Black Out

Chapter 8

I saw Risa eyeing me from a distance and she looked somewhat.. annoyed. She should have paid attention to what the two men were trying to explain to her but then again, I should have listened to what my seatmate was saying to me too. I totally lost the line though when I realized Risa was watching me, wondering what was up with her, glancing her direction every once in a while to see if she was still staring.

We are currently at Marian's birthday party. She is a colleague who helped us with curating the Museo ng Pag-asa. Risa also knew her because they go a long way back as she has been supportive of the opposition. She said she's happy that she finally had the chance to gather us during her birthday. I came from an event and went straight to this party. I'm wearing a long sleeve polo and simple slacks because I only intend to drop by.

Right now, Risa was smiling brightly at the two men in front of her but as soon as my eyes settled back on the woman beside me that I was supposed to be talking to, I felt her gaze on me again.

May something talaga kay Risa.. something bothering her. I thought. Pero.. ano kaya?

I looked at her again, and this time, she didn't even try to hide it. Neither did I. It was way too obvious by now that we've been stealing glances at each other, or rather, her glaring at me and me trying to figure out why, for like.. the past five minutes. I just realized how kind of revealing Risa's top was. It was a thin low neck sleeveless light pink that highlighted her collarbone.

She was looking straight into my eyes and I mouthed her a silent "Ano?" She looked towards the corner of the room, urging. I glanced at the spot she was looking at and saw Rapa talking to this man that didn't even seem a bit familiar to me. Anong meron sakanya? Kailangan ko bang batiin?

"Attorney Leni, 'diba tama nga na ganun ang gawin nya?" My attention was diverted when a guest mentioned my name.

Jusko. Hindi ko alam pinag-uusapan ninyo. "Parang nga," I replied with a small smile, averting my gaze a bit. It felt like the right gesture at that moment and it seemed to work.

"See? Kahit si Attorney, agree." he said and continued talking about whatever he was talking before but I immediately went back to looking at Risa.

I gave her a questioning look as she noticed I had my eyes on her again and turned hers on me, frustrated. She looked down at her own hand and then back at the men beside her, saying something to them. I was distracted by her sudden smile only for a moment before realizing she was discreetly signaling with her hand to me.

She pointed towards the door around her corner where, just a minute ago, I saw that woman and signaled walking with her index and middle fingers. Pointing at the door, walking, pointing at the door, walking.

Ah. Gets! Gusto nya lumabas kami doon.

Okay lang naman sa'kin. Ang boring na rin nung tumutugtog na piano at violin. Wow, iisang glass lang ng wine ang ininom ko pero parang natatanga ata ako o ano.

But by the time my conclusion was made, I saw Risa walking towards us. She smiled shortly and said hello. "Sorry to interrupt po but pwede ko ba nakawin muna si Attorney Leni for a while?" she asked, smiling, while cradling my left arm towards herself.

"Nako, of course naman po Sen. No problem!"

Risa put down both her glass then mine on the nearest table, stretching her left arm instead of letting mine go.

"Thank you, it was nice meeting you." I smiled, bowing my head a little and Risa bowed with me then started striding out towards the door impatiently.

"Anong meron sa'yo today? 'Diba gusto mo 'yung ganitong events?" She was basically pulling me with herself now. We passed by some other guests but she kept going until we finally reached a comfort room. Oh. Gusto lang naman pala umihi, hindi nalang nagsabi.