Bachelor's Night

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Shang Rila Mactan Cebu..

We arrived exactly 5pm in the afternoon. Maganda at malaki ang kabuuan ng lugar, andami ring pwedeng gawin, but I couldn't find myself dwelling on how fascinating the whole place is.

Something's bothering me. Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba 'yon sa mensahe niya or just the mere fact that we will be on the same trip for the whole--unfortunate--week. I just don't understand. I've been good for the past couple of years but jinx is playing shit on me.

"Alex? Are you okay?" Tanong ni Craig, schoolmate at common friend namin ni Bubbles noon. Tumango lang ako para wala ng follow-up questions.

"Give me your luggage. Ako na ang magdadala." He offered.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. It's been months na hindi na niya ako masyadong kinakausap matapos ang napaka-awkward na pagtatapat nito.

The guy had the nerve to confessed his feelings towards me, but I felt so uneasy that I unintentionally broke his heart--twice.

Don't get me wrong, hindi siya pangit at lalong hindi siya mukhang pakboy, hindi pa lang talaga ako handang makipag relasyon. I have a lot of self issues that I cannot afford to love someone aside from my family.

It's better to tell him everything kaysa umasa siya sa wala.

He raised his hands as if surrendering. "Gusto lang kitang tulungan. That's it." Pangungulit nito.

I finally gave in at hinayaan siyang dalhin ang di kalakihang bagahe na puro T-shirt at jeans lang ang laman. Bubbles made an eye contact as if telling me to take this chance and make it up to him. Stupid! Sinamaan ko lang siya ng tingin.

"Listen up!" Tawag ni kalbo nang makababa kaming lahat sa van. We gathered around him and listen to whatever he has to say.

"This is not the official day of our tour. We will going to visit some amazing historical spots and two museums here in Cebu for the upcoming days. For now, I will allow you to check out the whole place and be back later at 8pm for our team dinner." Lahat naghiyawan pero agad ding natahimik when he gave us his usual warning look. "Just a gentle reminder, do not do stupid things or I'll send you home--no questions ask, okay?"

"Yes, Sir!" Sabay-sabay nilang hiyaw at tila mga batang sabik na sabik na pumasok sa loob.

"Friend! Anong room ka?" Tanong ni Bubbles. Hingal kabayo ito sa sobrang daming dala. Mukhang wala na itong planong umuwi.

"I'm with Camille."

"Shocks! Pwede bang palit na lang kami? Baka kasi pagtangkaan ako ni Craig, mahirap na." Pagmamakaawa nito.

Isang malakas na hampas ang naging sagot ko. "Mas mukha kang may binabalak kesa sa kanya."

Tumawa lang si Craig at sabay-sabay na kaming umakyat.

°°°
The room serves its purpose. Hindi maikakailang napakaganda ng view sa labas ng balcony. You can see the whole area kaya may ideya na ako kung saan ako pupunta.

"Magpapa massage ako, Lex. Sama ka?" Aya ni Camille matapos naming ayusin ang mga gamit.

Tipid akong ngumiti. "Next time na lang siguro."

Nagkibit balikat lang ito saka nagpaalam na mauuna ng lumabas.

I decided to chill for awhile habang nagyo-youtube nang may biglang kumatok. Akala ko si Bubbles kaya hindi na ako nag-abalang tignan ang peephole.

"Craig. Sup?" Mukhang mangungulit na naman.

"Baka gusto mong mag swimming?" Nakangiting tanong nito.

Kung siguro ibang babae ako, I would grab the chance. He's definitely not bad for a boyfriend. Mabait at gwapo rin naman ito. Pero alam mo 'yong pakiramdam na kahit anong gawin mo wala talaga?

"Bukas na lang siguro. Kailagan ko munang magpahinga." I retorted.

A sudden disappointment flashed on his face but he still managed to smile. "Of course. Kita na lang tayo sa restaurant mamaya."

Pilit ang ngiting tumango ako. "See you."

That's when I received another text.

Don't you think masyadong maikli ang short mo para makipag-usap ka sa lalaki?

Kunot ang noong tinignan ko ang pang-ibaba kong damit. It's 1 inch below my fucking knee. Anong pinagsasabi niya?

You bet it was from crazy Zach. Nasan ba siya? Nagpalinga linga ako pero wala akong makitang unggoy.

Where are you? I texted back.

Miss me?

Gago!

Wear your usual jeans. I'll see you tonight.

Kasabay nun ang marahas na pagsara ng pinto sa kabilang pasilyo. Was it him? Ano bang problema niya!?