Ludic Selcouth #2: This Song Saved My Life

Chapter 6

I tend to forget about the time when there are noises around me. The party is still on going and the people are just getting wilder as the time goes by.

I can still feel the slight dizziness in me. Pagkatapos kong lagukin ang isang basong whiskey na ’yon ay hindi muna ulit ako uminom. I waited until I can feel myself getting sober again.

I couldn’t spot Mallory anymore. It turned out that she knew a lot of people here. Kahit mga taga ibang university ay kilala niya.

Rush is still with me. Kanina pa may mga kumakausap sa kaniya pero hindi siya umaalis sa tabi ko. Kung aalis man ay agad niya rin akong babalikan.

Now, we are staying at their living room. I can see Paesyn Holeary laughing with a woman while holding a cup. Namumula na ang kaniyang mukha. Zath is holding a bass guitar. Kanina niya pa kinakalabit ’yon at nagheheadbang. May pa-free performance pa siya sa mga tao.

Hindi na nahagip ng mata ko sina Castriel, Tase at Zemira.

“You still okay?” bulong ni Rush na nasa tabi ko. Namumungay na ang mata niya at medyo mapula na rin ang pisngi. Lasing na rin ata.

“Yes. Are you?”

Ngumisi siya at tinitigan ako. “Of course.” I looked away to suppress a smile, the way his lips curl is contagious.

“Alec...” he called. Agad na kumabog ang puso ko dahil sa paraan ng pagtawag niya.

“Hmm?”

Halos manigas ako nang maramdamang umuusog siya palapit sa’kin. “I feel sleepy,” he whispered. I can feel his hot breath on my left ear. Nagtayuan ang mga balahibo ko kaya hinaplos ko ang sariling braso. He’s too near...

“You should sleep now?” I whispered back.

I continued to observe the people around me. So far, no one is paying attention to us. Halos lahat ng nandito sa living room ay nakikipagbiruan kina Zath at Paesyn.

“How will you go home?” Natigilan ako at napatingin sa wrist watch na suot. 12:00 am! Kinabahan ako at naisip ang bahay. Kung nag night out sina Iris, usually 2am ang uwi nila. They have their own keys while I don’t... Paano ako papasok?!

Lumingon ako sa kaniya at tuluyan nang nanigas nang makitang sobrang lapit niya. He bit his lip as he stared at my face. I can clearly see how his eyes glisten at this close distance. It’s even more beautiful that I feel like I’m being hypnotized.

Ilang segundo kaming nagkatitigan. I just went back to reality when I saw his lip curved a bit.

Ano ngang tanong niya kanina?

I heard him chuckled as he put a distance between us now. “Can your friend still drive?” he asked.

Muli kong iginala ang panigin para hanapin si Mallory pero hindi ko pa rin siya makita. What’s sure is, she’s already drunk.

“I’m not sure. Hindi ko alam kung saan na siya napadpad.” If she can’t drive anymore, how will we go home?! I don’t have any license yet so driving isn’t an option for me.

“She can’t drive if she's already drunk,” he said. I bit my lip and nodded to agree. Clearly she can’t, and I also can’t.

“Maybe I’ll just look for Hexon,” tanging sabi ko kahit na hindi ko alam kung nandito pa ba si Hexon.

“He already left with a girl just a while ago.” Napangiwi ako at nagsimula nang mamroblema.

“I can drive you two home,” alok niya na naman. I only squinted my eyes at him. In his state? Drunk driving is illegal. Kahit na nasa matino pa siyang pag-iisip ay nakainom pa rin siya.