08 – Drunk
Weeks passed by really fast. Maraming pag-uusap ang naganap sa pamilya namin at ng mga Valdemar. All of it was about the wedding. Mommy and Tita Alondra are really pushing it. Sa tuwing mag-uusap sila ay lagi akong naroroon ngunit wala namang karapatang magsalita o umapela. I give suggestions but they always reject it. Isa ro'n ang mas pagpapatagal sa preparasyon ng kasal namin ni Atlas. Ang sabi ko ay gusto ko ng engrandeng kasalanan kaya dapat lang na bigyan ng sapat na oras ang mga coordinators. They told me they can handle it. Some of them were based overseas. Sa isa't kalahating linggong nagdaan ay tapos na ang gown ko. At sa tatlong linggong nakalipas ay plantsado na ang lahat.
Atlas is always missing. Kahit isang meeting ay hindi siya nagparamdam. I don't know why because he didn't even tried to tell me. Dapat nga siya ang laging nandito dahil ang pamilya nila halos ang umasikaso ng lahat.
Maybe he's out there enjoying his single life before getting tied to me.
I shook my head with that thought. Kung talagang wala na siyang paraang maisip para makawala rito, mauuwi kami sa altar na napipilitan. He told me a thousand times that he's in love with someone else.
And is that someone in love with him, too? Kasi kung gusto siya ng babae ay dapat pigilan niya rin ang kasal. It's his man getting wed.
I also didn't see Ayden after we fought at the hidden garden. Gusto kong sumigaw at sapakin ang mukha niya sa inis pero tumakbo na lang ako palabas. That man really piss the hell out of me. I hate him to bits! I hate his existence! I hate everything about him!
"There's so many paparazzi outside the company's building, Anastasia dear!" Bulalas ni mommy. "I am exhausted!"
I rolled my eyes.
Ginusto mo 'yan, tapos ngayon magrereklamo ka?
Winala ko ang mga gusto kong sabihin. I'm not in the mood to talk.
Four days before the wedding and I am slowly getting anxious. Am I really getting married? Talaga bang tutuloy ito?
Halos sabunutan ko ang sarili ko sa inis. Siguro nga ay pinaghili ako sa sama ng loob kaya ganito ang pasensiya ko.
"Daniel, what do I do?" I worriedly asked.
He hissed on the other line. "Tell Tita Rustesia to cancel the wedding. Tell her you don't wanna get wed.."
Umangat ang kilay ko. "And you think that's easy? You think she'll cancel it?"
"No." He groaned. "Tell Tito Cesar.. I'm sure he's going to cancel it."
I sighed. "Daniel, you know the status of the company. Daddy is desperate and we know how powerful the Valdemars are. How am I supposed to stop this?"
"How about you run away?" He suggested.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "I won't run away, Daniel! I will face this! Hindi rin ito matatapos kung tatakbo lang ako nang tatakbo."
He chuckled on the other line. I rolled my eyes. Hindi ko alam kung bakit parang napaka kalmado niya sa sitwasyon ko. Samantalang kapag nagkakaroon ako ng boyfriend ay halos magwala siya at manghamon ng suntukan.
"And that's the Anastasia Elissa I know.." he proudly said.
"How are you so calm?" Nanliit ang boses ko. "Ikakasal ako, Daniel. Noon ay nakikipagsuntukan ka pa sa manliligaw ko, tapos ngayon ay ayos lang sa 'yo?"
"Atlas Valdemar is a good man, Asia. He's wise and determined. Hindi naman ikaw ang lugi kapag ikinasal kayo.." he laughed.
"Daniel!"
"Alright! Plan it, okay? Kung sigurado kang haharapin mo 'yan, sa altar ang diretso mo.." he cleared his throat. "I am serious with what I said, Asia. If you don't want to get married, run away. I'll back you up."
Bumuntong-hininga ako. I understand Daniel. Wala naman talaga siyang magagawa dahil hindi na sila parte ng Salazar group. Matagal nang umalis si Tito Danilo saamin. Daniel cannot do anything for me with this matter.
I can't help but to think about what he said. Run away? Really? Will I do that?
Well, it's not my nature to run away. Hindi ako tumatakbo palayo sa problema. I am not a coward. I always face the situation, no matter how bad it is, no matter how hard it may gets.
Humilata ako sa kama ko. Planning for that damn wedding is taking all of my strength. No physically, though. Ang ikina-stress ko ay ang pagmamadali. A month isn't enough! It is for them. But for me, it isn't!
Sino ba kasing engot ang nakaisip nito? Bakit kailangan pang ikasal para sa pagtutulungan? Can't they just help us without getting something in return? O hindi ba puwedeng ibang kapalit na lang? Bakit ako pa?
Instead of stressing myself out because of the wedding, I decided to sleep the whole day. Wala namang nang-istorbo saakin dahil busy ang mga magulang ko. Mathias doesn't come here to tell me to work. Hindi rin naman ako pinakiki-alaman ng mga kasambahay. They just don't care.
Madilim na sa labas at hindi pa rin ako lumalabas ng kuwarto. I'd rather rot in here. I'm not in the mood to see anyone.
Bumalik ako sa pagkakahiga sa kama ko nang tumunog ang cellphone ko. I looked at it and there's an unread text message.
Amethyst the Dentist:
I'm going to pick you up. Wear red.
I rolled my eyes. Why so sudden? At talagang may kulay pa ng isusuot? Ano ito, color coded party?
To Amethyst the Dentist:
I don't have time.
I hit sent and closed my eyes. Namamaga na nga ata ang mga mata ko kakatulog. I opened my eyes when my phone beeped again.
Amethyst the Dentist:
Pakipot. Bilisan mo na. Don't tell me you're gonna let yourself rot in there before you get married? Come on, Asia!
I inhale a deep breath and stood up. Pakiramdam ko ay na-trauma ako sa nangyari noong nakaraan pero siguro naman ay wala nang ganoon ngayon. Ayden won't know that I'm there.
My phone beeped again. It was Faye.
Sleepyhead:
Explore before you get tied.
I shook my head and chuckled. Kung ganoon ay kasama rin si Faye.
It didn't took me an hour to get myself ready. I wore a red satin dress, just like how Amethyst wanted. I paired it with a black stiletto. Hinahayaan ko ang mahaba at tuwid kong buhok na nakalugay. I didn't put much make up on. Gabi naman at ayokong mabigatan ang mukha ko.
Hindi ko sinabi kina Patty kung saan ako pupunta. Hahayaan ko na lang na mabaliw si mommy kakaisip kung saan ako nagsuot bago umuwi. Or maybe, she wouldn't care. I am just an investment for her. Nothing more, nothing less.
I ran towards the gate. Nakaparada sa labas ang isang puting limousine. I bit my lower and walked towards it. Bumukas ang pinto at malawak ang ngiting pumasok ako ro'n.
"Sexy!" I exclaimed.
Amethyst raised her brow. "I know, right?"
Sa sasakyan pa lang ay may iba't ibang inumin na. Faye is holding a glass of wine.
"Asia?" Alok niya.
I frowned. "Dito pa lang ay umiinom na kayo?"
Umiiling na tumawa si Amethyst habang inaayos ang sleeves ng dress niya. Faye stayed silent throughout the whole ride. Natural talagang tahimik lang siya. That's normally her.
Nang makarating sa bar na iyon ay ngumingisngis na lumabas si Am. The driver won't be joining her inside. Kadalasan kasi ay kapag hindi kasama si Daniel, sumasama ang driver sakaniya. Her parents trust my cousin. Ngayon lang iyan pinayagan na walang bantay. I don't know. Feeling ata ng parents niya ay masamang impluwensiya ako. They don't know that their daughter is wild!
Pagpasok pa lang ay malakas na beat ng kanta agad ang sumalubong saamin. I got excited when we occupied an empty couch.
"Where's the boys?" I asked.
Umismid si Faye samantalang si Amethyst ay patawa tawa lang.
"They're not invited!" Malakas na sigaw niya dahil nilulunod na ng tugtog ang boses niya.
I giggled. My cousin isn't here. It's free day!
Agad na um-order si Amethyst ng isang bote ng Espresso Martini. Naunang nagsalin sa baso si Faye at nanatiling tahimik.
"So, kumusta ang pagpaplano sa kasal, Mrs. Valdemar?" Am teased.
I rolled my eyes. "I won't get married."
Faye cleared her throat. "Daniel told me you'll run away. I bet not."
Sumimsim ako ng kaonting alak. "I won't get married but I won't run away either. Gagawa ako ng paraan."
Am chuckled. "Either you run away or get married, hindi ka magiging masaya. Imagine running away for the rest of your life or marrying someone you don't even like!"
"Kaya nga gagawan ko ng paraan.."
Faye hissed. "You know what? This isn't the right place to talk about this!"
She drank all of her alcohol and poured another drink. I deeply inhaled while watching her. Faye doesn't really drink like this.
"The wedding is in four days, right?" Amethyst asked. "Dumating ang invitation last week. My mom's not even shocked. Kahit late nang ipinadala ang mga imbitasyon, inaasahan naman na ang engagement ninyo."
"Inaasahan? They don't even have an engagement party!" Faye replied.
"Mom wanted an engagement party so bad.." I sighed. "Pero mas lalo lang lalaki ang balitang kumakalat tungkol sa Salazar Group kung magkakaroon ng party."
"Bankruptcy?" si Am.
"So, palalabasin na nagpakasal kayo dahil mahal ninyo ang isa't isa, at hindi dahil sa kompaniya?" si Faye.
I shrugged. Tinungga ko ang alak sa sarili kong baso at nagsalin pa ng isa. Lumipas ang isang oras at hindi ko alam kung nakailan na ba kami. Amethyst was laughing so hard while Faye was looking so flustered. Napa-iling ako at lumingon sa dance floor.
"Amethyst Claire?"
My eyes drifted to the man who spoke. Amethyst raised her brows.
"I don't want to dance." Agad niyang sabi.
I forced myself not to smile. Nanatili ang mga mata ko sa lalaki. He's tall and lean. My vision is not that clear but I can say he's quite handsome.
"I'm not asking you to dance.." sagot ng lalaki pabalik. "Nagulat lang akong naririto ka. Daniel let you go in here?"
"What?!" Inis na sagot ni Am. "Daniel's not my boyfriend! Go away!"
The man shrugged and walked away. Mukha naman siyang hindi na-offend sa pagpapaalis ni Amethyst. And he knows Daniel. Maybe they're friends?
"W-what about we dance?"
"Faye, honey, you're drunk." I gently said.
Nanliliit ang mga mata niya habang saakin nakatingin. "I'm not."
I cackled. "Yes, you are. Bakit ba ang dami mo agad ininom? You don't usually drink like this."
Umiling siya at agad na bumagsak ang ulo sa table. Hinilot ko ang sentido ko. She has a problem, I can tell. Hindi siya aakto nang ganito kung wala.
"I don't have a problem, if that's what you're thinking." Bumangon siya at tumayo. "Let's dance!"
Natatawa akong tumayo para samahan siya sa dance floor. She can't handle herself there for sure. Sabay na tumayo si Amethyst para sumama saamin.
"Kailan ba ang huling nakapag-bonding tayo nang ganito?" Faye giggled.
Nagsimula akong mahilo dahil sa papalit-palit na ilaw. Magulo ang dance floor at nagkakasiyahan ang mga tao. I saw Amethyst danced and Faye jumped into the rhythm. Sumayaw na rin ako kasama sila.
There's nothing wrong in what I'm doing, right? Kung wala nga akong magagawa at maikakasal na sa susunod na apat na araw, lulubos-lubusin ko na. I am going wasted!
I danced my heart out while singing the song. May iilang sumingit kaya nagkahiwa-hiwalay kami ngunit kita ko pa rin naman sila. I closed my eyes and feel the music. Namuo ang ngiti sa labi ko nang makaramdam ng kalayaan.
Tinabunan ng iilang hibla ng buhok ko ang aking mukha. My hair flew a bit when I tilted my head. I continued swaying my hips and roamed my hands around my waist. I bit my lower lip and opened my eyes a bit.
The alcohol started hitting me. Nagsimula nang manlabo ang paningin ko. Luminga ako para hanapin sina Faye ngunit hindi ko na sila makita.
"Hi, Lisa.."
A man danced in front of me. I rolled my eyes.
"Not in the mood."
Iniwan ko siya ro'n at pumunta sa bar stool. Habang naglalakad ay muntik pa akong matumba.
I sat down to let my feet rest. Wala gaano ang nananatili rito dahil na sa rurok na ang tugtugan at sumasayaw ang lahat sa dance floor.
Lumingon ako sa bartender na si Paulo at sumenyas. He chuckled and nodded. Kahit na nanlalabo ang paningin ko ay nakilala ko pa rin siya.
"Sangria, Ana?"
Tumango ako at tinanggap ang baso. I drank all of it. Napapikit ako agad sa pagguhit no'n sa lalamunan ko.
"Isa pa.." I said.
Lumipas ang halos kalahating oras at hindi ko na alam kung nakailang balik ako para sa inumin. I don't know where my friends are anymore. My vision gets blurrier and blurrier.
"Tama na ito, Ana.." Awat niya. "Lasing ka na."
"I want that.." turo ko sa isang bote na na sa glass compartment. "Moscow Mule.."
He sighed. "Lasing ka na, Ana.. Nasaan ang mga kasama mo?"
Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "A glass of Moscow Mule, please."
Wala siyang nagawa kung hindi ang bigyan ako no'n. I teasingly smiled at him and mouthed 'thank you'.
Nang mailapag niya sa harap ko ang baso ay malawak akong ngumiti. Seryoso niya akong tinignan saka nag-serve sa ibang costumer.
Akmang iinumin ko na iyon nang may isang lalaking tumabi saakin. Pinaliit ko ang mga mata ko para makita ang mukha niya ngunit bigo ako. I rolled my eyes and started to drink my Mule.
"Hey, miss.."
Tumayo ang balahibo ko sa lalim ng kaniyang boses. I licked my lips to taste the Mule. Nilingon ko siya at iniangat ang kilay ko.
He's wearing a black button down shirt with a silver watch on his left wrist. His hair is clean cut and has a sharp jawline.
"You look beautiful.." his voice sounds sexy. "Are you alone?"
I gulped. He sounds so familiar. Hindi ko nga lang matandaan kung sino ang may-ari ng boses.
"I'm with my.." I cleared my throat. "..girl friends."
He nodded. "No guy friends around?"
Marahan akong umiling. "Nope.."
Ibinalik ko sa labi ko ang bibig ng baso para uminom. I shut my eyes hardly. Naramdaman ko ulit ang pag guhit ng alak.
Nilingon ko ulit siya nang maramdaman ang titig niya. I raised my brows.
"I know you find me really beautiful.." I chuckled. "But mister, don't look at me like that.."
I took the last drop of my drink and signaled to Paulo. Napailing siya ngunit sinunod pa rin naman ako. Nang mailapag ang baso sa tapat ko ay tumingin siya sa lalaking katabi ko.
I didn't mind them. I enjoyed another glass of Moscow Mule until its last drop again. I'm sure my breath stinks now.
"P-paulo.." I said, asking for another glass.
"Lasing na lasing ka na, Ana.." he said. "Hindi mo na kaya ang isa pa."
Kumunot ang noo ko. "Paulo–"
"Nasaan na ang mga kaibigan mo? Kapag nalaman ni Daniel ang ginagawa mo–"
"I said I want a-another glass, Paulo! I will pay!"
"You know what?" Ani ng lalaki sa tabi ko.
"What?!" Padarag kong sagot.
Nanatili sa harap namin ang bartender. Inis ako at namumula na ata ang mukha ngunit wala na akong paki-alam.
"He doesn't want to give you another drink because you look young. Mukha kang menor de edad. Are you sure you're in legal age?"
Umawang ang labi ko. I rolled my eyes and laughed without humor.
"Yes, I am in legal age." I confidently said. "At ano naman sa 'yo kung menor de edad ako at nainom ako? Isa ka ba sa mahihigpit na bouncer dito?"
Pinagmasdan ko ang katawan niya mula ulo hanggang paa. He looks fit and yeah, sexy. But he doesn't look like a bouncer to me.
"Paulo!" I hissed.
"Are you sure you're legal? If something bad happens to you inside this bar, hind na namin kargo iyon.." he said.
Lalo akong nainis. Pakialamero!
"I am legal! W-walang mangyayari sa aking masama! I am 22!"
I clenched my jaw. Ang bartender ay nanatiling nakatayo lang sa harap namin. He's looking weirdly.
"Alright.." he said. "If that's the case, I need you to sign this."
I frowned when he opened an attache case and pulled a white paper. Nanliit ang mga mata ko.
"And what is t-that?"
I shook my head. Ang nanlalabo na talaga ang paningin ko at parang umiikot ang mundo.
"Katunayan na na sa legal na edad ka na at wala kaming kargo kung mayroong masamang mangyari sa 'yo rito, miss."
"I don't need to prove it.." I laughed. "Paulo.."
I signaled him for another glass but he didn't move.
"He will only give you your drink if and only if you sign this.." he deeply breathed. "You look so young but you're here in this place. Hindi iyon pwede. Kargo ka ng bar na ito kapag may nangyaring masama sa 'yo."
"I am l-legal, damn it!" Lalong nanlabo ang paningin ko.
"Then sign this." Hamon niya. "This will prove that you told us you're legal. Baka sumugod pa rito ang mga magulang mo at magalit bakit ka namin pinapasok."
I rolled my eyes and harshly took the paper from him. Isang ballpen ang inilapag niya sa harap ko at agad kong kinuha iyon.
"Here.." turo niya kung saan ako pipirma.
"Ikaw ba ang may-ari ng bar na ito at napakahigpit mo?" I irritably asked.
"No, but I am the owner's lawyer. Galing ako sa kuwartong iyon." Turo niya sa isang itim na kuwarto sa dulo.
"Whatever."
I immediately signed where he told me to. Padarag kong ibinalik sakaniya ang papel. Hindi ko makita ang reaksiyon niya nang ibalik ko iyon. Inis akong humarap ulit kay Paulo.
"Give me t-the damn drink!"
Paulo confusingly looked at the man beside me.
"Give her the drink." He said. "Kapag pumunta ang magulang niyan dito at nagreklamo bakit natin pinayagang uminom ang menor de edad niyang anak, may pruweba tayo sa sinabi niya."
"I am not a menor de edad!"
Nang mailapag ang panibagong baso sa harap ko ay gusto kong basagin iyon sa ulo niya.
I hissed and drank. Isinilid niya ang papel sa attache case at pumangalumbaba. I rolled my eyes. Gwapo pero bobo. Hindi makaintindi!
Nilingon ko siya habang nakapangalumbaba pa rin at sa akin nakatingin.
"What?" I rolled my eyes again.
"You're beautiful.." he repeated. "What's your name?"
I cleared my throat. I felt my heart beating loudly but not as loud as I feel whenever Ayden's around.
I hissed again. That jerk! I hate him! I hate him very much!
Akala niya ba ay siya lang ang nagkamali sa akin pagpatol sa akin? Ako rin, nagkamali sa kaniya! Hindi ko dapat pinatulan ang gunggong na iyon!
"Lisa.." I replied.
"Lisa?" He asked. "The bartender called you Ana."
Bumuntong hininga ako sa dami niyang tanong.
"My name is Analisa.."
I heard him chuckled. Damn his deep sexy voice!
"Well, then, nice meeting you, Analisa."
I faked a smile. "Nice meeting you too.."
"You're not going to ask my name?"
I shrugged. "Not interested."
He chuckled again. Tumayo siya at binitbit ang attache case. He silently fixed the collar of his button down shirt and and looked at me.
"Best wishes on your wedding, Anastasia.."
I laughed. Ibinaba ko ang babasaging baso inilayo iyon saakin dahil ubos na ang laman. Naglapag pa si Paulo ng isang baso.
"Analisa.." I corrected.
"Well, Analisa, congratulations to you and your fiancé.." he smiled.
"Yeah, right." I snorted.
I won't get married. I can't get married. They can't do this to me! They can't expect me to stay all day at our house baking apple pies while wearing a freaking apron!
"Mauna na ako sa 'yo, Mrs. Valdemar. Enjoy your drink.."
I nodded and he walked away. I didn't know that they're strict! Dati naman ay hindi ako pinagkakamalang menor de edad. Higit isang taon na akong nagpupunta sa bar na ito!
Akmang iinumin ko na ang panibagong alak nang may maisip ako. Did he called me Anastasia? Anastasia is my real name, right?
Wait, how did he know that I am getting married?
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Did he call me Mrs. Valdemar?
Lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko at tinignan ang nakalayo ng bulto ng lalaking iyon, hawak ang attache case niya. Pumasok siya sa itim na pintong tinuro niya kanina saakin.
Umawang ang labi ko. How did he know that I am getting married, how did he know that my fiancé is a Valdemar?
Who is that man?