That Unfaithful Night (Completed)

Chapter 36

Sa isang karaoke bar kami pumunta ni Phil. He was even apologetic because he didn't know anything about bars kaya dun sya nakapag-yaya para uminom.

"I mean, don't get me wrong I go to bars, clubs, usually with Dan and our other friends. But I go with them so it's like weird if I go by myself or initiate something like that now."

"So is it weird you're not with them now?"

Nalungkot sya. "We're like brothers. They're my bestfriends. Nakakalungkot. Sila yung kasama ko dapat sa ganito, sa problema, pero sila yung hindi ko kasundo."

Nalungkot ako for Phil. He was not in good terms with his best pals. He was someone who usually associates himself with a group, with Dan and their friends, but he now seemed alone and most especially, awkward with a girl, with me. Sanay syang puro kaibigan ang kasama at hindi babae lang.

"How about Say? Are you planning on speaking to her again?" tanong ko.

"Not at this time, I don't think. I think I really need to think, to take a rest from everyone involved in that. Medyo naka-gago kasi sa'kin. Gulat pa 'ko para magalit. Eh after gulat may galit pa."

"Any other friends or exes?"

"Two exes are already married but we're all still good friends. One was Lovely and you know where she is now. Another's in US, a lesbian now, but great friend still, but busy for me to talk to her about anything. Friends, well friends from Church who don't really approve of problems like the one I'm having with my friends right now. Alam mo na, bawal kasi supposedly ang pre-marital sex. Ayoko namang makarinig ng 'yan kasi', 'yan kasi'."

Natawa 'ko. "You have me Phil."

"You're right," he said. He clinked his bottle with mine.

Magaling kumanta si Phil. Lead guitarist sya sa unang banda ni Dan and he also sings sometimes 'pag kailangan ng kanta pero mas gusto nya kasing mag-gitara kaya he didn't focus on singing. Habang patagal ng patagal mas pataas na ng pataas ang mga kinakanta nya.

After several beers, we were drunk. He was loose, comfortable and more himself.

"Oh! Oh! Here's mah song far yah Ahnah! Sing! This is a duet!"

"Ahkei!" payag at thumbs up ko.

The music, lights and the cold air-conditioning filled my senses. The instrumental part of the song seeped through me that I was having goosebumps.

He pointed at me. "Say something I'm giving up on you," he started. He put his hand on his chest. "I'll be the one if you want me to." His eyes spoke to me. "Anywhere I would've followed you. Say something, I'm giving up on you."

Magsesecond voice ako dapat on the next part but I broke down. The song really got to me.

"No, come on," he urged. Nilapitan nya 'ko at inakbayan. "Kaya natin 'to. Si Dan lang yun Ana. You can move on. That was your plan before right? If you were able to forget him then you can ngayon."

Tumango ako but still my heart was breaking. Why do we easily fall and then fall apart?

"I hope may masasabi akong okay so you could be okay, but you just have to endure the pain, but know na it will get better. Hayaan mo na muna sya. Baka ngayon lang din yan. He'll come around."

Tumango ako. "Thanks Phil. Ang dami-dami ko ng utang sa'yo."

"Mas lalong dadami 'pag 'di mo 'ko sinabayan dito sa next bit." Huminga sya. "And I... will swallow my pride. You're the one that I love... And I'm saying goodbye."

T*ngina kasing kanta yan.

Three months later...

"Phil! Hello! Long time no see!" dinig kong sabi ni Maria sa baba.