How Dare You?

XXXV - Macau

I was on the waiting area, waiting for my flight to be called. Mejo preoccupied ako, thinking of qll the things I have to do once I get to Macau.

Hindi ko napansin na may umupo sa tabi ko not until he talked and said, "Hi!"

Agad akong kinabahan ng marinig ko ang boses na yun. I immediately scanned the place looking for another familiar face that I do not want to see right now. "Di ko siya kasama Al, don't worry." I sighed with relief.

"What are you doing here Pat?" I curiously asked. He suddenly looked serious. "Di ako makapaniwala na sakin ka nagtitiwala, kaya pumunta ko dito to check on you. Sasamahan din kita."

"What?" Gulat kong sabi. And he smiled like an idiot. Anong trip neto?

"Sabi ko sasamahan kita. I'll just help you settle down. Then, uuwi din ako agad. Baka magtaka sila eh." He calmly answered.

"Pero bakit nga Pat? Alam na ba niya? Sinabi mo na alam mo kung nasaan ako?" I asked worriedly. He looked at me intently.

"Of course not. I respect your decision Al. Gusto lang kita tulungan, dahil pag nagkaayos kayo at pinabayaan kita ngayon, malalagot ako. Hahaha!" He laughed loudly. The nerve of this guy. I rolled my eyes while he continued laughing. "Joke lang." Dugtong niya.

"So, ano bang plano mo?" He asked in a serious tone. I sighed heavily and answered him. "Run away."

Hindi na ulit sumagot si Pat. We were in silence while waiting for our flight to be called.

Flight 525C Bound to Macau

"Let's go." He tapped me on the shoulder. Sabay kaming lumakad papunta sa boarding gate.

Once we were seated inside the plane. I breathed heavily and closed my eyes. "Sigurado ka na ba dito?" Pat asked me. I opened my eyes, at sinalubong ang titig niya as I nodded.

While waiting for the plane to take off. Pat's phone started ringing.

"Pare." He answered as he looked at me. I looked away. "Aalis ako, may kailangan lang ako gawin."

"Kakausapin ko si Sophie."

"Oo pare. Pasensya ka na, something important just came up."

"Babalik din ako after 2 days."

"Sige pare, hope you find her. Balitaan mo ko."

Putol putol na sagot ni Pat sa kausap. Alam kong si Kit yun. At alam kong ako ang pinag-uusapan nila. Everyone must have been looking for me. And I don't give a damn. Sarili ko naman muna ngayon.

We were quiet the rest of the flight. After the phone call, hindi ko na muna siya nilingon. He also didn't bother talking, kaya hinayaan ko na lang din.

After more than an hour we reached Macau. We were standing on the arrival area and damn my mind was blank. Ramdam ko din ang maya't maya na pagsulyap ni Pat but he was just patiently waiting. Hindi ko alam kung saan pupunta or kung ano ang una kong gagawin. I didn't plan this very well but I need to think this through thoroughly.

"Pat.." I called his attention, he faced me with a questioning look.

"May connections ba sila Kit dito or kahit sino na alam mong nasa social circle natin?" I asked.

I saw him think for a while.. "There are some that I am sure of.."

"Can you take me to any place na walang makakakilala sa last name ko?" I said with pleading eyes.

I saw him sighed.. "Alex, are you sure about this? Wala kang kakilala dito. We don't even know where to start." He said with a soft voice trying to gauge my reaction.

"Then why did you come with me? Sana hinayaan mo na lang ako pumunta mag-isa dito so I could have looked pathetic all by myself. I'm sorry for dragging you into this Pat." I apologetically said.

"It's not that Alex. Gusto ko lang na sure ka sa gagawin mo na ito. We can stay for two days in a hotel. I'll give you time to think this through." He patiently responded.

"I don't have that leisure. I need to start today. Look for an apartment or a room to rent. I also need a job, if I keep using my trust fund they might trace me. I don't have the time for a vacation and decide right after."

"For that two days, all is on me, okay? Pagbabayarin ko yung ex mo sa lahat ng gagastusin ko sa'yo." He half heartedly chuckled. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

He raised both of his hand in surrender and said, "But I won't tell. Promise ko sa'yo yun diba. Don't worry. Chill." He grinned.

Hindi ko ba alam at bakit siya ang pinagkatiwalaan ko, I just knew that aside from him everyone will either tell my parents, tell Soph or Kit about this rendezvous and I won't take that chance.

We settled to a 3 star hotel somewhere near the airport. Pinilit ko si Pat na magbook ng isang room with two separate beds and assured him it was okay, pero nabwisit lang ako sa sagot niya.

"Ayoko nga Alex. Pag nagkabati kayo ni Kit in the future at nalaman niya to edi patay ako." I rolled my eyes in frustration. Kailangan ko pa siyang takutin na hahanap na lang ako ng sariling place ko which I can afford but he didn't agree and gave in to my whims.

We were settling in the room when he connected his phone to the hotel's WiFi and an online call came in.

"Pare." He answered cooly. I acted as if I was busy with my things.

"I'm out of the country. At hindi ko talaga alam kung nasan si Alex. Bakit ba ako ang kinukulit mo?" Napatingin ako sakanya and our eyes met. He was trying to fakea good laugh. I'm sure as hell that it's Kit on the other line.

"Huh? Saang airport naman yan? Baka kamukha ko lang." Now, I'm nervous. May nakakita sa amin?

"Wala ako sa Macau pare. I'm in Singapore."

"Bahala ka. Ang kulit mo."

Pat ended the call. And looked at me intently. "He's catching a flight coming here that leaves in 30 minutes. Any plan?"

Oh shit.