A Night In Vegas

Kabanata 12

Hindi ko na namalayan ang oras at panahon dahil sa sobrang bilis nitong maglaho.

Another month already passed and still, my work is very hectic and demands a lot of time from me. Kahit na nakakapagod ay kinaya ko naman lalo na at maraming tao ang umaasa na matulungan sila sa kanilang mga sakit na nararamdaman.

Serving people was my dream since I can remember. Naalala ko na sabay pa kami noon ni Moira na nangarap na tulungan ang mga taong nangangailangan. We had the same dream, to be a doctor someday. I have reached that dream but I don't know if she has reached them, too. Wala na akong masyadong balita sa kanya except the news about her sister that she found ilang taon na ang nakalipas. I wanted to reach out to her but I'm too scared to even face her because of guilt and shame.

It wasn't our intention to leave her here in the country, all alone. Like Aira, I had no choice but to obey my parents' whims. I had to study abroad because it's what they want for me, for their perfect little child who only follows whatever they want. But those were in the past already. I buried that shit a long time ago. I cut ties with them because it's what I want and what I deserved. I don't want to live all my life just by following what they want for me.

Ngayon ay nasa isa akong coffee shop habang hinihintay ang tawag ng baliw kong kaibigan. She's currently living in the states, making her dreams come true.

I sip from my coffee while surfing on the internet. Ilang sandali pa ay nagpop-up na ang tawag ng bruha na kaagad ko namang sinagot.

"Hey," She greeted with a smile.

Napangiti rin ako pero kaagad na napalis ng mapansin ko kung nasaan siya.

"Hindi ka pa umuuwi? Gabi na riyan, diba?"

The video call got shakey before it stabilized again. Mukhang inilagay niya ito sa gilid para hindi niya na hawakan.

She was still in their locker room. May iba pa siyang mga kasama pero mukhang may mga sarili ring mundo ang mga ito. Aira slowly unbuttoned her chef's uniform before taking it off, leaving only her brassiere.

Humarap pa sa'kin ang gaga na parang pround na proud na nakikita ko ang pagkatopless niya.

"Pinag-overtime kami. Merong special event kasi dito sa restaurant ni Chef Guineverre."

I suddenly remembered the face of her foreigner boss na sobrang ganda rin.

"Baka naman pinapagod mo diyan sarili mo ha?"

Ngumisi siya sa'kin pagkatapos suotin ang isag malinis na tshirt.

"Gago, maka-sabi ka niyan sa'kin parang hindi ka rin sobrang nagta-trabaho diyan, Doktora Villarosa." Mas lalong lumawak ang pagkakangisi niya.

"I am healthy, Aira. I know how to take care of myself but you?" Umiling-iling pa ako. "You're a bitch."

"Wow, thank you for that wonderful compliment nan a gets ko talaga kung ano point mo." She said sarcastically. "I'm a chef, Ianthe, if you forgot that. I know how to manage my diet for a healthier lifestyle. Kumpara sa'ting dalawa mas healthy ako 'no! This bitch is fucking twerking her healthy ass."

"Mahiya ka naman diyan sa mga kasama mo." Saway ko sa pagmumura niya.

Kinunutan niya ako ng noo na parang hindi siya makapaniwala sa sinabi ko.

"Seryoso ka diyan, girl?"

"Yes, why?"

"Sobrang pa virgin ka kasi diyan eh na parang hindi ka diyan nagmumura. Girl, remember, nasa states ako. Cussing here is normal as fuck. So normal that it can be compared to the air we're breathing itself. Ano? Papadala ka parin ba diyan sa sobrang ka conservative ng mga tao sa pinas? Girl, that ain't good. Chill your ass."