The Price Of A Sinner

Chapter 19

After that intense confrontation with my family, I never went back home.
Days passed. Then weeks. And yet... nothing. Not a single call, not a single text, not even from Dos. It was as if we had all vanished from each other's lives.

During those days, the weight on my chest never left... stress, guilt, sorrow, all piling up inside me. But instead of wallowing in misery, I chose to keep myself busy. Every single day, I went around visiting my bar's branches. I handled everything myself — from choosing the liquor and managing the expenses down to cleaning tables and wiping counters. Even the smallest tasks, I took on willingly. Because that was the only way I knew to distract myself... to forget, even just for a little while.

"Hi."

Natigilan ako sa pag-inom at pag-iisip nang marinig ko 'yon, isang pamilyar pero hindi inaasahang boses. Lumingon ako at nakita ko siyang umupo sa katabing stool sa bar counter.

"Sinong kasama mo?" I asked immediately, glancing toward the entrance as if expecting someone else to follow.

"Wala. Don't worry, hindi ko siya kasama." Umorder siya ng alak, pero nanatiling nakatingin sa akin.

"What brought you here?" tanong ko. Medyo dumadami na rin ang tao dahil gabi na.

"How are you?" balik niya sa akin habang iniikot ang basong may yelo sa kanang kamay.

"Okay lang naman ako. Bakit?"

"You sure?" His tone carried doubt, as if he could see right through me.

"Of course." I forced a smile.

Daniel turned his full attention to me then, resting his temple against his fist and studying me intently.
"I know everything. You don't have to pretend. I'm his friend... and cousin."

I inhaled sharply, then sighed and shook my head slightly. "Still, I'm fine."

"So... kapatid mo pala si Mili? Kumusta kayong dalawa?" tanong niya, parang sinusubok ako.

"We've never been okay," tapat kong sagot. "We're not been on good terms since day one."

"Tapos nadagdagan pa ng lamat." Napailing siya. "Dos is an asshole. Legendary playboy siya sa circle namin. Kaya nagulat kaming lahat nang sabihin niyang in love siya sa secretary niya. Akala namin nagbago na siya dahil sa kapatid mo. Hindi pa rin pala."

"Are they still going to push through with the wedding?" I asked before I could stop myself. I didn't even know why I wanted to know.

"Are you planning to stop it? Gonna crash the ceremony and scream, 'Itigil ang kasal!'?" biro niya sabay tawa.

"Tss. Why would I do that?"

"Because you love him. Isn't it?"

"Loved." I corrected him. "And no. I will never do that shit. He's not worth fighting for."

"Woah, ang bilis mong naka-moved on ah."

"Hindi ko kailangan mag-moved on. Moving forward. Hindi man gano'n kadali, pero isang beses lang akong nagmahal at sa unang beses din akong nasaktan. Hindi na mauulit."

He didn't respond, but when I glanced his way, I caught him still staring, there was something in his gaze I couldn't quite read.

I was about to speak again when three women entered the bar.

I missed them.

Sinundan ko ng tingin habang papunta sila sa VIP room. Nang masalubong ko ang tingin ni Rein, agad akong ngumiti pero agad ding nabura 'yon nang hindi man lang niya ako nginitian pabalik. Parang wala lang ako. Parang hindi kami magkakilala.