Escaped

Kabanata 11

Kabanata 11: Beat

Smokes and lights filled our sights and the ground was shaking with the beat of the huge stereos scattered around. Even If I could barely hear myself, I found it even more comfortable than at home.

“Cheers to that,” Ryde raised his glass then gulped it. Muli niyang pinunan ang mga bakanteng laman ng baso namin matapos naming maubos ‘yon.

“So, is that really your plan?” I asked him. “How about your family? Girls? Us? You just gonna leave us behind?” tanong ko sa naglolokong boses.

“Well that’s his biggest dream,” Ryde mumbled as he sat beside me. “Biggest than the love of his life,” he snickered.

“Well my fist is bigger than your face too, Leibniz,” Led glowered, threatening Ryde who was already focused on his phone.

Led has been accepted to this huge company, which is just like what Ryde have stated, one of his dreams. He should be glad but I couldn’t feel it. Parang ang nakikita ko ngayon sa kanya ay ang pagdadalawang-isip kung itutuloy niya pa ba ito o ipagpapaliban muna niya at may dalawang rason kung ano ang pumipigil sa kanya.

“Paano ang pamilya mo? Oh well, except on Chelsea who is currently has a bodyguard.”

“Boyfriend, Jude. I am her boyfriend,” pagmamayabang ni Ryde na nakangisi. “Don’t worry about her, Led. I’ll take care of her.” He tapped Led’s shoulder.

Tumawa si Led bago sumimsim sa basong nakalaan para sa kanya. “I still can’t believe you’ve got a gold with your rotten style, Ryde. Kapatid ko pa. This is so cringe.”

“Well, I am sorry Kuya Led but you should use to it. Bayaw…” Natawa ako nang makita ang nandidiring mata ni Led.

Sumandal ako sa upuan at pinanuod ang mga nagkakatuwaan sa dance floor. I got my phone out of my pocket and still, there was no message from them. Ano na naman kaya ang pinagkakaabalahan ng dalawang ‘yon?

“Hoy, Clavez! May nabalitaan ako tungkol sa ‘yo,” naningkit ang mga mata ni Led.

Itinago ko ulit ang phone ko bago kinuha ang basong may lamang alak.

“Source?” I took a sip from it.

“Nagtanong ka, Led. Hindi ko naman talaga sasabihin sa ‘yo kung hindi mo ako tinanong,” mabilis na depensa ni Ryde. Mukhang hindi na niya kailangang sagutin ang tanong ko.

I shook my head as I gulped another shot of champagne.

“Kailan ka pa naging masikreto, Judeus?” Naiiling na tanong ni Led habang pinaglalaruan ang yelo sa baso. “But based on what Ryde have told me. You seem torn between your sister and your fiancé which is I found confusing.”

I just shrugged my shoulder. Naramdaman kong hinawakan ni Ryde ang balikat ko kaya bumagsak ang aking tingin sa basong nasa lamesa.

“Mr. Confused,” Ryde mocked. “Mr. Torn and Mr. Lost.”

“Fuck you, Ryde!” hinawi ko ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa balikat ko na ikinahalakhak niya.

Diretso kong nilagok ang laman ng nahagip ng kamay kong baso at muling nagsalin doon. Ramdam ko ang mga tingin na ipinupukol sa akin ni Led. Mas natatakot ako sa mga salita ni Led kesa kay Ryde.

“Do you want me to say something, Jude?” asked Led.

“Of course, Alled. Let me hear your professional advice,” si Ryde ang sumagot.

“Ba’t ba natin sinama ang mokong na ito?” Turo niya kay Ryde.

“Come on, Led. I am all ears,” I gulped.