That One Night

Prologue

Hindi ko alam na ang gabing ito pala ang magpapabago ng takbo ng buhay ko. Isang pagkakamali na pilit kong itatago mula sa mga taong mahal ko.

"Are you sure about this one?" This is the third time my best friend, Winey, has asked me that same question. We are at Double-u's bar right now. This is where she works as a waitress every night. Gaya ko, isa rin syang working student.

Nandito kami sa Manila nakikipagsapalaran sa buhay na di namin masyadong himay. Sa States kami pinanganak at doon din kami lumaki. It was only when we stepped into college na pareho kaming pinatapon (literally threw) dito sa Pilipinas.

We were given just enough money to rent an apartment for three people. Every month, pinapadalhan din kami ng pera ng kanya-kanya naming pamilya but the money they sent is never enough lalo na't marami-rami kaming pinagkakagastusan.

We are now in our last year in college, both taking up business administration and we badly need more money because of thesis and OJT purposes. Ayaw naman kaming padalhan ng extra money ng aming mga mapagmahal na magulang kaya heto, we both looked for part-time jobs. Si Winey dito sa Double-u as a waitress at ako naman cashier sa isang ice-cream shop named Icy's.

Our family has no idea we are doing this kind of thing, by the way. They'll kill us if they find out. Alam naman namin pareho na pinakaiingatan nila ang pangalan ng pamilya.

"I'm 99.99% sure of everything, Wine." I crossed my legs while sitting comfortably on the sofa. Di kalayuan sa sofang inuupuan ko ay ang sofang ino-okupa ng apat na lalake. One of them is my long-time crush, the man I always dream, Sine dela Flores.

"Teka, wag mong sabihin aayaw ka?" I glared at her while crossing my arms. "Please, Wine. Para namang big deal pa satin to. If we are still in the States, I'm sure this is just a piece of cake for you and I." Half-true, half-lie.

"I know. I know. It's just that—" Inikot-ikot muna nya ang tingin nya bago sya mabilisang umupo sa tabi ko. "You know that his friend is my boss, diba? What if my boss finds out? We still have four months left before we graduate. I can't find another job if I get fired here."

I shook my head and tapped her right shoulder.

"Come on. He will never find out. Unless hindi gumana ang gamot na ilalagay mo dyan sa inumin nya."

"Hay naku, babaita ka talaga. Kung di lang kita best friend, I will never do this. Anyway, time check. It's almost 11 and these boys usually leave the bar by 12 midnight. Yung crush mo na si Sine hindi yan umaalis. Dyan yan natutulog sa third floor, sa pinakadulong silid. At 12 midnight, you can enter his room. Sure ako by that time nasa silid na sya."

I smiled widely at Wine. She really did her job. For the last two weeks, wala syang ibang ginawa kundi manmanan ang routine ni Sine every night na pumupunta sya rito.

"Ibang klase, Wine. Salute girl. You did a great job huh."

"Yeah, whatever. Oh, yang inumin na yan medyo high ang alcohol. I don't know if you can take that but that will help you. Alam kong kinakabahan ka rin sa gagawin mo."

Tumayo na sya at iniwan sa mesang nasa harapan ko ang isang glass ng inumin. Di ako maalam sa mga inumin dahil hindi naman talaga ako umiinom, but tonight's an exemption. Bago ko inumin ang alak, may kinuha muna akong tableta sa bag ko at ininom ito. Then, sinimulan ko na ang alak.

I need a drink to get myself ready. I need the courage to do what I've planned. Sana lang maging matagumpay ang gabing ito.

It's now or never. Balita ko kasi, next week Sine will be flying to Guam for some works and if he does leave the country without me having a chance to talk to him, baka malabo na na magkita pa kami. Kaya ngayon na talaga ang oras para magtagpo ang mga landas namin. Besides, if I go back to where I should be, it would be impossible for me to see him ever again.