"I thought you wouldn't come? You're sleepy, aren't you?"
Taas kilay na salubong ni Chloe sa kay Marga.
"I changed my mind"
The woman crossed her arms and stare at her mockingly.
Marga rolled her eyes.
"Stop with that look Chloe," she said idly.
Tumawa ang Amerikanang kaibigan niya at hinila siya paupo sa isa sa mga upuan sa bar counter.
"So? Where in Booze I can find him?" Anang Marga pagkaupong-pagkaupo niya. Siya naman ngayon ang taas kilay na tumingin sa kaibigan.
Booze, is the name of the bar where they in. This is an exclusive bar only for elite people at ito ang bar na palagi nilang pinupuntahan. Sa bar din na ito una niyang nakita si Zetch Vince Steffens.
Chloe indulged the Bloody Marys on her glass and gazed intently at Marga.
"Won't you drink at least one glass before you see him? You're too hurry, sweetheart."
"Ugh! Come on, I don't have time—"
"Oh shut up!" Putol ng babae at tinawag ang bartender na lalaki. "Hey! An Appletini for this beautiful sweetheart here!"
Napahinga nalang ng malalim si Marga at muling inikot ang mga mata. Chloe is Chloe, kaya nga naging kaibigan niya ito dahil halos magkapareho sila ng ugali.
Chloe sidled over Marga and whispered. "Hey, you see that guy over there?" Sinundan niya ang tinitignan ng kaibigan. There's a guy guzzling on his beer closed to the dance floor. "He's Arthur De Luca, the son of the French ambassador to America."
Lumingon muli si Marga sa kaibigan ng nakangisi. She tilted her head with a tease.
"How'd you know 'em?"
Lumingon sa kanya ang kaibigan ng nakangisi pagkatapos ay kinuha ang sariling baso.
"One Appletini for the gorgeous sweetheart, Miss Marga." Said the bartender flirtatiously.
Marga smiled tightly and raise the glass to him. "Thanks"
"My pleasure, sweetheart"
Lumingon muli si Marga sa kaibigan at tinaasan ito ng kilay.
"So?"
Napainom agad si Chloe sa kanyang hawak na baso at pinaglandas ang malayang kamay sa tuwid ng buhok.
"I just knew 'em, that's it!"
"Like how?"
"Oh Marga, it's not that important—"
"It is!"
"It's not!" Chloe flipped her hair. "So, you wanna know where your Mr. Steffens is?"
Marga rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on. Don't change the topic Chloe."
"I'm not! In the first place we talked about Architect Steffens here. So yeah, wanna know where?"
Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Marga. She knew Chloe is hiding something. She smirked.
"Sorry, not interested anymore. Well, I'll just look for him later." She shrugged.
"What the fvck Marga!"
"Yeah, what the fvck Chloe." Ulit ni Marga at ngumisi. She sipped her cocktail.
"Alright! Alright!" Aniya ng kaibigan at binaba ang hawak na baso.
Nakangisi ng malapad si Marga at katulad ng kaibigan ay binaba din niya ang hawak na cocktail glass at interesadong lumingon rito.
"We just had a one-night stand." Parang wala lang na sabi ni Chloe.
Nanlaki ang mata ni Marga sa narinig. Palagi na niya itong naririnig but it always surprise her. Napatakip ang dalawang kamay sa bibig niya.
"Oh my god!" Agad na tinungga ni Marga ang kanyang cocktail. "So how was it? Is he a good one?"
Kagat labing tumanggo si Chloe habang nakangisi.
"It was last week ago but it still fresh in my mind. Seriously honey, it was mind blowing!"
"Oh my! Where'd you met 'em?"
"Here! I was with my other friends then, and yah! He's oh, so, good baby! Like, damn!"
Natawa si Marga sa sinabi nito.
"Done?"
Tanong ng isang lalaki malapit sa bar counter. Tumango naman ang bartender at inabot sa kasama nito ang isang tray ng mga cocktail drinks pero iba't-iba ang flavours.
"Architect Steffens is waiting for that." Nakangising anang bartender.
Nang marinig 'yon nila Marga ay dali-dali siyang hinila ni Chloe; they followed the waiter. As soon as they arrived at the second floor, Chloe called the guy.
"Hey there handsome! Wait!" Hindi lumingon ang waiter at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Marami-rami din ang taong dumadaan at maingay ang paligid dahil sa tunog sa dance floor sa ibaba kaya walang ibang nagawa si Chloe kundi batuhin ang likod nito ng kanyang pouch.
The man stopped at mabilis na lumingon sa likod.
Hinarap ni Chloe si Marga and slap her.
"You bitch! We've been in a relationship for four years now, but what you did?! You just tear us apart!"
Agad na nanlaki ang mata ni Marga sa inakto ng kaibigan. Hindi niya ito maintindihan.
Did she just... slap me? Anong ginagawa nito? Magsasalita na sana siya nang yakapin siya ni Chloe habang pekeng umiiyak.
Bumulong ito sa kanya.
"Marga, act. Do what I did."
"What? Why? Are you out of your mind? Chloe you make me look like a usurper!" Mahina ding bulong niya sa kaibigan.
"You talk to him and I'll do the rest. Please, don't be too obvious sweetheart."
"What? Hey Chloe—"
"Just do what I say!"
Hinarap siyang muli ng kaibigan at hinawakan ang mukha.
"It's okay, it's okay. You can have him. I'll let him go for you."
So, she's acting. Pinigilan niyang ngumisi. Hmm might as well play with her too.
Chloe then wiped her tears away, naglakad ito patungo sa waiter na ngayon ay nakatingin sa kanila. Mabuti nalang ang mga taong dumadaan ay walang pakialam.
"Oh, I'm so sorry mister. It wasn't my intention. It was an accident actually I just had fight with my ex-boyfriend's girl as what you've seen. I'm sorry again."
Nakangiti namang tumango ang waiter.
"It's fine, ma'am. I understand."
Kaagad na lumapit si Marga at pinulot ang pouch ng kaibigan. She handed it back to her.
"Thank you, thank you for setting him free for me." She acted pagkatapos ay lumingon sa waiter. "I'm sorry about what happened earlier mister."
"Apology accepted, ma'am." Magalang na sabi ng lalaki at tatalikod na sana nang magsalita si Chloe.
"Oh, wait! Are these under Architect Steffens?"
Tumango ang lalaki.
"Yes, ma'am."
Patagong tinapakan ni Chloe ang paa ni Marga.
"Oh really? Wow! Which one is for Architect Steffens here?"
Dahil sa sinabi ni Chloe ay agad itong naintindihan ni Marga. She's really an angel! She's trying to help.
"I'm sorry?" Kunot noong sabi ng lalaki.
Ngumiti si Chloe at hinawakan ang balikat ng waiter. Pasimple nitong pinagpagan ang damit sa bandang dibdiban ng lalaki.
"Which one is for Architect Steffens here?" Ulit ni Chloe sa nang-aakit na boses at ngumiti ng matamis.
Mabilis na tinuro ng lalaki ang para sa Arkitekto.
Do'n na pumasok si Marga. She talked dirty to the waiter habang pasimpleng sinisilip si Chloe. May hinugot ang babae sa dibdiban nito. It's a drug! Pagkatapos ay nilagay ito sa cocktail ng Arkitekto habang nakangisi ng malawak.
Chloe, oh Chloe, you're really a badass girl!
Lumingon sa kanya si Chloe at kumindat. There, she knew Chloe had planned everything.
"Where did you got that drug Chloe?"
Tanong ni Marga sa bagay na nilagay ng kaibigan sa inumin ng arkitekto kanina.
"Haha, it doesn't matter anymore." Anang babae kaya napailing nalang siya.
Makaraang ang ilan pang minuto ay nakita nalang ni Marga ang sarili na kinaladkad ni Chloe palabas. The woman brought her to the parking area.
"Hey, what're we doin' here?"
Hindi sumagot si Chloe bagkus ay nakangisi pa itong tumingin sa ibang direksyon. Sinundan ito ng tingin ni Marga.
Her heart beats erratically upon seeing the person she longed for. Zetch Vince Steffens is with his also affluent male friends. He's too serious staring and listening to one of his friends. His serious looks add on to his handsomeness and damn! Pakiramdam niya malalaglag ang panty niya.
She heaved a deep sigh and swallowed hard. She must control herself.
"Hey there!"
Hinigit siya ni Chloe palapit sa mga kalalakihan. No'ng una ay kinabahan siya pero kalaunan ay nawala ito at napalitan ng kasiyahan.
Nakita niya kung paano kuhain ni Chloe ang atensyon ng mga lalaki. All heads are on them. Kaya kagaya ni Chloe ay taas noo din siyang lumapit sa kanila.
"Excuse. Excuse. Excuse" hawi ng kaibigan at dumaan sila sa gitna ng kalalakihan.
Nang nasa harapan na sila ng arkitekto ay agad na sumilay ang pilyong ngiti ni Marga. Uhuh!
"So here are the The Devan's sweethearts huh! Nice to see you ladies," anang isang lalaki.
Nilingon ito ni Chloe at binigyan ng matamis ngiti. "Nice to see you too"
"So, are we here to make fire?" The man said flirtatiously and draw closer to Chloe.
"Ah! Sorry to ruined your imagination but we're not here for that."
"Oww! That was hurt dude!" Kantyaw ng ibang kaibigan ng architect.
"Truth hurts boys," singit ni Chloe. Lumingon itong muli sa arkitekto habang nakataas ang kilay. "Actually, we're here for Architect Steffens."
Tinaas naman ng isang lalaki ang kamay.
"I guess we should go then!" Tapik nito sa balikat ng architect pagkatapos ay tumalikod. Sumunod naman agad ang iba habang nakangisi.
"We're leaving man. Enjoy!" Tapik din ng isa.
"Two hot chicks for tonight! Fvck!"
"Never forget your condom. Congrats!" Ani ng panghuling lalaki pagkatapos ay tumalikod.
Tatawa-tawa ang mga kaibigan ng architect na naglakad palapit sa kani-kanilang kotse.
Mapanuksong ngumiti si Chloe sa kaibigan. She sidled over Marga and whispered.
"Now is your time. You can do this sweetheart. Bye!"
Ilang minuto na ang dumaan matapos silang iwanan ni Chloe. Mahinang napahinga ng malalim si Marga, she's nervous. She didn't see this coming. Chloe is really, really a good one.
"Cat got your tongue?" Vince sounds sarcastic while staring at Marga mockingly. "Where's the Marga I knew?" He tilted his head and inserted his hands on his pocket. "Are you playing innocent this time?"
Dahil sa malamig na sabi ng lalaki ay napalandas ni Marga ang isang kamay sa maalon niyang buhok. She sighed and stare at him seductively. Tumaas agad ang libido niya dahil sa lalaking ito.
Now she knew, tonight is her night.
"Hey!" mahinang sabi ni Marga at hinawakan ang dibdib nito.
Hindi maintindihan ni Vince kung bakit sa hawak ng babae ay agad siyang nakaramdam ng init. Hindi lang basta init ngunit kakaibang init na mariin niyang pinipigilan. At first, he controlled it. His jaw tightened; forehead knitted. But as time goes by he cannot resist it anymore. The rope his been trying to grasp loss its grip.
He immediately grabbed Marga's nape and kiss her torridly. She kissed back with the same intensity. The sexual desire he's been feeling seemed to be increasing.
Damn! She's a good kisser!
Sa ginagawa nila ay kung saan-saan na umabot ang kamay ni Vince. But Marga didn't stop him, she let him do what he wants. She wants this, she needed this. They didn't stop hanggang si Marga na mismo ang lumayo.
"Let's play fire tonight Mr. Steffens," matamis siyang ngumiti at pinalandas ang hintuturo sa labi ng lalaki. "But I don't want to have sex with you here." She said seductively and bite her lower lip.
Hindi napigilan ni Vince ang sarili at hahalikan na sana ang babae but she stopped him. Lumayo ito ng kunti at nilagay ang hintuturo sa bibig ng lalaki.
"Uh, uh. No. No." She shook her head and still smiling seductively.
Napahinga ng malalim si Vince at hinila si Marga patungo sa kotse at pinapasok ito.
He drove fast to the nearest hotel and book a room. Nang makapasok sa kwarto ay walang sabi-sabing hinalikan niyang muli ang babae.
He knew someone put a drug on his drink kaya siya ngayon uhaw na uhaw sa pakikipagtalik. Tomorrow, he will deal with this. One must pay for doing this to him. This is never a quits though he benefited.
Marga felt dizzy for being tense, this is her first time pero pakiramdam niya hindi maganda ang magiging una niya dahil ngayon palang masasabi niyang isang halimaw sa kama ang kukuha sa pagkababae niya. She wants to stop but she can't. Pumasok na siya rito and she should know how to finish what she have started.
Naalala niya ang ama, dahil rito ay naging isang rebelde siyang anak. She grew up always following his orders until she finished her master's degree. Dito nagsimulang ang pagrerebelde niya, gusto lang naman niyang maranasan ang tumayo sa sariling mga paa. And that is the thing her father opposes.
Tinulak siya ng lalaki sa kama. His stares and how he wets his lips with his tongue gives her a goosebumps. He looks like a predator and she's a prey.
Inalis nito ang suit at pumatong sa kanya. He kissed her neck up to her jaw. His hands are everywhere until it went down her belly. A volt of electricity creeps through her body. She wants to push him and stop, mabilis nadin ang paghinga niya hindi dahil sa kakaibang dulot nito sa kanya kundi dahil sa sobrang kaba.
Kahit na liberated siyang umakto at magsalita she's still holding on being a Filipino, lalo na sa sabi ng mga nakakatanda na dapat ibigay lang ang pagkabirhen mo sa taong papakasalan mo. She's conservative pero hindi lang halata.
Gustuhin man niyang pigilan ang lalaki ay hindi niya magawa lalo't pumapasok sa isipan niya sa ang mga sinabi ng kanyang ama.
She smiled sweetly and stared at him.
"You wanna play with my little kitty?" Hindi kumibo ang lalaki, mariin lang siya nitong tinitigan. She sighed. Her hands travelled down his abdomen. "I love banana. Can I eat your banana?"
Dahil sa sinabi niya ay walang sabi-sabing sinunggaban siyang muli ng mariin na halik ni Vince.
She let him do what he wants hanggang sa tuluyan na nitong pinasok ang buo niyang pagkatao.
This night, it's either having a compunction or complacent.
Isa-isang dinampot ni Marga ang mga damit, she glanced at the wall clock of the hotel room, it's still five in the morning. Huminga siya ng malalim at dumiretso sa banyo. Bago niya isara ang pinto ay sinulyapan niyang muli si Vince na natutulog pa sa kama.
She closed the door. Napasandal siya sa pintuan at isa-isang pumatak ang kanyang mga luha. Pinagsisihan niya ang nangyari. Mariin niyang niyakap ang damit at dahan-dahang dumaosdos sa puting tile ng banyo. Kinagat niya ang ibabang labi habang pinipigilan ang humikbi.
Nang mahimasmasan ay nilinis niya ang sarili at nagbihis. Halos isang oras ang nilagi niya sa banyo para mawala ang pamamaga ng kanyang mga mata.
Nang makalabas ay sinalubong siya ng isang malamig na titig.
"Happy?" The man said in a very cold tone. Nakabihis na ito at prenteng nakaupo sa kama habang nakaharap sa pinto ng banyo.
Nahugot ni Marga ang kanyang hininga. Hindi niya inaasahang sa paglabas niya ng banyo ay gising na ito.
"You got what you want. And yeah, you're a virgin. What happens after this is none of my business. Don't worry, I'll pay you your worth." Tumayo si Vince at lumapit kay Marga. He's back to being the apathetic.
Marga sighed. Mariin siyang tinitigan ng lalaki pagkatapos ay may inabot itong dalawang bond paper and a pen. "I made a contract and only thing you will do is to sign these two."
Agad na kinuha ito ni Marga at tinignan ang sulat-kamay nito.
1. I have no obligations on you. Don't expect.
2. Circumstances might cross our path again pretend that we don't know each other.
3. Stay away from me.
Walang sabi-sabing pinirmahan ito ni Marga. Binigay sa kanya ang isa at nasa lalaki naman ang isa. Gustong tumulo ng kanyang mga luha pero mariin niya itong pinigilan. No, she won't show how vulnerable she is. Baka pagtawanan lang siya nito at sabihan na naman ng kung anu-ano. This would be the last one.
"Okay, thank you for the wonderful night. I enjoyed it." She said sincerely. She pretended that everything is fine and losing her virginity was nothing to her.
Walang mabasa sa kung anong nasa isip ng lalaki. Tumango lang ito.
"I'll just send you the money." Anito at tumalikod.
Mabilis ang paghinga ni Marga at napahigpit ang hawak sa papel.
"One last thing," Vince stopped and looked back at her. His stares, too cold.
Nilingon din ito ni Marga.
"Don’t ever put me in a position where I gotta show you how heartless I can be."
To be continued...
✴ever_minah✴