The Butterfly Effect

Chapter 6

"Impossible," I said, not buying what Gen said, "We accidentally met him and his girlfriend, and he didn't know me. He was distant." I counter

"Ow, may girlfriend." sambit ni Gen at nanahimik na lang, mukhang nag iisip

"Hindi ka pa ba tapos?" pagbabago ko ng usapan

"Malapit na. Hindi ko kilala 'yong iba, baka kayo kakilala nyo," sagot ni Avi habang nakatingin pa rin sa papel

"Sige, akin na," iniabot niya ito sa akin kaya lumapit sina Mitch at Gen papalapit sa akin para makita nang maayos ang mga pangalan sa listahan

"Ate, I will ask my friends about the unfamiliar names if they know them. It will be a big help. I will also ask if any one of them has an interaction with you that night." Avi said then left the living area

Gen and Mitch are also reviewing the list and checking if they know someone there. I will wait until it's my turn. 

While waiting, I went to the kitchen to get something sweet and sour. I grabbed the bottle of stick-o and a bottle of vinegar. I placed it on the countertop and dipped the wafer into the vinegar. "Wah! Ang sarap!" I exclaimed

"Ano na naman kinakain mo d'yan?" Sambit ni Avi nang makita niya ako sa kusina, kakagaling lang mula sa labas

Itinuro ko na lang ang kinakain ko at kumagat muli sa stick-o kong mahal, "Saan ka galing?" Usisa ko dahil lumabas siya ng unit kanina

"Tumawag ako sa mga kakilala ko para tanungin sila. Naging maingat ako promise, 'di ko sinabi yung dahilan kung bakit ako nag tatanong. I won't do that. Again." She said

"It's okay, Avi. Mabuti na lang at sina Gen at Mitch ang nakaalam imbis na ibang tao. I know na we can trust those girls." I said, "Gusto mo?" Alok ko sa kaniya nang makita kong nakatitig siya sa kinakain ko

"Ugh, yuck. No thanks!" She said with judgment in her eyes as she walked away from me

"Aris!" Sigaw ni Gen mula sa living area, "Kilala ko naman lahat na hindi nacheckan ni Avi. Maybe kakilala nyo ang nakabuntis sayo." sambit nya

Napatayo ako mula sa kusina dala-dala ang pagkain ko, "What do you mean?" I asked her

"You wouldn't be with someone or anyone that night if hindi mo kakilala, knowing you, you're an introvert. You're only comfortable with someone dear to you." She claimed

"How could I agree to have intercourse with someone dear to me? It was consensual sex, but I am hammered that night! Fuck it!" I shouted. I am fucked. I'm so fucked up. I dipped my stick-o in the vinegar and bit it with anger! This should lessen my stress.

"Hey, Gen was only stating the possibility. I'm sure that everything will be fine. We're going to be okay. Avi, Gen, and I will be here for you. Kung kailangan natin sugurin 'yang lalaking nakabuntis sa'yo ay gagawin namin, okay?" Mitch said in a calming manner.

"Stress is not good for the baby, Ate. Hashtag, keep the baby healthy!" Avi added, encouraging me.

"I know. Thank you." I smiled, forgetting the statement that Gen said.

I grabbed the list and scanned it. Some were unfamiliar, and maybe they were Avi's schoolmates. I noticed that Maddix, Sue, and James are there. Maybe Mom invited their whole family, but I'm too busy that day to be able to entertain them. But I know I wasn't going to entertain them because I won't recognize them.

"Aris, ang galing!" Biglang sigaw ni Mitch habang nakatingin sa kanyang cellphone

"Bakit?"