Responsibilities That Ties Us

Chapter 12: Sure, Sure, Sure, I Close My Eyes

"Hindi ko inaasahang sasama ka talaga..." tawang sambit saakin ni Landon, ang atensyon nasa daan lamang. We're in his car right now, driving to the planned destination... na walang iba kundi patungo sa bar na pinagtratrabuhan ni Nathan. Kaming lang dalawa, since Vince has something to handle, leaving me to deal with whatever nonsense Landon has in his sleeves.

I'm not in the mood to deal with him... but someone— something in me is telling to at least accompany him on his way.

Kinakausap niya lang ang kanyang sarili while he was driving, and I just listened, not replying to any of it. He knew I was kaya't patuloy lang ang pagkukwento niya.

When we arrived outside the establishmen, para siyang batang niregaluhan ng gustong gusto nitong laruan sa kalawakan ng kanyang ngiti. I can't help but roll my eyes at that. Hindi niya pa ako nabigyan ng ilang segundo at hinila ako patungo sa pintuan ng bar.

The usual headaching music greeted us as soon as the doors opened, neon lights attacking me almost everywhere, and Landon nearly loosing me amidst the crowd dahil nagmamadal. Tumungo kaming dalawa sa kinatatayuan ng isang Calinao, immersed in another costumer's conversation while his hands were busy shaking silver cups.

At parang alam niyang nandito kami dahil hindi nagtagal at nahanap ako ng mga mata niyang ngumiti saakin, I just scowled.

"Nandito na kayo," ani nitong malakas nung nakaupo na kaming dalawa nitong kasama ko. As quickly as we did, both of them fell into a conversation that I wasn't part of... I mean, fine by me.

"You're back, huh."

Liningon ko ang pinaggalingan ng boses. And I was met with someone, who I don't know. Umangat itong kanyang kilay saakin, parang basang basa ang aking naiisip.

"You're easy to read," he laughed, sipping from his glass before extending his hands to me. "Alexander, nagusap tayo nuon... or at least, I tried to."

Now I remember, that guy who tried to talk to me nung pumunta kaming apat dito. He seems more sober now.

"Sorry, I don't talk to strangers." Tinignan ko lang ang naka bukang palad niya saakin, not taking it. "Kamilo."

"I know..." sabi nito, binawi ang kamay, seemingly unbothered na hindi ko man lang ito tinanggap. "Marami na akong narining sayo, from a handsome bartender named Nathan."

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa kanyang nabanggit, and he just smirked at me before taking another sip of his drink. I turned to Nathan, who's still deep in conversation with Landon who already has a bottle of beer on his hands. Whatever senses this man has is creepy, dahil sa sandaling nakasulyap ako sa kanyang pagmumuka ay umangat ang tingin nito saakin at natigil sa paguusap kay Landon.

At hindi rin nahuli itong isa. His smile widened as his gaze shift between us two.