Beneath the Summer Sky

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 15

Months had passed, and I tried to act like nothing happened. Hindi ko na sinabi kay Shana na nanaginip na naman ako at ganun pa rin ang pangyayari. Hindi ko rin ikinuwento kay DJ ang tungkol ‘don.

I’m just glad that he’s not suspecting anything. Mas mabuti na sigurong hindi niya malalaman, baka isipin niyang may kasalanan siya sa nangyari kung sasabihin ko pa na baka may koneksyon siya sa naganap noon.

Walang palya rin ang pag a-update sa akin ni DJ and I’m doing the same thing to him. I really miss him so much but his work is more important for now since the event is coming.

“Ingat pauwi, Rica!” saad ni Tina sa akin habang kumakaway at pasakay na sa kotse ng kanyang asawa.

Kumaway ako pabalik at ngumiti. “Ingat rin kayo!”

Ilang minuto rin akong nakatayo bago nakasakay ng taxi.

“Kuya, sa Pinnacle Tower po,” sabi ko sa driver habang nauupo sa backseat. Aabutin ng 15 hanggang 20 minuto ang biyahe papunta sa condo ko, kaya sinandal ko na lang muna ang ulo ko at nag-relax habang iniisip ang mga gagawin ko pagdating.

Ngunit ‘di pa man ako nakakalayo sa opisina ay may natanggap akong mensahe mula sa GC ng mga ka-batch ko noong college.

Mga Hanap-Gala, Di Grades GC:

Bea: Mga Beh… puro trabaho na lang ba tayo?

Tara inom! 8PM @ Melody Lounge

Sammy and Terrence have seen the message. I’m torn between going or not, gusto ko na lang matulog ng maaga after a long week of work pero nakaka-miss din uminom. Huli ko atang tikim ng alak ay ‘yong nasa resort pa ako ni DJ.

Speaking of—hindi pa niya ako tinatawagan ngayon. Busy siguro siya… Naputol ang paglalakbay ng isipan ko ng may notif na naman akong natanggap mula sa GC.

Mga Hanap-Gala, Di Grades GC:

Terrence: Pass muna ako, guys. I have some

personal things to attend to.

Bea: It’s okay, Rensy. Alam mong nandito lang

kami, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Kumunot ang noo ko, anong meron? Bakit parang nahuhuli na ako sa balita? Ilang buwan lang naman ang nakalipas…

I checked our GC once again and saw Sammy’s reply.

Sammy: G! On the way na ako. See you there! Sa

isa dyan na nagsi-seen lang, pumunta ka!

I let out a soft chuckle, and just reacted to a ‘Haha’ emoticon.

“Ahm, Kuya… sa Melody Lounge mo na lang ako ihatid,” sabi ko habang nag-aadjust ng bag sa kandungan ko.

“Copy po ma’am!” sagot ng driver at nag maniobra upang makaliko sa kabilang kalsada.

When I arrived at the Melody Lounge, medyo nagulat pa ako sa nakita kong estruktura. It had been upgraded—ten times better than the last time I was here. Hindi ko na halos makilala ang lugar kung saan una kaming nagkita ni DJ.

But the lounge retains its charm while adding an air of sophistication to its facade. The garden still flourishes, but the landscaping now features modern sculptures and ambient ground lights that cast a mesmerizing glow at night. Sleek, stone pathways weave through lush greenery, leading to the entrance, where a large, illuminated sign displays "Melody Lounge" in elegant cursive.

The patio tables remain, but now they boast chic, marble tops and plush seating, exuding an upscale vibe. A decorative fountain in the center adds a touch of opulence, with its gentle trickling water blending harmoniously with the soft music that drifts from the lounge.

I walked past the security, buti na lang at pinapasok ako. With this kind of vibe, mukhang kakailanganin na talaga ng membership para makapasok dito.

Dumiretso ako sa comfort room upang magbihis. Even their CR looks so cozy—mas malaki pa ata ito kaysa sa condo ko. Buti na lang at may dala akong damit; baka ako lang ang naka-corporate attire sa aming magkakaibigan.

I got dressed in an orange off-shoulder ruched asymmetric hem sexy dress and tried calling Shana to invite her. Pero out of reach siya. Ano kayang pinagkakaabalahan ng babaeng ’yon?

Muli kong inilagay ang cellphone sa loob ng bag at kinuha ang pressed powder at lip tint. Nag-freshen up lang ako at inayos ang buhok ko sa isang messy bun, na may ilang hiblang nakalugay sa gilid ng mukha ko.

I looked at myself in the mirror, and when I was finally satisfied with how I looked, I went outside to find a chair. Umupo ako sa isa sa mga velvet armchairs at muling kinuha ang cellphone ko upang tingnan ang GC kung may mensahe na ba galing kay Bea at Sammy.

Mga Hanap-Gala, Di Grades GC:

Bea: Girls, wait for me! Na stuck ako sa traffic.

Sammy: Same here!

Napailing ako sa nabasa ko. I let out a weighty sigh, at sumandal sa upuan. Baka malapit na sila dito, I’ll just wait.

Thirty minutes had passed, at wala pa rin sila. I glanced at my wristwatch and saw that it was already 10 o’clock. Unti-unti na ring dumadami ang mga tao. Kinuha ko ulit ang aking cellphone at sinubukang tawagan si Bea. After three rings, she answered.

“Matutuloy pa ba tayo? Nababagot na ako dito, at gutom na rin ako,” bungad ko sa kanya.

“Sorry na, beh. On the way na kami ni Sammy. Sumabay na siya sa akin dahil nasiraan siya ng kotse, tapos na-stuck pa kami sa daan kasi may truck na nakaharang.” Huminga ako nang malalim matapos ang mahabang paliwanag ni Bea.

“She’s right, Rica. We’re still coming. Order ka na muna ng makakain mo diyan,” dagdag ni Sammy, malumanay ang boses niya, na parang sinusubukang pakalmahin ako.

“Okay, fine. Bilisan niyo lang, ha? Napupuno na ang lounge.” Mabilis kong ibinaba ang cellphone at in-end ang tawag nang may isang lalaking biglang umupo sa couch na kaharap ko.

“Hi, Miss.” He gave me a sly smile, holding a rocks glass filled with liquor. He raised the glass to my eye level, eyebrows raised, as if daring me to drink.

I waved my hand in front of me, gesturing that I wouldn't take it. “Sorry, h-hindi ako umiinom,” I lied, trying to stay calm, though I could sense the tension building.

I saw him smirk and lean forward. “Hindi ka umiinom, pero nandito ka sa lugar kung saan halos lahat ng inumin ay puro alak. Maybe you could go to some fancy restaurant or cafes.”

I raised an eyebrow at his remark, my fingers tightening around the fabric of my dress. "Well, I didn't exactly come here to drink," I said, trying to sound nonchalant, though I could feel my pulse quickening. The heat from his gaze was almost palpable, and the way he leaned in closer only made my heart race faster.

He gave me a slow, knowing grin, like he saw right through me. "Is that so?" His voice was low, and there was a hint of something dangerous in his tone. "Then what did you come here for?"

I didn't answer right away. Instead, I took a breath, trying to compose myself, but my body betrayed me—my legs were slightly trembling under the weight of his stare. I could sense that he was enjoying this, the power he held over me in this moment. I could feel his breath just a little too close, sending shivers down my spine.

He chuckled softly, the sound both teasing and promising. "It's okay, you know," he said, his fingers brushing against the rim of the glass, as if toying with me. "You don’t have to hide what you want."

“Excuse me.” Buong tapang kong sambit sa kanya at tumayo. Tinalikuran ko siya, ngunit nahawakan niya agad ang aking braso. Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa akin, at naramdaman ko ang bigat ng kanyang kamay sa aking balat. Mabilis na pumasok ang takot sa aking katawan, ngunit pilit kong ipinagkibit balikat iyon.

“Where do you think you’re going?” His voice was too calm, too controlled, but there was something menacing underneath. “You’re not leaving yet, not when you’re already this close.”

I swallowed hard, my breath caught in my throat. I didn’t turn to face him, but I could feel his presence looming, overwhelming. Hindi ko kayang magpatalo, hindi ko kayang magpakita ng takot. Pero sa loob-loob ko, naninikip ang dibdib ko sa kaba.

I tried to pull my arm free, but his grip tightened, as if daring me to defy him.