Searing Burst of Rage (Fireheart 2)

Chapter 4

I composed myself and continued pacing toward him. The only thing that lights up the side street is the lamp post near the tree. It's autumn so it's getting colder every day. Napahaplos ako sa braso ko habang nakangiting lumapit kay Alfe. He didn't smile back, he was busy smoking his cigar.

Napabaling ako sa kabilang bahagi ng sasakyan nya nang biglang bumukas ang passenger seat at may lumabas na matipuno ding lalaki. Namangha ako kasi kasing gilas din sya ni Alfe at ang tangkad din. The only difference is that he's wearing spectacles and he's wearing a navy dress shirt. Kulang nalang ay blazer at para na silang aattend ng wedding ceremony.

"Excellent that you were able to navigate the place safely," I said the moment I stood in front of Alfe.

"It's just around the corner from the hotel," aniya.

Napalingon ako sa kasama nyang lumapit at humarap sa akin. Agad akong ngumiti sa kanya at naglahad ng kamay. "Chantrea. Trea for short."

Tinanggap nya naman ang kamay ko pero nanliit ang mga mata nyang tinitigan ako. "Gus."

"It's nice to meet you," naiilang na sabi ko. Now that I can clearly see his face, I can say that he looks more mature than Alfe, with longer hair and darker brows.

"You look familiar," Gus said. "And your name, too."

I laughed. Kaya pala ganun nalang ang tingin nya sa akin. "Siguro ay kamukha ko lang. I'm sure tonight's our first meeting... Wait! Do you speak Filipino? Alfe is a Filipino, I guess you are too even though you also don't look much like it."

"Sure," tipid nyang sagot atsaka lumingon kay Alfe. "Are you sure you just met her here?"

"Oo."

I forced a smile on Gus when he suddenly grinned at me. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and asked Alfe for a light. I'm not against smoking, they're adults and they definitely look smart but it's annoying.

"Come on. Let's get inside. The party has just started." Tumalikod na ako at unang maglakad sa kanina. "Baka mabigla kayo sa party. It's a real buzz. Looking at both of your outfits, it seems like you guys are used to going to formal parties." Hindi ako nakatanggap ng sagot sa kanilang dalawa kaya ay nagpatuloy ako. "Mahiyain ba kayo? Hindi kayo masyadong friendl tignan, no offense," bawi ko agad. "Don't worry, this is a mixer party so no one's going to make a big deal of you joining us."

"If I wasn't friendly, I wouldn't be talking to you or accepting your invitation," sarkastikong sagot ni Alfe.

Nalaglag ang panga ko sa sinabi nya. He's right. May point sya. Ngumiti ako sa kanya at pinakitang walang hindi pagsang ayon syang makikita sa mukha ko. "Then, you'll both drink and join our games tonight. I'm not a good host but I'll make sure you don't regret coming here. Pero huwag kayong masyadong maglasing kasi masama sa katawan yan," paalala ko sa kanila. "My Papa always advises me to take care of my health, drinking too much alcohol is bad, engaging into things that leads to addiction is dangerous and I should avoid going out late at night," I whispered the last part.

"If he meant what he said to you then why bother sending you here where you can do everything you want?" Gus asked.

I hummed. "He simply trusts me. And, education is at the top of everything for him, so he sent me here to have solid and better education. In addition, I am responsible. Wala na syang dapat na ipag-aalala."

"Talaga?" tanong ni Gus na parang hindi naniniwala sa akin.

"I bet she is," Alfe answered. Napangiti ako at proud na sumulyap kay Gus. "I think she's smart."

Gus shrugged. "Well..."

"She's very talkative, too," Alfe added.

Ang ngiti ko ay naging hilaw. Hindi naman pwedeng sundan nya ng negative point ang compliment nya sa akin. Dapat all the way ay good points.