ELIZABETH 'ELI' CORTEZ
Geez, this bar is almost totally hidden. I nearly missed it!
I shake my head to clear my thoughts and take a deep breath. Napasuklay ako sa aking buhok gamit ang aking kamay, saka inayos ang suot kong maiksing dress hanggang sa pumasok ako sa loob ng bar.
Okay, I can do this. He's my half brother, after all. Of course he'll help me...right? Tanong ko sa aking sarili saka huminga ng malalim.
Besides, I don't know anyone else that can help get my ex-boyfriend off of my back.
With one last deep breath, I push the door open and enter the dimly lit bar.
As soon as I walk in, all eyes turn to stare at me...some with mild curiosity, but others lustful hunger.
Every man in here looks really dangerous. Who wouldn't feel intimidated around these guys? But this is my last hope. I have to do this! Huminga ako ng malalim saka pinilit na iwaksi ang mga titig nila sa akin, andito ako para hanapin ang half brother ko, and that's exactly what I'm going to do.
Pero sandali akong natigilan. Ano kayang itsura niya? I've never met him before. He's always been busy on his work at lagi din siyang nakaout of town.
Wala man lang daw kasing iniwan si Kuya Evan na kahit anong litrato kay Mommy, tas feeling old people pa, hello? Wala man lang social media accounts.
I should ask the bartender.
The bartender continues his task, hindi man lang tumitingin. "Excuse me."
Napalingon naman siya sa akin at agad akong pinasadahan ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. "You certainly don't belong here, Miss." masungit nitong sabi.
"....You should probably leave, little lamb... before the wolves eat you alive." dagdag niyang sabi na kinalaki ng mata ko.
Agad nitong tiningnan ang mga kalalakihan na panay ang tingin sa akin na parang hinuhubaran na ako. Napalunok ako.
"I-I'm here to see...Evan." medyo napalakas ata ang pagkakasabi ko dahil biglang natahimik ang kapaligiran at halos lahat sila ay tumingin na sa akin. What is happening?
Medyo napaatras naman ako na ang isa sa mga kalalakihan na nakaupo sa isang gilid ay lumapit sa akin na may ngisi sa labi.
"You're Evan's flavor of the week? Seems a little strait-laced for Evan's taste, wouldn't you say, Kio?" Natatawang sabi nito saka tiningnan din ang lalaking nasa tabi ko na pala.
"For once, Van, I agree with you. Looks like she came in here straight from her job teaching kindergarteners." Natatawang sabi nong Kio ata na dahilan para panliitan ko siya ng tingin.
"Excuse me. I'm not kindergarten teacher. I just need to talk my brother. Is he here or not?" tanong ko at mas lalo lamang silang nagsitawanan.
"Sorry." Natatawang sabi pa din nito.
"Sa pagkakaalam namin ay wala siyang kapatid." Sabi nito na kinabuga ko habang nagtatawanan pa din sila.
"Listen, doll. Stop fooling around. You must be new to his collection because his girls don't come up here asking for him." Sabi pa niya.
"I'm not Evan's girl!" inis ko ng sabi.
"...Look, I just need to see him, okay? Please." Pakiusap ko at nagkatinginan silang magkakaibigan.
"No one sees Evan without an appointment. Too many girls have tried bumping into him."
"Don't worry, babygirl. You don't need an appointment to see me. I can give you exactly what you need." Nagulat ako sa pagkalapit nito sa akin at biglang paghawak nito sa braso ko at inilapit pa talaga niya ang mukha niya sa may leeg ko.
