FUBU

veintitrés

That night, I went out. After the celebration in Stacy's house, I chose to be dropped off at my favorite bar rather than at home. It feels lonely when I come home to nothing. 

My father has been on that hospital bed for three years now. Ever since I graduated, I didn't have the time to take a break. 

I simply had to make ends meet. The doctors have been telling me that maybe its time to give him up. 

But I just can't. He's all I have. At habang lumalaban pa siya, I can't give up on him too. 

Even if it means selling my soul to the devil. 

I walked inside the bar and whispered to the bouncer that I would want my usual booth. 

Every now and then, I come here, reserve the VIP booth and watch from the top every human being enjoying the dance floor. 

Noise. It's what fulfills me now. 

After Austin left, I have never felt more empty than this time. 

Collin and his wife were obligatory meet ups. Once I needed to fulfill to meet my other ends. 

As I sat by myself in the booth waiting for my order, I couldn't help but recall how we met. 

"Hi." he came close to her after watching her from afar. She knows he was looking at her. She was in a hotel rooftop where a simple bar is situated. It's overlooking an entire cityscape and she has been spending her time in her for quiet some time now. 

"Hi." 

"I'm Collin. I can't help but just be attracted to you from afar. Are you alone?"

She sweetly smiled. "I am. How about you?"

"I can be." he signaled to one of the waiters and asked for two glasses of vodka. It was one of those high end bars that she found to be a good hiding spot. 

Not that she's deliberately hiding from someone, she just doesn't like the usual crowds on a Saturday night. 

She has just been employed in a major BPO company and is now slowly elevating towards a managerial role. 

Her progress was quick also because she is craving for constant recognition and the next big things she can wrap her hands around. 

In a matter of year, she has more movement in her career more than anyone has. 

"Madalas ka ba dito?" he stared at me from the rim of his glass. 

"Not really." she touched the back of her ears, caressing it gently. 

"No wonder."

"How about you?"

"I am always here. Whenever I can."

"I see."

He leaned in closer to her, looked around before whispering, "What's your name?"

"Sari." she says in pouted lips.

"Sari, would you like to join me in my private room?"

"Isn't that bold?"

"I am always bold. What matters is whether I really have what it takes to be bold?"

"Do you?"

"You'll have to see it to believe it."

And my life was never the same again. 

The beating sound of the sound system playing one of Keisha's latest hits was filling the dancefloor.