CHAPTER 10

CHAIN ALEZEIR

Nakauwi na kaming lahat after two days in hospital, we made sure na okay na talaga si Alki bago kami umalis doon. Ilang beses akong humingi ng tawad kay Alki pati nadin kay Drean kasi ang insensitive ng ginawa namin ni Aimie, na isa ding guilty sa nangyari kay Alki.

We both know our mistake, masyado kaming pakialamera at hindi na namin kinonsider ang damdamin ng dalawa.

It was an impluse that we didn't handle well.

Habang nasa byahe kami it was so damn awkward, the cold atmosphere and the deafening silence took over us. Wala gustong mag umpisa ng conversation, even si Aimie nakikiramdam lang din.

That was the longest ride I've ever been with, kung pede lang bumaba at mag commute nalang eh.

Wala ding alam sina Dreon at Aki sa nangyari, we all know how the keep our mouth shut and we don't want to continue meddling in their personal matters. Katabi ko si Craig sa pinaka-dulo ng sasakyan, kami lang dalawa yung nandito, he's also quite, observing, just holding my hand.

Pumailang lang nang musikang Don't you remember ni Adele sa saksakyan, to kill the dead air.

~When will I see you again?

You left with no goodbye, not a single word was said

No final kiss to seal anything

I had no idea of the state we were in

I know I have a fickle heart and a bitterness

And a wandering eye, and a heaviness in my head

But don't you remember, don't you remember?

The reason you loved me before

Baby please remember me once more

When was the last time you thought of me?

Or have you completely erased me from your memories?

I often think about where I went wrong

The more I do, the less I know

Nakakapanadya naman tong kantang to, parang ang sakit sakit lang. Nakakapag-pabagabag ng puso, maybe ganon talaga pag sapol ka ng kanta, may kurot, masakit, may palo sa dibdib, I just closed my eyes and feel every pain the music reflects.

He embraced me from behind, caging me inside his arms, leaning me closer to his chest.

I just miss this.

Nakakamiss siya pero ang hirap niyang abutin. Masyado nang maraming taong nasayang dahil sa maling desisyong nagawa namin. Maybe, wala na talaga, hanggang dito nalang, dead-end kumbaga.

Gusto ko na siyang kausapin ng masinsinan, pero hindi ito ang tamang pagkakataon. Siguro pagbalik namin sa city, or kung kailan pwede. Para matapos nato, nakakasawa na kasi, hindi ko na alam kung saan ako lulugar sa buhay niya, kung may puwang ba nga ba ako?

O naglolokohan nalang kaming dalawa? Malabo kasi, hindi ko na alam kong anong label kami, kung meron pa ba or wala na.

Komplikado, sigurado!

It's just that I'm tired of always waiting for him to comeback, kung kailan niya lang gusto, kung kailan lang niya lang maisipan. Taken nga, taken for granted naman. Nag-iba na kasi ng priority. Iba na ang mas inuuna, iba na yung inaalagaan, at may iba ng ipinaglalaban.

Babalikan ka lang pag may kailangan. Second option, kumbaga. I breath a heavy sigh, full of regrets.

Lumipas ang ilang minutong katahimikan sa loob ng sasakyan ng maisipan nila Grae at Aim na kumain muna, nakakita naman kami ng restau near highway. Kanya-kanya kaming baba at sabay ding napabuntong hininga, a breath of relief kasi time out muna kami sa awkward atmosphere sa loob ng sasakyan.

He offer and held my hand while were walking, kanina ko pa napapansin ang ngisi na naka-plaster sa mukha ni Aki, parang inaasar ako, I just rolled my eyes, babangka na naman ako nito later.

Inalalayan niya kong maupo sa tabi niya, giving me the menu, kunwari pumipili ako pero wala akong ganang kumain, I'm not in the mood. Wala akong cravings, gusto ko lang magkape pero wala sa choices nila yon.

Kaasar naman!

"What's yours?" Napatingin tuloy ako kay Craig nahinihintay yung sagot ko.

Matiim niya akong tinitingnan, I looked away from his peircing eyes, binalik ko nalang ulit yung atensiyon ko sa menu pero ngayon ko lang napansin na mali pala yung pagkakahawak ko, pasimpleng binaliktad ko yun, naikinatawa nila Grae at Dreon, inambahan ko sila ng suntok.

Ang tanga lang kasi.

"Ano na girl? Naghihintay na si ateng oh, wala ka naman yatang balak bilhin lahat yung sa menu, pili ka lang ng isa, mabubusog ka na non." Si Aimie na minamadali na ang order ko, ngisi-ngising nakatingin sakin.

Alanganin naman akong ngumiti sa waitress na matiyagang naghihintay sa kaartehan ko. Wala kasi talaga akong gusto, I'm not starving. I know Craig was giving me the stare, waiting also, but being the impatient one, he then decided to ordered food for my sake.

"One fettucine alfredo, no parsley please, one mango shake, you have yogurt? No? Okay, just no milk for her drink. Oh wait, You want dessert?"

Bumaling siya sakin at may gana pa talaga siyang tanungin yung gusto ko eh siya na nga yung nagdecide para sakin pero bago pa ako maka-hindi sa kanya binalik niya ulit yung atensiyon niya kay Reniese, yung waitress at kinausap na ito, ignoring my refusal.

"One mango cheesecake, and oh here, the oreo icecream. Just serve the oreo first and the mango cheesecake after her pasta, okay? That's all, Miss. Thanks." He informs and smiled to Reniese.

Ni-repeat order muna ni Reniese yung mga foods n' drinks namin bago siya nag-excuse at bumalik na sa counter.

The girls shutted me with what the fuck is goin on looks sa akin sabay tingin din kay Craig na siyang nakikipag usap kila Dreon at Grae.

I just rolled my eyes at pinandilatan sila ng mata, sinipa ko rin yung paa ni Aimie na magsasalita na sana.

She just chuckled for my misery. "Ouch ha! Nananakit kapa eh, ang lakas mong maglandi diyan." Bulong nito sabay amba ng suntok sa akin.

Ngising-ngisi din sila Aki at Alki na halata ding may kakaiba na ding nararamdaman sa amin ni Craig. Parang alam na nila at inaasar na ako sa tinginan palang namin.

Bwesit!

Ilang minuto ang lumipas bago na-serve yung mga orders namin. Ako lang pala yung nag-pasta, hindi kasi ako mahilig sa steaks, eh sila Aimie at yong iba yon yung mga meal nila, even Craig. Rib-eye steak, medium well, mashed potato and red wine.

Inayos niya yong pagkain ko at mango shake, tinabi yung dessert bowl nong icecream.

"Bon Appetit." He whispered near my ear.

I just nodded to him, unable to say a single word because Aki's been looking at us with wide grinned. Saktong si-servan na ako ng service water, inawat agad ni Craig si Reniese.

"You have Badoit?" He asked politely.

"For now sir we only have Evian."

He nodded. "Okay I'll order eight."

Na agad namang binawi nong nagsi-ayawan sila Drean sa inorder ni Craig para sa lahat. "Just two please, one glass without ice."

Inirapan naman ako nila Aimie na kanina pa ako sinisipa sa ilalim ng lamesa. Kilig na kilig yong tatlo habang kinakausap ni Craig si Reniese. Puro sila 'yayamanin, r.k., bigtime, sana all.'

Yung mga boys naman tawang tawa sila Grae, nahalata na nila si Craig, na wala naman paki-alam at pakiramdam sa pangaasar sakin nong iba.

Magana silang kumain at nag-usap about random things, kung anu-ano lang ang maisipang topic or current news nila Dreon. Habang ako pinaglalaruan ko lang ang fetuccine sa harapan ko.

Masarap pero wala akong gana. Higop lang ako ng higop ng shake. Lamig, kung pede lang nito ifreeze yung utak ko kahit sandali lang eh. Nakaka-stress kasi sila Alki, masakit na yung katawan ko sa kasisipa at kakakurot sa tagiliran ko.

"Eat your food properly, babe, you won't be full if you're only playing with your pasta. Hmm? Or you want me to feed you infront of your friends? Huh? Want that?" He faintly said near my ear, threatening.

Napa-ayos tuloy ako ng upo at inumpusahan ng kainin yung pasta sa plate ko, alam ko namang walang hiya tong lalaking to at gagawin niya talaga yung banta niya.

Madadagdagan na naman yung curiosity nila Aki pagsinubuan niya ako. Kaya di na ako mag iinarte.

"Kakain na po." I barely answered.

"Good." He gave me his lopsided grin and resume talking to the boys.

Dahil narin sa kagustuhan nila Aimie na gumala at magliwaliw pa, we are now here at the highend bar, drinking our asses off and enjoying the hype crowd, dancing with party music.

I'm a little bit tipsy, wala ako sa condition eh kaya ang bilis kong malasing, pero alam ko pa naman ang ginagawa ko, kahit nahihilo na ko sa likot ng ilaw sa loob, go lang.

Nandito kaming apat nila Aimie, Alki and Aki sa gitna, swaying our hips, enjoying the loud beat and blending with the people around us, grinding and dancing with music, mabuti nalang at napilit ako nilang sumama dito, ang saya pala.

Muntanga na nga kami dito eh but we don't care as long as were happy, go lang ng go.

"Girl, what's with you and Craig? Parang iba na ah." Aki shouted in my ears.

Pinaulit ko pa sa kanya kasi di ko marinig. Kanya- kanyang ngisi din silang tatlo after.I rolled my eyes, ayan tayo eh.

Bahagya akong umiling at sinabunutan si Aki. "Huwag kang chismosa girl, walang kami. Huwag kang fake news." I answered back in slury.

Sabay naman nila akong inikutan ng mata.

"Maniwala. May pa holding hands na kayo? Wala parin? Ano yon hawak bata lang, ganun? Huwag mo kaming chinacharot-charot diyan Chain Ale Zeir baka ma-ano kita. Ang harot-harot niyo tapos wala?" Inambahan ako ng suntok ni Alki.

Tinawanan ko lang sila. "Tangina niyo, huwag niyo akong ginagago mga bakla, hindi pa ako lasing kaya manahimik kayo diyan. Wala kami ni Craig, mga imahinasyon niyo, umaapaw."

"Huh! Hindi yon imagination, nahuhuli kayo sa kalandian niyo tas indenial kapa. Sige lang, mapapaamin ka din namin. Kala mo ha?" Aki gave me her devious smirked.

Gazing at me like an eagle observing her prey.

"Geh bah, kung san kayo masaya. Basta ako wala, wala kaming relasyon ni Craig." I confidently say.

Wala na naman talaga, hindi niya na nga ako inaaalala eh. Yung relasyon pa kaya namin? Limot niya na yon.

"Whatever you say Chain." Labas sa ilong nilang sagot sa akin.

I just laugh at their annoying face. Sakto namang may dumaang mga lalaki sa harapan namin. Actually nag-stay talaga sa harap naming apat, they're so hot, tall and handsome.

Giving us a warm smile as a greeting, todo ngiti agad kami ni Alki sa dalawang guy na nagbibigay motibo sa amin.

"Hello Miss, I'm Rageon. Wanna dance with me? You know you got my full attention in you. You look so lovely, care to dance?" He asked so nicely, kaya why not.

Nodding my head to the girls who's sheepily smiling at me, giving me a amusing glare. I gave my hand to Rageon willingly, dragging me beside him.

"Ingat lang Chain, baka may manuntok diyan." Aimie kidded, half meant.

"You have boyfriend?" Rageon asked when we already have our own space.

Away from Aimie but were still in the crowd, merely dancing. I shook my head in disagreement. "Nahh. Ikaw? Meron?"

He raised his brows. "Boyfriend? Nope. Im not swinging that way."

I chuckled, siraulo din yata to eh. "Gago! What I mean is girlfriend, baka may mang hila at sabunutan ako dito. Hindi pa naman ako palaban."

That made him laugh. Gwapo.

"Weh di nga? Parang hindi ikaw yung tipong nagpapa-api eh. You look so fierce and sexy. Ang ganda-ganda mo din." he added in his very hoarse tone.

My lips smirked eagerly. Palyboy alert. "Smooth. Ganyang-ganyan kayong lalaki, pasimpleng mambola. Tangina to, hoy pre alam ko modus mo. Huwag mo kong mabanat niyan, ikaw ang babanatan ko."

Tinampal ko pa ang mamaskel niyang balikat, na mas ikinatuwa niya pa yata.

Actually I'm enjoying my chitchat to him, masyado siyang balahura at walang sense kausap kaya matatawa ka nalang. Hindi na nga sayaw tong ginagawa namin eh, ikot lang kami ng ikot.

Susundan daw namin yung earth, malikot na daw kasi, umiikot na yung paningin niya.

"Alam mo ba bae, feeling ko kanina pa may masamang nakatitig sa akin. Sigurado ka bang wala kang boyfriend? Baka ako naman ang masuntok dito ha? Ang layo pa naman nila Vladimier. Ayaw ko pa namang mabangasan yung napakagwapo kung mukha." He said after a while, kanina ko din nararamdamang may nakamasid sa amin.

"Guni-guni mo lang yon." I flatly said.

Giving me his stare. "Huh? Yong alin? Na may nakamasi-"

"Nope, na gwapo ka. Guni-guni mo lang yan." I naughtily smiled.

"Ah ganun? Pag yung boyfriend mo tala-"

I cut him off. "Wala nga sabi akong boyfriend. Tangina to, sige ipagdiinan mo pa. Single nga diba? Single! Saan don ang di mo maintindihan?" Asar kong sagot sa kanya.

Ako naman ang tinaasan niya ng kilay. Ay ang taray ni tatay. "Baka wala ngang boyfriend, meron namang girlfriend. Ikaw Chain ha? Sayang talaga lahi mo pag nagkataon."

Tarantado to, napagkamalang pa kong leslie. "Hoy, gago ka! Babaeng babae ako. Sa tindig at gawa. Ramdam mo pa nga ang boobs k-"

He fake a shocked. "Oh? Meron ba? Can't feel it though." giving me his smirked

Full of mischief. "Oo nga, Promise, wala akong maramdaman."

Dahil sa pagkaasar ko sa kanya, sinabunutan ko siya ng madiin. Pero siya tawang tawa lang.

Happy ka? Happy?

"Masaya kang bwesit ka! Anong karapatan mong insultuhin ang hinaharap k-"

"Ops, hindi mo ba likod yan?" Tinuro pa talaga yung boobs ko at takang-takang nakatitig don.

Naningikit na yung mata ko sa sobrang inis. How dare him!

Sinabunutan ko siya ulit. "Arggg! Punyeta ka, ang lakas mong mangasar. Hindi ka inaano nang boobs ko kaya manahimik ka diyan, Rageon. Akala mo naman kalakihan yong sayo? Bakit daks ka daks, kung maka lait to, perpek?"

That earned a hearty-laugh from him, so loud. Halatang enjoy sa asaran naming dalawa.

"Oh puso mo bes, malaglag, wala pa naman yang makapitan."

"Tangina mo ng times two!"

He laugh again. "Ang pikon mo, to naman oh. Joke lang yon. Asus, ang tampururot. Hoy di mo ko boyfriend, di kita susuyuin."

I rolled my eyes skyward. "Duh, mabuti nga hindi kita boyfriend, ang salaula ng ugali mo, nakakaasar ka alam mo yon?"

"One of my charm, babe" he even gave me a winked.

"Charm mo mukha mo, hoy! Nakakapanakit kana sa dibdib."

"Sus wala ka ngang dibdib, wag assuming dzaii."

I spank his head gaining more amuse laugh from him. Ayos din tong Rageon nato ah parang barkada ko lang, baliw at tarantado. Pero hindi siya talaga nakakatuwa sa panghahamak niya sa boobs ko, hoy hindi ako flat-chested no, slight lang, pero may umbok pa to ng kaunti. Akala niya?

He gave a glass of flaming drink and straw. Binigay sa kanya ng kaibigan niya yata. Dalawa to kaya yung isa nasa 'kin

"G?" He ask. Napatango naman ako. He lifted his glass and make a toast.

Cheers!

"Huh! Putang ina ang lakas!" He shouted after drinking, he slightly burp.

Ako naman napangiwi after I drank the shot, mahapdi sa tiyan.

"You okay?" Huh? Concern ka kuya?

"I am" tumango pa ko kay Rageon na may hawak ulit na baso.

Punyeta may pa unli-drinks ba tong mga kasama niya at may black-label na namang bitbit? Yung isa naman isang bote ng tequila. Malapit kasi kami sa bartender, wala tuloy akong kawala sa tagay nila.

I already know his friends, Wyron, Kier, Sydtron and Gykre. Nandito na sila at nakikigulo sa amin ni Rage. Mga siraulo din eh.

The music change na ikinahiyaw ng mga tao, upbeat to sexy beat, maharot na tugtog na ikinangisi naman nilang magba-barkada. Kanya-kanya silang hablot ng partner, habang si Rage naman, nakangisi na sa akin.

Ewan niya ba kung umeepekto na ang sumpa ng alak pero tangina di ko matanggihan tong punyetang to.

He grab my hips and sway me sexily, nagpaubaya ako sa kanya, feeling his arms around my body, guiding and grinding my body against him, taunting and seducing him with my stare. Naikinatawa niya lang din. Infainess ang galing niyang sumayaw.

He guided me with ease at the same time ang sexy ng moves niya, making me copy his every moves.

I can feel his breath on my nape, breathing heavily. Nuzzling my ear. No space for air for the both of us, ganon kami kaclose na mahihiya yung hanging dumaan.

Gripping me closer to his body, feeling him grind softly, whispering on my ear.

"I'll bet someone will punch me, bae. I can feel it."

Napadikit ako lalo sa kanya, di ko kasi narinig, pinaulit ko lang. "Really? Sabing imahinasyon mo lang yan. Youre safe with me, I'm very much single."

"Wanna bet with that?" Feeling ko naka-smirked to.

I nodded. "Sure. What's the catch?" I asked continue dancing with him.

"Uhm. If I'm right you'll have a date with me but if I lose I'll give you my number."

Umangal ako agad. "Parang lugi yata ako diyan. Aanhin ko number mo aber? Ano ka hotline-service? Bantay-bata 163? Ayaw ko number mo."

He laugh aloud again. Benta talaga ako sa lalaking to.

"Uh well anong gusto mo? You decide, ang arte mo pala. Di mo ba alam nagkakandarapa ang mga babaeng makuha ang number ko? Tsk, tas ikaw? Hay, ngayon palang naaawa nako sayo." Hinimas niya pa yung buhok ko na parang aso.

Kaasar ha!

"Kapal! Pang encyclopedia ang levelan, dude. Gusto ko uhm. One week supply ng pizza at cappucino." yun lang ang naisip kong i-request.

"Malulugi din yata ako nito sayo eh. Pero call. Deal na yan ha? Walang bahagan ng buntot. Isinasaalang-alang ko dito ang gwapo kung mukha. Remember that bae."

He added giving me a twirl and making me face the crowd. I nodded in response.

Patuloy padin ang sayaw namin, ganon din yung ibang nakapalibot samin. Mas rated-spg pa nga eh. Kami ano semi lang.

He spin me again and caress my face, gently tracing my side cheek, giving me those hynotizing stare.

"Ano ba naduduling nako sa katititig mo!" I said sabay tampal sa mukha niya.

"Pa-in yon para mapalabas sa lungga niya ang nagmamasid sayo." Ngisi niyang malaki sa akin.

"Pag ikaw talaga masuntok, matutuwa talaga ako." Pang asar ko sa kanya.

"Well ako din, I will be so damn happy, we will have a date right?" Tinaas taas niya pa yung kilay niya.

Napailing nalang ako. "Sira ulo ka talaga no? Wala nga sabin-" nabigla naman ako nong biglaan niyang hinawakan yung mukha ko.

Cupping my face tightly, securing and angling my lips against his lips, ang lapit na namin sa isa't isa. Nanlaki bigla yung mata ko.

Nababaliw naba ang lalaking to?

Gusto ko siyang hampasin para matauhan siya pero mas nauna na yong nanulak kay Rage, malakas at sabay hila sakin with so much force din, dragging me away from Rage's gripped, earning a wide smirked from him.

Napatingin ako kay Craig, nahawak hawak na yong kamay ko ngayon.

Masakit siya sa totoo lang, ang higpit.

He was giving Rage a burning stare, if his eyes were firing a bullet, I'm sure, Rage will be dead.

Ganon kagalit yong mukha ni Craig ngayon, matalim ang matang nakamasid sa nakangising Rage, inaasar lalo si Craig.

"Don't touch my girl inappropriately, dude or you'll f'ckin see hell." Craig warned with his menacing dangerous voice.

Halatang nagpipigil ng galit.

Sarcastic laugh was given by Rage. "Oh? Talaga? If I remember it right Chain said she's very much single. I can't see any problem with that. Maybe your just protecting someone who's not yours." He bantered hotly.

Clenching his jaw and balling his fist. "I know my property dude, I know my rights. So better know yours. I will let it pass but be careful, you don't f'ckin know me."

Smirking and he cooly muttered. "Well, it will be nice meeting you then, dude." He averted his gaze towards me, giving me his soft smile. "I've enjoy the night with you bae, bye. Chain, remember our deal. See you the soonest, bae."

After winking at me, he then left with a wide grinned on his face, seems like he won a fuckin megalotto jackpot.

Leaving me with Craig whos darting me his penetrating glare, setting fire, and visible anger towards me.

Patay.

"You have a lot of explaining to do, lady. Come and will go home now." With his dangerous-calm voice, almost hissing.

He then drag me outside of the bar. Gripping my arms so tightly. Making me unable to resist or even utter a single word to him.

Just following his every stride and I'm trying to write an essay on my head, the right words to explain my side, it should be good to save my ass for his f'ckin punishment.

"Your giving me a fuckin' headache woman! Wait until were home."

I hardly gulped after I heard that I'm doomed.

*****