(FREE AND COMPLETED) TAKBUHAN

V

“She's pregnant.”

“Ansabe mo?” tanong nya matapos ang ilang sandaling nagdaan na hindi sya nakasagot. Probably because the music was way too loud tonight coz it's geting late.

“Buntis si Clara..” ulit kong tinyempuhang halos pahinto na ang music. Umiling iling sya bago nag-angat ng tingin sa akin.

“Talaga? Your drinks are on me tonight. Libre ko na!” sabi nya habang nakangisi. Tumaas ang kilay ko.

“Why the sudden treat?”

“Coz, this would probably be the end of your long overdue stupidity over a woman?” sabi nya habang nakangisi parin at nag-abot ulit ng isa pang glass ng Mojito. Umiling iling ako at inabot ang baso.

“Probably... Tsk,” sagot ko at dumukot ng yosi sa bulsa. Agad naman syang umiling.

“No smoking!” nakasimangot na sabi nya. Natatawang ibinalik ko ang yosi sa bulsa.

“Pwede bang magreklamo sa may-ari?” nakangising tanong ko.

“Sige, tara? Samahan pa kita!” hamon nya. Natatawang umiling ako.

“You are using your card as one of the assets here.” nanliit ang mga mata ko lalo na nang ngumiti sya ng matamis.

“Oh, well?” she winked. Kumunot ang noo ko.

“Are you happy that I'm miserable right now?” nanliliit ang mga matang tanong ko. Tumawa sya at humilig sa counter.

“Yup, I'm sooo happy,” nakangising sagot nya. “Masaya akong mawawalan na ng gagong regular customer dito.” she shrugged and winked at me.

“You're rude,” I tilted my head while glaring at her.

“I know!” natatawang sabi nya sabay pisil sa baba ko. I stiffened. Mukhang nagulat din sya kaya binawi nya rin agad ang kamay nya. Yumuko sya saglit bago tumikhim.

“So, what's your plan now?” seryosong tanong na nya. Now that she's back in her usual serious tone, mas lalo kong naramdaman ang lubos na panlulumo dahil sa sitwasyon ko ngayon.

Almost a year ago, I have met someone and did something wrong that felt so damn right! Una palang, alam kong taken na sya. Pero sabi nga nila, likas sa ibang tao ang makaramdam ng attraction sa mga taong alam nilang pagmamay-ari na ng iba. That some people are longing for the chase and the satisfaction they will get after the chase. Unfortunately, I belong to those people.

I wanted someone that wasn't mine from the very beginning.

I wanted her.

I fell in love with my cousin's girlfriend.

“I wouldn't be here talkin to you if I already have a plan, Cinth.” naiiling na sabi ko at uminom ulit sa Mojito na huling sinerve nya.

“I don't think this Mojito will do. Give me something hard, Cinth.” maya-maya ay sabi ko. I am seriously losing my mind. I can't think straight and I don't really think straight. No, no. I wanna stop thinking. Kahit ngayong gabi lang. Ayokong mag-isip kaya gusto kong maglasing.

“What?! No, Bryce. You have work tomorrow. Saka ka na maglasing kapag—”

“Ikaw na rin ang nagsabi na this is long overdue. I really couldn't wait another days for this. Come on, magtimpla ka na ng alak. Yung malalasing ako.”

Hindi parin sya kumilos at pinanood lang ako.

“I can file a leave of absence for tomorrow if that's what you are thinking.”

She shook her head gently bago kumilos at umabot ng alak.