Black Out

Chapter 2

We are here at our sort of hideout for our meetings in Quezon City. Ewan ko, basta 'yun ang sabi ni Teddy eh. Hideoout daw, kahit hindi naman kami nagtatago.

"Guys, kain muna tayo bago natin ituloy? Sinong agree?" Teddy asked as he stood up from his seat.

"Hindi pa nga tayo nagsisimula," Kiko protested. He was right. We were about to discuss our plans on how we could still help people through our different programs even though most of us lost last elections when Teddy and Barry came up with the idea that we should get some drinks. And once we did, the conversation was diverted into different directions and we only began to finally talk about our plans a few minutes ago.

"Pwede naman tayong kumain after this, 'diba?"

"Wala tayong mapplano na maayos, Lens kung wala pa tayong kain," Leila replied. "Huy, tumulong kayo dito." he said as he headed towards the kitchen along with Teddy and Barry.

Teddy sighed up a little but then decided to comply with Leila's order and followed her to help with making their food.

I got up too, arranging the papers on the table that contained some graphs and proposals before doing so, and walked into the kitchen, checking the cupboard to see if we had any chocnut or cheetos puffs. Oh, syempre. Ubos na. Ano ba yan.

Leila was laughing at something Teddy and Barry were doing behind my back.

"Wala na tayong snacks na stock dito," I announced.

"Tatawagan ko isa kong staff para ibili tayo," Teddy turned around clumsily.

"'Wag!" Kiko said, "Gusto mo bang makita nyang lasing 'yung mga tao dito?"

"Well, hindi naman ako ganon kalasing."

"Talaga? Parang halos matumba ka na nung lumingon ka kanina lang?" Kiko replied sarcastically and Teddy released his grip on the countertop. "Kami nalang ni Leni at Leila ang hindi lasing dito."

"Pati si Risa," I added, putting my phone on the table as I moved to sit back to the chair where I was before.

"Mas madami na s'yang nainom kaysa sa'tin, lasing na rin yan. Hindi lang halata." said Kiko as he glanced at Risa.

"Oh."

Kiko was better at observing than I was, I guess. To be honest, I didn't need much to get drunk so once I drank some, it was harder for me to judge who was also drunk and who wasn't. Kiko was always good at these since he was good at holding his liquor. Risa was, too. Usually. But even if she did get drunk, it wasn't as easy to tell in her case as with the others, as there were no such obvious signs in her behavior as with Teddy.

Anyway, I promised myself that I would try to pinpoint the signs of her being drunk this time. Ewan ko, for future reference lang siguro. If Kiko says Risa is drunk, I believe him.

Barry was still on his phone, scrolling on his TikTok account and laughing by himself.

"Okay so guys, kayo na 'yung lumabas para bumili ng snacks. Lalo na nung chocnut ni Madam Leni then ako na mag-aayos nung iba," Teddy said.

"No, I think atleast isa sa hindi lasing 'yung dapat magstay para may nakakapag-isip pa at para hindi ka magkalat," Kiko replied. I sprawled out on the chair and chuckled to myself because the ceiling seemed to be spinning a bit. Talaga bang ganito 'tong kisame dito?

I heard Risa's singing as she came back to the living room. She was in a very very good mood, singing to herself what she would call quietly. I smiled to myself, "First sign?"

"Lens, gusto mo bang sumama?" I realized Kiko and Leila were already ready to go out, I heard the others were still busy in the kitchen.

I wobbled up to my feet unsteadily. "Ah yes. Sig–"