55: Punishing some Drunkard

SAM'S POV

"Ms. Gwapa! Nasan na pala yong kasama mong gwapo kanina? Ba't hindi mo sinama?"

I groaned when Mang kolas had suddenly asked that from across the table, reminding me with that bastard na kanina pa hindi ko mahagilap kung nasaan ito.

Hindi ko talaga alam kung anong ikinapuputok ng butsi nito. Even Mang doming and aling Loring hadn't seen him since he'd walked out from our talk this afternoon.

At dahil sa inis ko, mas minabuti ko na lamang na sumama kay Bryan na makipagkita sa kina mang kolas gaya ng napag-usapan kanina. The same men this afternoon were here pati mga asawa nito para makipagsiyahan at inuman.

Their meeting place was just a few minutes walk away mula sa mga bahay rito. It was an open cottage that was located at the center of a wide opening. Wala nga talagang kuryente sa lugar na'to. But good thing the moon had slowly appeared in the sky Kaya naman kahit na wala kang flashlight, you'll be able to walk all around this place without losing your way.

"Hindi ko alam, Mang kolas. Hindi ko nga mahagilap ang taong 'yon simula pa kanina." I grumbled and quickly took a gulp of my drink from my glass.

"Aba'y baka napano na ang taong 'yon!"

"Wag mo ng alalahanin ang gagong 'yon, Mang Kolas. Matanda na'yon." Inis ko ng sagot rito when he said that with somewhat worried voice.

Huh! As if hahanapin ko ang gagong 'yon! He said I should stay away from him so why not just give him that then? With pleasure! Alam kong babalik din naman yon kina mang doming mamaya once he's done with his drama.

Lahat ng sinabi ko kanina was just a joke and just to annoy him but as slow witted as he was, nagwalk out na agad ito without even hearing me out! That shit!

With that thought, inubos ko na agad ang laman ng baso ko and then refill it with another glass of lambanog. Di ko lang talaga maiwasang mainis everytime I thought about him.

He had no idea na kahit na pang-aasar lang yon kanina, di ko rin naman maiwasang mapaisip sa bagay na'yon. Me having a relationship with a man, a normal relationship like what most people normally have.

But then again, I never have a normal life simula nung mawala ang mga magulang ko so I don't think I would ever get to experience all that.

At that thought, hindi ko maiwasang malungkot and just heaved out a deep sigh.

"Kanina pa panay ang buntong hininga mo dyan. May problema ba?"

I turned to Bryan beside me when he suddenly whispered that question in my ear.

Sa tulong ng ilang lamparang nakakabit sa cottage na kinarororoonan namin ngayon at sa liwanag ng buwan, I could clearly see through the worried look on his face that was just too close to me now. So close that allows me to study the details of his face closely.

Dark thick brows, straight long nose which I think nakuha niya mula kay mang Doming and a small full lips like a woman that he had undoubtedly inherited from Aling Loring. Para itong prince charming sa bawat fairytale stories. A kind that would come and rescue a damsel in distress in a story.

But then again, I am not some damsel in distress na gugustuhing magkaroon ng isang prince charming to rescue me in a war. I'd rather have someone na sasamahan ako sa gitna ng giyera and would fight with me no matter what.

"Wala, Bryan. May iniisip lang ako." sagot ko rito before I gulped down all the content from my glass, suddenly feeling thirsty.

Nagkakasayahan na ang lahat ng nandoon, laughing all out with glasses in their hands. Pero kahit na ga'no pa kasiya ang mga ito, my mind was just wandering to that bastard para sumali pa sa usapan ng mga ito.

"You're thinking about him. Walang duda."

That made me grit my teeth when I heard his name again.  Goodness! Why do they have to remind me with his name again and again? Wala naman akong pakialam dun at mas lalong hindi ko naman iniisip 'yon ngayon.

"I am not, Bryan."

"No. I know you do. Nag-aalala ka sa kanya."

I groaned in disapproval when he insisted that.

Seriously?

Hindi ko na lamang ito sinagot and just shook my head then took a bottle of lambanog nang maubos na naman ang laman ng baso ko. Marami pa naman nito sa mesa kaya tiyak na hindi nila mauubos ang lahat ng 'yon.

"Wooh! Ano yan, Ms. Gwapa? Sarap na sarap ka ba diyan sa lambanog namin?" Narinig kong puna sa'kin ni mang kaloy na nasa dulo ng nasa kabilang upuan kasama ang asawa nito.

I just grinned at him then held up the bottle for a toast before I gulped down some of its content, gulping it like a thirsty drunkard that I wasn't.

"Hinay hinay lang, Ms. Samantha. Baka malasing ka nyan."

Narinig ko pang saad ni bryan sa tabi ko when I stopped molesting the poor bottle. I wiped the side of my lips first before I answered him with a smirk.

"Lambanog lang to, Bryan. Hindi to nakakalasing."

I frowned at him when he suddenly chuckled.

"Goodness, Ms. Samantha. Ano bang tingin mo dyan sa inuming 'yan? Tubig na mabubusog ka lang after you'd drank a tank of that?" Then he paused and shook his head while grinning.

"Nakakalasing din yan 'pag sobra..."

"Nakakalasing? Huh! Kelan pa nakakalasing ang matamis na tubig na'to? Baka nakakalimutan mo, Bryan, hindi to whiskey para malasing ako. So just leave me be okay? Wala sa'min 'to so just be silent, I'm enjoying my drink here." Naiiling na sagot ko rito before I took a gulp of my drink again.

I just heard him let out a soft chuckle beside me at hindi na nagsalita pa. From the corner of my eyes I saw him took a gulp with his drink as well.

Good. Because I don't want anyone kept mentioning that bastard again dahil sa tuwing naiisip ko ang taong  'yon, di ko mapigiling mainis.

"....You kept on stupidly smiling at Bryan and giving him that funny look in your eyes, hanging on to every words he'd fucking say while you kept nodding your head like a dumb bulldog!..."

When I remembered those insults again, I couldn't stop myself but cursed out while tightly gripping the bottle in my hand, not minding the noisy laughter around me.

Bulldog. Bulldog talaga! Of all animal na pwede nyang ikompara sa'kin, he had really chosen a bloody bulldog! That shit! How could a bulldog flirt with a man like Bryan? Mukha ba talaga akong bulldog na nakikipaglandian kanina? Wala naman akong ibang ginawa kanina kundi makipagsiyahan lang sa mga taong narito ngayon----well, maybe, natakam nga'ko ng konti just seeing a half naked man pero hindi naman ibig sabihin nun na malandi na'ko!

Bakit? porke't natakam ka lang sa isang putahi, malandi ka na agad? Hindi ba pwedeng gutom ka lang huh?!

I just kept groaning in annoyance sa tuwing naiisip ko yon while I kept gulping down  my drink until I lose track of how many bottles I had.

Ang tanging napansin ko lang was that my vision was starting to get blurry now as my face and ears began to heat up and the worst of all, the world was starting to spin around me.

I blinked my eyes a few times to clear up my foggy eyes pero kahit na anong gawin ko, parang wala paring nagbabago.

Oh shiiiyyt. Mabubulag na ba'ko?

In alarm, I looked around me and found everyone just keep laughing habang pulang-pula na ang mga mukha nito as they kept talking now in a weird way. Na para bang sumasayad na ang mga pagsasalita ng mga ito while holding a bottle in their hands.

Oh-oh. Parang hindi pa naman ako nabubulag because I can still clearly see what was really happening here.

Nagdadrug session ang mga 'to...Walang duda!

My goodness! Lambanog lang naman meron kami rito but why does these people acting like some drug addict now?

I gazed down at the table and then I frowned when I found three empty bottles sa mismong harapan ko.

I wonder kung sinong lasinggo ang umubos nitong lahat. Sa laki ba naman ng mga boteng 'to, nagawa nya talagang ubusin lahat to without even sharing some for me!

Balak pa yata akong ubusan!

"Mang Kolas, muuli na siguro ko kay gabii na kaayo." ("Mang kolas, uuwi na siguro ako, lumalalim na kasi ang gabi.")

I even heard Bryan had said that at Mang kolas with low voice. Di ko alam Kung anong sinasabi nito so I just shrugged at that and mind my drink instead.

"Ms. Samantha, ikaw? Hindi ka pa ba uuwi sa'min? Baka gusto mong sumabay na sa'kin ngayon?"

I let out an exhausted sigh saka tumingin rito before I lazily smiled at him na nakatayo na sa harapan ko. Hindi ko na halos maaninag ang mukha nito but I know he was frowning, probably seeing my state.

"No. Mauna ka nalang, Bryan. Minsan lang akong magsaya kaya totodohin ko na'---" I paused when a sudden burp escaped from me. Goodness! Ang busog ko na yata.

"Sumabay ka na lang sa'kin ngayon, Ms. Samantha. Lasing na lasing kana."

Another burp came out from me before I grinned up at him.

"Hindi ako lasing, Bryan. Baka ikaw 'yong lasing!" And then with that, I laughed out loud while shaking my head. An action that made me grimaced when a headache triggered as I felt nauseous.

"Lasing kana nga. Mabuti pang sumabay kana sa'kin---"

"No!" I declined sabay tayo sa inuupuan ko para pigilan sana ito when he was about to pick me up but unfortunately, parang mas lalo lang yatang umalog yong mundo ko.

Oh shiiyt.. puputok na yata ang bulkang tinatayuan ko ngayon kasi panay ang lindol dito...tssshh

Tinampal ko agad ang kamay nito when he was about to hold me.

"No, Bryan. Hindi ako lashing at kahit kailan hindi pa'ko nalalashing." I firmly said, stopping him to even touch me.

"Mauna ka nalang, shushunod na lang ako.. gow. Gow now!" Saad ko as I shooed him away, ignoring his protests groan habang tinutulak ko ito paalis.

Tsk! Akala nya siguro malalasing ako dito. Huh! Never!

After a few seconds of just shoving him, umalis narin agad ito but not without giving me a disapproval groan. Probably with me kept shoving him to leave.

Nang makaalis na ito, I picked up my half empty bottle from the table sabay upo uli sa upuan ko.

Kahit na parang naduduling na'ko ngayon, alam kong lumalalim na ang gabi at kailangan ko ng tapusin ang laman ng boteng hawak ko ngayon.

Squeezing my eyes out, I opened it then glanced down at my wristwatch habang pilit na pinapalaki ang mga mata ko just to see the time.

Pero nang hindi ko parin maaninag 'yon, napapamura na lamang ako and just took another gulp of my drink.

"Ms. Gwapa. Ano? Mauna na muna kaming umuwi sa'yo? May trabaho pa ako bukas kaya kailangan ko ng magpahinga ng maaga."

I looked up at Mang Kaloy na nakatayo na sa kabilang upuan with her wife beside her who were smiling at me.

I just smiled and nodded at them as an answer. Agad namang tumango ang mga ito saka nagpaalam narin sa iba pang mga kasama nito. Mga ilang sandali lang after Mang kaloy took his leave, sumunod namang nagsipaalam sa'kin sina mang Kolas at mang Oning kasama ang mga asawa nito at babaeng anak.

Seeing them leave and be left with these men na hindi ko na masyadong kilala, tumayo narin ako sa kinauupuan ko and bid them a  goodnight  before I took my leave from there kahit na medyo masakit ang ulo ko.

Mukhang buang na nga ang mga 'to with their heads couldn't even nod properly at me habang pawang na nakasandal na lamang sa likuran ng mga upuan nito.

Tsk, tsk, tsk... I wonder kung anong ininom ng mga 'to, hindi naman 'yon whiskey para malasing ang mga 'to.

Hmm.. mahihinang tao.

Shaking my head, nagpatuloy na'kong naglakad pabalik sa tingin ko daan patungo sa kung saan may gago.

Good thing I have a moon up above me kaya naman 'di ko na kailangan ng flashlight just to find my way there.

Every steps I take, parang mas lalo lang lumalala ang sakit ng ulo ko. I felt like it would explode anytime if I continued this walk.  Alam kong malapit lang dito ang bahay nina mang Doming pero hindi ko lang alam kung bakit parang ang layo-layo nito with my steps kept faltering. Na para bang liko-liko ang daan rito.

When a cold wind blew against me, I don't know kung bakit hindi man lang ako gininaw. Manhid na ba'ko? O masyadong 'hot' lang talaga ako kaya di man lang ako giniginaw?

With that thought, agad ko ng kinurot ang braso ko and deyyym! I can't even feel any pain kahit na ano pang kurot ang gawin ko.

And wait. Ba't parang bigla yatang naging slim 'tong braso ko? Don't tell me---- I gasped out when I thought about the possibility na pumayat na'ko.

Ow--me--geeeed! With that thought, dali-dali ko ng kinapa ang mukha ko and then myself, to confirm my suspicion.

"Pumayat na ba'ko?" I stupidly asked that to myself sabay kurot uli sa sarili ko saka inunat-unat ang bibig ko and confirm! I am indeed----

"Hindi ka pumayat, Ms. Javier kundi lasing na lasing ka lang."

I frowned when I heard that familiar voice sa unahan ko. I squinted my eyes out nang di ko halos maaninag ang mukha nito.

Maliwanag naman ang buwan, sumasayaw nga lang, pero di ko lang alam kung anong problema ng mga mata ko.  Naduduling lang ba ako o mabubulag na talaga?

I heard him groaned saka napansin ko ng palapit na ito sa'kin.

"Mr. Del Fuero? Is da yow?" Tanong ko sa kanya nang medyo malapit na ito sa'kin.

"Ano na naman bang nakain mo para maglasing ka ng ganito? Alam mong uuwi na tayo bukas but here you are, drowning yourself in alcohol."

My eyes just automatically rolled upward when he was at it again with his famous lecture.

"Hindi ako lashing.... Hindi ako nalalashing so hindi ako lashing. Kung lashing man ako, lashing lang ako dahil sa mga pangalang tinatawag mo sa'kin kanina. I was what? A bulldog? Malanding bulldog? Seriouzly? Mukha ba'kong bulldog sa'yo, Mr. Del Fuero? Ganun na ba talaga ako kapangit para maging aso sa paningin mo?" Inis na sagot ko rito, pointing him with my finger while trying so hard to see him clearly at tumayo ng tuwid.

I noticed him shook his head and clucked his tongue saka lumapit sa'kin, leaving just a few feet gap between us.

"Hindi ka malanding bulldog, Ms. Javier kundi lasinggerang bulldog. And I wasn't saying you're ugly."

I groaned and pouted at him when he answered that with sarcasm.

"Gustung-gusto mo talagang inaasar ako ano? Eh kung suntukan nalang kaya tayo rito huh??!" Asar na hamon ko sa kanya while motioning him to attack me for a one-on-one fight.

"Come on! Suntukan nalang tayo nang matapos agad 'to!" I challenged him. Taking a stance for a fight habang pilit na tumayo ng matuwid with my legs kept wobbling. Bloody legs!

I glared up and pouted more at him when he just shook his head again at hindi man lang sumugod sa'kin.

"Just reserved that for next time, woman. Hindi ako pumarito para makipagbasagan ng ulo sa isang lasing na babae. I am here to talk to you about something important."

"Huh! Akala ko ba, gusto mong layuan kita? Eh bakit ngayon, lumalapit-lapit ka naman sa'kin huh? Ano ito? Ako lang ang hindi pwedeng lumapit sa'yo pero ikaw, pwede kahit na kailan mo gusto? Tsk, tsk, tsk... Tingin ko, malala na yang topak mo sa pwet!"

When I uttered that, I heard him let out a loud sigh while shaking his head. Probably annoyed with me hitting up some nerve.  Talaga namang may topak ito sa pwet.. matagal na!

"Pwede ba, Ms. Javier. Ayus-ayusin mo 'yang pagsasalita mo!"

"Whuut? Whuut? Anong problema sa pagsasalita ko huh? Eh sa talagang pumayat na ang mukha ko kaya ganito ako magsalita!"

I heard him let out a loud sigh again but this time, it was even more louder.

"Pwede ba makinig ka muna sa'kin? We have to talk about our case so listen carefully."

"Anong tungkol sa kaso? Have you already talked to Mang Doming? Anong sabi niya?" Usisa ko agad rito while trying to keep my eyes wide open and pulling my full senses back with difficulties.

"Yes. We've talked this afternoon but not everything, Ms. Javier."

"What? Ano namang sinabi niya?"

Hindi ito agad umimik and just stayed rooted on his feet habang nanatili lang na nakatingin sa'kin, probably watching me slowly die in curiosities.

I scowled at him and was about to lash at him but I was stopped.

"Stop this case, Ms. Javier."

Just hearing that, I felt like my sleepiness suddenly jump out of the window kasama ang utak ng gagong 'to.

"And what are you spouting now, Mr. Del Fuero? Ganun ka na ba talaga ka desperadong mawala ako sa paningin mo kaya gusto mong ihinto ko na ang kasong 'to??" Galit na tanong ko rito habang kuyom ang mga kamay, just hating him saying that and the fact na gustung-gusto na nitong mawala ako just because I throw that joke at him this afternoon.

"Hindi yan ang ibig kong sabihin."

"No! Alam kong 'yan ang gusto mong mangyari that's why you want me out of this case!" I snapped at him in a hissed.

"Just because sinabi ko kanina na gusto ko si Bryan at nagagwapuhan ako sa kanya kahit na joke lang naman ang lahat ng 'yon!" Pagpapatuloy ko while starting to sniff.

Hindi ko lang talaga alam why I suddenly felt like ready to burst out in tears now.

"Pwede bang makinig ka muna sa'kin, Ms. Javier? Sabi ng hindi 'yan ang---"

"No! I won't listen to any of your excuses!" putol ko sa iba pa nitong sasabihin while covering my ears with my hand, not wanted to hear him talk.

"Hindi ko ihihinto ang kasong 'to and that's final! Aalis na'ko!" I shouted at him and then with that, I whirled around to head back to the cottage.

"You can't make me---" I gasped out in surprise nang bigla na lamang nyang hinila ang braso ko paharap sa kanya, dahilan para mas lalo pang maalog ang utak ko. Shiiyt.

"What the hell are you----"

"You can't leave here till you hear me out."

"Hear you out my foot! Ano pa bang kailangan kong marinig mula sa'yo? Gusto mo bang marinig ko mula sa'yo mismo that you want to be with your women kaysa makasama ako, ganun ba??"

"What nonsense are you spouting now?" Kunot noong tanong agad nito sa'kin when I spouted that.

Huh! As if hindi nito alam ang pinagsasabi ko!

I quickly pulled my arm from his grasp saka hinarap ito kahit hirap akong makatayo ng maayos, just wanted to let him know  kung ga'no ito kagago.

"Akala mo siguro hindi ko alam kung bakit gusto mo ng mawala ako ano? Akala mo siguro hindi ko napapansin yang kagaguhan mo! Alam kong mas gusto mong kasama lage ang malanding Gloria na'yon at yong barbieng kasama mo kagabi! Kaya naman gusto mong ihinto ko na ang kaso ko because you want me out of your life!"

"I am not-----"

"No!" putol ko agad sa kanya sabay nudnud ng daliri ko sa bibig nito. Shutting him up to utter any excuses which made him growled more.

"I know you are because you want me to disappear forever because I was just some annoying woman to you and because they are everything that I wasn't! And you prefer them because they were perfect!" Inis na sigaw ko rito while still trying so hard to stand straight, now ready to let out everything na gusto kong sabihin rito.

Hindi ko lang talaga alam kung bakit ang lakas ng loob ko ngayon para sabihin lahat ng hinanakit ko rito.

I know I'd regret all these tomorrow but the want to just let out everything was just so high right now. And I should give Lambanog the credit it deserve for this.

For a few seconds, hindi ito umimik and just stood there habang nakatitig lang sa'kin. But probably when he was able to find some words, nagsalita na agad ito.

"I think.. I believe--" 

He cleared out his throat before he continued.

"I believe you're too wasted now kaya nasasabi mo'yan, Ms. Javier. Kailangan na nating umalis ----"

"Sabi ng hindi ako lashing eh! Hindi ka ba nakikinig??" I yelled out at him while stomping my feet, wanted him to listen to me. Damn it!

"Don't shout, Ms. Javier!"

"I am not shouting at you!"

A growl instantly came out from him when I shouted that back. But I was too wasted now to even care about him being so irked with me.

At imbes na matakot ako rito, I just crossed my arms on my chest at saka taas noong hinarap ito.

"Gusto ko lang namang sabihin na hindi mo na'ko kailangan pang ipagtabuyan palayo sa'yo because after I solved this case, ako na mismo ang lalayo sa'yo... " I uttered with no nonsense.

"Hindi kita itinataboy, Ms. Javier...."

I just scowled at him when he quickly answered that with low voice.

"Basta! Wag mo'kong itaboy, Mr. Del Fuero dahil kapag natapos ko na ang kasong 'to....Ako na mismo ang lalayo sa'yo. That's the only reason why I'm here anyway so you don't have----" pagpapatuloy ko with a shrug.

"Because you're only living for that case, ganun ba, Ms. Javier?"

"Exactly!" I answered him in a snap while nodding my head.

"Kaya hindi mo na ko kailangan pang ipagtabuyan dahil pagkatapos ng kasong 'to, ako na mismo ang aalis at lalayo sa'yo. Hinding-hindi mo na'ko makikita kahit na kailan once I disappear without any trace---"

I gasped out in surprise when he suddenly grabbed my arm again and pulled me towards him, closing the few feet distance between us while growling at me.

In protests, I tried to pull out my arm fr his grasp but to my utter annoyance, mas lalo lang nitong hinigpitan ang kapit nito sa'kin na para bang wala itong balak na bitawan ako.

"Ano ba! Anong---"

"So this was all your plan.."

I groaned when he hissed that with a knowing sound in his voice.

"Bitawan mo'ko, Mr. Del---"

"So this was all your plan!"

I glared up at him when he'd suddenly shouted that with an eardeafening voice.

"Oo na! Tama ka! That's my plan after I solved this case! After I found that man who had killed my parents and ruined my life! I'd disappear and you'll never ever see an annoying woman like me!"

"And when you find that man..... Are you just going to leave na para bang wala kang maiiwan pag-alis mo?"

I scoffed and shook my head at that.

"Yes." I answered with a nod, staring straight to his eyes. 

"Aalis ako na para bang hindi man lang kita nakilala... Aalis ako na para bang hindi man lang ako dumating sa mundong 'to. That man had killed my parents and took everything from me so leaving everything behind would be so easy for me." I sniffed and wiped my cheeks with my other hand when I think I felt some unknown liquid rolled down on it. Blurring my vision more.

"I'd leave without leaving any trace.."

I heard him cursed out under his breath.

"Then what about your Aunt? Are you going to just leave her na para bang hindi mo rin ito kadugo? You still have her so why would you do that??!"

That had me gave it a thought.

Yes. My aunt. My aunt na parang may alam sa katotohanang matagal ko ng hinahanap pero pilit naman nitong tinatago 'yon mula sa'kin, not wanted me to know everything.

With that thought, I swallowed the lump in my throat before I looked up at him and stared straight to what I think his eyes for an answer.

"She have no choice but to accept that.... Alam niyang wala na siyang magagawa kapag nawala na'ko. Buo na ang pasya ko."

"What do you mean na kapag nawala kana? Kapag umalis kana at magtago na lamang----"

"No."

His frown deepened more when I cut him off. I just gave him a bitter smile before I continued.

"I wasn't planning to just hide myself from anyone, Mr. Del Fuero.... Killing myself was the right thing to do after I killed that man myself." I uttered with gritted teeth as clear memories from years ago flashed through me.

My parents' lifeless bodies at the front seats. They were covered with blood and shards of glasses were stuck on their bodies. And I was helpless to even rescue them that time. And all of that was that man's fault..

"We don't need to kill her.... She's dying afterall...."

The clenching of my teeth tightened more as more tears rolled down on my cheeks as I was reminded with that terrifying day.

I sniffed and stared back up at him with my eyes blurred with tears.

"I'll make sure to torture him and slowly kill him myself the moment I got my hands on him..... I'm going to make him pay for what was long overdue for him!"

"But you don't have to kill yourself!"

"No!" I shouted back while vigorously shaking my head in refusals.

"I have to do this and no one can stop me from that! Not even my Aunt and not even you, Mr. Del Fuero! I had swear to myself that I'm going to kill that man! I'm going to kill him because that was what-----"

I was suddenly stopped with my outburst when suddenly, he cupped the back of my head with his hand and then pulled me towards him.

And my eyes bulged out in surprise when I was met by his kiss. The moment his warm lips completely claimed my own, all I could do was stayed motionless against him as my tears stopped flowing in a second.

What the hell??

Consciously, my hands quickly found his chest and I was about to push him off in protest but his other hand was quick enough to stop me before he deepened the kiss. Making me unable to move one bit and out of breath.

His kiss was possessive, rough and demanding. As if he was punishing me for always defying him and demanding me to response with him. And when I didn't make any move, I felt his other hand at the small of my back and he pulled me more closer to him, leaving no space between us.

He just continued kissing me though I wasn't kissing him back. But when he suddenly bit my lower lip, I gasped out and with that, he quickly invaded my mouth with his warm tongue. All I could do was just slowly drooped down my eyes as I began to response with his kisses.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit niya ginagawa 'to and I think he wasn't in his right mind right now to even kiss me but I give no damn about it. If he'll act like nothing happened after this then be it. I have that habit of forgetting some of my memories once I'm sober up anyway. So it was okay. 

Maglalaho rin naman ako pagkatapos ng lahat ng 'to and this memory would be totally forgotten. Like it hadn't even happened today.

At that thought, my tears sprung from my eyes again and I began to sob against his lips.

I don't know why I'm being like this but the thought of him forgetting me and would act again tomorrow like I never existed just saddened me.

My sob intensified at that thought. Causing him to stop and groaned, leaning his forehead against mine while breathing heavily. His warm breathing was fanning against my face.

"What's the matter?"

I didn't answered and just shook my head saka nagbaba ng tingin rito while sobbing like a damn baby with my tears just kept rolling down on my cheeks. I just wanted to hide my face from him.

Damn it!  Why am I even crying right now? I haven't even cried for so long and now, ba't parang hindi ko man lang mapigilang umiyak sa harap pa mismo ng taong 'to.

He didn't answered and just sighed before he pulled me for a hug. Hugging me like it wasn't unusual for him to do that.

"No one's going to disappear, Ms. Javier. Kung may kailangan mang maglaho sa huli, it should be that man and not you. Naiintindihan mo ba'yon?"

I didn't uttered any answer and just stayed muted against him.

I just don't know how to answer him.

I felt him tightened his hug at me as if he was afraid to even let go of me.

"I know it's impossible for me to change your mind now but... just mind that from now on, there will be me that will always try to stop you from doing that. Remember that.."

Just hearing those reassuring words from him, my heart swelled up in joy. With a smile, I just hugged him back and stayed silent. Having no words to say.