Chapter 4

As soon as I sat down at the bar counter, the bartender immediately asked what I wanted. Tequila will do. I will just drink that until I pass out.

I looked around. Hindi naman ako sanay sa mga ganitong lugar. This is something that Sybill taught me when we were here celebrating his birthday together, and now, what in the world was I thinking to choose to go here when all I will remember is him? Such a bad idea.

Napabuntong-hininga ako habang ang mga alaala namin ni Sybill ay bumabalik sa isip ko. Maging ang lahat ng mga pinagsamahan namin. I missed him so much. How awful it was for me that he vanished out of nowhere like a bubble, and I was left sitting here like an idiot, hindi sigurado kung babalik pa ba siya. Ni hinid ko mahanap sa sarili ko ang pigilang umasa. Pakiramdam ko babalik pa siya, that he would stop by my room again at some point during the night, but he never showed up since then. Sana madali siyang kalimutan, but I don't think I have the right to do that either. Umaasa pa rin ako. What if he was merely holding off to go to me? What if he has a valid excuse for not being able to come to see me? What if he's just waiting for me to graduate?

I suppressed a yawn and took another swig of the tequila I was drinking before closing my eyes. I'm making an effort to clear out the mess in my head, but it just keeps getting worse. It's gotten to the point where I have no idea what time it is. It seems like I've been at this bar for a very long time already, drinking. Kahit ang pandinig ko ay nagde-deteriorate dahil sa lakas ng tugtog sa kapaligiran pati na rin sa lakas ng iyak sa kalooban ko.

"Sir, anong oras na po?" tanong ko sa bartender.

"It's five in the afternoon."

Kumurba ang mga labi ko. Bakit ang tagal ng oras? Akala ko, gabi na. Matagal pa ba ako malulungkot?

I shook my head as I attempted to stand up after I had paid for my drinks. I tried to went away from the counter, but my head was spinning, and everything looked like it was moving in front of my eyes. Wait, is there an earthquake going on here?

I grasped my head and forced myself to mend myself. However, what can I expect after spending that much time drinking? Apat na oras ba naman. It's very likely that I'm going to experience some severe vertigo. Wala na talaga akong pag-asa.

I simply decided to take a break and relax for a little while by sitting on the couch sa corner ng bar. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing for a few seconds before suddenly becoming aware of someone's hand on my lap. When I opened my eyes, I was startled to find a man grinning at me. He was right next to me, and he was randomly stroking different parts of my body. Indiscriminately. I shot him a death glare and made a futile attempt to take his hand away, but he swiftly replaced it.

"What the fuck?" I asked as I slapped him. It took him by surprise, and just as he was going to touch me once more, someone else grabbed my hand. Someone pushed his way in front of me in order to battle over the perverted guy. Ang nakikita ko lang ay ang malapad niyang likod.

"Get your hands off of her," he told the man who had touched me.

I let out a sigh. If I had the strength to fight, I would, but I'm fortunate that this other man is taking care of it for me.

I noticed that the other man appeared anxious and promptly extended an apology to me before he left. I couldn't help but frown. Ang bilis naman kausap ng manyakis na iyon. Natakot ba siya sa lalaking nasa harap ko? Bakit? Sino ba 'to?

When I turned my head back to gaze at the man who had helped me, I abruptly felt lightheaded.

"Hey there, are you okay?" I heard him ask in his deep voice. Naramdaman ko ang mainit at magaspang niyang kamay nang alalayan niya ako. Hawak niya ang siko ko.

I was ready to glance up at his face when a light suddenly appeared in my field of vision, preventing me from doing so. Napahawak ako sa neck tie niya and the next thing I remember, wala na akong malay.

*****

I cautiously opened my eyes, and the sight that greeted me was that of a spotless white room. Not cold at all. Not even remotely warm. Nasaan ako?

When I turned my head to look behind me, napansin kong wala ako sa lugar ko. Nasa hospital ba ako? No, I am not there. I tried to recall my memories, but all that came to me was that I had spend my time drinking in the pub.

What the hell happened after that? Paano ako napadpad sa lugar na ito?

I climbed down from the bed and left the room. At that point, I became aware that I was in a room in a hotel. Bakit ako narito?

I took a glance at what I was wearing, at napanganga ako nang makitang hindi ito ang suot ko kahapon. Wasn't I dressed in my uniform? Yesterday, the bouncer almost prevented me from entering the bar since I was still wearing my identification card. Mabuti na lang maparaan ako, I had also taken off my tie, so it was not immediately clear that I was wearing a uniform. I just look like a lady who works in an office. But why am I wearing long sleeves that are not in my size today? And why am I only wearing an underwear?

I made an effort to settle my nerves. At least may suot akong panty. Mas masama kung wala.

Hold on. When I looked down at what I was holding, a red necktie with a straightforward line design caught my attention, and I immediately came to a halt at the front door. Kaninong necktie ito? Bakit hawak ko ito?

Napakunot ang noo ko nang mapansing pamilyar ang necktie na hawak ko. It seems to me like I've seen it before.

I looked at the back of the tie, and there was a capital letter M there. Who is this M? Wait a minute...

I had to close my eyes when suddenly, a memory emerged in my mind that took me back. Naparami nga ako ng Tequila kahapon at pagkatapos kong uminom ay nagpahinga muna ako sa couch. And just as someone was going to molest me, a man came to my rescue and prevented it. Siya ba ang may ari ng necktie na ito? Teka, let me get this straight: does it mean he brought me here? Pero nasaan siya? Bahay niya ba ito? Pero bakit mukhang wala namang gamit maliban sa gamit ko?