First Love

Simula

First Love (Lover Series #1)

Hindi ko mabilang kung ilang beses na akong naloko, pinagpalit hindi lang sa malapit kundi sa malayo rin, pinag-cheatan, ginawang rebound o naging sidechick. I don't know what's wrong with me, is it because of my attitude? Wala namang mali sa akin.

I have a pretty face.

Clear skin. Check. Nice eyes and brows. Check. All in all, good apperance. I have a stable job, ewan ko na lang kung ano pa ang kulang. My family is wealthy, I am a Psychologist. Yes, I am well stable but not in love. Dahil sa karanasan ko sa buhay at buhay pag-ibig. Nawalan ako nang interest.

Hell, ayoko nang magmahal. Nakakapagod kayang masaktan. Try mo?

My life is perfect but boring, well, aanhin mo ang pera kung wala ka namang gagastahan? I don't understand some people who love money and things, but for me, money is just money. Wala itong halaga kapag nakita mo ang tunay mong kaligayahan, hindi sa materyal na bagay kundi sa isang tao. Yes, I may be bitter when it comes to love but now in life. Magkaiba iyon.

Kasalukuyan akong nasa loob nang bar, some of my friends wants to chill. Since I am a licence Psychologist with a higher degree when it comes to latin honor, mas madali na sa akin ang makahanap nang trabaho. Since my Mama is a Dentist and My Papa is a Neurologist, maraming ospital ang nag-ooffer sa akin. Since I don't like that, alam kong ginagawa lang nila iyon para sumikat ang ospital nila.

My family is well known when it comes to medicine, health care and Pharmaceutical industry. Hindi lang dentist si Mama kundi chemist rin.

"Miss Austevores! It's nice to see you here. Can I have a quick interview?" Napalingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses. It was a girl. This is why I hate being in public places dahil magiging headline na namn ng mga tabloids, magazine at social media ang pamilya ko.

"Nah, sorry." Bigo naman itong ngumiti at hindi na nagpumilit pa. Nagsimula nang lumakas ang electro music at mas naging wild ang mga tao. How ironic, puro kabataan ang nakikita ko rito ngayon. Some of them likes the atmosphere here but for me it's suffocated, sa ilang beses pa naman akong nasaktan dahil sa pag-ibig hindi ako masasanay dito? I have high tolerance when it comes to alcohol pero isang inumin lang ang hindi ko alam kung tatalaban ako.

I never try this before. Dahil malakas ang music lumapit ako sa bartender.

"One Vodka, please" I said.

"Right away, ma'am" He replied. Naghintay ako nang aking order hanggang sa may lumapit sa akin.

"What do you want?" Mabilis na tanong ko. Sumingamot lamang ito na kaagad ko ring pinagkunotan ng noo.

What a weirdo.

"Your order is here, ma'am" Ani ng Bartender. I was about to hold my glass when he hold it first.

"Anong problema mo!" Sighal ko. He just grinned.

O my god, Ralia, another patient na naman ba 'to?

"You just called my name and I thought you want me here" His voice is hard, baritone. It give chills, magkaiba ang aura niya sa mismong boses niya.

"Mister, I don't even know your name bakit naman kita tatawagin. I just met you here, at akin na nga iyang vodka ko!" I said at pilit inaabut ang vodka'ng nasa ere. Damn, he is tall! Around six ft. or more? And his body is massive to be a man. What the heck, Ralia? Vodka ang kailangan mo hindi physical physic!

"There, you called me again!" This time a grin plastered on his face with half smile.

"The what? The... Vodka?" Nagulat ako nang humakbang ito palapit sa akin dahilan para mapasandal ako sa bar counter. Holy mother of heavens! He is handsome to be a man with his thick black eyebrows, deep green eyes, pointed nose and orange lips. Damn!

"Alam mo bang masama sa babae ang uminom?" Nalag-lag ang panga ko sa sinabi niya.

O, anong ini-expect mo babanatan ka? 
Kulang nalang talaga ay makipagtalo na ako sa isip ko kaso ayoko namang magmukhang baliw sa lalaking ito.

"This is a democratic country, walang batas sa senado na sinabing bawal kaming babaeng uminom at teka, bakit dito napunta ang usapan. Kani-kanila lang ay pangalan mo ang issue tapos ngayon--you know what I'm just wasting my time here!" There, I said it. Akma akong aalis nang mas lumapit siya.

Mama, where na you!

"What are you doing?" Natataranda kong tanong. He looks serious this time.

"Don't order Vodka, just order me instead. By the way, I'm One Vodka Stevenson, nice to meet you, Ralia Austevores. Finally.."

Feeling ko tumigil lahat ng organs ko sa katawan. Halos matunaw ako sa ngiti niya. It's not half smile, beach, it's a freaking white smile. Fuck! Baka patibong na naman ito, Ralia? I don't know how to react I just stare at him and the rest is not my story to tell...