Ang featured song natin sa chapter na ito ay [nag drumroll] Huwag Kang Matakot ng Eraserheads. (Pero 'yung version ni Reese. Happy reading, mga baccla!)

 

> https://open.spotify.com/track/27BjdZeYEDpUN6Ijdf7hJP?si=056c247224a64b1a

 

 

 

 

[Alas otso y cuarto]

 

 

 

 

 

“Tangina,” Lisa uttered firmly under her breath, “Sana lahat talaga on time.” She took a sip of her beer and sported a look of dissatisfaction afterwards.

 

Frowning, she looked at the branding of the bottle, “Walang tama amputa. Anong oras tayo mag h-hard?”

 

“Mamaya pa. Kumain ka kaya muna aba.” Wendy, calmly said, “Masamang uminom ‘pag walang laman ang tiyan. Akin na lang muna ‘to kung ayaw mo.” She took the bottle of beer away from Lisa’s hand and set it aside on her side of the table.

 

“’Di, Wends. Okay na, gusto ko naman. Tsaka may laman naman ‘yung tiyan ko.” Lisa retrieved the bottle and quickly took another sip.

 

“Sigurado ka ah, sige.”

 

Currently, they’re drinking in Jisoo’s massive home to celebrate the announcement of their friends’ graduation dates; them being Jisoo, Rosie, and Wendy. The three of them were already set to graduate within two weeks or so. The rest of their friends, Seulgi, Lisa, and Noze, knew it was time to celebrate and drink the night away. After all, they all deserve a proper night of destressing after another hectic semester (which is the last for their graduating friends).

 

They opted to celebrate in the garage of Jisoo’s home rather than in a club or a bar, which the six of them frequented on a regular and healthy basis. To Jisoo, the latter options didn’t even appeal to her as she so passionately described them as loud, sweaty, and obnoxious places. Lisa only scoffed at this before dropping her comment, or rather question, of Gago, signs of aging na ba ‘yan?

 

 Jisoo shook her head and answered, Gusto ko tayo tayo lang.

 

Plus, Jisoo’s parents weren’t going to be home for the next three days or so because they’re celebrating their silver wedding anniversary somewhere in Bangkok. Jisoo knew it was okay to allow her friends to spend the night in her home.

 

“Wends, pahingi na rin ako ng isang bote, please.” Seulgi asked.

 

Wendy grabbed an ice-cold bottle of beer from the open cooler, but she didn’t immediately hand it to Seulgi. “May laman ba tiyan mo?” She asked, much like a mother.

 

“Opkors. Nag pares kami niyan ni Lisa kanina bago namin kayo dinaanan.” Seulgi explained.

 

Wendy nodded and popped off the bottle’s copper cap before handing it to her best friend, “Oks.”

 

Seulgi took the drink in her hands with a smile, “Thanks, Wends. Kiss nga.”

 

Wendy kissed the tip of her fingers and playfully smacked Seulgi’s cheek afterwards. The latter scrunched up her face at the action but nevertheless, Seulgi knew this was just one of Wendy’s uncommon ways to show affection. So, she no longer complained.

 

From the end of the table, Noze sighed loudly, “Sana nga lahat on time,” she hasn’t started drinking yet, but she’s already close to looking wasted because of the expression on her face, “Pero okay lang, ‘di ko naman ikamamatay na delayed ako.”

 

“Tama,” Seulgi was quick to affirm. She raised her hand in the air to ask for a high five from Noze. Her friend didn’t hesitate to give her one.

 

Among their group of friends, Seulgi, Lisa, and Noze are the ones who got delayed, but Seulgi’s case is the only one that’s different. Though Lisa and Noze are already fourth years who are on their way to taking their fifth year in university, Seulgi, however, was only on her way to becoming a college junior.

 

This is because she shifted during her sophomore year when she was still taking her first chosen course, Environmental Biology. Upon thorough deliberation and with a heavy heart, Seulgi accepted her fate of being delayed. It was a heavy weight that she had to bear with at first, but after some time, it didn’t really bother her anymore. What mattered most is that she’s finally taking a program that she sees herself pursuing in the future. Seulgi knows it’s going to be worth the hard work and wait.

 

“Enjoy ka na talaga sa food tech, ‘no Gi?” Lisa asked.

 

“Oo naman. Gago ‘di na ‘ko pwedeng mag shift. Baka abutin ako ng sampung taon sa college.” Seulgi joked and laughed at her own comment, making the others do the same. She looked at Lisa in the eye, “Okay lang ma-down, tol. Pero ‘wag kang magpapakain sa nararamdaman mo ngayon. ‘Di naman ibig sabihin na ‘di ka na ga-graduate kasi delayed ka. Tamo, sabi nga ni Je, ‘di naman niya ikamamatay ang pagiging delayed. Ganun din dapat tayo.”

 

Noze nodded, “So tru, kween.”

 

“De, natatakot lang kasi ako.” Lisa expressed as she looked down on her bottle.

 

“Oh, kaya nga,” Seulgi perked up, “Okay lang matakot. Natural lang ‘yan kasi matalino ka. Tanga lang ang hindi natatakot. Pero tanga rin ang nagpapakain sa takot. Kailangan mo lang lumugar somewhere in between.”

 

“’Di niyo sinabi na si Sifu pala ‘to. Dalhin mo nga ako sa magic temple mo, retsam.” Rosie said, making all five of them laugh.

 

“Tanga, may sense naman kasi ‘yung sinabi ni Sifu.” Seulgi replied, “Tsaka sabi nga sa paborito kong libro nung high school pa tayo, fear doesn’t have to shut you down, it’s supposed to wake you up.”

 

“Naks! Bible reader naman pala.” Lisa beamed at her friend.

 

“Galing sa Divergent ‘yon, tanga.”

 

As Lisa was about to bite back, all their heads turned to the main door of the house that just opened and revealed Jisoo. She was holding a roll of foil in her right hand and a massive Tupperware in the other. Seulgi, Lisa, Wendy, Rosie, and Noze could only stare at their friend with a collective expression on their faces, like they were all thinking about the same thought.

 

Jisoo halted in her tracks and was puzzled upon seeing how her friends were looking at her, “Bakit?” she asked, confused.

 

With that, the five women fixed their gazes on the foil that Jisoo was holding. It was Rosie who enlightened her, “Ednis oyat agad, Ji?”

 

Jisoo looked at Rosie judgingly, “Tanga, pang-ihaw kasi ‘to ng isda.”

 

“AHHH,” Her five friends said in harmony before they had a fit of loud laughs. Jisoo could only roll her eyes but still, she couldn’t help but laugh just as loud. More than that, she couldn’t help but steal a glance from a certain someone around the table as well.  

 

“Tangina niyo, shabu pa.” Jisoo commented as she put down the foil and Tupperware on the table. She took a seat next to Rosie afterwards, situating herself in front of Seulgi.

 

“Kinabahan ako eh. Sasabihin ko sana masyado pang maaga.” Noze chuckled while setting aside some of the beer bottles on the table to make way for the food they were about to grill.

 

“Lisa, may butane na ‘to?” Wendy asked.

 

“Yes, Wends. Kanina ko pa nalagay.”

 

Wendy nodded, “Thanks.” She made sure the grill was in place before igniting the portable stove.

 

Jisoo was about to hand Wendy the foil and the Tupperware that contained the fish when Seulgi helped her with them, making the surface of her hands feel warm because Seulgi’s own pair was on top of them.

 

“Ako na,” Seulgi smiled at her before giving Wendy what was needed. “Beer pala, Ji? Gusto mo na?” She asked afterwards.

 

The Jisoo was too stunned to speak. Joke lang.

 

“G lang. Start na rin ako.” Was all Jisoo could answer.

 

“Oks, teka lang.” Seulgi stood up and made her way to the other end of the table where the cooler was located. All the while, Jisoo could focus on nothing but the rush of heat that was beginning to emerge behind her ears and would make its way down her neck and up her cheeks.

 

‘Di pa nga nag-iihaw pero ang init na agad.

 

 

 

 

[Alas nueve y media]

 

 

 

 

“Ji, bunot na.” Wendy said and pushed the shot glass in front of Jisoo.

 

Jisoo did as she was told. She picked up one card from the deck and began to read it out loud.

 

“Extra challenge. Amuyin mo kili-kili ng kasama mo. Pag pina-amoy niya, shot ka. ‘Pag ayaw niya, shot siya. Pili ka sa kanila. Pre, ingat lang talaga!” It didn’t take long for her to protest, “Tangina naman nito.” She made a face of disgust.

 

Everyone in their circle of friends laughed. After their ‘dinner’, Lisa brought out the drinking card game which Seulgi told her to bring. They all agreed to play just to spice up the night a little bit. It was also a way for them to get started on the hard drinks.

 

Rosie couldn’t stop laughing, “Teka, teka,” she waved her hand, “Sinong huling nag shot? Siya na lang pipili kung kaninong kili-kili aamuyin mo.”

 

“Si Je!” Seulgi quickly answered between her giggles.

 

Jisoo glanced at Noze, “Je, ayusin mo lang bakla. Sinasabi ko sa’yo.”

 

Noze gave her a rather menacing smile, “Survey lang. Naligo ba kayong lahat ngayon?”

 

“Naligo ako,” Wendy answered as she drank from her glass.

 

“’Yung iba?” Noze scanned all their faces. When no one answered, they all laughed once more except for Jisoo.

 

“Ji, ingat na lang talaga.” Seulgi said.

 

“Mga pa-mysterious ampota.” Jisoo finished her third bottle of beer and slammed it a bit hard on the table once it was empty, “Pili ka na, Je. Game na ‘ko.”

 

“’Yun oh!” Lisa cheered for her best friend.

 

“Sige, si Lisa na lang.” Noze answered.

 

“Putangina ka.” Jisoo and Lisa said at the same time. This sent the rest of their friends into another fit of loud laughter. Seulgi was laughing too much that her cheeks were beginning to ache while Wendy and Rosie could no longer emit a sound even if they were still laughing their asses off. Noze was overjoyed, knowing that she might have picked the right person for the challenge.

 

“Naligo ka ba?” Jisoo asked Lisa.

 

Lisa scoffed and teasingly smiled at her, “’Di ko na lang sasabihin para surprise.”

 

“Tangina mo talaga. Game na nga! Papaamoy ka ba?”

 

“Oo, yoko mag shot eh.” Lisa answered with a smirk.

 

“Oh, game game. Lisa angat mo na ‘yan.” Wendy nudged her seatmate while Seulgi and Jisoo exchanged seats so the latter could come closer to Lisa.

 

When Lisa stretched to reveal her armpit, Seulgi whistled like one of those erts on the street before shouting, “Witwiw! Kinis naman niyan!”

 

Lisa laughed as she shook her head, “Alagang Rexona ‘to, tol!” she then directed her gaze to Jisoo, “Amuyin mo na bhie. ‘Di mo ikamamatay ‘yan, promsz!”

 

There was a brief pause wherein Jisoo took a deep breath to brace herself for what she was about to do. She sternly looked at Lisa as if to tell her, ayusin mo lang before finally leaning in to complete the challenge.

 

However, in the process of it, neither of them noticed Rosie standing up from her seat to stand behind Jisoo. Wendy, Noze, and Seulgi were all looking at Rosie while containing their laughter, they didn’t have to think twice to know what their friend was about to do.

 

As the tip of Jisoo’s nose inched closer to Lisa’s skin, she caught a whiff of her scent. (Which wasn’t that bad, wow taray.) However, as she was about to finally pull away, Rosie pushed Jisoo’s head forward which caused her lips and nose to collide with Lisa’s armpit.

 

Talk about getting up close and personal.

 

“Kingina mo!” Jisoo exclaimed and turned around to see Rosie laughing her heart out. “Kadiri ampota!” She repeatedly wiped using the back of her hand.

 

Rosie ended up lying on the ground because of laughing too much. The others weren’t much different from her. Wendy, Noze, and Seulgi were helpless as they drained their bodies of laughter. Soon enough, Seulgi decided to cling Noze’s arm in an attempt to calm down, but it was no use.

 

“Lika dito, inaka.” Jisoo quickly rose from her seat and started chasing Rosie down the garden. The taller woman was quick to stand on her feet and run as fast as she could.

 

“Hoy, Jisoo! Inumin mo muna ‘tong shot mo, hoy!” Lisa shouted through a smile.

 

The said woman paid no attention to Lisa’s words. Jisoo was too dedicated in chasing down Rosie to smack her a couple times for what she did to Jisoo.

 

“Tangina, Ji! Joke lang kasi!” Rosie screamed as she ran for her life, “Sorry na!” she apologized but not without laughing. Jisoo didn’t stop chasing her down.

 

“Bilis tumakbo ni Ji, taena.” Seulgi commented as they watched the scene unfold before them, “Videohan mo pala, Je! Post natin, #GraduationMemz.”

 

Noze brought out her phone and began to film Jisoo and Rosie’s chase. Who knows, she might upload the video on her Instagram story later once she’s drunk enough. After all, this is all for documentation, for, as Seulgi said, #GraduationMemz.

 

In the middle of the recording, Jisoo finally caught up to Rosie and tackled her down, causing them to crash near the plants of Jisoo’s mother in their garden. The crash garnered violent reactions from the rest of their friends.

 

Alarmed, Seulgi stood in an instant to see if Jisoo and Rosie were okay, “Hoy, tangina!”

 

“Gago!” Wendy shouted and quickly ran to the garden to check up on Jisoo and Rosie, “Huy, okay lang kayo?”

 

Wendy’s eyes were wide, and her chest was filled with worry. But when she heard obscene snickers coming from both her friends who were on top of each other, she can’t help but laugh. Rosie’s head landed underneath the massive leaf of a monstera plant while Jisoo’s face was buried in the curve of Rosie’s neck, situating them in a rather familiar position.

 

“Lilikot niyo, tangina.” Wendy offered her hand to Jisoo so she could stand up first. The latter accepted and Wendy hoisted her up, Rosie was next.

 

“Ano, may masakit sa inyo?” Wendy asked.

 

Rosie rubbed the back of her head, “Head ko lang.”

 

Wendy emitted a ‘tsk’, “Tipsy na ata. Tara na.”

 

“Solid, gago!” Lisa happily said when the three of them returned to the table, “Dagdag na ‘yan sa graduation memz niyo. Vinideohan kayo ni Je.” She added.

 

“Sa close friends lang ‘yan ah.” Jisoo warned, knowing very well what her friends were going to do with the recorded footage. She ended up sitting next to Seulgi since Rosie stole her spot next to Lisa. Jisoo no longer complained. Having Seulgi by her side was never a thing to complain about anyway.

 

“Oks ka lang? Lakas nung landing niyo ah, ang bilis mo pang tumakbo.” Seulgi asked Jisoo with a laugh. She drank her beer afterwards.

 

Jisoo shrugged, “Ayos lang, hilo lang ng slight.”

 

“Tipsy na?”

 

“Deins.” Jisoo shook her head and grabbed her bottle, “Aga pa ‘no.” she took a sip.

 

“Oh, game na ulit. Lisa, bunot na.” Wendy pushed the deck of cards in front of Lisa.

 

When Lisa scanned the card, she giggled before reading it aloud for everyone to hear, “Isoy break muna. Lahat ng nag yoyosi, shot.” She put the card down on a separate deck before saying, “Egul. Wala namang nagyoyosi sa’tin. Vape na lang! Lahat ng nag v-vape, shot.”

 

No one complained about the change in the game. Everyone took a shot except for Wendy.

 

“Speaking of vape,” Rosie turned to Seulgi, “Gi, padede. ‘Di ko dala ‘yung akin eh.” She activated her ‘puppy eyes’ and pouted, hoping that Seulgi would let her take a puff.

 

“Nasa kotse ‘yung akin. Kay Lisa na lang muna ‘yung hiramin mo.”

 

Lisa gave her vape to Rosie before pushing the deck of cards in front of Seulgi, “Your turn, bading.”

 

Seulgi picked up a card from the deck and then read it aloud, “Bash, ganyan ka ba talaga katigas? Lahat ng may ka-LQ, shot.”

 

“Tangina,” Noze uttered before taking a shot.

 

“Uyyy,” The five of them said in unison as they stared at Noze.

 

“Ano pinag-awayan niyo this time, Je? Kwento naman!” Lisa handed Noze another shot which the latter accepted and quickly drank.

 

“Same old, same old. Tangina kasi kung makapagsalita parang ‘di ako jowa. Ginagawa akong bata.” Noze said bitterly, a frown on her face, “Minsan, gusto ko nang makipaghiwalay pero wala eh,” the frown on her face suddenly shifted to a melancholic expression, “Mahal ko kasi.”

 

“Nakow!” Seulgi playfully slapped the surface of the table, “Minsan lang?” she asked before directing her gaze to Wendy, “Wends, pabasa na?”

 

Wendy nodded, “Ji, peram iPad.”

 

With that, Jisoo grabbed her iPad pro from the videoke area and opened the GDocs application. She browsed through a couple of files before opening one that was entitled Ang Banal na Wendy. Jisoo then handed the device to Seulgi who stood up and gave Jisoo a lighter.

 

“Sindihan mo lang ‘yan. Light bearer ka kunwari.” Seulgi whispered to Jisoo before she could even ask any questions. So, Jisoo did what she was told and stood there like a sacristan who’s accompanying a priest in a holy mass.

 

Seulgi scrolled once and cleared dramatically, “Pabasa mula sa aklat ni Wendy. Dated October of last year.” She scanned the faces of her friends, who all seemed to be listening to her attentively, before proceeding.

 

“At sinabi ni Je, Wends, ang sakit niya talaga magsalita. Pero hindi ko talaga kayang iwan, mahal ko kasi eh. Ramdam ko rin naman na mahal niya ako.” Seulgi read the lines with much emotion, like she was acting in a Cathy Garcia-Molina movie. “Ang sagot ni Wendy, Je, kung hindi ka niya matanggap sa kung ano ka talaga, at kung paulit-ulit ka niyang binabardagol, hindi pagmamahal ‘yan. Dahil walang pagmamahal na paulit-ulit kang inuubos at pinapaiyak.”

 

Seulgi took a deep breath before saying, “Ang ating tugon?”

 

“Je, hiwalayan mo na si Christian.” They all said in unison.

 

“Amen.” Jisoo said as she blew out the fire of Seulgi’s lighter.

 

“Amen!” The rest of her friends repeated while Jisoo and Seulgi took their seats.

 

“Oh, ayan na Je ah. Napayuhan ka na. Send ko na lang ulit sa’yo ‘yung link ng gdoc mamaya sakaling malimutan mo na naman.” Wendy said but then, Rosie blew the milk-scented vapor from Lisa’s vape on her face.

 

“Tangina, ‘wag mo naman sa’kin ibuga!” Wendy lightly swatted Rosie’s face away.

 

“De, ‘wag na.” Noze replied before taking another shot.

 

“Ano?” Jisoo asked with furrowed brows.

 

“’Wag niyo nang i-send. Tama kayo. Hihiwalayan ko na si Christian before grad.” Noze clarified.

 

They all beamed and cheered upon hearing that. “Ayan ang sounds!” Seulgi cheered and filled all the empty shot glasses, “Oh, dahil diyan shot ulit. Shot lang nang shot.”

 

“Tangina mo, bakit ang taas nung sa’kin?” Jisoo protested when she saw the flow of alcohol exceeding the normal amount.

 

“Ganyan talaga pag ga-graduate on time. Inumin mo na lang.” Seulgi clinked her glass with Jisoo’s and they took a shot together.

 

“Buti naman natuto ka nang makinig.” Wendy told Noze who already looked dizzy.

 

“Je, ikaw na pala. Bunot ka na.” Lisa pushed the deck of cards towards Noze’s space.

 

Noze shook her head. She didn’t take a card from the deck. Instead, she rested her chin on her fist before smirking and saying, “Lahat ng on time, shot.”

 

“Hoy,” Rosie called out, “Daya mo, wala naman ‘yan sa cards.”

 

“De wala, shot kayo.” Lisa handed a shot glass to Rosie and then to Wendy.

 

Seulgi did the same for Jisoo, but again, she poured more than the normal amount of alcohol.

 

Jisoo noticed this and nudged Seulgi’s elbow, “Loko, nananadya ka talaga ah.”

 

“Oy, ‘di ah!” Seulgi denied and offered the glass to Jisoo with an endearing smile, “Para sa tropa kong on time gagraduate.”

 

Naks. Tropa.

 

Tropa lang talaga.

 

“Sasabayan na lang kita mag shot para ‘di mo na sabihing dinadaya kita,” Seulgi poured a glass for herself, “Cheers? Ay hindi… congrats, rather?” she giggled.

 

Jisoo playfully rolled her eyes before she clinked her glass with Seulgi’s once more. As she drank yet another shot, Jisoo couldn’t help the tenebrific expression that appeared on her face shortly after.

 

“Oh, bakit?” Seulgi asked with creased eyebrows, clearly concerned because the alcohol might have tasted worse than she expected in her friend’s mouth. All their friends looked at Jisoo in the same concerned manner.

 

“Wala,” Jisoo slouched on her seat, feeling the weight of everyone’s stares on her body, “Graduation blues lang.”

 

“Bakit, Ji?” Lisa asked and leaned her arms on the table, “Labas mo na ‘yan. Kami lang naman ‘to oh.” Lisa flashed Jisoo a tipsy smile.

 

“Tama, ano ba ‘yan bhie? Parinig kami.” Rosie added.

 

Jisoo took a deep breath and then released a sigh. She doubted her friends had any answers to her perturbing thoughts. But it’s always better to let these weighing sentiments out rather than bottle them up, right? Seulgi said so herself all those years ago. After all, these aren’t just strangers or ordinary people. These are her best friends; they’re literally the best people that Jisoo has ever met and could ever have by her side.

 

She could never have the heart to hide anything from them.

 

(Bukod na lang sa feelings niya para sa isang niyang katropa. Hindi na ‘to joke.)

 

“Ji?” Seulgi asked, as if to check if Jisoo was still with them and if it was okay to ask her what was disturbing her at all.

 

So, Jisoo let it go, “’Di ko lang alam kung sa’n ako tutungo after grad.”

 

Her friends were silent for a moment, like they were thinking too hard about what to say, what to correctly say.

 

“Why not take a break muna? For a month or two? Bago ka lang maghanap ng job.” Rosie was the first one to break the ice. She took a sip of her beer after dropping her suggestion.

 

Jisoo considered it. Actually, she was already considering Rosie’s suggestion even before it was said. It would be nice to take a breather after graduation, even if it’s just for a month or two, or even just a few weeks.

 

“Gusto ko naman. Na-consider ko na actually.” Was Jisoo’s simple but monotonous answer.

 

“Then, habang naka break ka, pwede mo nang pag-isipan kung anong path ite-take mo.” Rosie added.

 

The others agreed by nodding, but Jisoo had more to blow.

 

“Natatakot lang ako,” She expressed, “Baka kasi… mapag-iwanan ako eh. ‘Yung iba kong mga ka-batch, alam na agad kung saan pupunta. ‘Yung isa, may trabaho na agad sa isang film company. Oh, tapos ‘yung isa malapit nang tanggapin ng ABS. Tapos ‘yung isa, diretso na sa Chicago para maging social campaign manager sa isang advertising agency.”

 

“Wow, Chigagow.” Lisa said, amused, but Wendy slapped her on the arm because she thought Lisa wasn’t being serious.

 

“Ji, ji, ji…” Seulgi cut in, “Dahan dahan lang muna oh. Repeat after me,” Seulgi draped a hand over Jisoo’s shoulder and pulled her closer.

 

Tangina, ang hinihingi ko advice, hindi pakilig!

 

The leap in Jisoo’s chest didn’t go unnoticed. It was so loud that she couldn’t ignore it. But as a natural born actress, she concealed her kilig and just continued to mope.

 

“Ayan na si Sifu tagapayo.” Lisa joked, garnering giggles from the group.

 

“All iz well,” Seulgi smiled brightly and tapped Jisoo’s shoulder thrice, “Ulitin mo.”

 

“All iz well,” Jisoo repeated, her lips stretching to form a closed smile.

 

“Isa pa, all iz well.” Seulgi tapped Jisoo’s shoulder three more times at the same time she enunciated each word.

 

“All iz well.” Jisoo repeated once more, her tone was now soft, and her smile has gotten bigger.

 

Satisfied, Seulgi smiled widely, “See? All iz well. All will be well. May kanya-kanya tayong takbo sa buhay. At your own pace, in your own path. ‘Di porke ahead na ‘yung iba eh napag-iiwanan ka na. Bakit? Pareho ba kayo ng daan? Ji, ‘wag mong isipin na napag-iiwanan ka when in the first place, nag a-accelerate ka na rin naman. You’re on your way there. I think the mere fact na natatakot ka proves that, and it is an indication na you ultimately value your future. May destinasyon tayong lahat, iba’t-iba lang tayo ng travel times. Tsaka ‘wag kang matakot sa kung anong pwedeng dalhin ng bukas, baka makaligtaan mo ‘yung byahe papunta do’n which is ngayon, or the now, rather.”

 

Rosie scooted closer to Lisa to whisper in her ear, “Si Sifu kanina. Ngayon, si Pia naman. Taena may pa-‘rather’ eh.” The latter tried her best not to burst out laughing.

 

“Focus ka lang sa byahe mo, ‘wag masyado sa iba. Pero syempre, essential rin mag pahinga at ang mga pauses. Just make sure to keep moving forward. Ayos ba, laude namin?” Seulgi asked Jisoo and gestured with a thumbs up.

 

Jisoo almost fell mum for a moment. It’s not that she didn’t comprehend or listen to what Seulgi had shared to her. It’s just that, being this close to Seulgi was serving as a severe distraction to her. Their faces were only inches apart, literally, and Jisoo could almost smell the alcohol in Seulgi’s breath. She couldn’t help but stare at Seulgi’s eyes either. Jisoo knew she was going to be in big trouble if she allowed her eyes to fall and linger down south where Seulgi’s plump lips would be hanging.

 

Nevertheless, she was still able to answer Seulgi.

 

“Ayos na ayos.” It was all Jisoo could say, and she even mirrored Seulgi’s gesture. She hasn’t drunk that much yet, but she already felt intoxicated. Not by the excessive shots of alcohol, but by the woman next to her.

 

“Salamat, Gi.” Jisoo added and looked into Seulgi’s eyes once more, but with a sweetly formed smile this time.

 

For seconds, the two were only staring at each other. Seulgi’s caring smile never faltered, causing Jisoo to suffocate and wonder if she was still sober. However, their eye contact was broken when Wendy cleared .

 

“Rosie, anong oras na?” Wendy asked their friend with a raise of her brows. She hoped Rosie got the memo.

 

Rosie glanced at Wendy and smirked, “Oras na para…” she grabbed the almost empty bottle of Alfonso on the table and leaned her cheek against it, “…bigyan ng kaibigan ‘tong si pareng Alfonso.” She kissed the glass bottle afterwards.

 

“Tama. Bawal tayo mabitin sa shot.” Noze said as she raised her glass.

 

Seulgi looked at Rosie, who still had her lips pressed on the glass bottle, and laughed before she redirected her gaze to Jisoo.

 

“Akin na ‘to,” Seulgi said and took Jisoo’s supposed shot to drink it. Once the glass was empty, she stood up and cleared , “Sige. Cr lang ako ta’s bibili ako ng alak sa Mini’s. Bihin niyo na lang sa’kin mamaya kung anong gusto niyo. Mag-ambag din pala kayo ha!”

 

“’Yun oh! Salamat, Gi! Isa kang alamat.” Noze praised Seulgi who just scoffed before she made her way inside Jisoo’s house to use the toilet.

 

Once Seulgi was gone, it was silent around the table for a brief moment, until all their eyes fell on Jisoo’s figure.

 

Jisoo narrowed her eyes at her friends, “Ano na naman?”

 

Lisa smirked, “Musta ka?”

 

Jisoo shook her head and felt an invisible force on her temple, “Hilo na ata. Medj.”

 

Noze scooted closer to Jisoo and draped an arm over her shoulder, “Eh eto…” she pointed at Jisoo’s heart, “Kumusta?” she asked as a tease, almost breaking into an annoying smile.

 

Jisoo couldn’t fight back. She was still… recovering. Her head, heart, knees, and hands still felt a bit weak. That’s all thanks to Seulgi. Tangina talaga.

 

“Puputok na ata.” She smirked and drank the shot that Rosie had handed her.

 

“Kaya pa? Lapit ka na mag grad, malapit ka na rin umamin.” Lisa had reminded her, but Jisoo didn’t want to hear it just yet.

 

“Oo na. Kailangan ko lang muna bumuwelo.”

 

“Ay, so aamin ka nga?” Wendy asked, honestly startled because she thought Jisoo wasn’t going to accept the challenge.

 

Jisoo nodded, and she felt the invisible force on her head once more, “Oo, ‘di tayo weak.”

 

“Naks!” Rosie smiled at her, “Pero hoy, baka sinasabi mo lang ‘yan kasi lasing ka ah.”

 

“Deins, gago. Wala pa ‘kong amats.” Jisoo shook her head, “Kayo ba? Anong progress niyo?” She looked at Wendy and then Rosie.

 

Rosie took another shot, indirectly telling Wendy that she should go first.

 

“Magkikita kami ni Joy sa campus next week,” Wendy answered, “After natin maghakot sa dorm. Dun na ‘ko aamin.”

 

“Sureball na kayo no’n ni Joy eh. Naglalandian na rin naman kayo.” Jisoo commented.

 

“Chruli.” Noze nodded, “Sana all ga-graduate na may jowa.”

 

“Sana all ga-graduate.” Lisa added and took another shot.

 

Jisoo directed her gaze at Rosie who had her eyes glued on her empty shot glass, “Ikaw Rosie?”

 

Rosie looked up at Jisoo and smiled weakly, “Basta before grad.” She sighed before proceeding, “Aamin na rin ako kay Jennie.”

 

“Ba’t parang dehado ka?” Wendy asked. They’ve never seen Rosie like this before. When it comes to talks of love and such, Rosie would always have her head up with overflowing confidence. There must be something about Jennie that has their friend like this, quiet and hesitating.

 

Rosie bit her lip before answering, “Straight ata si Jen. Wala naman ata akong chance dun.”

 

“Nakow!” Lisa exclaimed with a ‘tsk’. “Aamin ka lang naman, beh. Kung ayaw niya… edi tropa kayo.”

 

Jisoo almost winced upon hearing the word tropa.

 

“Lang, ha?” Rosie scoffed as she shot Lisa a look, “Masakit pa rin ma-reject.” She frowned and took a shot.

 

“Pero pa’no mo malalaman kung ‘di mo susubukan?” Wendy asked while staring at Rosie who could only stare blankly at the table, “Try lang.” She rubbed Rosie’s back.