To Kiss My True Memories

CHAPTER 12

Chapter 12

Sometimes, we need to avoid one possible things that could hurt us big-time.

And that's what I'm doing right now.

Maybe... maybe I will just avoid this feeling. Avoiding this feeling inside me will help me get rid of the possible pain I will get. I will stop what I feel for him specially isn't yet deep!

Hindi ko alam kung kailan nagsimula. It's just been weeks when I just met him. Why it's so sudden? Siguro'y nasasanay lamang ako na palagi siyang nakikita? At siguro'y kung iiwas ako sa kaniya ay mawawala rin agad kung ano man ang feelings na ito para sa kaniya.

Yeah, you're right, Kairra. Avoid him always!

"Oh, miss Kairra, dapat ay hindi ka na pumunta dito dahil nasa kalagitnaan kayo ng event." si Ruth ang bumungad sa akin.

"It's fine. Hindi naman masyadong importante ang event sa akin." tipid ko siyang nginitian.

It's true. Isn't really important to me, specially the big announcement of engagement of Darrow and Zurina. But for others, maybe yes? Of course!

"Ah, okay." aniya habang nag-aayos. "Tapos na rin naman na ang mga gawain dito."

"I just came here to check something." palusot ko kahit wala naman talagang sinadya dito because everything was fine.

Dumeretsyo na sa parteng malayo sa kaniya at baka matanong pa ako kung anong mga kaganapan sa event gayong sa totoo lang ay wala akong naintindihan.

Tssk, I'm preoccupied thinking someone that I shouldn't think!

"Mr. Darrow Dela Torallez. Anything that you need, Sir?" wala pa akong ni isang minuto sa kitchen nang marinig na saad ni Ruth.

Am I hearing the correct words? Am I!?

Mabilis akong napabaling kung nasaan si Ruth, don't want to believe what she said. Wala akong boses na narinig mula kay Darrow kaya gulat ng madatnang nandoon nga siya! My employees giving him a greetings and asking if what he needs.

The fudge!

I just said earlier that I will avoid him — but here he was standing in front of me!

Awang ang bibig ko nang pinanood siyang seryosong naglakad ng deretso patungo sa direksyon ko. I stepped twice backward nang tuluyan siyang makatayo sa aking harapan. Why he still even need to come more closer to me? And what the hell he's doing here? The event isn't yet over!

I should avoid him! But why does he always go wherever where I am!

I stepped backward once again but I could smell now his manly scent — ayystt, you punk, Kairra! Stop it! You should make him leave!

"Mom wanna talk to you." deretso niyang saad sa akin, andyan nanaman ang kaniyang mariin na titig.

"H-uh?" gulat kong tugon dahil baka may hindi sila nagustuhan sa mga pagkain. "Sunod na ako." kabado kong saad hindi makatingin sa kaniyang mata.

Is there's a problem with foods! But even there's a problem with foods hindi iyon ang dahilan kung bakit kumakalabog ng ganito ang aking dibdib kung hindi sa biglaan niyang presensya.

But why he even have to come here to call me? He can ask my server, instead!

"I'll wait you. Sabay na tayo." agap niya.

"Y-ou can go now." I said simply.

"I will wait you." mariin niyang saad.

Ayystt, what he need ba!?

Though, I still want to say no but the words came out from my mouth was opposite. "H-uh, okay."

I let a deep silent sighed. At dahil wala naman din akong ginagawa ay mabilis na akong lumabas sa kitchen, nakasunod naman siya sa akin agad.

I just gritted my teeth, holding back my annoyance at the same time my nervous because he's here again, too close to me!

Ayystt, you should avoid him, Kairra! Keep your promise!

I really, really want but how!?

Nagpatuloy na lamang ako sa paglalakad, hindi namalayanng nasa tabi ko na siya. Sumasabay sa aking paglalakad. Ayystt, man can you please make a distance to me!

Tahimik kaming nagpatuloy sa paglalakad, bahagyan niya ako ginigiya sa kung nasaan ang mommy niya. There's a lot of people gave him a greetings but he only throw a bit of his glace to them. He's busy guiding me, though.

Sa hindi kalayuan ay natanaw ko na si Mrs. Mizelle, she's a real beautiful like one of the goddesses with her golden fancy dress. She's talking with a group of people but when she saw me she gave me a wide smile, I did the same. So I hope there's no problem with our foods?

"My son found you. Kanina pa kita hinahanap, hija." bungad niya nang makalapit ako. "Anyway, you look beautiful." she added.

"Salamat po." nahihiya kong saad.

"Here's Miss Kairra de Versa." pakilala niya sa akin sa mga taong kausap niya kanina.

I was shocked when Mrs. Mizelle grabbed my arms softly to make me face to the ladies who were with her. Nagulat ako doon ngunit agad na nakabawi nang may mabilis na bumati sa akin.

"Miss de Versa, it's nice to meet you." a ng isang ginang na kaedad ni Mrs. Mizelle.

I smiled to her shyly, I don't know her, though. "It's pleasure po."

"Mizelle told us that the delicious course is from your restaurant?" the another woman with her simple dress asked.

"Yes po." I answered politely.

They all look pretty and respectable with their fancy dresses. But It's sad that I don't know them, and I don't know how could I deal with them.

"Your courses was really taste good, it's the same taste in Aika and Zammuel de Versa's restaurant. How you became related to them?" another woman asked.

"Huh, they're my parents po." I smiled.

"Ohh, sorry I didn't know." the woman look so shocked.

I smiled more to assure her. "It's okay po."

"You're their only child am I right?"another question from the first woman who asked me once I arrived here.

"Yes po, Ma'am."

"Don't call me ma'am, just tita. I'm Mrs. Savinah Salvador a friend of your parents. Anyway, matagal na silang walang paramdam. How are they?"

Tanging ngiti lamang ang sagot ko. She's friend with my mom but how could she didn't know that my parents already gone.

Huh?

"They on aboard, right?" she added while smiling at me. "So when their plan to come back here?"

Pinilit ko na lamang na ngumiti, though I'm hurt right now missing my parents so much. They still hoping that my parents will come back here, I'm hoping too but I know this won't happen anymore.

I let out a sigh to ease my feelings. Sa hindi kalayuan ay tanaw ko si kuya Aldwin at ate Zen. Kuya Aldwin eye was too serious. I also rolled my eyes at the people who's near to me. I caught Darrow with his usual serious feature while Mrs. Mizelle smiling, they're also patiently waiting for my answer. My eyes lingered to Darrow, his deeply eyes now was darted at me, it makes me shuddered.

I swallowed hard before I speak. "The already gone na po." balingan ko sa ginang na nagtanong.

"What?" gulatan niyang saad, ganon din ang iba.

Huh, they didn't know? I thought they close to my mom?

"Kaylan pa, hija?" another respectable woman asked.

"What was the cause of their death?" Mrs. Mizelle asked sadly, can't help her curiosity.

I tried so hard to smile to them. "Huh, m-y relatives said it was a car accident po." matamlay kong saad.

"We're sorry for that, hija." Mrs. Mizelle said sadly, ganon din ang mga ginang na hindi ko kilala.

I nodded and pushed myself to give them a small smile.

"Anyway, before I forget. I salute you for the delicious foods." pang-iiba ni Mrs. Savinah Salvador sa usapan dahil sa pagbabago ng mood ko.

"It's pleasure po." ako, pilit na pinapasigla ang boses.

Mrs. Mizelle approach me and caressed my shoulder. "I told you. Hindi ako nagkamali na sila ang napili ko. Though, Kairra was still young she can manage their restaurant." ngiti sa akin ni Mrs. Mizelle.

"I want you to serve for my upcoming party." Mrs. Savanah Salvador said.

"Talaga po?" gulatan kong tanong. "Paghahandaan po namin iyan."

"Yes, hija." she smiled.

All the respectable woman here admire and gave me praises, I just gave them a little smile. Sa tabi ni Mrs. Mizelle ay napabaling ako dahil sa mariing panonood sa akin ni Darrow. I stare him for a moment before I smiled to him a little and cut our stare when his mom speak in front of me.

"Please, excuse us first." saad ni Mrs. Mizelle sa mga ginaang na kaibigan bago muling bumaling sa akin. "Come on Kairra, I will introduce you more to my another friends—"

Hindi na natapos pa ni Mrs. Mizelle ang kaniyang sasabihin nang pinutol siya ng anak. "Mom, that's enough. She's tired, let her rest." Darrow said seriously with his baritone voice.

Nagulat ako sa pagsingit ni Darrow lalo na sa mga salitang binitawan niya, though I'm thankful because I also wanted now to rest. I feel tired. Gusto ko na lamang munang umuwi at magpahinga.

"Ohh, I'm sorry, hija." Mrs. Mizelle said sincerely.

"It's okay po. Mauna na po ako. I will go back to our table po." tipid ko siyang nginitian at binalingan ang mga ginang. "It's pleasure to meet you all po. Hope to see you again."

Pagkatapos ng magalang na paalam ay nagsimula na ako bumalik sa aming table. My every step was to slow because of my unwell feeling when I noticed someone on my side, I don't need to take a glance to know who it was. Darrow on my side guiding my way silently, though I didn't ask him but he keep escorting me.

I take him away in my mind. I'm thinking my parents who's in heaven now. I hope we can spend more days, I don't even remember any of our memories when I'm still kid. I feel sad inside me missing my parents.

"Are you fine?" Darrow who's besides me asked in a sudden.

Tipid ko siyang binalingan ng tingin, bahagyang nagulat sa pagtanong niya ngunit hindi na siya sinagot. I just keep walking without answering his question until we reach where our table.

"Ohh, Darrow. You're here, good evening." Gem greeted him quickly.

Sumulyap ako sa banda ni Darrow. Tanging tango lamang ang sagot niya pabalik sa pinsan. Kuya Ald and ate Zen didn't greet him because their attention was in me.

"Kairra, you shouldn't answer them. It's fine." seryosong pambungad sa akin ni kuya Aldwin.

Huh? They knew that they ask me about that question? Probably.

"How were you feeling?" kuya Ald asked softly.

I bit my lower lip and shrugged.

"You wanna go home?" si ate Zen, tumayo upang haplusin ang aking likuran.

I smiled weakly. "I want too, pero hindi pa pwede."

Sa kabilang banda ay ramdam ko mariing paninitig sa akin ni Darrow. Why he's still here? He should left now!

"Your employees can handle that." ani ate Zen.

"Get a better rest, Kairra. Gem, will take you home." seryosong a ni kuya Aldwin.

I sighed heavily. Yeah, maybe my feelings will be better once I got some rest.

"Let's go, Kairra." si Gem at tumayo, lumapit sa akin ngunit nagawang pang balingan ng tingin si Darrow.

I have no choice, I'm tired also. I wanna lay on my bed and sleep peacefully as of now. Binalikan ko ang kaninang sagot ko tungkol sa aking mga magulang. Why it's more better kung hindi ko na lamang sila sinagot ng saganon ay hindi bumigat ang nararamdaman ko sa aking dibdib?

That is the story of my life that I don't want to share with others. I want to keep it on my own. The sad story of my parents that even I couldn't remember I know its truly hurts.

Maingay at magulo ang mga kasamahan ko sa aming suit dito sa isang sikat na bar. We're here at the second floor of the bar to celebrate the successful servicing to the Dela Torallezs' event.

Three days pass and this only the day we're all available. With my employees and manager Sheeme plus may cousin Gem, We came here to have fun.

"Cheers for our success." sigaw ni Gem.

Iyong tipong siya pa ang nangunguna na akala mong may naiambag kahit wala naman. Just the fudge!

Almost all my employees was already drunk that's why they've courage to dance under the table. Napuno ng maiingay na tawanan ang aming VIP room dahil sa kalasingan. While here I am, silently sitting, very sober because I don't drink too much while my cousin are a bit drunk already. Si Sheeme naman ay matino pa rin, ang mga employees ko lamang ang may mga tama.

"Let's dance na, Kairra." anyaya sa akin ni Gem, a bit tipsy.

Sinimangutan ko siya. "Later."

Tsk, I don't have plan to dance.

"You're too kj." paratang niya. "Tayo na nga lang Sheeme." masaya niyang baling kay Sheeme.

"Sige ba." sangayon agad ng isa.

Hayystt, they didn't yet tired?

Maingay silang lumabas sa aming suit kasama ang iilang mga employees ko. While I choosen to stay instead, lazily sipping on my glass with liquor. Tahimik ko na lamang inilibot ang aking mata sa bawat paligid upang kahit papaano ay hindi mainip nang mahagip ng hindi sinasadya ang pamilyar na lalaki, with a glass of liquor on his one hand, he's with two sexy girl.

"Is that Darrow?" I whispered.

Mabilis na nangunot ang aking noo bahagyan siyang sinuri upang masiguro na siya nga iyon. I quickly put down my glass and walked near on the door of our suit to ensure if it's really Darrow. Bahagyan siyang nakatagilid sa banda ko, nakahawak sa bakal na harang at nakaharap sa dance floor na nasa ibaba while beside him was the two sexy girls who's laughing with him.

I blinked twice deeply because maybe I'm just mistaken but swear I'm really not, it was really him!

It was Darrow.

For the pass two days I didn't see him in the restaurant and I'm very surprised right now to see him here. But, doesn't he already engaged? What he's still doing here... and with girls?

Seriously?

I couldn't help myself not to walked and go out inside of our suit just to come near them. Dahan-dahan akong naglakad palapit sa kanila, kabado at nanginginig pa ang mga tuhod ngunit pinilit paring pumantay kung nasaan sila. He didn't notice me yet because he's busy entertaining the two girls who's laughing beside him while he's still facing the dance floor downstairs. They talking about something funny, bigla na lamang akong nairita dahil hindi man lamang nila nararamdaman ang aking presensya na ngayon ay nasa kanilang gilid at malapit na sa kanila.

I rolled my eyes when Darrow bend to reach the ear of one girl and he whispered something, dahilan para mapatawa ang babae na sinabayan niya pa ngunit mabilis naring umalis ang dalawang babae.

Tssk, what he whispered!?

I'm just curious!

I saw how Darrow smirked, licked his lower lips and bit it. Mabilis akong nag-iwas ng tingin at napakagat sa sariling labi. Napahawak ako sa bakal gaya ni Darrow sa aking gilid, deretso ang aking tingin sa ibaba kung nasaan ang mga taong masayang nagsasayawan. I stepped a few more times sideways to come more closer toa him, my eyes turned sideways to see him but his deep eyes were still on the dance floor.

I sighed heavily and swallowed for several times. Pinanatili kong deretso ang aking tingin sa ibaba at humugot ng hininga upang makapagsalita.

"May fiance na nga, may kasama pang mga babae, hmmm?" I whispered, just enough for him to hear.

He didn't speak but I feel him turned to me. I glanced at him and smiled sarcastically. He's just looking at me intently seemed what I've said was nothing. I raised my brow when I caught him watching me from head to foot. Seemed he's examining me. Tsk, I remember I'm just wearing a simple black dress for tonight while Darrow wearing his black V-neck shirt and maong pants with his leather shoes.

I swallowed hard because the way he looked at me make me shuddered as I feel a sudden uncomfortable feeling inside me.

Napatikhim ako nang maramdaman ang malakas na kalabog ng aking dibdib dulot ng paninitig niya. When he noticed my uncomfortable feeling he turned his stare on my eyes.

"I-I swear your fiancee didn't know about this." I added, though I'm really nervous.

Still, he didn't speak. He's still busy looking at me with this deep eyes.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin dahil sa kaniyang paninitig. "Tssk, if I'm your fiance I will get mad and I will call off the engagement..." I smirked before I turned my eyes in the dance floor.

I get myself busy by curling my hair when I heard him chuckled softly. I quickly turned to him and caught him smirking at me. I just rolled my eyes irritatedly but — but when I realized what I've said I freezed. Nanlaki ang mga mata sa gulat, awang ang labi na napatitig sa kaniya.

"W-hat I mean is..." hindi ako makapag-isip ng palusot.

"You mean?" he asked quickly.

Napakagat ako sa labi, kinakabahan "... I-I mean is dapat... d-apat hindi ganon." sabay irap ko.

"Ano dapat?" he asked playfully, seems he really curious.

What!

Ano ba ang gusto niyang marinig pa!?

Naiinis na ako ah!

I sighed and calm myself. "D-apat... dapat hindi lumalandi!" bulyaw ko na sa kaniya.

"Hmm, really?" he mocked.

"Yes!"

Ngumisi siya pero kita ko ang dumaang lungkot sa kaniyang mga mata. He then stepped once to come more near me. His eyes was too serious lately that I couldn't read him but now it's so soft, I could see now the pain and sorrow — but I'm not sure if what I've seen was true.

"Why are you so concerned?" makahulugan niyang tanong.

Napaikot ang mata ko sa inis. "J-ust... just because!"

"Just because?" sighal niya. "That's all?"

Did he wants to hear another words from me? And what words is it?

"And... and—"

"And?" tila nabuhay niyang tanong.

"And I'm a woman too!" dugtong ko.

He sighed sadly because of what I said. "Is that so?" sabay iwas niya ng tingin.

Is there's something wrong?

May salita ba talaga siyang gustong marinig sa akin?

I watched him, his deep eyes was on straight tila malayo ang tingin at malalim ang iniisip. Napahawak ako sa aking dibdib nang ilang pintig ng puso ko ay tumibok sa sakit. I then feel sadness inside me.

"Yes! Of course! W-hat would be the other possible reason?" matapang kong tanong sa kaniya, nararamdaman parin ang kalungkutan sa aking dibdib.

Pinanatili ko ang aking mata sa kaniya. Walang pakealam sa maingay na tugtugin at tao na mga nagsasayawan sa dance floor. I feel like I just wants to stare him this close. Stare him this too serious while his reminiscing some memories on his head.

We remained silent for a moment as I remained my eyes watching Darrow. Though, there was a loud music but I couldn't hear anything than the silent beat of my heart. Darrow sighed deeply for many times before he stepped once again to come near, near more to me.

I want to step backward because of the nervous and trembling I was feeling inside me but I couldn't get myself. Seems I want this position, near to him.

"You like me." he said in a sudden while looking at me on the eyes.

Wait... is it a question or a statement?

Where the hell he got those words?

Yes! But he shouldn't need to know about my feelings for him! I don't want him to know! It was just an unsure feelings! Unneeded! Unworthy feelings!

Kinailangan ko pang mag-iwas ng tingin sa mata niya at pigilan ang aking paghinga upang napahinto ang mabilis na pag-pintig ng aking puso. My heart already saying about my true feelings for him but I couldn't! I couldn't utter! Through my eyes, I don't want him to know my feelings for him!

"I-I like you, huh?" sarkastikto kong saad, pretending that I'm not affected because of what he have said earlier.

"You're lying to yourself, huh?" sarkastikto niya ring saad.

"Lying?" natawa kong tanong, tipid siyang binalingan ng tingin. "Why would I?"

Tumitig siya sa akin habang mayroong ngiting naglalaro sa labi. "I'm still thinking why you threatening me like this. Pretending that I'm not part of your life. Pretending that you don't know me! Maybe, maybe I've done wrong to you." he said seriously.

Am I hearing a right words!?

Nanghina ako sa mga salitang binitawan niya, nanginginig ang aking mga tuhod, naninikip ang aking dibdib. Nakatitig lamang ako sa kaniya, awang ang labi but no words came out. I don't know where those words came from but it really hit me big time. It give me so much pain.

His words gave me so much pain!

I don't even know if I'm hearing a right words. I don't know if those words was for me — but if isn't for me why its have a big impact in my heart!? Why it make me feel so much pain?

I couldn't think properly and I chose to turned my back to him, to left him here. Ngunit nakakaisang hakbang pa lamang ako nang mabilis siyang humarang sa aking dadaanan. I stepped backwards because he's too near at me. My heart got shocked that it's skipped for a moment and stared to beat wildly like usual when his always near on me.

Hindi ako makatingin sa kaniya sa sorbang kaba, ngunit alam kong ang mga titig niyang maririin ay nasa akin. I felt him stepped once more dahilan para mapaatras din ako, I couldn't handle my heart when he's too near like this!

What he thinks he was doing right now!

"Hmm." tanging nasabi ko.

I quickly bit my lips to shut my mouth. Hahakbang pa sana ako palikod ngunit wala ng maatrasan pa dahil ang hinahawak kong bakal kanina bilang suporta ay ang aking nasa likod na. I couldn't step backwards because of the cold wall steele!

The shocks!

I'm nervous!

"H-uh, Let me g-o." I stuttered.

"Why? Can't stay for a while?" sighal niya.

Nakatagilid ang aking mukha nang sinimulan niyang ilapit ang mukha niya sa aking. I could smell his manly scent mix with a smell of hard liquor everytime he breath.

Is he drunk?

"I-I will go n-ow." kabado kong saad at tinulak siya.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin nang hindi manlamang siya napaatras sa pagtulak ko. He started to tilted his head and look at me firmly while he put his massive arms on my both side, blocking my way. Napatikhim ako dahil sa lakas ng kalabog ng aking dibdib!

"W-hat do you think you were d-oing." tinulak ko muli siya, ngunit gaya kanina hindi muli siya nagpatinag.

"Can't stay with me?" he smirked while looking at me.

I quickly shook my head.

"Yeah. You really don't want to stay with me, huh." he said huskily as he put his head on my shoulder.

I swallowed hard. "H-uh?" lito kong tanong pero kalaunan ay nakabawi din. "M-aybe, maybe that's your tricks to seduce woman, am I r-ight?"

"Why? Am I already seduced you?" he asked silently as his warm breath tickled on my neck.

"N-o!" I shouted, couldn't control my voice.

He chuckled happily. "Let's see then."

"H-uh, w-why? A-nong gagawin mo?" matapang kong sagot.

Inalis niya ang kaniyang nakapatong na ulo sa aking balikat at tumitig sa aking mata. I bowed my head because of the nervous I was feeling the way he looked at me!

Shocks!

What he's doing to me!

Naramdaman ko ang malaki niyang kamay sa aking baba at unti-unti itong inangat. I bit my lips as I swallowed for several times. While Darrow who's still holding my chin keep watching me intently. The side of his lips rose, tryna forming a smile.

"I'll court you." aniya, sobrang seryoso habang nakatitig sa aking mata.

My eyes widened as my mouth opened but no words came out. Am I heard him clearly, right?

"Y-ou." I pointed him. "You will court me? No! H-indi ako makapapayag." saad ko na kabaligtara sa nais kong sabihin.

Ang kalabog sa aking dibdib ay hindi na tumigil sa pagkalabog ng malakas. My heart seems protesting because of what I said.

"I'm not questioning you, anyway." Darrow said while smiling at me a little.

Napakagat ako sa labi nang makita siyang gumiti ng tipid. I watched his lips formed a little smile for a moment before I get myself back to me.

I swallowed. "H-indi ako makapapayag. Ano ng gagawin mo?"

"Liligawan kita."

What? He really drunk?

But wait... hearing him speaking in tagalo sounds so good!

What the shocks!

"H-indi pwede!" sigaw sa kaniya, sinamaan siya ng tingin.

Mabilis na umikot ang aking mata sa paligid scared that someone might gonna hear me but thanks god for this situation, the crowd was very noisy dahil sa ibat-ibang patugtog na dulot ng dj, dahilan para hindi kami makaagaw ng eksena dahil sa aking sigaw. No one could hear my shouts.

"A-nd if it's a joke please stop it!" habol ko pa, nakikiusap sa kaniyang mga mata.

"Isn't a joke." mariin niyang saad.

"You're just drunk." singhal ko sabay tulak ng kaonti sa kaniyang dibdib.

Sinundan niya ng tingin ang kamay kong lumapit sa kaniyang dibdib. Sa gulat ko ay mabilis na tinago sa aking likuran ang kamay.

He smirked. "I'm not."

"T-hen, if your not, let me g-o." I commanded.

He staring at me for a while before he finally removed his both arms on my sides, tila ba pinapakawalan na ako gaya ng gusto ko. Nagulat ako sa ginawa niya kahit hindi naman na dapat.

Napalunok ako at mabilis na pinagsisihan ang inutos na pakawalan niya ako. Nanghihinayang kong binaling ang aking mga mata sa kaniya. I stare him for a while from his thick snobbish brow, his deep serious eyes, his peakier nose to his thin reddish lips. I caught him looking at me too, his face was really close to mine. When I realized what I'm doing I take away my eyes and walked faster, don't want to get near him again!

Shocks! My heart!

Deretso ako sa aming suit, hindi na ginawa pang lumingon sa kaniya sa lakas ng kalabog ng aking dibdib. Inside our suit naabutan ko ang mga kasamahan na halos lahat ay tulog na. I get a glass with hard liquor then drink it quickly. Humagod sa aking lalamunan ang pait nito. I don't remember when the last time I drink hard liquor... or any kind of liquor.

Binaba ko ang baso ng nakapikit, pinipigilan umahon ang nainom ng mapait na alak. Binalik ko ang aking paningin kung saan ako nanggagaling, I saw Darrow through the glass wall still there, standing and facing in our suit, his eyes was darted at me, watching me intently. I get another glass of liquor and drink it quickly.

Halos maubo ako sa biglaang pag-inom. I take a glance kay Darrow and he's really still there, still watching me intently with his sad and full of sorrow eyes. Nagtagal ang titig ko sa kaniyang malungkot na mata nang maramdaman din ang malungkot na pag-pintig ng aking puso.

Mabilis kong nilihis ang aking paningin dahil hindi na makaya pa siyang titigan ng matagal. Saktong tumama ang aking paningin sa kakadating na pinsan galing sa dance floor kasama si Sheeme. They're looked so happy.

"Gem, uwi na ako." mabilis kong paalam.

"Huh? Why?" litong tanong niya nang maupo sa aking tabi.

"Gabi na. I'm sleepy." I fake my yawn. "Sumasakit na rin kasi ang ulo ko." pagsisinungaling ko sabay hawak sa ulo.

Yes, it's aching a little bit but maybe it's because of the liquor I drink? I glanced at Gem but then her expression changed now. Napalitan na ng pag-aalala na tila nawala ang pagkakahilo niya.

"Don't worry dahil lang siguro sa nainom ko." agap ko.

She nodded but still didn't satisfied. "Maybe, it's better if we go." she said and fix herself.

Sumulyap muli ako sa labas at gaya kanina nandoon parin si Darrow. Nakatulala siya na tila may malalim na iniisip. I want to approach him but I think I'm not in the right position to do it.

What's wrong with him?

Maybe he's just drunk already?

Inilibot ko na lamanb ang aking mata upang masulyapan ang mga kasama. They all drunk, somebody already unconscious while others fighting their sleepiness. I caught Sheeme and she's still sober.

"Sheeme, it's okay if I'll leave you here na?" I asked.

Sheeme didn't answer me quickly dahil ang atensyon at mata niya ay abala sa kakatingin sa labas ng aming suit.

"Sheeme!"

"Hmm, yup. Maya maya ay uuwi na din kami. I'll just wake them up." sabay pasada sa mga kasamahan na tulog na.

"Okay, thanks then."

She smiled at me. "Take care, K."

"Take care too, okay. Uwi narin kayo agad." paalala ko at tipid siyang nginitian bago binalingan ang pinsan. "Let's go, Gem."

Pagkalabas namin ni Gem sa aming VIP room napasulyap ako kung nasaan ako kanina at si Darrow. But then I didn't see Darrow there. Maybe, maybe he find another woman to flirt with.

Tssk!

I don't believe him that he will going to court me! He's just trying me, maybe!

"Kairra, from now on you should forget what you feeling to him!"

But why it's so hard.

I just noticed that every time he's near to me my heart saying that he's something in me. He's something in my heart!

Should I keep what I feel for him?

Should I try or should I stop?