Chapter 2: Chapter 2 - Drunk
Chapter theme: Intoxicated - The Cab
I've never felt so alive and free.
I feel like a bird out of a cage. My own life, my own rules.
I guess going back here in Horencio was the best decision I've made in the past years. Nothing could really go wrong if you follow your heart. Come hell or high water, I won't let anyone take this freedom away.
I couldn't stop myself from smiling ear to ear as I watched my friends taking shots on their drinks like there's no tomorrow. We've already changed into our pajamas kasi walwal at its finest daw kami tonight. We were laughing and teasing each other as we recalled some dumbest and craziest things we've done during our college days.
"Naalala niyo ba nung after natin manuod ng sine nun? Yung natapilok si Shiela tapos tumapon sa kanya yung chocolate drink na hawak niya? Grabe, puting puti pa naman suot niya nun. Para siyang naglaro sa putik." Kwento ni Drew.
"Huwag mo na ngang ipaalala yan. Nakakahiya!" Inis na bulalas ni Shiela kaya nagtawanan kami.
I remember that, she tripped and fell sa mall but instead of helping her tinawanan at kinuhanan muna namin siya ng picture. At dahil pikon siya, she ignored us for 1 week. Nahirapan kaming suyuin siya noon.
"Hindi lang naman ikaw my dearest cousin, si Jeacelle din naman nahulog sa hagdan ng university. Kumakanta pa nga siya nun, akala mo nagawa ng MTV tapos namali ng hakbang. Hahahaha Nagulat ako bigla siyang nawala sa paningin ko yun pala nahulog na. Hindi ko makakalimutan itsura niya nun." Dagdag pa ni Drew na patawa-tawa, ako naman ang pinagdiskitahan ng loko.
"Hoy, huwag mong tawanan yun. Ang sakit kaya nun, tapos nabalian pa paa ko. I wore a cast for a month!" bulyaw ko sa kanya at pabirong binato siya ng lata ng beer na walang laman.
"Ikaw nga pre, nahulog pero walang sumalo," sabat naman ni Tyrone kaya mabilis na nawala ang ngiti sa labi ni Drew. Ano ka ngayon?
"Burn baby, burn!" sigaw ko kaya muli kaming naghagalpakan ng tawa.
Nakakamiss talagang kasama ang mga ito.
They planned to stay here in Horencio for a week para daw may kasama ako habang nag-aadjust sa bagong buhay ko. I'm really lucky for having them.
Neil and Rachelle booked a hotel in the downtown area at doon nila balak mag-stay habang nandito sila sa Horencio. Mabuti na rin yun para makapagpahinga nang maayos si buntis. Napaka-ingay pa naman namin dito. Lalong lalo na si Drew.
He started singing 'Three Perfect Days' by Before You Exit. Hindi na ako magtataka pag napaos 'to bukas. Hindi na kanta ginagawa niya kundi sigaw. I heard broken hearted daw ito. Wow! Karma's really a bitch! Sa dami ba naman din ng mga babaeng pinaasa niya noon, ayan nakahanap ng katapat. Whoever she is, I wanna give her a high five!
"Lasing ka na? Namumula ka na eh." I was pulled out from my reverie when the weird guy from the cafe sat beside me. I have a fair white skin, mabilis lang talaga akong mamula kapag umiinom pero hindi pa ako lasing. Hindi ako mabilis malasing.
"I'm not a weakling. Malakas ang alcoholic tolerance ko," pagyayabang ko. "Ikaw, okay ka lang ba? Hindi ka naman ba na-out of place sa amin?" I asked. Tahimik niya kasi. What was his name again? Christian?
"Hindi naman," tipid niyang sagot.
"Hindi ka iinom?" I inquired casually like he's not a stranger at all. He just shook his head.
I've learned from Drew that he's the owner of Althea's, yung cafe kung saan ako galing kanina. Althea's, because that was the name of his girlfriend. Silang dalawa ang nagmamanage nito but unfortunately she died 4 years ago. Dinaldal na sa akin ito ni Drew kanina kaya may alam na ko kay weird guy kahit konti. Drew's really talkative when he's drunk so if you want your secrets safe, don't tell him.
Christian was holding a can of beer na hindi niya pa nabubuksan. Wala talagang balak uminom ang isang 'to. Now, that's not fair!
"Uminom ka kahit isa lang." I taunted him but he shook his head again much to my dismay.
"I'm driving home," pagdadahilan niya.
"Come on, kahit isa lang. Don't be a wuss, mister." Pagpupumilit ko pa pero ayaw niya talaga.
"Madaya! Weak!" I muttered with bitterness in my voice. Umarte pa akong parang batang nagtatampo. Sanay kasi akong laging napagbibigyan. How could he say no to me? But then, I heard him sighed in defeat.
My lips suddenly turned into a victorious smirk. Got ya boy! Who could resist my charm anyway?
My eyes were dancing in pure amusement as I watched him skillfully opened the can of his beer with only one hand. Inubos niya yun ng isang lagukan lang. Then he opened another can at mabilis na inubos ulit ang laman nun. Woah, there! Easy ka lang boy. Aayaw-ayaw pa siya nung una, iinom din pala.
"Now who's weak?" He turned to me as he opened another can and took a sip from his beer. His adam's apple moving up and down as he gulped. The next thing I know naparami na parehas ang iniinom namin.
"Ayaw mo pa, ha? I thought you're driving home?" pang-aasar ko.
"I can hold my liquor, woman." He replied simply. His eyes were focusing forward so I took that chance to study his face. Ang tangos ng ilong niya, perfect ng jawline and his thin, luscious lips looks so soft. Damn! This guy should be in jail for possessing a handsome a face. I can't get enough of his ethereal beauty. Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng ganito ka-gwapong lalaki sa tanang buhay ko. I'm not exaggerating! Gwapo talaga ito.
"Woooooaaaaaah. May nagkakamabutihan na agad!" Drew suddenly cheered on the mic getting everyone's attention. I quickly turned to Drew. Sanay na ako sa kanya dahil lahat naman ng lalaking makita niya na kausap ko, i-lilink niya sa akin. What more na kaibigan niya pa ito?
"Uy congrats! Love life na yan!" Shiela shrieked, clapping her hands like a seal. Her face flushing deep red, I don't know if it's from the effect of the alcohol or it was because of Tyrone's effect on her. They were sitting on the other couch with Tyrone's arm around her waist, he was guiding her head to rest on his chest. Honestly, they look good together. I could tell that they were both drunk, masyadong mahiyain si Shiela para lumapit kay Tyrone ng ganyan kalapit. Ma-videohan kaya? Blackmail opportunity din yun.
"Eh di ako na walang partner!" Muling sigaw ni Drew sa mic kaya napatakip na lang kaming lahat sa mga tainga namin.
"Drew, kumanta ka na lang! Ikanta mo na lang yang pagiging broken hearted mo!" Tyrone yelled and grinned which made Drew sprawled on the floor, crying and behaving like a child. Lasing na talaga.
"Umiiyak ang puso ko't sumisigaw, pati ang isip ko't damdamin ay humihiyaw."
Muling napuno ng tawanan ang sala dahil sa pagkanta at pagwawala niya. Hinayaan na lang namin siya, mapapagod din yan.
"Christian right? Bestfriend mo talaga yan?" I asked pointing at Drew. I heard him chuckled before sending a smile to my direction, his narrow and droopy eyes were smiling too. Saglit akong natigilan at natulala dahil sa ipinamalas niyang ngiti. Shit! Nakakatunaw.
"He's a good friend kahit gago yan." He answered and I couldn't agree more.
It was past 1 a.m, pero hindi pa din kami tumitigil sa pag-inom. Bagsak na ang mga kasama ko pero itong bestfriend ni Drew matibay din pala sa inuman. Kami na lang ang gising at kung anu-ano na ang mga napagkwentuhan namin. Okay naman pala siyang kausap, hindi boring.
"Bakit mo nga pala ko binibigyan ng cake kanina? Are you interested in me?" I asked straight to the point. Well, I just don't like beating around the bush and I want an honest answer. Makapal na kung makapal.
Tumingin siya sa akin na parang nahihiya.
"Wala yun. Ganun lang talaga ko pag may nakikita akong hindi taga-rito. Alam mo na, I'm a hospitable person," he explained.
"I see. So that means kilala mo lahat ng taong nakatira dito?"
He shook his head. "Hindi naman lahat. But I know a local, when I see one. Mukha ka pang foreigner so I know you're not from here."
"Are you staying here for good?" It was his turn to asked.
"Yeah, for good. Mukha namang okay dito."
"Are you sure? Hindi mo mamimiss buhay mo sa ibang bansa? I mean, ibang iba dito kumpara sa kinasanayan mo," dagdag pa nito.
And I was a bit offended. Ano bang tingin niya sa akin? Maarte? Spoiled brat? Well, slight lang.
"Sorry, wala naman akong masamang ibig sabihin sa mga sinabi ko," he apologized in an instant like he was reading my mind.
"It's okay. No big deal." I replied. Sanay naman na ko sa mga impression ng mga tao sa akin.
"Axian na lang pala," bigla niya akong nilingon.
"Huh?" I looked at him confused.
"Just call me Axian. Huwag nang Christian," he insisted.
I nodded and obliged like a kid.
"Axian." I smiled. I like it more than Christian.
I saw his face lit up. And when he flashed me that eye smile again, tuluyang nagulo ang sistema ko. I'm getting intoxicated by the way he smile.
Amber orbs meeting his dark ones. Imbes na umiwas ako ng tingin, hinayaan ko ang sarili kong malunod sa mga mata niya. I can't take my eyes off of him when he took another sip from his drink then hovered the can of beer on his mouth. How I wish it was my lips hovering his lips. His eyes looked hypnotizing too that I found myself leaning closer to him. So close that I can smell the beer scent from his lips. So closed that I could see that beauty mole under his lips.
Throwing all inhibitions into the wind, I kissed him on the lips making his narrow eyes grew wider in shocked.
I've kissed and make out with strangers before but this was the first time I initiated a kiss. I know I'm not that drunk but the taste of his lips was addicting and it made my head spin. Wanting for more, I tried deepening the kiss but his lips remained close and unmoving. What he did next caught me off guard.
He pushed me with full force! Masyadong malakas yun kaya nahulog ako sa sofa.
"Ouch!" I groaned in pain while glaring at him.
He looked surprised.
"S-sorry! Una na ko." And with that he stood up and left me fucking dumfounded.
*****
"Ang sakit ng ulo ko," sabay sabay na daing ng tatlo kong kaibigan nang madatnan ko silang nasa dining area at humihigop ng mainit na kape.
"Walwal pa more," pang-aasar ko. Umupo ako sa tabi ni Drew na mukhang nilayasan na ng kaluluwa niya sa katawan. He looks so wasted while staring at an empty distance.
"Yabang. Porket hindi ka tinatablan ng hangover," Tyrone mumbled weakly rubbing the temple of his head.
Wala kong hangover, pero yung likod ko masakit dahil sa pagkakabagsak ko sa sahig kanina. Damn you, Axian!
"Ugh! Ayoko na, ang sakit sakit talaga ng ulo ko." Shiela cried complaining kaya natawa na lang ako. Such a baby.
"Nasaan na si Christian? Anong oras yun umuwi?" Drew interjected nang mahimasmasan siya. I could feel the heat rushing to my face when I suddenly remembered what I did. Ayan kasi Jeacelle, bumigay agad dahil lang sa isang ngiti. Mind you, I'm not a slut. I was just...curious? Sige self, palusot ka pa. Parang gusto kong bumalik na lang sa States at magtago doon dahil sa hiya.
"Earth to Jeacelle, nakikinig ka ba?" Drew started poking my face kaya agad ko siyang sinamaan ng tingin.
"What?!" singhal ko sa kanya.
"Si Christian kako. Bakit mo pinauwi? Dapat pinag-overnight mo na lang din dito," Drew replied. He was smiling sheepishly.
"Eh sa umuwi, may paa yun. Mapipigilan ko ba?" sagot ko. "Anong oras pupunta dito sina Neil at Rachelle? Maglinis na tayo, baka maabutan nila yung kalat natin sa sala," pag-iiba ko ng usapan.
Bago pa man sila sumagot ay may narinig kaming pamilyar na boses mula sa sala.
"What the hell happened here? Hoy, mga kalat niyo!" Is that Neil who's shouting? I ran out to the living room and there I saw Neil and Rachelle standing.
"Good morning!" I greeted them.
"Morning Jeca!" Rachelle greeted back. I turned to her husband, a sour look was on his face.
"Problema ng asawa mo?"
Rachelle giggled. "Ayaw kasi niya ng makalat. Hayaan mo na."
"Tara sa dining area, doon na lang muna kayo," anyaya ko.
"Come on, hon." Rachelle cooed sweetly, agad namang sumunod si Neil. Wow! So Rachelle is the boss?
"Good thing we stay at the hotel. Baka mapaanak lang ang misis ko ng wala sa oras kung nandito kami kagabi. Ni hindi niyo man lang nilinis agad mga kalat niyo nang matapos kayo," sermon sa amin ni Neil habang nag-aagahan kami.
"What would you expect? It's been a long time since we hang out together. Baka nga kung hindi buntis yang asawa mo, nagpakasasa din yan sa alak kagabi. Di ba, Chelle?" Depensa naman ni Drew na ikinatango ni Rachelle.
"Tingin niyo naman papayag ako na ganun?" Neil retorted. Protective husband alert.
"Pagbigyan mo na sila honey, sinusulit lang nila yung 1 week na pagstay natin dito. Huwag kang masyadong strict, baka mamaya pagkamalan kang tatay ng mga yan," pabirong sambit ni Rachelle at pinisil ang ilong ng asawa. I saw how Neil's face soften as he nodded and stared at his wife lovingly. Ang sarap nilang pagmasdan. They really look in love with each other.
"Let's go to beach later. May malapit daw na dagat dito sabi ni Christian."
Nasamid ako bigla nang marinig ko na naman ang pangalan niya. Curse that name and that guy!
"You're okay?" Tyrone quickly poured water on my glass. I nodded and mouthed a 'thank you'.
"Ang lamig lamig tapos magbebeach tayo? Sure ka dyan, cous? Tignan mo, pati si Jeacelle nasasamid sa pinagsasasabi mo."
Pinipigilan kong matawa dahil sa sinabi ni Shiela. Hay naku, bestfriend. That's not the reason kung bakit nasamid ako.
"Eh di wag. Nag-suggest lang naman," ungot ni Drew sa pinsan.
"Let's just stay home today. Tinatamad akong lumabas," I said. They all looked at me na parang gulat gulat at hindi makapaniwala.
Bakit? Bawal ba ako magstay sa pamamahay ko?
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