Zephyr Strings

Kabanata 2

It's been a month since the last time I had some booze. Kaya naman hindi ko napansing naparami ang inom ko habang nanonood kina Cohen.

They are great. But since their selection of songs is not my type, I wasn't amazed either. Maybe it was because of the place. For sure, if they have a gig in a wild place, they can do even better.

I've seen a lot of bands. I was even part of one. So I know how bands work. Since this is not a place where you need to give your best, I understand that the songs they performed were chosen to fit in this kind of environment.

They had already finished and were replaced by another band. Kanina ko pa dinadaldal ang staff dito habang umiinom at tahimik lang itong nakikinig sa akin.

"Hey, do you have cigar—"

"You brought a car, Vic. Hindi ka dapat uminom ng marami." Biglang sulpot ni Cohen sa aking tabi.

Nakangiwi ko siyang nilingon. He's now wearing a white hoodie jacket. Magulo ang buhok at medyo mapungay na ang mga matang nakatitig sa akin.

"Are you implying that I'm drunk, you bastard?" I hissed and turned to the bartender. "So... saan na nga tayo?" I smiled.

"Ma'am?" she asked, confused.

"Ah, yeah. We're talking about the guy I hooked up with in Chicago. He was a good fucker, and I was really satisfied." Nangingiti kong kuwento at uminom sa aking baso.

"Uh... pangatlong beses mo na po iyan naikuwento, Ma'am."

"Ah talaga ba? Gusto mo pa ng pang-apat?" Napatitig ako sa kaniya at tumango. "Well, we actually met in the hallway. Nasa magkaparehong floor ang hotel room namin at that time and then—"

"Look how shameless this girl is." Si Cohen at hinila ako patayo. "Stop spitting your escapades everywhere, dummy. Tumayo ka na nga."

Nakasimangot ko siyang binalingan. Walang hirap niya akong tinayo at kinuha ang aking purse sa marble table. I turned to the bartender. Nag-aalala na siyang nakatingin sa amin.

I gave her a wide smile. "Don't forget what I told you! Big dicks are superior! But if you want to try something new, you can hook up with me; I'll satisfy your needs, more than any man can offer—"

"Hey! Stop it!" Tinakpan ni Cohen ang aking bibig dahilan ng pagkalunod ng iba pang sasabihin ko.

Napapapikit akong nagpaakay sa kaniya. Fuck. My whole world is spinning. Different voices around me are making me dizzy. I want to sleep. But dammit. I feel like throwing up!

"Woah. She's drunk already?

"Yeah. She starts spilling secrets she shouldn't be saying to anyone. Mauuna na kami. Parehas lang kami ng tinitirhan."

Is it Cohen?

Ugh. Whatever. Where are my keys?

I opened my eyes and took my purse from his grip. Dinukot ko ang susi roon at tiningala ang taong umaakay sa akin. Halos hindi ko makilala si Cohen. Mahigpit na nakakuyom ang kaniyang panga at madilim ang mukha habang akay ako.

"Hey, what's with your expression? Tired of pretending to be a nice guy?" I giggled.

"Shut up. You're a handful. You must be thankful I am not throwing you out tonight," his voice was frigid and stern.

"Hey..." I tapped his jaw lightly. "Don't talk like that if you don't want anyone to hear you and find out you're a rotten one, huh?"

Humalakhak ako nang matalim niya akong binigyan ng tingin. He's now looking scary. Very different from the jolly one I just talked to earlier. This bastard. He really is his son. Both twisted.