Behind The Bars

Prologue

"Agatha, that's enough." I looked up to see the concern in Pia's eyes while trying to get the bottle of tequila I was holding. I smiled bitterly while shaking my head off.

"Where did I go wrong? I studied hard, I reviewed everyday, I worked my ass off. Saan ba ako nagkulang?" Tanong ko, hawak hawak pa rin ang pangatlong bote ng Cuervo. My tears started falling and my vision looked blurry. I felt her hands tapping my back softly.

"You did great, love. Siguro hindi pa time? May susunod pa naman, mag take ka ulit. Please, don't give up." Her voice was soothing but it wasn't enough to hid the disappointment and frustration I was feeling.

"Ang sakit. Ang bobo ko, P." Dagdag ko pa. Nakikinig lang si Pia sa akin habang patuloy pa ring hinahaplos ang aking likod. Inilayo niya na rin ang alak sa akin at pinalitan ng baso ng tubig.

"I am calling Alonzo." She informed. As much as I wanted to get her phone out of her hold, hindi ko na kinaya dahil nahihilo na ako.

"Don't." I whispered.

Pero mukhang hindi niya narinig dahil may kinakausap na siya sa kabilang linya habang nakasuporta pa rin ang kamay sa gilid ko.

Alonzo, huh? Why would he bother though? He is now one of the successful bachelor and one of the highest paid Engineer in the country.

He is a busy man for sure.

While me? I am no one, nothing but a walking failure. Right, I graduated with laude, pero ngayon, bumagsak sa NLE.
Nangarap pa akong mag-aral ng med pagkatapos eh ang bobo ko.

I tried to reach for the glass of water dahil nanunuyo na ang lalamunan ko pero dahil sa kalasingan ay natabig ko pa ito at nahulog.

"I'll pay for the damage, don't worry. And can I get a bottle of water please? Thank you." A familiar voice spoke up when a waiter came rushing towards our table. I rolled my eyes knowing who it was.

"Did she drink all these?" Tanong niya kay Pia bago hinawakan ang braso ko. Tinabig ko ito pero hindi man lang siya natinag.

His familiar scent invaded my nose. Ilang taon na ba? Hindi pa rin pala siya nagpapalit ng pabango.

"Hindi nagpapapigil eh." Narinig kong sagot ni Pia.

"I'm really sorry I had to call you. I also have an emergency and as much as I want to take her home, hindi na kaya sa oras, my brother is waiting for me in the hospital." Pia explained. I suddenly felt bad I had to trouble her for my dramas.

I felt sorry they had to know me.

I am a mess. I was always a mess.

"I got her, don't worry. You can go to your brother now, thank you." Utas ni Alonzo habang binubuksan ang tubig at ipinainom sa akin.

Pia kissed the top of my head before heading out. My tears started falling again. Naramdaman ko nalang ang mahinang pagpupunas ni Alonzo sa mga luha ko.

"Come on, let's get you home." Sabi niya bago sinubukang patayuin ako.

"No. Stop it. Stop." Matigas kong saad at tinignan siya. His face was blurry. He was just staring at me, while holding me carefully.

"Just stop. Stop saving me. I don't need saving, Alonzo, I don't." I tried to make my voice clear just so he would understand.

Just when everything turned black, I felt him carrying me and going out of the noisy club.