Half a Heart ☑️

Chapter 24

(Caspian's POV)

Ilang buwan din ang nagdaan at ilang mga pangyayari sa relasyon namin ni Ello ang aming nalampasan. Naging mas open kami sa isa't-isa lalo na at alam na at tanggap ni Sir Drey ang relasyon namin. Nothing is more assuring on a relationship than being accepted by the crucial people.

My life has been easy and great in the past months. If there's one thing that I am really grateful of is maybe the fact that Ello happens to be very supportive and caring of me. The constellations might have aligned themselves for both of our universe to meet.

But now, as the loud and upbeat music blasted inside this mansion of the Class Valedictorian of the higher grade level, I couldn't help but wonder if this is really happening. We are all invited and now, this crowded place here is already making me sick.

I am not used to partying, first of all. Plus, the drunk students that seemed to not know what was happening around them, still danced around and I could smell both their sweat and the awful smell of heady liquor.

Tapos ngayon, ilang minuto na akong mag-isa rito sa sofa nila. Habang yung iba ay nagpapakawala sa kanilang sariling kaisipan, ako naman ay inosenteng nakaupo lang dito sa gilid na parang bible study ang pinasukan ko at hindi isang kasiyahan ng mga hormonal teenagers na ito. Ello was pulled from me by some of his Volleyball Teammates to I didn't know where. Hindi naman ako makaalis dito kase baka anytime ay bumalik siya at ako naman ang mawala rito.

I recognized the current soundtrack of the DJ and it's Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's Can't Hold Us. Kaya naman napapalundag talaga ang iba at may nakita pa nga akong lalaking shirtless na nasa gitna ng ginawa nilang maliit na bilog para makasayaw sya.

Anyway, I saw both Troi and Manvel making their way on the crowd. Mabuti nalang talaga at nagka-eye contact kaming dalawa ni Troi kaya hinila niya si Manvel papalapit sa akin nang tawagin ko sila.

"Hey! How was the party?" asked the Campus' Student Leader. Umupo si Troi sa tabi ko at ngumiti sa akin.

"It's new to us. Right, Troi? We didn't have any of this back in our district," I said and Troi raised his eyebrows to say his approval.

"Great. I'll make sure you two would have a great night. Where's your human-kettle boyfriend?"

I shrugged and looked around. "I don't know. Maybe you can help me find him?"

"Of course! Sigurado naman akong mga kakilala ko ang mga kasama niya. Let's go, T?" he said.

"Oh, actually, hihingi sana ako ng pabor na kung pwede ay maiwan lang si Troi dito? Alam mo na, para kung balikan ako ni Ello rito ay mayroon siyang mapagtatanungan kung saan ako."

Bumalik naman si Troi sa pagkakaupo at tsaka sinabing, "Sure. You two go ahead. Wala namang mamamatay tao rito sa bayan niyo, diba?" ang tanong nya at ang babaeng dumaan sa aming tabi ay napatingin ng masama sa kanya. "Yeah, eye-murderers, marami. Pero I'll be safe here."

Wala naman kaming sinayang na panahon at agad na naghanap. We went to the kitchen nearby, they're not there. Tanging mga naghahalikan na mga seniors at juniors ang anduon. Wala rin sila sa sala kase nga puro lasing na mga dancers ang doon. We have no other choice but to go upstairs. Malawak din ang bahay na to at abot hanggang third floor. Nang makatungtong na kami sa pangalawang palapag ay naghanap parin kami.

"Bakit pala hindi ka sumama sa ibang teammates niyo?"

"I have a lot of people to entertain, other than them. Also, Troi's here which destroys my focus. So if you're asking me that, I think I rather prioritize Troi than anyone here."

I reluctantly resumed walking while my head was hanging low. "Y-yeah."

Manvel tried to comfort me. "Hey, if Ello made a promise to you, he knows how to keep it kahit na sa anong sitwasyon. I know him, and I think you should just trust him. Lalo pa't captain sya ng team kaya mas marami siyang responsibilidad dun."