Gold Flames

Chapter 3

X Gold Flames 3 X

Ignoring the calls my mother and friends are making, I looked down on the lit up lights from the streets and buildings.

I am at my own little secret place. A rooftop resto bar. It's been hours since I've been here.

I looked at the man who's serenading the place with his deep voice and guitar. I was so immersed on his singing while drinking a wine when suddenly a familiar voice called my name.

Then I saw who it was. "I forgot that you know about this place Ed." I said with an annoyed face. Umupo naman siya sa katapat kong upuan.

"Well as far as I know, I am the one who brought you here" then he laughed. I just gave him a 'yeah right' face at hindi na siya nagsalita ulit kaya hindi narin ako umimik. My mother must have contacted him too.

Half an hour have passed, he didn't ask me anything or even convince me to go home.

I sigh "Why are you still here?" tanong ko. "Sawa ka na ba sa presence ko?" tanong niya pabalik. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin dahil hindi siya sumagot ng maayos.

"Still a hot headed. Sinabi sakin ni tita ang nangyari." He looked at me.

"It's not like I am disobeying them. It's just, " Hindi ko natapos yung sasabihin ko nung nagsalita siya.

"I know, you are not unreasonable when it comes to your family." He then look at the sky. It is full of stars.

"And I know you just want to ease your anger and clear your mind. I'm just here to accompany you"

He really knows me best aside from my bestfriends. Hearing those words gave me some comfort.

His phone rang at pinakita niyang tumatawag ang mommy ko. Pinakinggan ko lang siya habang kausap si mom telling na nakita at kasama niya na ako kaya wag na dapat siyang mag-alala.

Their call ended. Tinignan ko siya. "Should we go home? O, not like we are going to the same house but I want to go home too" I called him crazy and laughed.

"Oh ayan! Ngumiti ka rin. Nakakahiya sa ibang tao kanina pa ko may kasamang nakakunot ang noo" I just rolled my eyes.

"I'll just go to the washroom" paalam ko.

Papuntang washroom I looked inside the bar. Kaunti na ang tao kaysa kanina because dinner time has already passed. Later at midnight this place will be packed again but with groups of peers hanging out unlike earlier that was a groups of family.
I looked at the stage and no one was there.

Because I was busy looking around the place I bumped into someone. I think I drank a lot of wine because the impact made me dizzy and step back. "Are you alright?" A voice of a man said while holding my left arm. He must have hold me when I stepped back.

I find my stance and looked at him "I'm alright, I'm sorry I was busy looking around the place. Thanks." binitawan niya na rin ako when I said thanks. He was the guy singing earlier.

"Sorry" He said then left when a phone call came to him.

I was thinking about the guy I bumped to earlier that was the first time I saw him there. Must be a new performer they had.

"Ano na naman yang iniisip mo? Akala ko ba okay ka na?" I was on his passenger seat. He insisted on driving me home kahit na sabi ko ay may dala akong kotse. He rebut na nagsabi na raw siya sa mommy ko na siya ang maguuwi sa akin at ipapakuha na lang daw ang kotse ko. "Wala, mag drive ka na lang dyan" "Ang init agad ng ulo" bulong niya.

We were already in front of my house after an hour. "Thank you" I said. "Sus ikaw pa ba. Ang lakas mo sakin kahit na may date dapat ako kanina" ayan na naman siya sa pang-aasar niya. Sinuntok ko siya sa braso at umaray naman siya at tumawa. Kanina niya pa sinasabi yan kaya may utang daw ako sa kanya. "Your date must be happy when you said you can't come" at nagbelat ako sa kanya. He only said 'Aba' and we both laughed. "Really, thank you for coming and comforting me" Then I hug him.  Lumabas ako ng kotse niya at kumaway nung paalis na siya.

The cold wild blows when I walk towards the door. Inipit ko naman sa likod ng tenga ko ang takas na buhok dahil sa hangin.

Nagbuntong hininga muna ako bago pihitin ang doorknob at pumasok.

Nakita ko si daddy sa sala looking at his frames and throphies and other awards. It is all placed is a tall glass cabinet.

"Dad" mahina kong sabi. I know he already knows what happened.

"Come here hija" I walked then stand beside him looking into his achievements.

"These achievements all came from effort and patience." he then looked at me.

"I'm sorry dad" at yumuko ako.

"No, I should be the one saying sorry. I am not only a businessman but a father too" nagtaas ako ng tingin. "I should have respected your decision."

"But what about your deal with Mr. Borja?" angal ko

"It's all good, you don't have to worry about anything" he then call me for an embrace.

Pagkadating sa kwarto ko ay dumiretso ako sa banyo upang makapaligo.

The drops of water started to came out of the shower. It was cold, so I controlled the water temperature to make it warm enough for my body. I closed my eyes feeling the water.

Nawala ang mabigat na dinadala ko kanina dahil sa sama ng loob. My father promised that he will never ask me to meet any man now. Which I am very glad, nawala na rin ang mabigat na dinadala ko kanina.

Believe it or not, I've only engaged to five relationship. Edmark being the longest, then the others were either was done by bets or the man is really my type but they're all short term.

I finished taking a bath already wearing my silk pajamas and waiting for my hair to dry. I opened messenger on my laptop and a call pop into the screen. Yanne started a call on our group chat.

"Hey" I said when I joined the call.
Yanne is not infront the camera. So I waited a bit at sabay naman na nagappear ang camera ni Gwen and Tine.

"What are you guys doi--" hindi ko natapos ang tanong ko

"OMG Mimi! Anong nangyari? Where did you go?" si Tine.

"Alalang-alala si Tita sayo" Gwen said.

"Nag-palamig lang ako ng ulo" I said.

Bumalik naman si Yanne sa harap ng camera holding a tub of ice cream.
"Where is Abby?" she asked.

Ngayon ko lang din napansin na wala siya sa call. As if on cue she joined the call.

"Speaking of the devil" Gwen said.

"Huli na ba ako?" Abby said habang may face mask.

"Nah just in time" sagot naman ni Yanne.

Then I started to fill them on what happened and about Philip. I spent the night talking with my friends.