Prologue
WARNING: SPG|R-18 | MATURE CONTENT
"I am a brat, and this is my life."
The night was young, and the city was alive with the sound of music and laughter. For a twenty-one-year-old brat like me, this was my element. I loved to party, and I spent most of my nights clubbing and drinking with my friends.
But tonight, I knew something was wrong with my drink. I felt woozy, and my heart was racing. "I knew it!" I thought to myself. "They added something to my cocktail."
Quickly thinking on my feet, I made an excuse to use the ladies' room. I didn't want to go back to my table and face whoever had tampered with my drink, so I joined the crowd instead.
I stumbled out of the club, and I let out a curse. "Pisting yawa!"
I walked along the bustling streets of Tomas Morato, and my head began to throb and my heart raced faster. I could barely see where I was going, and I felt vulnerable and afraid. "Shit!" I muttered to myself. I clutched my head. "Lord, please... Just get me away from here. I won't ever go out with strangers again."
I continued to walk, my eyes scanning the passing cars for any familiar faces. I knew I was in danger, but I couldn't think clearly enough to come up with a plan. All I could do was pray for a way out.
May huminto sa aking taxi matapos ang ilang minuto.
"Ineng, ayos ka lang ba?" tanong ng isang matandang lalake, pagkababa niya ng bintana ng taxi. Lumabas siya at umibis sa kinaroroonan ko. "Lasing na lasing ka, ineng." Inalalayan niya ako hanggang sa pagpasok sa likod ng sasakyan. "Saan ba kita ihahatid?"
"The Grove, Tower C," mahina ngunit mabilis kong sabi. My vision is blurry, and it's like my eyes are closing.
"Ano kamo, ineng?"
Huminga ako ng malalim at nagpokus. "The Grove, Tower C."
Napasandal ako sa likod ng upuan nang paandarin na ng driver ang sasakyan.
"Naku, Ineng. Hula ko ay may drogang inihalo sa inumin mo. Mukhang wala ka na sa ayos."
Inaninag ko ang itsura ng matandang nagsasalita sa harap. Tantiya ko ay nasa seventy years old na siya, kaedaran ni Papa. Pipi akong nanalangin na sana ay mabuting loob ang maghahatid sa akin. Nakatulog ako habang iba-ibang nakakatakot na senaryo ang pumapasok sa utak ko.
Ngunit nagising ako nang may yumuyugyog sa balikat ko, tinapik pa niya ang pisngi ko. "Gising na, Ineng. Anong floor ka ba at ihahatid na kita?"
Hindi agad ako nakasagot. Sinapo ko ang ulo kong masakit.
"Nag-aalala ako sa lagay mo. Mukhang tinamaan ka na talaga. May tao ba sa inyo? Ang mga magulang mo, gusto mo bang tawagan ko sila para sunduin ka rito?"
Hinilot ko ang sentido para makapag-isip ako ng tama. "Salamat na lang." Dumukot ako sa aking clutch ng lilibuhing piso at inabot sa kanya.
"Naku, ineng! Napakalaki niyan. Ito lang ang tamang pamasahe para sa serbisyo ko," aniya sabay kuha ng limang daang piso.
Napataas ako ng kilay. May ganoon pa palang tao, hindi nananamantala. "Salamat."
Hinatid niya ako hanggang sa lobby ng Tower C. "Ayos ka na ba rito?" tanong niya.
"Yes," maikli kong sagot habang sapo pa rin ang ulo ko. Hindi ko na siya nilingon at agad akong pumasok sa lift nang bumukas iyon. Inikot-ikot ko ang ulo ko habang minamasahe iyon. Huminga rin ako ng ilang beses para gawing stable ang tibok ng puso ko. "Fuck you, Robles! May araw ka rin sa 'kin!" Siya ang lalakeng nagbigay ng cocktail sa akin kanina.
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