Dancing with the Devil

Chapter 23

“Maya, wake up. You’ll be late for your class.” 

I woke up from my deep slumber because of the series of soft knocks against the door. Wala akong nagawa kung hindi tuluyan ng tumayo mula sa pagkakahiga kahit inaantok pa. I immediately took a bath and applied light makeup on my face to finish up my look. 

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

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

“Yes, yes. They’re sorry kasi na delayed ang deliver nila. Sorry 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.”

Pagkatapos ng iba pang paalala ay nagpaalam na rin ako at nagsimulang kumain. Typical breakfast lang rin ang niluto niya, she’s not a fan of cooking. Nang madama ang kaniyang tingin ay hinuli ko ito.

“What?”

“When will you go back to your place?” Tinignan ko siya. “I mean, I don’t mind you staying here!” dagdag niya.

I have been staying in Sera’s place since I read that article. Wala akong lakas ng loob na basahin pa ito ng buo. It’s been a week since I started avoiding him, I still don’t want to talk to him. And I don’t know kung gugustuhin ko pa ba dahil sa aking nalaman. For now, I just want to ignore his messages and calls, hiding in my friend's place. Pero hindi ko alam kung hanggang kailan ako magtatago.

It's inevitable, we’ll talk eventually… but not now.

“But you’re not the type to stay in someone's place for a long time. Perhaps 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 about you. But for sure, you are hiding!” komento niya. "Don’t try. You’re so obvious, my gosh.”

I tried to refute her words. Kung ano-anong alibi na ang sinabi ko. And I was defeated at the end. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako at hindi ko na siya sinagot pa bilang kumpirmasyon.

“I get it. You can hide it for as long as you want. But you do realize that you can’t hide from whoever he is, forever right? Sa huli ay wala ka ding magagawa kung hindi ang harapin siya,” saad niya ng may buong pag-unawa.

“I can only help you buy some time, but later on go and talk to him. Settled it, once and for all.” 

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

“Come on, let’s get you 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. Smoke and booze! Come on, let’s dance,” singit ni Sera na hinihila na rin ako

Ayon glared at me, “Wag ka ngang umarte jan, mas batak ka pang humithit ng sigarilyo sa akin.” 

Wala akong nagawa kung hindi sumama sa kanilang dalawa. Inabutan nila ako ng dalawang sunod na shots ng cuervo na mabilisan kong tinungga. The rough taste travelled on my mouth. I stuck my tongue out and reached for the slice of lemon Ayon gave me. I rolled my eyes as they both cheered.