One Last Lie (SALS 1)

Chapter 10

Kumakalabog ang dibdib niya habang naglalakad papasok sa venue ng AL Alumni Party nila. It was a big place and she knows that the girls own it. Chandeliers were scattered all over the place, displaying the wealth of the community.

Hindi pa rin siya makapaniwalang nasama siya rito. She has been very bad for the past few years of stay in that school but a group had adopted her and make her a part. She is seeing people of at least twenty years of age. Definitely, they are all alumna of her alma mater. She may not know them personally but she is sure that they are all good because they belong in AL.

"Madame, you have to wear this before entering the party." Inabutan siya ng guard ng isang maskara na agad niya rin naman isinuot.

She was shaking cold because of her dress. It was a black long turtle neck backless dress. It is glittery that compliments to the shade of its textile.

She reached the main venue of the party. She was welcomed by its two big wooden doors and a long red carpet. Her eyes grew large when she saw the set-up inside the event hall. The set was bronze, signifying the bronze anniversary of the community, which is at its 7th year. People were all over the place. She could estimate them at most 150 guests.

She saw a woman who wears a completely nude shaded long sleeved dress with a few details that perfectly fits her body. It was innocently made with a little seduction on its fitted design. Kahit sino sigurong makakakita sa kanya, they will surely, surely had got pleased.

"Honey," she said. By then, she knew it was Eniessia. "How are you doing?"

"Uhm, ah," nauutal niyang sabi. "I was astonished by you." Ito na lamang ang naisagot ni Charity sa kanyang tanong. She was astonishing, indeed. Natawa na lamang si Eniessia sa mga sinabi niya.

"Girl, stop it. Nakakainis ka," maarte nitong sabi sabay hair flip. "Not me, honey. Come on, let me introduce you to our co-alumna."

She remained astonished as they walk going to somewhere else. "Enie, this place was good," she said. "This is great. The mixture of shades of colors is awesome," she commented.

"Oh well, thanks." Ito na lamang ang mga sinabi ni Eniessia.

Did she designed this all? tanong niya sa sarili.

"Oh my Gosh, you did this?" tanong niya. Tumango na lamang si Enie at nagpatuloy sila sa paglalakad nang nakangiti.

They passed by many people and they must have known Eniessia. Pero kahit na ganoon, she did not leave her alone to talk to them. She still went with her and even introduce her to others. Kahit naka-maskara, it was useless because almost everybody gets to know her.

"So, let me introduce you to one of my best of friends. I hope you'll like him." Eniessia and Charity continued walking until they reached the balcony.

Isang matangkad na bulto na nakaharap sa dalampasigan ang sumalubong sa kanilang dalawa. He is definitely wearing a raven black tuxedo. She could sense him holding a wine glass. He leans on the palisade of the balcony and focuses on the great view of the sea.

"Psst," she called.

Agad na humarap ang lalaki at tumambad sa kanya ang bahagya nitong nakatakip na mukha. This mask really covers three fourths of his face and it annoys her. Hindi niya makikita ang mukha ng matagal nang binibida sa kanya ni Eniessia.

"Meet my newly found friend," sabi nito.

He extended his hand on her. She was definitely shaking inside as her nerves battle about taking his hand or not. Handa na ba siyang makakilala muli ng ibang lalaki? Eniessia said that he is a good catch in case. Gusto niya rin na makitang masaya ang dalawa sa matatalik niyang mga kaibigan. She wants to pair them up.

Walang anu-ano, kinuha ni Eniessia ang kamay ni Charity at ibinigay ito sa lalaki. "Uh-oh, you are now friends, I think?"

Napataas ang balikat nilang dalawa habang nananatiling magkahawak-kamay. They had no choice but to befriend each other. They felt a certain spark between their hands. They felt how burning their connection was. Nakakapagtakang makaramdam sila ng kapanatagan sa isa't isa.

"So, I will leave you with each other," pagpapaalam ni Eniessia. She took few steps away from them and then suddenly stopped walking. "And don't forget to untie your hands." She laughed all the way, until they cannot hear her no more.

Dahan-dahan silang nagbitiw at biglang inabot ng init ang pisngi ni Charity. Tinatantya nila ang isa't isa habang nananatiling tahimik na nakatingin sa dalampasigan.

"Want some?" he asked. Minuwestra niya ang hawak na wine glass. Alanganing tumango si Charity at agad na bumaling sa kabilang banda.

He gave her a glass and put some wine on it. "You know, wines are good for the heart," he said. Inilapag niya ang bote sa ibabaw ng palitada. "It neutralizes the beat of the heart."

Nanatiling tahimik si Charity at sumimsim sa kanyang baso. She was estimating him. She wants to know if he likes talking and this answered her question. "Maybe," she said.

Muli silang natahimik at patuloy na tinignan ang mga hampas ng alon sa mga bato. It was a peaceful togetherness between them. Pareho silang nag-iisip ng mga bagay na hindi talaga maipaliwanag.

She could hear Esaac from him. She could feel Esaac near her. Nararamdaman niya ang presensya ng lalaking mahal niya. Sa hawak palang ng kamay nito sa kanya, damang-dama niya na si Esaac ito. Pero hindi maalis sa isip niya sa imposibleng ito nga siya.

Masyado naman yatang maliit ang mundo nila kung si Esaac nga ang katabi nila ngayon. If she knows it right, hindi tahimik si Esaac. He tends to tell things that may be non-sense but relatable. He always says that shutting up can spoil someone's saliva. He does not wear formal clothes and most especially, he does not drink alcoholic beverages because of his belief. Ito ang mga dahilan ng utak niya na siya pa ring nakakapagpigil sa puso niya para umasa.

He could see her drinking on her glass. This exactly look likes how Charity drinks. Irrational mang pakinggan, pero nararamdaman niya na siya nga ito. He has a gut feel that this woman beside him is Mia Charity Locquias.

"Do you like talking?" he asked.

Napabaling sa kanya ang dalagang may maskara. "Not really," she said. She took a sip on her glass. "I am afraid to get misunderstood by people again. I was once verbose with everything that I have in my mind but they tend to misinterpret me. They always think that my words ruthless but the great thing behind those cruelty was the true me."

She always had trouble with expressing herself. They always think of the negativity in her words. Though she uses the worst of the words to voice herself, they tend to look at the worse in it. Mali nga sigurong ito ang paraan ni Charity ng paglalabas ng tunay siya pero ito lang naman ang paraang alam niya. She may have good brains but bad sensibility, she still thought of finding a better way for herself.

She tried consulting the psychiatrist to help her redeem herself. Her former behavior always put her into trouble. She will always get dilemmas with her jagged character. This is probably the effect on her, ignored by her parents. Her curse. At least, she had found a better way to get out of her curse. Now, she had true friends to lean on.

She sounded so familiar. Bahagya siyang palinga-linga sa babaing katabi niya. She is mysterious. Halos lahat ng sa kaniya ay parang si Charity. He may not say it but he is getting attracted to this woman. Sa bawat segundong magkasama sila, lalo niyang naaalala si Charity.

She keeps on creeping in his mind. Imposible. He kept on comparing this person beside him to the woman that he loves the most. Imposible nga talagang si Charity ang katabi niya ngayon because in the first place, she was hiding from everyone.

Nalaman ni Esaac na nagtatago si Charity malayo mula rito, para maiwasan ang mga magulang nito. He told Seth to make some investigations regarding her lost. Gayunpaman, hindi na niya nalaman kung saan ito nakatira dahil na rin sa confidentiality ng records nito at sa kakaunting impormasyong nakalap ng kapatid niya.

Under the influence of alcohol, he felt something for this woman. Tinitigan niya ang babae at nakaramdam siya ng pagkaakit dito. The way she plays with her glass, the way she uses her lips touching on its mouth, this makes him think of something else.

She looked at him and this made him choke. He strangle in tension as she caught him looking at her. She chuckled innocently but this sounded so sexy on him. This is not good. Gusto na rin niyang mapamura sa isip pero hindi pwede dahil masyado siyang mabait para doon.

"Do not look at me like that." She sounded shy in that case. He saw her almost laughing and he finds her cute. More than the cuteness, he also finds her sexy.

He smirked to contain his need. He is actually craving for her lips now. Those red lips of her makes him feel somewhat sensual that guys normally feel. He could not describe what he is feeling right now. Crazy.

Dahan-dahan siyang lumapit sa dalaga. They were an inch apart from each other now. He slowly lowered his head and reached for those lips. Nakakahiya mang aminin pero ngayon lang siya tunay na nakahalik sa isang babae and it feels so good. He never thought that kissing someone could erase the iciness that he had felt for months now.

Her lips feels so soft, the way they handled to control this kiss makes it sort of erotic. Higit na naging mapusok ang halikan nilang dalawa. They kept on playing with the insides of their mouths. Muntikan pang mabitiwan ng dalaga ang hawak niyang baso. Mabuti na lamang at nahawakan ito ni Esaac at saka inilapag sa palitada ng balkonahe.

Their connection was not intimidating. The innocence in both parties makes it more convivial. Hindi gumagala ang kamay ni Esaac kung saan-saan kaya higit na komportable ang dalaga sa ginagawa nila. It took them near a minute after they decided to part.

Higit na nasisiyahan ang puso ni Charity matapos ang una niyang halik. She will not hide that it was her first and it really felt good. If she would have a chance, gusto niya sanang makilala ang lalaking ito.

"Uh, thank you Mister?" she asked. Hindi na niya naisip kung ano ang sasabihin niya rito. Nagpasalamat siya dahil naging banayad ang unang halik niya. At the same time, she just wants to know him. More.

"Before I tell you that, why thank you?" Naging metikuloso muna ang lalaki bago niya ibigay ang personal na impormasyon. Hindi man niya aminin, nasisiyahan din siya sa nangyari.

"Thank you for rewarding me my first kiss," she innocently said. "And for taking it slow and easy." She somewhat chuckled but she did not showed him. "So what is your name Mister?"

Kumakalabog ang dibdib niya hindi pa man nalalaman ang pangalan ng lalaking ito. Naghuhuramentado ang mga lamang-loob niya sa kaba at nanlalamig ang buong katawan. "Jacob Esaac De Sevilla," he said.

Her heart fell into pieces after hearing that name. It throbbed so hard that it made itself shattered. Nahirapan siya bigla sa paghinga nang marinig ng pangalan ng binata. Parang gustong lumabas ng puso niya para yakapin ito. "R-ridiculous," she stuttered.

Her hand helplessly fell and accidentally elbowed the wine glass that made it fall. She immediately ran away from the balcony and entered the hall. Patakbo niyang tinahak ang daan palabas ng maraming tao. She was an acclaimed sprinter in their school so she does run fast.

He held his head when she ran away. Napasabunot na lang siya sa sarili nang layuan siya ng babaing iyon.

"May mali ba akong nagawa? Was it bad?" marahas na tanong niya sa sarili. Inisip niyang tumakbo papasok at habulin ang dalaga pero huli na ang lahat. She was like a wind who just came crossing and left him alone in coldness it bring.

Muling nilamig ang puso ni Esaac. He kept on asking himself about his performance a while ago. Tinatanong niya ang dagat na para bang sasagot ito.

"Ganoon na lang ba kadali sa mga babae ang iwan ako?" he screamed. He accidentally elbowed the wine glass. Tanaw mula sa balkonahe ang pira-pirasong baso na tumama sa may batuhan sa baba.

"Are you crazy?" A woman exclaimed from below. Tamad niya itong sinilip at nakita niya ang babaeng matalik niyang kaibigan. "Esaac! You almost hit me! What is your problem?"

"Damn to all the women out there!" he exclaimed. Ibinato niya sa malayuan ang bote ng alak. Bahagya itong lumubog at lumutang din sa tubig di kalaunan.

"Shut up you Jacobe! Do not stereotype!" anito. She took a straight drink of her wine. "Hintayin mo ako diyan, stupid!" Saka siya patakbong umakyat ng balkonahe.

She came there running and saw Esaac's helpless state. "You are definitely stupid, Jacobe. Lasing ka na." Dahan-dahang itinayo ni Eniessia ang kaibigang napadausdos na sa sahig dahil sa kalasingan. She tried putting him up and she did.

Bigat na bigat si Eniessia sa pagbubuhat sa lalaki. It took her almost an hour to transport him from the balcony to her car. She was no choice but to fetch this guy because she is his only friend here. The rest of VESTIGE was not alumnus of their school thus Ez went there alone.

Natapos siya sa pagbubuhat dito nang makarating sila sa kanyang sasakyan. Hindi niya alam kung sinong tatawagan para kuhain ang motorsiklo ni Esaac na maiiwan sa venue kung sakali. She does not want to go back here again and drive a motorbike because she is also under the influence of alcohol.

She tried contacting Seth but his number is out of reach. Ivan and Trevor is not on her list because they are both out of town. Israel is nowhere to be found. Moreover, Gregory, who is the only person that she thought of last, is always with his girls. Her girlfriends do not know how to drive a motorbike thus there was only one remaining on her list.

Inuntog-untog ni Eniessia ang ulo sa manibela ng sasakyan. She was still thinking if she would call Ethaniel to fetch that motorbike of Esaac. Tinignan niya ang kaibigang kanina lugmong-lugmo sa kalasingan. She must do this for him.

She dialed his number and nervously waited for his answer. Ilang segundo ang lumipas at sinagot nito ang tawag. "What a miracle, Agape." Ito na nga ba ang sinasabi niya. He will surely make her remember everything. "Napatawag ka after four years, bakit? Did you miss me?"

"Shut up, Ethaniel. Hindi kita tinawagan dahil miss na kita. I called you because your friend is drunk. I am with Esaac but I cannot drive two vehicles at a time so might as well, you drive his motorbike to my condominium."

Kinakabahan si Eniessia sa magiging sagot nito. Isang malalim na buntong-hininga na lamang ang ibinigay sa kanya ni Ethan. Ilang segundo pa ang lumipas saka ito nagsalita. "Fine, text me the address, pupuntahan ko."

Wala man lamang closure, pinatayan niya ito ng tawag at agad na nag-text kay Ethan ng address ng venue ng AL Alumni Party. She also told him that she would leave the key to the valet dahil kailangan niya ito. Matapos mag-send, hinawakan na niya ang manibela. Bago pa man patakbuhin ang sasakyan, tinignan niya muna ang kaibigan. "Hopeless Romantic," she said at saka pinaharurot ito.