"Ow!" Napadaing ako nang bigla akong hampasin ni Demi sa braso. Hahampasin pa niya sana ako muli ng humarang si Enzo, shielding me from behind him as he looks at Demi with confusion and curiosity na para bang nagtataka ito kung bakit ako sinasaktan ng best friend ko.
"Hey, hey, okay no need to get physical," Enzo mutters.
I almost scoffed. Coming from a guy na muntik ng nakipag basag ulo kanina.
Demi just let out a theatrical gasp, covering her mouth with her palms.
Slowly, she backs away, pointing a finger at Enzo and I.
"Hoy! Mga taksil," she says, very dramatically at that. "How? When? Paano? Kailan?"
"Ito na nga ba ang sinasabi ko!" Leo exclaims, hands on his waist. "Sabi ko na nga ba, text talaga ng gwapo ang nasa likod ng ngiting aso mo tuwing lunch."
"Halika dito, haliparot ka!" Leo grabs my hand at hinila ako.
"Excuse me?" Kumunot ang noo ni Enzo pero wala na siyang magawa dahil hinila na rin ni Demi and isa kong kamay. Leo wrapped an arm around my waist, na para bang pinipigilan akong tumakas habang hinihila nila ako papunta sa table kung saan nakatayo na si Ada sa kinauupuan.
When I glance back at Leo behind me, nakita ko siyang nakatingin lang sa akin, brows furrowed na para bang nagagalit habang ang mga kamay ay nasa bewang. His attention is fixed on me kahit na nilapitan na siya ng isa sa mga kasama niya.
"Gaga ka, hindi ka nagkukwento ha!" singhal ni Demi sa akin, nudging my arm. Her brows are furrowed as she pouts at me. Napadaing nalang ako ulit ng kurutin ni Leo ang tagiliran ko.
"I knew it! I knew something was going on with you. Malandi ka! Ikaw ha," Leo gave me a look, nanunuya. "Marunong ka pumili ng gwapo ha. Hindi mo ba sinasabi sa amin dahil takot kang agawin ko?"
I let out an amused scoff at that, slightly hitting his chest.
"Ces," Ada approaches us, bakas pa ang gulat sa mukha, "boyfriend mo?" she says, slowly eyeing Enzo from behind us.
I bite the inside of my cheek. Hindi ko alam kung sasabihin ko ba ang totoong estado ng relasyon namin ni Enzo o aaminin ko nalang para tapos na.
"Bakit hindi ka nagkwento?" patampong pagsabi ni Ada, gently hitting my arm.
"Kaya nga, nakakatampo ka ha," Demi seconds. "Wait," she grabs my shoulder, "kayo na ba noong nagkita tayo sa oval noong nakaraan?"
I didn't know what to tell her, so I just nodded. She let out a dramatic gasp and covers her mouth.
"Hoy gaga, todo push ko pa naman kayo noon. Nakakahiya, gosh! Kailan pa naging kayo? Did you already know each other before I introduced you two? Paano? How did you meet?"
Parang sumasakit ang ulo ko sa mga tanong ni Demi dahil wala akong maisagot. I don't have concrete answers for her. If I was going to ride on this wave na may relasyon talaga kami ni Enzo, I need to talk to him about a solid story on how we got together. I hate lying, to my bestfriends most specifically, but I also don't want to tell them the truth behind it. Nakakahiya.
I let out a heavy breath.
"Fine," I say, giving each one of them a look, "I'll tell you everything, but not now, okay?" I still need to talk to Enzo. "It's Leo's birthday party, and we're here to celebrate, right? This night is not about me."
Pinanliitan lang ako ng mata ni Demi at Leo, pero kalaunan ay bumuntong hininga nalang ang dalawa. Tinitigan pa rin ako ni Ada na para bang hindi pa rin sumisink in sa kanya ang mga impormasyong nakalap, kaya nginitian ko nalang siya at hinawakan ang kamay.
"Magkukwento ako, I promise."
"Talaga lang," sabi ni Leo, kinukurot ako ulit. "Fine, tama naman siya. This night is about me, pero tomorrow night is about you ha!" he points at me.
"Yes, we're sleeping over at your place!" Demi says, shaking my shoulder kaya naman ay tumango nalang ako.
"So for now, let's resume the celebration!" bulalas ni Demi, raising her arms, na para bang nabuhayan muli ang sistema. "Gosh, if I knew you were together edi sana sumabay nalang tayo sa kanila. Para akong tanga inviting them, especially Enzo, para magkita kayo. Eh sikreto naman pala kayong nagkikita. Jusko ka, nanggigigil ako sayo."
"Wait, you invited them?" I ask her.
"Yeah, and the rest of the entourage," she shifts her gaze to what is behind me, and I turn around to see Enzo and the men he is with looking at our direction. Nag-uusap ang mga kasama niya, pero siya nakatingin lang sa akin.
"Ay! So those are for me?!" Excited na sambit ni Leo as he fixes his gaze on the men.
"Oo, pero off limits na ang piloto diyan, tapos yang future attorney reserve mo na kay Ada."
Nakita ko ang paglaki ng mga mata ni Ada, agad niyang hinanap ang binabanggit ni Demi, and true enough I spot Kaleb standing behind Enzo, talking to a guy I don't know.
"Hmph, tapos ang future doctor, reserved sayo?" Leo turns to Demi at agad namang umirap ito.
"Excuse me!" she retaliates, "over my dead body! Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit nandito iyan, eh hindi ko naman iyan inimbita. As usual, sumasampid sa pinsan."
Napatingin ako kay Demi, pinanliitan siya ng mata. Is she pertaining to Enzo's cousin in UP Med? The one Enzo mentioned she was kissing! A small smirk makes its way over my lips as I stare at her.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asks me, and I shake my head.
"Nothing," I say, hindi maitago ang mapanuyang ngiti kaya naman at pinanliitan niya ako ng tingin.
"So ano na? Tatayo lang ba tayo dito or are we welcoming the men?" Leo says, hands on his waist.
"Oh yes! Boys!" Agad namang dumaan si Demi sa gitna namin ni Leo at sinalubong ang mga inimbita.
I turn to Ada and saw her stealing glances at Kaleb, parang naiilang. I link my arm around hers and pull her with me. "Kalma ka lang," I tell her. amusement in my voice.
She just gives me the side eye and let out a small scoff, "may utang kang chika sa akin ha," she mumbles and I chuckle, nodding my head.
"Yes, I promise."
"Enzo," I call out to him nang nakalapit na kami ulit kahit naman talaga nawala ang titig niya sa amin habang papalapit. "This is Ada," pagpapakilala ko.
Enzo politely nods, tipid na ngiti ang iginawad. "Yes," he says, "we've met."
Ada lets out a shy smile and nods. "Yes," she says, "and you're Ces' boyfriend?" she asks to confirm.
Enzo glances at me for a moment and then nods at Ada kasabay ng pagpulupot niya ng braso sa baywang ko. A light shiver runs through my spine as I feel his hand brush against my exposed back before it rests just above my hipbone.
He pulls me closer to him kaya naman ay nabitawan ko na rin si Ada kalaunan. "That's Leo, right?" he asks me, whispering into my ear as he leans down. I nod my head, humming in response.
"And you let him hold you like that?"
I turn my head to look at him, catching him with furrowed brows. "Of course," I say innocently, "he's my friend." He's probably just worried for me after the situation he caught me in a while ago, pero Leo is beyond harmless kaya I don't get why parang mainit ang timpla nito tungo sa bestfriend ko. Eh parang crush nga siya ni Leo eh.
He just lets out a low groan and pulls me in closer, mahigpit na hinahawakan ang baywang ko as we turn to the rest of the group.
"Your older brother isn't coming?" Demi asks one of the men.
"No, he's been extra busy lately," sagot noong isa.
Among the four other men, I only know Kaleb. The rest of the three are also very good looking, all very tall. The younger looking one is just as tall as Enzo, the rest only slightly shorter pero hindi naman masyadong halata. Now that I'm looking at them, they kinda have some similar features with Enzo.
"Sayang naman," Demi says, she then turns to us, specifically to Leo.
"This is the birthday boy pala," she links her arm around Leo's. I expected Leo to be all excited and jumpy, pero napaka pormal ni bakla. Lalaking lalaki ang asta. Nahihirapan tuloy akong pigilan ang ngiti dahil alam ko buhay na buhay ang loob ni bakla dahil naguumapaw sa kagwapuhan ang nakapaligid sa kanya.
"This is Tres and Dos," she points to the two tall men who look quite a like. They have the same build as Enzo, maputi rin naman pero slightly on the tanner side. They have prominent features like sharp jawlines, pointed and defined noses, dark and deep eyes, and thick brows that frame their faces well. I turn to Enzo and then back to them, trying to look for similarities. They have similar lip shapes, thin and naturally red.
"Juan Matteo Jimenez," he extends his arm and offers a hand for a shake, "Matt," he adds, "but Tres will also do. Happy birthday."
Gusto kong tumawa dahil napakalalaki kung makipagkamay si Leo. "Leo, pare. Thank you."
I hear Ada snorting beside me, kaya naman ay hindi ko rin maiwasan ang mapangiti.
"Why?" Enzo asks me, whispering into my ear. I just shake my head, biting my bottom lip.
"Nothing."
"Juan Lucas Jimenez," the older one says, doing the same, shaking Leo's hand. "Lucky, pero Dos nalang. Thanks for inviting us."
I guess they're brothers. Compared to the younger one though, the older one looks a bit more refined. He looks quite familiar nga eh, but I can't put my finger on it. Parang nakita ko na siya somewhere, I just can't remember.
"And as you all know by now, Kaleb," Demi acknowledges her cousin at pasimpleng tumingin kay Ada, bago ito nakipagbeso sa pinsan.
"Happy Birthday, Leo. Long time," he says, shaking Leo's hand. Agad namang tumango si Leo, may nalalaman pang pag hawak sa balikat.
"Oh and these are my friends p--"
"Ako hindi mo ako ipapakilala?" Sumingit ang isa sa mga lalaki, ang matangkad na katabi ni Kaleb. This one also has the same build as Enzo, kasingputi rin. He looks the most similar to Enzo, mas refined lang, but with darker colored eyes and hair. Ibang iba kasi ang hazel eyes ni Enzo, very rare.
Demi rolls her eyes and lets out a sigh.
"This is Ivan," walang ganang sabi niya, hindi pa nga nakatingin sa lalaki.
"It's been a while, pare," he says as he firmly grasps Leo's hand, initiating a chest bump. Napangisi na naman ako, dahil tinawag din siyang pare ni Leo, which to us, is very unusual. Sana kasi kami nag inookray lang si Leo, tapos ngayon lalaking lalaki.
"As I was saying," Demi continues, turning to us, "these are my friends. This is Ada," she pulls Ada towards her, intentionally pushing her towards Kaleb's side. The rest of the men greeted her, at hindi namin maitago ang mga panunuyang ngiti namin ng nagtanguan sila ni Kaleb.
"And Celeste," Demi turns to me, and I let out a shy smile, lalo na dahil agad na dumapo ang tingin ng mga lalaki sa kamay ni Enzo na nakahawak sa baywang ko. I see the playful smirks plastered over their lips.
"Ah, yes. Xander's girlfriend," the older Jimenez brother coos, taking a step towards me to offer a hand to shake. Agad ko naman itong tinanggap, shaking his hand. "The first woman he brought home and introduced to his parents," he added. "I'm Dos. Xander and I are cousins."
I guess they call him Xander, from his second name. I let out a small smile and nod at that. "Nice to meet you."
"Tita could not stop talking about you," the younger one says, shaking my hand. "I'm Tres."
I do the same, shaking his hand and smiling at him.
"I assume there is an Uno?" I say as I let go of Tres' hand. The two brothers chuckle and nod. They look so similar and yet also very different. The younger one seemed more formal, mas seryoso tignan, wearing a black button up rolled up to his sleeves. Dos on the other hand seemed more outgoing, wearing a white shirt beneath a leather jacket. He looks like and idol!
"Yes, our older brother Bash is quite busy, kaya hindi makapunta," Tres says.
"Tapos may hinahabol pang ayaw magpahabol," the one named Ivan chimes in as he approaches me with a wide smile. "Ivan Rafael Delgado," he introduces himself, shaking my hand. "Sayang hindi kita naabutan sa bahay nila Enzo, naka alis na kayo when I got there."
"Oh that's unfortunate, but it's nice to finally meet you," I say, quickly giving Demi a side eye.
"So, shall we go to the table? Drinks are all on me!" Leo says, clasping his hands as he leads the group to our table. Lalaking lalaki talaga siya ngayon, walang bahid ng nakaugalian naming Leo sa weekday at Lea sa weekend.
Our table is now filled, compared from a while ago na sobrang luwag dahil kaming apat lang naman ang nakaupo. Now the whole couch is occupied. At the far end is Leo, since he frequently gets up to greet the guests, beside him is Dos, and then Tres. Demi sat beside Tres, and beside her is Ivan na katabi ni Enzo, and then me. Beside me is Ada, and then Kaleb took the space beside her.
Sabay kaming tatlo ni Demi at Leo na nagkatinginan ng umupo si Kaleb sa tabi ni Ada, lahat kami may makahulugang ngiti habang si Ada naman ay hindi makatingin at nagsisimula nalang mamula.
"Umusog ka nga doon," reklamo ni Ada, nakabusangot nang tinitignan si Ivan, "bakit ka ba tabi ng tabi sa akin?"
"Luh, si Enzo kaya ang tinatabihan ko. Ang feeling mo naman masyado," he counters her, making me chuckle.
"Are you sure you caught them kissing? Baka naman sinasakal lang ni Demi ang pinsan mo?" I turn to Enzo, speaking through his ear as he leans in to listen to me dahil masyadong malakas ang music.
He chuckles. "Wait 'til your friend starts getting drunk," he says.
"So your barkada is basically your cousins plus Kaleb?"
"I guess," he says.
"How are you cousins?"
"Ivan's dad, Tres and Dos' mom, and my mom are siblings."
Tumango ako. Kaya naman pala they have similar features kasi they all came from his mother's side.
"Pasintabi naman po sa mga single," sabi ni Demi habang nagsasalin ng alak sa baso, nakatingin sa amin.
Ngayon ko lang din napagtanto ang ayos namin ni Enzo, our faces barely inches away from each other, his arm still around my waist. I clear my throat and straighten up, avoiding Demi's teasing gaze.
"Oh, you're all single?" Leo asks, pasimple lang habang tinutulungan si Ada na punuin ang mga baso ng alak.
"I have a girlfriend," Dos says proudly, "we're both in La Salle."
"Oh you're also in college still?" tanong ko.
"Yeah, civil engineering. I'm graduating next school year."
"And Tres?" bumaling ako sa mas batang Jimenez na nagsisimula ng uminom.
"2nd year mechanical engineering in La Salle. Our older brother is also an engineer, industrial."
Napatango ako. I guess sila yung tinutukoy ni Tita Amelia na mga pamangkin niyang engineers. If my memory serves me right, they have a sister. Hindi ko lang alam kung mas bata ba o mas matanda.
"And may girlfriend din?" tanong ni Leo.
Napangiti nalang ako, he sounds curious, pero in reality nagsusurvey lang iyan.
"No," Tres lets out an amused scoff. "I don't believe in stuff like that," he sips from his drink.
Napatingin kami kay Leo who gave us a knowing look. Tinitigan niya ng masama si Demi, nagtatype sa cellphone.
From Love Naming Lahat
Leche ka @BatangHamog, akala ko ba para sa akin to, wala naman akong mapapala. Ang tatlo reserved sa inyo, ang isa may jowa, tas yung isa allergic sa pag-ibig? Saan ako lulugar?
From Batang Hamog
Sorry na, malay ko ba. Iinom mo nalang 'yan. Padagdag ka ng mule at black label.
To Squad Pempem
Matanong ko lang, out of curiosity, masyado ka atang pa boy @LoveNamingLahat?
From Love Naming Lahat
The Jimenez's brothers uncle is Senator Jimenez. Kainis!
From Mother Teresa
Hindi naman yata nila ipagkakalat(?)
From Love Naming Lahat
Better safe than sorry. Hoy Ada huwag ka na mag reply dito, tuloy niyo na chikahan niyo ni Kaleb, akala mo hindi namin napapansin na may sarili kayong mundo? Na ol conversation with crush. Yung crush kong piloto parang ahas kung makakapit sa isa diyan.
Sabay kaming nag-angat ng tingin sa mga phone at bumaling kay Ada na namumula na naman, hindi makatingin sa amin.
"Are you okay?" dinig ko pang tinanong siya ni Kaleb.
"How about you, Ivan? Wala kang girlfriend?" I turn to Ivan.
"Wala," he says, "too busy with Med school. At tsaka may inaalagan naman din na ako."
I didn't get what he meant pero I catch Demi glancing at him for a split second, pero umirap.
"Sinasabi mo lang iyan dahil walang nagkakagusto sayo dahil kupal ka," she says.
"Aba, nahiya naman ako sayo na walang boyfriend dahil bulok ka, kasing bulok ng atay mo," sabi sa kanya ni Ivan na agad namang ikinagalit niya.
Napatawa nalang ako ng nagsimula nang magbangayan ang dalawa. Nagsimula na rin ang rotation ng mga shots, headed by Demi and Leo of course. The group just talked about random things. Nalaman ko na kaya naman pala familiar si Dos eh siya pala yung rising singer na kumakanta sa isang palabas tuwing weekend. Kaya naman pala parang idol.
"Ano ba humabol ka sa shots," pag-abot ni Demi ng baso kay Ivan, "ang hina mo na nga sa shots sa laro, tapos sa inuman rin?!"
"Kung ikaw kaya ishoot ko? Tutal parang bola rin naman kasi ang hugis ng mukha mo," sagot ni Ivan, kinukuha ang baso.
I chuckle.
"Are you having fun?" I turn to Enzo when he leans in to whisper in my ear. I smile at him and nod.
"I am."
He lets out a smile and nods, leaning in to press a kiss on the side of my head, his thumb drawing circles on my hip bone.
"Ayan na naman po sila," komento ni Demi.
I let out a small breath, biting the inside of my cheek. Nahiya na naman tuloy ako. Ito naman kasing si Enzo, masyadong pinaninindigan ang role.
I turn to Ivan instead. "Teka lang, you play basketball?"
"I used to co-captain the UP Fighting Maroons before I went to med school."
Napatango ako at bumaling kay Demi. "Wait, siya ba lagi mong minumura tuwing nanonood tayo ng UAAP?" Naaalala ko kasi na may lagi siyang sinisagawan sa team namin tuwing nanonood kami ng game.
"Ah, kaya naman pala hindi kami nananalo kasi may naghahasik ng madilim na enerhiya," sabi ni Ivan.
"Excuse me, hindi kayo nananalo kasi part ka ng team," Demi responds.
Bago pa man sila magsimulang magbangayan muli ay dumating na ang alak na pinadagdag ni Leo, filling our table up. It quickly changed Demi's mood, lighting up her face as she grabs a bottle.
"Are they always like that?" I turn to ask Enzo, whispering into his ear.
He chuckles, "Yeah."
"Hoy tama na bebe time, shot ka na Celeste!" Demi hands me a glass at tinanggap ko naman.
Before I can drink it, Enzo slightly pulls me closer. "Kaya mo ba?"
Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata, giving him a certain look. "Of course," I say, a small chuckle escaping from the back of my throat. "Ako pa."
He raises a brow at me, "the last time you had a drink, you basically asked me to sleep with you."
I let out a chuckle, now amused by the memory that fueled so much of my embarrassment.
"Don't worry, ikaw pa rin naman ang yayayain ko kung sakali," I joke, taking the shot. Kumunot nalang ang noo niya, umiigting ang panga. Before he could even say anything, he was offered a shot. Agad niya naman itong ininom, eyes fixed on me.
"Bakit parang dinadaya mo na ang akin?" reklamo ni Ada ng abutan na naman ni Demi ng baso.
"Sus kunyare ka pa na ayaw mo," Demi coos, handing her another shot which Ada still finishes. Nagulat na lang ako dahil game na game rin siya sa pag-inom. She had more shots than me dahil dinadaya naman talaga ni Demi ang shot niya.
"Hinay hinay lang," sabi sa kanya ni Kaleb nang tumanggap na naman ng shot si Ada. I never saw Ada like this before, parang kayang kaya niya makipagsabayan kay Demi sa inuman.
It really is the quiet ones that are wild.
Napailing ako, smiling to myself.
Medyo lasing na rin ako. Sunod sunod na kasi ang pa shot ni Demi, hindi ko nagegets kung bakit ang bilis niya mag pasa ng shot sa buong table, tapos tumutungga pa ng sariling bote. Ramdam ko na ang konting hilo at sakit sa ulo, at halos nawawalan na ng kabuluhan para sa akin ang mga usapan.
"Ces," pasa sa akin ni Demi ng shot, tinanggap ko ito kaya lang bago ko man mainom ay inagaw na ni Enzo sa akin ito at siya na ang uminom. He's been doing that for a few times now, taking my shots for me. I look up at him. He's starting to blush because of the alcohol, his ears turning red.
"Are you okay?" I ask him, "you're turning red," I unconsciously run a finger over his cheek.
He only smiles at me, chuckling. "You should see yourself," he says, running a hand over the top of my head.
"Let me ask you, Celeste," nakuha ni Tres ang atensyon ko, I look at him, "how did my cousin trick you into becoming his girlfriend?"
I chuckle at that. I feel like it's me who tricked him. I just laugh and shrug my shoulders.
"No, what I want to know is how Celeste fit whatever criteria it is that Xander has. Eh hindi yan ma girlfriend eh! Tapos pili lang inientertain kapag may lumalapit," saad ni Dos. "Paano mo nilapitan, Celeste?"
I let out an amused scoff. "Excuse me, he came to me," I say confidently, dala na rin ng alak ay lumalakas ang loob ko at nawawala na rin ang pagiging rational at pagkamahiyain.
The boys erupt in a banter of "oooohs" and I feel Enzo's chest vibrating as he chuckles, pulling me in closer. His large hand is now sprawled over my abdomen. Hindi ko nga alam kung nalalasing ako sa iniinom or is it because of his intoxicating scent.
"What can I say? She's perfect," he says, leaning in to press a chaste kiss on my shoulder. I can only stare at him, ang puso ko ay biglang bumibilis.
"I have a question!" Demi more or less yells, raising her hand as she abruptly stands up. Her skimpy dress rises kaya naman ay agad itong hinila ni Ivan pababa para hindi siya makitaan, kasabay ng paghila niya sa braso nito para maupo muli.
"Ano ba, Demi," he curses under his breath, nakakunot ang noo.
Inirapan lang siya ni Demi bago ito bumaling sa akin. "My question is. . . " she's clearly drunk at this point, her words are starting to get slurred, "daks ba, Ces?!"
Another round of "ooohs" erupt from the boys, and Leo leans forward, crossing his legs. "Yes, this I want to know," he says, sipping from his drink, giving me a knowing look.
Nanlaki ang mata ko, stuttering as I am unable to find words. Lasing na ako, oo, pero parang nahimasmasan ako sa bwisit na tanong ni Demi.
"I-I am not answering that," I say, biting the inside of my cheek, nahihiya na.
"Why?" singit ni Tres, "hindi ba satisfactory?"
"Hey, i-it's n-not that, I---ha?" napabuntong hininga ako, not knowing what to say, and annoyed at how I suddenly got cornered.
"Hatdog!" sabay na sagot ni Demi, Leo, at Ada. I just let out a groan, leaning against Enzo to somehow hide myself.
"Stop it," Enzo says, "you kids don't know anything," he says as he takes a drink, sinasandal ang ulo sa akin. Tumawa nalang ang mga pinsan niya, umiinom na rin.
"Hay, pangit ka bonding," Demi mumbles, tumutungga na naman ng bote.
"Ada," she calls out, "crush mo si Kaleb diba? Anong feeling na katabi si crush?"
Napatingin kaming lahat kay Ada na uminom ng shot, slamming the glass on the table.
"Hindi na," she says, pouring herself another glass. "Why not?" tanong ko.
"Hindi kasi namamansin, feeling gwapo," she says nonchalantly. She is for sure drunk as hell dahil Ada would never be able to say such a thing sober. Napatawa ako, covering my mouth as the rest of us gave off another round of "ooohs," lalo na at umiigting ang panga ni Kaleb.
"Ano ka ngayon, Attorney?" Demi turns to Kaleb, "wala ka ng chance," she says pointing at him.
"Iinom mo lang yan girl," Demi tries to hand Ada a bottle kaya lang napansin niyang wala ng laman. "Puta ubos na pala, tara!"
She stands up and grabs my hand, pulling me up and dragging me with her. She does the same with Ada, tapos kinalabit si Leo para sumunod. I can only glance at Enzo from behind me as I let Demi drag me with her, pa gewang gewang na ang lakad sa kalasingan.
"A bottle of mule, care of the birthday boy," Demi tells the bartender as soon as we reach the bar.
"Tangina nag-uumapaw ng gwapo sa table natin," sabi ni Leo ng tumabi sa akin, looking back at our table. Nang tignan ko ay puro ang mga boys nalang ang natitira. Enzo, Kaleb, and Ivan were all looking at our direction habang may pinag-uusapan naman sina Tres at Dos.
"Sayang wala akong mapapala sa kanila," he says, taking a sip from his margarita. "Pero keri na, solb na ako sa sight seeing."
He nudges my arm, making me face him. "Pero totoo, daks nga ba? Feeling ko daks eh."
I roll my eyes, pushing his chest. "Ewan ko sayo."
"Oh, ang mga walang iniinom nganga!" Demi carries a bottle of vodka towards us, handa ng ipatungga sa amin.
Agad kong inagaw ang margarita ni Leo at tinulak siya papunta kay Demi. "Ito oh, birthday boy muna mauna," sabi ko, sipping on his margarita. Wala na ring nagawa si Leo ng binuhusan na ng alak ni Demi ang bibig niya. Laking gulat ko na lang din nang game na game si Ada na magbuhos ng alak sa bibig.
This is a whole new side of Ada that I am seeing. Ang hirap paniwalaan na sobrang tahimik niya lang on a daily basis pero halimaw naman pala sa inuman.
"Sabi ko sayo eh, we're going to nurture your hidden skills," inakbayan ni Leo si Ada, supporting her weight as she holds on tp her head after she chugs the vodka. "Iba rin ang tinatagong kulo ng babaeng 'to. Sobra ka pa kay Demi!"
Napasinghap ako nang bigla akong inakbayan ni Demi, muntik pang matapon ang hawak kong margarita. She does the same to Leo, and before I knew it, umiindak na kaming tatlo sa tugtog ng musika. Para lang kaming mga bata na, minus the alcohol of course. For the first time, I really felt myself let loose, I guess also because of the amount of alcohol in my system. We dance to the music at hindi na ako nahihiya, pati na rin si Ada. Nagtatalunan kami, magkaka-akbay at nagtatawanan.
"Bakla happy birthday!" Demi shouts, wrapping her arms around Leo's neck, throwing herself at him. Napatawa nalang si Leo, trying to keep hi balance dahil siya nalang ang sumusuporta sa bigat nilang dalawa. Lasing na lasing na rin kasi si Demi, tapos si Ada pa ngayon ang umuubos sa pangalawang bote namin.
I am dancing to the music when I suddenly gasp at the feel of someone snaking an arm around my waist. Pero bago pa man ako makapag react ay naamoy ko na ang pamilyar na pabango. When I look up behind me, Enzo is already staring at me, a small smirk plastered over his lips.
Credits to the alcohol in my system, I don't stop dancing at sinasabayan niya lang din ako, arms wrapped around me, his hand laying lightly over my stomach. My back is pressed against his chest, my hands travelling across his arms. When I turn around, a shiver runs across my back as he trails his fingers over the expanse of my exposed back before he rests them just by the curve of my spine.
I wrap my arms around his neck, looking up at him, staring at him with a very drunken grin. He chuckles, pulling me in closer.
His intoxicating manly scent fills my nostrils, and the longer I stare at his his hazel eyes, I feel like I'm staring into the galaxies. I let out a chuckle, running a finger over his cheek.
"Ang gwapo mo naman," I mutter, gently patting his cheek bago ko binalik ang pagkakapulupot ng mga braso sa leeg niya.
He only chuckles, staring at me.
"You're freakin' drunk," he says, drawing circles on the bare skin of the small of my back.
He lets out a heavy breath, this time his hands are roaming up and down my back, feeling the softness of my skin.
"What the hell is this dress," he mutters, feeling the expanse of my bare back. "Pasaway ka ha," he tells me, medyo umiigting ang panga at dumidilim ang pagtingin sa akin.
Tinitigan ko lang ang intensidad sa mga mata niya, and then I let out a mischievous smile. "Am I?" I chuckle. I adjust my hold on his neck, hinihigpitan ang hawak sa kanya. "Ikaw nga diyan ang pasaway, bakod na bakod ka, as if you're really my boyfriend."
He furrows his brows, narrowing his gaze at me and I feel him tightening his hold on me.
"Why? Are you looking for a boyfriend?"
I tilt my head, pretending to think, tapos ngumiti lang. "Maybe," mapanuya kong sagot.
"Ano ba ang hinahanap mo?"
"Hmm," I bite the inside of my cheek, looking straight at him, "someone tall, handsome, and smart. Pwede ring pilot. O di kaya engineer," I say with a grin.
When he just stares at me, I let out a chuckle, scrunching my nose at him as I hang on his neck. "Kidding."
He lets out a breath, subtly shaking his head. Muli niya akong hinila palapit sa kanya, as if it was even possible. "You're so naughty when you're drunk," he mutters.
I let out another chuckle, this time I inch closer, going up my toes so I can reach hi ear.
"Do you want to get out of here?" I whisper, letting out a small chuckle as I get back down. Nakakunot ang noo niya, umiigting ang panga as he subtly shakes his head, holding me tighter.
"What the fuck," he curses under his breath, looking up as he flicks his tongue against the side of his mouth, letting out a sigh.
Nang ibinalik niya ang tingin sa akin ay puno ng intensidad ang kanyang mga mata. There is looming darkness in his orbs, piercing and striking.
"Let's get you some fresh air," he says, pulling me with him. He ushers me out of the crowd, his hands tightly on my hips as he lets me walk ahead of him.
I crane my neck, trying to look for my friends from the sea of people. Para kasing bigla nalang silang nawala. I don't find Leo, pero I think I spot Ada. My vision is kinda blurry, nahihilo na rin sa pagsasayaw ng mga ilaw, but I feel like I just saw her taking shots at another table. Napakunot nalang ang noo ko ng makitang inaagawan na siya ni Kaleb ng baso, mukhang galit na ito.
When I turn my head to the direction of our table, I let out another surprised gasp, covering my palm over my mouth.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng makitang naghahalikan na nga si Demi at si Ivan, Demi already straddling him.
I stop in my tracks, kaya naman si Enzo na ang nangahas lumapit at kinuha ang bag ko mula kinauupan kanina. He quickly returns to me and snakes an arm around my waist, taking me with him.
I glance back at Demi and Ivan.
"Shouldn't we stop them?" I say and Enzo only chuckles.
"Don't worry, she's in good hands. Ivan's got her."
I furrow my brows. "Looks like it," I say.
Para akong nakahinga nang makalanghap ng sariwang hangin. Compared to the wild party inside, the streets in the dark night is calm. Mayroon namang mga tao, pero karamihan ay naglalakad lang din, may nagjajogging at may nagdedate na rin.
Naglalakad kami sa sidewalk, si Enzo sa may side kung saan ang mga dumadaang sasakyan. He is holding my elbow, helping me balance my weight since I can barely walk in a straight line.
Napatingin ako sa mga naglalakihang building that hovered over us, their lights glimmering under the dark. They look like giants towering over everyone, intricately made and designed.
"The buildings here are so beautiful," I say.
I watch Enzo as he looks at them, inserting a hand inside his pocket.
"My family had those built," he tells me.
"Ah, so sa inyo yan?" I say. I point to another building, "How about that?"
"Also ours."
I let out an amused breath and turn to him, furrowing my brows. "So most of these buildings are yours? Ang dami mo namang pag-aari. Ano pa ba ang hindi sayo?"
He then turns to me, looking straight into my eyes with the intensity in his. It is as if he is looking directly into my soul, making my heart skip a beat.
"Ikaw."
Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit nalang ganoon ang biglang pagbilis ng tibok ng puso ko. Powered by my intoxication, I didn't get uneasy and shy as I normally would, instead I roll my eyes at him, letting out a playful chuckle.
"Bola," sabi ko, binibilisan ang paglalakad. Kaya lang, dahil sa kalasingan ay muntik pa akong madapa. Buti nalang ay mabilis akong nahawakan ni Enzo, his hands on my waist.
He curses under his breath, gathering me back up. "Careful," he says.
"Let's go to my place," he says, helping me regain balance, "you need to hydrate yourself."
Nakasandal lang ako kay Enzo habang hinihintay na marating ng elevator ang floor niya. Bakit naman kasi sa matass na floor siya nakatira, ang tagal tuloy namin makarating. Wala kaming ibang kasama sa elevator, kaya naman wala akong ibang maamoy kundi ang amoy niya.
Instead of getting sober, I feel like I'm just getting more intoxicated with his scent.
He has an arm wrapped around me as we near his door, letting me lean my weight against him. As soon as he punches in his code for his lock, tumunog ito at agad na bumukas ang pintuan. He lets me enter first, and though I'm drunk, deja vu hits me like a hard slap in the face.
I've only been here once, but everything seems extremely familiar.
I find myself walking to the same spot I stood at that night.
Ganoon pa rin ang ayos ng penthouse niya. Quiet and dim, with only the colors of the city lights below seeping through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows.
I let out a small chuckle, turning on my heel to look at Enzo who's gaze is on me as he stands by the threshold.
"I was here," I say, watching him walk towards me, stopping barely inches away.
I look up at him, tilting my head as I furrow my brows.
"Bakit hindi mo tinuloy?" I ask, unconsciously pressing my hands against his hard chest.
"Ang alin?" he asks, brows furrowed and jaw clenched as he stares at me with a intense darkness in his orbs.
Boldly enough, I inch closer to him, so close I could feel his breath fanning my face.
"Why didn't you kiss me?" I ask him, confident as I hold his stare.
Nakikita ako ang paggalaw ng Adam's apple niya, umiigting ang panga as he presses his lips into a thin line. He lets out a heavy breath, biting his bottom lip. Now I can't stop looking at his moist naturally red lips, parang nauuhaw na nagugutom na kung ano.
"You didn't look like you were ready for it," he says slowly, his low voice filling the massive space of his home.
I let out a small breath that carries amusement. "I wasn't," I chuckle lightly, "but also because I was worried. I was worried because I don't know how to kiss." I take another dangerous inch closer, my hands now travelling over his shoulders. "You're my first kiss you know."
He lets outs a breathy groan, it's barely inaudible, pero rinig ko.
Pursing my lips, I lean in closer under we are only centimeters apart.
"Why don't you teach me how to kiss?" Fueled by intoxication, I wrap my arms around his nape and lean in dangerously closer. Inilapit ko ang mukha ko sa kanya until the tips of our noses brushes against each other.
My eyes are fixed on his lips, red and moist. I inch a bit more closer, and when there is barely space left, I find myself letting out a small smile.
"Kidding," I say, untangling my hold of him.
I chuckle lightly, turning my back on him.
"Fuck," I hear him let out a breathy curse. Napangiti nalang ako.
However, my smile fades as I try to walk away because he suddenly takes hold of the back of my nape and somehow manages to turn me around and pull me back in. His arm automatically snakes around my waist, holding me close while his other hand slides to the back of my head.
A shiver runs up my spine and my throat suddenly feels dry. My heart begins banging against the walls of my chest, daring to break through. Para silang tambol na naghaharumentado sa dibdib ko.
I watch him as he trails his gaze over my lips and then to my eyes. And in a split second, in that quarter of a moment, he leans in and presses his lips on mine, kissing me, and I feel like I am feeling every bit of emotion that exists in the universe.
There is an explosion in my chest, a rattle in my system. My eyes grow wide, primarily shocked. But as he begins to move and deepen the kiss, sucking on my bottom lip, I find myself entering into eternal serenity and close my eyes.
I allow myself feel every burst and pop of emotion that ignites through my chest, sending a wild fire radiating all of over my entirety.
I gasp at the feel of his tongue when he seeks for entrance which gave him the courtesy to do so. He plunges his tongue in, and I am suddenly hypersensitive to every feeling that plagued me. I feel warm, like the summer sun has embraced me, as he explores every crevice of my mouth with his tongue.
Napakapit lang ako ng mahigpit sa leeg niya, my fingers unconsciously running through his hair, gripping and pulling.
I didn't notice that we were moving until I felt him leaning me against a wall, pinning me against it. His hold on me only gets tighter, his kisses deeper and hotter, and I find myself barely holding on to my sanity.
A shaky breath escapes me when he pulls away, both of us heaving. Our eyes locked into each other as we both try to take in some air, but that is short lived when I allow him to kiss me again, this time deeper and hotter, more sensual.
I can't stop the whimper that escapes me when I feel his hands run down my body, a gasp making its way out when he grabs me by the back of my knees and lifts me up, wrapping my legs around him.
I hold on to him tight, burying my fingers into his hair as he resumes his tantalizing kisses that knocks me out of my mind.
We entered this arena for the sake of experience, but I had never really prepared myself to the degree of the experiences he was going to offer me.
This here is only the beginning, at ngayon pa lang ay parang hindi na kakayanin ng puso ko.
************