UNCOVER JANE DOE

Chapter 6: The Bar Encounter

"Maxine? Ikaw na nga ba 'yan? I can't believe this! You're real." I burst out my excitement as I walk towards her, shortening the gap between us.

Regina is standing in the middle of the crowd, smiling towards me, as if waiting for me to come and hug her.

I stood right in front of her, mesmerized by her beauty. Unable to believe that this moment is really happening.

"Mahahawakan na talaga kita."

I touched her right cheek with my trembling left hand. Feeling her soft, smooth skin on my palm.

"You are what I expected of you to be. Ang ganda mo."

But there she is. Just staring at me. Immobile. Unbearably silent. Clueless.

"Who are you?" She ask.

I took a step back as her words cut the excitement within me.

"Huh?"

"Who are you? Why are you touching me?"

I was taken aback by her words.

Why doesn't she know me? We were talking on social media. We talked over the phone. How come she doesn't recognize me?

I took another step backwards until we're inches away from each other.

"Hey! I've been waiting for you." Her smile widened and she's still staring at my direction.

"What the fuck is happening right now? A minute you told me you don't know me and now you were waiting for me to arrive? Is this some kind of a joke? What the hell is this?" I shouted.

Her expression changed. Her brows arched and her eyes are questioning me.

I stiffened as she walk towards me. Her every step makes my heart jump with anticipation.

"Come and find me. I'll meet you soon." She told me as she stopped right in front of me. Her face is just an inch away from mine and I can smell her breath already.

"Ano ba'ng sinasabi mo, Maxine? I already found you! You're here with me now."

"In time. You'll find me in time. Patience, Narda. Patience."

She's about to kiss me. I instantly closed my eyes and waited for her lips to cover mine. But that didn't happen.

I waited patiently but when nothing happens, I opened my eyes.

She isn't here. She's nowhere to be found. I'm alone in this empty street already.

"Maxine! Max!"

Napabalikwas ako ng bangon.

"Maxine..."

Napatingin ako sa cellphone ko sa bedside table. It kept ringing.

Pupungas-pungas akong napasandal sa headboard ng kama. Inaalala ang panaginip ko... ang panaginip ko sa una naming pagkikita ni Regina Maxine.

"Why am I dreaming about you now? Ganito ka na ba talaga importante sa akin ngayon kaya kahit sa panaginip ko andoon ka? Ganoon na ba kalala ang kagustuhan kong makita ka sa personal, Regina Maxine Vanguardia?"

My phone rang again giving me no choice but to answer it.

"Hey, hon. Why aren't you answering my calls? Kanina pa ako tawag ng tawag ah."

Si Ara lang pala ang tumatawag. Ngayon nagsisisi na ako kung bakit ko pa sinagot ang tawag nito.

"Are you home?"

"Yeah. I'm sleeping."

"The reason why you weren't able to answer my calls, I see. Lika, sunod ka sa 'min dito sa Bank Bar."

"Kayo nalang. I'd rather sleep than party. Wala ako sa mood."

She exhaled sharp breaths from the opposite line. Alam kong pinipigilan lang nitong magalit sa akin. She can't take no as an answer that well.

"Please, hon. You know I wanted to make it up to you. Kakabati lang natin, 'di ba? Ayaw mo naman sigurong pag-awayan na naman natin 'to? Do as I wish okay?"

Napailing ako. Tatagal lang kami sa ganitong usapan pero at the end of it, bibigay din naman ako. Ganyan ako karupok pagdating kay Ara.

"Alright. Bihis lang ako."

"Yes! That's my girl. See you, Jae."

Ibinaba na nito ang call after.

"Jae..." I remember telling Maxine earlier na wala pang tumatawag ng nickname na Jae sa akin aside from her. That's a lie I must say. Ewan ko ba kung bakit gusto kong mafeel n'yang special s'ya. It's my way of flirting with her maybe.

"Hay! Sa totoo lang talaga, wala akong ibang gustong tumawag sa akin ngayon ng Jae kundi si Maxine lang. I really don't know why though."

Naiiling na nagbihis nalang ako. I grab my keys and drive to the Bank bar to meet Ara.

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Malakas na tugtog, madilim na malamig na paligid at malalakas na tawanan ang sumalubong sa akin pagbukas sa pinto ng bar.

The bar seemed cozy, elegant and expensive but it's a bit crowded which made me think twice if I must enter or go home instead.

Nasa personality ko talaga as a writer 'yong ayawan itong mga ganitong lugar. I must say hindi ito ang preferred kong atmosphere. I'd rather stay in a cabin, read a book and listen to the sound of nature than these.

Pero nagkibit-balikat nalang ako and walk straight to where Ara might be. Wala akong magawa. Sometimes, I do really need to unwind and meet people than stay on my comfort zone.

"Jae!" Nakita kong papalapit si Ara sa kinaroroonan ko para salubungin ako.

She kiss my lips and pull me towards the table where I think her friends are sitting. Our hands intertwined.

"Guys, meet Narda, my girlfriend. Jae, meet China, Elaine, Rose and Toni."

I shook everyone's hand and give them a shy smile. I'm still not used to this.

"Nice to meet you."

"Your girl's pretty, I must say. Mahiyain lang." Nagsitawanan sila na ikinapamula ko.

"Hmmm... I have an idea on how she'll be able to get rid of that shyness."

She pour me a glass of tequila. "Drink up, baby. 'Wag moko ipahiya." She whisper as she offered me the drink.

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The next thing I know is that we're dancing on the dance floor. Jiving into the music. Dancing as if the world is ours.

"Ops!"

"Ouch!"

I think I hit someone from my back. I was busy dancing with Ara's friends that I forgot this place to be crowded.

I hit someone with my elbow and I wish to say sorry for what i've done.

I was about to turn around and say sorry to that someone I bump into when Ara pulled me.

"Come on! Let's get out of here. I missed you. I need you, Jae." She whispered then bite my earlobes as she pulled me away from the crowd. I missed the opportunity to say sorry to that someone I hit because of it.

Napailing nalang ako at nagpaakay na kay Ara palabas ng bar.

"My place or your place?" She excitedly ask after she started the car's engine.

Hay! I already figure this to be one of those nights. Fulfilling girlfriend duties even though i'm not in the mood.

I shrug my shoulders. "Wherever you want." After all it's her idea and not mine.

"Sure thing." She smiled and drove away.

I looked outside the window. Still worried about that someone I bumped into earlier. "Sorry, whoever you are. Hope I haven't hurt you that bad."