Chapter 3

I just found myself sitting at the corner of the bar, waiting for someone that will get my attention. If dad wouldn't change his mind, then be it. Pero hindi ako makukuha ng matandang iyon ng buo. 

Muli akong tumungga sa hawak kong bote ng alak. Maluha-luha ako nang ibaba ko iyon, hindi naman kasi ako gano'n kasanay uminom.

I smeared the side of my lips, as I shifted my gaze to a burly man walking confidently towards bar counter. He's wearing a white long sleeve button down shirt that well-fitted to him, leaving the three buttons above unwound, while the sleeves folded up to his elbow. I mentally rolled my eyes as I saw how other girls giggling while looking at him. 

Kumuha ako ng isa pang alak sa bucket na nasa aking harapan. Nakakaramdam na ako ng kakaiba sa aking katawan, marahil tinatamaan na ako ng alak. 

I turned my gaze toward his direction again. He's now sitting comfortably and sipping his brandy. I averted my eyes when he tilted his head.

Nagpanggap ako na abala sa pagtitig sa mga nagsasayaw sa dance floor. Hindi ko alam kung nahuli ba niya akong nakatingin sa kanya, dahil tumalikod na ako. 

"Hi." I almost jump when someone whispered on my ear. 

Halos manigas ang aking leeg upang pigilang lingunin siya,  dahil sa oras na gawin ko 'yon ay siguradong magdidiit ang aming mga labi. I could smell his mint breathe with a mix of liqour. 

"Can I join you here?" untag nito pero nakaupo na sa aking harapan. "A gorgeous lady like you shouldn't be alone," he said in a most seductive voice. Tinapunan ko lamang siya ng tingin.

"I don't need anyone else," walang ganang sagot ko rito.

"But I think, I need you now," he uttered while licking his lips. I gulped as I felt the intensity that creeps out of me. Is he seducing me? 

Hinagod ko ang aking tingin sa kanyang kabuoan. From his wavy messy hair as if he got fired from his work, or stress from something. To his reddish neck and exposed chest, if it's because of liqour or what, I don't have an idea. When my gaze turn back to his face, the side of his lips raised and smirked. 

"Staring is rude, isn't it? But I like that nasty glare of yours." Bakit napakayabang ng lalaki na ito?

"Excuse me? I'm not staring at you. Don't be too full of yourself," I retorted. 

Wala ba siya no'ng tinatawag na humbleness, kahit kaunti man lang? Oo nga't gwapo siya, pero hindi naman ako gano'n kababaw na babae, na isang kindat n'ya lang ay magkakandarapa na sa kanya. 

"Fine. Is this your first time?" Inubos ko muna ang laman ng hawak kong bote bago siya sinagot.

"What do you mean?" I asked as I put down the empty bottle of tequila.

"Hooking up," diretsang saad niya. Buti nalang at walang laman ang aking bibig, dahil kung meron, baka naibuga ko iyon sa mukha niya.

"What makes you think that I am here for hooking up or whatsoever?" This guy really getting into my nerve.

Itinuon niya ang isang siko sa ibabaw ng lamesa, saka nangalumbaba habang sinusuri ang aking mukha.

"But I saw how your eyes craving for me," he said seriously. Napaawang na lamang ang aking bibig dahil sa sinabi niya.  

"Well, could you fulfil this craving of mine?" My eyes widened. Damn, why would I said that? 

"With pleasure." Winasiwas pa niya ang kamay, na akala mo'y isa akong kataas-taasan na binibigyang pugay.

"I think lasing na ako kaya nasabi ko iyon." Tumawa lamang ito na tila naaaliw. May nakakatawa ba sa sinabi ko?

"Indeed innocent woman," he said while sipping on his bottle. "Wanna dance? Let's not waste the melodious rhythm of music." He stand up and offered his hand in front of me. What melodious? Is he deaf? Rock music kaya ang naririnig ko.

Ain't bad if I enjoy this night, right? Beside, ito na ang huling gabi na makakapagsaya ako. After this, I don't know whats await for me. For the last time, I want to forget that dad deprived my right to choose. 

Tumayo rin ako at inabot ang kanyang kamay. He squeezed my hand, which is intertwined on his soft and warm palm. Liquor quietly overruled my head. Fuck! Just go with the flow Carmell. 

We caught everyone's attention. Every women looked at me with a glint of jealousy in their eyes. 

"Just look at me, babe. I'm a territorial person, so eyes on me, you're mine tonight," he whispered. I could feel his soothing voice running through my veins that makes my heart pounds as tripple as its normal. "Relax, don't make me think that this is your first time." 

Shit! Why his scent have to be this damn good? It insulting my nostrils. My heart almost halt from beating when he pulled me closer, holding my waist. A mere smell of him could make my knees trembling, whether in nervous or excitement, I can't figure out. 

"I can feel your heart beating so fast, babe." 

"Heart malfunction perhaps," kibit-balikat na sagot ko na lamang. Denying it won't save me though. 

"Think you should consult your doctor, or maybe I could calm it." He's really good at flirting. 

"Is this your job?" wala sa sariling tanong ko. His brow furrowed. 

"I'm sorry?"

"Makipaglandian, ito ba 'yong trabaho mo?" He chuckled and shrugged his shoulder. 

"No, a hobby, I guess?" Hindi ko napigilan ang sariling mapaikot ang mata. "But you're different, like a north star stunning, shinning brighter than others." 

"Such a high-flown words huh. Did you say it in all women you bedded?" Ngumisi ako upang pagtakpan ang kakaibang epekto na hatid niya sa akin. 

"I actually reserved that line just for you," he answered with a smirk. He really know how to flutter your heart, and shatter it in the same time. 

"I'm tired, let's go back to our sit." 

"Hey..." Ngunit hinigit n'ya ako pabalik, dahilan upang tumama ako sa matigas niyang katawan. "Look at me, babe."

"Stop calling me babe, it's too romantic for strangers." I slightly pushed him away, but he again coiled his arm around my waist. 

"Then let me know your name, so I could call you babe." He trace the contour of my face down to my chin, and gently lifted it with his finger. 

It was too late before I realized what he was going to do next, he kissed me!