The Lioness of The South

02 | Handkerchief

I woke up feeling extremely dehydrated and groggy. I tried to sit up but the world spun around me the moment I did. I would've continued sleeping but my phone rang the moment I closed my eyes again. Nakakainis naman at istorbo! Hindi ko nga sinagot.

Reject.

Decline.

Reject.

Decline.

Kaso nung naka-10 attempts na siya, I decided to answer. Baka kasi important. Kung hindi, lagot talaga sa akin ito.

"Hello? This better be an emergency. Who the hell are you to call me so early in the morning ha?", narinig kong tumawa yung kabilang line which made me look at the caller ID dahil lalaki yung boses. "Koby? The heck, why are you calling at 8am in the morning?"

"Sungit mo. High blood ka?", tanong niya na natatawa. "Anyway, pakisabi na lang kay Lux na yung wallet niya naiwan niya sa akin. Sakit niyo sa ulo kagabi grabe"

My forehead wrinkled, " Huh? Bakit ako? Bakit hindi na lang ikaw magsabi sa kanya?"

"Alangan kasi kayo ang magkasama diyan"

I massaged my temples, "The heck are you talking about? Mag-isa lang ako rito"

I even scanned my eyes around my condominium to be sure. Unless na nagtatago siya sa loob ng closet, she's not here.

"Ha? Edi nasan na yung babaeng yun? Sabay ko kaya kayong hinatid diyan kagabi. Hindi mo maalala?"

Sa totoo lang, I can hardly remember aything that happened last night after my second round of drinks. Hindi ko nga maalala kung paano ako nakauwi eh.

I massaged my forehead.

"She's probably passed out inside a gasoline station's restroom somewhere. She's fine"

Koby started muttering curses before giving up and ending the call. Hanapin daw namin kasi knowing her, she might have done something reckless before passing out.

Nagstart na akong mag-alala nang hindi ko talaga siya makita when I started searching my condo so I went down to the lobby para magtanong sa guard but they assured me na kasama ko nga si Lux kagabi.

Where the hell is that woman?

The elevator dinged as I found myself back on my floor. I was walking down the hall when I noticed na may nakatayo sa harap ng pintuan ng condo ko. Lalake na mukhang frustrated.

"What is it?", I crossed my arms at the guy. He turned to me and that's when I recognized him as my neighbor. " Uh -Jiyo, right?"

"Its Jino, actually", he corrected.

"Eh close enough", I shrugged before scanning his appearance.

Mukhang bagong gising niya lang din dahil naka pajamas siya at magulo pa ang buhok. Hindi naman kami close and we barely even interact despite living right next to each other. I only talked to him once when the bag I bought online accidentally got delivered to his address so what is he doing here?

"I really don't know how to put it into words without sounding weird, but can you just get her out of my bed?", napakamot siya ng ulo and that made me raise an eyebrow.

her?

That's when I realized.

"LUX?!", napasigaw ako nang makita ko yung bruha na naka-eagle spread sa kama ni Jino na mukhang feel na feel pa ang comforter niya. Tulo laway pa nga!

Under different circumstances, I would've laughed at her pero what the hell is this!

Don't tell me naligaw siya ng condo na pinasukan?!