? They are just at the near table," paanyaya nito.

I don't want to decline his offer since it's been months since we last see each other. I don't want to be rude.

"Here's your drink Ma'am." Napalingon ako at maglalapag na sana ng bill ng pinigilan ako ni Juan.

"Nah, I'll pay for your drink." Bumaling ito sa bartender

"Her drink is on table #5," sabi nito bago ako minuwestra papunta kung saan.

Nang sundan ko sya ay doon ko nakita ang mga naglalakihang lalake. Most of them are tall and had broad shoulders. Well, they are all athletes I suppose.

"Guys this is Savannah. She's Dave's closest friend and a mutual friend of mine." Pakilala nito sakin.

"You mean Savannah as in Savannah?" a puzzled man asked. Juan simply nodded.

Nag unaunahan silang mag abot ng kamay sakin.

"I'm Ricci," a guy wearing a red polo that has two unbuttoned buttons. Red flag number 1.

"Hi, I'm Mike," he stands up to greet me. I quickly scanned him from head to toe. He is wearing black long sleeves that hug him in the right places. He also has a clean cut.

"My name is Matt," the last guy introduced himself. He somehow looks like Mike. Maybe they're brothers. 

I laughed.

"Easy guys. Para kayong mga asong ulol," tawa ni Juan. Sa huli ay nag tawanan kami.

I turned to look at our table and the only one there is Ate Judy.

"Juan, my man!" a familiar baritone voice spoke.