Kabanata 5
2170 Words
“What happened to you?” Baby asked, curiously.
I shook my head. “Let’s go. Stop talking.”
Pagkatapos mamili ni Baby ay ako na una lumabas sa boutique. Nakakainis lang si Mr. Montepalma ay nagagawa pa akong titigan habang kasama niya ang girlfriend niya. The other woman looks sophisticated and intimidating.
Sumakay na ako sa BMW ko at binuhay ko na ang makina. Sumunod naman si Baby at hindi na lang muna ako pinansin. Halatang masaya na sa kaniyang pinamili. I opened the stereo so it lightens my mood for a bit. But my eyebrows knitted together because of the song.
The song played is ‘The Other Woman’. Pati ba naman sa kanta ay tungkol pa rin sa kaniya? Why does my world become all about him? He was talking to that woman while looking at me so intensely.
Nakarating kami sa bar para hayaan na si Baby sa kaniyang gusto kasi binilin iyon sa kaniya ni Dad. I am not a boring person but I have my priorities in my life and being wasted is not my thing. I’d rather travel the whole world alone just to appreciate nature and other cultures.
My eyes watched the whole bar going crazy. People are on the corner making out and some of them are smoking. And there are two bouncers watching them. Hinila na ako ni Baby para makapunta sa bar counter.
Nilingon ako ni Baby. “What’s yours? Any particular drink you want?”
“Gin and tonic,” I answered.
Pinaglalaruan ko iyong daliri ko at iniwas ko tingin sa kaniya. She ordered her drinks and the bartender is now making our drinks. I was silently watching the people having fun on the dance floor.
“I bring you here to make you happy,” Baby said. Binalik ko iyong tingin ko sa kaniya. “I miss the old Sianna.”
“I am glad the old Sianna is gone,” I replied.
“Sianna…”
“Hmm?” I don’t want to look at her. Ayaw ko na kinakaawaan ako kasi mahina. I wanted to be strong and tough for everyone. “Stop it, Baby. There is no use. I’m no longer that person anymore.”
Baby huffed. “Just have dinner with us on your birthday.”
I was staring at my drink for a long time. I have a reason why I don’t celebrate my birthday anymore. Mapait ako napangit na maalala ko ang nakaraan. I used to be happy and excited when my birthday was near. Mom, Dad and I will eat in a particular chinese restaurant.
My birthday is on August twelve. And my mother died on August thirteen. That is why I don’t need to celebrate it because the other day was the day my mother died. It feels like she stayed for another one day to be with me in her last breath.
So yeah… I don’t want to celebrate it.
I downed the drink on one gulp. I asked for another one and Baby gave me space because I was spacing out. When I am on my sixth drink, there is a guy plopped down beside me. His other arms leaned on the bar counter and he was facing me.
“Hi, you seem alone,” aniya sa malalim na tono. Nilingon ko siya at kinunutan ko ng noo. “What’s your name?”
I rolled my eyes. “None of your f*****g business.”
“I see. Had a bad day?”
I stayed quiet and didn’t even bother answering him. He ordered his drink from the bartender and I didn’t mind him. Gusto ko lang mapag-isa ngayon. Kainis.
“By the way, I am Silver. You seem to be thinking about something else and…” he trailed off. Tiningnan niya muna ako ng mabuti. “Basically, drinking alone.”
I scoffed. “I am not alone.”
“Where is your friend or boyfriend?”
“Neither. My cousin is with me.”
“Nice to meet you. Again, what is your name?”
Mukha naman hindi siya titigil hangga’t hindi niya nakukuha pangalan ko e. Masama ko siya tiningnan at pinagmamasdan ang itsura niya. He looks neat and good. He is wearing a dark blue polo and dark trousers. There is an expensive watch on his wrist.
In short, he looks like a boy next door that could easily charm you.
I gazed at him boredly. “I’m Sianna.”
He extended his arms to offer me a hand shake. I let out a heavy breath before I accepted his hand. We shook it for a brief time and I began playing with the shot glass.
“Where is your cousin?” he inquired.
“You have a lot of questions,” I replied, coldly. “What do you need? Cut the crap.”
Humalakhak siya. “You wounded me. I don’t have any bad intentions towards you. I just wanted to know you because you are beautiful.”
“Nice try but I am not interested.”
“It won’t hurt if you dance with me. Please?”
I raised my eyebrows. “Give me a valid reason?”
“I don’t want to waste my time because I have a lot of competitors. You got their attention and they wanted to dance with you,” he admitted.
He looks persuasive in asking me to dance with him. I roamed my eyes on the place and I saw some were looking at me. Then my eyes went back to Silver who was smiling at me with those white teeth.
“Do I have a chance? I hope not.”
He gave me a playful grin. I mean, he is not that bad. He is handsome also. His aura is pretty light and it looks like he is sunshine. Halata naman na wala naman siyang intensyon na iba. Hanggang sa namataan ko si Mr. Montepalma na nakatingin sa akin. He was giving me a sharp look.
What the f**k?
What is he doing here? Is he following me?
And I saw his woman beside him talking to other people. His hands were leaning at the back of the black couch— which looks like he is putting his arms on that woman.
“Fine. Let’s dance, Silver,” I beamed.
He grinned. “Thank you. Let’s go!”
I gave my hands to Silver and he was happy about it in fact. Gusto ko ipakita kay Mr. Montepalma na kaya ko rin. Pumunta kami sa dance floor at napansin ko rin na niyaya niya ang kasama niya sumayaw din sa dance floor.
Napalunok ako. Dinaga ang kaba ang dibdib ko kasi palapit sa akin si Mr. Montepalma. Tumatawa lang iyong Gwen na tinatawag niya. I gave him a show so I grind my buttocks against Silver.
I let Silver roam his hands on my body until it found my waist. We dance in a sensual rhythm. Nakatalikod lang ako kay Silver habang nasa harapan ko si Mr. Montepalma na sobrang talim ng tingin sa akin.
Nakatalikod sa akin si Gwen at ang kamay niya ay nasa bewang din. They are slowly swaying their hips— but his eyes were on me. His dark eyes are watching me intently like a wolf.
I shut my eyes and I was dancing like a f*****g w***e. I wanna give him the idea that nobody owns me— including him. Kaya naagaw ko atensyon lalo ng mga lalaki at natatakot ako tingnan si Mr. Montepalma dahil nagdidilim na ang tingin niya.
I felt Silver’s chin against my shoulder blade. “I didn’t know you could dance like this, Sianna.”
“Did I surprise you?” I let out a smug smile. Mas lalo ko nilapit ang mukha kay Silver para magkarinigan kami. “I like putting on a show. I like dancing also.”
“Hmm. Let’s dance more, Sianna.”
“I wanna rest. Pwede ba?”
He chuckled. “Why not. Well, that was awesome. You are so fine!”
“Thanks…”
I glance at Mr. Montepalma, who wanna murder Silver beside me. I gave him a cocky smirk and we headed back to our table. Hindi ko aakalain na magagawa ko iyon! Madalas ay gano’n si Baby. Maybe I learned some from my cousin.
Narinig ko na tumili si Baby at pinupuri ako sa pagsayaw ko sa dancefloor. Mga ibang lalaki ay gusto rin ako isayaw pero nasa tabi ko na si Silver. Nag-uusap lang sina Silver at Baby habang tiningnan ko si Mr. Montepalma na nasa table ulit nila.
He was clenching his jaw with a bourbon in his hand. My heart was pounding so hard in my chest. I averted my gaze from his direction and we drank some alcohol with Silver in our new group.
Another day came, nasa drugstore ulit ako. I was putting some medicine on a paper bag and gave it to the customer. Medyo mahaba ang pila kasi at nagpresinta na si Kenjie na siya ang papalit sa pwesto ko para makakain ako ng lunch. Hinayaan ko naman siya at bumalik ako sa desk ko.
May paperbag na naman. Alam kong lunch ko iyon at hindi ko alam kung kanino galing. Nilabas ko iyong tupperware at naamoy ko iyong pork sweet and sour, may kanin din iyon. Ayun na naman ulit iyong danish roll cinnamon.
Wala man lang note kung kanino galing. Basta nasa desk ko lang. Tahimik lang ako kumakain hanggang sa nagkaroon ako ng notification sa email ko. Namilog ang mata ko na matanggap ko ang email mula kay Mr. Montepalma.
From: N.DMontepalma@gmail.com
Hello. Have you eaten your lunch?
Halos mabulunan ko nang mabasa ko ang message niya sa akin. Mabilis ko ininom iyong tubig at nagwawala na naman ang puso ko. Mabuti na lang naubos ko na iyong lunch ko at hindi ko pa nakakain iyong dessert.
Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. Napapikit ako at humihinga ng malalim para ikalma ko ang sarili ko. Should I reply back or not? Damn it!
From: N.DMontepalma@gmail.com
I wanna see you.
Hindi ko na natiis at nagtitipa na ako ng reply. Ang rude ko naman kung hindi ko siya replyan since investor niya kami.
To: N.DMontepalma@gmail.com
Yes, I ate my lunch. You can’t see me because I am working.
From: N.DMontepalma@gmail.com
Well, I wanna buy some medicine for my headache.
Nanliit ang mata ko habang binabasa ang message niya. Ang bilis niya naman magreply. Hindi ba siya busy ngayon? Tsaka nakuha niya pa talaga ako kausapin through email. Nakakahiya siya may girlfriend na nga e.
To: N.DMontepalma@g*******m
You own a hospital. Ask any nurse there and they will provide you medicine for your headache.
From: N.DMontepalma@gmail.com
I’m currently driving right now to see you. Wait for me.
Bigla ko kinuha iyong salamin para tingnan kung maayos ba ang itsura ko. Nakakainis bigla ako na conscious sa sarili ko kasi bigla siya pupunta. Nanuyot ang lalamunan ko at tinabi ko muna iyong danish roll cinnamon ko. I put some nude liquid lipstick on my lips.
Napatingin ako sa pintuan at nakita ko na siya pumasok. My heart was hammered when I saw him. Our eyes met. Iniwas ko bigla ang tingin sa kaniya. Lumapit siya sa counter at nakapamulsa.
“Can I talk to Sianna?” I heard him asking Kenjie. Bigla naman ako tinuro ni Kenjie sa likod. Napatikhim ako at lumapit sa kaniya.
I gulped. “What can I help you with?”
“I already told you what I want and I also want to see you.”
“Alright. Wait a second.”
Tumalikod na ako sa kaniya. Naghahanap ako ng biogesic para sa kaniya. Nilagay ko na sa maliit na puting basket at pinunch ko na sa machine. Nakatitig lang siya at halata na namamangha siya sa akin.
“You are so beautiful, mademoiselle,” he commented.
I felt the heat rush to my cheeks. Tiningnan kami ni Kenjie at iniwas niya rin ang tinin niya. Napaubo ako kasi halatang kabado ako sa harapan ni Mr. Montepalma. Maraming mga babae na nakatingin sa kaniya at humahanga.
I gave him a paper bag. “That would be two hundred.”
“I miss you…”
I stilled. Naririnig ko ang kabog ng dibdib ko. I gazed at Mr. Montepalma who was stifling a smile.
“Good to know you are eating what I am giving you for lunch.”
My eyes widened. “Sa’yo galing iyon?”
“Apparently yeah. Do you like it?” he asked, softly. Bahagya niya tinagilid iyong ulo niya habang nakangisi sa akin. “Ang ganda mo talaga.”
“Stop it,” I replied, firmly.
His smile grew bigger. “I can’t and you are responsible for it.”
My God. Pulang-pula na ako ngayon dahil sa sinasabi niya. Mga nakapila sa likuran niya ay hindi nagrereklamo dahil Montepalma ang nasa harapan nila. Si Kenjie ay pinipigilan ngumiti at kulang na lang tuksuhin ako. Damn it.
- Writer
