PSA:  This story contains themes of alcohol and foul language. All that's written here is for the sake of the plot and characterization. This applies to the entire Filimon Heights Series :)

#TheRebelsRival

Gayfriend 

8:32 PM

Gayfriend:

Reiiii any plans for tonight?

Reika:

Riley sinayang mo na ako. No second chances for you.

Gayfriend:

Amputang to!!! Nagyayaya lang naman ako mag bar!!!

Reika:

Hahahahaha calm your nuts

not in the mood to party

Gayfriend:

come on!!! it will be fun!!!!

lets get wasted!!!

Reika:

Ayoko. Hangover is a bitch like u.

Gayfriend:

Hayop ka talaga!!!

Tawa ako nang tawa habang papasok sa bahay. Naglaho lang ang ngiti sa mukha ko nang makita si Slade na nakaupo sa sala at nanonood ng tv. Naalala ko pa rin ang pangt-trip niya sa akin kinaumagahan. Sobrang lapit ng mga mukha namin at halos maghalikan na. Sarap gumanti.

"Kumain ka na?" Inis man, nagtanong pa rin ako. 

"Nagpa-deliver na ako. Maya-maya lang andito na 'yon." Walang emosyon niyang sambit habang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa tv, nakahalumbaba pa sa sa gilid ng sofa. Mukhang wala sa mood ang demonyo. Siguro gutom, alas otso na at di pa rin kumakain eh.

"Si Dad?" tanong ko at sa puntong iyon ay napatingin siya sa akin.

"Hindi mo ba binasa ang text niya sa'yo?" Kung wala lang talaga akong atraso sa kanya, nasapak ko na siya dahil sa attitude na ibinibigay niya sa akin.

Kinuha ko na lang ang cellphone ko at chineck ang inbox ko. Doon ko lang napansin ang mga unread message mula kay Daddy at Silver. Hindi ko napansin dahil sa palitan namin ng mensahe ni Riley.

Villafranca #1: Pulling an all-nighter at Colette's. Project due tomorrow.

Daddykuno: Bukas na ako makakauwi. Nasa ibabaw ng ref ang baon mo.  Ingat ka lagi. Tawag ka kapag nasa bahay ka na.

Napabuntong-hininga na lamang ako nang mapagtantong kaming dalawa na lang ni Slade ang magkasama sa bahay. Hindi pa naman ako masyadong magaling magluto. "Looks like we'll have to order food for breakfast too."

Aakyat na sana ako sa kwarto ko upang magbihis nang biglang tumunog ang doorbell. Lumabas ako at nakitang si Apollo pala ito na dala ang mga pagkain na inorder ni Slade.

"On duty again?" I cringed and sighed. Ako na ang napapagod para sa kanya. Dami na ngang trabaho at sideline, may grades pang mine-maintain. 

"Musta alaga mo?" Pabirong tanong ni Apollo kaya napairap na lang ako. Mukhang chinismis ako ng lintik na si Sawyer. Palibhasa alam ng ulol na tinutulungan ko si Slade.

"Still a demon." Sabi ko na lang. "By the way, Riley's going to a party tonight. Piper's probably coming, alam mo na."

"Nalintikan na, nakatoka ako sa counter pagkatapos nitong delivery. Sa umaga pa ang clock out ko. Hindi ko siya mababantayan." Napangiwi si Apollo sa napagtanto. Bigla itong napatingin sa akin na para bang may kung anong naisip.

"I don't like that look." Namilog ang mga mata ko.

Ngumisi si Apollo. "Baka nakakalimutan mo? May atraso ka pa kay Piper at Stacy?" Guilt-tripping at its finest.

Napapadyak ako sa inis at napatingala na lamang. "Oo na! Sige na!"

***

Aalalayan ko sana si Slade na kumain kaso mukhang wala talaga sa mood ang loko at nagkulong pa talaga sa kwarto. Imbes na pilitin siya o sabayan ang galit, hinayaan ko na lang. Ganun din naman kasi ako kapag naba-badtrip, gustong mag-isa.

Pagkatapos kumain at maglinis sa kusina, umakyat na agad ako sa kwarto at nahiga sa kama.

9:43 PM

Reika:

Sasama na ako

Gayfriend:

Sorry expired na ang invitation

Reika:

Sayang naman I can't introduce you to my hot guy friends

Gayfriend:

Sunduin ka namin?

Reika:

HOY PAANO NA JOWA MO?

Gayfriend:

Shhh

Reika:

PAANO NA AKO?

Gayfriend:

Shhhit ka

Reika:

Hahahaha omw to your dorm

Gayfriend:

Di ka papasundo?

Reika:

I have to sneak out 

Dali-dali kong nagbihis at nag-ayos. Hindi ko pa nalalabhan ang pantalon ko kaya nagsuot na lang ako ng kulay itim na highwaist short at crop top, pinaibabawan ito ng oversized denim black jacket at nagsuot din ng black sneakers. 

Humarap ako sa salamin at pinagmasdan ang sarili ko. Kinuha ko ang black lipstick ko ngunit nang akmang ipapahid ko na ito sa labi ko, saka ako nagdalawang-isip. Sobrang tagal na rin... ano kayang hitsura niya kung buhay pa siya ngayon? Magkahawig pa rin kaya kami? Hindi ko napigilang mapaisip.

Sa huli, napabuntong-hininga ako at binitiwan ang kulay itim na lipstick. Hindi gaya noon, kulay pula na ang inilagay ko. 

Nang matapos sa pag-aayos, naalala ko ang sinabi ni Apollo na aksidente niyang natamaan ang mukha ni Piper. Naalala kong may mga eyepatch si Silver kaya naman kinuha ko ito mula sa kanyang aparador. 

Naghintay ako ng isa pang oras bago lumabas mula sa kwarto. Habang paalis, dahan-dahan ako sa bawat hakbang. Ayokong malaman ni Slade na pupunta ako sa bar, baka kasi magsumbong kay Daddy. Hindi sa takot akong mapagalitan pero takot ako sa maari kong masabi oras na pagalitan ako ni Daddy... Dad and I may be civil but I was still working on my pride and anger. 

****

I found myself singing along to a non-punk rock song with Piper and Riley. We were all drunk as we danced with each other, holding our drinks up in the air dancing without a single damn in the world. In hindsight, I shouldn't have accepted the liquor that Lucho handed to me. It was too strong for my own tolerance. 

Still, despite of my drunken state, I made sure not to let go of Piper's hand. I didn't give a damn anymore of what other people will think, I just knew I had to protect Piper considering she was drunk and depressed. I could tell by the look of Piper's eyes that she was going through something and partying was just her way of coping. I didn't want other people to take advantage of her depression, especially Cohen. 

Braylee and Warren weren't with us since they were at a family dinner while Lucho was nowhere to be found, so it was up to the three of us to protect each other from unwanted advances from other club-goers. Panay ang iling at layo namin sa tuwing may lumalapit sa aming kalalakihan na hindi namin kilala. Still, their annoying presence didn't ruin our good time.

"Punta lang muna ako doon," bulong ni Riley sa akin at ngumisi. Nang lingunin ko saan siya papunta, natawa na lang ako nang makitang papunta siya sa isang poging lalakeng kanina pa pasulyap-sulyap at pangiti-ngiti sa aming direksyon. Akala ko talaga sa amin ito nagpapa-cute, kay Riley pala.

"Asan si Riley?" Ngumuso si Piper, pumupungay ang mga mata dala ng kalasingan.

"Got uncomfortable because of me, nilandi ko kasi," biro ko at humalakhak naman ito. Naniwala naman ang loka.

Take a trip into my garden

I've got so much to show ya

The fountains and the waters

Are begging just to know ya  

I may be a fan of punk rock but I know pop songs too kaya naman napakanta ako at ganun din si Piper. Gone were our inhibitions as we danced and drank the night to waste. Next thing I know I was already standing behind right behind Piper, my hands embracing her waist and my chin on top of her shoulder as we both swayed to the sensual vibe of the music. 

Piper and I were too drunk to give a damn. Our hands were all over each other but of course there was no malice between us, in fact we were both laughing and giggling.

 "This is our hoe song!" I found myself screaming as I took off my jacket. Sobrang init at pinagpapawisan na ako dahil sa iniinom namin, hindi nakatulong na sobrang dami ng tao sa paligid namin. Biglang naghiyawan ang lahat kaya mas lalo kaming nagtawanan ni Piper. Akala ata nila maghuhubad ako, nag cheer pa ang mga ulol.

As Piper and I continued dancing with each other, I suddenly felt a strong urge to throw up. Out of reflex, I ran away from the dance floor and ran straight to the bathroom.

Desperation kicked in that I didn't even get to close bathroom stall door. I slumped on the floor and threw up on the toilet right away. And as I was busy doing my business, someone held my hair up and began gently rubbing my back. Thinking it was Piper, I allowed her to help.

As I pulled myself away from the toilet, she handed me a piece of tissue and I accepted it right away.

"Thanks Piper." I smiled and wiped the edge of my lips.

"Is that your girlfriend's name?" An unfamiliar voice replied. I looked up and to my surprise, it wasn't Piper. Instead it was a girl with a blonde hair and cat-like eyes. If it wasn't for the smile in her face, I would've thought she was a total bitch.

I shook my head but before I could even utter another word, I threw up again. And yet again, she held up my hair and rubbed my back gently. When I finished, I tried to stand up and she was quick to help me. She even assisted me towards the sink.

"You okay?" She asked after I finished washing my face. She sounded like Piper with how caring she was being. Inabutan niya pa ako ng panyo para ipunas sa basa kong mukha.

I smiled and nodded. "Still alive and kicking. Thank you."

"Of course!" She smiled sweetly and while looking at her eyes, I couldn't help but notice the different kind of glow it had. It wasn't because of her blue contact lenses, there was something more in her eyes but I was just too intoxicated to pinpoint. 

She looked so pretty with her jeans and white tube top. Her body looked so good that I couldn't help but stare. "Damn, you're a hottie."

"Thank you." She giggled and tilted her head while looking at my eyes. "I think you're pretty hot too."

I didn't know what else to say kaya humarap ako ulit sa salamin at inayos ang buhok ko. Mabuti na lang at nagdala ako ng extra lipstick sa bag ko. Habang nagpapahid nito sa labi ko, pansin kong nakatingin pa rin siya sa akin habang may kakaibang ngiti sa kanyang mukha.

"I'm Kate by the way." Pakilala niya.

"Reika." Pakilala ko naman. "I haven't seen you here before?" Pag-iiba ko ng usapan.

"I'm new in town. A guest DJ." she smiled and pointed the headphones hanging by her nape. "Are you from here?"

I nodded proudly. "Born and raised in Filimon Heights... technically?"

"How about your girlfriend?" tanong niya.

"She's not my--" Namilog ang mga mata ko nang maalala si Piper. "Oh God! I left Piper!"

Abot langit ang kaba ko habang hinahanap si Piper. Mabuti na lang at tinulungan ako ni Kate. Kalaunan, nahanap din namin si Piper na nakaupo sa isang tabi habang umiiyak. Aaluin ko sana siya pero dumating si Riley at ito na mismo ang yumakap at kumausap sa kanya. Normally i'd be jealous over Riley's attention but at that point I didn't. It was enough of a proof for me that I was finally over him. 

Tinanong namin si Piper kung ano ang problema pero hindi ito umamin at nagpanggap na okay lang. Instead of forcing Piper to confide in us, we went along with her lie and just tried to give her a good time. 

Mas lalo pa kaming nag-enjoy dahil inimbitahan kami ni Kate na pumunta sa stage kasama niya. We witnessed how she used the turntables and mixers and it was amazing! Riley knew a thing or two about the equipment too kaya nagkasundo rin sila. Even Piper looked like she was having a good time, genuinely even just for awhile. Si Lucho naman sumali rin sa amin at halatang nagpa-cute kay Kate.

We had such a good time together that we didn't even notice that it was already 3 in the morning. We were all drunk except for Kate kaya nang mag-presinta siyang ihatid kaming lahat, pumayag na agad kami. 

****

"Thank you so much!" I was smiling from ear to ear as we reached the house. Sa aming lahat, ako ang huling naihatid kaya nakapag-kwentuhan pa kami ng kung ano-ano ni Kate.

"Sure thing! You really sure you're okay?" Tanong niya pa at siya na mismo ang nagtanggal ng seatbelt ko. 

"I'm going to have a pretty bad hangover but it's going to be totally worth it! See ya, Kate!" And with that I kissed her cheek gaya ng karaniwan kong ginagawa kay Piper at Braylee.

Bumaba ako sasakyan at bago tuluyang pumasok sa loob ng gate, kumaway ulit ako sa direksyon ng kanyang sasakyan. Hindi na kasi siya bumaba. She turned on her high beams to signal me goodbye.

Pasuray-suray at pangiti-ngiti ako sa pagpasok ko sa loob ng bahay. The alcohol was in my system but I was still sober enough to use my keys properly.

Pagbukas ko ng front door, napatalon ako sa gulat nang bumungad agad sa akin si Slade na nakaupo sa sofa, walang kaemo-emosyon ang mukha habang nakatingin sa akin. 

"Kambal nga talaga kayo ni Silver." Natawa ako at napahawak sa dibdib ko.

"Alam mo ba anong oras na?" Slade's voice sounded so different from his usual self. He sounded so angry but it seemed like he was controlling it. But then again his eyes.. they were so cold that I had to look away. 

"Four?" I looked up and tried to think. I wasn't even being sarcastic.

"Wait are you drunk?!" I jumped a little when he yelled again. "You got drunk while dressed like that?!"

Nagbaba ako ng tingin sa sarili ko at nakitang naka highwaist short at crop top lang ako. Hindi ko na ulit nakuha ang denim jacket ko nang hinubad ko ito. 

I looked at him as I chewed on my inner lower lip. I nodded while looking at his eyes. Antok na antok na ako at gusto ko na lang mahiga sa kama at matulog.

"Kanina pa ako alalang-alala at tawag nang tawag sa'yo! Hindi ka man lang sumasagot! Dapat nagsabi ka na aalis ka! Sasamahan naman kita--" I didn't allow him to continue. I grabbed him by the cheek and placed a soft kiss on his lips, effectively silencing him.

After a second or two, I pulled away and let go of his face. His eyes were wide open while looking at me with great disbelief.

"Sa wakas natahimik ka rin." I smiled while looking directly at his eyes. "Good night Slade!"  And with that, I walked up the stairs leaving him rooted where he stood for the second time of the day.

▬ end of 36// thank u ▬