"Hindi ka ba aalis?" Taboy ko kay Leander matapos ang tawag ni Derek kanina.

Masamang masama ang tingin ko sa kaniya. Derek almost heard what he said! Kapag narinig niya iyon ay hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin niya. He doesn't even know that I'm making him my boyfriend!

Nangingiti siyang sumandal sa lamesa ko habang ako'y lumalayo na sa kaniya. I sat on my swivel chair and curled my feet under me.

"What did he tell you?" Tumaas ang kilay niya.

"Wala!"

"May pupuntahan kayo?" Napawi ang ngiti niya sa tanong niyang iyon.

Pinaglaruan ko ang mouse kong hindi naman nakasindi. I opened my laptop just to have something to play with. I can't just stare and talk to him. That would be awkward.

Sinarado niya ang laptop ko at muntikan pang maipit ang kamay ko mabuti na lang ay agaran kong inilag iyon.

Umangat ang tingin ko. "Ano bang problema mo?"

"You're not answering my question."

"You're not answering my question, either. Tinanong ko kung bakit hindi ka pa umaalis!" May pinaglalaban na sagot ko.

"If you answer mine, then I'll go." Tumuwid siya ng tayo.

Sumimangot ako. "What is it?"

Para akong nauto doon, ah.

Tumagilid ang ulo niya. "Saan ka pupunta kasama ang ex mo?"

"Ex?" Kumunot ang noo ko. "He's not my ex!"

"Well, he will be your ex soon!"

Tumuwid ako ng upo dahil sa inis. "How can you say that!"

"Advanced ako, Zeth." Kumunot ang noo niya.

We stared each other with a lightning between us. I can't believe him. Kahit na hindi ko naman talaga boyfriend si Derek ay hindi talaga siya makatarungan.

I opened my laptop when I remembered something. Nakatingin lang siya sa akin na tila binabantayan ng maigi ang bawat galaw ko.

"Send me your bank number and leave." Mariin kong sabi.

"Hindi ako aalis hangga't hindi mo sinasabi kung saan kayo pupunta ng ex mo."

"Bar!" Sigaw ko. "Okay na? Now, send me your bank number so I can process the payment!"

Humarap siya sa akin at tinukod ang dalawang kamay sa lamesa ko. He crouched and looked down at me with his very dark expression. He was like looking down at a person who did something unforgivable to him.

"What will you do in a bar?" Hindi man lang pinapansin ang sinasabi ko.

Stressed ko siyang tinignan. "Drink, dance, party! Unless you want me to dance in a pole-"

"With that dog? Really, Hazeth?" Tila napakalaking problema ang dinadanas niya.

"What's your bank number, Lean? You're wasting my time!"

Tumuwid siya ng tayo. "Aalis na'ko."

"What?" Napatayo ako. "Bank number, Lean! Magbabayad ako ng utang!"

Pumamulsa siya at masama pa din ang mga tingin sa akin. I really think he's not going to make me pay it. Alam ko namang mayaman siya at kahit isang milyon ang utangin ko, hindi siya maghihirap. But dude, I can't just have depths on him. Magkautang na sa lahat, h'wag lang sa kaniya.

"I'm not letting you pay for it. You know me, Hazeth."

Pinanood ko siyang tumalikod at lisanin ang opisina ko. Nanlumo ako at napapikit. Fine, Leander. Sa tingin ko'y hindi naman niya ako sisingilin at susungbatan sa utang kong iyon.

Matalim kong tinignan ang likod niya. Kumuyom ang palad ko. I really think I need to drink today. Magpapakalasinggera na lang yata ako para maiwasan ko ang problemang dala ng bagyong Leander. Nakakainis.

I finished all my works for today. Nang maglunch ay natanggap ko ang pananghalian na galing din kay Leander. I had no choice but to eat it since I don't want to go downstairs. Isa pa, sayang lang ito kung lagi kong tinatapon.

Derek texted me about the details later. Susunduin niya dapat ako pero tumanggi ako. I don't want him to drive me home when I'm drunk.

I went home just to change. I wore a slim miniskirt and a spaghetti crop top and a stilettos. I put some light make up with a nude lipstick just to match it with my vintage top. I took some mirror shots to post it on my Instagram later.

Nakita ako ni Mommy sa sala dahil nasa bahay lang siya ngayon. She put down her magazine to take a look at me. She raised her eyebrow.

"You're with your cousins?" She asked.

Umiling ako at lumapit para halikan siya sa pisngi. "I'm with some friends, My. Galing ka kila Ate?"

"Friends.. you mean, boyfriend?"

I laughed. "Wala akong boyfriend, Mom!"

She shrugged. "Hinahanap ka ni Isla. You should bring her to your office tomorrow, hija. She misses you."

Ngumuso ako. "Okay.." I smiled and kissed her cheek. "I'll get going, My. Uuwi po ako mamaya."

"Take care, Hazeth."

Its still 7PM. I haven't eaten my dinner. I usually don't eat anything before drinking. Ewan ko, nakasanayan ko na. I think that's not too bad since mabubusog din naman ako sa alak maya maya.

Derek and his friends are there, for sure. Kanina pa siya nagtext at sinabing aantayin daw ako. I parked my car on the bar's parking area. This bar got so huge now. Dati ay malawak din naman pero ngayon ay dinagdagan at naging second floor pa nga.

Tumingala ako sa katapat na building ng bar na ito. There's the familiar Bistro that I always visited before. Lumihis ang mata ko sa pangatlong palapag. The dance studio.

Mapait akong ngumiti. The lights are off on that area. I never went there. Siguro'y buhay pa din iyon o kaya naman wala na. Theo and Lean's not into dancing anymore. Matagal na din, noong 3rd year sila ay madalas na sila sumama sa dance troupe. By now, of course they're focusing on their work.

I entered the bar. The loud sound was heard outside and when I entered, it boomed in my ears. The smell of vapes was all that I can sniff inside. Lights are dimmed and it was a repetition of red, blue, green and yellow.

My phone rang. It was Derek so I immediately picked it up.

"Hey, babe." Bungad niya na may lokong tono.

I rolled my eyes. "Where are you? I'm here."

"I can see you from here. Damn, you look good, Hazeth!"

Sa isang gilid, nakita ko ang kamay ni Derek. Nanliit ang paningin ko at ibinaba ang tawag. I saw him with some guys around him. Dalawang babae lang ang nandoon.

I smiled and walked towards them. Tumayo si Derek na nakangisi sa akin. He extended his hand for me. I smiled to some guys who waved at me.

"This is Hazeth everyone." Derek introduced me. I sat beside him and smiled awkwardly to his friends.

They're not so familiar. Wala akong kilala ni isa sa kanila. But they looked harmless, mukhang friendly naman.

"Monreal, of course we know her, Derek. Bobo." Halakhak ng isang bulky na lalaki. He extended his hand for me. "I'm Roger, nice to meet you."

"Mag ingat ka d'yan, Zeth. He like pretty girls." Bulong ni Derek. I laughed.

"Gago talaga."

"That's Mavs." Turo ni Roger sa lalaking nakasandal sa babae. "Girlfriend niyang si Aica. Don't mind them, may sariling mundo ang mga 'yan."

I nodded and smiled shyly at Aica. Mukhang ayaw ako tignan ni Mavs kaya hindi ko siya nginitian. Aica nodded and smiled at me.

"And this is Marco." Tapik niya sa katabi niyang lalaki na kanina pa nakangisi sa akin. "Kapatid niya si Karylle, ha, baka isipin mo girlfriend niya."

"Hi! Nice to meet you, Hazeth!" Karylle extended her hands to me. Tinanggap ko iyon at ngumiti. "Hey.."

"Girlfriend mo na, Derek?" Marco suddenly said. Roger leaned to him and whispered something.

Inakbayan ako ni Derek. I was caught by it. Hindi ko naman magawang alisin dahil baka mapahiya siya sa mga tropa niya.

I just laughed and shook my head. "We're just friends."

"Ouch! Friend zoned!"

"Shut up, fucker." Derek said and removed his hands on my shoulder.

Inabutan ako ni Marco ng isang shot ng sa tingin ko ay whiskey. I stared at it and later on, accepted it too. Kanina pa ako inuuhaw. Ngumisi ako sa kaniya.

"So, single ka pa?"

Nagkatinginan kami ni Marco dahil sa tinanong niya. Ngumuso ako. Gwapo naman si Marco. Iyon nga lang, mukhang lahi ni Conrad ang isang 'to. I know how to judge a guy on that page because of my cousins. Isang tingin, alam ko na kung babaero ang isang 'to.

Tumawa si Karylle. "Bilis mo naman, Kuya!"

"Hayaan mo na, Ka, ganyan talaga kapag atat."

"Don't even try, Marco. Nakikita mo 'to?" Derek flexed his biceps. Tumawa ako sabay simsim sa whiskey na umabot sa akin.

"Oo, kita ko. Liit nga, e." Marco shrugged and looked at me again. "I guess you're single. Can I have your number?"

I wasn't surprised. I pursed my lips. Well, yes, I'm single. But I'm not really into having a relationship these days. Kung gusto niya ng fling fling muna, papayag ako.

Bago pa man ako makasagot ay winagayway na ni Derek ang kamay niya sa ere sa gitna namin ni Marco.

"I'm her date tonight, Marco. Respeto naman!"

Umiling iling ako at inistraight ng inom ang whiskey sa kamay ko. The bitterness of it is drawn on my throat and brings heatness on my stomach. I licked my lips and tasted it more.

"You work in MRDL?" Roger asked me. He talked about the company which handled by Chase.

Umiling ako at ngumisi. "MNRL."

"Oh? Engineering firm?" Namamanghang sabi ni Karylle na nakadekwatro't may nilalarong isang bote ng rum sa kamay niya.

I nodded.

"Kay Worth Monreal iyon, 'diba?" Singit ni Marco at sumandal.

"Yes." I nodded.

"Woah. I heard it was this year's largest engineering firm in the Philippines?"

Ngumisi ako dahil totoo naman. I take it as a compliment, too. Syempre, we are hiring my cousins as some engineers. And also, magagaling din ang iba naming engineers.

They continued talking about work. I learned that they're Derek's workmate, too. Pare pareho silang nagtratrabaho sa iisang kumpanya din. Food company to be exact.

Nasa kalagitnaan sila ng pag uusap nang magvibrate ang cellphone ko sa hita ko. Nagtatawanan na sila ngayon sa kaniya kaniyang kwento. Roger is the most funny in the group. May sariling mundo iyong si Mavs at girlfriend niya pero nakikipag usap din naman sa amin minsan.

I took out my phone, worried that it might be my Mom. Kumunot na lang ang noo ko nang makita ang ibang pangalan sa notification ko.

From : Leander

How many shots did you drank?

Tumuwid ako ng upo. Why's he asking me that?

Humilig si Derek sa akin at humikab sa balikat ko. He rested his head on my shoulder. Nilingon ko siya at bahagyang ginalaw galaw ang balikat ko.

"Are you sleepy?" Natatawa ako.

He shook his head but he's closing his eyes. Kanina pa ito umiinom. I think he's drunk. I'm getting tipsy, too. Naaadik ako sa whiskey nila.

My phone vibrated again. I glanced at Derek before looking at it. Nakapikit naman siya at malalalim ang paghinga. Feeling ko'y matutulog ito.

From : Leander

I don't really like what I'm seeing right now.

Luminga linga ako. What does that mean? Nandito ba siya?

Gumalaw si Derek dahil sa paglinga linga ko. He sat straight and rested his head on the backrest of the sofa instead. Tumikhim si Marco dahil doon. His eyes are fixed on me so I glanced at my phone instead.

From : Me

Nasaan ka?

From : Leander

Somewhere.

Kumunot ang noo ko at padabog na inilapag ang cellphone ko. Luminga linga ulit ako sa paligid. I can't even see his head out here. Nasaan ba siya? Is he playing a trick on me or what?

Kinuha ko ang isang basong tequila na para sana kay Derek kaso lasing na siya. I drank it like a water. Pumikit ako ng mariin dahil sa pait. Nilahad ni Marco ang lemon. He's still up. Hindi yata nalalasing.

My phone vibrated. I didn't mind it, though.

I smiled. "Thanks."

Sinipsip ko ang lemon. It was very sour. Tinikom ko ang bibig ko at naghanap uli ng alak para mawala din ang asim.

Another glass of tequila and I'm already shaky. I sipped on the lemon I'm holding. Nilingon ko ang mga kasama kong bagsak na. Si Mavs at ang girlfriend niya ay wala na doon, mukhang kanina pa nakaalis, hindi ko man lang napansin. Karylle and Roger are both sleeping.

"We should dance." Marco said out of the blue.

Nilingon ko ang dance floor na nagtatalunan ang mga tao. I smiled and nodded to whatever he wants.

I stood up. I left my phone beside Derek. Sinundan ko si Marco na nakalingon sa akin at pulang pula na ang mukha dahil sa alak. Umaalon na ang paningin ko pero ayos pa naman. I can still handle myself.

He held my waist when I'm about to slip. "Oops." He laughed.

I giggled. "Sorry."

Iginiya niya ako sa dance floor. I jumped and enjoyed the loud music. Tumili ako para lang makita kung naririnig ko pa ba ang sarili ko sa gitna ng malakas na musika. I laughed when I didn't hear myself.

Nilingon ko si Marco sa likod ko. He was still holding my waist. I started dancing and copying moves from the crowd. Nakita kong umalon ang katawan ng isang babae. I tried to do it and I ended up dancing like a stripper in a bar.

Huminto ako nang nawala ang hawak ni Marco sa bewang ko. I looked at the back. There's no any signs of Marco. Sumimangot ako at nagbikit balikat na lang.

Later on, I was really into the music. Ginulo ko ang buhok ko at tumalon. Mg top is showing too much skin now because my hands is up high. My skirt is probably showing my butt right now.

I froze when I felt a hand fixing my top on my back. Naibaba ko ang kamay ko at idinilat ang mga matang nakapikit. The other hand snaked on my thighs and helped me fix my mikiskirt.

I looked at my dress. Isang hagod ng mga kamay niya'y pumulupot iyon sa baywang ko. I gasped when I saw a manly hand on my waist. Nandoon ang relong itim at ang puting long-sleeved dress shirt ay nakatupi hanggang siko.

"Marco?" I tried to guess.

I felt him behind my ears. Ramdam ko ang ilong niya sa ulo ko. I can even feel him breathing behind me. Pumikit ako sa naramdamang pilipit sa aking stomach. I bit my lips.

"You're doing it wrong, baby." He whispered.

Dumilat ako. "Huh?"

"This is how you do it," His other hand held my waist and started to sway it slowly.

Tumingala ako at pumikit muli. I gave him an access to my neck as if I was asking for it. Humawak ako sa kamay niyang nasa baywang ko bilang suporta sa paghigpit nito.

I felt him dancing behind me. Sinasabayan ang pagsway ng bewang ko. Gumapang ang ngisi sa labi ko. I suddenly thought of Leander the way he sway his hips. That man.. loves dancing. I giggled out of the blue.

"Hazeth.."

Dumilat ako. Am I dreaming? Wait, is this the effect of the alcohol? Luminga linga ako para hanapin ang pamilyar na boses na tumawag sa akin.

Am I hearing it wrong?

"Leander," I called and tried to remove the hand on my waist.

Nairita ako nang hindi iyon alisin ng lalaki sa likod ko. Imbis ay idiniin niya ang sarili ko sa kaniya. Bumilis ang hininga ko.

"Let me go. I.. I have a boyfriend!" Sigaw ko nang hindi niya pa din ako pakawalan. I felt irritated and scared at the same time.

Lumapat ang baba niya sa leeg ko. Napahinto ako sa galaw. I suddenly felt shivers down to my spine. Holy heck, who is this man? Whoever he is. I need to go.

"Break na kayo ng boyfriend mo," Marahan na sabi niya sabay haplos sa braso ko gamit ang isang kamay.

I shook my head. "Let me go, please. I need to find him. He's calling me! Lean!"

Nanigas ang katawan niya. He didn't move though. Humigpit ang hawak niya sa braso ko. Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang takot ko ngayon sa paghigpit pa lang ng kamay niya sa braso ko. I can't explain it though. His touch was familiar. But still, I can't trust him.

"Come again, baby?" He whispered.

I glanced at him. Little did I know, in that glance, his lips is waiting for me to meet it. My lips brushed on him a bit.

Namilog ang mata ko at napaatras. Nakawala ako sa mga hawak niya kaya naman nilingon ko na siya. I felt weak and embarrassed to see who is the guy at my back.

Namumungay ang mga mata ni Leander sa akin habang basang basa ang labi at kumikinang pa. He looked calm yet his eyes are almost talking to me.

Hinuli niya ang siko ko. I felt numb. My face is very hot because of embarrassment. Hindi ko alam kung papaano ko siya kakausapin ngayon. I literally told him that he is my boyfriend. What the hell.

He tilted his head. "Who's your boyfriend?"

Umiling ako at tinikom ang bibig ko. Pinagdasal ko na sana ay nabingi lang siya. I even thought of any name that sounded like his.

Hinanap niya ang mga mata ko. He caught me. I stared his eyes. Namumungay na ang mga mata niya. Siguro'y pati ako na din dahil sa alak.

"Sino ang boyfriend mo, Hazeth?" He asked one more time.

I shook my head. "Wala.."

Lumapit ang mukha niya sa akin. Umawang ang labi ko sa ginagawa niya. I thought he'd kiss me but he stopped when it was just inches away.

I'm hearing my loud heartbeat. Mas malakas pa sa tugtog ng DJ. My heart is booming so loud that I think it wants to break my rib out and free itself.

Kinagat niya ang labi niya. "Say my name.."

Pumikit ako ng mariin, nanghihina na talaga. His arms is on my waist and hugging me to get closer to him. Gusto kong maiyak dahil wala akong magawa kundi sumama sa bawat galaw niya.

"Say it, Zeth." Utos niya gamit ang malambing na boses na halos patulugin na ako sa sobrang lambot.

Lumunok ako.

"Lean.."

Kung may dakilang uto uto lang sa mundo, ako na siguro iyon.

His eyes looked amused on me. I can almost see fireworks on his eyes. His lips is parted and it was addicting to stare at it. Part of me wants to smack my lips on it, I just can't do it.

Tumango siya ng dahan dahan. "That's right, baby. I am your boyfriend, hear me?"

I didn't talk. Nakatitig lang ako sa labi na parang batang uhaw na uhaw sa pagkain.

Gumapang ang kamay ko sa leeg niya. Nagtatalo ang isip ko sa bagay na iniisip ko ngayon. I bit my lips, trying to stop myself. But I know that I can't.

Tumingkayad ako para ilapat ang labi ko sa kaniya. He wasn't surprised. I feel like he was waiting for it. I felt him smirking when my lips touched his. Napapikit ako nang inawang niyang kusa ang labi niya at hayaan akong angkinin iyon.

Nababaliw na nga siguro ako. But I don't care. If this isn't alcohol, I don't know.

I started moving my lips. He was, too. I tasted the tequila with a mixture of mint that I think, came from him. I pulled him using my hand on his nape. Diniin din niya ako sa sarili niya gamit ang kamay na nakapulupot sa baywang ko.

His kisses was different on how I kissed him before. This time, it was heating kiss. Pumikit ako ng mariin habang inaalala ang mga halik namin noon. The kisses we shared before was still fresh and I can exactly reminisce it until now.

Gusto kong maiyak. I missed him. I missed the old Leander. I missed the old me. The old us. The old feelings. Those days that I feel like we're too perfect for each other, I felt like it was all perfect that I even thought it was just a dream and I don't want to wake up from it.

Tumulo ang luha ko. Humiwalay ang labi namin sa isa't isa at kanya kanya ang habol ng hininga. My tears can't stop falling from my eyes. Hindi ko magawang idilat ang mga mata dahil ayaw kong makita ang ekspresyon niya kapag nakita ako.

"I'm sorry." Yumuko ako habang nakapulupot pa din ang mga kamay sa leeg niya at mahigpit ang hawak sa damit.

He buried his face on my neck. Naiyak pa ako lalo. I remembered the way he cried on my neck on that day. Begging me to not break up with him. Begging me to fight for us. But in the end, I ended us.

He