That's All There Is

***

My friends and I decided to go to the bar after our graduation ball. We are still wearing our gown, mine has a slit up to my leg. Well, we didn’t bother changing since our outfits are gorgeous. I think seductive enough. Perfect to catch a girl, right? I’m not here for boys. Hm.

Who knows, di ba? Malay nating lahat, dito ko pala matagpuan ang tangi kong mamahalin. The thought of it excites me. Kaya excited akong pumasok. Hinabol pa nga ako ng guard kasi daw nasobrahan ata ako sa excitement at nilagpasan ko na siya. May checkpoint pa kasi bago makapasok. Checkpoint talaga? I mean, he’s gonna search our pouches at checheck din ang buong katawan namin through a metal detector.

Ng makapasok ay agad kaming humanap ng puwesto which luckily we found one near the dance floor. Perfect na perfect talaga. I don’t drink but I was assigned to order drinks for us. Weird. So, I went to the counter and order something. I don’t know what drinks I ordered, I’m not familiar with its name. I ordered base on how weird the name of the drinks. Obviously, it’s my first time going to a bar. At ako pa talaga ang inutusan nilang umorder. Ano namang alam ko sa mga alcoholic drinks di ba.

“Hey, new?”

Umikot ang mata ko. “Obviously. Can’t you tell?”

“Lemme help you with your drinks. Ang dami naman nito.” Alam ko, kitang-kita kasi di ba. Stating the obvious makes me think you’re stupid.

“Sure. It’s not like I owe you money for this no?”

“Your name, maybe?”

“Expensive.” I walked first, hopefully she’ll follow.

“Your mom’s cool ha.” I know right. Glad, she followed.

“Hey guys, mga walanghiya kayo. Kayo ng bahala sa inorder ko ha. I hope it won’t give you bad digestion. Dzuh.” Nilapag namin sa table ang inorder. I took the juice before they’ll have it.

Siniko ako ng paulit-ulit ng kaibigan ko’t patuloy na nginuso ang nasa kaliwang banda ko. “Hoy, hindi mo ba pauupuin?” nilingon ko nga ang tinutukoy niya.

“You’re still here pala?”

“Well, I hope I’m not a ghost in your eyes.” I moved a little, giving her space bago inayang umupo sa tabi ko.

“Don’t you have company?”

“Luckily, I’m with your circle so guess I have now.”

“Witty.”

My friends grabbed the drinks on the table then went to the dance floor. Sure they know how to party. May mga guwapo kasi sa dance floor. Magpapakyut na naman to for sure. I’m left with this talkative stranger. She talks a lot. Like a lot. I listened and listened because she somehow entertained me. Well, I am starting to like the energy.

“Don’t you want to drink something alcoholic?” I asked. She seems like so sober. We’re sharing the juice I ordered. “Wait, how long have you been here?”

“Not that long. In fact, I just arrived before you came in.”

“Ow. Shall we go order some drinks for you? You’re not here just to drink juice, I guess?” she laughed then we headed to the counter again. She ordered another juice for me and something hard for her. “Easy, easy. Can you handle its percentage?”

“Let’s see about that.” She drank it all in one blow. Grabe. Hindi ko nga makaya ang pait nun kung ako yun. Tignan mo mukha niya, napangiwi.  “It wasn’t hard.”

“Regular costumer ka no?” she nodded. I knew it. Then we talked and talked and talked. Walang katapusang usap. Kasi walang katapusan din ang pagka talkative niya. Naparami na ang inom niya pero parang hindi naman siya tinamaan. Naparami na rin ang inom ko ng juice pero parang ako ang tinamaan. Sobra na akong naiiihi.