Love and Chaos

LaC 014

Chloe's POV:

The crowd clapped their hands as I started singing. I smiled and continued.

“Heard he in love with some other chick.

Yeah, yeah, that hurt me, I’ll admit.

Forget that boy I’m over it”

I continued to strum my guitar while listening to their applauses and cheers.

“Guess I should say thank you

For the “hate yous” and the tattoos

Oh baby, I’m cool by the way

Ain’t sure I loved you anyway

Go ‘head, babe, I’ma live my life, my life, yeah.”

Saktong pag-angat ng ulo ko ay nagtama ang tingin namin ni Aaron. He was staring at me, longing can be seen in his eyes. I smirked and sang the chorus.

“Shout out to my ex, you’re really quite the man

You made my heart break and that made me who I am

Here’s to my ex, hey, look at me now

Well, I’m, I’m all the way up

I swear you’ll never, you’ll never bring me down.”

I sang that part while staring at his eyes, showing him I’m better off without him. That what he did doesn’t have any effect on me anymore. I’ve cried too many tears for him. Avelia’s right. Niki’s right. He’s not worth it so I should forget about him.

“Oh, I deleted all your pics

Then blocked your number from my phone, mm

Yeah, yeah, you took all you could get

But you a’int getting’ this love no more

Cause now I’m living so legit

Even though you broke my heart in two, baby

But I snapped right back, I’m so brand new, baby

Boy, read my lips, I’m over you, over you, uh”

I placed my guitar down and took my hand and walked down from the platform.

“Shout out to my ex! You’re really quite the man

You made my heart break and that made me who I am

Here’s to my ex, hey, look at me now

Well, I’m, I’m all the way up

I swear you’ll never bring me down

Shout out to my ex, you’re really quite the man

You made my heart break and that made me who I am

Here’s to my ex, hey, look at me now

Well, I’m, I’m all the way up

I swear you’ll never, you’ll never bring me down.”

The band started playing as I walk down the platform. I pointed at Aaron and sang the last verse.

“Shout out to my ex, you’re really quite the man

You made my heart break and that made me who I am

Here’s to my ex, hey, look at m now

Well, I’m, I’m all the way up I swear you’ll never,

YOU’LL NEVER BRING ME DOWN! Oh!”

Patakbo akong bumalik sa itaas ng platform at ibinalik ang mic sa stand nito.

“You’ll never bring me down.”

“Ay ginalingan. Grabe! Palakpakan natin ang ating debutante!”

The crowd clapped as if there’s no tomorrow. My family even gave me a standing ovation making me laugh.

“Thank you so much for that wonderful performance, Ms. Valencia. Now, let’s all sing a happy birthday. Music please!”

Pagkasimula ng tugtog ay sabay-sabay silang kumanta habang inilalabas ang cake. Maski ako ay nakikanta din nang nakangiti. Pagkatapos ng kanta ay pumikit ako saglit at tsaka hinipan ang 18 na kandila.

“I just want to say thank you for all the people who’s here to come in the celebration of my 18th birthday. Thank you for all the gifts, the support, the love you’ve given me. Gusto ko din pong pasalamatan ang parents ko na nag-organize ng party na ito, pati na din ang relatives ko na nag-sponsor para sa debut ko. My best friend for helping with this party. Thank you so much.” Pagpapasalamat ko sa lahat ng bisita. Muli silang nagpalakpakan. Isa-isang tinawag ang table number pila para sa pictorial.

“Well people. The night is still young. Why don’t we all dance?! Music!” Pinatay ang mga ilaw at tanging party lights lang ang natira, muling tumugtog ang banda kaya isa-isang nagpuntahan sa dance floor ang mga bisita upang sumayaw.

Inabutan ako ni Veli ng cocktail drink.

“Don’t drink too much anak.” Paalala ni mom bago nagtungo sa mga amigas niya. Tumango ako at hinalikan siya sa pisngi.

“Huy samahan mo ako. Magpapalit lang ako ng damit.” Sabi ko. Tumango si Veli at binitawan yung mic na hawak niya.

Paghakbang ko at muntik na akong mahulog dahil ankalimutan kong mataas nga pala itong platform na tinatapakan ko. Mabilis akong nahila ni Niki kaya hindi ako tuluyang lumagapak.

“Be careful. Samahan ko na kayo.” Sabi niya at inalalayan ako pababa.

“Naks naman Rook. Boyfriend material ah. Ready na maging husband material?” Pinandilatan ko ng mata si veli ngunit wa-epek dahil patuloy sa pagtawa at pang-aasar.

“Are you drunk already?” Tanong ko pagpasok namin sa kwarto ko. Naiwan sa labas si Niki. Sabi ko bumaba na siya at sumama sa barkada niya but he insisted na mags-stay lang daw siya doon kaya hinayaan ko nalang.

“Ako? Lasing? Hoy mas mataas ang alcohol tolerance ko sayo.” Ani Veli at tumawa.

“Namumula na ‘yang pisngi mo eh.” Kumento ko at hinubad yung gown na suot ko. Kalma, naka tube naman ako sa loob at naka cycling shorts.

Nagpalit ako ng black spaghetti strap dress na half-inch above the knee. Nag-retouch lang ako ng kaunti at tsaka inayang lumabas si Veli.

Napaigtad ako ng makitang andun padin pala si Niki. Pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang suot ko at ngumiwi.

“Ang panget mo talaga ‘no?” Napairap ako sa sinabi niya at tinulak siya pagilid.

“Wala akong pake.” Sagot ko at inunahan siyang bumaba. Tinawanan siya ni Veli at inasar din.

“Ouch wala daw siyang pake sayo Rook paano ba ‘yan? Bawi ka nalang next life.” Asar sakaniya ni Veli at muling tumawa.

Paglabas sa garden ay agad kong nilapitan ang mga tito at tita ko at nagmano. Nakipag kamustahan saglit sa mga pinsan ko at nag-entertain ng ibang guests.

The whole night was fun. Napuno ng tawanan, ng sayawan, ng kantahan at ng inuman ang buong party.

“Bye!” Paalam ko sa huling guest na umalis. Sabay-sabay kaming huminga ng malalim at pabagsak na umupo sa sofa. Nagkatinginan kami nina mom and dad pati ni Veli bago tumawa.

“Dito na kayo mag-stay, mare. Malayo pa yung ib-byahe niyo. Alas-dose na ng hatinggabi.” Ani mom.

“Sige na nga. Mapilit ka eh.” Sagot ni tita Nicole at tumawa. Tinuro ni mom sakanila yung guest room. Dito ko na din patutulugin si Veli. Nauna na kasing umuwi yung parents niya.

“Nag-text na ako kay tita. Sabi ko dito ka na matutulog.” Sabi ko sakaniya. Tumango lang siya at may ibinulong-bulong pero hindi ko na naintindihan. “Mas mataas pala alcohol tolerance mo sakin ah.” Natatawang sambit ko at inalalayan siya patayo.

“Madaya ka. Hindi ka naman masyadong uminom eh.” Reklamo niya at hinampas ako.

“May I remind you I drank 5 shots of whiskey and 2 shots of vodka.” Paalala ko at tumawa. Aaminin ko ay tinamaan na din ako ng alak dahil medyo nagb-blurry na yung paningin ko. Matagumpay naman naming narating ang kwarto ko nang hindi natatapilok o natutumba. Binigyan ko ng damit si Veli at pinagpalit.

Pabagsak akong nahiga sa kama ko. Walang enerhiyang tinanggal ko ang heels ko at ibinagsak nalang iyon sa sahig. Pilit kong idinidilat ang mata ko para hintayin na makalabas muna ng banyo si Veli bago ako matulog ngunit hindi ko na talaga kaya.

Unti-unti nang pumikit ang mga mata ko at tuluyang nilamon ng kadiliman. Pero isa lang ang masasabi ko.

This night was fun and interesting.