7
2013
Jani and Joy picked me up and brought me to a well-known bar here in Tomas Morato. Pagkarating namin, na-order na ang drinks dahil nauna na ro'n ang kaibigan ni Jani. It was a guy I'd seen around before from time to time kada pumupunta ako sa birthday parties ni Jani, but we'd never been introduced. I was never interested in him because I was tied to some guy everytime he was around.
Ngayon lang hindi.
Too bad I was still uninterested because he clearly was very into me judging by the way his glances were straying too long on my exposed cleavage. Tipsy men. What's new?
"Dude, si Rolann," paunang pakilala ni Jani sa 'ming dalawa nang makaupo kami sa table. "Tol, si AJ. Pero kilala mo naman na 'to."
"Meron bang hindi nakakakilala sa paboritong anak ni Senator Montevista?" nakangiting sabi niya, thinking he'd get into my good graces.
But my mood sank even lower at the mention of my father.
Siniko siya ni Jani.
"'Wag mong banggitin, tol, kung ayaw mo ng gulo."
"Bakit? May problema?"
"Wala ka na ron," matalim na naisagot ni Joy sa kanya.
Nag-angat ng kamay si Rolann at ngumiti sa 'kin. "Sorry. 'Di ko naman alam."
"Now you know," sabi ko na lang at saka mabilisang ininom ang shot na nakalatag sa table.
I wanted to get drunk fast. The sooner I could lose my head, the faster I could tolerate this douche's vibe.
***
When the night deepened, Joy and Jani both went out for a smoke at the parking lot.
This guy really couldn't read the room and even had the audacity to sit beside me.
"Nabanggit ni Jani sa 'kin kahapon, nag-away daw kayo ng boyfriend mo?"
Lifting a brow, I said in a bored voice, "You're asking this for what reason?"
"Suplada mo naman. Gusto ko lang naman makipagkaibigan."
I snorted. "I'm not dumb. I know what you're getting at. But sorry to burst your bubble, I'm Jani's friend. And ex. You know what that means."
'Di nasisindak, mas lalo pa siyang humilig sa 'kin.
"Ano naman? Walang tropa tropa sa 'kin as long as I get what I want," pabulong niya sa tainga ko.
I leaned back, now giving him my full attention and I was sure displeasure was written all over my face. "What you want? What makes you think I want you?"
"Don't you?"
"Don't be so full of yourself. I'm not interested. I have a boyfriend, so get your hand off my thigh or I'll break your balls."
"Sungit mo talaga 'no? Napakaloyal mo sa boyfriend mo. Pakita ko na lang sa 'yo na mas okay ako. Ano, game?" sagot niya, hindi pa rin tinatanggal ang kamay.
"Wag kang kupal. I don't tolerate cheating." I slapped his hand away and stood up.
Putanginang 'to. Sira na nga ang gabi ko, lalo pang sinisira. What was Jani thinking bringing this cheap ass here?
"Where are you going?" tanong ni Joy nang makabalik sila at nakitang ako naman ang palabas.
"Smoke. Nakakainit ng ulo dito," sagot ko.
As I walked out, I faintly heard Jani asking if Rolann said anything to me. He denied, as expected. Liar, like the rest of them.
Rolling my eyes, I made my way outside. I fucking needed a smoke now.
