The Taste of Trouble of Skinny Dipping

Chapter Eighteen

Let go

Seconds become minutes; minutes become hours;  hours become days; and days become weeks.

Two weeks had past after that heartbreaking confrontations with Adi. Never once I talked to him, although he followed me everywhere I'd go. My friends new about it and even my parents.

They consoled me and hugged me. My brother apologized for it and I forgave him.

Maybe, someday, I can forgive him, but not now. Time heals all wounds.

Hindi naman lahat kinuwento ko sa mga magulang. Kahit paano, I cared for Adi.

The next day, I went to the orphanage. I reminisce every single memory we shared together at that place. Never did I know that Dee and Penny went to the orphanage day too. I told them everything, the things I spared from my parents.

Apat kaming magkakaibigan talaga. Chester met Dee and I through me. That is why mas malapit kami sa isa't- isa. We even portrayed as husband wife during our playtime when we were young, kaya siguro nahulog ang loob niya sa akin. But, I, on the other hand, is only a platonic relationship and nothing more.

I am fond of him but not romantically. I considered him as my dearest friend. Kaya lang naman ako nasaktan dahil nangako siya sa akin. Lagi ko kasi kasing sinasabi sa kanila, kapag nangako ka sa isang tao at hindi mo iyon natupad ibig sabihin sinungaling ka. You're bluffing and I hate it the most.

Things change, so, are the people.

I cried in front of Sister Celly. She hugged me and gave me words of wisdom, which I appreciate the most. I told her about Chester's death, she cried too but still courageous to spit good words to enlighten me.

"Inom pa Lala!" Sigaw ni Monique sa akin sabay abot ng baso na may lamang alak.

Inabot ko ito at deretchong ininom. I felt a pang in my chest, but, it was so damn good.

Night out namin ngayong magpipinsan. Kasama din namin sila Dee at Penny. And of course, today is the twin's birthday, so everyone should be present. Ayaw nila Kuya Aisiah at Robin ang house party, pinagbigyan naman sila ng mga magulang nila, in one condition, sa sabado magpapahouse party daw sila tito at tita for them. No choice din sila. Fortaleza never missed a party you know. It is a must for us.

Sunod na uminom si Dee. Napangiwi pa siya pagkatapos niyang uminom.

Then si Penny din. Hindi hinayaan ni Monique na hindi siya uminom. Ang gaga, dinamihan ang nilagay sa baso nito.

"Puta ang lalakas uminom! Kababaeng tao!" I heard Aisiah muttered.

"Uy sexist ka kuya!" Hinampas siya ng bunso nila.

" yeah, bakit kayo lang may karapatang maging matapat" I second the motion.

Where did it came from? Iba eh, may laman.

"Nasaktan ka lang dami mo ng hugot!" Sagot naman niya.

I hissed at him. Sira ulo talaga siya, lahat ikokonek sa past ko.

"Sus, nagsalita ang hindi humuhugot" biro sa kaniya ni Jack.

"Bakit? Kapag nasaktan lang ba pwedeng humugot? Di pwedeng yung masaya din?" He fired back to Jack.

Napailing nalang kami sa kaniya. Tumungga pa kami ng inumin hanggang sa maisipan naming sumayaw.

Somehow, Penny manage to get into our vibes. No choice naman siya, siya lang maiiwan na babae dun.

We raised our hands in the air and dive in to music. Damn, I fucking love clubbing. Our dance moves are getting wilder and wilder lalo na si Monique. Pen, on the others, has a limited move. Kembot- kembot lang ata alam nito. Hay naku Penelope. You need to lossen up a bit.