I Think He Knows
#95
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Napakunot-noo naman si Oli nang makita ang mga nakapark na sasakyan sa parking lot ng hotel. Sierra had organized a birthday party for him during that night. He rented a car to drive towards the hotel where his birthday party going to be held.
Lumabas naman siya kaagad sa kotse at kinuha rin ang bouquet ng sunflowers na binili niya kanina. He immediately went to the function room of the hotel. It seemed like they were a lot of guests for the party.
When he finally entered the function room, he stopped for a minute. There were a lot of guests inside. He roamed around his eyes to look for his best friend.
"Oli!"
Sierra called him out loud and ran towards him. She hugged him so tightly and he hugged her back as well.
"Happy birthday, Oli," She told him again and he smiled, his heart fluttered. After all those years being best friends with her, she never ceased to amaze him. She was always beautiful.
"Flowers?" He said to her and she giggled. Sierra accepted the flowers. It's been two years since they last saw each other, physically.
"Halika, I'll introduce you to some of the guests," She held his arm, dragging him to meet her other friends. Some of the people were familiar to him. It looked like some of the guests were celebrities who co-starred with his best friend.
Sierra did introduce her to some of them. After making some chitchats with the others, humiwalay na rin silang dalawa sa mga ito.
"Where's Julien?" Oli asked, pertaining to her boyfriend and Sierra got a little bit surprised because of it. She then gave him a warm smile.
"He's coming. Galing pa kasi siya sa hospital. He texted me earlier na papunta na siya."
"Sierra, hija!"
An old woman, in her middle 50's, approached them. Lumapit naman ito kay Sierra. The two of them then started to talk. Then Sierra suddenly excused herself to him - na may kakausapin lang itong iba pang mga bisita. He nodded at her to go. Sumama naman ito sa babaeng kinausap nito kanina.
Then Oli's eyes caught something. He stared at Sierra's left hand. There was a diamond ring on it. Somehow, he felt nervous and scared.
"Wine, sir?"
A waiter approached him, holding a tray of drinks. Although he wasn't an alcohol drinker, he nodded at the waiter and got the goblet containing the wine.
Throughout the entire time, Oli just stood at the corner, observing the guests. Hindi na niya alam kung pang-ilang wine na ang nainom niya. He was uncomfortable. He even kept dismissing some guests who would engage in talking with him.
"Oli?"
A familiar man suddenly approached him. Napaayos naman siya ng tayo. He tried to remember the guy in front of him then his gaze went back to the white lab coat that was on the man's arm. It was Julien.
He gave Julien a tight smile, "You're Julien, Sierra's boyfriend?"
Julien stifled a light laugh, "Yes, and you must be her best friend. I've heard a lot of good things about you."
He nodded. From his observation, Julien seemed a good guy.
"I'm glad na nakaabot ka sa engagement party namin. Sierra told me last night that you were coming to the Philippines today and that it was your birthday the previous night. She said to invite you na lang din to celebrate your birthday."
Oli froze for a moment with what Julien just said. He saw Sierra looking at their direction and realized he was already talking to her boyfriend, no, fiance.
Oli just gave Julien another tight smile before walking out from the function room of the hotel. From that time, everything was suffocating him.
He immediately went to the rooftop of hotel to breathe some fresh air.
"Oli."
He turned around and saw Sierra, his best friend and his first love, followed him.
"That party was not supposed to be a birthday party, isn't it, Shie?" He tried to calm himself - but his heart was already filled with too much emotions that he could burst anytime.
Nagulat naman ito sa sinabi niya then she looked down, feeling guilty.
"You know that I'm not comfortable with parties," He added. Napatingin naman ito ulit sa kanya.
"I just... I just want to see you again, it's been two years since we last saw each other so I invited you to come."
"You didn't even tell me you were engaged!" He told her frustratingly, his voice in pain and betrayed, "Since when?"
"We got engaged last month," She answered, terrified of him.
"And you didn't even tell me! We're supposed to be best friends, Sierra!" He raised his voice again. His heart is now hurting.
"How am I supposed to tell you, Oli? You've been away for two years! I even tried contacting you but you seldom reply. It's just like the same, all over again, what you did to me when I was dating Gavin, you avoided me. You ghosted. What am I supposed to do?" Sierra reasoned out, her eyes brimming in tears.
"God, Shie!" Napahilamos naman siya ng mukha, "I did that because I was thinking of protecting you! And that was several years ago!"
"And during that year, you forgot about me," Her tears were finally out, "I broke up with Gavin and I needed you during that time, it scarred me, Oli. And then, you showed like nothing happened and Millie was now your girlfriend. You were with Millie when I was longing about you."
"I wish I never met you," Oli suddenly said that made Sierra froze, she looked surprised.
"I wish I didn't meet you, I wish I never knew you at all. We weren't supposed to be friends but you forced yourself with me. You... messed up my life, Sierra. You fucked it up. I was supposed to be living quietly but you fucked it up. I regret being friends with you."
Hindi naman ito nagsalita matapos ang sinabi niya. Then she shook her head in disbelief. Wiping her tears, she finally spoke, "I'd never expect you would say that, Oli. You're a terrible person."
After that, she turned her back at him and walked away, leaving him alone.
Oli just sat on the floor and untie the necktie he was wearing, frustratingly.
Then it rained, drenching him.
His shoulders moved as he cried.
She's getting married.