"The girl who's wearing a royal green dress and black stilettos, with red-dyed hair and fair skin—that's your date. She says she's also carrying a white purse. Madali mo siyang mahahanap." Iyon ang palatandaan ni Tasty Cake na ipinadala sa kaniya ni Jeff sa huling text message nito. And it was basically the last correspondence he had with his friend. Nang sinubukan niya itong tawagan ay nakapatay na ang cellphone nito—o naubusan ng baterya. Either way, hindi niya mahanap ang babaeng nasa deskripsiyon. Kanina pa niya iniikot ang tingin sa buong restaurant, pero wala siyang makitang babaeng nasa edad disi-otso at nakasuot ng berdeng damit. Alam niyang nasa tamang lugar siya—iisa lang ang Western restaurant na nakatayo sa street na iyon. Sinulyapan niya ang oras sa suot na relo—limang minuto pasado alas-nueve. Imposibleng kaagad itong aalis kung ilang minuto pa lang naman ang lumilipas? Ibinalik niya ang pansin sa loob ng re

Hindi na mabilang ni Phillian kung naka-ilang shots na sila ng Tequilla—all he knew was that they were having fun and the night was still young to stop the shots from coming. Auntie Romie and two other middle-aged ladies joined them at the table. TeeCay was obviously enjoying her time with the ladies—ayaw paawat sa pag-tungga ng Tequilla shots na inihahatid doon ni Mr.Tequilla. Mr.Tequilla was the guy who carried a tray with Tequilla shots on it—mukha itong cowboy na naka-suot ng leather vest, cowboy hat and boots. He was tall and skinny, but he had abs on his abdomen and his arms were muscle-y. He was an attractive guy, kaya naman kahit ayaw ng ibang uminom ng Tequilla ay napipilitang um-order. They were charmed by him. Tapos na ang performance ni Shawn Shadow at sinundan ng dalawa pang mga performers. Umikot ito sa buong club at isa-isang dinadaanan ang mga mesa upang saglit na makipag-kwentuhan, makipag-landian, at makipag-inuman sa mga guests. Everyone was giving him tips, and

Nakaiiritang ingay ang nagpagising kay Phillian kinabukasan. Ayaw pa niyang magising. Pagod siya. Inaantok. Masakit ang ulo. Ayaw niya ng istorbo.Tumagilid siya at kinuha ang unang nasa ulo saka itinakip iyon sa tenga, sa pag-asang hindi niya marinig ang nag-iingay na bagay na sumisira sa tulog niya. Subalit kahit ano'ng gawin niya ay tila nanunuot sa kaniyang mga kaugatan ang ingay na iyon at pilit na ginigising ang buo niyang sistem.Naiiritang bumangon siya at nagmulat, upang mapangiwi at mapa-ungol nang tumindi ang sakit ng kaniyang ulo. Bumalik siya sa pagkakahiga at sinapo iyon. He closed his eyes tightly, his head felt something was drilling it.The annoying noise continued, and it didn't take long for him to realize that it was his phone's ring tone. Someone was calling to ruin his sleep again. Just like last night.Last night...?Bigla siyang napamulat nang may maalala. At nang bumalik sa isip niya ang mga nangyari kagabi ay nanlaki ang kaniyang mga mata.Kaagad niyang nilin

"You need to eat healthy meals and take your medication if you really want to play soccer next week, okay, honey? Because if you won't, your fever wouldn't go away. And then, your daddy would worry and bring you back here. Is that what you want?""No, Doctor Calley. I don't wanna get sick anymore...""Then, you need to promise me that you will follow my advice."The seven-year-old Connie nodded her head and smiled. "I will, Doctor Calley. Thank you for looking after me.""You are welcome, Connie."Nakangiting tumayo si Calley upang ihatid ang mag-amang Connie at Daniel sa pinto ng clinic. Binuksan niya iyon at hinarap ang ama ng kaniyang pasyen

             Mahabang katahimikan ang namayani sa pagitan nilang tatlo sa loob ng ilang sandali. Hindi alam ni Calley kung ano ang tumatakbo sa isip ng dalawang tiyahin; but one thing was for sure—they both didn't like what they heard."Kahit hindi niyo sabihin sa akin ay alam kong gusto na ninyong makuha ang komp