Wicked Games (An Epistolary Novel)

026

“Can you at least pretend that you’re happy to be here,” natatawang sabi ko kay Adie. Busangot ang mukha niya. He looked like he’d rather be anywhere but here.

“It’s not even my birthday yet.”

“Well, there’s this concept of advance celebration, noh!” I retorted.

“As if you’re really celebrating it. I know you have a hidden agenda.”

“Wow,” I said, blinking. “What a friend.”

I mean. . . I really had an agenda in mind, but of course, there’s nothing wrong celebrating his birthday in advance na rin. Adie always celebrates his birthday with his family so maybe we could celebrate na rin in advance. It’s not purely vested with self-interest, as what he claimed it to be.

“Well. . . at least you’re here.” I smiled sweetly and innocently at him.

We agreed on meeting in one place together before we go to the bar, para isang sasakyan lang ang dadalhin namin. Hinihintay na lang namin sina Enzo at si Ate Eira who are both on their way here.

When they came, Adie drove us to BGC. The bar was not the usual ‘tugs-tugs-tugs-jump-jump-jump’ bar we usually go to. Pagpasok pa lang, alam ko na kung bakit dito ang pinili ni Xylene. This actually looked something Julian would agree to go to. It’s not really a bar, but more of a lounge? A place you’d go to after a tiring day at work to unwind.

I researched the place beforehand, so we were wearing something appropriate. I, for one, wore something a little bit fancy and not too hubadera.

“You better be paying for this,” Adie said when we took our seats. I heard Ate Eira chuckled.

I rolled my eyes jokingly. “Fine. Ito na ‘yung birthday gift ko sa ‘yo.”

I scoffed when Adie ordered anything he saw on the menu that was expensive. I mean, not that I can’t pay for it, but I know tinutukso niya lang ako!

I felt my phone vibrate on the table for a notification. I only glanced at it because we made a rule not to touch our phones when we’re together unless it’s an urgent business.

The message was from Xylene, informing that they just got here. I fought the urge to smile.

Hindi ako lumingon sa direksyon nila kahit noong maramdaman kong nandito na sila. I could just feel his presence nearby, and I don’t know, maybe his aura was really that strong and gravitational kasi alam kong siya iyon kahit hindi ko tingnan. And besides, I heard Xylene’s voice in the background talking to the waiter.

When our food and drinks came, we proceeded on eating and chatting. I also instructed the bar beforehand to prepare a cake for Adie.

Nakataas ang kilay niya nang lumingon sa akin habang kinakantahan siya ng mga waiter ng happy birthday habang hawak ang cake niya.

I rolled my eyes at him. “What? Told you it’s your birthday celeb.” I snorted.

Akala ba niya joke lang talaga na birthday celeb niya ito?

I fought the urge to glance at my back. Naririnig ko ang mahinang kwentuhan nila. I did my best to ignore them and focused on my friends. These people were not only my best friends, but my family. Our fathers were best of friends during their heydays and up to now, and us, second gens, were born and raised together. Kami ang magkakasama habang lumalaki. We’re basically cousins, albeit none of us are blood related. But hey, I do believe that family transcend blood relations.

Umiinom na kami ngayon habang nagku-kwentuhan. There was a soft jazz playing in the background. Nagpaalam ako saglit para pumuntang CR.

Adie gave me an eye as I was standing up and I rolled my eyes at him, chuckling.

Lumakad ako patungong banyo na hindi nililingon ang direksyon kung nasaan sila. I didn’t want to be called a creep.

I just retouched my make-up and washed my hands. Binasa ko rin ang text ni Xylene kanina. There were two.

‘We’re here already’

‘Wow ignoring us haha ok’

I smiled at myself in the mirror. I wore a black mini dress with a conservative front but a low back that was only two inches above my tailbone. My hair was styled in messy curls, and my make-up was simple.

When I walked out, I subtly scanned my surroundings. I saw my target sitting in the bar counter with a drink in his hand and he was alone.

I casually walked to where he was and sat beside him, not paying him attention.

“Any of your signatures, please,” I said to the bartender.

It was then when I looked beside me and feigned surprise. “Oh, hi! Julian, right? We met last time?” I said, smiling and waving my hand a little.

Lumingon siya sa akin at animo’y nagulat na ako ang nasa tabi niya. His brow did its usual crease again—by now, I was sure it was a part of him already.

He just stared at me for a few seconds before he returned his gaze in front and drank his drink.

Rude, ha.

“I was told you’re not actually mute, so. . . I don’t know, maybe talk to me?” I said with a sweet smile plastered on my face.

Patience is a virtue, Noah.

“Are you following me?” he asked, voice rich and deep; his thick brows furrowed. He looked intimidating, alright, with his all-black ensemble.

I gasped, feigning offense.

“Or . . .” I paused for a little bit of suspense. “Don’t you think it’s fate?” I blinked innocently. “What are the odds that we’ll meet again here?”

“Is that what you believe from the lies you hear in fairytales?”

Wow, this man.

Napatulala ako ng ilang segundo sa narinig. I was. . . seriously surprised. Masyado bang seryoso ang buhay niya? Hindi ba siya naaruga noong bata siya?

“I was just trying to be friends, you know?”

“Really.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I don’t think you have a shortage of friends,” he casually shrugged, then glanced at the direction of our table where my friends are currently talking.

Oh.

Does this mean he noticed us?

I bit the inside of my cheek so I wouldn't smile too widely.

“I mean, another one wouldn’t hurt,” I returned the nonchalance and the shrug, a small smirk playing on my lips.

“Or. . . if you don’t like friends, I’m open to other options. . .” I trailed, intentionally leaving my statement hanging.

He didn’t speak.

Ang hirap namang landiin ng taong ito!

When my drink came, I thanked the waiter. “Anyway, it was nice seeing you,” I smiled still. “I hope the next time we meet, you’ll find me worthy of your time and saliva.”

He turned to me; face still serious.

I smirked. “Silly me. I mean, not literally your saliva. You know what I mean,” I chuckled.

When I was walking back to our table, I glanced at Xylene. I made a hand signal that it was unsuccessful, and he just chuckled at me. I just rolled my eyes playfully at him.

The man’s a tough nut to crack, but I am my parents’ daughter.

Let’s see who’ll give in first.