One Last Time

Kabanata XXV: SLOWLY BUT SURELY

SLOWLY BUT SURELY.

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SITTING AT THE COUNTER, I just took a sip of my Negroni. Nandito ako ngayon sa bar at naghihintay sa dalawa kong kaibigan. Nagyaya kasing mag-barhopping si Anja para daw ilabas ang lahat ng sama ng loob ko sa mga nangyari noong mga nakaraang araw, pero parang gusto pa nilang dagdagan ang sama ng loob ko dahil sa pagiging late nila.

Anja texted me na late siya makakauwi kaya pinauna na niya ako dito, pero wala akong narinig mula kay Irinne. I didn't know why she's late.

Ginala ko na lang ang mata ko sa loob ng bar habang sumisimsim ng alak mula sa hawak kong rockglass.

Smoke from cigarettes and vapes.

A mixture of different liquor smells in the air.

Some girls in their tight fitted dresses are giggling and flirting with men, some even French kissing and dry humping.

Mga bagay na nakatambad sa'kin ngayon at hindi na bago para sa'kin. Nasa loob ako ng bar, alangan namang aasahan kong makakakita ako ng naka-Filipiniana o naka-pang madreng suot?

Kung may nakikita man akong mga babaeng nakaluhod, of course, hindi para sa Diyos!

Sinandal ko ang likod ko sa counter. Pinatong ko pa ang kamay kong may hawak sa rockglass at muling pinanood ang mga nagsasayaw sa dance floor. Lots of handsome guys dancing there. One even winked at me, pero hindi ako interesado sa kanya.

Inalis ko ang tingin ko sa dance floor at muling ginala ang mata ko. And I instantly regretted it when my eyes landed on a very familiar face-my half-sister!

My jaw immediately clenched. Of all places?! Humigpit ang hawak ko sa rockglass habang matiim akong nakatitig sa kanya na nakaupo sa isang table sa hindi kalayuan. Annika texted me once to ask if I'm okay, but as usual, I ignored her text.

I sipped on my drink. It's been three days since Dad kicked me out. Tita Noriel called me the next morning and invited me na sa kanila tumuloy, pero tumanggi ako. Pinili kong mag-stay muna sa condo unit ni Anja habang naghahanap ako ng apartment na malilipatan. I didn't bother taking a condo unit. Given my current situation, I don't think I can afford to pay high rent. As for my Mom, she tried calling me after that night, but I ignored her calls. Ayokong makinig sa panenermon niya.

Thinking that, I kept my eyes fixed on Annika habang kausap niya ang babaeng kasama niya sa table. Probably her friend. They are in the middle of their conversation, which I don't know about when a tall man in a three-piece suit approached their table.

My eyes narrowed as it piqued my interest. I don't know who that man is with a silver stud in his left ear, but even from a distance, I could tell he's a real head-turner. Even at a distance, nagmamalaki ang pa-kwadradong panga at matangos nitong ilong habang naka-side view ito.

My eyes narrowed more when Annika flashed a sweet smile! Annika even offered the empty seat next to her to the man!

Hindi makapaniwalang napaismid ako. Anong mayroon sa lalaking ito at kay Annika?!

Ngumiti naman ang babaeng kasama ni Annika nang makaupo na ang lalaki. Ilang minuto pa ay pumailanlang ang mas maharot at malakas na party music sa loob ng bar, creating a more energetic atmosphere. The disco lights sped up, lalo ring umusok ang paligid, adding to the excitement.

Meanwhile, I just took a sip of my new drink and watched the more people on the dance floor moving to the wild beat.

I glanced back at Annika's table and saw the man with them getting up and taking off his coat. Pinatong ng lalaki ang hinubad na coat sa likod ng upuan. He then extended his hand to Annika, obviously inviting her to dance.