When Blue Descends

CHAPTER 37

"’ I have a high tolerance to alcohol’, huh?"

I titter hearing Kinn’s voice mimicking my line earlier as I wrap my right arm around his waist for support. The couple then laughs as they stand and started walking away from the table as soon as we decided to go home as it’s already late and we waited for the rain to stop which took hours.

I had a pretty amount of beer that is enough to somehow make my vision a little hazy yet tolerable. I feel warm and sleepy.

I felt Kinn’s arm wrapped around my shoulder as we walk away from our table. Good thing, the customers dancing earlier are now all drunk and wasted on the couches in the restaurant.

“What do you feel now? Want me to drive you home?” he asked as we headed out of the restaurant.

“I’ll call my driver,” I said as I release out of his arms and tried to stand straight as I take my phone from my pocket.

“Khat, ano, kaya pa?” natatawang tanong ni Christoff sa akin.

Napatawa rin ako nang mahina dahil mukhang ako lang ang tinamaan at nakarami ng inom sa amin.

“Ihatid mo na kaya, Eedrix?” dinig kong saad ni Angeline kay Eedrix na nakahalukipkip lang sa gilid ko habang pinanonood akong i-dial iyong driver ko.

“Yeah, ako na bahala sa kaniya. Sige na, may pupuntahan pa kayo, hindi ba?”

“Kinn, iuwi mo sa bahay ni Khatalina si Khat, ha? Sa bahay niya, hindi sa bahay mo,” paalala ni Christoff na napatawa nang samaan siya nang tingin ni Eedrix.

Nahigit ko naman ang hininga ko dahil sa ayoko talagang malaman kahit ng mga kaibigan ko iyong bahay ko. Maliban kay Kimberly, si Jaxen pa lamang ang nakakapunta sa bahay ko. Right, I should ask that guy how did he knew about my address—once, okay na kami.

“Baliw, oo, magkapit-bahay lang naman kami ng building,” saad ni Eedrix.

Para naman akong nabunutan ng tinik sa dibdib. Mabuti na lamang ay iyong condominium ko lang ang alam ni Eedrix.

“Eedrix, umayos, huh?” saad pa ni Angeline nang nanlalaki ang mata kay Eedrix.

“Seriously?! Dude, I won’t do anything! Gusto niyo i-video ko pa iyong pagpasok ni Khat nang mag-isa sa unit niya at pag-uwi ko sa kabilang building eh!” naaasar na saad ni Kinn habang napahawi sa buhok pa niya palayo sa mukha niya.

Napahalakhak naman kami kay Eedrix na naiinis saka siya pabirong sinuntok ni Christoff sa braso gumani naman si Eedrix hanggang sa naggantihan na sila.

Inilapit ko naman sa may tainga ko iyong phone ko nang mai-dial ko na ang number ni Anthony.

“Yes, ma’am?” mabilis na sagot niya.

“Anthony, can you please tell my driver to give me a lift home? I’m tipsy,” I demanded.

“No, she’s drunk!” epal naman ni Christoff dahilan para samaan ko siya ng tingin. Sinuway naman siya ni Angeline at marahang hinampas sa braso si Christoff.

Narinig ko namang napatawa si Anthony sa kabilang linya.

“Ma’am, he took the week off, remember? Do you want me to drive there, instead?” Anthony asked.

“Hmm, oo nga pala…” I said as my eyes darted on Eedrix which arms are resting against his chest while looking at the stars.

“Saan po kayo, Ma’am Khat?” tanong pa ni Anthony.

“Jerry’s barbeque house,” I said while looking at the big signage of the restaurant.

“You know I can give you a lift, right?” Eedrix whispered looking at me.

I then titter as I look down at my shoes.

“Anthony, it’s fine. Remember, Mr. Gage? He’s with me. He’ll give me a lift to my condominium. If you didn’t hear anything from me tomorrow, you know who killed me, okay?” bilin ko kay Anthony na ikinatawa naman niya sa kabilang linya.

Nagpaalam naman na si Anthony sa akin nang tumatawa at ganoon din akong hinarap si Eedrix na sinalubong ako ng kurot sa pisngi na hindi naman masakit.

“Tama ‘yan, Khat,” natatawang saad ni Christoff habang nakatingin sa gulat na mukha ni Eedrix.

“Oh siya, mauuna na kami. Mag-ingat kayo,” paalam ni Angeline.

We then exchanged goodbyes as Kinn and I decided to go to our condos as well. I then sit on his shotgun seat and buckle my seatbelt as he started the engine.

“There’s no way you just live in a condominium,” Eedrix utter as his eyes are all glued on the road.

“Why not?”

“A rich lady like you? Only in a condominium?” he said as his eyebrows knitted.

I then stare at him as I raise my eyebrow.

"Eh bakit ikaw?" Tanong ko at iniwas sa akin ang topic.

"Anong ako?" Tanong naman niya pabalik saka dahan-dahang iniliko ang sasakyan nang makadaan kami sa isang tea shop.

"Want some tea?" Tanong niya.

Nailing naman ako saka sumandal sa upuan nang kumportable. Busog na ako sa dami ng nainom kong beer kanina. Nararamdaman ko na nang kaunti iyong antok dahil narin sa lamig dito sa loob ng sasakyan ni Eedrix. Medyo nag-iinit din ang mukha at katawan ko nang kaunti dahil sa alak.

"One cheesecake milk tea and hot coffee, please," I heard him order.

I then stared at the employee from the shop coming out of the back door and pulling out a cigarette box from his pocket. It must have been his break time. His eyebrows are all knitted to one another as the face of frustration is written all over his tired face. The way he stands and slouches as his body looks almost like a candy cane. I let my eyes set on him as he becomes smaller and smaller while the car moves farther from where he stays.

"One cheesecake milk tea and hot coffee," the crew from the drive-thru announce as he extends his arm holding Eedrix's orders.

"Thank you," Eedrix said as he reaches out for his drinks and put them in the cup holders.

I extend my legs straight to relax it as I feel the warm sensation in my legs. I felt cozy against his shotgun seat as I slowly caress both of my arms.

"Here, drink this. Para gumaan pakiramdam mo habang pauwi," he said as he gives me the hot coffee that is earlier in his cup holders.

I mouthed him thank you as I wrap my palm around the coffee cup. I bit my lips as the warm coffee gently warms up my body as I take a sip from the warm cup.

“Wow, hell yeah, that feels good,” I utter between my breath.

Eedrix then titters as he took a sip from his milk tea and started driving.

Humarap naman ako kay Eedrix at sumandal sa may pintuan ng sasakyan. Mukha namang napansin niya ako kaya itinaas niya iyong kilay niya habang ang kaniyang paningin ay nananatiling nakapako sa daan.

“What?” he asked.

I then smiled at him even though I know he can’t see my smile. I suddenly felt the urge to play with him. I’m blaming the beer for this.

“Are you thirsty, babe?” I asked.

He then titters as if he didn’t expect what I said, making me titter too. He then bites his lips while gently nodding his head.

I then unbuckle my seatbelt and scoot closer to him as I reach out to his milk tea. I then lift my hand and bring the straw of his drink close to his lips pressed to one another. I then grip his shoulder for support. I noticed that the corner of his lips raises as it creases for a bit. The car then slowed down, making me look through the windshield and see that we are now stopping on the side of the road.

My brows then furrowed and look at him. He’s now looking at me as he parted his lips and lowered his head to bring the straw in his lips. I then blink as I recognize his stare.

I am about to pull myself away from him but I am not as fast as his arms wrapping around my waist.

He then raises both of his eyebrows as he throws his head back to his seat.

“Khat, I think you’re--”

He didn’t get to finish a sentence when my lips parted and let out a single hiccup. I then laugh in embarrassment as I didn’t expect to hiccup as well.

“...drunk” he continued as he followed it with a laugh.

“Yeah, I think I am,” I said as I tried to scoot back but then Eedrix gripped onto my arm to support me making me unable to turn completely around and my sandals get stuck in the door handle making me push out of my balance and trip over on top of him with his milk tea in my hand spilling all over my blouse.

“Sh*t, sorry!” he cursed as he helps me to sit properly.

“It’s okay…” saad ko saka umupo nang maayos sa upuan ko at agad na iniabot iyong tissue box sa ibabaw ng dashboard niya ata agad na pinnasan ang ngayong basang-basa at nanglalagkit kong blusa.

Inabot naman ni Eedrix iyong milk tea mula sa kamay ko para mapunasan ko nang maayos ag sarili ko.

“Saglit, may extra shirts ako rito…” sabi ni Eedrix saka kumabas ng sasakyan at umikot papunta sa trunk ng kaniyang sasakyan. Nakita ko naman mula sa rear view mirror na itinapon na ni Eedrix iyong cup ng milk tea niya saka binuksan iyong trunk niya.

Ibinalik ko na ang atensyon ko sa damit ko at inilayo ito sa balat ko para hindi ako manlagkit. Narinig ko naman iyong yabag ni Eedrix na pabalik dito sa sasakyan mula sa bukas niyang pintuan ngunit nilagpasan niya lang iyong pintuan at umikot papunta sa side ko kaya naman pinagbuksan ko siya.

“Here, ito muna suoin mo nang ‘di ka malamigan at manlagkit. Bihis ka na riyan, dito muna ako,” sabi niya saka isinara iyong pinto nang maiabot ko iyong t–shirt niya.

Hindi naman na ako nagpatumpik-tumpik pa at lumapit ako sa pinto ng driver’s seat saka ito isinara at nagbihis na. Mabilis kong hinubad iyong blusa ko at agad kong naramdaman iyong lamig ng sasakyan. Agad kong isinuot iyong shirt na binigay niya at mabilis na dinampot iyong basa kong damit at lumabas ng sasakyan.

Napalingon naman sa akin si Eedix na kasalukuyang nakatanaw sa anyong tubig na nasa gilid ng bangin matapos ang kinatatayuan namin. Napatawa naman siya nang mahina nang mapasadahan niya ng tingin ako. Paano ba naman kasi ay iyong sleeve ng shirt niya ay halos umabot na sa aking siko at iyog laylayan ay hanggang gitna ng hita ko. Gaya ito ng t-shirt na suot niya ngayon pero tiyak naman na mas bagay sa kaniya iyong t-shirt dahil sakto iyong size sa kaniya kaysa sa akin na nagmukhang maliit dahil sa laki t-shirt.

Nakangiti lang siyang nakatingin sa akin habang ag kaniyang mga mata ay namumungay sa kadahilanang napakalakas ng ihip ng hangin. Prente lamang na iniihip ng hangin iyong buhok niya. Iniangat naman niya iyong kamay niya at sinenyasan ako na lumapit sa kaniya at ginawa ko naman kaya ngsimula na ako maglakad papalapit sa kaniya.

“Looks good on you, babe,” saad niya nang makalapit ako sa kaniya.

Tumabi naman ako sa kaniya saka ipinatong din iyong mga iko ko sa railing at tinanaw ang payapang siyudad sa kabilang panig ng kinatatayuan namin. Payapa at mahinahon naman na ngayon iyong simoy ng hangin at hindi ko maiwasang mapangitisa lamig ng pakiramdam sa nag-iinit kong katawan gawa ng alak. Ramdam ko ang panlalamig ng mga palad ko na siyang hindi naman sapat para hindi ako maging kumportable.

“Wala ka bang work tomorrow? I can drive you home na if you want?” paalala niya sa akin.

“Shh…” I said as I look at him and bring my index finger to his lips.

He just stared at me as his face slowly become rubescent.

I bit my lips as I feel like I am getting sleepy from the cold breeze of air together with my intoxicated self. He then raises his hand and holds my wrist. He slowly move my arm away from his face but didn’t let go of my hand as I let my arms flaccid.

Our eyes are still glued to one another letting the cold air dancing with our hairs. The calm beat of my heart is not matched with the butterflies in my stomach currently in mayhem as Eedrix’s palm started slowly stroking my arm giving out tiny goosebumps in every part of my body.

I have nothing in my mind. I don’t know if I like what he's doing or not. Is this because of the alcohol? But… way back with Jaxen– I should stop thinking about that.

My eyebrows knitted to one another as Kinn stops above my elbow. He then snickers as he reads what emotion just appeared on my face– confusion.

He then moves his face closer as he put his hand in his pocket.

“Disappointed? I won’t do it until there’s a label,” he said as he smirks pointing his index finger back and forth at us.

“Label for what?” I asked.

He then stands straight and smiles. His hand that is in his pocket seconds ago is now patting my head and later drifted down to my cheek and punches it.

“Khatalina, you are smart. You know it,” he said as he tried to face his back at me but then I stop him with my hand gripping firmly onto his arm.

I then look at the view again.

“Why can't you guys just say it? Why make me suffer like this?” I said almost whispering.

I then felt his gaze on me but I didn’t bother to look at his reaction.

I hate this. I hate it when they say it. Why can’t they be just straightforward? It is not that I am giving them chance, it is just I want to clear things out so they won’t read too much in my actions.