That Time In July

Kabanata 8

Chapter 8

"I could only wish to go back to the times when I was still a student, a kid. Yung tipong wala kang ibang iniisip kung hindi ang pag-aaral lamang. Ngayon, ma rerealized mo na lamang na habang tayo'y tumatanda, nadadagdagan o nagiging mas mabigat ang ating mga responsibilidad na hindi natin laging naaabot o natutupad."

-

"Thank you talaga ah? Hindi namin alam paano ka pasasalamatan. We owe you big Gwen." Hinawakan ni Celeste ang aking mga kamay.

"No problem Celeste. It's a pleasure to help you out." I smile genuinely at her.

"You know, you can ask for our help if you need one. Huwag kang mahiya, as long as you are here at San Pedro, you can ask us anything." She squeezes my hands, implying her desire to really repay me.

"There is no need for you to repay me Celeste. Really. But thanks anyway. I'll tell you if I need help."

"Great! Okay. So, see you later? I need to attend to some guests. Enjoy the rest of the night."

Umalis siya kasama ang kanyang asawa. Vince and Sir Anton was already standing behind me when I turn around.

"Good jop Ms. Gweneth. It's a pleasure working with you." Sir Anton said.

"Oh no sir, It's a pleasure of mine to be working with you two." Tinanggap ko ang nakalahad niyang kamay. I look at Vince and nod.

We talked a little untill Gray shows up.

"Nice. You got some talent on that huh?" He said.

"Mr. De Guzman." Sir Anton greeted Gray with a nod, sinuklian naman ito ng tango rin. He turned to me. "See you around Ms. Gweneth. Hope to work with you again soon."

Nakipagkamayan sila sakin at kay Gray bago tuliyang umalis.

"Thanks, didn't know I still can do that. It's been a while since I last sang." I give my full attention to him.

I was not expecting him to be with someone, kaya ng ma recognize ko kung sino ang kasama niya, biglang umurong ang dila ko. I quickly averted my gaze away from the person.

"Akala ko sa sayaw ka lang marunong. You can also play the piano! What else can you do?" Mangha niyang tanong.

I only shook my head as an answer. Gusto kung matawa sa reaksiyon niya pero hindi ko magawa dahil sa mga matang nakatingin sakin. Damn!

"Oh, by the way. This is Felix." Lumingon siya sa kasamang nasa gilik niya. "This is Gweneth, my sister."

I only nod at Felix.

"Umuwi na sila Mommy?" I asked Gray instead.

"Uh, I haven't had a chance to check on them. Why? Gusto mo nang umuwi? I can drive you home. Tho I wanted you to meet my friends first, we can do that some other time."

Tumaas ang kaliwang kilay ko doon. Hindi pa man ako nakakasagot sa tanong, nag ring bigla ang cellphone ko sa clutch bag. I took it out, looked at Gray and turned around before answering Mom's call.

"Mom."

"Hi! We went home earlier than expected. I've forgotten to send you a message. How's the party so far? You enjoying it?"

"Uh, hindi pa po. I was asking Gray kung umuwi na kayo since its past 10."

"Gusto mo nang umuwi? We can send kuya Roger over there to fetch you."

"Uh, it's okay mom. I'll just wait for Gray to go home, I'll also check Nathalie. Baka kaylangan niya ng tulong." I said, not wanting to give burden to lolo's driver.

"Alright, your call. Enjoy the rest of the night."

"Thanks Mom."

I ended the call and turned around. Nakapamulsa na ngayon si Gray. Base sa reaksiyon niya, he knows I'm staying. Sinimangotan ko siya.

Nauna na akong maglakad sa kanila papuntang Resto. Tumabi saking si Gray, I don't know where his friend is, hindi ko na nilingon.

"I want you to meet my friends. Some are part of the PNP, some are common friends." Sabi niya pa.

"I'll check Nathalie first, baka kaylangan niya ng tulong."

"Alright. I'll go get you kapag hindi na kayo busy. Hindi rin naman tayo mag tatagal."

Tumango ako sa kanya. Sang ayon sa huling sinabi. Nakarating kami sa Resto at agad akong pumunta sa counter para mangumusta.

"How's the counter?" Nagtaas ng mata si Nathalie saakin. Ngumiti siya bago sumagot.

"Fine, hindi na traffic. Kanina medj, napag tulungan naman kaya tagumpay." Ibinalik niya ang attention sa hinahalo.

"I can help. Wala akong ginagawa." Pumasok ako sa loob at nilagay ang clutch bag sa ilalim. I tied my long hair. Which reminds me, I need to cut them.

"Hindi na naman kaylangan Miss. Drinks na lagi na oorder kapag ganitong oras na."

"Ganun ba?" I checked the time.

Mag eeleven na rin, wala na nga yatang kakain ng hapunan sa ganitong oras. May mga snacks naman kaso hindi naman mahirap e order. Nag order na rin ako ng kunting snacks para malibang naman. While waiting, may mga pumunta sa counter para umorder ng snacks at drinks.

I was busy entertaining the costumers for the first few minutes. Ng wala nang masyadong nag oorder ng snacks, duon ko lang nakain ang naorder kong fries. I was on the middle of eating it ng dumating si Gray sa harapan.

"Hindi na ba busy?" He asked Nathalie, who is now pouring the drinks on the glass.

"Hindi na po. Mga drinks na lang po usually." Nathalie answered.

Binigay niya ang dalawang inumin sa nakaabang na babae.

"Good." He turned to me. "Tara?"

Huminga ako ng malalim at tumayo na. Hindi nakaligtas sa kanya ang reaksiyon ko. Napatawa siya ng bahagya.

"Don't worry, mababait naman sila, I guess?"

"Hindi tayo sigurado doon ah?" Hindi ko na muna dinala ang clutch bag at sumama na kay Gray. Dinala ko lang ang cellphone ko.

"The boys are kind. Yung mga babae lang ang war freak paminsan."

"Is it even safe? Baka mapagkamalan pa akong kaaway rin nila."

"Don't worry, I already drilled them of your presence. They'll do good."

"Funny Gray. How about my condition?"

"I left that out. I'll just shield all the drinks going your way."

"Aren't they bullies?"

"Well, they are, sometimes. But since Felix and I are there, they'll minimize it"

"Oh, what is that suppose to mean?"

He looked at me and smiled. "Officers" tumingin siya sa harapan namin.

Confused still, sumunod na lang rin ako sa kanyang ginagawa. There are sime faces who are familiar with me. Like the two people I met during my first day, and the person I met earlier.

"So, this is my sister, Gweneth Javate." He looked at me "These are my friends."

Pinakilala niya isa isa ang nga kaibigan, ngunit sa dami, hindi ko na matandaan ang iba. They are drinking hard liquor, I can tell. Amoy alak na rin si Gray. Celeste and her husband is also present.

"Siya yung kumanta diba? Wow." Someone said.

Hindi ko na matandaan talaga. Binigyan ako ni Blaze ng upuan sa gitna nila ni Gray. I took the seat and smile to whoever said those words.

"Uh thanks."

Bibigyan sana ako ni Blaze ng alak ng pigilan siya ni Gray.

"No drinks for Miss Javate." He eye Blaze on my other side. "Do you want some juice? Pineapple or four seasons?"

"Four seasons." I saw some girls looked at me confused.

"Oh come on Gray, Gweneth is old enough for alcohol." A pretty girl beside Felix said. Her name's Dorothy if I'm not mistaken.

Nagpatuloy si Gray sa pag salin ng juice sa aking baso.

"Thanks."

"Hindi naman siya malalasing sa isang lagok lang Gray. Ano yan bata?" Tanong naman ngayon ng kaibigan ni Dorothy.

Nasa harapan namin sila kaya kita at rinig na rinig ang mga napaguusapan.

"She has alcohol allergy Sam."

Oh right, Samantha. Uminom ako ng binigay ni Gray na four season at nakinig sa mga nag uusap. Nasasali naman ako sa usapan kapag natatanong at nakikinig lamang kapag feeling ko gumagamit na sila ng alien language.

Someone placed a finger food on our way. I was eating the food when someone said a hideous thing.

"Oh, trust me Blaze. I'll break the 3 month rule if Gray will allow me to court Gweneth right now."

Nabulunan ako duon. Someone hands me a drink, without waiting for another second to pass, I drink the juice. Nakalahati ko ang four season bago ako na satisfy. I put it down on the table and look at the person who said those words. He was smiling confidently like I am approve of what he just said.

"I don't have a say to that John, sorry. Ask her yourself." Makahulugang sabi ni Gray.

"Well, that was funny." I just said.

Napuno ng ingay dahil sa kantsawan.

"Bro! Wala pa nga parang basted na tayo ah?"

"Damn John, of all talaga?"

"Hanap tayong iba tol."

Ang iba natatawa na lang. I don't know how to react! Why would he say that? It's like putting pressure on someone, how can you says no without actually saying no?

I was party laughing at their reaction when I suddenly felt a change in my system. I was starting to inhale sharply and I could feel my throat starting to itch and ache. My skin started to tingle. Napakurapkurap ako. I know this feeling. Tumingin ako sa basong nakalahati ko na bago ako tumingin kay Gray. Nanlalaki ang mga matang, napabalik sa baso at kay Gray ulit. Napansin niya ang pagkabalisa ko.

"Are you okay?" He asked looking concern.

I shook my head. "I need my clutch. Excuse me." Tumayo ako at agad umalis duon.

Nagmamadali akong pumasok sa working area ni Nathalie para hagilapin ang gamot sa loob ng bag.

"Oh, Miss Gwen, uuwi na po kayo." Tanong niya ng makita akong kinukuha ang bag.

"Can I ask for a glass of water Nat?"

Nang makita ko na ang gamot, agad ko na itong ininum. Its liquid kaya hindi masyadong mahirap lunokin, pero may sakit pa rin sa lalamunan kasi nagsimula na itong kumati. May capsule pa na kaylangang inumin after about a minute kaya I'll be needing water. Its like a prevention for any severe effect of the alcohol in my body.

"Gwen! What happened? Are you okay?" Hindi ko alam na sumunod pala saking si Gray.

"Alcohol." Hinihingal kong sabi.

"What?!" Nilagay niya ang naiwan kong cellphone sa counter. "Are you okay? Nathalie call some medics." Tarantang utos ni Gray.

"No, Im fine Gray. I just need some rest. Nakainom na naman ako ng gamot. I'll be fine." I fixed my hair in a bun dahil dumagdag ito sa kati na nararamdaman ko.

I removed all the accessories on my body and put it inside my clutch. Gray watched me while I was removing it all.

"Who gave you the drink?"

"I dont know. Tinanggap ko kasi akala ko four season, I didn't know it was spiked." I clear my throat.

Damn! This is so frustrating.

"Morons." Walang sabi sabing umalis siya sa counter.

I drank the capsule before getting all my things and went straight to where Gray is heading. Damn this man! Rinig ko ang diin sa boses niya ng mag tanong sa mga kaibigan

"Who gave her the juice?" Inamoy niya pa ito bago bumaling sa harapan ng upuan namin. "I clearly told you she has allergy!"

I grab his arm ng magbanta siyang kukunin ang braso ni Dorothy.

"Gray, no. I'm fine." I said pulling him away from the table.

Ramdam ko ang kaunting hapdi sa lalamunan ko dahil sa pagsasalita.

"It's not funny Dorothy! I clearly told you about it! Saan banda ruon ang hindi mo naintindihan? Huh?!"

Nanatiling nakatingin samin si Dorothy na para bang ngayon niya lang napagtanto ang ginawa. Nanatili namang nakaupo ang iba niyang kaibigan, naguguluhan sa kung ano ang ikinagagalit ni Gray. Pwera kay Felix na ngayon ay nakatayo at hinahawakan si Dorothy sa braso para makatayo na rin.

"Don't move her away from me Felix." Banta niyang sabi sa kaibigan.

"Gray, that's enough. I'm okay. I'll just go home and rest. I'll be fine." Garalgal na ang boses na lumabas sa akin.

Ramdam kong natigil ang usapan nina Felix at Dorothy at lumingon sakin.

"You call that fine Gweneth? It doesn't look fine to me at all."

"Please." Mahina ko nang sinabi.

Ramdam ko ang mga taong nakatingin samin. Hindi natigil ang kanta, ngunit maraming mata ang napako sa banda namin.

"Please, I want to go home." Sabay hila pa sa kanya.

"I didn't-" Dorothy was immediately cut by Felix

"Enough." Felix said harshly to her. Nagulat ako sa diin at sa ma awtoridad na boses niya. "I'll talk to Dorothy, Gray. Drive her home."

I looked at him before looking at Gray na nakadungaw sakin. I pull him once more, this time, nagpatianod na siya sa hila ko. Lumabas kami sa Resto ng hindi na nagpaalam.

(Song Recommendation: Maybe the Night by Ben and Ben)