Before We Became Us (Book 1)

Prologue

Prologue

3:18 A.M. — Poblacion, Makati

"Last na talaga!" I raised my glass confidently, even though I knew I had already said those exact words at least three times tonight.

"Oh Reiko, you said that like twenty minutes ago." My friend synah complained.

"Okay, and so?" I laughed and took another sip.

She rolled her eyes before taking a drink of her own.

The music was still blasting through the speakers, loud enough that I could feel the bass vibrating through the floor. People were everywhere laughing, dancing, shouting over the music, and taking pictures as if the night would never end.

The lights kept changing every few seconds, painting the entire place in different colors.

My hair was already sticking to the side of my face because of the heat, my feet were starting to hurt from my heels, and I could barely remember how many drinks I'd had.

But honestly?

I didn't care. This was my favorite part of the night. The part where I didn't have to think about anything.

No responsibilities.

No school requirements waiting for me.

No parents asking where I was.

No one telling me what I should or shouldn't do.

Just music, drinks, my friends, and the feeling that for a few hours, I could do whatever I wanted.

I reached for my phone inside my bag, mostly because I wanted to check the time. The moment the screen lit up, however, the smile on my face slowly disappeared.

Seventeen missed calls.

All from Mom.

I stared at the screen for a few seconds, hoping that maybe I had read it wrong.

Seventeen.

"Seriously?" I whispered it to myself.

Another notification appeared.

Mom: Reiko, where are you?

Then another.

Dad: Call me.

I stared at both messages. For a moment, I felt a tiny bit of guilt.

Maybe they were worried or something happened.

I locked my phone and slipped it back into my bag. Besides, I knew exactly what would happen if I called them, the questions would never end.

"Parents?" Mika asked, noticing my expression.

Tumango lang ako at ngumiti.

"Are you gonna call them?" Pasigaw na sabi sa'kin ni Mika habang sumasayaw. Hindi ko na rin siya marinig nang maayos dahil sa malakas na music sa loob at sa halo-halong boses ng mga taong nag-uusap.

"At three in the morning? Be serious." I let out a small laugh.

"But they're probably worried." Synah frowned.

"They'll survive." I shrugged as if it didn't matter.

At that moment, I didn't know that those seventeen missed calls were going to be the least of my problems.

If I had known what was waiting for me at home, I probably would've answered the first call.

Or maybe I wouldn't have.