His Virgin Stripper

05

V

The lights were blinding, halos hindi ko makita ang sarili ko sa malaking salamin sa harapan ko. The bass of the music vibrated through my chest, at kahit hindi pa ako nagsisimula, ramdam ko na ang lagkit ng mga tingin sa paligid.

This wasn't what I expected.

Hindi ganito dapat.

Pero andito na ako. At wala nang atrasan.

Sinulyapan ko ang sarili ko sa salamin. The outfit they gave me was... minimal, to say the least. Isang bagay na hindi ko kailanman maisip na susuotin ko sa normal na sitwasyon. Pero ngayon? Mukhang normal lang 'to para sa kanila.

"First time?"

Napatingin ako sa babaeng lumapit sa akin. She was adjusting the strap of her heels, na parang sanay na siya. Unlike me.

I nodded. "Obviously."

Ngumisi siya, pero hindi sa paraan na nagpapagaan ng loob. "Huwag kang kabahan. They like it when you pretend you're having fun."

Pretend.

Ganoon lang ba talaga 'yon?

She walked past me, and I was left staring at myself again. Deep breath. This is just a job. Trabaho lang 'to.

Pagbukas ng kurtina, nakita ko ang stage. Ang mga ilaw. Ang mga mata na nakatutok sa kung sino mang aakyat. At ngayon, ako 'yon.

The music pounded through the speakers, every beat vibrating in my chest as I stepped onto the stage. Nakakailang ang mga matang nakatutok sa akin. Some were grinning, others were watching intently, like we were their prey.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, gripping the cold metal of the pole as I took a deep breath. Wala na 'kong choice, di ba?

So, I moved my hips. Damn, I swear I looked hot.

I let my fingers trail over my skin, my hips swaying in time with the music. The room faded away little by little, and  I almost forgot where I was. I won't deny I had a drink before coming upfront. I was nervous at hindi niyo ako masisisi.

Tsaka na lang ako bumalik sa mundo nang may naramdaman akong mabibigat na titig.

Napakabagal ng paglingon ko, but the second my eyes met his, my breath hitched.

Shit.

Siya.

The man from my party last time. Fuck, baka naman isumbong ako sa nanay kong baliw!

Nasa madilim na sulok siya, isang kamay na nakaakbay sa upuan habang hawak ng kabila ang baso ng alak. He was relaxed, almost bored-looking, pero hindi ko kayang lokohin ang sarili ko. He was watching me. Just me.

My stomach twisted, but I forced myself to keep moving, to keep up the act. Pero alam kong nakita niya ang saglit na pag-alinlangan ko.

A smirk tugged at his lips.

I tore my gaze away, pero ramdam ko pa rin siya. His eyes never left me, following my every movement like a predator waiting for its prey to slip up.

My pulse quickened. What if he tells on me?

My heart pounded harder than the music, but I forced myself to keep going. Baka naman hindi niya ako kilala. Baka nagkataon lang.

Pero nung muli kong tinapunan ng tingin ang pwesto niya, he was still watching. Still smirking.

I swallowed hard, gripping the pole tighter as I leaned into it, using the motion to glance at him one more time.

His head tilted slightly, amusement in his eyes. Tapos, dahan-dahan niyang tinaas ang baso niya, parang nagttoast pero hindi para sa sayaw ko pero para sa akin.