Fidelity

44th

Sabihin niyo na

Halos kakalabas ko lang sa exit ng resto nang may humuli sa palapulsuhan ko. Awtomatikong nanlisik ang mata ko sa nagmamay-ari ng kamay.

It was Davion. Marahas kong winaksi ang pagkakahawak niya saka nagpatuloy sa pagmamartsa paalis.

"Don't follow me, fucker. Nabubwisit din ako sayo," asik ko nang hindi niya pa rin ako tantanan.

Kung makahabol ngayon ay akala mo kung sinong mabait! Ni wala ngang kibo kanina!

"I'll talk to them..." anito. "I'll talk them out of the wedding..."

Unti-unting bumagal ang hakbang ko. I turned to him. Mukha naman siyang seryoso.

"You will?" paninigurado ko.

Tumango siya. "Don't worry... I'll convince them not to push through with it.."

Ngayong nakatututok lamang sa kanya ang tingin ko ay hindi ko maiwasang mapansin ang mga mata niya. They look... worn out.

"Come on," he eventually heaved a sigh. "I'll drive you to your flat.."

"Ayoko pang umuwi. Baka sundan lang ako nila Mommy sa apartment,"

"Where do you wanna go then? I'll give you a ride.."

Hindi siya pumayag magcommute ako kahit pa sinabi kong sanay naman na ko. Sa huli ay nagkibit ako at hindi na nagmatigas pa. I told him I'll just give directions.

It was a quiet ride. Kaya't dinig na dinig nang tumunog ang phone ko para sa isang mensahe.

Austin Gabriel:
How's dinner?

Solasta Aicelle:
Not good. I think I need a drink tonight

Davion's lips parted when we reached our destination.

"This is where you wanna go?"

I shrugged. "Why? Today's a special day. Hindi ako papayag na sirain lang nila nang ganun-ganon ang araw ko. There's no way I'd go home this early para lang magmukmok sa unit,"

Although clubbing isn't really for me, I do appreciate chill bars that play good music— just like this place. The vibe is really relaxing and peaceful. They mostly play jazz and R&B. Sa huli ay nagdesisyon si Davion na samahan ako dahil baka raw malasing ako. Kaya naman halos mapanganga ko nang mas mauna pa siyang mamula sakin.

I even lost count of how much he had.

"Don't listen to him," pigil ko sa bartender nang umisa pa ulit si Davion. "I think that'll be his last shot for now."

It's not helping na sa bar stools mismo kami nakaupo kung saan kaharap na kaharap lang namin ang bartender. The displayed bottle of drinks are literally within reach.

I had to excuse myself nang tumunog ang phone ko para sa isang tawag.

"Is everything okay?" it was Austin. "Hindi ka na nagreply,"

My heart skipped a beat when I realized the same thing. "I'm sorry.. Hindi na ko nakapagcheck ng phone.."

"It's fine.." buntong-hininga niya. "Where are you now? May kasama ka ba?"

I bit my lip. Nagsisisi kung bakit hindi ko agad sinabi sa kanya kanina pa lang.

"Bottle Grounds. I'm with Davion,"

It's our shared promise to always let the other person know who we are with. Mainly for safety purposes as well as each other's peace of mind. Kaya sa ilang minutong katahimikan niya ay agad akong kinabahan. I squeezed my thumb.