"Shit." Mahinang mura ko ng bumangga ako sa isang matigas na bagay sa harap ko. The drinks on the tray flew in all possible direction, soaking my playboy bunny uniform. Agad na pumasok sa isip ko ang galit na mukha ng manager namin. Ang mahal mahal ng mga alak na natapon ko, sigurado akong ibabawas ito sa sweldo ko. I was too caught up with my worries that it took me awhile to notice the man standing in front of me. Ang una kong nakita ay ang puti na button down shirt niya na nabasa din ng alak. I slowly brought my eyes up to his face.
Even in the dim light of the bar, his honey eyes were so piercing, so illuminating, and so beautiful.
Tisoy.
Siya ang unang pumasok sa isip ko ng makita ko ang mga matang iyon. His eye were exotic and enchanting. I had never seen a pair of eyes as beautiful as those since Tisoy. I swallowed, my heart racing against my chest.
"Okay ka lang?" His voice was as smooth as velvet. So manly.
Tango lang ang naisagot ko. He smiled and a pair of dimples dented his stubble covered cheeks. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at lalong lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko. Same pair of eyes and dimples... I scanned his face. He had the same narrow and pointed nose and the same full lips. His face was just more mature now, more defined.
"Tisoy." The name somehow made its way out of my mouth.
"Mallory del Prado." He said and that confirmed everything.
"TISOY!" Parang gulat pa rin na ulit ko sa pangalan niya. "Oh my god, ikaw nga!"
"Derek von Einsiedel." He held out his hand with an air of formality.
It had been a lot of years since the last time I saw him. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong maramdaman, hindi ko alam kung paano ako gagalaw sa harap niya at kung paano ako magsasalita. My mind went completely blank.
Bago ko pa matanggap ang kamay niya saka naman dumating si 'Ms. Minchin', iyon ang tawag namin sa malditang manager namin behind her back. Lukot na naman ang mukha nitong lumapit sa kinatatayuan namin. Pumamewang siya sa harap ko at inismidan ako.
"Ano ba naman 'yan, Mallory? Ilang buwan ka na sa trabahong ito tatanga-tanga ka pa rin. Alam mo ba kung gaano kamahal yang bote ng alak na natapon mo at ang mga baso, nako imported pa yan. Hindi ka kasi nag-iingat, tignan mo nakatapon ka pa!" Galit na sabi nito bago humarap kay Tisoy o Derek. "Sir, sorry sa abala. You can order whatever drink you want, it's on the house."
"No, it's alright." He politely said and looked at me. "Ako naman ang may kasalanan. Magkano ba ang mga natapon niyang alak at isama mo na ang mga nabasag na baso. Charge everything on me." He took out a black leathered wallet from his pocket and he handed Ms. Minchin his black card without breaking his gaze from me.
Napakurap ang bruha at sandaling hindi nakakibo bago siya nakabawi at kinuha ang credit card mula sa lalaki. Nang makaalis na si Ms. Minchin ay hinubad niya ang suit jacket na suot niya at ipinatong ito sa balikat ko.
"Hindi ako sanay na nakikita kang ganyan." Nakasamingot na sabi niya. "Can we talk?"
Before I could even answers, hawak niya na ako sa braso at inaalalayan papunta sa isang bakanteng mesa sa sulok ng bar. He pulled a chair for me, I sat in it and gave him a smile of thank you. He sat on the chair on the opposite side of the table.
"Ang laki na ng pinagbago mo." I said, I tried to hide my amusement as I looked at him but it didn't work. Malayo na siya sa dating Tisoy na kilala ko. He looked refined now, almost aristocratic.
"Ikaw din." May lungkot sa boses na sabi niya habang nakatingin sa akin. Ngayon ako nakaramdam ng hiya sa itsura ko ngayon. I was wearing a black strapless one piece corset, white stockings, and a pair of bunny ear headband.
"Oh how the might have fallen." He said, shaking his head.
Yumuko ako para maiwasan ang mga titig niya sa akin na para bang awang-awa siya. I was at the lowest of the low, at the rock bottom of my life. I wanted to cry but I held my tears in. I would never cry in front of him.
Indeed, the mighty had fallen with all her potentials and dreams.
