Behind Curtains

Kabanata 3

Kabanata 3

Married

I was already the mansion's help, Christmas last year. Scared of sharing an upcoming organized Holiday shenanigan with people I barely even know, noong nalamang pinapahintulutang umuwi ang mga kasambahay tuwing pasko ay nagpaalam kaagad ako.

I have been to a lot of Christmas parties, even to ones where my parents were required to throw for their employees.

And all of those parties always had programs and games for entertainment. Only, they were upped to be funnier for the adults. With challenges, that were dirtier, rowdier and more disgusting. And I detested each one.

I detested the thought of earning prizes in exchange for making a fool of myself.

I mean... aren't my life choices enough?

"Hi, did you come alone?" a man cut me off of my reverie as I played with my glass.

I wouldn't have heard him if he wasn't leaning so uncomfortably close. He grinned at me knowingly.

Magalang ko naman siyang ningitian pabalik, at lumayo ng kaonti sa paninitig niya.

"Yeah, but my husband's coming down in a while..." sagot ko sa mababang tono, na siyang ikinagulat niya.

"Ah? You're married?"

I raised my left hand, to show him a gold band on my ring finger.

"But, you're so young..." the old man muttered to me.

I just smiled politely at him after he excused himself to look for another seat.

Napabuga naman ako ng hangin, and took a sip of my Blue Hawaiian. I was well-aware of this drink's effect on me, but I just wanted a good dead rest for New Year's.

I know most everybody will be up for the countdown, at maraming naglilibot ngayon to admire the extravagant decorations of the hotel. But then here's me, whose aim was to stop myself from wallowing in my own loneliness, amidst the festive hollies and too joyous jingles.

"Sorry about that, Ma'am," ani noong bar manager na lumapit sa akin, sabay lapag nito ng isang plato ng panko-fried shrimps sa harap ko.

"Oh, I did not order this..." sabi ko, medyo nalilito, because I swore toe eat a lot before coming here; so then I wouldn't have to order anything other than their drinks.

"This one's on the house na, po. We deeply apologize for all our patrons, who seem to bother you tonight, Ma'am," anito, looking genuinely apologetic as he said that.

See, hindi lang ako 'yong nakakapansin sa mga lumalapit sa aking matatanda.

I sighed at gusto pa sanang umapila dahil wala naman na 'yong kaso sa akin, but he also said that any of my orders for tonight will be on them, too. So I had to stop myself from playing fair, at hindi na mapigilang mapangisi.

I will just take my chances, then. This was better, anyway, than asking random strangers to buy me drinks, kapalit ang mababaw na pang-aakit.

"Okay, thank you very much, then," sabi ko nalang. "And advance happy new year?"

The bar manager greeted me back, before excusing himself to do some other things. Napatitig ako sa kanyang likod nang talagang tinalikuran niya lang ako.

That man was a looker. If he would've stayed and talked to me longer, I would've did my best to flirt with him.

But I know lookers like him won't even give me a second glance, unless they were either too desperate, or they were paid to do it.