One Last Time (R18)

Kabanata LXXII: WHITE FLAG

White Flag.
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          PAGKATAPOS NG MEET-UP NAMIN, naghiwa-hiwalay rin kami ng mga kaibigan ko dahil may kanya-kanya pa kaming lakad.

Tulad ng sinabi niya, hinatid ako ni Annika sa Salguero Bar, kung saan kami magkikita ni Jaei.

Nakarating kami bandang 6:40 PM. Madilim na sa paligid, at bago ako bumaba ng sasakyan ay inayos muna ni Annika ang buhok at make-up ko-mabilisang retouch lang para magmukha pa ring presentable.

"Enjoy your dinner," ani Annika habang binubuksan ko ang pinto. "Pero kahit sa mansion pa ako uuwi, don't hesitate to call me kung gusto mong magpasundo. I'll keep my phone open."

Pagbaba, hindi ko muna sinara ang pinto at nilingon siya. "No, don't bother. Ihahatid naman siguro ako ni Jaei. At kung hindi, magta-taxi na lang ako. Ayokong makaabala pa."

"You sure?" Annika asked skeptically.

Ngumiti ako. "I'll be fine. I promise."

Ilang segundo pa akong tinitigan ni Annika bago siya tuluyang sumuko. "Alright. Text me when you get home."

"I will," wika ko, at isinara na ang pinto ng sasakyan. Hinintay ko itong makaalis bago ako humarap sa entrance ng bar.

Big chandeliers, polished Narra tables, high stools, and dim amber lights welcomed me the moment I stepped inside. Soft jazz music drifted through the air, completing the place's old Spanish ambiance. The place wasn't too loud-just enough noise to drown out other people's conversations without disrupting the calm atmosphere.

Saglit akong huminto sa may entrance habang iniikot ang tingin sa paligid.

I didn't see Jaei. Mukhang mas maaga akong nakarating.

I walked towards the counter with my knee-length black halter dress with a scoop backline exposing my shoulder blades, swaying elegantly with every step. My hair, styled by Annika, gently bounced against my shoulders, following the subtle movements of my dress. May ilang mga matang sumusunod sa'kin, but I ignored them.

Umupo ako sa isang bakanteng stool at ipinatong ang sling bag ko sa ibabaw ng counter.

"One glass of red wine," sabi ko sa bartender na agad tumango at inasikaso ang order ko.

Habang hinihintay ko ang order ko, hindi ko napigilang silipin ang phone ko. Walang bagong mensahe. At hindi pa rin dumarating si Jaei.

My brows furrowed slightly. What's taking him so long?

"Here's your drink, ma'am," the bartender said as he handed me the wineglass.

"Thank you," tipid kong ngiti bago ko 'yon tinaggap. Iniwanan din agad ako ng bartender para asikusahin ang ibang customer.

I slowly swirled the wine inside before taking a small sip. Then I turned my high stool toward the entrance again para abangan ang pagdating ni Jaei doon, pero ilang minuto na ang lumipas, hindi pa siya dumarating, at hindi ko maiwasang makaramdam ng kaba. I didn't know if it was anticipation or instinct... but something about tonight already felt off. Like it wasn't going to end the way I thought it would.