One more night

01. What you are to me

Junko's

"Well, I thought you'd be here so I came down. How's Hati doing? Is she on labor na?"

I was talking to Hyron on the phone and I could also hear Hecate on the background calling him. I couldn't imagine my dear friend doing his daddy duties. I mean, he is the CEO of one of the biggest and famous multi-billion dollar company in the country right now. I wanted to laugh at his face and I will do that once I get back to the Metro tomorrow morning to visit his wife, Lualhati.

"Yes, she is on labor. Mama's with her in the hospital. Umuwi lang ako para kunin si Hecate at ibigay kay Hyan. Saka iyong ibang gamit niya. And I have a feeling mali iyonh ultrasound. Mukhang lalaki na naman ang anak ko." He sounded happy and I am very happy for him too. Masyado nang maraming pinagdaanan si Hyron nitong mg nakalipas na taon and having his child and Hati by his side, iyon na ang pinakamasayang pangyayari sa buhay niya and I am very happy for him talaga.

"Alright. Balitaan mo na lang ako." I was smiling. Napatingin ako sa bar tender nang iabot niya sa akin ang glass of margarita ko. I ended the call and enjoyed the moment.

I was in one of the bars inside the Consunji Leisure Parks and Hotel. I really thought Hyron and his family will be here. I like hanging out with him and Hati. Ang saya kasi nilang tingnan. Para bang walang nakalipas na taon sa kanilang dalawa plus, nandoon si Hecate, ang una kong inaanak. Hati asked me to be the godmother of her child and I gladly obliged.

Si Hecate ang kauna-unahang batang hinayaan kong mapalapit sa akin. It's not that I hate kids, I just don't like getting close to them because every time I see one, naaalala ko kung anong nawala sa akin.

I ordered another glass of margarita.

It's been eleven years since it happened. Kahit na sa hindi ko ginustong paraan – nabuo ang batang iyon sa aking sinapupunan and it made me happy well until I gave birth to him when I was just five months pregnant and he died. The doctors did everything they could but he just couldn't make it

I remember how tiny he was. How little his hands and fingers were. I remember as he slowly dies in my arms. I remember everything as if it only happened yesterday... I sighed again. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko dahil nakadama ako ng kaunting paninikip nito. Inubos ko ang alak sa baso ko at saka nag-iwan ng pera sa bar table at naglakad na paalis.

I was walking in the middle of the bar when a man suddenly grabbed my arm and made me face him. My eyes widened.

"Hey! Let's dance. I've been looking at you kanina pa!" He grind in front of me. He even pulled me closer. Napasinghap ako nang maramdaman ko ang pagkalalaki niya sa akin. Pilit niyang idinidiin ang sarili niya sa akin and I was doing my best to get out of his touch pero mas malakas siya sa akin.

"Tang ina! Ang sarap mo!" Bulong niya sa tainga ako. He even licked my earlobe.

Napasigaw ako.

"Let me go!" Nanginginig ang boses ko. "Let me go!"

"H'wag ka nang magpakipot! Tang ina! Nakakalibog ka!" Bulong niyang muli. The man had a huge body and tattooed arms. He seemed so strong at mukha talaga siyang goons. He grind his lower body to my behind. Nanginginig ang katawan ko sa sobrang pandidiri.

"Bitawan mo ako!"

Lalo niya akong ikinulong sa mga bisig niya. Napapaluha na ako.

"Bitaw! Bitaw!" I am crying now.

"H'wag ka nang pakipot! Magsusuot ka ba nang ganyang kaikli kung ayaw mo nito?! Tang ina! Ang lambot – lambot ----"

Hindi ko na maintindihan kung anong nangyari nang sumunod na iyon. Hindi na niya natapos ang sinasabi niya tapos nakabitaw siya sa akin. When I looked back he was kneeling on the floor, hawak niya ang likod na bahagi ng kanyang ulo and there's blood on his hands.