Saving Austin

During The Party

-Logan Ellis-

November 23, 2026
10:30 pm
Emett District Subdivision, Ireal City

"A-Ate... Ate, gising!"

"Gumising na po kayo! Ready na 'yong juice!"

"Ate!"

Due to someone's disturbing voice and that person even shook my shoulder many times, I slowly opened my eyes and an unfamiliar image of a woman's face was caught by my blurry sight. Unti-unti ring lumalakas sa pandinig ko ang huni ng masiglang tugtuging mas nakakairita.

When I sat properly and faced the new face of a woman, I knitted my brows on her. "B-Bakit?! Maaga pa akong gigising bukas!"

I scratched my head and I stopped for a bit. Why's my hair long and tied?! What's this place?! It's full of people and foods, drinks! A party?! Dude, are you kidding me?

The girl held my shoulders so I looked at her. "Ah, nakatulog po kasi kayo habang naghihintay ng bagong batch ng juice. Staff po tayo ng birthday ngayon!" natatawa niyang sabi kaya mas ngumiwi ako.

I pushed her hands off my shoulder and she was shocked when I stood up and put my hands on my waist. When did my waist become small?

"When did you settle a birthday party after a funeral? Sino ka ba? Sino kayong lahat?!" I shouted. Tinuro ko pa silang lahat kaya napatingin ang maraming tao sa dako ko.

"Funeral daw?"

"Hahaha, nananaginip ba siya?"

"She's still asleep."

"Should we tell it to Ma'am?"

Hah? She? Are these gossips referring to me?

Muli kong nilingon ang kaharap kong babae na napatakip ng bunganga sa pagkabigla.

"Just tell me what's happening?! Bakit kayo nag-set ng Birthday party?! Kalilibing lang ng kaibigan ko!" I complained and that's when I realized that my voice was not actually mine. It's not even for a man! I cupped ny mouth and it was small.

Unfamiliar place and faces of people. My voice, my body, a Birthday party instead of a grieving vibe of the place.

Bigla akong hinila ng babae patungo sa medyo walang katao-tao. She faced me with a scared look.

"Anong nangyayari sa 'yo, Ate? Ayos ka lang naman kanina, ah? Bakit? Anong funeral?!" Nakapameywang pa siyang lumapit sa mukha ko kaya umiwas ako ng tingin at nag-init pa ako.

"Argh, I'm not used to getting close with girls." I scratched my head before crossing my arms. "What's happening?"

"What's happening? You're a staff tonight, remember? You'll serve foods and drinks to the guests po! Anong nangyayari sa 'yo? Split personality ba ito?" she asked and asked with a sigh and it made me part my lips. She just called me, 'Ate'.

Something's wrong here. Like, dude! Who would settle a lively Birthday celebration after Austin's funeral! Whoever started this staffs and party things, they deserve a lively punch from me!

I slapped my face once and let the girl got surprised.

"Hindi ito panaginip, dude," gulat kong sabi sa babae.

"A-Ate---hayst," buga niya na laylay ang balikat dahil sa ginawa ko. My voice sounded like Emery. I'm not wrong, this was Emery's voice!

"Sa wakas, gising ka na rin. Nananaginip ka lang siguro kanina." Tumatawa pa siya sa pekeng tono pero tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. She's so weird. But my situation's way more weird.