Red Strings

07

"Oo noh! Si Azra nga nagimbita ng kaibigan, 'di naman masyado kaclose ni Astrid yun." She said.

Naglalakad kami papuntang parking ngayon. Alex's friends was supposed to go somewhere since it's too early for Astrid's birthday pero mukhang diretso na rin kami ata sa party.

"Bungol! Malamang kapatid niya si Azra eh!"

"Dami niyong sinasabe, anong kaibigan, baka jowa yan ni Azra kaya payag si Astrid?" Oliver assumed.

I wonder who's Azra at kung boyfriend niya talaga yung isasama niya. I feel like I knew Azra's face, like some face that I saw already and it matches her name.

They finally agreed that they'll take me with them. Kapatid naman ako ni Alex. They are also concerned about how I will cope with the others there since obviously they are way too older than me but it's fine.

"The girl calls you Xandro? Pfft." I teased Alex nang makapasok sa sasakyan, I laughed. It's not a bad name but I just found it not suitable for him. "Does he like you? Yo, bro," I chuckled. "May panickname siya sayo!" I burst into laughter. Not trying to bully Gianna pero natatawa lang talaga ako sa pangalan na 'yon hindi lang ako sanay. I think everyone calls him Alex, it's so rare to someone giving him other nickname.

He didn't answer, it's actually a serious question though. Giving him nickname? No way, unless someone really like him and I guess I can see in that girl's eyes, may nararamdam siya para kay Alex. It must be painful that way.

It was traffic so we arrive there just in time. It's a house celebration, kaya siguro piling mga kaibigan lang ang inimbita.

"Happy Birthday!" Bati ng mga magkakaibigan ng makapasok sila. Nanatili lang akong nasa likod ni Alex.

I saw Ate Astrid, she so pretty. Her hair is colored brown hanggang baywang. Diretso ang bagsak nito at wave sa dulo, bagay sa kanya. Her eyelashes were enough long too, kumikinang ang mata niya parang nangangausap and her nose looks like an artist's nose. Her makeup was light, she looked young. If i'm not mistaken, she turned 24, pero ang ganda at bata niya pa rin tignan.

"Thank you!" She acknowledged.. "Gifts there at the table, mga sira nag-abala pa kayo!" She said smiling.

"Happy Birthday, Astrid." Alex said huskily and he put his hand on her waist while kissing her at the cheeks. Inilagay ni Alex ang kwintas na nakabalot sa maliit na paper bag sa likod niya pero napansin pa rin 'yon.

"Thank you," She smiled after the hug. "What's that?" Tanong niya. Kumunot ang noo ng itinago pa rin Alex yun. I felt like laughing so hard but I manage to control it. Shoot your shot, Kuya! Ang hina naman ng manok ko!

"Later." Ngumisi siya. "By the way, this is Leizel, my cousin."

"Hi po, Ate.. Astrid? Happy Birthday." I smiled and hugged her lightly and quickly.

She chuckled. "Salamat, just call me Astrid, I prefer being called by my name only." She smiled at me. Ang ganda niya! Parang dyosa ang kausap ko.

Alex's friends was already on the couch. He gestured me to go with them for a while, ibibigay niya na ang regalo niya kay Astrid.

I sat beside them not wanting to disturb. Nakikipagtawan sila sa iba pang mga bisita ni Astrid.

The party venue was organized well. Tipong mga pang club ang design. There were beers and alcohol everywhere at ang mga bisita ay may hawak na red cup. Meanwhile, the other guests are playing beer pong on the other table.

Natagalan ako sa pagbalik ni Alex kaya kinuha muna ang telepono. I saw Annika and an unknown number texted me.

Annika: