Sana Pwede Pa

Kabanata 2

"So, why is a beautiful girl drinking here all by herself? Hindi ka naman siguro mag-isang nagcheck in dito, 'di ba?" this gorgeous guy asked me after taking a sip from his drink.

"Sorry to burst your expectation but yeah, I went here alone."

I saw how his eyes widened, totally shocked of my answer. "Really?"

"Yep. Ikaw ba? With friends, with family or nah?"

"Mag-isa lang din ako. Hindi naman kasi ako taga-rito. I just went here for business. Naisipan kong imbis sa mamahaling hotel, dito na lang ako magcheck in."

"So you're a businessman?"

He nodded to me as a response. "How about you?"

"I'm a college student. I study at Iloilo. La Paz, Iloilo to be specific."

"Right." He let out a small smile. "My guess is right. You're still a student."

"Correction. College student."

"Student padin naman 'yon."

"Baka kasi sabihin mong highschool student e."

He chuckled after hearing my answer. Mabuti nalang at iniba niya nadin naman agad ang usapan. "So you're originally from Iloilo?"

"Yeah. Ikaw ba? Tagasan ka talaga?"

"I live at Kalibo."

"Whoa. Kalibo, Aklan. Ang saya ng Ati-Atihan Festival niyo diyan."

"Ganon din naman ang Dinagyang niyo e."

Nginitian ko lang siya at inubos na sa paglagok ang natitirang alak sa baso ko.

"Isa pa nga please," I requested to the bartender.

Tumango naman siya sa 'kin at ibinigay ang panibagong alak.

"So what brought you here alone?" the guy asked me again.

"I rode a car?" I answered sarcastically. Because of this, he let out a chuckle once again. "Kidding. Haha. The truth is, I am not supposed to be staying here by myself. I'm supposed to be with my boyfriend because today is our first anniversary but guess what, he broke up with me a while ago."

Nag-iba bigla ang timpla ng mukha niya dahil sa sinabi ko. "I'm sure that hurts big time."

"Wala tayong magagawa kung ayaw na sa 'tin ng tao."

"But still, that sucks. Sa anniversary niyo pa talaga siya nakipagbreak."

Nagkibit-balikat nalang ako sa kaniya. Tinatamad na kasi akong magkwento tungkol sa Michael na 'yon.

"By the way," he continued, "what's your name?"

"Is that even important? There's no use of knowing my name. Siguradong hindi naman na tayo magkikita."

"Kaya nga! Hindi na tayo magkikita kaya dapat ngayon palang malaman ko na pangalan mo."

Smooth. Real smooth.

"Fine, then. I'm Sab."

"Sab? Just Sab?"

"That's my nickname."

"Oh I see. So you won't really tell me your whole name."

"Nickname's fine. How about you? What's your name? Or nickname?"

Inilahad niya sa 'kin ang kanang kamay niya. "Hi, Sab. I'm Eson."

I smiled then shook his hand with mine. "I'll act then that Jason's not your real name. Hi, Eson. Nice to meet you."