EPIPHANY

Acta, Non Verba

Actions, not words.

HANNAH

Carrack threw his unfinished cigarette on the floor then stepped on it. He placed his left hand on the small of my back then leaned on me. "You're drunk, baby," he whispered. 

I may be drunk, but that state can't take away my embarrassment. I want to find a hole somewhere and crawl on it. If there's none, I want to dig my own hole and crawl on it. 

"Girlfriend?" an unfamiliar man asked. 

Umayos ng tayo si Carrack at mas hinapit ako. "Soon," he smoothly answered. 

Rile whistled. "Pangarap ni Mr. Amante."

Carrack ignored his friend then introduced the guy to me. His name's Steven, and he's a college friend. 

Right after introducing me, Carrack excused us then we went back inside. Instead of getting back on our table, he lead me to the bar counter. He had me seated on a vacant stool then he stood behind me, trapping me inside his arms. 

On this moment, I don't care anymore if someone we know see us. My jealousy is eating me. And I am still confused of what's with Stella and Carrack. 

"A glass of water and a boilermaker, please," Carrack ordered on the passing bartender. He turned his full attention on me after that. "Selene let you get drunk?" he smirked. 

"I'm not drunk," I pouted. Iniwas ko ang mukha ko sa kanya dahil dikit na ang mukha n'ya halos sa akin. 

"Hmm..." he briefly kissed my cheek. "If my baby isn't drunk, then why is she kissing me?" he softly murmured on my skin. "And in front of people..."

I bit my bottom lip. Pakiramdam ko ay nahihilo ako sa sobrang lapit ni Carrack sa akin at sa pinagsasasabi n'ya. Nakita na nga na hindi ako komportable at hiyang-hiya ako sa nagawa ko, inuulit-ulit pa!

"Hannah..." Carrack pressed. "Talk to me, baby..."

Dahil sa sobrang suyo ng pagkakasabi n'ya, bumabangon na naman sa pakiramdam ko ang mga kiliti mula sa loob ng balat. Eksperto na si Carrack sa pagpaparamdam sa akin ng ganito. Minsan ay parang gusto ko na lang na mangisay at magtitili sa mga ganitong pinaparamdam n'ya. 

"Where's Stella?" I asked instead. I started fidgeting my fingers with each other. I can't keep calm with Carrack intruding my personal space! 

Carrack hummed near my ear. "I don't know. Why are you asking me?" 

My brows furrowed. Napilitan akong lingunin s'ya para makita ang reaksyon n'ya, kung binibiro n'ya lang ba ako o ano. 

I gasped when I saw Carrack's drunk look on me. Mas pumungay pa ang mga mata n'ya nang bumaba ito sa labi ko. He slightly parted his lips.

I can't explain what I am feeling while I'm looking at his expression. His heavy-lidded eyes, his moist and red lips, his serious expression, his body heat against mine, his enticing smell... everything about him is intoxicating! Sobrang lapit n'ya sa akin at pakiramdam ko ay tinutunaw n'ya ako. May kakaibang kilabot akong naramdaman na gumapang sa buong sistema ko. 

Bahagyang napatalon ako sa kinauupuan nang magsalita ang babaeng bartender sabay ng paglapag ng mga inumin na order ni Carrack. Napaayos ako ng pagkakaupo at pinihit ang katawan ko paharap sa counter. I placed both my hands around the glass of water, wishing for its temperature to affect my rapidly increasing body temperature. 

"Selene asked you in a text. You replied..." I said in a small voice. Hindi ko alam kung narinig n'ya ba dahil sa sobrang hina ng boses ko at maingay ang paligid.