Summer Rain

Chapter XII

"Just stay here."

Keno left me sitting at the bar alone.

Nayakap ko ang aking sarili hindi lamang dahil sa nilalamig ako, but I felt out of place. 

This is not my scene. Kung andito lang sana si Annie, everything would have been better. 

I was on this trail of thought nang tumunog ang aking cellphone. 

8:30 P.M. Unknown # 

Hi princess! I hope you're enjoying the party. - Mario

8:32 P.M. 

I just wish you're here. 

Maluha-luha ako habang tina-type ang mga katagang ito and I hated myself for being so weak. For feeling like this over a boy. We've just been together UNOFFICIALLY for two weeks now but it felt right. It's like what we have is meant to be. 

8:35P.M. Unknown #

If only I could leave Dale right now. 

Wala naman talaga akong idea kung ano'ng nangyari and kung ano'ng emergency pero I learned that sometimes, the more you ask and know the more you'll uncover things that you don't have the right to know. 

8:37 P.M. 

It's okay, I understand. Family first.

8:39 P.M. Unknown #

Thanks for understanding, princess. I'll check in on you later. This is Dale's number. I'll let you know once I've got my new phone. :)

8:40 P.M. 

Okay. You take care and give my regards to Dale. 

"Is that your boyfriend?," a towering figure stood beside the bar stool where I was sitting. 

Napatanga ako sa tangkad nito. 

"Is this seat taken?" He pointed to the bar stool to my right. 

It was Keno's seat but he's not here so I better offer it to someone who wanted to talk to me. 

"Nope. You could take it." I gave him a small smile. 

Pag-upo niya ay agad niyang tinawag ang bartender. 

"What do you want?" He asked, smiling. 

I was mesmerized by his blue-eyed, blond beauty but I still have my wits in me. 

"Ummm.. I don't really drink." I felt insecure. I'm not most girls who could just enjoy the night 'coz right now, all I could think about is my bed. 

He laughed a little. "Oh. You're one of those girls." He stated. 

"I don't know what you mean, but I'll take it as a compliment." 

"Most definitely it's a compliment." He said matter-of-factly and winked. "How about rum and coke for starters?" Pag-iiba niya nang topic. 

"Since you're buying, then yes." 

With this guy's calming presence, I decided to just enjoy the night. Minsan na nga lang akong lumabas eh dapat lubusin ko na. 

He ordered our drinks and we got talking. His name's Nikolai and he's a Norwegian. Nagbabakasyon siya rito sa Pinas kasama ang apat niyang kaibigan.

I was on my second glass of rum and coke pero hindi pa rin bumabalik si Keno kaya nang nag-offer si Nikolai na ipakilala ako sa mga kaibigan niyang nasa VIP room ay napa-oo ako. 

The alcohol erased any inhibitions I have. I was laughing with him all the way to the VIP room. Pagpasok sa loob ng kwarto ay nakampante ako. Meron din pala silang mga kasamang babae. 

I sat down beside him on a black, leather sofa and we talked even closer to each other. Malakas ang music sa labas pero mas malakas pa rin ang music dito sa loob. 

"You know Grace. You're beautiful." anitong namumungay ang mga mata.

I laughed aloud. "You should have seen my sister."

Lumapit ang mukha nito sa mukha ko. I was tipsy but I still have my common sense. Inilag ko ang aking mga labi kung kaya't lumanding lamang sa aking pisngi ang halik nito. 

This time, I felt uneasy. Parang umiikot ang paningin ko. 

"I-I just have to go to the bathroom." Walang lingon-likod akong tumayo sa aking kinauupuan. 

"I'll go with you." offer ng binata na hinawakan pa ang bewang ko.

"No. You stay here." 

Pinihit ko ang door knob pero parang wala akong lakas. Napasandal ako sa katawan ni Nicolai. I closed my eyes to gather myself. 

"Are you okay?", bulong nito sa aking tenga.

"No-no... I-I"

And everything went black. 

Hurried voices. Running feet. The slow beating of my heart. I saw glimpses of people's faces but no one familiar. It all turned to black again and when I opened my eyes, everything's white and the lights were hurting my eyes. All I just wanted to do was close them and just sleep.

"You just hold on, Gracie." 

Keno's worried face came to focus. Maybe I was hallucinating or delusional. Beside Keno was Mario with tears streaming down his face. 

I tried to call out to him, to touch him but I was parched and weak. 

Overcame by exhaustion, I gave in to the darkness. 

I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry, Gracie for being so selfish...

Save that when she wakes up... or IF she wakes up...

Keno, what have I done? 

I told you to choose. To decide and let go of one of them. Now, you must face your consequence. 

I am a selfish bastard. 

And a stupid one...

Then, silence...