Grievous: Braylon (GS1)

Kabanata XVI

Kabanata XVI: Ottawa

Kinukulot ko ang dulo ng aking buhok habang nakaupo sa may tukador. My hair was already at the end of my bottoms. Naglagay lang ako ng konting make-up at red lipstick bago tumungo sa aking closet. I wore a red silk mini dress and black red bottoms. Kinuha ko din ang purse ko bago tumungo sa salad kung nasaan sina Kuya Navy.

"Woah! You look stunning, Serena!" Kuya Navy whistled.

"Damn, girl! You're killing it!" sambit ni Mauve.

"Serena always looks beautiful," dagdag naman ni Cody habang nakaupo sa sofa at iniiwas ang tingin sa akin.

Kantyawan ang mga ibinato kay Cody pagkatapos niyang banggitin iyon. I have been friends with Mauve and Cody since nag migrate ako dito sa Canada. His hair was in a quiff curly style, upturned deep set of eyes, pointed nose, chiseled jaw and thin pink lips. He looks like Timothee Chalamet but his features are more stronger and deep.

He once confessed his feelings for me, I wasn't naive alam kong gusto na niya ako ever since I started studying here but relationships are not my prior right now. Bigger things are what matters to me right now and settling with him just to cover up the pain I still have with Braylon won't make it any better.

"Let's go, Perrie and Shaun are waiting for us." sambit niya tsaka dumiretso sa labas. Kumapit naman si Mauve sa braso ko.

"We both know Cody likes you, Serena. Why don't you give him a try?"

Tiningnan ko siya at napangisi, "I don't have time for that Mau."

The blue highlights of her blonde hair shined nang tamaan ito ng liwanag mula sa buwan. She's really pretty. Ngumuso siya, "Serena, it's been 5 years. Give him a chance, I'm sure he won't do things that can hurt you."

Alam ni Mauve ang nangyari sa amin ni Braylon. I never told anyone besides her and Kuya Navy. I don't like talking about it after ng mga nangyari.

Sumakay kami sa convertible ni Cody, mag katabi si Kuya Navy at Cody sa harap habang kami naman ni Mauve ang magkatabi. I kept silent habang papunta kami sa local bar dito sa Ottawa.

"Where's Shaun and the others?" tanong ni Kuya Navy nang makarating kami sa bar.

"He texted me, they're inside already." sagot ni Mauve kaya dumiretso na kami sa loob.

The bar was full of neon signs, mukhang marami ang patok ito sa mga local pati na rin sa mga turista. Nang makapasok kami, kitang kita agad ang dance floor na may dj booth pa sa harap nito. There's also tons of colorful neon lights dancing around. May mga sofas and tables naman sa taas which kitang kita mo ang dance floor mula dito. The music sets the bar into a whole new level.

Umakyat kami at agad na nakita ang upuan na puno ng pamilyar na mukha. Nandun sina Perrie, Shaun, Nova, at Dexter na nagsisimula nang uminom. Most of them are Kuya Navy's friends kaya familiar na kami sa kanila since we've hangout with them before. Shaun and Dexter are half Canadians habang sina Nova naman ay Filipinos.

"Hey!" bati ni Shaun nang makita kaming naglalakad patungo sa table nila.

"Yo! Shot na agad!" ngisi naman ni Nova sabay abot ng shot glass sa amin.

"Be careful, Serena." narinig ko si Cody mula sa aking likod ng ininom ko ang laman ng shot glass.

"I'm gonna be fine, Cody. There's no need to worry." ngiti ko sa kanya.

Tawanan at kuwentuhan ang bumalot sa table namin. Nakaupo sa tabi ko si Cody at nakaunat ang balikat sa may sofa na inuupuan namin. Makailang shot na ako kaya I feel a bit drunk but I can still sense what I'm doing.

"Let's go to the dance floor!" Aya ni Petrie kaya sumunod ang iba. Naiwan sina Kuya Navy, Cody at Nova sa table. Hinila naman ako ni Mauve kaya nagpatianod na lamang ako.

"Yeah, my cousins are here too!" Narinig kong sambit ni Nova habang papalayo kami.

The neon dancing lights gave life to the darkness. Halo-halong tao ang nagsasayawan, the music gives the bar a new ambiance. Lalong naging wild ang mga tao nang panibagong foreign song ang tumugtong. I started dancing with Mauve. I put my hands on her shoulders and started swaying with her. Nagtatawanan pa kami habang ginagawa ito.

I closed my eyes while feeling the music takes over my body. Naramdaman ko ang presensya ng lalaki sa likod ko. I can't see his face clearly since it's dark and the only lights are the neon ones. Hinawakan niya ang beywang ko kaya hinayaan ko iyon. It's just tonight, I'll never see him again anyway.

Linapit niya ang aking katawan sa kaniya. I can feel his chest against my back. "What's your name?"

"Serena." I answered while swaying my hips to the beat. I can feel him doing it too. I'm here to have fun and distress. Naramdaman ko ang kanyang labi sa aking ulo. I can feel my heart racing.

"You have a boyfriend?" his familiar deep voice sent shivers to my spine. No. My mind is just playing with me, this man can't be him.

"I don't..."

"I miss you, baby." Napadilat ako para lingunin ito ngunit narinig ko ang boses ni Kuya Navy kaya napalingon ako sa direksyon niya.

"Serena!" hinigit niya ako palayo sa lalaki. I wanted to see who it is pero my sight is failing me, unti-unti itong naging blurry.

The last thing I heard was Kuya Navy cursing and repeating his familiar name.