THE KISS THEY SHARED SEEMED ENDLESS AS THEY SOUGHT EAGERLY to learn more of each other, but even so, it was over much too quickly when Ruby's voice interrupted them.
"I came back to get another shot, you lovebirds."
Cerlance reluctantly let go of her lips, and she moaned in protest. He opened his eyes and stared at her before turning to Ruby who stood beside the table with a smile on her face. Sandaling lumampas ang tingin ni Cerlance dito, at doon nakitang may kausap sa telepono si Mr. Ballero habang nakaharap sa pool.
Shellany opened her eyes as well and pouted her lips before turning to Ruby. "I like you, but you're ruining the mood."
Ruby chuckled. "I know, and I'm sorry." She then sat back on her seat, grabbed the bottle of vodka, and took it straight to her mouth. Tulad ni Shellany kanina at diretso itong tumungga roon, at nang matapos ay pabagsak na ibinalik ang bote sa ibabaw ng mesa.
At dahil gawa sa salamin ang mesa ay lumikha iyon ng kakaibang tunog na ikina-tawa ni Shellany. "Hey, balak mo bang sirain 'yang mesa nila?"
Si Cerlance ay ibinaba ang kamay mula sa pagkakadiin sa leeg ni Shellany at umayos ng upo. Muli nitong sinulyapan si Mr. Ballero na tila seryoso sa pakikipag-usap sa kabilang linya bago ibinalik ang tingin kay Ruby.
"What's happening?"
Ruby smirked in annoyance, glaring at Mr. Ballero. "I told him to switch his phone off. It's our wedding day and he was supposed to just focus on me—on us. Pero tingnan ninyo at kausap na naman ang mga tauhan sa trabaho."
Shellany smirked, too, copying Ruby, before grabbing the bottle and taking it to her mouth. Ito naman ngayon ang tumungga, at nang matapos ay saka nagsalita. "That's the exchange of marrying a business-minded, wealthy man, Ruby. Panindigan mo, 'day!"
Ruby sighed and looked away. "I understand how important his work is to him, but he promised me that today will be different and that he would give me all his time and attention for this special day." Napahalukipkip ito at parang batang nagmukmok sa upuan.
At habang nakatitig si Shellany sa babaeng kaharap ay biglang yumuko si Cerlance at binulungan ito ng,
"Ready for the next bet?"
Nalipat ang tingin ni Shellany sa katabi. A familiar heat ran down her spine when Cerlance's warm breath fanned her neck. She gulped and answered, "Bet for what?"
"Pagbalik ni Mr. Ballero ay susuyuin niya ang asawa at magkakabati sila."
"What made you say that?"
"Because women are simple, Shellany. Madali silang matukso at bumigay. Not to mention they are easy to please and have a soft heart."
"How ironic na sa babae mo rin sinasabi iyang observation mo," pabulong na tuya si Shellany bago nagpatuloy. "Okay, fine. Let's bet. Itataya ko ang natitirang laman nitong bote at pupusta sa kabaliktaran ng hula mo. Sigurado akong mag-aaway sila pagbalik ni Mr. Ballero at bukas na ng umaga magkakabati."
"Deal," Cerlance said, smirking.
Ilang sandali pa'y bumalik na sa mesa si Mr. Ballero at kaagad na hinawakan sa braso ang asawang nagtatampo. "Honey, I'm really sorry; one of my restaurants caught fire at may ilang empleyado ang muntik nang ma-trap sa loob. I was so worried for them I had to take the call." Mr. Ballero's tone was apologetic and full of worries.
Nang marinig ang dahilan ay napatuwid ng upo si Ruby. Nasa magandang anyo ang pag-aalala nang harapin ang asawa. "What happened to the staff? Is everyone safe?"
"Yes. Luckily, dumating sa tamang oras ang mga bombero. They are at the hospital now. I had to make a video call to their family, so we should go back to our room now."
Tumayo si Ruby, at sa pagkamangha ni Shellany ay yumakap ito sa asawa. "Oh, I am so sorry, honey. I hope everything will be alright soon."
Cerlance chuckled and turned to Shellany. "You lost. Bottom's up, then?"
Napanguso ang dalaga saka dinala sa bibig ang bote ng vodka. Kung susumahin ay nasa sampung shots pa ang natitirang laman niyon, at hindi alam ni Shellany kung kakayanin nitong ubusin ang laman niyon sa isang tunggaan lang. But she was also so proud of herself there was no way she'd back up.
Bago pa man dumikit ang bote sa bibig ng dalaga'y muling bumulong si Cerlance. "Don't rush, though. Baka mabilaukan ka."
Pasagot na si Shellany nang muli namang nagsalita si Mr. Ballero. "Lance, Felicia, we have to go. We're glad to have you join us tonight; we're so grateful lalo at wala kaming ibang kakilala rito. Lance, I'll call you soon if I needed your service, okay?"
"Sure, sir."
Si Ruby naman ay tinanguan sina Shellany at Cerlance bago inakay paalis ang asawa.
Nang mawala sa paningin nila ang dalawa ay ibinalik ni Cerlance ang tingin kay Shellany. At doon ay namangha ito sa nakita.
Si Shellany ay inumpisahan nang tunggain ang laman ng bote, gulping the content slowly yet surely. Ipinatong ni Cerlance ang isang kamay sa ibabaw ng mesa at nakangalumbabang pinanood ang dalaga.
"Thirsty, aren't we?"
Hindi ito sumagot at patuloy lang sa paglagok kahit halata na sa mukha nitong hindi na nagugustuhan ang lasa ng alak.
"Did you know that Felicia is my mother?"
Biglang naibuga ni Shellany ang alak nang marinig ang sinabi ni Cerlance. Nanlalaki ang mga matang napatititg ito sa binata na muling napa-iling.
"Wh—What?"
"You heard it right. Felicia is my mom."
Napasinghap ang dalaga; ang mukhang namumula na dahil sa alak at lalong namula sa kahihiyan!
"I—I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—" She paused when Cerlance gave her a nonchalant shrug.
"Masakit sa tenga ang paulit-ulit nilang pagtawag sa'yo sa pangalang iyon. But it's all good. I'm glad they left already and it's over." Bumaba ang tingin nito sa boteng hawak-hawak pa rin ng dalaga. "But anyway, could you really finish that drink without getting drunk? Wala akong planong mag-alaga ng lasing ngayong gabi."
Tuwid na naupo si Shellany. "No, hindi ako malalasing. At uubusin ko ang laman ng boteng ito bilang paghingi na rin ng dispensa sa pag-gamit sa pangalan ng mother-in-law ko—"
"Ng nanay ko. Your act is done, wala na ang audience, kaya tumigil ka na sa pagpapanggap na asawa kita."
Umikot paitaas ang mga mata ni Shellany sa pagsuway ni Cerlance. "Fine. Ang KJ talaga." Muling dinala ng dalaga ang bote sa bibig saka inituloy ang pagtungga. Makaraan ang ilang pag-lagok ay muli iyong ibinaba ni Shellay at nakangiwing muling hinarap si Cerlance. "Kapag naubos ko ito'y quits na tayo, okay? Bayad na ako sa kasalanan ko."
Sumandal si Cerlance sa upuan at balewalang sumagot. "Well, it's not necessary, but suit yourself."
"But hey, aren't you looking forward to the lap dance? Remember, namimigay ako ng lap dance kapag lasing."
"Buti kung iyon nga ang ibigay mo sa akin mamaya at hindi kalbaryo."
Napangiti lang si Shellany, at habang magkarugtong ang kanilang mga mata'y muli nitong dinala ang bote sa bibig; slowly drinking the alcohol, ignoring the sour taste in her tongue.
"Don't you dare throw up in my car tomorrow, Shellany. You've done it many times already, I won't let you do it again. Drop the bottle now, and let's just head back to our room."
Ibinaba ni Shellany ang bote, ngumiwi, saka nagsalita. "Don't worry, hindi na mangyayari iyon."
"And why is that?"
"Dahil sa tingin ko'y hindi ako malalasing ngayong gabi. I don't even feel the heat, parang kulang pa nga. Pero," She leaned closer to him again in an attempt to kiss him. But she did not. She stopped an inch away. "...h'wag kang mag-alala. Sasayawan pa rin kita mamaya kahit hindi ako malasing. Malakas ka sa akin, eh."
TO BE CONTINUED...