IKIGAI Series #1: Estranghero

38

WARNING: This chapter contains mature themes, strong language, and scenes not suitable for readers below 18. Read at your own discretion. Kung hindi mo kayang magbasa ng ganitong content, please skip.

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The lights were blinding. The bass shook the floor.

The whole club pulsed with energy, filled with laughter, music, at mga sigawan ng mga empleyado naming high na high pa rin sa adrenaline ng bagong partnership deal.

The celebration was big or should I say much bigger than I expected.

But I let them plan it. After all, weeks of negotiations and multi-billion peso contracts deserve at least one night of escape.

I stood near the private booth we reserved, holding a half-full glass of whisky, watching my team lose themselves in dance, conversation, and cocktails.

I glanced at my phone, scanning the last message I received from Miguel hours ago.

Miguel: Sorry love, I can't come tonight. May final paper ako bukas. I'll make it up to you. Promise.

I had smiled reading that earlier.

But now, I could already feel the dull ache of being alone in a room full of people.

"Okay lang kayo, Sir?" Sam asked habang may hawak pang drinks sa kamay niya. I smiled at him. Maya-maya ay umalis ito kasama ang iba pa naming mga kasama.

Kinuha ko ang wine glass at tumungga ng panibagong Purple Margarita na sakto lang para malasing ako mula sa iilang rounds ng pag-inom.

Napatingala ako at sinandal ang ulo sa sofa. Ramdam ko ang pagtaas-baba ng adams apple ko dahil sa paglunok. Maybe thinking some of my problems especially the one between me and Kiernan na ikinadagdag pa ang isipin kay Miguel.

Sobrang nagsisisi ako tangina. I want to punch myself really hard because I feel like pinaglalaruan at pinapaasa ko lang si Miguel. Huminga ako ng malalim at sumalin muli sa baso ng panibagong round ng inumin.

The music was thumping, the lights were flashing, and the energy was electric. Kaya bago pa akong makapag senti dito sa upuan at mabulok sa kalungkutan ay tumayo na ako na malapit pang ma out of balance nang makaramdam ako ng kaunting pagkahilo. Pero buti nalang at nakaya ko pang balansehin ang sarili ko.

"Hi there pretty boy, are you alone?" A random girl ask when I am making my way towards the dance floor. Tinaas ko ang kamay kong may hawak na wine glass at tumango sa kaniya. I didn't let her finish talking at umalis na ako.

Marami akong naradamang kamay na humahaplos sa balikat at itaas na bahagi ng katawan ko habang lumulusot ako sa gitnang bahagi ng dance floor.

Nang makarating sa kinaroroonan nila Sam ay naghiyawan ang mga ito na ikinangisi ko. Suddenly the music change. Napangiti pa ako when one of my fave song played, I Took a Pill in Ibiza by Mike Posner.

I was just drunk-dancing there like walang pake-alam sa paligid. Alam kong para na akong tanga sa ginagawa ko but I don't care. Kahit ngayong gabi man lang ay mabawasan o makalimutan ko itong ini-istress ko.

I raise my glass one again and took a sip at it hanggang sa maubos when a stranger approached me. He's tall, dark, and dangerously charming and the man locked his eyes in me.

"Hey there, curly boy," the stranger purred, leaning in close. "I'm Marco. What's a sexy thing like you doing all alone out here?"

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko at sinubukan siyang hindi siya pansinin when he suddenly grb my waist.