Dancing with the Devil

Chapter 23

"Maya, wake up. You'll be late for your class."

My deep slumber was cut short by a series of soft knocks against the door. Tumayo ako sa pagkakahiga kahit inaantok pa. I went straight to the bath, then applied light makeup to my face before going out of the room.

"Hi, Adeline! Yes, I did get an email from our supplier."

With a phone in my hand, I swiftly sat in front of Sera. She started eating as soon as I settled in my seat. From time to time, tinatapunan niya ako ng tingin.

"Yes, yes. They're sorry kasi na-delay ang delivery nila."

"I'm sorry that I wasn't able to inform you when they personally called me. I got caught up with things. But yeah... rest assured that it will be delivered today, and they'll give us a discount to compensate."

Matapos ang ilang paalala, nagpaalam na rin ako at nagsimulang kumain. Typical breakfast lang rin ang niluto niya—she's not a fan of cooking. Hinuli ko ang tingin niya sa akin.

"What?"

"When will you go back to your place?" tanong niya. "I mean, I don't mind you staying here, ah? Pero when will you?" dagdag niya pa.

I have been staying at Sera's place since I read that article. Hindi ko na nga tinapos dahil wala akong lakas ng loob na basahin pa nang buo. It's been a week since I started avoiding him, and I still don't want to talk to him. Hindi ko nga sigurado kung gugustuhin ko pa ba.

For now, I will just ignore his messages and calls, hiding in my friend's place. Pero hanggang kailan ako magtatago?

It's inevitable. Eventually, we'll need to talk... but not now.

"You're not the type to stay in someone's place for a long time. Do you have a problem?" nag-aalangan niyang tanong. "May pinagtataguan ka ba or something...?"

"What?" I laughed dismissively. "Wala naman akong problema, don't worry."

"Well, are you hiding?"

"H-ha? No, ano ka ba! Sino namang pagtataguan ko?"

"I don't know? But for sure, you are hiding!" komento niya. "Don't try. You're so obvious, my gosh!"

I tried to refute her words. Ayoko nang magsinungaling. I accepted my defeat in the end. Napabuntong-hininga ako, hindi ko na siya sinagot pa bilang kumpirmasyon.

"I get it. You can hide here for as long as you want. But you do know that you can't hide from whoever he is forever, right? In the end, you'll need to face him," saad niya nang may buong pag-unawa.

"I can only help you buy time, but later on, go and talk to him. Settle it once and for all."

Pinagpag ko ang suot na denim short skirt at inangat ang tube top na suot. I glared at Ayon when she pulled me to stand.

"Come on, let's get you some fresh air!"

"Fresh air?" I sarcastically gave her a smile. "Really? Mas mauuna pa ata akong mamatay sa pollution ng usok rito. Bwisit ka!"

"This is her definition of fresh air—the perfect combination of smoke and booze! Come on, let's dance," singit ni Sera na hinila na rin ako.

Ayon glared at me. "Wag ka ngang umarte diyan! Mas batak ka pang humithit ng yosi sa akin."

Hinayaan kong hilain nila ako. Sabay nila akong inabutan ng dalawang shots ng Cuervo, na mabilisan kong tinungga. Its rough taste spread across my tongue, making me grimace. I stuck my tongue out and quickly reached for the slice of lemon Ayon handed me. They erupted into cheers.