Drunk

LOUD crashing of waves, hums of sea birds and the cold sea breeze.

Where am I?

Kira looked around realizing that she was inside a car that was running in a cliff. Down the cliff was the sea. Kira was amazed on how beautiful the sea was.

She looked at the man beside her, but Kira can't recognize his face but she can hear his voice.

"Look how beautiful the sea is." Wika nito.

Kahit anong pokus ni Kira sa mukha nito ay hindi niya pa rin malaman kung sino ito at kung nasaan siya.

Kira can't even talk, and all she can do was to look around the whole place.

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang makitang mayroong humaharurot na van papunta sa dadaanan nila.

She how the man beside her panicked and he held her hand as he kept on trying to dodge the van, but sadly, the car that she was in suddenly got pushed by the van on the cliff.

The car fell and a tear fell on her eyes, she looked at the man beside him and she saw how he struggled just to keep her safe.

Before he could even hug her, the car fell on the sea. Now that the car was in deep sea, Kira struggled to remove her seatbelt which she finally removed.

She went out of the car but Kira got held back because of her dress that was stuck on the door of the car. She saw how the man swam away from her, she kept on reaching for him but she can't.

Kira felt that she was suffocating and her eyes are starting to get blurry.

Kira opened her eyes and then there she realized that it was just a dream. A silly dream.

She found herself sleeping with the same clothes she wore last night. She's already inside her apartment.

Kira held her head and she realized that she really cried. Her eyes were swollen red.

She went to her bathroom and she quickly took a short shower. Hindi matanggal sa isip ni Kira ang panaginip na iyon. It felt real.

Lumabas si Kira nang banyo habang suot ang roba niya, tinignan niya ang sarili niya at kitang-kita pa rin na namamaga ang mata niya dahil sa pag-iyak.

She looked at her refrigerator to check if there is something she can cook for breakfast, but sadly, there are none.

Since, she already got her monthly pay, it is better for her to do groceries for herself.

Kaagad na nagbihis si Kira at tanging simpleng tshirt at shorts ang suot niya. Kinuha niya ang salamin niya na ginagamit niya para sa pageedit na mayroong anti-radiation at sinuot niya rin ang baseball cap niya para hindi makita ang pamamaga ng mga mata niya.

Kira heard her phone rang and she saw a message from her boss.

'Another photoshoot will be held in Marceau hotel, and we'll start the shoot by 6 in the evening.'

Marceau hotel? Ganoon ba kayaman ang magkapatid na bukod pa sa pagkakaroon ng kani-kanilang trabaho, mayroon pa silang ibang business?

Lumabas si Kira sa apartment niya at iyon ang pagtataka niya nang makitang walang nakasabit sa doorknob niya na paper bag na naglalaman ng pagkain.

Speaking of food, she haven't been able to eat her breakfast, she should stop by at a restaurant that she can afford.

On her way to the mall, she stopped by at the front of a cafe named "Blue". The place is quite catchy and attractive at the same time.

Mayroong chalkboard menu sa labas at doon na nakapag-decide si Kira na mag-almusal.

Pumasok siya sa loob ng cafe at sinalubong siya ng magandang tugtog at ang amoy ng bagong lutong pastries.

Humanap siya ng bakanteng upuan na puwedeng puwestuhan, ngunit natigilan siya nang makita niya si Iris at kausap nito si Chaun.

She wanted to leave the place at all cost because she doesn't want to face Chaun yet, lalo na't sariwa pa ang nangyari kagabi.

Huli na ang lahat nang magtama ang tingin nilang dalawa ni Iris. Kaagad naman siyang binigyan ng matamis na ngiti ng dalaga at nagtaas ng kamay.

"Kira! It's nice to see you here!"

Kira akwardly smiled and she raised her hand and she gave them a wave. "Hi! It's nice to see both of you here." She wanted to sound someone like she's approachable but, she completely failed.

Tumayo si Iris at nakaramdam ng pagka-hiya si Kira nang ipagkumpara niya ang suot niya sa suot nito.

Kira looks like she's someone who's just visiting the restroom. Iris was wearing a heel shoes, while she's just wearing flip flops. Iris was wearing a dress, while she's wearing a plain shirt and a short.

Hinawakan ni Iris ang parehong kamay niya at nakipag-beso pa, "Kira, are you dining here? Sumabay ka na sa amin ni Chaun."

Umiling si Kira at napahawak sa braso niya at napayuko, "No, it's fine. Nakakahiya, baka may pinag-uusapan kayong importante. I don't want to trouble both of you."

Umiling si Iris at hinila siya papunta sa lamesa nila, "Ano ka ba, Kira. The more, the merrier!" Iris happily exclaimed. She raised her hand to call the server.

Kaagad silang nagkatinginan ni Chaun na kaagad niya rin na iniwasan. She's still shy on what just happened last night and probably he asked his friend, Aivan, what happened.

And for the looks of it, Aivan's cheek might be swollen from her slap. She got carried away from what happened and she just lost her mind in spur of anger.

Was it really anger?

Kira chuckled and kept on waving her hand to gesture that she's declining. "I'm really sorry, Iris. I can't. I have some errands to do. Thank you, but no thank you." Nakangiting paliwanag ni Kira, "I'll be off. See you!"

Kaagad na nagpaalam si Kira at lumabas ng cafe. Napahawak si Kira sa tyan niya na kumukulo na dahil sa gutom.

Maybe she can just eat on her way back after doing groceries.

KIRA entered the grocery store with her cap removed. May kaguluhan ang buhok niya dahil hindi siya nakakuha ng tyansa na ayusin ang buhok niya pagkatapos niyang maglakad papunta sa mall. May kalakasan ang hangin kanina at ayon sa weather forecast, maaring may malakas na pagbuhos ng ulan mamaya at mas mainam na maghanda siya sa paparating na bagyo.

Kumuha si Kira ng cart para doon ilagay lahat ng kailangan niya. She only has two thousand to spend for her groceries and needs, then she needs to save the rest of her money.

She started filling her cart section by section, Kira decided to take the meat for last so she can preserve its coldness.

Bago pa pumunta sa meat section si Kira, napag-desisyonan niyang dumaan muna sa section ng mga gamot para kunin ang gamot na kakailanganin niya.

Natigilan si Kira sa pagtutulak ng cart nang nakita niya ang taong ayaw niya munang makita.

Can she consider this as a coincidence?

Aivan looks worn out and he's like he's in a bad hangover. Why is he buying medicine in a mall's grocery not on just any normal pharmacy out there?

Kira wore her cap and made her way to get the medicines she'll be needing without him noticing her. She did her part on hiding and he's not even noticing her at all. Which was great.

Nilagay lahat ni Kira sa cart niya ang kinuha niya at kaagad na nilagpasan si Aivan habang tulak-tulak ang cart niya papuntang meat section.

Bumuga ng malalim na hininga si Kira dahil parang halos isang oras siyang nagpigil ng paghinga dahil sa tensyon na nararamdaman niya habang siya'y nandoon.

Mabilisan lang ang ginawa ni Kira sa pagkuha ng mga kailangan niya at kaagad din siyang nagtungo sa cashier para mabayaran lahat ng gastos niya.

Dalawang malaking paper bag lang ang inabot niya at mukhang kaya niya namang dalhin ang mga ito pabalik sa lugar niya.

Panandaliang nilagay muna ni Kira ang pinamili sa isang mini cart. Kailangan niya pa kasing bumili ng makakain dahil sumasakit na ang sikmura niya sa gutom.

Bumili lang si Kira ng dalawang asado siopao at dalawang order ng siomai na kakainin niya nalang bago pumasok sa trabaho.

Nilagay niya iyon sa mini cart niya at nabigla nang makita niyang nasa harap niya na ang taong iniiwasan niya.

Nakita ni Kira ang namamagang pisnge nito at bakas ang pagod sa mga mata nito.

Hindi na nagsalita pa si Kira at nagdirediretso nalang paalis sa puwesto ng binata.

She kept on hearing him calling her name but she just don't want to talk to him right now. She's confused with everything she's facing right now.

Iniisip niya kung gaano ba talaga sila magkapareho ng babaeng nagngangalang 'Krisza' para pagkamalan siya ng pagkalaki-laki ni Aivan.

Imposibleng magkamukha silang dalawa ng babae na iyon dahil malabong mangyari iyon.

She's an only child. Ang maari lang namang maging sagot kung bakit mayroon siya kamukha ay maaring mayroon lamang siyang kakambal, pero lumaki siyang nag-iisang anak na babae ng pamilya Chua.

Kira got out from the mall and she was about to hail a cab when someone suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her to face him.

Binawi ni Kira ang kamay niya at bahagyang umatras. "Oh, Doc, ikaw pala!" She greeted in a manner of acting.

"Can we talk?"

Umiling si Kira at napatingin sa taxi na nasa harap niya, "I'm sorry, Doc. I can't. I don't have an appointment with you today? Right?" Aniya, "I have to go to work. Bye!" Binuhat ni Kira ang dalawang paper bag at pinasok sa taxi.

Sinara ni Kira ang pintuan ng kotse at hindi pinagbigyang pansin ang pagkatok ni Aivan sa bintana ng taxi.

INABUTAN si Kira ng malakas na ulan papunta sa Marceau Hotel.

Pinagpag niya ang suot niya at inayos ang payong niya. Sobrang lakas ng ulan at halos magmukha na siyang basang-sisiw.

Nakita niya ang mga katrabaho niya na nakaupo sa lounge, kaagad siyang lumapit sa mga katrabaho niya at nagpakita ng ngiti.

"The shoot's not starting yet?" Kira asked.

"Tapos na ang pag-s-set up para sa shoot, pero wala pa ang model natin. Mukhang ma-de-delay yata ng dating." Sagot ng katrabaho niya.

Inayos ni Kira ang salamin niya, patagong napangiti si Kira dahil ito ang kauna-unahang nakausap niya ang katrabaho noya bukod pa kay Chaun.

"Sit here with us, Kira." Tawag sa kanya ng isa sa production team.

Tumango si Kira at umupo sa tabi nito. She's feeling a bit akward but atleast she's improving.

"I heard that you were from Italy?"

Tumango si Kira, "Yes, my foster parents were from Italy. Doon ako lumaki." Sagot ni Kira sa katrabaho niya.

"Ampon ka?"

Nabigla si Kira sa tanong nv katrabaho niyang isa. It was too bood of him to ask.

Dahan-dahang tumango si Kira at nakita pa ni Kira kung paano hampasin ng katrabaho niyang isa ang nagtanong.

"Can we hear you speak italian then?" Her other colleague requested.

Kira cleared her throat, "Uhm," Kira paused for a second, "Ho dei colleghi così amichevoli."

Nagpalakpakan ang mga katrabaho niya na para bang bata. Ngayon lang ba sila nakakita ng tao na galing ibang bansa?

Nabigla sila nang dumating si Chaun at may hawak-hawak na maliit na box. "Cancelled ang shoot dahil masama ang panahon." Anunsiyo nito, "I'll give your hotel keys as per Sir Aiden's command. We'll stay here for the night because of the heavy rain. You are free to visit the bar of this hotel."

Naghiyawan ang mga katrabaho ni Kira sa tuwa nang marinig ang anunsiyo ni Chaun.

Hindi makatingin ng tuwid si Kira dito dahil nahihiya siya. Mas mainam siguro na magpahinga nalang siya sa hotel room niya.

"Kira," Pagtawag sa kanya ni Chaun. Huli na nang mapansin niya na siya nalang ang hindi kumukuha ng susi para sa kuwarto niya.

Tumayo si Kira at kinuha ang susi ng hotel room niya. "Thank you —"

Hindi natuloy ni Kira ang sasabihin niya nang hilain siya ng katrabaho niya. "Come with us, Kira! Let's visit the bar."

Umiling si Kira, "I'm sorry, I have low tolerance on alcohol. Pass muna ako!" Kira declined their invitation.

"C'mon, Kira! Ngayon ka lang namin makakasama sa ganito. Will you not allow us?"

Nagdadalawang isip si Kira kung sasama ba siya o hindi, pero tyansa niya na 'to.para makuha ang loob ng mga katrabaho niya at mas lalo pa siyang mapalapit sa mga ito.

Kira sighed, "Fine. I'll go." Pag-sang ayon ni Kira at tinaas ang bag, "Iiwan ko lang ang gamit ko sa kuwarto." Paalam niya.

"Basta pupunta ka ha?"

Tumango si Kira at kaagad na nagtungo sa elevator para pumunta sa floor ng hotel room niya.

Kira can't help but to get amazed by the hotel's structure. Maganda ang pagkaka-disenyo nito at talagang nakakuha ng atensyon.

Hinanap ni Kira ang hotel room number niya na number 309. Nang makita niya na ay napangiti siya at kaagad na ginamit ang susi ng kuwarto niya.

As expected, the room was quite expensive. That's what you get for working with a rich boss. Spending money just like how we breath.

Nilapag ni Kira ang gamit niya at mayroong nakitang paper bag sa kama. Kinuha niya ang sticky note na nakadikit dito at nagulat siya nang malaman niya na para sa kanya talaga iyon.

'Change your clothes or get sick from those wet clothes.'

Hindi alam ni Kira kung kanino iyon nanggaling at napatingin pa siya sa paligid niya dahil paano naman nito nalaman na dito ang kuwarto niya at pa'no nito nalaman na nabasa siya sa ulan.

Bahala na, mas mabuting magpalit nalang siya ng damit dahil siya rin naman ang mahihirapan kapag nagkasakit siya. Bawas din iyon sa sahod niya.

Kira took a shower and she got excited using the necessities inside the bathroom. She missed using those.

Kira felt relaxed after taking a bath and she immediately went on her bed room to get the new pair of clothes the 'person' got her.

Sinuot niya ang skinny jeans na itim at blouse na may pagka-hapit sa kanya. Sinuot niya ulit ang sneakers na gamit niya kanina at mabilisang pinatuyo ang buhok niya.

Napagulantang siya nang may nag-notify sa cellphone niya. Kinuha niya iyon at nabigla nang in-add siya sa isang group chat. Panay ang tag ng mga ka-trabaho niya sa kanya at puro ang message doon ay kung nasaan na siya at hinihintay na siya ng mga ito.

Napabuntong hininga si Kira at walang nagawa kung 'di pumunta sa bar na sinasabi ng mga katrabaho niya.

Kinuha ni Kira ang wallet niya at doon nilagay ang susi ng hotel room niya, nilagay niya na rin ang cellphone niya at labag sa loob na lumabas para puntahan ang nga katrabaho niya.

SINALUBONG si Kira ng tugtog na masarap pakinggan. This is not the bar she expected, but this is actually a kind of a formal bar.

"Kira!"

Napatingin siya sa likod at nakita niya ang nakataas na kamay ng katrabaho niya. She did not expect that they can approach her like that.

Kinawayan ni Kira ang nga katrabaho niya at nagbigay ng ngiti. Kaagad siyang naglakad papunta doon at natigilan nang makita na nandoon din si Chaun.

"Halika dito, Kira! Sit beside me and Chaun!" Pagtawag sa kanya ng katrabaho niya at kaagad naman siyang tumango at sinundan ang sinabi nito.

Tahimik na umupo si Kira at nginitian ang nga katrabaho. Nilapag niya ang wallet niya sa lamesa at tinignan ang mga kasama. There were atleast ten of them out of twenty.

"Where are the others?" Kira asked.

"Ayaw nilang sumama. Mga killjoy!" Sagot sa kanya ng isa niyang katrabaho.

Pumalakpak ang isa niyang katrabaho at tumayo, "Since nandito na si Kira, let us now officially introduce ourselves!" Anunsiyo nito.

HALOS mag-iisang oras na silang nagkukuwentuhan do'n at halos ang iba ay napaparami na rin ng inom.

Mula nang pumasok siya sa bar ay hindi pa siya umiinom ng kahit anong alak dahil natatakot siya na baka 'pag nalasing siya ay may masabi siyang pagsisihan niya.

"Teka! Si Kira hindi pa umiinom mula nang dumating siya!" Saad ni Josh. Kinuha nito ang isang shot glass at nilagyan ng inumin, "Here drink this, Kira!" Alok nito.

Umiling si Kira, "Sorry, I can't. I have low tolerance when it comes to alcohol." Pagtanggi niya.

"Hindi pwede ang killjoy dito, Kira! C'mon!"

Napatingin sa paligid si Kira at wala nang nagawa kung 'di kunin ang shot glass na inaalok sa kanya at ininom ito. Gumuhit ang pait at init sa lalamunan ni Kira. That was quite strong!

She started with one shot, but ended up drinking countless times! Kira can feel her body burning and she getting a bit dizzy.

Kinuha niya ang shot glass at kumuha ng inumin. She was about to pour herself another glass when Chaun stopped her from doing it.

"Tama na 'yan, Kira. You've had enough." Pigil sa kanya ni Chaun at kinuha ang shot glass at kusang ininom ito.

"Hey! Akin 'yan!" Nakapikit na sigaw ni Kira at napasandal sa kinauupuan. "Kumuha ka ng sa'yo, C-Chaun!" Kira kept on babbling words and she kept on getting hiccups.

She's just tipsy! She's not drunk and she wants go drink more!

Inagaw ni Kira ang shot glass kay Chaun at kumuha pa muli ng inumin. She poured herself another drink and she was about to drink it when Chaun stole her shot glass and drank the liquor himself.

Binigyan niya ng masamang tingin si Chaun at kahit na nanlalabo na ang pajingin niya ay hindi pa rin siya napigilan sa pagsermon dito.

"Akin 'yan e!" Umakto pa siya na para bang naiiyak at napasandal sa balikat ni Chaun.

She kept on getting hiccups and it made her look like a frog croaking to death.

"Why did you suddenly leave the event yesterday?" Chaun asked out of the blue.

Kira stood up and laughed, "Syempre! Who wouldn't run away when a stranger kissed you! He even mistook me from someone I am not! I don't like people begging in front of me! Especially, when he mistook me for a woman I am not!" Kira honestly answered and leaned once again to Chaun.

"He kissed you?"

Kira nodded. "He kissed me because he thought I was that woman named Krisza!"

Chaun sighed. "Then are you really not her?" Chaun asked.

Napapadyak si Kira sa inis at dinuro si Chaun habang nakasandal pa siya. "No, I am not her! I am not Krisza, okay? I'm Kira! K-I-R-A! Kira Chua!" Inis na tanggi niya at hinampas niya si Chaun sa braso, "Why are you guys always ask me that? I'm irritated!"

Kira kept on having her hiccups and she kept on closing her eyes due to dizziness.

"Bakit mo 'ko iniiwasan?" Chaun asked her again.

Kira sighed and her eyes were remained shut, "Nahihiya ako. After all, I slapped your childhood friend and maybe there's a chance you would misunderstand me."

Tumunog ang cellphone ni Chaun at nalamang mayroong tumatawag sa kanya, "I'll just take this call. Stay here, okay?"

Naiwang mag-isa si Kira sa lamesa at napakamot siya nang malaman niyang nasusuka siya.

Tumayo si Kira at nahihilong nagpunta sa banyo na malapit lang sa lamesa niya. She vomited like there's no tomorrow. She's really dizzy and she wants to sleep.

Lumabas siya ng banyo na nakapikit at pasuraysuray na naglakad. Nabigla siya nang may pumigil sa kanya.

Hinila ni Kira ang braso niya, "Who are you? Let me go!" Piglas ni Kira.

"You're already drunk, miss. Would you like me to accompany you to your room?"

Nilingon ni Kira ang nagsasalita at doon niya idinilat ang nga mata niya. She saw an unfamiliar man holding a glass of whiskey.

"Who are you?" Matapang na wika ni Kira habang panay ang pag-sinok. "Kilala ba kita?"

"You don't know me? Tao ka pa ba?"

Ngumisi siya at dinuro ito, "Hey, stupido---" Kira called him out, "Will I ask who are you if I know you? Tss." Inis na usal ni Kira at tinalikuran niya ito.

Kira stopped walking when she found herself getting really dizzy and she just wanted to sleep like a log. Kira got unconscious lut of the blue and she was waiting for her bidy to get dropped in the cold floor, but before she could even fully lose her senses — someone carried her away.