Ishan
Sino ako? Huwag niyo ng alamin, wala namang interesting tungkol sa akin. Oo, ako yung nasa prologue. Huwag na marami tanong. Masasaktan pala ako sa story na 'to 'wag ko na kaya ituloy. Pero dahil masokista ako, go.
eme.
Ishan Lauren Castro. Third year college na sa kursong Architecture. Kaya ko pa ba? Hindi na, pero wala naman akong choice kundi tapusin. Kailangan kong makatapos at maging successful dahil kailangan ko ng magandang trabaho, dahil kapag meron kang magandang trabaho, of course, you will have a lot of money. And I need money because I like buying expensive, useless things. Sana one day umulan na lang ng pera.
Nandito ako sa bahay ngayon kasi hindi pa nag-start ang class. Kaka-enrolled ko lang last week for next semester. Start na rin naman next week. Kaiyak, two weeks lang ang bakasyon. Sana hindi na lang kami pinagbakasyon kung ganon, parang pumikit lang ako saglit tapos na. Sumpa talaga ang maging college student.
Nandito lang ako sa kwarto ko, nakahiga, nabubulok sa higaan. Ganito lang ako sa buong bakasyon, hindi ko man lang na-enjoy. I mean, nag-eenjoy naman ako rito sa kwarto ko, pero alam mo yun? Gusto kong lumabas, pero inuuhan ako palagi ng katamaran, kaya ang ending, sa higaan ko pa rin.
Busy akong nag-ssketch ng random things na maisip ko ng naramdaman kong nag-vibrate yung phone ko. Tiningnan ko yung notification at tumambad ang limang magkakasunod na message ni Wynn.
"Ishie my pokie, where are you? dito na me."
"Charot."
"Andito ako sa Sullivan, samahan mo ako pretty please."
"And don't u even try to think about it. Sasama ka sa ayaw at gusto mo. Pang-ilang beses ko na bang yaya 'to sa'yo? ni isang beses hindi ka sumama! Matatapos na lang bakasyon lumabas labas ka naman diyan."
"🙄"
Si Wynn, Wynn Yves S. Belmore. Bestfriend ko. Nakilala ko siya noong first year college pa lang ako. Pareho kaming third year at isa siyang nursing student, anlayo sa kurso ko diba? kung paano kami naging magkaibigan?
It all started when she suddenly approached me in the hallway and said that I had saved her life. She said that I had seen her in her worst state, kaya dapat daw maging magkaibigan kami. Well, all I did was hold the door of the restroom while she was calling out to the devils, yes, while she was doing her business. The door didn't have a lock, hindi niya na 'to pinansin since lalabas na yung ginto and I happened to be in need of using the restroom too, and just as I was about to open the door, she screamed. So I stopped at nag-offer ako na hawakan muna yung pinto. Hindi ko kinaya yung amoy pero wala na akong nagawa.
Natatawa na lang ako pag-naiisip ko 'yon.
Saktong nagtext siya dahil gusto ko rin naman na talaga lumabas, hindi ko lang alam saan pupunta. At sinabi niyang nasa Sullivan siya na-miss ko na rin pumunta ron at nakakalibre pa ako ng kape ron. It's a coffee shop owned by her family. So I replied to her.
"Okay, papunta na. Sana ma-libre."
Nagsuot lang ako ng long sleeve white polo na tinupi ko hanggang siko at pinaresan ng straight leg brown pants. then for the shoes a low top na Doc Martens and I'm good to go.
Pagbaba ko ng kwarto, nakita ko si mama sa kusina nagbabake siya ng cake, business namin."Oh ayan na pala ang prinsesa, bihis na bihis ah. Saan ang punta natin, aber?"
Lumapit ako kay mama kasi nakakita ako ng icing,"Niyaya ako ni Wynn. Sa Sullivan lang kami, ma."
Sabay tusok ng icing na agad naman hinampas ni mama ang kamay ko,"Himala ata at napapayag ka ni Wynn na lumabas?"
Pumunta ako sa sink para mag-hugas ng kamay, "Oa mo, ma. Lumalabas naman ako ah."
"Nalabas? Eh halos ikadena mo na yang sarili mo sa kwarto mo para 'di kayo mapaghiwalay e." Si mama talaga ang oa mag-react minsan. Hindi pala minsan, madalas.
"Sige na ma. Oo na, Alis na ako kanina pa ako hinihintay ni Wynn e. Bye, ma! I love you!" Sabay halik ko sa pisngi ni mama.
"O, siya. Mag-iingat kayo ron at mag-text ka sa'kin kung nandon ka na at ikamusta mo ako kay Wynn." Pumunta ako sa mesa at kinuha yung helmet at susi.
"Yes, ma. Bye bye!"
☆
Pagsakay ko sa motor dali-dali ko namang binuksan ang makina nito. It's a Hanway Black Cafe Racer. Bago kayo magsalita riyan na pinabili ko 'to kay mama, aba! pwes nagkakamali kayo. Pinag-ipunan ko 'to nung mga araw na naging working student ako. Nagtrabaho ako noon sa coffee shop nila Wynn. Ang laki nga ng pasahod pero kailangan ko ng umalis dahil naging busy na sa school. Hindi ko na kaya pang pagsabayin ang pag-aaral at pagtatrabaho. Totoo ang balita na sa 3rd year mo talaga mararamdaman ang impyerno.
Smooth lang ang biyahe nakarating agad ako sa Sullivan. Tinext ko na muna si mama na nandito na ako bago pumasok. When I opened the door, a delightful aroma of coffee ang bumungad sa akin. Hindi talaga nakakasawa ang amoy ng coffee shop.
Nakita ko naman agad si Wynn na nakaupo sa bandang dulo habang hawak niya yung phone niya at nakakunot ang noo.
"May i-papangit ka pa pala?" Pang-aasar ko, nag-angat naman agad siya ng ulo at biglang laki ng ngiti niya.
"Omg! Omg! Ishiee you're here! Akala ko iindianin mo ako e, Tsaka sinong pangit, ako? No way! You're even more fitting for that title dahil kulang ka na sa araw!" Sabay tayo niya at yakap sa'kin.
Pucha! ang higpit. Mamatay ako sa yakap nitong babaitang 'to "Oo na! bitaw na hindi na ako makahinga! Ano ba!" palatak ko pa.
"Ay, sorry sorry! na-excite lang ako! ngayon na lang ulit kita nakita, two weeks rin yon ah! I miss you, Ishiee." Isa pa 'tong oa rin e, magsama sila ni mama.
"Ano bang meron? ba't mo naisipan na yayain ako rito?" Sabay upo ko sa upuan na kaharap niya.
"Wala lang, gusto lang kita maka-bonding, okay? kailangan ba laging may reason? we're best friends, for goodness' sake!" Ang ingay talaga ng isang 'to, nakakarindi.
"Tigilan mo ako, Wynnita. For all I know pagkatapos natin magkape rito yayain mo ako kung saan. Kilala kita alam ko mga galawan mo." Nakita ko naman na napangiti siya ng pagka-laki laki, sabi na e.
"Ishie, my pok--"
"Sige ituloy mo 'yan, Iiwan talaga kita rito mag-isa." Nakakahiya talaga kapag tinatawag niya ako niyan, andami pang tao rito tapos napakalakas pa ng boses ni Wynn.
She just laughed at me, and in response I rolled my eyes at her. "Mag-order ka kaya muna? I haven't placed your order yet because I thought na hindi ka pupunta and knowing you, baka pinaprank mo lang ako. Later ko na sabihin, kwentuhan muna tayo." She winked and took a sip of the coffee she had ordered.
I stood up and placed my order. I ordered an iced coffee latte and a lemon cheesecake. It's always been my go-to combination here kasi naman sobrang sarap talaga nito. Syempre libre 'to ano, kaibigan ko may-ari eh. I waited for my order to be completed before returning to my seat next to Wynn.
Once my order was ready, I carefully carried the tray back to our table where Wynn was sitting, wearing a mischievous grin. I took my seat.
"So, what's the big reveal? Ano na yung sasabihin mo?" I asked, trying to contain my curiosity but failing miserably.
Wynn leaned in, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Well, I actually have a date right now, set up by my parents as usual," she rolled her eyes. "I just want you to come with me, Ishie. Pleaseee. I don't want to be alone with this guy I barely know, and he suggested meeting at a bar! like sa bar! baka may ilagay pa sa drinks ko yung pangit na yon!"
I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at
her."Bakit hindi mo na lang i-decline?" I asked, sasamahan ko naman talaga siya gusto ko lang itanong.
"Ishie, you know my parents, if idedecline ko 'tong date na 'to or hindi ako sisipot, they will take my card and mawawalan ako ng pera for 1 month! Lord Jesus, I cannot, baka ma coma ako." Ayan si oa, kita niyo na? napaka-oa niya talaga.
"Alright, sasama na ako. Ano oras ba 'yang date mo na 'yan? Ayus-ayusin mo, Wynnita! pag nalaman ko na niloloko mo lang ako tungkol sa date na 'yan at gusto mo lang talaga akong isama sa bar na 'to, makikita mo." Pananakot ko sa kanya.
"H-hindi ah! why would I do that! mapagbintang ka, sumama ka na lang kasi," she chuckled, "And after you finish that coffee, let's leave." The hell? kala ko ba kwentuhan muna?
☆
Nandito na kami sa parking lot and we decided na yung kotse niya na lang ang gamitin. Mas convenient rin in case na malasing ang isa sa amin mamaya hindi kami mahihirapan na magmaneho. Iiwan ko na lang yung motor ko at babalikan ko na lang pagka-uwi namin.
Nakarating din naman agad kami sa bar na tinutukoy niya, Crystal Cade. That's the name of the bar. It looks good from the outside, and you can immediately tell that it's luxurious inside. Even just the exterior screams luxury, so imagine what it's like inside. I like the structure of the bar; it's not your typical bar with just some lights outside and that's it. This one is clearly well-invested in. Parang pinapahiwatig nila na meron silang pera. Oh, edi kayo na may pera.
Tingin ko ang higpit ng security nila dito kasi they really check if people are on the reservation list and they also inspect the belongings of individuals upon entry. But its strange, etong si Wynn may pinakita lang na ID ay agad kaming pinapasok. Kung ganto naman pala kahigpit dito bakit pa niya kailangan na mag-alala na baka may masamang gawin yung ka-date niya? 'Di ko rin maintindihan ang isang 'to e.
At pagkapasok namin ay mas lalo akong humanga sa nakikita ko sa loob. I was amazed by its stunning beauty and elegance. The interior was carefully designed with luxurious furnishings and soft lighting, creating a magical atmosphere. Meron din itong second floor na i guess para 'to sa mga VIP. The drinks were like pieces of art, crafted with top-notch ingredients and presented in a visually stunning way.
Bigla tuloy ako nakaramdam ng hiya, parang nakakatakot gumalaw dito at baka may mabasag ako na milyones ang halaga. Hindi ko 'yon kayang bayaran pag nagkataon.
"Ano tinatayo mo diyan, Ishan Lauren? Let's go! Let the party begin!" Wynn said with excitement, pulling me towards the bartender. Teka asan na yung ka-date nitong babae na 'to?
"Hey! where's the guy? Your date?" I asked, trying to keep up with Wynn's fast pace.
Wynn turned to me with a carefree smile. "Ay oo nga pala, don't worry about him," she replied dismissively. "He's probably off doing his own thing, kung hindi siya pumunta edi mas maganda! Tonight is about having fun at mangyayari lang 'yon kung hindi na siya magpapakita."
I raised an eyebrow, noticing that she seemed more interested in having a good time without her date. Well, I couldn't blame her. Hindi niya naman gusto yung guy. I didn't want to be a third wheel either. I didn't want to witness lovey-dovey moments right in front of me, at baka masapak ko lang sila.
Wynn leaned against the counter, scanning the room with anticipation. "What would you like to drink, Ishie? It's on me." Aba dapat lang, anong akala ng babae na 'to sa'kin may pera ako pang ganto.
"May gin bilog ba diyan? kahit yun na lang patimplahan na lang ng kahit ano." I replied, looking at her with a raised eyebrow as if to say, "What's the big deal?"
"What?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowing as she tried to comprehend my request. Pati yung bartender na katapat namin ay napatingin sa amin.
"Ang sabi ko kung ano na lang yung sa'yo. I don't know much about these drinks anyway. Pare-pareho lang naman nakakalasing yan." I replied, trying to play it cool.
She burst into laughter at my response. "Yeah, yeah kunwari hindi ko narinig yung gin bilog mo." Narinig naman pala ba't pinaulit pa niya? what if sakalin ko 'to?
"We'll have two margaritas, please," she confidently ordered, addressing the bartender.
As the bartender started preparing our drinks, the lively atmosphere of the bar
continued to captivate us.
The bartender skillfully mixed the ingredients, creating two vibrant margaritas that looked absolutely refreshing. The glasses were rimmed with salt, adding an extra touch of flavor.
First sip lasap ang kamahalan ng drinks na 'to. But seriously joke aside it's so good it has a tangy and refreshing flavor that stays in your mouth. So good.
As time passed, Wynn seemed to be enjoying the drinks a bit too much. She had already downed seven glasses, while I had only managed three. I didn't want to drink too much, as I knew I had to be responsible and ensure we both made it home safely. Iniisip ko pa lang yung mukha ni mama kapag umuwi akong wasted, was enough to keep me in check.
Hindi pa siya lasing pero makikita mong tipsy na siya at namumula na rin ang mukha niya."Hoy! Wynnita magdahan-dahan ka ayokong masukahan mo ha at ayaw kitang buhatin palabas dito." Pigil ko rito dahil mag-oorder nanaman siya ng ika-walo niyang margarita.
Pero parang walang naririnig ang isang to at tinuloy niya pa rin ang pag-order niya. Bahala siya diyan hindi naman ako magkakaroon ng hangover bukas. Nagpaalam naman ako na gagamit lang ng restroom dahil puputok na ang pantog ko.
I even asked one of the staff where the restroom was, as the place was so huge. They pointed me to the second floor. What the hell? What if it was an emergency and you had to climb up just to use the bathroom? ayan diyan sila pumalya.
Chineck ko muna si Wynn kung ayos lang ba siya bago ako umakyat at mukhang ayos pa naman siya. Tuluyan na akong mabilis na umakyat dahil baka bigla na lang ako mapaihi rito. Nakita ko naman agad yung restroom, but seriously, was this the only restroom in the entire bar, and it had to be on the second floor?
I hurriedly entered one of the cubicles and relieved myself. At pagkatapos lumabas na ako ng cubicle at naghugas ng kamay. My gaze caught a glimpse of a woman. She was undeniably beautiful, with her natural blonde hair and a black pleated v-neck dress that hugged her figure perfectly. It seemed like she was a bit drunk because her eyes were a bit dazed and fixated on me. Wait, on me?
Oh no, I realized I had been staring at her for too long baka isipin niya na ang bastos ko kaya naman nag-iwas agad ako ng tingin at pinagtuunan ng pansin ang paghuhugas ng kamay.
"Was it good?"
Nagsalita siya at walang biro ang ganda pati ng boses niya it's so feminine and sweet but you can feel the authority in her voice. Hindi ako sumagot dahil hindi ko naman alam kung ako yung kinakausap niya malay ko bang kung may kausap siya sa phone o nakakakita siya ng ligaw na kaluluwa.
"I said, was it good?"
This time, I looked at her as she approached me a little closer. To my surprise, she was standing right in front of me. Goodness gracious.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Anong was it good was it good pinagsasabi ng babae na 'to. May sapak ba siya? fair pa rin talaga si Lord.
"You were looking at me as if you're undressing me with your eyes. Now, I'm asking you, did that make you feel good?" she said, her voice laced with a hint of accusation.
Caught off guard by her accusation, I felt a mix of embarrassment and surprise. Her words hit me like a wave, making me realize that my gaze may have lingered a little too long. I hadn't meant to make her uncomfortable, and I certainly did not undress her with my eyes.
"I-I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable," I stammered, ramdam ko na namumula yung pisngi ko dahil sa hiya, "I didn't mean to stare, I was just lost in thought, I swear." sabay taas ko pa ng dalawa kamay as if nasuko ako sa pulis.
She crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. "I've heard it all before," she said, her voice tinged with disbelief. "People like you, always trying to justify their inappropriate actions."
I desperately searched for the right words to convince her, but she seemed determined not to believe me. The more I tried to explain, the more she dismissed my words as mere excuses.
Wala akong masabi. I felt frustrated and disappointed. I didn't mean to make her uncomfortable. As I watched her walk away, a sense of guilt and embarrassment washed over me.
Damn, I guess I fucked up.
C.