It took Ryko a couple of seconds before he finally pulled himself together. Hinawakan niya si Iris sa magkabilang balikat at mahinang tinulak. Ngunit nang hindi ito nagpaawat, siya na mismo ang umatras at nagbigay sa kanila ng distansiya.
“What’s wrong? Am I a bad kisser?” she pouted as she asked.
“Ma’am Iris, lasing ka na kaya kailangan na nating umuwi.”
“But I said I don’t want to! I don’t want to go home, okay? And if Mom sees us, paniguradong lagot tayo. Sa ibang lugar mo na lang ako dalhin,” aniya sa isang lasing na tono. “Tsaka ... why are you calling me Ma’am? Do I look like a teacher to you?” Tinuro nito ang sarili habang papikit-pikit.
“Hindi naman sa gano’n —”
“Sa hitsura kong ‘to—” Suminok siya. “Tatawagin mo ‘kong Ma’am?” Iris kept on drunk-talking, giving Ryko a headache. “Do I kiss badly? Kaya Ma’am ang tawag mo sa ‘kin?” Nagsisimula ng mawalan ng saysay ang mga pinagsasabi nito.
Ryko clicked his tongue and just carried Iris out of the dance floor, bridal style.
“Sige na nga, alis na tayo. Make sure to bring me to a lavish place, okay?”Iris murmured while being carried. Ryko just shook his head, still couldn’t forget about the kiss.
Habang papunta sa puwesto ni Iris at ng mga kaibigan niya kanina, sinalubong sila ng babaeng humila rito papuntang dance floor. Salubong ang kilay nito at nakahalukipkip na masama ang tingin sa kaniya.
“Why are you carrying my friend? Sa’n mo siya dadalhin? Put her down now!” sunod-sunod nitong sabi.
“Ako po si Ryko, driver ni Madam Ivory. Inutusan niya akong sundan si Ma’am Iris at kapag lasing na siya, iuuwi ko na siya sa kanila,” pagpapaliwanag ni Ryko. Pinagtaasan naman siya ng kilay ng babae.
“And how will I know that you’re not lying?” she questioned.
“Puwede mong tawagan si Madam kung ayaw mong maniwala.” Bumaba ang tingin ni Ryko kay Iris nang yumakap ang isang braso nito sa kaniya. She looked adorable, even slightly humming as she hugged him with just the right tight. Tumikhim siya at nag-iwas ng tingin.
The woman’s gaze dropped on Iris and went back to him. She was glaring at him as she dials on her phone.
“Hello, Tita? Si Jasmine po ito — yes, I’m with Iris. Lasing na nga po, Tita, eh. There’s a man here saying na driver niyo raw po siya? Oh, I see. Sige po, Tita. Have a good night po.” Tumaas ang dalawang kilay ni Ryko nang ibaba ng babae ang telepono.
“Naniniwala ka na sa ‘kin?” taas-kilay niyang tanong.
Ang babaeng nagpakilalang Jasmine ay umirap. “Yes, yes. Take care of her. She’s a handful when drunk,” anito sabay abot sa kaniya ng isang clutch bag. “Sa kaniya ‘yan.”
Tumango si Ryko. “Salamat. Mauuna na kami.” Jasmine nodded.
“Daddy, huwag mo ‘kong iwan ...” bulong ni Iris habang naglalakad sila palabas ng club. He stopped walking para tanawin ang dalaga. She was pouting as if she’s really sad. “Please, wake up. Please ... Please, Dad.” Biglang nakaramdam ng awa si Ryko sa tinuran ni Iris. As far as he remembers, Madam Ivory’s husband passed away seven years ago dahil sa isang malalang sakit. Maybe Iris is missing her dad.
Ryko safely deposited Iris at the backseat of the car where she could sleep soundly. Inayos niya ang pagkakahiga nito — even taking off her boots so she would not feel uncomfortable on the ride home. Mabuti na lang at laging may unan at kumot sa sasakyan dahil madalas natutulog ang boss niya kapag nasa mahabang biyahe sila. Habang kinukumutan ang dalaga, hindi nakatakas sa paningin ni Ryko ang butil ng luha na nalaglag mula sa nakapikit niyang mga mata. He felt his heart being gripped tightly as he watched Iris sob in her sleep. His hand slowly reached out to wipe her tears.
CITEȘTI
Bewitching Disaster
DragosteSTATUS: ONGOING Being the one and only daughter of Whiz Entertainment founder Ivory Laxamana, who was then known as an actress-model, the moniker "Ivory's Carbon Copy" was given to Iris because she looked so much like her mother and did well in the...
