"More drinks, Dei?" Humalakhak si Sheena while handing me another glass of jack coke. I immediately grabbed the cocktail from her hand and gulped it down in one sip.
"That's my girl!" tukso pa nito. I smiled and continue dancing in the couch.
"Mrs. Richards, calm down." Sinaway ako ni Kris sabay bawi ng hawak kong baso. "Alam ba ng asawa mong andito ka?"
"Shut up," I replied and asked for another glass. The waiter immediately served me one. Inagaw na naman itong muli ni Kris. Sinamaan ko na siya ng tingin.
"Dei, tumigil ka na." mahinahon niyang sagot. "Your husband will go asshat when he discovers this."
"Do you think I care?" I spat back and rose from my seat. Nakakainis 'tong si Kris! "Last time I checked, I'm back to Dei Mendoza already."
I immediately went to the dance floor and started dancing. Hoping I can forget all the heartaches I felt from my husband, Den Richards.
--
I still remember how we first met, how he actually cared for me and treasured me as a girl. The first two years of our relationship was pure bliss. Kaya kahit kaga-graduate ko lang ay agad kong tinanggap ang alok niyang kasal. Masyado pa kaming bata. He was just starting his own company and I worked as a chef sa isang three star hotel. Things were doing great for us until he's advised to fly to LA and work for his Mom's company.
Noong una, he wanted me to go with him. Hindi ako pumayag dahil nagii-start pa lang akong gumawa ng sarili kong pangalan sa industry. Which he respected. Ayos kami habang magkalayo. Walang araw na hindi kami nagfe-facetime o nag-uusap through text or email. Hanggang napadalas yung hindi naming pag-uusap. I heard from his friend na sobrang naging successful ang pagtrabaho niya sa kanyang Mommy. Magba-branch out na ang kanilang company sa Manila. I was so proud of him as it was his lifelong dream—to be recognized by his Mother.
But then, weeks later, he filed for an annulment.
The reason is, his mother liked someone else for him to marry. He did not attempt to contact me after that.
Six months after I received the papers, I finally signed that and sent it back to him. What an asshole.
Nandito ako para makalimutan ang sakit na binigay nito sa akin. Hinding hindi ko siya mapapatawad. Kailanman.
After dancing for few minutes, padarag akong bumalik sa aming table. Nakatingin lang si Kris at may tinitext na kung sino while Sheena is busy talking with her new beau. I smiled. I'm happy for them. Inaya na nila akong umuwi, which I obliged. Pagod na rin ako at maaga pa ang trabaho bukas.
Hinatid ako nina Kris ng una. Agad akong nahiga at hindi na inabalang magtanggal ng make up o magbihis. Hoping I'll forget all the heartaches I'm feeling right at this moment.
The next day, halos hindi ako makabangon sa sobrang sakit ng ulo ko. It's been a while since I drank my heart out. Though hindi ako nagsisisi, hindi rin naman ako natuwa sa outcome ng ginawa naming kagabi. Agad akong dumiretso sa banyo para magshower. After I'm done bathing, nagtoast na lang ako ng isang bread at agad dumiretso sa hotel na aking pinagtatrabahuhan.
I'm now working as a Sous Chef sa isang sikat na five-star hotel. I love my job. Hindi man ito ang pangarap sa sarili ko ay thankful pa rin ako na minahal ko ito.
"Good Morning, Chef Dei!" the front office associate greeted me. I smiled at her.
"Good Morning, Zoe! Cute mo ngayon."
"Thanks, Chef." Ngumuso ito. "May date sana kami ni Lance ngayon. Eh may susunduin daw pong VIP. So purnada. Sayang ang perm." She laughed.
"VIP?" I asked. "Wala namang notice sa kitchen na may darating na VIP." I checked my email as well. Wala din namang naendorse ang aming Executive Chef.
"Short notice daw, Chef. Hindi rin alam ni Lance actually. Nagulat na lang siya na pinasusundo ng GM 'yung bisita. Dapat daw po sa kabilang hotel 'yun e."
Tumango ako at dumiretso na sa kitchen. As expected, all of them are busy.
Nagpalit ako agad ng damit at agad nang sumabak sa kusina. This job is hard but heck, I am enjoying every bit of this. Natapos kaming magprepare ng breakfast around 6:30 AM. Hindi pa kami halos nakapahinga ay may lumabas namang notice na maghahanda na kami sa darating na mga bisita. Whew! This day will tire me to death.
I adjusted my hat and started slicing the ingredients for the "VIP".
Halos magaalas otso kaming natapos sa paghahanda. From the information that we have, anim daw sila. Lahat ng penthouse ay kinuha ng grupo. Minsan lang ma-fully book ang penthouse dahil masyado itong mahal.
"Chef Dei," Lance entered the kitchen, sweating profusely. "Gusto daw po kayong makilala ng mga guests. Wala po kasi s Chef Dexter kaya kayo na lang."
Oh... okay.
Tinanggal ko ang aking sombrero at lumabas na ng kusina. Pawis na pawis ako at nang-iinit ang pakiramdam but I have to face them immediately.
Papalapit na kami sa lamesa nang napatigil ako sa paglalakad. Nakaramdam yata si Lance at tumingin sa akin.
"The VIP, Den Richards ba ang pangalan niya?" I nervously asked. The blood rising up until my cheeks.
"Yes po, Chef. Is there a problem?"
