Nights Like This

Chapter 02

Chapter 02

Nightmare

"Finally back from the States!"

Agad akong dinumog ng mga kaibigan nang makita nila ako. Kaila and Nora hugged me tight. Sabay ding humalik sa magkabilang pisngi ko.

"Two months without you felt like forever! How's the internship?" Nora asked.

"Fine! I learned a lot!"

Totoong marami akong natutunan sa internship ko sa Orlando. Pinatapon man ako roon ng mga magulang pero sinigurado naman nila na maayos ang pinasukan ko.

"I almost didn't recognize you, Bob!" sigaw ni Julian, isa pang kaibigan. He spread his arms wide for a hug. Tinanggap ko naman iyon.

I am friendly but my inner circle is small. Just Nora, Kaila, Julian and Yael. Now, where is that birthday boy?

Nilibot ko ang paningin. Maraming imbitado sa party ni Yael. They're all spread out in the nearby tables. Hindi ko kilala ang iba pero ang ilan ay pamilyar naman dahil sa common friends. Some are actually celebrities and models.

"Missed you all! Where's Yael?"

"There. I don't know why he wants to be alone," sagot ni Julian at tinuro si Yael na mag-isa sa hindi kalayuang table.

"Lapitan ko lang," paalam ko.

Some of the girls nearby are staring at Yael as if he's some mystery. Well, he actually is right now. Birthday niya ito pero para siyang namatayan base sa itsura niya. Tulala sa pinaglalaruang baso na may lamang alak.

"Happy birthday...? Why do you look so sad?"

Naupo ako sa tabi ni Yael. His eyes widened when he recognized me. Mukhang hindi pa naman siya lasing dahil nakilala niya pa ako.

"Bob! I thought you won't come!" bulalas niya at tila nabuhayan na.

"Uh... Surprise? I don't have a gift, though. Kakarating ko-"

Hinila niya ako palapit para sa isang halik. I was caught off guard at hindi ko agad siya naitulak. The smell of alcohol from his breath attacked my nose.

"Whoa! Bakit ka nanghahalik?" tanong ko nang makabawi. Napalingon ako sa paligid at napansing may mga nakatingin sa amin. Sigurado may masasabi na naman ang mga tao pero mabuti na lang at wala akong pakialam.

"Sorry. Namiss lang kita." His boyish grin appeared.

"A hug would do," I said. He just shrugged. Mukhang hindi pinagsisihan ang ginawa niya. Bumaling ako sa table na puno ng iba't-ibang inumin. "I'd like what you're having."

"This isn't a ladies' drink, Bob," bulong ni Yael. He's found a way to come closer to me. Ang kaliwang kamay ay nakahawak na sa likod ko. Hinayaan ko na dahil noon pa man, touchy na talaga siya. Kaya madalas talaga kaming mapagkamalan na magkarelasyon dahil masyadong siyang malapit sa akin. He's not like this with his other girl friends.

"Watch me down one without feeling tipsy," pagmamayabang ko. I am confident that I can hold my alcohol well.

Natawa si Yael at mas lalo ko pang naamoy ang alak mula sa kanya.

"Be my guest, then. I'll alert my guards to just take you home if you get too drunk," aniya at handa na sanang kuhanin ang cellphone pero pinigilan ko.

"No need. I can drive back home."

"You sure?"

Tumango ako. "Yeah, I can handle myself. So, what's up? Bakit nandito ka mag-isa?"