Missing Piece

Chapter 19

-Lea-

Nakaupo ako sa my counter ng bar, hindi naririnig ang ingay ng mga nagsasaya sa likod ko. Hindi na rin ako nakakuha ng private room or table dito dahil tequila na agad ang hanap ng lalamunan ko at isa pa, wala namang nakakakilala sa akin, walang magtatangka na masama sa akin. Wala ring nakakaalam na umuwi ako sa Pilipinas pagkatapos kong mabalitaan na nahanap na ang labi ni Marcus at naiuwi na rito, bukod kay Papa na nagpahatid sa akin. But it's alright, na mag-isa lang ako dahil ito ang kailangan ko ngayon, ang mapag-isa.

"This one's on me, miss! Sana ay makatulong sa kung ano man ang nararamdaman mo." Wika ng bartender na kanina pa ako tinititigan pagkatapos niyang iabot ang dalawang shot glass ng tequila na kanina ko pa rin iniinom.

"Thanks!" I simply replied. I drank the 2-shot glass straight and flipped it. I looked at him again. "Fire away!" I see things. I watch every people's move and stare and that's how observant I am. I know that he wants to talk to me, but he's hesitant to do so because of my state right now.

"Huh?" He is obviously bewildered by my question.

"If you're going to ask me questions, fire away!" I cleared.

He went near me while wiping some of the glasses. "Pangunahan na kita, miss ha?"

"Lea" I stated my name.

"Okay, Lea. I am gay at hindi kita pinagnanasaan. I am just worried kasi kanina ka pa nakatitig sa Iron Man themed padlock na iyan na para bang may hahampasin ka rito." His statement made me laugh.

"I am not violent and crazy to do that. If you're curious about this-" I put the padlock at the top to so that he can see it clearly.
"-this is a promise thing, you know that? Like when you're couple and you promise each other something? It's from Spain pa actually and you know why I brought this with me? My ex-fiancée and I promised that whoever ends our relationship will be the one to unlock this, so I did." I followed my short story with a sarcastic snort. But, right after that, a tear fell on my cheeks, I wiped it right away before the bartender sees it. Ipinaloob ko na rin yung padlock sa loob ng bag ko.

"So, you're here dahil nakipaghiwalay ka?" I shook my head.

"No. I am here because my friend died in a plane crash." His eyebrows were furrowed, visibly confused. Well, that's my goal after all, I don't want him to know the whole story, so I'm changing topics and just giving him snippets of it.

"I am not following, Lea."

I sighed and faked a smile. "Well, that's another story. If you want to hear the story, give me another free tequila." I winked at him and waited if he will bite the bait. I can pay for my drinks, but I just want to spice things up a bit.

Nagsalin siyang muli sa isang shot glass. "Here's another, pero you don't have to tell me the story pa if you're not ready."

"Thanks-" I waited for him to say his name.

"Jack." He smiled after mentioning his name.

"Thanks, Jack!" I said before gulping the tequila. I'm surprised that he's very genuine and understanding. So, I'm right, he's not the type of person who will take advantage of you.

Alam ko na hindi pa ganoon katindi ang tama sa akin ng iniinom ko kahit na nakakailan na ako, pero nararamdaman kong bumibigat na ang talukap ng mga mata ko. Baka dahil sa walang tigil ko sa pag-iyak nung nasa Spain palang ako, ngayon ko ata nararamdaman ang lahat ng consequences. I rested my face sa table sa harap ko kahit na alam ko kung gaano karumi iyon.

Hindi ko alam kung gaano na ako katagal nakayuko doon nang may gumising sa akin.

"Lea, wake up. Hindi ka dapat natutulog sa ganitong lugar? Alam ba nila Vice na umuwi ka sa Pinas?" Biglang lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko nang maulinigan ko kung kaninong boses iyon, pero baka imagination or hallucinations ko lang iyon. It must be because of what I drank.