In the Painted Skies (The Moments) ON GOING

Chapter 4

“What? No.” the guy chuckled while guiding my hands to his shoulder.

“Ay, hindi ba?” I sound dissapointed.

“Why? Do you like to date engineers?” inilapit nya ang kanyang mukha sa tenga ko at bumulong. “I could be an engineer for you.”

I faked a smile at him. “Not interested.” tinulak ko sya ng konti bago naglakad ng pagewang gewang paalis ng dance floor.

My eyes searched for Olive, and saw her at the corner making out with a random guy. Nawala na rin sa paningin ko si Kryz na kanina lang nasa dancefloor. Mukhang may madidiligan ngayong gabi ah.

“Wait!” the guy at the dance floor run to me and held my arms. “I don't see why you're not interested. But can I have your number, instead?” the guy smiled at me.

Pumikit ako sandali, out of frustration and the fucking alcohol.

“Seven.”

Minulat ko ang mata ko pagkarinig ko sa boses na 'yon. My head automatically turned to my side.

“Engineer Saavedra.” I whispered.

His built made me realize that he's Engineer Saavedra, pati na rin ang porma ng gwapo nyang mukha. Ilang beses pa akong kumurap kung tama ba ang nakikita ko. At tinawag nyang Seven ang lalaking humila sakin kanina.

“Let go of that woman. We're going home.” his hands are in his pocket. Seryosong naka titig ang mga mata nya sa'kin.

“Istap!” I raised my hand. “Do you know each other?” nagpalipat lipat ang tingin ko sa kanila.

“Im taking her home, kuya. I guess she's drunk.” sabi ng lalaki na nasa harap ko.

I chuckled. “Sinong drunk? Hindi ako lasing!“ I turned my back at them and went to the bar stool. I asked for a shot. Another shot. And another one. Until I felt numb and was about to fall down from the chair.

Pinilit kong tumayo at maglakad ng maayos papunta sa table namin kanina. I looked for Afron and Val but no one's in our table except for Kryz.

“Hey.. Lasing ka na?” she looked at me, worried.

My brow shot up. “Sinong lasing huh?” nagsalin ako ng double black sa red cup na hawak ko. Halos kalahati din ang nalagay ko.

“Stop drinking, you're—” napatigil si Kryz nang lumapit sa kanya ang lalaki na kanina nya pa kasama. They talked for awhile before turning to me. “Just wait here. Im taking you home.” Tumayo si Kryz at naglakad palayo kasama ang lalaki.

I shrugged and walked out of the table, with the cup in my right hand. I searched for the exit door of the bar, pero hindi ko na gaanong nakikita ang dinadaanan ko at medyo blurry na ang paningin ko. I opened my purse and looked for my phone instead. My friends are nowhere to be found anymore kaya mag ggrab nalang ako pauwi.

“Fuck alcohol.” I muttered a curse when my phone slip from my hand, attempting to open the grab app.

I was about to bend and get my phone from the floor when a hand, with my phone suddenly appeared in front of me.

Inangat ko ang tingin ko at nanlilisik ang mga mata ko para makita ko sya ng maayos.

“Oh hi Engineer!” I gave him a wide smile before taking my phone from his hands.

Na out of balance pa ako kaya na bangga ko ang taong nasa likod ko at napakapit naman sa isa pang lalaki. “Oh oops. Sorry, love.” napatingin lang sila sa'kin at hindi ako pinansin. Uminom naman ako sa cup na hawak ko bago umayos ng tayo.