Playing For Keeps (Manila Nights Series #2)

Chapter 4

Clutching my head, dealing with a headache from hangover. Agad akong napapikit nang sumalubong sa akin ang matinding sikat ng araw sa labas. Binaba ko sa mga mata ang sunglasses na nasa ibabaw ng ulo saka dumiretso sa Rolls-Royce na naghihintay sa may driveway.

"Good afternoon, Sara," bati ni Mang Francis.

"Good afternoon din po. Traffic po ba pa-Makati?" Mang Francis shook his head.

"Kakatapos lang ng rush hour at Sabado naman, Sara. 30 minutes or less nasa mansyon na tayo," sabi niya sa akin.

I checked Ahia through my peripheral vision. He's silent; there's no emotion behind those eyes, not even anger. I would have preferred it kung ipapakita niya sa akin na naiirita siya.

"Ahia, let's grab an ice cream sa big scoop. I'm craving their vanilla ice cream. Dalhan na rin natin sina Ahma at Angkong. They love their matcha ice cream."

"Drive straight to Dasmariñas Vilage, Kuya," sabi ni Ahia kay Mang Francis, automatic ng hindi masusunod ang plinano ko.

Silence fell between us. I was fine dealing with it for a few minutes, but I can't take it anymore. I shifted towards his direction.

"At least show me that you're mad at me, Ahia. Because I screw up."

"And why would I do that, Sara? Para kapag sinigawan kita ma-lessen na iyong guilt mo?"

"They were there. Alam naman nila na kasalanan ko—"

"It doesn't matter if it was solely your fault, mine or the two of us. Ako pa rin ang sasalo sa galit ng mga nakatatanda. If only you listened to me last night." Ahia's string that pulled him together somehow snapped. Hinarap niya na rin ako sa wakas.

"Were you on party drugs last night?"

"What?" Offended na tanong ko pabalik sa kaniya, "Why would you think that I was?"

"Ipapa-drug test kita."

"Ahia, I'm not! I was drunk and upset, but I'm not on drugs. Kahit ipa-test mo pa ako ngayon."

"I'm so done cleaning after your mess, Sara. Hindi na tayo mga bata. If you fuck around one more time, you'll see," banta nito sa akin.

Hinila ko ang braso ni Ahia, "Anong gagawin mo? Ipadadala mo ako sa ibang bansa? You'll ground me, cut my allowance as if you're my father?" I mocked.

"I'll tell Papa to have you marry Uno. Maybe you're right. Getting married is the only option. Having a husband and a kid might be the only way to straighten you up."

"Ayaw ko kay, Uno. He's our friend; I don't like him like that!"

"Like you had a choice?" bato niya sa akin pabalik. Dire-diretso nang bumaba si Ahia sa sasakyan at pumasok sa mansion.

Pagkaupo na pagkaupo ni Angkong. Bumaba agad ako ng sofa at lumuhod.

"Duìbùqǐ yéyé. Zuó wǎn wǒ hēle tài duō xiāngbīn. Wǒ bù huì zài zhèyàng zuòle."

"And what were you doing while your shobe's drowning herself with alcohol, Levi?" Sinipat ko si Ahia. Sinubukan kong abutin ang kamay nito habang nakaluhod pa rin sa mga nakatatanda, ngunit hindi niya ako hinayaan na hawakan siya.

"I was talking to the Angs, about the extension of skyway, Angkong. Kaya hindi ko nabantayan si Sara, but I already told her not to get drunk until she had said her speech." Yumuko na lang ulit ako, ayon naman kasi talaga ang totoo.

"Very well... we're off to my study, Saralee," sabi ni Angkong.

Hinawakan ni Ahma ang kamay ni Angkong.