Double Take (Lovesick Fools Series #1)

Chapter 33

Caught

I stared at my reflection on the glass of rhum that I was holding as I leaned on the bannister of the second floor area of a bar somewhere in Makati. I sighed before I slowly brought it to my lips. Tinanaw ko ang kabuuan ng bar pagkatapos. The lighting is dim but vibrant with neon hues. It reflected the mirrored surfaces and matched the beat of the music. Ang mga tao sa ibaba ay nagkakasiyahan. It was the peak of the party anyway.

"Oh, you're just here! I thought you went home already!"

Hindi ako kumibo. Muli kong tinungga ang laman ng baso hanggang sa maubos iyon. I heard her giggle beside me. And the way she was hyped, I just know that she's already tipsy... or worse, drunk. Nanatili akong nakatanaw sa ibaba para pigilan ang mas lalong pag-usbong ng iritasyon ko. Iritasyon para sa kanya. Iritasyon para sa lahat. Para sa lahat ng nangyayari at nangyari na.

"Tita Adeline called me saying that you're coming here to fetch me. I thought she was just kidding because I saw you leave a while ago! But then nandito ka lang pala? You're really waiting for me, huh?" She laughed happily before she clung her hands on my arm. Tinanggal ko iyon kaagad pero ibinalik niya rin. I sighed heavily, my thread of patience was wearing thin.

"I was so jealous a while ago! My friends told me that they saw you leave with Stacey! Mabuti na lang at hindi naman totoo!"

Hinarap ko siya at malamig na tiningnan. "I came here because my family was pestering me. Your mom called me too. Hindi mo pala kayang umuwi nang mag-isa? Bakit ka pa nagliwaliw ng ganitong oras?"

Napasimangot siya. "My friends invited me!"

"I don't care, Ellaine."

"At minsan lang naman—

"Bakit hindi ka sa kanila magpahatid?" I cut her off  mercilessly. I saw how my aggressiveness affected her that she immediately got her hands off me. Her lips quivered for words. Her eyes shone with tears. But I don't give a shit. I don't feel anything but anger for everything that has happened to me. "Hindi ako pumunta rito para sunduin ka katulad ng iniisip mo. I came here to tell you to stop fucking pestering my life. I am warning you."

"But I am your fiancée!" She insisted, almost crying and hysterical. "We are going to get married soon!"

I gritted my teeth. Ang maikli kong pasensiya ay hindi ko na makapa pa. At kung hindi pa ako aalis ay baka kung ano nang magawa ko. "Did I ever agree to that? If you want, you can marry my mother instead or whoever in my family who fucking told you that I can be tied to you. I am not marrying you. I am not marrying anyone. Get that?"

Tinalikuran ko siya pero mukhang hindi pa siya tapos at nagawa akong sundan pababa.

"Why? Is it because of Stacey? That bitch? Ano? Was she good in bed? Ano? Ayaw mo sa akin pero kinama mo na ang babaeng 'yon?"

Tanginang buhay 'to. Saan niya naman napulot 'yan?

"I told you I am better! You just need to give me a chance and I'll show you!"

Napaismid ako. No, thanks.

"O baka naman dahil hindi ka pa rin makamove on doon sa sinasabi mong ex mo?" She taunted evilly, pouring salt on my wounds. It made me stop my tracks. Halos sumubsob siya sa akin dahil sa biglaang pagharap ko sa kanya. She smirked as if she got me in her trap. Sinubukan niyang humawak sa akin pero pinigilan ko siya. My slight push almost made her fall to the floor if I wasn't just fast enough to hold her arm.

"Ano Benj? Dahil pa rin sa lalaking 'yon? Ilang taon na ang nakalilipas! And you really think I would believe you? Ni hindi nga naniniwala ang pamilya mo na pumatol ka do'n, ako pa kaya?" She spit those words as if she was disgusted with the idea.