Illegal.
"I'll get you another drink," paalam ni Richard. Kinuha niya ang baso saakin at umalis.
Naiwan ako sa sulok.
"Hi," a deep masculine voice from my back.
"Thanks for coming," he added. He's holding a glass of whiskey.
May sumisilay na ngiti sa mga labi niya. Like everyone else, he's wearing a black tuxedo with a white dress inside.
"I-I was asked, so...." I bit my lower lip. I can't find my words.
And what does he mean? Is this all for him? This welcome party?
Tumango siya sa sinabi ko.
Mula saakin ay nalipat ang mata niya sa papalapit na si Richard.
"Do you enjoy his accompany?" He directly asked.
Sinulyapan ko ang lalaking tinutukoy niya.
Kanina pa ba siya?
Hindi agad ako nakasagot, "Silence means yes," aniya.
Natulala nalang ako.
Fucking seventeen years!
Biglang nawala lahat ng kumpyansa ko sa sarili ko. Looking to his face, he has changed a lot.
From that Leon who I knew....to someone I don't actually know now....a stranger to me.
Bago pa ako nakapag salita ay umalis na siya.
I watched his back.
Poised and full of confidence.
Nakalapit na saakin si Richard, but my eyes are focused to Leon.
He drank the glass of whiskey. May dumaan na waiter sa tabi niya na may dalang tray of alcohols. He swiftly put his empty glass on the tray at kumuha ulit ng panibago.
Huminto siya sa isang grupo na puro babae ang nag uusap. He smoothly joined the conversation at halatang sanay siya ganoon.
"Are you okay?"
Of course, he is absolutely used to it by now. American girls and liberated country. He can do everything he wants. What should I expect from him?
Madali nalang sakanya ang sumabay sa mga babae ngayon.
Suddenly, I felt disappointed....and crushed.
Nilingon ko si Richard.
"Y-Yup."
Kinuha ko sakanya ang hawak niyang baso ng champagne at nilagok iyon.
Kita ko ang pagtataka sa mukha ni Richard.
"I'll get you some more -"
"No, I'll get it on my own."
"Are you sure?"
Sinulyapan ko si Leon.
Nakatingin na siya saamin habang nagsasalita ang isa sa tatlong mga babae na kaharap niya.
Binawi ko ang tingin ko.
"Yup."
Richard helped me with my attire. Inabot niya saakin ang dulo no'n.
"Thank you."
Iniwan ko na siya doon para lumapit sa bar area.
Hindi ko na mahanap si tatay. He must be enjoying the party.
"Whiskey, please."
Kung alam ko lang na para sakanya ang party na ito, hindi na sana ako nag abala pa.
