Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
IT was a normal Saturday night for everyone.
Ang lahat ay may kanya-kanyang pakay sa gabing ito. May mga nag punta para uminom at makipag kwentuhan, may mga nag-iisa at naghahanap ng makakasama para sa gabing ito. Mayroong mga tao sa gitna, naka harap sa entablado. Sumisigaw, tumatalon mula sa musika na hatid ng isang banda ng mga kalalakihan.
"And there's no guarantee that this will be easy."
The owner of the husky, cold voice who sang that made the crowd of girls go wild was Grae. The lead guitarist and the lead vocalist of the band Fedelis. He was wearing a white hoodie and a pair of glasses.
His eyes are closed while singing seriously like his life depended on the mic and the electric guitar he's playing.
Contrasting him was Jeremy, the bassist. The sleeves of his black shirt was rolled emphasizing his biceps and the veins in his arms while strumming his bass guitar. Kanina pa ito ngumingiti sa mga babae at kumikindat.
"It's not a miracle you need. Believe me."
Meanwhile, Bryan looked exhausted, tumutulo na ang pawis nito sa kakatalon habang naggi-gitara. Since he's also singing, nararamdaman niyang namamaos na ang kanyang boses.
It was a good thing that Rain is the drummer kaya nasa likuran siya. He's the youngest member of the band. It's not that he's an introvert but the nasty looks of girls makes him uncomfortable.
Everyone near on stage came to Cupid's Den just to watch them. Since they rarely perform outside or in their university but since this is an exclusive club, you need an invite.
Also, there are certain rules they need to follow like the prohibition of bringing cellphones inside the club. Everyone inside are being watched by the head of security, Gil.
He uses his charms and wits to make everyone follow his rules. Hindi rin naman nalalayo ang edad niya sa mga college students na pumupunta dito.
"Yeah, I'm no angel, I'm just me. But, I will love you endlessly."
On the right side of the club is the bar with the sleepy bartender. Clarence is lucky na mayroon siyang mapupungay na mga mata. He looked at his wristwatch. He can't feel sleepy dahil may trabaho pa siya pagkatapos nito.
Ang club ay may tatlong waitress, si Mia, na kumakanta din sa club kaya ngayong hindi niya oras ay sumasabay na lang siya sa kanta.
There's also Italy who was wearing a dark red lipstick that made her look intimidating.
And there's Bubbles na may maiksing buhok at maliit din ang height. She literally looks like a kid with her refreshing smile.
Then three girls started entering the club. One is excited, the other was looking anxious, while the long haired girl looks like in despair.
"I'm not perfect but I swear I'm perfect for you!" The excited one, loudly singing along, while pulling her friends in the vacant sofa.
"Di'ba, guys? Okay naman!" Samantha just sighed to her friend as an answer. Hindi rin naman umimik ang isa pa nilang kaibigan.
Iginala niya ang paningin sa kabuuan ng maliit na club. Usok ang lumalabas sa gitnang entablado kaya halos matakpan na ang mga lalaking nagpe-perform at ang mga sumasayaw sa gitna.
A neon sign with the phrase Amor Vincit Omnia was written in the brick designed wall. So, this is the exclusive club that her friend can't stop talking about.
"Ano na?" Samantha impatiently told to her friends. Sure, maganda yung lugar pero wala siyang panahon para magpakasaya. She needs her heart to be healed and this is the exact place, as said by her friend, na makakatulong sakanila.
"Chill! Hintayin lang natin." Sabi pa ni Elisse, the excited one, kay Anne.
"I want my phone back na." Anne whined at them.
"Wala din namang signal."
Dahil nga underground ang lugar, wala ding signal pero si Elisse na mismo nag sabi na hindi ito ang totoong dahilan kung bakit pinagba-bawal ang pag gamit ng cellphone.
Maya-maya ay may lumapit sakanilang maliit na babae na may malaking ngiti sa mukha.
"Good evening, what's your order?" She bubbly asked them.
"3 beers and uhm.. the secret menu?" Tumingin muna si Elisse kay Samantha bago sumagot.
Agad ang pagkawala ng ngiti sa mukha ni babae. Kumunot ang noo nito at luminga sa paligid.
"What is it, then?"
"Semper fidelis."
Matagal pa ang babaeng tumingin sakanila na parang kinikilatis. Wala kang makikitang emosyon sa mukha nito habang ginagala ang mata sakanila hanggang sa tumigil ito sakanya at nag bigay ng isang makahulugang ngiti.
"Okay. Coming right up!"
Naiwan silang tatlong lito at nagkatinginan sa isa't-isa. What was that?
Nag-iiba na din ang pakiramdam ni Samantha sa gabing ito. The normal Saturday night doesn't feel normal at all habang lumalalim ang gabi at nag-iiba ng kanta ang banda. Dumating ang inumin at nadagdagan pa ito ng nadagdagan.
"I love that song! Sayaw tayo!" Hinigit ni Elisse ang mga kaibigan ngunit sa huli ay si Anne lang ang sumama. Nanatili si Samantha habang nakatingin sa baso niya.
She wasn't supposed to celebrate the night here. She was supposed to be with him. The love of her life. Maybe watching a movie at home or eating a drive-thru in the car at midnight. Sapat na sakanya ang ganoon. Those constant moments with him makes her heart happy not knowing na kapag nga pala paulit-ulit na, nakakasawa na.
Not on her part but on his. Made her wonder if what he felt for her was really love?
Isang bulto ng babae ang napansin niyang lumalapit sakanya. The fair girl was beautiful. For a moment, parang mas nasilaw siya sa mukha nito kesa sa ilaw na pumapaikot sa buong bar.
She was wearing a large army jacket and underneath that was a denim short and white shirt. She looks taller because of her fishnet stockings and black boots. May dala itong bote ng alak sa kaliwang kamay bago umupo sa tabi niya.
"Anong problema?"
She looks oblivious to their surroundings. Mukhang hindi naririnig ang malakas na musika, mga hiyawan, at usok.
"Excuse me?" Samantha's instict was to shoo the girl away pero agad din Siyang natahimik sa sunod nitong tinanong.
"Gusto mong malaman kung mahal ka niya?" Tumingin sakanya ang babae at mukhang natawa sa sarili, sa sinabi.
Walang nakikitang nakakatawa sa sinabi ng babae si Samantha but it got her thinking. She doesn't know if it's the alcohol thinking or her broken heart.
"Do.. do you know how?"
"What's your name?" The aura the girl radiates is no joke. "Samantha Figuer."
She then nodded at her and stood up.
"I'll call you."
"Wha-" Samantha held the girl's wrist nang akma itong tatalikod na sakanya. "I-i don't understand."
Iwinaksi ng babae ang kamay niya at tumalikod na pero malakas itong nag salita dahil lumalakas na ang hiyawan ng mga tao.
"You just need to know, I can't make him love you! Malalaman ko lang kung totoo ang pagmamahal niya o kung mahal ka ba niya talaga!"
