Roller Coaster

RC --- Chapter FOUR.one

Trouble is part of your life – if you don’t share it,  you don’t give the person who loves you a chance to love you enough. --- Dinah Shore

I instinctively looked at the owner of the voice and was shocked to see he was already sitting beside me. “Another bourbon shot Rob.” Directing the statement to the bartender.

“Of course Sir Miggy, Ma’am eto na po yung pineapple juice nyo.” Bumaling ako sa bartender at nagpasalamat. I took the glass and was about to leave when I heard the stranger questioned.

“Do you believe in love at first sight?” I stopped and glanced back at him.

“Excuse me?” I asked, making sure if the question was indeed intended for me. Was he actually asking me? “I asked you if you believe in love at first sight.” He repeated.

It sounded like another pick up line but there was something different on how he delivered it. Creases formed on my forehead as I quickly surveyed this guy. Handsome, undoubtedly on that; mischievously mysterious, we can blame that on the dim light; and he appeared decent, his aura radiating no harm.

“No.” I simply answered, preparing to resume my interrupted cat walk.

“Neither do I.” He quickly responded though. “I think love goes beyond attraction, lust or first impression. But what if you met someone who stirs up something foreign inside you, how would you react?” If he was trying to get my attention, he succeeded not in a good way nga lang.

I raised an eye brow and more wrinkles emerged on my usually relaxed forehead. Was he seriously asking me this? But before I could react, he started laughing. “What am I doing?! Sorry! That was just stupid of me!” He covered his mouth trying to suppress further laughter from coming out.

That made my already raised eye brow notched an inch higher. Was this guy toying with me? And I thought he looked decent pa naman. I felt my equanimity slowly fading. Gosh! I don’t want to fight anyone now. I took deep breaths mentally counting each so as not to let myself yield on agitation.

“Uhm, sorry.” His tone calm and cautious. I suppose he most likely felt the annoyance he gave me. “I didn’t mean to sound rude; I apologize for the offensive behavior.” He spoke slowly as if finding the right words that could fix the damage he just made.

“Uhm, My name’s Miguel.” He hesitantly introduced himself, the cockiness he had earlier completely gone. Tumingin ito sa dance floor. “Your friends?”

This guy questions too much! Di ako umimik.

“Hey… uhm… sorry about laughing earlier, I admit it was a bad approach. I’m not a bad person you know. Nakikipagkilala lang, trying to gain new friends.” Paliwanag nito. Yeah right! By using pick up lines?

I gazed at him and was about to speak when a group of men approached us.

“Sir Miggy, mauna na po kami sa inyo. Maraming salamat po ulit sa treat. Sa uulitin. The best talaga kayo sir.” A guy in a green long-sleeved polo politely said. The other four also saying their goodbyes.

“Sure Marko, anytime. As long as we stay focus and meet our objectives, mauulit ito. Now go, I know you’re all tired. Thank you for all the efforts and sacrifices for this project. No need to come tomorrow sa office, we don’t have much to do din lang naman so take an early break.” He hugged each one of them.