Tamed

Simula

Samuela

"Good evening Ma'am and Sir welcome to The Estuary!"

I cheerfully greeted every person coming inside the hotel. Some gave me brief smile pero halos lahat hindi tumitingin sakin. And it's okay. Knowing that these people came from the top of the society,  it's no wonder na may ganon silang attitude.

"Sam ako naman dito, balik ka na raw sa serving area." ani ng nakangiting si Jasmine

I nodded at her and gave her a small smile. Alam na niya ang ibig sabihin non. I don't usually talk too much. Hindi dahil sa mapili ako sa kausap but mainly because ayokong mapalapit masyado sa mga tao rito. Getting close to someone means they'll know something about you.

And I don't want that.

I enter the small counter near the grand ball area. The colorful lights here never failed to amaze me. The elegant music that the orchestra plays and the smell that lingers on the air,  ang halo-halong amoy ng mga dekalidad na alak at pagkain ang maamoy sa ere,everything here is nostalgic.

I ran my eyes quickly on the people, halos mga sikat na tao ang nandidito.

Of course,  this is the "The Estuary". One of the rising socialite hotel in the Philippines. Sa halos mag-iisang taon ko rito, nasanay na akong nakakakita ng mga malalaking tao mula sa iba't ibang industriya.

"Hey Sam! Buti na-assign ka rito ulit?" said Jack, one of the bartenders, as he place the tray of drinks on the counter.

"Ah sinabihan ako ni Jas na pumunta rito." I said as I took the tray from the counter.

"Oh it's really nice to see you again here. Halos isang linggo kang nasa reception area! Hinahanap ka ng ibang customers. Wala raw yung magandang nagse-serve." He said with a teasing smile.

I blushed. Jack really likes to embarrass me. Simula ng dumating ako rito, he has been a good acquaintance.

"Stop saying nonsense." Pabiro kong sabi.

Isang nakakalokong tawa lang ang pinakawalan niya. Jack Undecimo is a good looking man. His hair is always on a clean cut, he have this captivating gray eyes na nahalata ko lang last time na inilapit niya ang mukha niya sakin n'ong nalasing siya. With that pointed nose, and curvy lips, I know maraming kababaihan ang mahuhumaling sakanya. His jaw was also well defined.  His body was well built. He have this very unique smell lingering around him.

But that's all into it. I really don't find him attractive in any way.

Its because you grew up with around people sharing the same features of him.

The thought suddenly popped up.

"I gotta go." I said while scanning the crowd.

I swiftly carried the tray with ten glasses of champagne. Good thing is, sila na ang lumalapit sakin to get their drinks. Ilang minuto lang, I only have one glass left on the tray. I scanned the people from where I am standing, naghahanap ng pupwedeng mapagbigyan.

My eyes landed on the man wearing dark gray suit. My heart began to beat abnormally fast.
Malayo siya saakin pero ramdam ko ang talim ng titig niya saakin. How long has it been?
His pointed nose is still the same. His red lips. Mas nadepina na ngayon ang panga niya. His suit was hugging his muscles perfectly. I am lost for words. He looks so manly.

For a moment, I feel myself not breathing.  My mind is clouded with thoughts.

Should I run?

I should.

Madali kong pinutol ang tingin namin kasabay ng pagtalikod ko. Walang ibang tumatakbo sa isip ko kundi ang makaalis sa lugar na ito. Away from him. I won't waste my efforts on running away from him. No. Not now.

Sa pagmamadali, hindi ko na napagtuunan ng pansin ang nadadaanan ko. And then suddenly, I bumped into someone.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!"

Sigaw ng isang babaeng bisita. Shit. Basa na ngayon ang puting puti niyang gown. Mas lalo akong natuliro.

"I'm s-sorry Ma'am! I-I--"

"Bitch do you know how much this dress cost?! Selling you wouldn't even be enough!" Nagpupuyos sa galit na sigaw saakin ng babae. Naagaw na rin ang atensyon ng mga taong naroon. Marami na rin ang nagbubulong- bulongan.  Please. Not now. 

"I'm really sorry --" I was trying to wipe the wet part of her dress with my handkerchief ng tabigin niya ng malakas ang kamay ko. Ramdam ko ang sakit at nakita ko agad na pamumula nito.

"I really didn't mean it Ma'am. If you want--"

"SHUT UP!!" Nagulat ako ng itinaas niya ang kanyang kamay at akmang sasampalin ako. Anticipating it, napapikit nalang ako.

The place suddenly became quiet. A masculine scent filled my system. I opened my eyes. Para lamang makita ang lalaking tinatakbuhan ko na hawak ang kamay ng babaeng nasa harap ko.

Dahan dahan niyang ibinaba ang kamay ng babae. Pero hindi nakalagpas sa paningin ko ang paglukot ng mukha ng babae sa higpit ng pagkakahawak sa kanyang kamay.

He directed his gaze to me. Hindi ako makagalaw. Napapitlag ako ng bigla niyang hawakan ang bewang ko at iniharap sa babaeng iyon.

"Mr. Regos! That woman ruined my dress! She-" He cut her off.

"I'm sorry. My wife is rather really clumsy Ms. Monroe. I would send the payment to your account. I'll make it tripple." He said in a cold baritone.

Nabigla akong muli ng tumingin siya sakin. Halos kumawala ang puso ko sa kaba sa tingin na iginawad niya sakin.

He held my hand. I feel a jolt of electricity when our hands intertwined.

"Excuse us." he said before guiding me away from the scene.

Kusang nagbigay daan ang mga tao sa loob ng grand ball. Sa labas ay agad na pumalibot ang mga tauhan niyang nakasuot ng itim na tuxedo. Few of these men recognized me and bowed their heads as a sign of respect.

Hinayaan nila kaming sumakay ng elevator. Matinding kaba at takot ang bumalot saaking sistema nang mapagtanto kong kami na lamang ang nandito. I can see his reflection infront of me. Madilim ang titig niya saakin.  Napalunok ako. Inipon ko lahat ng enerhiya at lakas ng loob na natitira saakin.

"Samuel, I- I"

"Save it. Save whatever you are going to say. We'll talk when we get home."

I flinched. Abot abot ang kaba ko.Hindi ko alam kung ano bang dapat ang maging reaksyon ko sa sinabi niya.  Sumasama na rin ang pakiramdam ko. Unti-unting nanlalabo at umiikot ang paningin ko. Hanggang sa nilamon na ng dilim ang buong paligid ko.