Beer and Empty Hearts

Chapter 1

"Bakit ba ang traffic dito sa Manila?!" Halos dalawang oras na ata kaming nakahinto sa daan. Papunta kaming airport dahil ngayon ang flight namin papuntang Boracay.

Bigla namang tumunog ang phone ko. Another message from our private pilot. Nagtatanong kung nasaan na raw ba kami.

"Fuck! Bombarded na 'ko ng text message from the pilot. Sana hindi 'to magsumbong kay dad!" Frustrated kong sabi.

"Chill. Sayang ang ganda kung magpapakastress ka." Tumingin ako ng masama sa katabi ko.

"Shut up! This is all your fault. Kung hindi ka sana mabagal, edi kanina pa tayong ala-siete nakaalis." Masama kong tiningnan ang pinsan kong si Dennis.

"Yeah. Whatever", napairap nalang siya. Weak. Alam niya kasing totoo.

"But anyways, are you excited for our grandparents' silver wedding anniversary?", he playfully asked with a little dance.

"Girl, you know that this whole trip brings nothing but trauma. Haven't you learned from the past?" Nakasimangot kong sagot.

"Yeah you got a point. I'm only looking forward on this trip because its Boracay."

For all I know, publicity lang 'tong wedding anniversary. Masabi lang na matatag at matibay ang pamilya namin. Its their ticket to gain new and good investors. But behind the curtains, it was all rotten.

"How are you and your new boy toy by the way?" tanong ko naman. Bigla 'tong tumingin sakin.

"Seriously. A minute ago, inis ka sa'kin. Ngayon naman gusto mo ng chismis." Napangiwi siya at napailing.

"But anyway, I don't know. I feel like he doesn't like me compare to how much I like him."

Dennis is gay and he's been in a situationship with this guy for weeks now.

"How come you said that?"

"Cause he's always been a nonchalant. Like I always respond to him as soon as I see his text messages, I get excited everytime. But he's not like that. He replies late and he doesn't seems interested to what I do or how my day is", napakunot ako sa aking narinig.

"Girl, he's not nonchalant. He just doesn't care." Tumingin ito sa'kin na parang ayaw marinig ang katotohanan. Napangiwi tuloy ako sa loob-loob ko.

"But anyway, if he's like that then why are you still with him?"

"Because I really really like him. You know what I mean right? I feel so cheeky and giddy whenever I'm with him."

"You're gonna get hurt, idiot", nasabi ko nalang. Inirapan ako nito.

"That doesn't sounds like you to be honest", komento ko pa.

"I know."

"Why not talk to him regarding this matter? It might be a small issue to deal with but it could lead to bigger problems kapag hinayaan mo." Natahimik siya sa sinabi ko.

"And be your usual self, bitch. Be confident. Tell him what you want. I honestly didn't expect that you really like him more. Usually, yung lalake ang naghahabol sayo", dagdag ko pa.

"I didn't expect it also. But what can I do? I'm so weak when it comes to him." He sighed.

"I feel like I will settle to whatever he can give." Saad niya sabay takip sa kanyang mukha.

"I'm such an idiot", natawa nalang ako.

"Aren't we all?" Napatingin ito bigla sa'kin. Naningkit ang mata at parang pinaghihinalaan ako.

"You did something stupid, didn't you?" Nakatingin pa rin ito sa'kin. Nakakunot ang noo at mahaba ang nguso.

"Oh my gee!", napatakip siya sa kanyang bibig at parang drama queen na napatigtig sa'kin.