THE UNLOVED

CHAPTER SIX

“Where’s Queen? Is she not going to come with us?” I asked King. Mag-isa lamang itong pumasok sa kotse. Kadalasan kasi ay si Queen lamang at ako ang magkasabay sa sasakyan because King has his own car. But lately I come to school with him because Queen started to distant herself from me.

Just like tonight, we are going to attend a party of a family friend. We agreed that I will be the one driving since magkakasama naman kaming tatlong papunta doon sa kasiyahan.

“I don’t know. Why asking me?” Kibit-balikat na sagot nito sa akin.

“Aren’t she going to come with us?” I questioned him again.

“No, she’ll come but not with us. Someone fetches her. I overheard that they are going to buy something first.” He seemed annoyed by my query.

“Sino?” I started the engine of the car while asking the bastard who is now busy scrolling his phone.

“Ma and pa.” Tipid na sagot naman nito sa akin.

 “What?” I didn’t get what he said.

“I said, ma-lay ko at pa-kialam mo.” Sarkastiko nitong sagot sa akin.

“Are you mad at me, bro?” I glance at him. Simula pa kanina mukha na itong badtrip sa akin.

“Tanga! I am so happy right now because you respected our bro code by dismissing my twin’s feelings for you. But bro, can you make it gently with my sister? Tarantado, kahit ayaw mo dun, kapatid ko pa rin yun. I saw her cried because of you. Mga dalawang gabi ding maga ang mga mata nun. Bad trip ka, pre.”

“I’m sorry...”

“Just distance from her so she can move on easily without you.” He commanded me.

“Tado ka! Tapos ngayon tatanong-tanong ka kung nasaan?In denial, pucha!”

“I will.” Even me cannot hear the words I utter. King chuckled.

“You should be. I think she’ll be more okay with your nephew. They are getting closer now.”

Hindi na ako sumagot pa. I am restraining myself from answering King because I don’t want to know more.

“Lucio Yap is a good kid, I think. Imagine that man asking for our parent’s permission if he can court my sister. Damn man! I laugh so loud in front of him because of that. He is your protégé when it comes to womanizing. Kilabot ng mga bebe girls.” Natatawa nitong kwento.

I just laugh a little and concentrated myself in driving. Long ago, Lucio Yap wanted to get the number of Queen but I refused to give it to him. He even wanted to have a date with her. Lucio, my nephew on Sylvana really likes to know Queen more. Lucio admitted to him that he really likes her so much.

“What did your parents say?” I asked.

“Of course, dad is a little bit off about it. He said he should prove himself first.  But mom said that Queen should experience to be courted and fall in love. And s**t men, your nephew is one hell of a guy. Kahit pala babaero like you, matalino.” It’s true. Lucio is a player but he is a smart and intelligent ass. As a matter of fact, he runs his own IT business already.

“How did you know?”

“I did some background checking of course. And I am proud of him. Kahit siguro mabuntis niya ang kapatid ko tonight magbubuhay reyna pa rin ito dahil sa laki ng net worth ng gago.”

“So, you like her for your twin sister?”

“Kumpara sayong gago, syempre oo naman yes!”

Natawa ako. “Don’t worry, I am not included on the list.”

“Good thing because I will the first person to kick your butt – s**t! Stop the car, bababa ako.”

“Why?!” Nagtatakang tanong ko rito.

“Don’t ask, wala kang karapatan! Just stop the car!” Halos bulyawan na ako nito.

“Ihahatid nalang kita.” Ani ko habang itinatabi ang sasakyan.

“No, need.” Agad itong bumaba sa sasakyan at pumara ng taxi sa di kalayuan.

And because King ditched me, I decided to go alone on the party. The party was held on a prestigious bar in BGC. Inilibot ko ang aking paningin sa loob ng bar. May iilan akong schoolmate na nakitang nagsasayaw sa dance floor. May iilan pa ngang kaklase na kumakaway sa akin para maki-join sa kanila. Umupo ako sa pinakadulong bahagi ng bar counter when my eyes caught a familiar face.

Queen is with my nephew talking to the newly engaged couple who is now celebrating their engagement. She is smiling while talking and I saw how proud Lucio standing beside her.

“Your order, Sir.” The bartended handed me the drink I ordered.

Mabilis ko iyong kinuha iyon at tinungga. At muling tinungga na halos maubos ko na ang laman ng bote. Oh s**t! This drink tastes sour than the last time.

 “Hey, honey… I thought you are not going?” I heard Dance’s voice. I looked at her as she walks towards me. She is wearing a provocative dress. It’s glittery, maybe because she wanted to catch some attention from the boys.

“Hey…” Bati ko. She sat beside me.

“Aww, are you trying to get drunk?” Nakatingin ito sa bote ng alak.

I just look at her. I don’t want to answer her question. Ano ba ang ginagawa sa party at bar?

“But I like it when your drunk, you are so aggressive.” Bulong nito sa aking tenga.

“I am not in the mood for some nasty things tonight. Let’s drink and have fun!” I poured some drink on her glass.

“Ow, where’s your hunk of a friend?” She is asking about King. I can sense that Dance also like my friend. But my friend is loyal to the girl he loved.

“He has some errand to do. Why ask about him when I am already here?” I chuckled.

“Don’t be jealous, lover boy. I am all yours, tonight…” She purred like a cat while touching my legs. “I just wanted to ask if he knew that the little Queen came with Lucio Yap tonight. If you had seen the reaction of the crowd when they entered the bar para silang nakakita ng himala.”

“Really?!” I asked as if I didn’t know that they came together. Dance is Lucio’s fling before. And she doesn’t know that Lucio and I are somehow relative to each other.

“Yeah, and you know what I will tell you a secret about that little bastard. Just the two of us.” She giggled while trying to bit my ear.

“What secret is that? Are you sure you want to share it with me?” I whispered on her ear. Tumawa ito ng malakas. Pero dahil maingay sa loob ng bar halos hindi iyon pansin.

“Of course, ikaw pa ba? So, here it is. Diba you know already that we have a history?” Tumango ako. “That bastard Lucio called out Queen’s name while c*****g on me. That moron! How dare him?” Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa bote sa narinig.

“That’s so embarrassing on your side. How’d you handle it?” I tried to ask her. I just wanted to know her reaction.

“I broke up with him right after we finished. And look at him now, it looks like he has won the lottery just being at Queen’s side. Sweet little puppy, isn’t he?” She laughed while looking at the two.

“Are you jealous or what? You seem to like Lucio still.”

 Natawa ito lalo sa tanong ko. Hinawakan nito ang aking kamay na nakapatong sa counter. “Ohh don’t worry, lover boy… I already moved on with that ass. And you know me, I don’t have time for a complicated relationship, I am all yours now.” Her hand is on my crotch feeling the bulge on it. “And you’re a much better lover than him. Wanna try it again tonight?”  

“You sure about it?” I asked while my eyes are fixed on the two.

Tumayo si Dance at biglang kumandong sa akin. I groaned when she wiggles her hips.

“We can get out of here if you like?” Ikinawit nito ang braso palibot sa aking leeg.

I saw Queen looked on our side so I hold Dance waist.

“Your place or mine?” She asked me. Tumungga akong muli sa bote. I guess I need some drinking tonight now that Dance is with me.

“Or shall we continue our role playing on your condo? Me as a virgin college student and you as my step-brother. What do you think?” She bits her lips seductively.

I smiled mischievously with the thought of that role playing she is talking about.

“Want more drink?” She asked me while kissing the side of my lips. Dance really knows my capacity on bed when I am drunk. And she loves it.

Tumayo ang babae at tinawag ang bartender na may kausap pang customer. I can hear that she is asking for a hard drink.

“Hey, uncle! Mukhang you’re having the time of your life with Dance.” Nagulat pa ako ng makita si Lucio sa aking harapan. I was pretty preoccupied with so much thought running in my head.

“Hey! Where’s your company?” I asked Lucio when I cannot see Queen.

“She’s at the comfort room with Tala.” Lucio is referring to the newly engaged woman tonight.

 “You look happy?” Malawak ang ngiti nito sa akin.

“Yes, I am. And I am courting Queen already.” Masayang balita nito sa akin.

“Good for you. Let’s drink to that!”

“Yes, let’s celebrate!” Sagot naman nito at uminom sa dala-dalang wine glass.

“Hey, guys! Mind if I join the two of you?” It was Dance who returned while holding the bottle of drink.

“Olala! Hey, Lucio! It’s been a long time. You look like an old puppy now.”

“Hi! You’re more stunning tonight! Magaling mag-alaga si Damien?” Natawa pa ako sa sinabi ng pamangkin ko.

Namula si Dance sa sinabi ng pamangkin ko pero game na sumagot. “Yeah, he can make me scream --- with happiness and joy of course.”

“Hi guys, ihahatid ko lang sana si Queen sa Prince Charming niya.” It’s Tala who intervene. Katabi nito ang nakangiting si Queen na umiiwas ng tingin sa akin.

After we congratulated Tala, she left saying to have a good time. She even asked the manager to give us a private room kaya lumipat kami.

“I think we should go home now, Lucio.” I heard Queen whispering. Lasing na lasing na kasi si Lucio at halos hindi na maimulat ang mga mata.

“I’m sorry, babe… but my head is spinning. Ano ba kasi ang ipinainom mo sa amin Dance?” Nakapikit nitong sagot kay Queen. Dance didn’t answer because she is already sleeping soundly on the floor pero maya’t-maya ay sumisigaw ng kampay!

“I will take you home. Tatawagan ko nalang si Sylvana para sunduin si Lucio ng driver.”

“Magkasama kaming pumunta kaya magkasama kaming uuwi.” I pretended that I didn’t hear what she said and continued dialling the number of my step-sister.

“It’s settled. Susunduin siya rito in less than 30 minutes.”

“How about Dance? Can you drive? Lasing kana din yata eh.” Naiinis nitong sabi habang nakatingin sa akin.  

“I can manage. We’ll take Dance with us. Ihatid natin siya sa condo niya bago tayo umuwi.” Akmang tatayo si Damien ng biglang mabuway ang mga tuhod nito. Muli itong napaupo sa kama at napapikit ng mata. The world is spinning for Damien.

“Gosh! I’ll drive, give me your key. Umupo ka diyan at tatawag ako ng tutulong magbuhat kay Dance palabas.” She got the key on the table where I put it and went out the room.

 “What can you get from this drinking? Sasakit lang ang ulo niyo pagkatapos.” She cursed habang inaalalayan ako papasok sa door. Everything seems blurry.

“Here, drink this. It’ll make you feel better.” May malamig na bagay ang dumampi sa bibig ko. It’s a cold water.

“I will take your shirt of, be still baby boy.” When her hand touched my skin. I grabbed her. I feel so hot inside that I wanted her for a kiss.  

“Damien, stop it.” She is trying to free herself from my grip. But my sanity was taken over by my vicious desire for flesh.