The Dance of Fate

Chapter 6

BADA

As I returned to my condominium, the unease from the earlier encounter lingered. My thoughts were consumed by worry for Audrey, and I realized that this was the first time I had felt such deep concern for someone. The fear in Audrey's eyes was unmistakable, and I was glad that I was able to protect her. It pained me to see her being harmed by that menacing figure, and it stirred a protective instinct within me that I couldn't ignore.

Upon reaching home, I prepared for bed but found myself unable to shake off the events of the evening. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I picked up my phone and saw a flood of messages from my friends' group chat. Ignoring them for the moment, I immediately messaged Audrey to check in on her. It wasn't long before she replied, letting me know she was okay. The relief washed over me as I read her message. Then, I decided to check the messages from my friends. I knew I needed to explain things since they seemed puzzled by my sudden departure earlier.

I opened the group chat, and there I saw them bantering again.

Haechi : Bada Lee, we need an explanation!

Noze : May naa-amoy ako 👀

Chocol : May maamoy ka talaga, may ilong ka e. Ano pa't Noze ipinangalan sa'yo? Haha.

Noze : Hehehe, nice joke, Chocs. Grabe tawa ko rito oh. Shut up na lang dapat kapag pandak e.🙄

Haechi : Wag mo kasi ginaganiyan si Noze, Chocs. Back to you ka tuloy HAHA

Chocol : Syempre pagtatanggol mo 'yan, Chi, si Noze na 'yan e tapos ako eto lang. Sino ba naman ako sa'yo, 'diba?🤪

Haechi : Pero balik tayo kay Bada. Ano 'yon ha? You played the knight in shining armor don a.

Chocol : Umiwas na nga, amp. Hahaha, mahina ka pa rin talaga, Haechi Wang.

Noze : Bads, ehem, baka gusto mo kaming replyan. Iniwan mo na nga kami kanina, tapos reply lang 'di mo pa magawa. Well, ganto ata talaga kapag 'di mahal.🥺

Haechi: Iniwan at ipinagpalit. Ouch, pighati, sakit, lumbay.

Chocol : Drama niyo na naman, bagay talaga kayo ih. Bagay kayong magsama habang buhay, Haha.

: Hintayin niyo na lang kasi si Bads. Nagpa-alam naman 'yan siya na may ihahatid, 'diba? Ang gugulo niyo e, baka nagd-drive pa yung tao.

Haechi : May nasasabi ka rin palang matino, Chocs.

Noze : Eto namang si Chocs, laging serious e. Joke lang naman, 'di na nasanay. Pero we need an explanation talaga, Professor Lee.

Haechi : Kaya nga, Haha. Sa tingin ko pa naman na eto yung 'something else' na tinutukoy ni Bada, at hindi talaga ang mag-unwind.🤪

Noze : : Now tell us, Bada. We deserve an explanation. We deserve an acceptable reason.😔

As I read through their lighthearted banter, a sense of warmth and familiarity began to envelop me, providing a much-needed contrast to the seriousness of the evening. I chuckled at their playful remarks before explaining the situation to them.

Me : Tapos na ba kayo?

: Anyway, just got home. I just escorted Audrey.

Haechi : So, Audrey is her name pala.👀

Chocol : Glad you arrived safely, Bada.

Noze : 'Yan na siya. Ehem, we need your paliwanag, Bads.

Me : Eto na nga oh, Noze, mag-iexplain na. It seems like na 'di ka makakatulog without me explaining e.