Key to You

Chapter 1

Serendipity

WHAT came over me and decided to swap a peaceful night off for this messy disaster?

I should've known better. All my instincts were against the idea but I still turned up anyway just for a little adventure.

"I-uhh. Oh god. I... you.." the guy slurred. "I didn't mean to."

I'm still in shock at what happened. It's taking me unusually a long time to process things. One minute I was just looking for my friend so we could leave, then here I am now.

I looked down to see the casualty of his drunk-assness.

It sure isn't a sight to behold.

The guy scrambled for a napkin trying to offer a semblance of assistance but he's just too drunk to be of use.

I looked around and saw that we were starting to catch attention.

I wiped off the few barf on me and scrunched my nose from the smell.

This is so uncalled for. I have to clean up. I wouldn't want to stink up Dame's car from the smell of puke.

"I swear.. I don't normally..." The guy blushes. "Do this." He continued.

Finally finding my voice, I said "Well you certainly are... memorable."

“Do let me help… or, I mean, let me guide you to… uh, the restroom… I’ll wait until you’re okay.” I raised my eyebrow at that offer. But I didn't want to walk around covered in vomit so I let him guide me to where the restrooms are.

In the restroom, I took my time scrubbing off the remains of the horror scene I was in. I really didn't like the stench I was giving off.

It's giving pork steak. Not exactly the vibe I was going for.

Grabe naman si kuya. Mukha ba akong inodoro? Mukhang basag na paso? Bakit sakin pa sumuka?

Kaya we should always drink responsibly eh. To avoid ruining a random strangers' night.

I finally managed to remove those unidentified flying meals after a while. It took me a long time to scrub the stain and stench off so when I stepped out of the restroom, I expected the man to already have vanished as well. But to my surprise, barf guy was leaning against the restroom wall still waiting for me.

Well this unexpected turn of events turned again even more unexpectedly.

He looks more sober now.

Slightly sober.

Dapat lang. Ayaw ko ng part 2 drunk encounter sa kanya.

He straightens up the moment he saw me.

He must've noticed that I am still drenched from all the scrubbing I did. "Here. You might need this." He said holding out his jacket. "It doesn't seem fair to leave you in a wet dress."

I glanced at the jacket, still wary of his intentions.

Kukunin ko ba o hindi? What if strategy niya ito to get my number or something?

But I felt cold kaya hinablot ko na yung jacket niya at sinuot. Wala ako sa posisyon na magpabebe sa lamig no.

I immediately felt the relief when the warmth of the jacket spread all over.

At least hindi amoy pork steak.

"Just to let you know, I will run off with this jacket. Don't ever expect to see this again." I warned with a straight face.

He chuckes. Hala. Akala niya ata joke.

"Feel free to." He said.

I raised my eyebrows.

Yun na yon? Okay lang ba talaga?

Hindi ka ba hihirit ng number ko?

Eww. Seriously, Olivia? Eto talaga ang lalandiin ko? Meanwhile there's clean and respectable Ken na I didn't vibe with?

Sometimes I find my types questionable.

I turned around to leave. "Alright. I'll take that as a go signal. Bye sir." I said as I waved my hand in the air.

He's a bit okay naman pala. Maybe I was too quick to judge him earlier.

Ugh! Enough of these thoughts. I better head home.

AS SOON as I got into my condo, I immediately tossed my heels aside and headed straight to my bathroom.

This has been a looonngg night and I hear my bubble bath and scented candles calling me.

I pulled off the jacket only to hear a faint clink. Curious of what fell off, I looked down only to see an unfamiliar small metallic key.

I bended down and inabot yung susing nahulog.

The appearance of this key has woken both my demonic and angelic alter ego.

Could this be something important Or this could be a forgotten and useless thing?

I did tell barf guy that he wouldn't see his jacket again. But then again he was drunk and probably wasn't in the right headspace.

Ibabalik ko ba to sa kanya?

Hindi ko naman yun kilala. Kahit pangalan nga hindi ko nakuha. Pano ko siya mahahanap? He should've just gotten my number!

He seemed nice enough and really remorseful of what happened.

Ugh! I am completely out of my wits.

Maybe this is fate’s way of dropping an opportunity right into my lap.

I shook my head, trying to shake off that thought. I don’t even believe in fate!

But still… I had his key, and he didn’t know it.

I bit my lip, conflicted. A part of me knew I should just give it back.

Yet, I felt a little thrill from how the events unfolded this night. This could be the unexpected twist I was looking for.

A lot already happened tonight. I am completely worn out, I slipped the key into my nightstand drawer.

Just for now. I’d figure out what to do with this surprise key later.

~ • •🗝️ • • ~