Take a Shot

CHAPTER 5

*10 years ago*

Habang naglalakad papasok sa cafeteria ng University, Allen accidentally bumped into someone. Well actually di niya kasalanan because he was looking where he was going, but the girl who bumped him was not. The girl looked like about to cry while saying sorry.

"I-Im sorry! It was an accident, di ko sinasadya na mabunggo ka." The girl with a chubby appearance said.

Napailing nalang si Allen sa dalaga. She was saying sorry but her head was down. Mas mukhang interesante pa yata ang sapatos nito kaysa sa kaniya.

"Well, I'm not gonna accept your apology. You are not even looking at me. Di ko tuloy sure kung sincere ka." He said while smiling. He can't stop himself because the girl is playing with her fingers. Maybe because she feels nervous or rather scared of him.

The girl slowly lifted her head and there he saw how innocent her face was. "I'm really sorry. Sincere ako sa paghingi ng tawad kasi kasalanan ko. Hindi ako tumitingin sa dinadaanan ko. It's just I'm in a hurry, again I'm sorry." She said and a tear fell on her eyes. He felt like he was struck in his heart. Corny man sabihin but that day his young heart started to fall in love. The girl left and there he was in front of the cafeteria's door flabbergasted on what happened.

Days after that, he never encounter that girl again. Kahit anong gawa pa niyang tingin sa cafeteria every break time that he had, ni anino ng dalaga ay di niya makita. Ngayon nasa cafeteria na naman siya after his class and after some minutes of waiting ay sumuko na siya. Maybe hindi lang talaga magtama ang schedule nila ng dalaga. He badly want to know her.

Allen decided to go to their school's rooftop. He want to unwind and maybe find another way to find that girl. Napakamot nalang siya sa sariling noo sa isiping hahanapin niya ito sa buong university. Their school is so huge and surely he will have a hard time. Pagbukas niya ng pinto ng rooftop ay nagulat siya ng makita doon ang dalagang hinahanap. She is silently eating while browsing a fashion magazine. He was so happy to see her and decided to talk.

"E-Ehem Hi! Am I bothering you?" He asked shyly. He felt like her face turned red when those jet black eyes looked at him. The girl is awed at the sight of him and slightly shakes her head.

"No, You're not." She slowly put down her box of donuts and tapped the space beside her. "You can sit with me if you want. This place is nice, if you want peace."

He approached her and sat beside her. He makes sure that he leaves enough space so she won't feel uncomfortable in his presence. "Would you mind me asking?" Allen said, feeling nervous.

"Ano naman yung tanong mo?" Sagot nito na parang wala lang at may kasamang ngiti sa labi, samantalang siya ay parang sasabog na ang dibdib sa kaba.

"Uhm bakit dito ka kumakain? Actually ilang araw na kitang hinahanap sa cafeteria, but I never see you since then."

"Bakit mo naman ako hinahanap?" Kunot ang noo na tanong nito.

"Actually I want to know your name and maybe to be friends with you." He said with a genuine smile.

The girl looked shock and her face turn red. Isang matamis na ngiti din ang sumilay sa labi nito. "Nakakatuwa naman na gusto mong makipagkaibigan sa akin. Your the first actually. Ang dahilan talaga kaya di ako kumakain sa cafeteria because of my classmates who always bully me. Ang taba taba ko daw kasi tapos pangarap ko daw maging super model. Gagawin ko lang daw parada ng balyena ang runway kung sakali." May lungkot na sabi nito sa kaniya.

"Being a model is my dream. I love dressing myself and looking at the camera. I loved to pose like I'm the most beautiful. I am also interested in fashion industry kaya iyon ang course na kinuha ko. Pero lahat ng nasa section namin ay mapapayat, magaganda at walang wala ako sa standard ng pagiging model. Totoo naman ang sinasabi nila. Hindi ako pasok sa standard para maging model. Even if it is my dream, I must face the reality." She sighed na parang nawawalan ng pag-asa. She look so sad and depressed, while saying it. Allen feel bad about her. People really want to crush someone's confidence if they don't have it to themselves.

"Well, don't be sad. You are so beautiful and there are a lot of models who have the same body type as you. We wouldn't know if the time comes malay mo you are already thinner. Atsaka huwag mo ngang problemahin ang timbang mo. As long as you are happy with yourself, their opinion is not valid. Sabi mo nga it is your dream kaya huwag kang sumuko. If their standard for being a supermodel is thin people, then create your own standard. Where people will look at you as their own standard." Pagpapalakas niya ng loob sa dalaga.

A bright smile appeared on her face. She became more beautiful to his eyes. "Thank you so much. I'm so lucky to have met you. Since I was a child I really haven't had friends to comfort me when I feel so down. We already talk too much by the way, anong pangalan mo?" Tanong nito na agad na tinugon ng binata.

"I am Allen Roces, and you are?" He asked back.

"I am Stacy Bonifacio. It was nice to meet you Allen and let's be friends for a long time. I hope!" She said and a giggle left out of her heart shaped lips.

"Yeah we should!" Allen replied with so much joy. From that day they became good friends till he confessed his feelings for Stacy. They became a couple for years and were there for each other from the bad days and good days.

*At the club*

Allen can't help his tears to fall down as he remember their memories. He never thought Stacy and him would end up like this. He already pictured out how their future will be. Allen put another liquor to his glass. After he left at the airport and know how her ex-girlfriend cheat on him ay doon ito nagtungo sa club. Di pa bukas ang club na pinuntahan niya pero dahil member siya sa club ay wala ng nagawa ang mga employee kundi ang papasukin siya.

He was so drunk at wala siyang pakialam basta ang gusto lang niya ay mawala ng panandalian ang sakit na nararamdaman niya. His shot continue after another shot. He was ready to drink another glass when someone get it and drank for herself. He looked at the person who stole his shot and a gorgeous brunette woman was beside him sitting in the club's counter.

"Hey gorgeous man! The night is still early and you're already drunk. You should go home now." She said and the firmness in her voice was there.

He giggled when he recognized the brunette woman. "Oh it is you? The one I kissed last time." Allen said that make the woman gasped in shock.

Akala siguro nito ay hindi siya makikilala sa kalasingan. Natuwa naman ang binata sa reaksyon ng kaharap her face is definitely turn red at ang medyo maliwanag na ilaw sa counter ang nagpapatunay nito. Allen laugh his heart out till his consciousness is gone.