2035, Damian's POV
Inagaw ko yung basong hawak ni Knox bago naupo sa tabi niya. Mabilis kong ininom yung laman at— hayop na 'yan! Anong alak 'to at bakit sobrang lakas makaguhit sa lalamunan?! I grimaced, trying to keep my face neutral.
Who needs a fire-breathing dragon when you've got this drink?
"Legal ba 'to? If I die from this, you're totally responsible." Saad ko na ikinairap niya. 'Di naman ako nag nagbibiro.
Inagaw niya pabalik sa 'kin yung baso, "Bakit ka ba kasi nang-aagaw ng 'di sa 'yo? And I thought you quit drinking?"
Technically, I hadn't quit drinking. Sadyang wala na akong oras para makipag-inuman. Nagkibit-balikat na lang ako. It's not like my liver had filed a restraining order against alcohol or anything.
"Congrats, by the way," Conrad chimed in from across the table, his grin almost as wide as mine. "You finally landed that position at VPH. How does it feel, Mr. Associate Chief Medical Officer?"
Napangiti ako nang maalala kung bakit kami nandito sa club at nagce-celebrate. Oo, 'di 'yon desisyon ng tatay ko pero at least suportado yung board of directors sa 'kin. Passing the board certification exam had led to this promotion— what more could I ask for? Maybe a personal parade?
"I feel good," I replied, shrugging.
"That's it? Boring." Conrad rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed with my lack of enthusiasm.
'Pag normal ako, boring. 'Pag nagpa-billboard ako, OA! Ang gulo rin minsan ng mga hayop na 'to eh. I can't believe I'm still friends with them after so long.
I rolled my eyes right back at him and poured myself another glass of that familiar alcohol. Kita ko kung paano nila ako panoorin habang nakangiti, na para bang proud sila 'sakin.
Proud din ako sa sarili ko. Gusto ko nga magpagawa ng medal na may 'Best in Life Decisions and Plot Twists' but decided a certificate would be more fitting— less chance of it getting stuck in a drawer and more chance of it getting framed next to my diploma.
"Sayang wala si Tio," I said, leaning back with a sigh. "I miss that guy."
Pagbalik ko mula sa States, kasabay ng pag-uwi ni Tio sa probinsiya matapos niya mag-med school. Now he's too busy working at a local hospital to join us.
"He's supposed to visit next week, right? His schedule just didn't allow it now," Knox said with a casual shrug.
"But our schedules.." Conrad interrupted, grinning.
"Your point?" I asked, eyebrows raised.
"Come on, use your brain! You're all work and no play—"
Before Conrad could finish his sentence, I sidled up to him, wrapped my arm around his neck, and held his chin firmly. Lumapit din si Knox at pinilit ipainom kay Conrad yung tatlong alak na pinaghalo niya.
"Tarantado!" Sigaw ni gago pero nalunod lang yung ingay niya sa lakas ng tugtog. "Where's Archer? Archer, tulong!"
I glanced towards Archer, who was chatting with a guy at the bar. My eyebrows shot up in curiosity.
"Who's that guy talking to Archer? He's hot," I said, gesturing towards them.
Knox jabbed me in the ribs with a grin. "Asawa mo, bobo."
I couldn't help but smile. "Damn right."
With my glass in hand, I made my way over to Archer and my husband. They're talking about work at the middle of a club. Seriously? Hindi ba nila alam ang salitang celebration?
