Dim lights, loud music, tons of people and the smell of cigarettes, alcohol and sweat all mixed together enveloped me as I entered Daemon's Den, a high end bar here in Mooreland.
"Scarlet, you're here!"
I plastered a smile on my face as two familiar faces walked towards me, shouting over the loud music so that we could hear each other.
"Of course! I wouldn't miss both your birthdays for the world."
I gave them both a peck on their cheeks saka ko iniabot ang dala kong dalawang paper bags na naglalaman ng regalo ko sa kanila.
"Bet you thought I won't give you either anything for both your birthdays today, didn't you?"
Bumungisngis ako saka isinukbit ang magkabila kong braso sa tig isa nilang kamay at hinila sila papalapit sa akin.
"Nandito na si Ashton?" Tanong ko sa kanilang dalawa habang naglalakad kami papunta sa ino occupy nila na private room kung saan ginaganap ang birthday nilang dalawa.
"Uh, I'm not sure but I think I saw him talking to Ria earlier." Hindi siguradong sagot sa akin ni Yena.
"He came with Ria, as a matter of fact." Walang ganang ani ni Yesha.
Napakunot naman ako ng noo dahil sa sinabi nya.
Why is Ashton with Ria?
Sabi nya he can't pick me up since mag o overtime pa sya sa office at baka na late sya.
And now maririnig ko sa mga kaibigan ko na nauna pa syang dumating sa akin, along with that Ria?
"Woah, bitch. Chill. Hindi lang naman silang dalawa ang magkasama. He also came in with a few dudes from the Marketing Dependent." Eksaheradang ani ni Yena at tumayo sa harapan ko, making me stop from my tracks.
"Stop giving her false ideas, Yesha. Watch what comes out of your mouth. Mamaya kung ano pang maging resulta nyang mga sinasabi mo eh." Yena scolded Yesha.
"Geez, I'm sorry. Hindi ko nakita na may iba pa pala silang kasama eh." Halata sa boses ni Yesha na wala syang pakealam so which made me shrugged.
"I really just don't like Ashton for Twy." Rinig kong bulong ni Yesha sa sarili at nauna nang nag lakad sa amin.
"That girl's gotta keep her thoughts to herself sometimes." Frustrated na ani ni Yena sa sarili habang nakatingin sa papalayong likod ng kambal nya. "She's right though," humarap ito sa akin saka ibinigay ang hawak na pulang cup before patting my shoulder. "Something's off with Ashton these days, at alam kong napapansin mo 'yon. Better talk to him about this, Twy." She smiled at me before walking away, leaving me in the middle of too many people whom I don't even know.
Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako saka inisang lagok ang laman ng basong ibinigay sa akin ni Yena at iniwan yon sa isang bakanteng mesa na nadaanan ko.
I decided to go to the restroom for a bit bago pumunta sa private room na inookupahan nila Yesha but I stopped on my tracks when a familiar built welcomed my eyes on the hallway towards the restrooms.
Pakiramdam ko ay kinapos ako ng hininga at bumigat ang pakiramdam ko ng sobra.
Ashton, my boyfriend, has his back turned away from me as he leans in against the wall with a girl in front of him. I watched him as his hands roam around every curve and every skin of the woman he's making out with.
With tears threatening to fall from my eyes, I turned away. As much as I want to be the Scarlet everyone knows that never backs out nor never lets anything wrong pass, hindi ko kaya ngayon.
That man, right there, Is the love of my life. The man is the man whom I told my parents I'd spend the rest of my life with if God permits. That man right there us the same man who promised never to make me cry and to love me for eternity. That very same man, is the man who promised me forever.
But I guess promises are really meant to be broken. Dahil that very same man shattered all those dreams of mine with him the moment he broke those promises he made with me.
With tears falling from my eyes, I walked away.
Not because I'm weak, but because I'm not sure of what I'm capable of doing.
Dere deretso akong nagtungo sa bar counter ng main floor ng bar at doon umupo. I didn't mind the stares I was getting. Probably because of the tears falling continuously from my eyes.
"Scarlet Leroy for the bill later. Give me your strongest drink. And don't ever stop me from drinking or else I'll get you fired." Wala na akong pake alam kung natakot ba sa akin yung bartender o kung ano man ang sinasabi ng mga taong nakarinig sa akin.
I am not the kind and soft spoken Scarlet tonight.
Gosh, heartbreak can really make you be someone you're not huh?
Alanganin man ay tumango sa akin yung bartender saka ako inabutan ng isang shot glass na agad ko namang ininom despite the burning feeling down my throat.
Tuloy tuloy ko iyong ginawa hanggang sa hindi ko namalayan na naka sampung shots na pala ako.
"M-ma'am, you should really slow down on your intake. Or at least drink this with a chaser." Kinakabahan at medyo nag aalalang ani sa akin ng bartender bago iniabot ang inumin ko.
"Shut up, will you?" Even I can sense the venom in my voice and I immediately regret it.
I opened my mouth to say something but immediately closed it after no words came out.
Uminom ako ng uminom until there's only a few people left at the bar.
Feeling nauseous and dizzy, I lifted my head and looked at the bartender who's gazing at me with worry in his eyes.
"Anong oras na?" I can barely recognize my voice as I asked that.
"Quarter to Two AM, Ma'am." Said the bartender after he looked at hus wrist watch.
I nodded my head as a response to him at dahan-dahang tumayo mula sa pagkaka upo ko sa bar counter.
Pagewang gewang man ay pinilit kong umakyat sa second floor papunta sa private room na nirentahan nung kambal hoping na nandoon parin sila.
