Chapter III: H.I.M

"Wow Dwight Jimenez in the house!" anunsyo ni Juan.

He's the guy earlier at Inspire!

My faced felt cold as he approaches the table. I should get out of here! Paano if ikwento nya yung kalutangan ko kanina?!

"Juan, I have to go," paalam ko dito.

"Wait. Lemme introduce you," he insisted.

"Dwight, this is Savannah. Savannah this is Dwight, remember his face. He's the face of our national team," Juan cheered. maybe it's the alcohol talking for Juan.

"Hi." Friendly nitong abot ng kamay.

What? He doesn't remember me? Or is he pretending?

I accepted his hand and replied.

"Hi," I replied shortly.

"I'm from Eagle Mountain and you're?" he asked trying to fish for some information.

"National U," tipid kong sagot at pasimpleng kinukuha ang atensyon ni Juan.

"Which branch? MOA, Manila or Laguna?" usisa nito.

"Laguna," naiilang kong sagot dito. Napansin kong tumaas ang gilid ng labi nito. Damn it! He knows me now!

"Oh! You're the girl from Inspire!" he exclaimed. ang lakas ng boses nito kaya nanlaki ang mata ko.

Inagaw s'ya ng isang grupo ng mga lalake kaya naiwan ako ngayon kasama si Juan.

"You met Dwight already?" takang tanong nito.

"Yeah, earlier sa Inspire. Though he didn't get a chance to introduce himself nag mamadali kasi sila," paliwanag ko.

"Ohhhhh." Tumango ito. Doubt was written all over his face. 

"Stop it, I'm not interested," I stopped his thoughts. 

"Well he's also not single I believe. He has a girlfriend. Samantha Chen. The volleyball player from LAU," he stated.

I didn't recall asking him about the guy and here he is feeding me information about him.

"I'm not into athletes," mapkla kong sabi

"Didn't like the experience huh?" natatawa nitong tanong

"Yeah, masyadong busy at maraming chance para magloko," I hissed at him.

"Woah Woah. Easy with the tongue, Caily," he remarked.

"See you around," paalam ko dito at nagtungi na pabalik sa bar counter para umorder ulit ng cocktail. Pagka-upo ko sa stool ay agad akong nakaramdam ng para bang may nakatingin sakin. Haist baka imshinasyin ko lang.

"One vodka please." Hindi na umimik ang bartender at agad ng gumawa ng drink ko.

Since it is a busy night, I think I'll see more familiar faces among the crowd. Inilapag ng bartender ang cocktail ko at umikot ito para attendan ang ibang customer.

Athletes are not trustworthy in my opinion. I mean like they have all the means. They are famous and adored by so many people. They can easily get what they want. On top of that, they are too busy to be in a relationship.

"Maybe it's destiny huh," someone from behind spoke.

Napalingon ako sa nagsalita at pagkalingon na pagkalingon ko ay sinalubong ako ng mga matang tila ba nakatanggap ng pinakamamahaling regalo.

It's Dwight.

"Haha not really," I replied with a sarcastic tone.

"Can I have your number?" he inquired. Woah, wait a minute. Is this guy hitting on me? Is he always this straightforward?

"Huh? Why would I give a total stranger my number? And according to Juan, you're already in a relationship, so stop hitting on other girls." I turned to avoid him. 

"Well, we're just dating. It's no big deal. It's not like we're married or whatsoever," he explained. I swear this dude! I want to slam his face on the bar counter. 

Oh yeah, he is the worst kind. A good-looking man who grew up in the States and to make things worst he is an athlete.

"Have some decency." I was about to walk out on him when another athlete approached us.

"Hey, bro. No alcohol for you dawg. Coach Donny will kill me if he finds out I brought you here," the guy spoke to Dwight.

He turned around and smiled at me.

"Hi, I'm Thirdy," pakilala nito. Gumanti ako ng ngiti dito.

"Savannah," pakilala ko. Aalis na sana ako ng hablutin ni Dwight ang phone ko at may madaliang kinalikot dun.

"Hey! Give me back my phone!" Pag agaw ko dito but instead of listening he leaned towards the table and tiptoed.

Dang, this guy is huge!

"Yah! Give it back!" Pang-aagaw ko dito.

"Man give it back. The woman wants it back," Thirdy requested. After what Thirdy said he gave it back. I looked at the screen and the call logs are open. Looks like he used my phone to his.

"Now I have your number and you have my number," he rejoiced. 

"Tskk, Get lost!" sabi ko sabay walk out.

Ang lakas ng apog ng lalakeng yun! Porket gwapo sya at matangkad akala nya makukuha na nya lahat ng babae.

Nagmartsa ako pabalik sa table namin. Ate Judy was astonished for some reason.

"What happened?" tanong ni Ate.

"An asshole tried to get my number," sabi sabay pinagkrus ang braso.

"Did he succeed?" Ate asked.

"He did! He stole my phone then he dialed his number," I explained angrily. 

Sumimsim ito ng kanya inumin at ngumiti.

"It's not funny, Ate!" Pagmamaktol kong parang bata.

Kinuha ko ang cocktail na nakapatong sa mesa at sumandal na lang.

"You may hate his guts for doing it, but you should be delighted. Karamihan ng lalake ngayong torpe na kahit gwapo," she spoke as if she's going through some shits.

"Ate, I don't plan to ruin a relationship. The guy is committed to someone," I explained calmly.

"Who cares? They are not even married. The court can't detain anyone for a third party if the couple is not married. So technically, you're not a home wrecker nor a mistress." the lawyer in her spoke.

"What the heck, Ate?! I'm not planning on being a mistress! And f*ck him, masyado syang confident," I bluttered out. 

I walked out of the table and proceeded to the dancefloor.

The dancefloor is already packed. I can see Kuya dancing with a woman wearing a skintight dress that hugs her figure perfectly. Dang looks like someone's getting laid tonight. I laughed at the thought of my brother banging a woman.

I swayed my hips to the beat of the music. I feel so free than ever. No worries. No one to look for. I lifted my arms and now I'm like a freaking inflatable man but the heck I care.

The party reached its peak. I was still on the dancefloor. But I feel like something is odd. No one is approaching me. The moment they see me, guys will walk away like I have a communicable disease.

I was confused that's why I tried to observe my surroundings. Looking from afar it might seem like everything is normal but no it's far from normal. A preditor is watching me.

I walked towards our table and now Ate Jenny is the one sitting there.

"Took time for you to figure it out," komento ni Ate.

"You knew?" tanong ko.

"Yeah, I think I said it too loud when I told you that Imma get you a man tonight. The friends of Juan were keeping an eye on you since your dear brother already left the vicinity," she laughed while telling me.

"Huh? Iniwan ako ni Kuya? Paano ako uuwi sa condo?" I gulped. 

"He left his keys with me. He also told me to drive you off but I don't think I can. Your pretty cousin is kinda drunk. I trust you to make it home safely." She handed me over the keys of Kuya's fortuner.

"Woah. Pinapauwi mo na ba ako, Ate?" patawa kong tanong.

"Silly. Binigay ko lang sayo baka kasi makalimutan ko o hindi kaya mawala ko," paliwanag nito.

Inilagay ko ang susi sa loob ng purse ko. Tinignan ko ang relo ko. It's 12 am. Hmm I better go home.

"Ate, I'll use the restroom then I'll go home. By the way, where is Ate Judy?" paalam ko. 

"She's just settling the bill. Don't worry I'll call when we get home so do you." She sounded like a mom.

"Alright," I agreed. 

I walked towards the restroom and entered. I peed and fix myself before going out. I need to grab some coffee on the way home.

When I walked out of the restroom I saw Juan leaning on the hallway. Looks like he's waiting for someone. I approached him.

"Juan, I'll be going na," paalam ko dito

"Lemme drive you." Nagtaka ako sa offer nya.

"No I'm good. Tsaka nandyan pa friends mo. Samahan mo sila dun." Pasimpleng pag tataboy ko.

"Nah, they can manage. Besides, I won't have a piece of mind knowing that you're driving while you're drunk," he tried to justify himself. 

"Lol. Stop it you're creeping me out. But seriously I can manage." I walked past him declining his offer. As I stepped out of the club I was enveloped by the cold air.

I run towards the car and opened it. I was relieved when I started the engine. Lord kayo na po bahala sakin. Nawa po ay makarating ako sa condo ng ligtas.

I drove out of the parking lot. There were only a few cars on the road since it's past midnight already. I stopped at a Coffee shop and ordered coffee. The aroma of the coffee somehow revived me. the cup of coffee was enough for me to stay awake until I reached the condominium. 

Hooray for the coffee!