Spaces Between Us

Chapter two

Isang tao lang naman ang kilala kong naka buzz cut.

“Julio?” I speak as I saw his face.

We never had a conversation ever since, not even glanced at me, so I didn't know what to do when I saw him sitting.

My eyes widened and immediately want to go back to my place but I trampled in one of the chair kaya muntik na akong matumba.

A warm and calloused hand, stopped me from falling.

“Clumsy” he uttered in low voice.

Nag collapse ako sa harap niya at buti na lang nakaupo agad ako.

“Is that you Luciana?” he asked pero napangiwi ako ng banggitin niya ang pangalan na laging tinatawag sakin ni mama.

“Yes, and sorry. I'm drunk.” I apologized.I’m embarrassed with myself; he actually saw me completely wasted.

He just nodded and didn't speak afterwards. I told you, hindi talaga siya palakausap na tao. But inside of me celebrating because he knew my name, mali nga lang pero okay na din yun.

Sa hiya ko I just rested my head, panaka-naka ay sumusulyap ako sa kanya. He’s hot in every way; even when he’s smoking, he still looks incredibly attractive.

His legs were slightly spread as he leaned back in his chair, and maybe I was hallucinating, but it felt like he was looking at me.

Kaya bago ko pa ipahiya ng sobra ang sarili ko, umalis na ako doon. I didn't bother to say goodbye but there was a little hope in me waiting for him to stopped me from walking but he didn't even care for me in the first place kaya nawalan din agad ang hope na yun.

I went outside again, only to see Cleo kissing Joaquin. Napailing na lang ako habang naglalakad palapit sa kanila.

“Cleo, I need to go. Baka hinahanap na ako ni mama” I said as I reached them, not minding their tongue playing inside their mouth.

Unang lumayo si Joaquin dahil itong kaibigan ko ay lango na din sa alak.

“Oh sorry, Lucia. Is she your friend?” he apologized while scratching the back of his head. Parang nahiya siya bigla sa ginawa niya.

Cleo didn’t react because she was too drunk.

“Who is this guy, by the way?” she lean on me and whispered.

“Gaga, si Joaquin yan.” I straightly said it in front of her face.

Her cheeks is red already as he glanced at him.

“What? Did I kissed a kid?” she exclaimed. Nakita kong napangiwi din si Joaquin and he looked slightly offended by her remarks.

“I'm already sixteen and I'm not a kid” pagsagot niya.

“Oh come on. Tell me, you're still sleeping next to your mom, right?” kahit lasing si Cleo wala pa din talagang preno ang bunganga niya.

“Cleo, stopped it. Buti pa umuwi na tayo. Umiikot na ang paningin ko and I think I'm gonna puke”

Cleo groaned. “It's still early, mauna ka na lang kaya muna. Hindi ko pa na-eenjoy ang mga tao.”

Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata. “You told me sabay tayo na uuwi. Hello, lasing ka na din baka mapano ka pa”

She just pat my shoulder. “It's okay, Lulu. I can handle myself. If you want, Joaquin will offer you a ride. Right, kid?”

“I said I'm not a kid” angal niya pero kalmado pa din.

I gave him an apologetic smile. Knowing her when drunk, anything could come out of her mouth.

Joaquin faced me, his lips slightly swollen. “Let's go, Lucia. Hatid na muna kita, mukhang kailangan mo na ding umuwi sa itsura mo.”