Pagkarating sa Kao, nakita ko na agad si Raizen sa may bar area. Hindi na nga ako nagulat na maabutan siyang may kausap.
Lagi na lang.
Pamilyar yung kausap niya. Baka nakasama ko na sa party, o nakalaro magbilyar, o kung ano man. Wala na akong balak alalahanin kung sino man siya, lalo na't masyado niyang iniinvade privacy ni Raizen- ang dikit ba naman?!
Ang daming bakanteng upuan pero nakatayo pa siya sa mismong gilid ni Raizen. Sakit nila sa mata kaya lumapit na ako.
"Oh, Damian? Here to have fun too?" The guy asked. See? Kilala niya ako pero wala akong pake sa kaniya.
Umakto akong walang narinig bago nilapit ang bibig sa tainga ni Raizen, "Follow me." Making sure he'll hear me loud and clear kahit sobrang ingay sa paligid.
Tumalikod na ako at naunang maglakad nang tumayo na si Raizen sa inuupuan niya. Ayoko na makita at marinig na mag-sorry pa siya doon bago magpaalam, that's not unnecessary.
"Saan tayo?" Heard Raizen shout.
"I booked a private room." Sagot ko nang makarating kami doon sa kwarto, kita ko naman yung pagtataka sa mukha niya. "What? Sabi ko iinom tayo, 'di ba? I didn't say we're going to dance and get wasted."
Hindi nanaman siya nagreklamo at pumasok na lang. Naupo siya sa isang couch sa tapat ko. We sat in there in silence as we wait for the drinks I ordered.
"Uhm," Tumikhim siya, "Bakit ka nga pala biglang nag-aya uminom?"
I shrugged, "To apologize."
"For judging me?"
"For hurting your ego by saying the truth."
He didn't like that answer. Sumimangot siya sa 'kin at umirap kaya natawa ako. Lintek na dynamics 'to, 'di na ata mababago 'to.
"What exactly is your point?"
Sasagot sana ako pero dumating na yung alak namin. Ayan, mas masaya mag-usap nang may alak. Nagsalin ako sa dalawang baso at ibinigay sa kaniya ang isa.
"My point is, I do believe that you're a nice person. No need to prove it. I wasn't saying you're nice just because you're Senator Rommel's son." I replied after taking a shot.
He also took a shot, "However?"
"However," I paused. Do we really have to do this? Nakakaisang baso pa lang ako pero para akong masusuka eh. "I hate how you can't be you."
I didn't receive a response, he just blinked- like he couldn't believe what I just said. Was I really misjudging his past actions?
"I can't be me..?"
"I'm not sure why I'm the only one who can see, maybe I was indeed misjudging you. Kaso kitang-kita naman eh, you're trying to please everyone even if you're uncomfortable."
I took another shot when he didn't say anything. And another when he also did. Tumahimik yung kwarto at hindi ko alam kung magandang sign ba 'yon.
