Playing with Fire (Acosta Sisters Series #3)

Kabanata 7

Kabanata 7

Timeskip

"You seemed like you had moved on already. I like this better version of you, Kali."

I grab the shot glass filled with alcohol from Vara and I drink it straightly. Mangha siyang natawa. Pagkatapos ay nagsalin siya ulit at uminom sa baso niya.

We both currently at the club. She invited me out and who am I to refuse? I like it here better. Ito na rin naman ang ginawa kong tambayan sa mga nakalipas na taon.

It's her break from her work at ngayon niya lang ako napagbigyan after so many years. Naiintindihan ko naman. It's about her career after all. Gano'n din si Rod na busy na sa kanilang negosyo, madalang na ring magpakita, halos sa calls at sms na lang kami nag-uusap. Nakakahinayang lang din na napilitan siyang itigil ang pagbabanda. They are almost at their peak, yet he gave up on that for the sake of their business.

"And I missed this life. Ang tagal kong nagtiis! My goodness."

Natawa ako bago ibinalik sa mesa ang basong ininuman ng alak.

"Bakit kasi hindi na lang business n'yo ang atupagin mo?"

"Duh. I had no interest in hardwares. Kaya na ni Kuya 'yon." She said rolling her eyes and her gaze went back to me.

"Anyway, balik tayo sayo. Mas interesado ako sa buhay mo. At hindi mo pa sinasagot ang sinabi ko, bruha ka!" Halakhak niya.

"Alin ba? Na moved on na ko?"

"Exactly!"

Sandali akong nag-isip. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang tinutukoy niya. Marami akong naging boyfriend, ka-fling, at ka-talking stage. Hindi ko na mabilang. Lahat naman alam niya dahil palagi akong nagkukwento. At ni isa rin doon ay walang tumagal ng taon. I don't get it why. I was serious with the guys who seemed nice. I dated Blake, okay? Hindi nga lang tumagal. I don't know the reason. We seemed fine within two weeks pero natapos din agad. Then on my second year in college, I had a relationship with Quester. Three months was all we could take. Siya ulit ang nakipagbreak. Then I met Jericho when I am in my third year college, I even felt happy when we reached five months pero iniwan din ako. After that, I just do flings. Landian lang, usap-usap. Nanawa na rin ako. Lahat kasi iniiwan ako! Tapos mababalitaan kong ako pa 'yong masama at nakipaghiwalay.

Then there's Warren I'd known through a common friend. We dated for three months and became officially after that. I even thought he would be my last. He was the longest relationship I'd had. He was a good man. He's so thoughtful and caring. I really liked him. But after six months of in a relationship, he suddenly told me it was over. No explanation, no reason. Kagaya rin ng mga past boyfriends ko. I demanded an explanation dahil wala naman akong ginagawang masama at sawang sawa na ako sa gano'ng set up. But he just walked away without a word.

After no'n, hindi na ulit ako sumubok ng seryosong relasyon. It's a waste of time. Sabi nga ni Vara baka raw isinumpa ako. She even good luck me on my future. Mukhang tatanda raw akong dalaga. Napapasimangot na lang ako kapag naaalala ko lahat ng 'yon.

"I told you already about Warren and he was my last serious relationship after Jericho." I answered plainly while eating chips.

I saw her rolled her eyes. "Duh, alam nating pareho kung sino ang tinutukoy ko."

Humalakhak ako't napailing. "Are you talking about Kleo?"

Vara's eyes widen in surprise. She quickly takes another sip of her drink before grabbing my arms.

"Oh my god! Bitch, congratulations!" she exclaimed like I've just won the most priceless award. "It seems like you've finally snapped out of it. I thought you were still hung up on that guy, and all those others were just distractions."