If I have Nothing (Absinthe Series 5)

Kabanata 32

Bakit ba hindi na lang siya umalis muna? I want to roam my eyes around more, but with him beside me, it was hard to even blink.

An almost lemon green colored drink was placed on our table. May lemon na nasa rim ng lowball glass at may mint leaves na nakalutang. It looks so cold from the sight of it.  May straw pa sa gilid ng lemon.

"What does this taste like?" I asked as I curiously eyed the drink. Inangat ko iyon at hinawakan ang straw.

"That's a lady's drink so I don't know. He said it's the lightest that they serve here."

My mouth twisted in a scowl. Matagal na siya dito pero hindi niya ba naranasang inumin ang kahit na anong klaseng inumin?

I doubt that. Baka nagsisinungaling siya sa akin at alam talaga ang lasa nito.

Gumilid siya upang maharap ako. Ang isang kamay ay nasa mesa na habang ang isa ay nakapatong sa likod ng upuan. It almost touched my naked shoulders. He waited for me to drink and I eyed him cautiously.

Parang ayaw kong inumin. His predatory stares were alarming and even his possessive stance. I crossed my legs and leaned back a little. I twisted the straw before making it close to my mouth. I took one sip.

Napapikit ako nang malasahan ang pinaghalong lasa. It was a bit spicy, sweet and sour. Just an equal mix of those tastes were enough for me to love the drink.

He was watching my reaction. Nang walang makitang pagkadisgusto ay mas lalo niya akong tinitigan. I wanted to roll my eyes but chose not to give him an ounce of attention.

Bahala ka diyan.

I enjoyed the drink while he was watching me. Nang mangalahati ako ay nakita ko na si Crithos sa stage at inaayos iyong mga cords. Napatlingon agad ako kay Rhett but he was already checking the time on his watch. Bumuntong-hininga siya at napasulyap sa akin.

"I have to go now." Tumayo na siya at lumingon sa paligid. He scowled even more, his eyes showing displeasure.

"Huwag kang aalis. I don't want to go berserk again because I couldn't find you."

Ako naman ang sumimangot. I don't want to remember anything  that took place between us last year, lalo na ang unang paghalik niya sa akin. I was crying before that because he scolded me in front of everyone. At kahit asawa niya na ako ngayon, alam ko, hindi siya magdadalawang isip na pagalitan din ako sa harap ng maraming tao.

It's easier for him to watch me while he's performing now. Hindi na ako makakaalis at lalong mas mababantayan niya. Sinundan ko lamang siya ng tingin nang umalis bago ibinalik ang atensyon sa inuming pinili niya para sa akin.

There was rave music playing and in the middle of the place, there was a dance floor. May mataas na platform na may pole. May mga nagsasayawan na doon at karamihan ay mga babae. I watched how they swayed their hips and raised their hands like wild animals in the playground. Nagtatawanan at sumasabay sa bawat bagsak ng ritmo.

I am envious now. Kung kasama ko ba si Marriam, makakasayaw din ako ng ganyan? She always go to parties, minsan ay kasama ang mga nagyayaya naming mga kaklase. Minsan ay sa ibang section na mga nakilala niya. That's how friendly Marriam is on our department.

The music slowly stopped as the static sound resonated in the area. The people started cheering now and clapping their hands. Parang may sariling ritmo na ang palakpak na para lang sa iisang importanteng tao.

I looked at the stage. Si Rhett ay nasa gitna at nag-aayos sa kaniyang itim na gitara. I am surprised to even see that he's still using what I had for him last Christmas. Alam na alam ko ang kulay at nakita kong naka-embroidered pa rin ang pangalan niya doon. On his left side was Eion, on his guitar too. Hindi ako maalam sa mga gitara pero pakiramdam ko naman ay may pagkakaiba sa kanilang mga hawak. Only Crithos was the one with the drums, lahat sila nakagitara na.