DOWN IN THE DUMPS

Chapter 14

Everything was so loud - from people to the large stereos. My ears couldn't take in the words coming out from those blaring stereos. Meanwhile, my eyes can't be comfortable with the lights as they were blinding but it wouldn't keep me from having fun.

The largest club in Milea Bay just opened a week ago and I've been here every night. This club literally attracts the whole population of Milea Bay 'cause they're packed every single night.

A pop-rock song blared through the stereos. And it was as if the song's spirit possessed my body. My right hand was in the air doing a rock sign while my head was banging left and right.

Everyone around me seems to be possessed by the song too. It was like we were free; we were freed by the song from our reality.

As the song goes on, I realized it wasn't an English song nor a language that I know. Despite the language barrier, I managed to sing along with the song with its few English lyrics. And the singer's voice made my whole body goosebumps.

I hate you
I don't need you
I'll forget you

I hate you
I don't need you
I'll forget you

Hingal na hingal ako nang matapos ang kanta. Pawis na pawis na rin ang noo ko pati leeg kaya umalis muna ako sa dancefloor at lumapit sa bar para uminom ng tubig.

Jam-packed pa rin ang dancefloor kahit na may nag-alisan dahil may mga bago ring lumalapit.

Katulad ng mga dati kong lakad, ako lang mag-isa. It's been a month na walang mga taong parating nakabuntot sa akin.

Nang iabot ng bartender sa akin ang tubig ay ininom ko iyon ng isahan at naglakad patungo sa powder room. I need to retouch, sanitize and spray fragrance on my body dahil tingin ko'y sobrang haggard ko na.

Maraming mga babae ang nasa loob ng powder room at halos sakop na nila ang buong sink kung saan may malapad na salamin. Ang iba ay totoong nagreretouch habang ang ilan ay nang-babackstab lang.

I strutted in their direction, making sure my stilettos would make a sound every time I took a step.

Ang isa ay napatigil sa pagsasalita at napatingin sa akin. Napasunod ang iba sa kanya at tumigil din sa pagsasalita.

"I'm going to use your space," I frankly said. They were taken aback kaya wala na silang nasabi at tumabi na lang. Glad they were not stubborn.

Giggles from a distance made me pause from applying lipstick on my lips. Habang lumilipas ang kada segundo ay unti-unti lumalapit ang mahihinang tawanan.

Ayaw kong lumingon kaya sa salamin lang ako nakatitig dahil makikita naman dito ang entrance ng powder room. I rolled my eyes as I managed to identify the faces of the culprits.

They're literally all over Milea Bay. Kahit saang establishment ako pumunta ay may isa talaga sa kanila na ma-eencounter ko. Nakakarindi ang pitong bibig nila kapag nagsimula na silang magsalita.

"Nandito si Axis girls," bulungan nila.

Tatlo sa kanila ang pumasok sa mga cubicle kaya may apat na naiwan. And four mouths are still a lot kaya napabuntong-hininga nalang ako.

"5 pm pa tayo nandito 'no?" saad ng isa na halatang nagpaparinig na mas nauna silang pumunta rito kesa sa akin.

Ano 'to school? Na dapat maagang pumasok dahil bibigyang plus points ng professor?

Inilabas ko ang YSL perfume ko at ini-spray sa buong katawan. I purposely sprayed some in the air on their side.

"Mabaho kasi," pagdadahilan ko at ibinalik ang tingin sa salamin.