Angel's POINT OF VIEW.
They say college life is the last stage before entering the exhausting corporate world. Thus, one must not miss a party life, at least once in a while. However, I came from a very conservative family, and you know what it means to be in a family where you can't spend your day outside if it's not school-related events.
I sighed at the thought that I only have eight years to bid goodbye to my twenties, yet they are treating me like a child and not an adult. I fully understand their concern. Trust me, I have thrown tantrums during my puberty, but I guess it didn't work. In return, I only received a grounded order from them.
Instead of trying to prove that I could handle myself, I decided to focus on my study, hoping that they would change their mind and allow me to experience dating at least. My parents once told me that dating would ruin my study because once I date a guy, all I am going to do is think about my lover all day, which is an absurd idea for me.
I even got scolded for talking back during that time. I remember saying, "Why? Is that why you did not finish college because you eloped with dad?"
I didn't mean to word it arrogantly. I have no intention of speaking ill about my parent's mistake because I wouldn't exist if it wasn't for them, and I'm thankful for that.
~knock~knock~
"Honey, we're leaving. We'll call every now and then to check your situation. Don't go anywhere, ok?"
"Mom, what do you take me for... a mouse who will go wild, just because the cat is nowhere to be found?"
"You silly kid. I trust you, but it's a habit of mine to remind you," says mom as she kissed my left cheek.
"That's because you are our only angel," dad intervened.
"This angel is already a full-grown twenty-two year of age, just in case you miss that detail," I replied.
"So? even if you turned a hundred of age, you are still our baby," mom negated my reply.
"I'm probably dead before seventy," she replied.
Then we shared a laugh before they went to the airport. I sighed at the thought of not sending my parents to the airport because their flight conflicts with my schedule enrollment.
I hailed a taxi and went to Prasca University of the Philippines
PUP
, to enroll units for the first semester as a senior student and hopefully I will graduate on time.
I was on my way to the cafeteria when my phone rang, and it was none other than my best friend and cousin Suzette.
Suzette Domingo is a rich girl and party-goer who always invites me to go with her drinking session, but I mostly decline her invitation. However, I think I managed to sneak out from my parent's grasp to drink during the thesis and grouping days, which I can count on my finger.
On the other hand, I am Angel D. Zeinary, an honor student, only child, and quite a liar, but I'm still a good daughter most of the time.
"I heard auntie and uncle left for grandma's burial."
"Yep, I will fly there tomorrow. If it wasn't for this school sh*ts, I would have accompanied them," I replied.
Suzette's lip had almost stretched from ear to ear, accompanied by her eyes that twinkled like a star in a milky way and swaying eyebrows.
"What's with that grin? You look like a dog who had an evil plan."
"Let's party tonight," she replied.
"Are you crazy? I need to be early at grandma's wake tomorrow."
"The same goes for me since we have the same tickets, duh!" Suzette rolled her eyes and grinned again.
"No,” I insist.
"Yes."
"I said no."
"Okay, let's pick up your dress," Suzette replied, pretending not to hear my response.
I sighed as she dragged me to her car and replied, "Fine. However, we must be home around eight in the evening."
My cousin dragged me to the mall and bought things that she picked up for me, and here I am silently following my bratty cousin.
She glanced at her wristwatch and told me that we should see a movie while killing time before six in the evening. Then, after the movie, we changed our clothes in the restroom and left our things in my cousin's compartment.
"How about a hook-up, don't you wanna try?"
"You are already a bad influence by bringing me here, so add negative things right now, or I will leave without a single sip of liquor."
She clung her arms unto mine, like a snake who found its prey, and she said, "Just kidding. Let me warn you again, don't be naive. I know it wasn't our first time going to this club, but who knows?"
"The same goes for you, and don't try hooking up with dudes, yah hear me?"
Honestly, Suzette may sound liberated in her words, but she's not a woman who sleeps with strangers. She simply loves clubbing and finding a man is not her concern, nor mine as well. And, I don’t get why people think if women go to clubs, they are probably looking for a rich guy to hook up with, dude we want to drink not flirt.
"Nice seeing you again, Ms. Suzette, and who might be this beautiful lady with you?" said the bartender as soon as we occupied the seat on the barstool.
"This is my cousin. Anyway, give us light drinks tonight," Suzette replied.
We emptied our glasses of dirty Martini when Suzette dragged me to the dancefloor. I shook my head as I watched my part animal cousin dance like an itching worm. Suddenly, I felt my back had bumped into someone's muscular chest, so I turned around to apologize to the person, but to my surprise, I almost drooled at the guy in front of me.
The guy is wearing a simple white V-neck T-shirt and black six-pocket shorts, yet he might be mistaken for a celebrity. He had onyx hair, which was as dark as the color of his eyes. His skin is fair, and without even touching them, she could say it was smooth.
"Miss?"
Angel snapped back when the guy snapped his finger at her eye level, and to get out of the awkward situation, she replied, "I-I'm sorry for bumping on your chest. I think I even stepped on your feet."
"How about you buy me a drink as compensation?" the guy replied.
"O-ok, then..."
I don't know if he had cast a spell on me, but I found myself following his steps to the barstool, where I shared a drink with him.
After those drinks, I don't know what else I had shared with him…