Under the Sky of Diamonds | ✔︎ (PUBLISHED UNDER PSICOM)

SEVENTEEN

I TOOK a shot while ignoring my ringing phone that I can still hear despite the loud music banging the place. I can't keep my vision steady and my head is pounding but I kept on drinking. I rest my head on the counter table as my phone keeps on ringing from my bag.

Gusto ko muna mapag-isa at iinom lahat ng mga problema ko. Ayaw ko munang mag-isip ng kung ano-ano.

"Ma'am lasing na po kayo. At saka kanina pa po tumutunog ang telepono niyo." Rinig kong sabi ng isang lalaki kasabay ng pagtigil ng telepono ko sa pagwawala.

Dahan-dahan kong itinaas ang ulo ko bago sinubukang titigan ang nagsalita. When my vision adjusted, I saw a blurry and multiple figure of man in front of me.

Idinuro ko siya. "Who the hell are you?" My words came out as a slur.

"Ma'am bartender po ako rito. Kanina ko pa kayo naabutang umiinom. At saka sabi po ng boss ko kaninang umaga pa raw ho kayo. Maghahating gabi na ho," sigaw niya para marinig ko.

My eyebrows arched.

Maghahating gabi na? Kaya pala tunog nang tunog ang telepono ko.

I just smirked as I tried to steady my body and put my elbow on the counter table before looking at the bartender in front of me.

"Wanna get laid tonight?" I asked him while smirking.

And now my vision was already a little bit clear. I can already see his face but not as clear as crystal, though I can say that he is really handsome. I saw his eyes widen and his mouth was hanging open.

"Ma'am lasing na ho t-talaga kayo." He stammered while blushing.

Hindi siya makatingin ng diretso sa akin dahil sa sinabi ko.

He's kinda cute though.

I jutted my lips while trying to keep myself from falling out of the chair.

Ah, I think I'm really drunk.

"You're cute. Do you have a girlfriend?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

Ipinatong ko ang aking baba sa aking palad at akmang magsasalita na naman ngunit naputol ito noong tumunog na naman ang telepono ko. Mariin kong ipinikit ang aking mga mata bago huminga nang malalim. Para akong mahihimasmasan dahil sa sunod-sunod na pagtunog ng aking telepono. Dahil sa inis mabilis kong hinugot ang nawawala kong telepono. I answered the call without looking at the caller. Hindi ko rin naman mababasa kung sino 'yong tumatawag dahil umiikit na ang mundo ko.

"Yow, who the fuck is this?" sigaw ko sa tumawag sa akin dahil sa lakas ng tugtugin.

There was a minute of silence when he finally spoke.

"Are you drunk?"

Noong narinig ko ang boses niya ay nalaman ko agad kung sino iyon. I cheekily smiled.

"Oh, Xydrien, my hubby! Hi!" I giggled.

"Asan ka na? It's nearly midnight and you're still not home yet," kalmado niyang saad.

"Hmm, I'm drinking alone." I hiccuped.

"What? Nasaan si Eiderie?" tanong niya, mukhang nataranta.

Noong binanggit niya ang pangalan ng aking kaibigan, muli na naman akong nalungkot.

"Iniwan ako," malungkot kong saad.

I heard him cursing on the other line. Halata rin na nag-aalala siya.

"Okay. Baby, I need you to tell me where you are right now."

"I'm in a bar."

I heard him harshly taking a breath. "Which bar?"