Chapter 20
"You really have a great voice," I heard him whispered when the song ended. I put the mic on the table and slowly faced Sir Troy.
He's looking at me so intensely I feel like melting. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung saan ibabaling ang tingin ko. Kapag tumingin ako sa mga mata niya, I might drown and lose my mind.
It cannot be.
Yumuko na lang ako as I smiled to myself.
"Thank you," I said.
I heard Clarisse groaned kaya agad akong napaangat ng tingin sa kanya. Tulog pa rin ito at tinutulak na ngayon si Lio palayo sa kanya. I laughed at that scene.
"We should go home," Sir Troy mumbled. Tumango lang ako saka tumayo na para gisingin ang dalawang lasing kong kaibigan.
Tinapik ko si Clarisse saka si Lio pero parehong hindi nagising ang dalawa. I looked at Sir Troy.
"So you're that friend who should remain sober," he murmured. Natawa ako as I nodded my head. Kasi totoo naman. Umiinom ako minsan kapag nasa bahay lang but not to the point of getting drunk.
"Kailangan eh," I said.
"Ihahatid mo ba silang dalawa?" He asked.
"Nah. Kapag ganitong lasing silang dalawa ay sa bahay ko na sila dinidiretso," I replied.
Nilapitan ko ulit ang dalawa para gisingin. Lio woke up but his eyes are almost closing.
"Uwi na tayo?" He asked.
"Oo. Uwi na tayo kaya tumayo ka na diyan," dahan-dahan kong sabi sa kanya. He nodded his head like a kid saka tinaas ang dalawang kamay na para bang nagpapatulong tumayo. I was about to help him pero inunahan na ako ni Sir Troy.
"Ako na bahala sa kanya. You should look after Clarisse," he said. Tumango na lang ako at nilapitan si Clarisse.
Thank God she woke up and was able to stand up, pero kailangan pa rin ng alalay. Lio was able to stand up too at inaalalayan naman siya ni Sir. Nakakahiya pero I really needed his help right now. Noon kapag nalalasing sila at wala kami sa bahay ay kailangan ko pang humingi ng tulong sa guard. But thank God he's here.
Ipinasok muna namin ang dalawa sa sasakyan ko bago ako pumasok uli para bayaran ang bill namin. I was just a bit taken aback when I saw Sir beside me at the counter.
The lady at the counter handed me the bill pero mabilis 'yong kinuha ni Sir. Nanlalaki ang mga mata kong napatingin sa kanya.
"Hala, Sir. Ako na," I said.
"Let me," nakangiti niyang sabi.
"Nakakahiya," I said. "Ako na po. Mga kaibigan ko naman uminom at kumanta eh," I added.
"Please, just let me?" He murmured. I don't know what exactly he's doing right now pero feeling ko nagpapa-cute siya para hayaan ko siyang magbayad. Nakakahiya pero ugh! Bakit siya ganyan?
"Hindi naman ikaw ang naka-benefit sa babayaran mo eh," I whispered when he handed a few paper bills to the lady. Narinig niya ata ang sinabi ko because he suddenly chuckled.
"I got to see you so it's really okay," he mumbled. I suddenly felt myself heating up.
Hindi ako sanay sa mga ganyan niya!
Nang matapos sa pagbayad ay sabay kaming lumabas. I just remained quiet. Hindi ko kasi alam anong susunod na sasabihin sa kanya.
We reached the parking. I walked towards my car and he just followed.
