Invisible Strings

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"It spells like that but my CHIAYI are in capital letters. It's my band name consists of our surname's initials."

Nagkatinginan ang arkitekto at doktor sa harap ko. "A band huh. Where are you from Miss?" He started signing the book.

"Philippines Architect."

Tumango ito. Napansin ko rin ang pagtango ng  doktor sa tabi niya. Humilig ito at sinapo ng kanyang mga kamay ang mukha niya habang nakatingin sa direksyon ko. I couldn't get myself to look at the doctor in his eyes kaya hanggang siko lang ako. His aquamarine polo covered him right that I almost hated it.

Pinilig ko ang ulo ko para mawala ang naiisip na kalandian. My thing about foreigners are blossoming again. Ugh.

"Do you stay nearby? Maybe we could talk about your band over drinks." Nakangiting anyaya ng arkitekto. Doon na ako napangiwi. He looked like a family man to me and yet I'm getting this proposal.

"I don't think that's appropriate Sir." I smiled sweetly, hiding my disgust. Magiging kabit ba ako sa murang edad na to? Kakapasa ko lang ng boards tapos gagawa na ako ng krimen?

He then laughed and looked at the doctor beside him. "Not with me ofcourse, with the handsome doctor beside me."

Sabay na nanlaki ang mata namin ng doktor. Hindi ko alam kung nagulat din ba siya tulad ko o ano.

"You're an idiot." Umiiling na sabi nito habang umiiling sa kaibigan niya. Nagkatinginan kami saglit pero agad din siyang nagbawi.

"I'm sorry, I'm allergic to doctors."

The architect laughed so hard and the doctor looked offended. Ilang beses itong kumurap sa sinabi ko. Nang mapansin kong tapos nang pirmahan ang libro ay nagbadya na akong umalis.

"I'm allergic to Architects too." pambawi niya. Kumunot ang noo ko. He was seriously looking at me and I equaled his gaze. Pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay bago tumalikod.

"Tss gwapo nga, mukha namang nag-adik na kupal" I stormed out of their sight. I know it was rude to speak in Filipino but I did anyway.

Hindi na ako nakapagfocus sa mga sumunod na talk after non. The next speakers were engaging but my mind is somewhere else.

Ilang beses kong kinurot ang sarili ko para magising sa kakaisip sa doktor na yon. He was just dashing. Pinakain ko nalang ang ego ko nung sinabi kong pangit siya.

Isa siyang kupal on that note. My ego was bruised for that five minute book signing and I don't understand why. Gwapo pa naman siya kaso kupal ugali. Kahit pasok pa siya sa standards ko, nag-negative naman dahil kupal siya.

I mean, he straightly rejected me even though I rejected him first. Nakakainis. Mukhang ako pa yung nagpacute sakaniya nung sinabi niya yon.

I don't care about his manly features. I don't care about him fitting in my standards. I don't care kahit mukhang kaya niya akong ipagtanggol pag may nanakit sa akin. I don't care kahit mukha siyang mabango palagi. I don't care too kung mukhang masarap siyang manyakap.

Kupal siya eh, that negates everything.

Kahit pa wala siyang pores tulad ko. Not to mention his manly lips and proud nose, Kupal parin siya.

Plus, he's a doctor.

And I'm keen on eating my apples just to keep doctors away from me.

I woke up panting. Sinapo ko ang dibdib ko at tinapik-tapik iyon para kumalma. I sat on my hotel bed. Nakabukas lahat ng ilaw dahil inaatake na naman ako ng mga panaginip na iyon.

At first, I liked those dreams but as time goes by.. I realized it's chasing me.. caging me. But I want to be free. I wanted to fly before my guilt and conscience eats me up.

Napagdesisyunan kong pumunta sa pinakamalapit na bar para magpaantok ulit. Wala din namang scheduled lecture bukas. I could get wasted if I want. Atsaka ayokong mag-inom sa hotel room dahil mukha talaga akong alcoholic non. I'll just drink a few glasses and I'll go home. Sweet and sound. Sa friday night pa ang scheduled party night ko, well dapat ngayon kaso nasaktan ego ko dahil don sa doktor na kupal kaya binalot ko nalang ng kumot ang sarili ko.

"Dancing in the moonlight everybody..." I mumbled in a sing-song voice as I stared at my glass. I've lost count of Moscow Mule copper mugs served to me. Kahit nakailang baso na ako ay hindi parin ako inaantok.

I shifted my glance at the dancing foreigners here. Umingay na ang tugtog kaya naman nagsisimula na silang magkumpulan sa gitna. I don't even want to talk about their height, halata namang matanda ako sakanila pero mas matangkad sila sa akin. They look matured as much as me.

Ini-straight kona ang hawak kong inumin nang mapagdesisyunan kong makisayaw na. Wala naman nakakakilala sa akin dito, might as well enjoy the perks of anonymity.

I started blending in the crowd. I grooved at the slightest of sound. Pinigilan ko ang sarili kong i-analyze kung anong klaseng instrument ang ginamit. I cussed as old habits die hard. Hindi ko parin talaga mapigilan na isipin kung anong key signature ang ginamit, and it's a fucking EDM for Pete's Sake. May melody lang ng dancing in the moonlight.

The next song was an upbeat slow song. This is Tame Impala's Borderline with a twist. It became dancey. American kids chilled in groups on the dance floor. The lights aren't blinding, it was in the middle of dark and light.

Pinikit ko ang mga mata ko para damhin ang bawat hampas ng snare drums sa kanta. I smiled when the song smoothly shifted into a more sensual one, even with the same beat. Ito ang kagandahan ng ganitong type ng music, nababagayan.

Napukaw ang atensyon ko nang maramdamang may sumasayaw na sa likod ko. He grind his body towards me. Pumikit ako ulit at nakisabay sa pagsayaw niya.

I was wearing a white square halter top and a faux leather mini-skirt for tonight. Ito nalang kasi ang mabilis na masuot kanina noong umalis ako.

I almost shrieked when his hands travelled on my bare stomach. Malumanay kong inalis iyon. He then settled his hands at the side of my hips. Tsaka ko naramdaman ko ang pagkalalaki niya sa likuran.

I smirked.

SANJI'S SWAN

Hello again! Presenting Ziyah, lol. I always thought na siya ang last na isusulat ko kasi naiimagine ko na mahirap plot niya but here I am. Goodluck to me.

Every chapters will have a song. I'll link up the spotify playlist in the next chapter. Thank you.