His Sole Exception

Chapter 9

"Are your friends coming to the after party?" Tanong ni Kuya Caleb saakin as we eat in a large circular table along with his friends in the thanksgiving event of our company.

I got out my table napkin and wiped the ends of my lips before I spoke.

"They agreed to me yesterday though," I told kuya, "Should I ask them again?"

"Oo," He paused, "Para maconfirm ko na ang reservation nila mamaya at magawan na sila ng I.D."

"Ganoon ba sila ka-strikto sa attendance?" Tanong ko

"Yeah, Jenil is pretty hard to book, and his manager limited the number of attendees to only two-hundred." Sagot nito

"Oh okay, I'll follow that up after I finish my food." Saad ko

Tinanguan ako nito bago siya umalis para kausapin ang ibang mga bisita about business. Madalang lang kasi magkaroon nang thanksgiving ang company kaya naman sa tuwing magkakaroon ito, paniguradong napakamagara nito and so is the after party that is only intended for the teenager daughters, sons, relatives and friends of the investors and partners of our company.

" 'di ko alam na may darating ka pa lang mga kaibigan," Bulong ni Yohan saakin.

Tinanguan ko lamang ito saka tinext si Dame to confirm their attendance.

"Can I meet them though?" Tanong ni Yohan saakin making my attention be diverted to him.

"Are you sure?" Tanong ko rito.

"Kung gusto mo lang naman," He said casually.

"I dont know if its a good idea, though." I said making him look confused.

*

"Ami!" Narinig kong tawag saakin ni Dame.

Lumingon-lingon ako sa paligid to find him dahil napakarami ng tao rito, dagdag mo na rin ang madidilim at mapupungay na kulay nang mga ilaw na nakapag-pahirap sa pagkita ng mga tao.

Maya-maya pa ay nakita ko ang presensya ni Dame, agad ko itong nilapitan at bumeso rito.

"Hi!" Masayang bati ko rito, "I'm sorry for not being in touch with you much! I became busy!"

It was true. I had lots of check ups, school works to chase and complete, pati na rin syempre ang palagiang pag-labas namin ni Yohan. Speaking of him, I didn't know where that man went. Ang sabi pa naman saakin he wanted to meet my friends tapos nawawala ngayon.

"Okay lang," Dame chuckled loudly enough for me to hear despite the loud sound system they have in this bar, "I became busy too."

Tinanguan ko ito then noticed his teammates behind his back, "Hey!" Bati ko sa mga ito saka kinawayan, "Glad you guys made it!"

Pinasalamatan ako nang mga ito bago sila umalis matapos kong sabihin sakanila kung saan banda ang mga inumin at kung ano-ano pa.

"Wala kang kasama?" Tanong ni Dame saakin.

"Oh, I do have, but I do--"

"Ami!" Papalapit na tawag saakin ni Yohan habang may dalang inumin sa magkabilang kamay nito. "Dumating na b--"

He stopped abruptly nang matabi na ito saakin and saw Dame in front of me. I chuckled awkwardly when I sensed Yohan's annoyance nang makita niya ito.

"Tejero," Dame chuckled.

"Leviste," Wala sa mood na sagot ni Yohan sa huling pangalan nito.

"Oh," I said trying to fix the mood, "Para saakin ba 'yan?" Tanong ko sa isang beer mug na hawak ni Yohan.