After three days of stress at school, here I am, stepping out into the chaotic symphony of noisy traffic, a sound I've grown to dislike, even though I've been living in the city for two years now. It's funny how something so familiar can still drive me crazy. The constant honking, the revving engines—each noise pressing on my nerves like a weight I can't shake off.
Today is the day. I mean, later tonight, when everything is supposed to happen.
I've just stepped out of the taxi. The time on my phone reads 5 PM. I'll be staying at a hotel I booked for two nights and one day. It feels like such a luxury—an escape from the pressures of school, a much-needed break from everything.
I paid the taxi driver, gather my things, and step out of the car. I look up at the building before me. The hotel is a bit more upscale than I expected, which gives me a feeling of excitement mixed with nervousness. It's a place my older sister, Ate Shangie, recommended. She swears by it, telling me it's perfect for a quick stay.
We had talked about this earlier, and she insisted I stay at her house after partying. But me, being the shy, independent woman that I am, turned down the offer. I don't want to inconvenience anyone, especially not her. So, I opted to book my own place instead. I want to be alone, to have my own space, even if it's just for a night.
Some of the friends in our group chat also offered their places, saying I could crash with them if I wanted to, but I declined their offers too. I don't want to be a burden. I want to enjoy myself without feeling like I owe anyone anything.
I walk toward the hotel entrance, the air slightly warmer as I approach. The security guard greets me with a nod, and I smile politely as I head inside. The lobby is cozy, with soft lighting and an air of sophistication that makes me feel a little out of place, but in a good way.
The receptionist greets me next. I show her my booking details. After a few moments of confirmation and paperwork, she hands me the key card. My room is on the 5th floor.
I thanked her and make my way to the elevator. The ride up feels longer than it should, but it's fine. I'm almost there. The elevator doors open, and I walk down the hallway to room 509.
This is it.
I swipe the key card through the reader, and the door clicks open. As soon as I step inside, I feel the cool, welcoming air of the room. The lights are on, and the room is already ventilated, just as I requested. It's perfect.
I close the door behind me, throw my bags aside, and practically run to the bed. I collapse onto it, feeling the exhaustion of the long trip hit me all at once. The ride took around five to six hours, though I lost track of time because I was so bored.
I glance at my phone—it's 5:17 PM. I have just enough time for a quick nap before I need to get ready. Ate Shangie will pick me up later for the party, so I have some time to recharge.
I set an alarm for 6:00 PM, close my eyes, and let the darkness take over. In what feels like seconds, I drift into sleep, the fatigue finally melting away.
---
6:00 PM
The shrill sound of my alarm jerks me awake. I groggily sit up, feeling the weight of the nap still heavy on me. I remind myself to shake off the drowsiness and get ready. I might be tired, but I can't miss out on this.
True to my nursing student instincts, I head straight for the bathroom to freshen up. A quick wash, a moment to gather myself, and about thirty minutes later, I step out of the bathroom with the hotel towel wrapped around my body, feeling the cool air hit my skin.
I walk over to my bag and rummage through it. I pull out the black underwear I hastily shoved into the bag earlier back at my apartment. I blush at the sight of it. What was I thinking when I packed this?
Why did I pick this one?
It's... too sexy. Almost like an invitation I never meant to send.
An invitation to be fucked once undressed.
But then again, aren't all of my underwear like that? Why am I suddenly overthinking this?
It's not like I'm planning to get into anything like that tonight. I'm just here to have fun, to party, to let loose.
I shake my head, trying to push away the self-conscious thoughts, and slip into the underwear anyway. Next, I pull on the fitted black dress that I've been saving for a night like this. The black mesh knee-high socks go on next, paired with sleek black pointed heels. My hair falls naturally around my shoulders—no way am I letting anyone near my neck or ears tonight. Those are my soft spots, and I'm not in the mood for distractions.
A little makeup to finish the look, and I stand back, admiring the final result in the mirror.
"Well, I guess I'm ready to find a... bebe," I mutter to myself with a chuckle. But deep down, I know that's not really the goal. I'm not looking for anything like that tonight. I just need to let the emptiness inside me fade away, if only for a few hours.
Just as I finish adjusting my look, a message from Ate Shangie pops up on my phone. She's downstairs in the lobby, ready to pick me up.
Perfect timing. I grab my things, stuff them into my small shoulder bag, and head out of the room. I walk down the hallway, feeling a little nervous but mostly excited.
---
Ate Shang's car was buzzing with her constant chatter. She could talk for hours and never run out of stories—honestly, it felt like she had an endless reservoir of them. Luckily for me, I had the ability to mirror someone's energy, which meant I could match her pace and conversation.
We were thirty minutes late due to the unforgiving traffic, but somehow, we managed to arrive.
As soon as we stepped into the bar, the noise hit me—loud music blaring, mixed with the echoing sounds of laughter and conversation from every corner of the room. It was overwhelming but exciting at the same time.
I followed Ate Shang, who was navigating her way through the crowd. She was in front of me, confident in her steps, clearly knowing where our group was. A few lefts and rights, and we passed by people who turned to glance at us—or, more likely, me. After what felt like an eternity of sidestepping people, Ate Shang stopped.
I furrowed my brows in confusion. "Is this our table?" I thought to myself. It was so quiet compared to the rest of the bar. The group we were meeting was nowhere near as rowdy as I had expected.
"Look who's here! Shang! You guys are finally here! Thirty minutes late! And who's this young lady?" A man's voice called out, his tone playful but with a hint of mock surprise.
"Ay, sira ka talaga, 'Calvin!'" Ate Shang replied, laughing as she moved aside.
And there he was. A guy not much taller than me—around 5'2"—with messy hair that added to his somewhat carefree look. His face seemed familiar, and when he caught my eye, I instantly recognized his voice. He was someone I occasionally joined in group chat calls with, but I had never met him in person.
"Calvin?" I asked, trying to place him.
"Yeah! It's me!" He grinned, and I could tell he was half-Chinese, half-Filipino. His eyes were cute, and his cheeks were soft and a bit fluffy. He had a strong jawline, which contrasted with his almost boyish face. But… why was he dressed like a waiter? Or maybe he was preparing to head to Antarctica? It was so hot in the bar, but strangely, cold in certain areas because of the crowd. Maybe I was just being weird?
As I glanced around, I noticed the others around the table. Six of them, and they all looked pretty… well, drunk.
I recognized them—Neko, Kuya D, Jessy, Abby, Hoshi, and Kyu, someone I'd only met a few days ago.
"Ang bilis nilang malasing, ha?" I thought to myself, surprised at how quickly they had gotten there.
"Wow, coming from me, na may low alcohol tolerance, ha?" I added silently. "I think I'll just stick to ladies' drinks tonight."
"AY ATE KATE!?" Calvin suddenly exclaimed, his eyes scanning me from head to toe.
I couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious. Was he really that surprised that a 4'11" woman could look both innocent and, well, attractive at the same time?
Before I could say anything, I just smiled awkwardly and sat down beside Calvin.
What a character this guy was. Only 18, a first-year college student, and already partying like there's no tomorrow. Meanwhile, I had to escape my responsibilities just to even consider coming out tonight.
This was actually my first time at a party, and the nerves were creeping in.
Calvin looked at me, his eyes full of curiosity. "Aba, ang ganda naman pala ni Ate Kate in peron! Akala ko poser lang! Nako! Ingat ka ate, baka may mga nagkakacrush sayo dito!" He laughed, his words a little too loud for comfort.
I was a bit taken aback. I glanced at Neko, the tall guy across from me. His eyes were wide, staring at me as though I had just appeared out of nowhere. Neko was someone I knew had a bit of a crush on me, so why was Calvin talking about crushes?
Before I could process my thoughts, Ate Abby, though clearly drunk, waved and greeted me warmly. Her pink hair was a bit messy, her eyes puffy from maybe a little too much fun, but there was something endearing about her. Kuya Drac, her boyfriend, was beside her, watching over her.
"Wow, sana all may jowa," I thought, feeling a little envious but also happy for them. I couldn't help but think about how nice it would be to be in a relationship like that, one built on comfort and care.
We chatted for a while, Ate Shang, Calvin, and I, bouncing from one topic to the next. The energy was light and fun, and I found myself laughing along. Suddenly, Lanz, a petite guy I affectionately called Kuya, slid into the conversation with a drink in hand.
"Here you go, Kate," Lanz said, offering me a glass. His tone was warm, but there was a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Not a ladies' drink, but I think you'll survive."
I glanced at the drink—dark, almost mysterious, definitely not the fruity cocktail I had in mind. But I didn't want to seem rude, so I smiled, took the drink from him, and sipped. The sharp taste hit my throat, but I tried to mask my surprise.
"Oh, this is..." I paused, trying not to cough, "Strong."
Calvin raised an eyebrow, grinning. "Yeah, you'll get used to it. We're all about the real stuff here." He chuckled and leaned back in his chair. "Kaya mo yan!"
Ate Shang nudged me gently. "Don't worry, you'll be fine. Just take it easy."
I nodded, but as I sipped more, I felt the burn in my chest. They were definitely seasoned drinkers, and I was struggling to keep up. My mind started to drift slightly, focusing less on the conversation and more on the growing sense of dizziness.
"So, how long have you all known each other?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation to something I could follow more easily.
Ate Shang smiled, her eyes sparkling. "We've been friends for months, busy ka kasi sa ex mo kaya wala ka nang update sa gc eh, but Lanz and I actually met kasi nalaman ko na same barangay kami! Ang krazy. The others are... well, they're just family now."
"Yeah, we're a little family of party animals," Calvin added with a wink, "And you, Ate Kate, are one of us now."
I smiled faintly but couldn't help but notice that my head was starting to spin more than usual. They were all from Manila, and I was the only one who wasn't. I tried not to let it bother me, but the thought lingered in the back of my mind. They had their own rhythm, their own inside jokes—and here I was, still trying to fit in.
"So, who's this other guy you mentioned?" I asked, trying to distract myself from the feeling of being the outsider.
Pero nakatulong naman to, panandalian na nawala sa isip ko yung ex ko.
Ate Shang paused, then shrugged with a grin. "Oh, he's a friend of mine. He had to step out for some business stuff. You'll meet him later."
"Business matters? Sounds shady," Calvin teased, earning a playful swat from Ate Shang.
I laughed nervously, taking another sip of my drink to hide how uneasy I felt.
A few more drinks later, most of them handed to me by Lanz or Ate Shang, I was starting to feel the effects. My legs felt like they were made of jelly, and my vision was getting a little blurrier.
Excusing myself, I stood up and steadied myself, then muttered, "I'll be right back. Need a break."
As I made my way through the crowd, a group of girls suddenly surrounded me, their smiles wide and friendly.
"Hey, I love your outfit!" one of them exclaimed, her voice bright with excitement. "You look amazing tonight!"
"Thank you!" I smiled, feeling a bit shy but grateful. "You guys look great too!"
Another girl, with bright blonde hair, leaned in closer. "Are you new around here? I swear I haven't seen you before."
I chuckled nervously. "Yeah, actually. First time out with my friends. Just trying to enjoy the night."
"I can tell," the blonde girl winked. "You've got this cool, mysterious vibe. I love it."
Before I could respond, a third girl handed me a drink, raising her eyebrow teasingly.
"Here, try this. You look like you could use something stronger."
"Are you sure? I don't usually—"
"Oh, come on! It's a party! You can't just sip on that all night." The girl smiled encouragingly, and I, feeling a bit adventurous, took the drink from her.
"Thanks," I muttered, and we all started chatting more, the music pounding in the background.
As we continued to talk, I felt more and more at ease. We danced a little, swaying to the beat, and exchanged funny stories.
I had learned from movies that one exciting part of partying was making up stories about yourself. So, I told them I was the heir to a well-known hospital, and I worked at my dad's company as a nurse-in-training. Little did they know, I was just a student nurse. It was ridiculous, but oddly fun.
"Honestly, though, I'm just really busy with my work," I said casually, twirling the drink in my hand. "I mean, I'm the heir to a really well-known hospital. I work as a nurse-in-training at my dad's company."
Their eyes widened in awe. "Wait, you're like, a real-life heiress?" one of the girls asked, her voice tinged with excitement. "That's amazing!"
"Yeah, it's a lot of responsibility, but it's good," I said, trying to sound convincing. "My dad's always on my case to learn everything so I can take over one day."
"No way! That's crazy! You must be so busy!" the blonde girl said, clearly impressed.
"Yeah, it's hard to have a personal life when you're always at the hospital, but I try to make time for fun nights like this," I added, feeling ridiculous but secretly enjoying the story I was spinning.
We danced a bit more, but the alcohol was beginning to hit me. The world started to spin, and I could feel my body swaying a little more than usual.
"I think I need to take a break," I murmured to the girls, who were still caught up in their own conversations. "Excuse me, I'll be right back."
I pushed my way through the crowd, my head spinning. I knew Ate Shang and the others would be wondering where I had gone, so I rushed to the restroom, hoping to wash my face and sober up a little.
But as I walked, my vision blurred, and my steps faltered. Before I could even realize what was happening, I stumbled.
But as I walked, my vision spun, and I stumbled.
"Oh my—!" I gasped, bracing myself for the fall.
I was sure I was going to fall flat on my face, but instead, a firm hand grabbed me by the waist. The warmth of the touch sent a jolt through me, and I was pulled upright.
My heart hammered in my chest as I stood there, unable to move, completely captivated by him. He was towering over me, his presence so commanding, yet effortlessly calm.
His tired eyes locked onto mine, dark and intense, as if they could see straight through me. His black hair was tousled, like he'd just rolled out of bed, and his shirt was casually unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a hint of his chest, exuding an irresistible confidence.
His left hand remained on my waist, possessive and firm, anchoring me to him, sending a shiver of heat through my body.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and concerned.
I couldn't help but stare at his lips—full, slightly parted, as if they were begging for something. My breath hitched as I tried to regain control of myself, but it was impossible.
The chemistry between us was palpable, electric.
"Wanna dance?" My voice was low, almost a whisper, laced with a daring boldness I hadn't known I had.
I wasn't sure what was going on in my mind, but the sudden rush of desire made it all feel too good to resist.