The Kissing Scandal (Filipino)

Chapter 2

1st day of December 2018, the winter breeze flickered on my skin no matter how thick the garment I was wearing. There was an accident ahead on the road, so I had to wait for about twenty minutes for the traffic to progress. I leaned on the headrest and shifted my eyes to stare at some of the slightly pouring snow from the dark sky while I listened to the various horns of cars.

“Argh! Ano ba ‘yan! Malapit na magsimula ang live band sessions!” reklamo ni Eunji. Hindi ko siya kaibigan pero sa tingin ko, siya ang pinakamalapit na tao sa akin. Without waiting for me to grant her to join me, she immediately went inside my car when she heard that I was about to go home. She will get out of the car once we have reached a particular bar where she will be going tonight. I did not complain. It's good to have a companion on my way home. Less boring, especially during heavy traffic.

“Kung gusto mo, pwede kang bumaba ang lakarin ang bar na tinutukoy mo.” Ani ko sa kanya. In the corner of my eyes, nakita ko kung paano niya ako tingnan. 

Kasing lamig ng panahon ang ugali mo. Alam mo ‘yon?" she asked. All of the people I know, she's the only one who can speak in an impertinent tone of voice without making me angry. "I-park mo na lang ang sasakyan mo diyan sa tabi." She said and pointed her fingers to an area with a few parked cars. 

“Huh?” tanong ko at bumaling sa kanya.

"Alam mo ba para kang matanda na pinagkaitan ng kasiyahan.?" she teased and tried to hold the steering wheel. "Come on, Megan. I know you want this stuff despite prioritizing your responsibilities. This is a once in a while opportunity, especially since a hell week is about to start, and we will not drink. We will just watch the gig." She continued.  

A slight smile spread on my lips.Masyado akong nabulag sa mga sinasabi ni Mama sa akin, I almost forget that I have my own life to enjoy with. I am glad that I met her.

Hiyawan ng mga tao habang umiidak sa musika na pinapatugtog sa harap ng hindi ko kilalang banda ang bumungad sa akin sa pagpasok. My feet is swelling after walking sa napakalayong bar pero nawala ito nang makita ko kung gaano kasaya ang mga panauhin sa tugtog. 

Ang malikot na neon lights, ang amoy ng cigarettes at alak, ang mga babaeng may maiksing damit. Naging uncomfortable ako at that moment pero hindi naman ako nagsisi kung bakit ako napadpad dito. Tila ba ganito ang gusto ko gawin noong teenage days ko pero hindi ko magawa dahil kay Mama. Nakapamasunurin ang young self ko noon dahil wala naman akong kasangga sa buhay kung hindi siya lamang.

Eunji tiptoed slowly to look for a more inclusive place where we could watch without somebody bumping our shoulders. I, on the other hand, wandered my eyes all around. Three couples were making out in the second floor's railings. I immediately took off my sight like I saw nothing. I already had my first kiss before, but sharing passionate kisses in public is quite embarrassing. They should get a room.

Sa isang iglap, napaisip ako sa sitwasyon ni Mama ngayon na nag-iisa sa penthouse. She will be worried when I get home late at hindi nakapag inform sa kanya. Kinuha ko ang aking phone pero may dumaan sa harap ko kaya ko ito nabitawan. Umupo ako para abutin ito pero nasipa pa ng mga dumaan at natapakan ng isang may mataas na heels. Buong lakas ko itong kinuha ang nanghinayang nang nabasag ang screen.

"Eunji," I called her, barely a whisper, as I wandered my eyes to look for her when we lost each other in the middle of the crowd. We were not on good terms with my mother after a little calm argument last night, but she is still my mother. I have to borrow her phone or just let her know that I have to go home. "Excuse me," I said to the people who were blocking my vision.

May biglang humawak ng aking beywang kaya mabilis akong napatalon sa gulat. “Are you alone?” a man with a deep voice whispered seductively. I could smell the mixture of mint and alcohol on his breath that traveled under my ear. My body stiffened as my heart skipped a beat. I never felt this unfamiliar sensation with my ex-boyfriend, even though we shared sensual kisses back then. 

"Do you want to share your night with me?" he asked further—the moment when his lip barely touched my earlobe.

"Uncle, it looks like you have mistaken me for someone," I said and tried to remove his hard hand, pero mas lalong humigpit ang paghawak niya sa akin lalo.

"Hmm? I can't hear you. Is that a yes?" he asked in an arrogant tone. I also felt a hard object piercing my back. Hindi ako bata para hindi malaman kung ano iyon. Mas lalo akong hindi naging kumportable.

"No!" I tried to glance in his direction, but I was afraid that I might kiss him accidentally, mainly because he was only an inch away from me. I could feel his warm breath brushing against my neck.

"Bitiwan mo nga ako!" with total strength, and I successfully slipped out of his arms. Bumaling ako sa kanya, kunot na kunot ang noo. Pinigilan ko ang kamao ko na suntukin o sampalin siya. Not here, I'm not scandalous, and I don't know him either. He might be a celebrity, and being a headline in the news for slapping him is a horror story.

"This is first time someone has rejected me." He smirked. I was about to leave and look for Eunji again when, in an unexpected turn of events, he wrapped his arms around me, losing his balance as someone bumped into his back unintentionally. 

The music became mellow when our eyes met. I tried to draw back my sanity as I felt mesmerized by the way he looked at me, but he abruptly pulled my nape and brushed his lips against mine.