Loving Your Soul

Kabanata 21

Kabanata 21

Uuwi

We came back to Manila earlier than expected, so when we got home, he fixed our things and let me rest. Malamig pa rin siya sa akin habang nakikipag-usap. Wala naman akong magawa kundi sundin ang iba niyang sinasabi dahil kasalanan ko rin kung bakit ganoon ang pakikitungo niya sa akin.

Iniisip ko kung iniisip ba niyang nagsinungaling ako nang sabihin ko 'yon. But I would never lie about things like that. Our past has wounded us, but I want to look on the brighter side: the future. We do not know what the future holds, but I am sure I want to choose us over those things.

They set the meet-up for seven p.m.; sakto lang para sa pagpunta sa bar. I slept first, and when I woke up, I thought of the reasons I'd tell Archer to convince him. I know deep down that he doesn't really want me to go. Ngayon lang ako makalalabas kasama sina Myrine at alam kong pagkatapos nito, busy na kami dahil sa mga paparating na project.

I told him earlier that we'd just have dinner. That's a lie.

I prepared first before going down. May bathroom naman dito sa ikalawang palapag, kaya hindi na ako bumaba. At kapag bumaba pa ako, I am sure he'd see me. I won't tell him that I'll go see our colleagues in that bar. At kapag nakita ako, sigurado akong sasama siya, o 'di kaya'y susundan ako. Of course, we will argue when he finds out that I'll go to a bar. Sasaglit lamang ako at babalik na rin kaagad.

I let my long hair down. I was dressed in a demi-plunge that had an embroidered floral motif and tightly cupped my breasts. The dress has a slit that exposes my thighs and the same nude-toned material at the waist.

I haven't worn my heels yet. Marahan ang aking pagbaba at nang tingnan ang living room, nakita kong tulog siya. Unti-unting gumuhit ang ngisi sa aking labi. Hindi ako mahihirapang lumabas ng bahay.

Tama nga ako dahil hindi ako nahirapan. His house is just near the village's gate, so I grabbed a cab immediately and went to Taguig since the Xylo Club was there.

I keep checking my phone since Myrine's constantly messaging me. Sinabi niya na hindi ko na kailangang magbayad ng entrance fee since she talked to a promoter to put me on the guest list. I guess they come here often. Hindi lang ako sigurado kung sino-sino ang mga nakakasama nila. I am not so close to them. Ngayon lang ako magba-bar nang hindi kasama si Cella.

Myrine told me that she would wave her hand, so I looked around. I saw her in the right corner of the club. She was sitting with Annie, who was looking at me darkly, but it seemed like she didn't want to show off her expression like that, but she couldn't hide it.

Nasa telepono si Myrine. Sinalubong niya ako.

"Ma'am!" aniya at tinuro ang cell phone na nasa tainga. "Kausapin ko lang 'yong nobyo ko! Siya 'yong magsusundo sa akin after," aniya at nagpaalam na.

Bago umalis, itinuro niya sa akin kung saan ako uupo. I nodded and went to where Annie was sitting. Nag-iwas siya ng tingin at nanatili ang mata sa harap. I sat lightly, not wanting to bother her. I do not want to start a conversation with her. Hindi niya naman ako gusto, neither am I. Hindi ako galit sa kaniya, pero hindi ko siya gusto. I just cannot talk to people who are mad at me or have a deep-rooted, hidden hatred against me. 

I saw in my peripheral vision that she was grabbing her phone from her purse. Nanatili ang pananahimik ko, habang siya, nagtitipa na ng kung ano-ano sa kanuyang telepono. When I turned my head slightly towards the entrance, I saw some people walking towards us. I thought they would sit beside our table, but they sat with us. Puro babae iyon at lima sila.

I swallowed hard and looked at Annie, who smiled at those girls. Hinahanap na ng mga mata ko si Myrine, at nakita naman siya bandang entrance na may kausap pa rin sa telepono.