“Girl, meet you at the bar later at 8. It’s Kyla’s birthday” – text sa akin ni Rose.
I sigh. Well, maybe it’s a good thing, besides my mind is so full right now. Kailangan ko munang kalimutan yung problema ko at mag celebrate sa birthday ng kaibigan ko. Oh by the way, I’m Jane, 25 years old. I’m just an ordinary girl who makes poor decisions in life and this is my story.
I sipped at my coffee one more time, tumayo at umalis na ako sa coffee shop. Tumingin ako ulit sa aking phone it’s already 7:30 pm. Naisipan kong umuwi muna para maligo at magbihis, besides nagugutom na din ako. Yes, birthday party ang pupuntahan ko later but it’s a bar mabubusog lang ako sa alak for sure.
Nakarating ako sa bahay within 15 mins then dali-dali akong naghubad at pumunta sa banyo. After kong maligo at mag ayos ay pumunta ako sa kitchen para maghanap ng pagkain. Good thing may left over pizza pa ako from last night, okay na ako dito. Di ko pa man din nasusubo yung pizzang hawak ko ay tumunog ang aking telepono.
“Hey” bati ko kay Rose
“Girl, where are you na? Andito na kami” pasigaw nitong sabi. Nasa loob na sila ng bar well.. disco bar
“Yep, coming” sabi ko while taking a big bite on my pizza.
“What? Hello? Di kita marinig” sabi nito
“Sabi ko papunta na” sabi as I roll my eyes.
“Punta ka na dito, okay? We’ll wait.” Pagkasabi nito ay pinatay na niya agad ang tawag.
It’s already 8:50pm. I just shrugged then finish another slice of my pizza. I doubt that they’ll wait for me. As I was chewing the food on my mouth ay naalala ko na naman ang aking mga problema. Yes MGA problema. Nilunok ko na agad yung pagkain at nagmadaling umalis sa aking bahay. I’ll think and deal my problems tomorrow not tonight.
As I enter the bar, napapikit ako sa lakas ng music. I composed myself, tumingin ako sa guard at tumango. He knows me. Well, Rose’s family owns this place so, I’m kinda a VIP. Tumango din sa akin ang guard. I roamed my eyes around and spotted my friends. Diane saw me and she wave at me. I smiled and waved back.
Bago ako pumunta sa kanila ay dumaan muna ako sa counter and orderd two shots of tequila. Woo! I need to forget what’s going on with me right now and pretend that I am okay. I close my eyes as I drink another shot.
“Woah, tough day huh” a husky voice ask.
“Yep.” I answered while my eyes are still close.
“Well, why don’t you drink another one and try to enjoy your night” he said.
Napatingin ako dito, may hawak na itong isang shot ng tequila at inabot ito sa akin, while looking at me he’s smiling.
“Sure thanks” sabi ko then ininom ito, nilapag ko yung baso sa counter, ngumiti ako sa kaniya at umalis na.
Woahh.. that’s a lot of tequila for 10 minutes. Nakaramdam ako ng pagkahilo, damn! Mapapaaga yata ang uwi ko neto ah.
“Janeeee! Woooohh! Come here” sigaw ni Diane
“Girl, ang tagal ah.” Sabi ni Rose.
“Yeah, busy day” pagsisinungaling ko.
“Happy Birthday Kayla” bati ko sa celebrant sabay beso sa kaniya.
“Oh thank you Jane! Okay, grab this and let’s cheers” masayang sabi nito. Halatang medyo lasing na.
“CHEERS!” Sabay-sabay naming sabi.
They were talking about everything like jobs, travel plans, clothes, boys like literally everything. I just sighed and drink another shot.
“So Jane, what are you up to these days?” nakangiting tanong ni Kayla.
“Girl, that is a sensitive topic for her. You know naman she is on her own now. Right, Janey?” Comment ni Rose.
“No, everything is fine actually” sabi ko at ngumiti sa kanila.
“Oh-kaay, Kayla tell us about Dan” pag chi-change topic ni Diane.
I look at her and mumbled “thank you” and gave her a smile. She smiled and nod at me. Diane is a good friend, well lahat naman sila. Medyo maypagka chismosa nga lang tong si Rose. I excuse myself, told them that I will go to the ladies room, tumayo na ako agad bago pa man sila makapagsalita.
“Hey, you okay?” Diane said, sumunod pala ito sa akin.
“I am fine Di, don’t worry” sabi ko sa kaniya.
“You sure? You know that I am here for you right?” Pag-aalala nito.
“Of course, I know that” sabi ko and she hugs me.
“Okay, babalik na ako ulit sa mga girls” sabi nito. Tumango lang ako.
Di ako pumunta sa ladies room instead, dumiretso ako sa counter and order a glass of margarita. Maybe tonight is a mistake, I should have stayed at home and think of the possible solutions of my problems.
“Hey miss tequila” the familiar husky voice
“Oh” sabi ko habang lumingon dito at binalik agad ang aking paningin sa aking inumin.
“Switch to margarita now, eh” comment nito
“Yup” sagot ko
“Oh, sorry to bother you” sabi nito. Na sense niya siguro na gusto kong mapag-isa.
I sighed “It’s okay, I just… I was just thinking about something” sabi ko sabay tingin dito.
Hmm, ang pogi ni sir ah. Italian-American beauty, kinda looks like Justine Baldoni. Dark hair, thick brows, ohh and those brown eyes and his lips.
“Ehem, miss?” Sabi nito sabay hawak sa balikat ko.
“Oh. Oh, I’m sorry. Wha-what is it, again?” Tanong ko sa kaniya. Damn, na distract ako doon ah.
“I said, my name is Arvin. And you are?” He asked.
“Jane” sabi ko….