Wicked Games (An Epistolary Novel)

052

“I am so so tired for the week,” I said as I slumped on the backset of Rj’s car. The guys laughed at my miserable life. Why wouldn’t they? They weren’t involved in the project. And I, the lucky one, was the chosen lead and point of contact of our company, that’s why the pressure is all on me.

“Hence this night. Mukha kang mababaliw na,” komento ni Alex na nakaupo katabi ni Rj.

I was so busy for the whole week that I didn’t get out for a night out. Ni hindi ko mabuksan ang social media accounts ko sa sobrang lubog sa trabaho. When I’d get home, I’d just eat dinner and sleep right away. Ganoon ako kapagod lagi. And when I have spare time, I didn’t have the energy to do other things.

Before I got out of our building, we already changed our clothes to the appropriate one. We already made plans yesterday that we’ll go out tonight, so I brought my clothes already—a tiny black tube dress that hugged my figure paired with black heels. I curled my hair earlier before I left home so now it was just naturally wavy. I just retouched my make-up so as not to look too tired—I know my eyebags are glaring.

The bar was already in full swing when we got there. The place was on the roof deck and below it was the view of Mandaluyong at night.

“What’s this?” tanong ko nang abutan ako ni Rachel ng shot glass.

“Duh? Tequila, what else?”

I chuckled.

“Alright. Cheers!” We clinked our glasses before I straight drank the contents of the glass.

The alcohol burned in my throat, and I quickly got the lemon and put it on my mouth. The empty glass was easily replaced by another one, this time a cocktail.

“No chill, aren’t we?” natatawang tanong ko.

“I told you we’re gonna drink ‘til we drop! We fucking deserve this!”

The music increased its tempo and the girls pulled me to the dance floor. We danced and swayed with the DJ’s remix of BINI’s Pantropiko.

“Gagi, alam niya ang choreography!” sigaw ni Rachel habang natatawa nang makita na sumasayaw ako sa sikat na chorus ng kanta.

Duh? I always see the dance trend on Tiktok. Plus, my siblings were always dancing with the song. Most especially Miguel. That one was obsessed and crushing hard on the girls.

Rachel kept on handing me shot glasses and we kept on dancing. I mean, we planned on getting wasted tonight!

“Naiinitan na ako,” sabi ko. “I’ll just go to the comfort room.”

My steps were unhurried. We’ve been drinking and dancing for quite a while, so my cheeks were burning already—I was sure it is also red by now—and my body was sweating. I had a high alcohol tolerance, but I’m not immune to it. I was starting to feel lightheaded already.

True enough, namumula na ang pisngi ko. My eyes were a bit glassy and my cheeks were flushed. Lumabas na rin ako noong tapos nang mag-ayos.

I was walking towards my friends’ spot when I saw a familiar figure. I stopped abruptly.

No way.

I shook my head lightly. Baka namamalik-mata na ako. Am I drunk already?

I slowly walked near the bar counter to where he’s standing. The guy’s back was so familiar. When I was close enough to see his side profile, my eyes widened in wild surprise.

Huh. He’s here.

For someone who likes his solitude, I sure find him in noisy places.

Why was he here, though?