Monasterio Series #5: Risks and Chances

Kabanata 14

Kabanata 14

Strangers

Hindi nanalo si Alas sa akin nang hilahin niya ako patungo sa kotse niya para lang magkaroon kami ng pagkakataon mag-usap.

I don't seriously know what else we need to talk about. If it's about the deal, clearly, it's done and I don't need to ask for his opinion about ending it anymore. Nagawa ko ng itulak si Kris palayo nang hindi hinihingi ang tulong niya. While he gave in to Trish that would make her conclude that we're not in a relationship. That it's all just for a show.

I don't have business with him anymore so might as well go back to what we were before - strangers.

I was telling the truth when I told Alas that I'll be at the Valkyrie - that's my first plan as soon as I get home. I want to have a taste of Sangria. Mabuti na lang rin talaga at hindi na siya nagpumilit pa na ihatid ako. Hindi rin naman ako magpapapilit.

I could have asked Zadriel to fetch me from the airport but I know that he's busy with Tate right now. Ayokong nakakaistorbo sa kasayahan ng kakambal ko.

As soon as I entered the prestigious club, I went to the bar counter and ordered a glass of Sangria. Like how I expected, the place is full packed. Hindi naman nawawalan ng tao ang lugar na ito. Lalo na ngayong weekend.

"Sangria for Miss Anya," Kenneth said as soon as he placed the wine glass in front of me. He had known me for months now. We're not friends but at least he got some nice sense of humor. He's a friendly bartender, I must say. "You've been absent for weeks now."

I smiled. "Busy with work."

"Kris is always here. Palaging lasing at minsan ay gumawa pa ng gulo. He looks devastated."

"Let him. I'm sure you already know what happened to us."

He nodded and flipped a bottle before pouring its liquid on a glass.

"Yeah. The man had the guts to cheat on you, huh?"

Natawa ako. "Exactly my poi-"

"Whiskey shots, please."

Kusa akong napatingin sa tabi ko. A sigh escaped my lips when I saw Alas beside me, sitting on a high chair while staring into my eyes.

"I'm stalking you this time..." he said.

My eyes narrowed into slits as I shook my head. I held my wine glass and tasted a bit of my drink. I had a smell of its fruity scent before the taste drove from my throat down my stomach.

"What do you really want, Alas? Hindi ko maintindhan kung bakit gusto mong mag-usap pa tayo." Despite the loud booming noise around us, I still managed to say it in a very calm voice.

"Hindi ko rin maintindhan kung bakit ayaw mo akong kausapin. We were okay a few days ago. Did I do something that offend you?"

I glanced at him as I slowly swirled the Sangria on my glass. "Aside from your idiocy, wala naman na."

His lips pursed at my remarks. Mas lalo akohg ngumisi bago siya inirapan.

"Stop insulting me, Anya. You left our house without telling me. Didn't even answer my calls after. Are you jealous?"

Mabilis ko siyang nilingon saka tinaasan ng kilay. "Where the fuck did you get that question?"

"Umalis ka ng bahay ilang minuto matapos ko ihatid si Trish. You saw us, right?"

"And that made me think that the deal is already done, Alas. What's the point of continuing it when you have already gave in to her?"

His shoulders heaved up as he sighed. He looked into somewhere else, bit his lowerlip and nodded his head. Nang tingnan niya akong muli ay napuno na ng emosyon ang mga mata niya.