Xavi's POV

"Mag-iinom kayo mamaya?" Napakunot ang noo ko at agad nag-angat ng tingin kay mama. Nilunok ko ang kinakain ko at uminom ng tubig.

"Awan.. not sure. Kung may alak.. bakit papayagan mo 'ko?" Binigyan ko ng nakakalokong ngiti si mama. Napatawa naman ito at ibinaba ang nga utensils niya.

"Kung may alak edi mag-inom kayo. Pero kayo-kayo lang. Kapag may ibang tao 'wag na. Sinasabi ko sa'yo. Drink responsively, ha?" Ani ni mama. Nagpilit lang ako ng ngiti at tumango tango.

"At tsaka, 'wag kang tatanggap ng inumin mula sa iba. Isa pa 'yon, ikaw ang kumuha ng sarili mong inumin." Dagdag ni papa. Tumango lang akong muli at nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

Lunch palang ngayon at 4pm pa ang birthday celebration ni Jake. May time pa ako para mag review. Pero ang plano ko ay matulog muna hanggang 1:30pm. Then saka ako mag re-review.

Pero siyempre sasabihin ko kay Bright. Nagtatampo 'yon sa akin panigurado. So I'll do his advice na mag pahinga muna. I think I need that too.

Nang matapos kaming kumain ay nagpahindag muna ako. Nang sa tingin ko ay sapat na at nahindagan na ako ay umakyat na ako ng kwarto ko. I make myself comfortable on bed before grabbing my phone from my bed side table.

I immediately tap on my messenger and started typing a message for Bright.

To boi:
Hey..
Nag lunch kana?
I had mine.

Dahil online naman siya, ilang segundo lang ay na-seen na agad niya ang message ko and the three dots appears indicating he is typing a reply.

From boi:
I haven't

Napasimangot ako. Ang cold ng reply niya, malamang ay galit o nagtatampo nga ito.

To boi:
Bakit hindi pa?
Eat your lunch na.

I bite my lower lip after I hit send. Hindi ko alam but his cold replied worry me. Ang ayaw ko sa lahat ay yung may nagagalit o nagtatampo sa akin. That's why I always make sure to apologize to anyone I think I have done something wrong. Kahit minsan ay hindi ko talaga alam kung anong kasalanan ko.

But I know this time it's my fault.

From boi:
I don't want to.

To boi:
But whyyy?

From boi:
Just
I just don't want.

Napasimangot ako, he's indeed mad. Just by his messages I can tell he's mad.

To boi:
Okay
I'm sorry
I'll just take a nap

I sigh and turn off my phone. I put it back on my bed side table before laying down. I cuddle with my pillow and closed my eyes before drifting to dreamland.

My eyes shut open as my alarm bombard my ears. I immediately turn it off and look at the time. 1:30pm, just like what I planned. I get up on bed and pick my bag I brought here from school. I picked MAPEH and English to review for this afternoon.

I sat back on bed and just stare at my wall still half asleep. I pick up my phone and see if I have any notification. Sadly none. But being the stubborn me I type a message to Bright.

To boi:
I'm up from my nap.
I hope by this time you already ate lunch.

I flinch as my phone beeped. I immediately pick it up and look at it. A smile grew on my face as I saw his reply.

From boi:
I already have
Sorry for awhile ago.

Mas lumawak pa ang ngiti ko. It's good knowing that he already had his lunch.

To boi:
Its nothingg
It's good you already ate.
I'll just review then get ready for the party.

From boi:
Okay
Good luck in your review.
And.. uhh.. Xavi?

Bigla akong kinabahan, he barely call me by my name. We barely both do, I don't even call him Bright. So him calling me by my name makes me nervous.

To boi:
Yeah?

To boi:
Is it okay if..

To boi:
If?

"Takte Bright 'wag kang pa suspense! Kinakabahan ako putek!" I mumbled.

What if he's going to ask if he can court me? Shuta! Ito na ba talaga 'yon? Tangina, kinikilig ako.

Then my phone suddenly beeped snatching me out of my thoughts and imaginations.

From boi:
Is it okay if I message you later while you are in the party? Just to check you?

Nanlaki ang mata ko, napakagat ako sa pang-ibaba kong labi ng madiin bago napasubsob sa unan ko. Doon ay nagsisigaw ako, pero dahil natatakpan ang bibig ko ay walang makakarinig nito.

"Shit! Nakakakilig 'yon! Puta!" I cursed before sitting up and fixing my hair.

When I look at my phone I saw Bright's new message.

From boi:
It's okay if you don't want any interruptions naman.

Nanlaki ang mata ko at agad nag type.

"Shuta interruptions ka dyan!" I said while typing, when I finished what I want to say I hit send.

To boi:
No no no
It's okay
I find it cute nga

To boi:
Oh okay😅
I thought you don't like it eh.

Napabungisngis naman ako, iba ka talaga Bright! You never failed to make my heart go boom boom. Iba talaga ang dating mo!

I was about to type something when he sent another message that caught me off guard.

From boi:
I'm sorry if I'm being too clingy or annoying.

It's just I ended my relationship with the girl I like, a month ago.

Napa-awang ang labi ko. So that's why he's being all like this. Sweet and caring? Nasanay na siya sa Ex niya? Aba'y lokong babae 'yon ah! Sinayang niya si Bright! Bahala siya!

From boi:
We were.. labeled as a perfect couple in school, all of our classmates like the idea of us together. But they didn't know the real thing.

Napakunot ang noo ko, anong real thing? Ano 'yon? Acting-acting lang? Katulad nung mga napapanood ko? Kaso si Bright ang nahulog kay ate girl?

To boi:
And the real thing is..?

Napakagat pa ako sa pang-ibaba kong labi habang hinihintay ang reply niya. Hindi talaga ako mapakali e. Na cu-curious ako.

From boi:
She's too possessive, she won't let me play games with my friends. And I feel like her prisoners. Only my closest friends knows about it.

Nang mabasa ko ang message niya ay napasimangot ako bigla. Grabe naman si Ate girl, ako nga hinahayaan lang siya makipag laro sa mga friends niya.

Then I suddenly remember..

"Gaga wala kayong label." Saway ko sa sarili ko.

To boi:
Aww.. that's messed up.

From boi:
It is..
Now if you won't mind I'll check up on you later.

Napangiti ako nang mabasa ang message niya.

"I'm always ready!" Pabiro kong turan bago mag type ng reply.

To boi:
Of course I won't mind.
Now me go study

"Anong oras na ba?" I ask myself before looking at the clock on my phone.

"Shuta 2pm na!" I said before looking back at my phone.

From boi:
Okay okay
Good luck!
Love you❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

To boi:
Uno reverse card

Nang mai-send ko iyon ay agad na akong nagbuklat sa mga notebook ko. I want to scold myself. Landi pa Xavi! Ayan, mauubusan ka ng oras.

I need to prepare by at least 3:15pm. Matagal pa naman din akong mag-ayos. Maglalagay pa ako ng makeup at 'yon ang paniguradong makakatagal sa akin.

-

After an hour and minutes I finally finished studying. It's wasn't that polished but at least I reviewed some. I jump out of bed before picking up the clothes I'll wear and going to shower.

I picked a brown polo with prints and jeans for bottom. It's not a debut so I am not required to wear a dress. And there's no dress code anyways. After I put on those I sat in front of my mirror and start doing my make up. It's just simple, just to cover my pimples and other curses on my face.

I also brushed my hair which I'm planning to let it just like that. I feel like a ponytail won't look good on my attire today. I put in my pair of rubber shoes and prepared my crossed bag. I put inside my phone, wallet with keys and other stuffs such as charger. I won't bring power bank anymore. Jake will let me charge in their house so no more power banks.

By quarter to 4 I am ready to go. I pick up the paper at that contains my gift for Jake and head down.

"Ihahatid pa kita?" Papa ask. I gave him a teasing smiled.

"Kung papayagan mo ako mag maneho e.. why not?" Pabiro kong turan. Napatawa si papa bago tumango.

"Oh susi, catch." I put down the paper bag and my phone before preparing my hand to catch the keys.

"Galing!" My dad said when I caught the keys. I pick up the bag and my phone before heading down completely.

"Alis na ako ma." I said before kissing my mom on her cheeks.

"Anong oras ang uwi?" She ask and I stared at her.

"Anong curfew?" I ask back.

She adjusted her glasses and looked at me. "8pm." She shortly replied. My eyes immediately go wide.

"Eh?! Seryoso!?" I ask surprised.

That's so.. late! Oh my God! 8pm! Ang dami na namin magagawa nun!

"Ayaw mo?" She ask and I immediately shake my head.

"Ito na nga po, aalis na baka ma late pa sayang ang letchon baka maubusan ako ng balat." I said before leaving the house.

I went out the gate and walk towards the van and opened it.

We own a van that has been with us since I was on 2nd grade. It's old, yes, but I don't mind. My papa hesitated at first to teach me how to drive using this car since it have a lot of problems. But I insist, so at the age of 14 I know how to drive. And three days after I become 18 I immediately take a driver's license.

I start the engine which a little difficult but I'm already used to it. I put seatbelts before driving off. Jake's house is a little far if I'm using vehicle. But if I'm just walking it's just near. It's just, we call it shortcuts.

I parked in front of Jake's house. I pick up my stuffs and gift before heading out.

"Shuta ang saya nito." I said before heading inside. From outside I can already tell they are having fun already.

"Bless po tita." Ani ko nang salubungin ako ng mommy ni Jake.

"Dalagang dalaga kana Xavi, may boyfriend kana?" Parehas naman kaming napatawa ni tita.

I shake my head. "Naku wala po, walang nagkakagusto." I said at napatawa si tita.

"Ay ganun ba, nasa loob sila. Jake, andito na si Xavi!" Sigaw ni tita. But I think Jake won't hear her so I just excused myself and go to their living room where the party is happening.

"Xavi dito!" I saw Ken waved his hands. I just nod slightly and walk towards them.

"Happy birthday!" I happily said while reaching the gift toward to Jake. Jake smiled and nod before accepting my gift.

"Galit ka pa?" Pabiro kong turan. Pero mukhang hindi niya ako narinig dahil napakunot ang noo niya. Kaya lumapit ako ng bahagya sa tenga niya. Maski siya ay lumapit na rin.

"Galit ka pa?" Tanong ko ulit bago lumayo na.

Nang magtagpo ang mga paningin namin ay napakunot ang noo niya.

Umiling ito. "Hindi, hindi naman ako galit. Sinabi ko ba na galit ako?" He ask, napasimangot ako at umiling.

"Akala ko kasi galit ka." I slightly raised my voice para marinig niya despite the loud music.

He just nod. "No.. bakit ako magagalit?" He ask and I just shake my head.

"Wala, kalimutan mo na." I said before looking around. I saw them holding paper cups, ano kayang laman nun?

"Ano yan?" I ask while pointing at his cup.

He look at it. "Drink," he said at napasimangot ako.

"I mean anong drink?" I ask.

"Alak," he shortly replied before walking away. My eyes widened and I immediately followed him towards the buffet table.

"Weh?! Talaga?! Anong alak?! Matapang? Sagot Jake Marlon." Pangungulit ko. Tumigil ito sa harap ng isang punch bowl so I guess isa lang itong cocotail drink.

"Here.." he handed me a glass that contains the beverage inside.

"Eh? Cocktail? Akala ko totoong alak." I said pouting while looking at the drink.

I hear him chuckle before chugging his drink. Napatawa ako nang makita ang posisyon niya. Para siyang isang adult na umiinom ng drinks sa bar. Naka white polo kasi siya at naka undercut na rin. Talagang pinaghandaan ang birthday niya. Naka roll up din ang sleeves niya at naka relo kaya mas nagmumukha siyang mga lalaki sa teleserye na mayayaman at umiinom ng matapang na alak. 'Yun nga lang ay cocktail ito.

"Si Ken may binabalak mamayang gabi, wait, hanggang 6pm ka lang diba?" Tanong niya, napatawa naman ako bago ginaya ang posisyon niya.

"Diyan ka nagkakamali Mr. David-

"Change that, Engr. David." He cut off, napa-awang naman ang labi ko bago tumango.

"Okay fine.. Engr. David, Hanggang 8pm ako dito."

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang magsimulang ubuhin si Jake. Agad kong ibinaba ang baso ko at hinimas himas ang likod niya.

"Gago okay ka lang?" Nag-aalala kong turan. Nang mahimasmasan ito ay tumayo na ito ng ayos at pinahid ang gilid ng labi niya gamit ang likod ng kamay niya.

"Seryoso ka? 8pm?" Tanong niya ulit at tumango lang ako.

"Bakit ayaw mo?-

"Malamang gusto!"

Natigilan ako nang agad sumagot si Jake sa tanong ko. It was supposed to be a joke and I wasn't expecting a decent answer. But I guess he likes the idea of me staying longer. Dahil na rin siguro na sanay sila na maaga ang curfew ko.

"I mean.. para mas masaya. May pakulo ata si Ken mamaya e. Tayo-tayo lang daw nila Tera at Addison." Dagdag niya at tumango lang ako. Nanahimik kami pansamantala habang iniinom ang mga drinks namin. Maya-maya ay nag-akit na siya pabalik ng sala.

Pag dating namin ay andon na si Tera at Addison dala-dala ang kanilang mga regalo. They handed their gifts to Jake and Jake immediately excused himself to put our gifts to the table beside the buffet table.

When he came back he have another two glasses of cocktail and hand it to Tera and Addison.

Soon the party started, and when I say party I mean the foods.

"Grabe Xavi, letchon ang pinunta mo dito bes?" Ken joked, I glared at him before rolling my eyes, continuing to chew on the skin of letchon.

"Gaga masarap kasi! Ang crunchy kaya!" I said before taking another bite.

"Ang garbo nga ng 18th birthday ni Jake e. Hindi pa naman niya 'to debut diba?" Tera said and I nod.

"21 ang debut ng lalaki." I said.

"Sino kaya kukunin na partner ni Jake sa debut niya?" Ken curiously ask while eating his chicken.

I shrug. "Awan, may crush daw siya diba? Sabi sa akin last week." I said and Ken's head snap up.

"Eh? Meron?! Gaga wala!" He exclaimed and my brows furrowed.

"Eh?! Meron daw! 'Yun ang sabi sa akin last week nung kausap ako. Kapal nga eh, pinatayan ako ng tawag kasi kausap daw niya crush niya. Best friend naman niya ako!" Halos maputol ang mga litid ko sa leeg sa sobrang banat.

Napahagikhik naman si Ken. "Ba't ka galit?" He asked. Napa-ismid ako at umirap bago umayos ng upo.

"Kapag ako lang hindi na pansinin ni Jake dahil sa babae na 'yon. Pag-uuntugin ko sila parehas." Ani ko habang naka cross ang mga braso sa tapat ng dibdib ko.

Napatawa naman si Ken. "Girl best friend ka lang girl, di ka jowa." He said and I rolled my eyes.

"Kahit na.. kapag ako mas maganda sa crush niya na 'yon bibigwasan ko siya." I said.

Muling tumawa si Ken."Sino yung babae?"

"Hindi, si Jake." Agad kong sagot na naka pagpahagalpak ng tawa kay Ken.

"Anong pinag-uusapan niyo?" Biglang sumulpot si Jake sa likod namin. Hinigit niyo ang bangko na nasa pagitan namin ni Ken.

"Si Xavi, inaaway babae mo." Sagot ni Ken at muli akong napa-irap. Nakita ko naman ang pagkunot ng noo ni Jake.

"Babae? Wala akong babae?" Sagot niya at ako naman ang naguluhan bigla.

Biglang napapalkpak si Ken. "Sabi ko na sayo e! Walang babae 'to! Lalaki pa meron."

"Siraulo," ani ni Jake bago binantukan si Ken sa ulo.

"Aray! Ang sakit ba nun!" Pagmamaktol ni Ken. Napatawa lang si Jake bago nagtagpo ang mga paningin namin.

Sinimangutan ko siya. "Ano?" Taka niyang tanong.

Umiling lang ako at nagpatuloy na sa pagkain. Nang matapos kami ay kaniya-kaniya na namin ibinalik ang aming mga pinagkainan. Nagkaroon ng speech si tita at nagpasalamat sa mga dumalo. Ganun din si Jake na inasar-asar pa namin.

Nang sumapit ang 6pm ay may sinenyas sa akin si Ken. Napukunot ang noo ko at inilapit ang mukha ko sa kaniya.

"Bakit?" Taka kong tanong.

"Akitin mo na sa Jake." Bulong niya at lalong napakunot ang noo ko.

"Saan? Gago anong sinasabi mo?" Ani ko na nakakunot ang noo.

Napatawa naman si Ken at bahagya akong hinamps sa balikat. "Gaga hindi, utak mo ang dumi. Basta papuntahin mo na si Jake dito." Ani nito bago lumayo sa akin.

Kahit naguguluhan ay lumapit ako sa table na kinaroroonan ni Jake kasama ang mga schoolmates niya.

"Bawiin ko muna si Jake, ha?" Ani ko bago hinigit ang braso ni Jake patayo.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" Tanong nito habang naglalakad kami pabalik ng table namin.

"Gagi awan ko rin, pinapatawag ka lang ni Ken. 'Wag ka mag-alala di kita itatanan." Sagot ko bago siya hinigit sa table.

"Bakit? Anong meron?" Tanong niya nang tumigil kami sa harap nola Tera, Addison at Ken.

"Limot mo na? Paubos naman na ang bisita mo. Sige ka mauubusan tayo ng oras." Ani ni Ken na kahit ako ay hindi ko maintindihan anh ibig nitong sabihin.

"Ahh, okay, lets go. Pina-ayos ko na sa taas." Sagot naman ni Jake. Tumayo na si Ken at umalis ang dalawang lalaki. Nagkatinginan kami nila Tera at Addi.

"Sumunod nalang tayo." Ani ni Addi bago tumayo. Tumango ako at kinuha na ang gamit ko at sumunod sa dalawang lalaki na umakyat ng second floor.

"Anong gagawin natin dito?" Tanong ko nang tumigil ang dalawa sa terrace.

"Dito tayo mag-iinom! 18 na si Jake! Let's celebrate!" Ani ni Ken bago lumapit sa may table. Soon nakapatong ang mga bote ng Gin, Sprite at Getorade.

"Hanep, gagahayin 'yung nasa Facebook." Ani ni Jake bago umupo.

Umupo nalang din ako at pinanood si Ken na paghalo-haluin ang mga inumin. Nakutulong na rin si Tera dahil mukhang alam naman niya kung ano ang ginagawa ni Ken.

"Okay.. shot glass niyo." Ani ni Ken bago kami bigyan ng sari-sariling baso.

"Shot glass pa naman." Ani ni Jake habang nagkakamot sa ulo.

Nauna akong uminom.

"Isang lagok bes? Mabubusog ka niyan." Ani ni Ken at napatawa lang ako. Hindi gaanong matapang ang lasa nito. Matamis-tamis din kaya alam ko na hindi kami gaanong malalasing.

Nagpadala na rin si Jake ng pulutan na letchon at liempo. May chicken barbecue rin kaya hindi kami mabibitin sa pulutan.

Wala naman kaming naging matinong usapan. Puro tawa lang dahil sa kalokohan ni Addison at Ken na sinasabayan nalang namin nila Jake at Tera.

Nang maubos ang nasa pitsel ay akala ko tapos na. Meron pa palang mga inumin sa ilalim. Soju naman this time na may Yakult. Si Ken at Tera ulit ang naghalo.

Nang uminom na kami ay naramdaman ko ang tapang nito. Napapangiwi lang ako pagkakatapos uminom.

"Lasing na si Addi." Ani ni Ken habang nakasandal. We look so tired and wasted, mga nakaupo nalang kami at nakasandal. Addi's eyes are even already closed. And it's already 7:30pm.

I just take my shot and lean on the chair rest when my head turn at Jake's direction and I saw him looking at me.

"What? Tangina ako lang 'to Jake. Gandang-ganda ka sa 'kin." I joked that made me and Ken chuckle.

I hear Jake flick his tongue. "What if I tell you that you're really beautiful?" Tanong nito at napa-ismid naman ako.

"Ulol alam ko nang maganda ako." I said before shaking my head.

"But it's different," napakunot ang noo ko at muli siyang nilingon.

"I.." Napabuntong hininga siya.

"I li-

"Ay wait may natawag." I said before standing up. It was an unexpected call so I got surprised by it that made my feet suddenly stand up and walk away from them.

"Hello? Who's this?" I didn't managed to look if who is it. I just answered it and it's probably because of the alcohol. I'm getting a little drunk already but I know I can still drive home later.

[Hey.. you sound.. drunk?] Napakunot ang noo ko nang lalaki ang magsalita. I was expecting mama to call.

[Hello? Xavi? It's the first time I'm calling you it's because you don't seem to notice my messages.] he added. And that's when I recognize his voice.

"Oh! Bright!! I'm fine naman! Just a little tipsy but I can still drive." I said happily.

Gosh! I forgot he will check on me!

[Okay, how are you going to go home?] he ask

"Drive, I have our van. I'll drive home." I replied and I hear him hum.

[Okay.. be careful okay? Go sober up before you drive, I'll be going now, bye!] I smiled.

"Bye! Take care!" I exclaimed.

[Yes I will, you too, love you.] Napakagat ako sa pang-ibaba kong labi.

"Uno reverse card." I ended the call after I said that. I put my phone inside my cross bag and go back to Jake.

"What were you saying again?" I ask when I sit down, his head turn at my direction before shaking his head.

"It's nothing, you should go home now. It's getting late." He said before standing up. Napangiwi ang labi ko nang mapansin na iba nananman ang tono ng boses niya.

"Ano nanaman kayang nangyari dun? Bwiset!" I said before resting on the chair.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•3•