Confused In Love Four (Part 13)

By: Akhi

One busy morning at DCC nanahimik ang buhay ko sa isang tabi thinking about the stuff that happened last night and all the revelations that unfold and I'm trying to process and take them all in nang biglang may masamang hangin nanaman na nagpapasok kay Lorraine sa cafe but this time hindi man lang nya ako tiningnan or anything. She just entered and took a seat like a regular customer and of course that was kinda strange knowing na gusto nyang sirain ang buhay ko. Anyway I've got so much stuff going on in my head to even care.

About an hour later napansin kong napaka tagal nyang kausap yung recently hired server namin na si Dianne. I got curious so lumapit ako sa kanila because that was kind of unusual.

Akhi: What's wrong Dianne? Is there any complaint?

Dianne: *startled* Ay sir, wala naman po.

Akhi: Then what could you possibly be talking about for almost half an hour? You don't want me to think that you know this woman and you're slacking off at nakikipag daldalan sa oras ng trabaho, do you?

Then Lorraine cuts in.

Lorraine: So what? I was just telling her things na dapat e improve in this pathetic cafe.

I look at her

Akhi: Oh really? Well then we actually have a suggestion box just right over there at the bar *pointing*. Didn't you see? O baka sadyang malabo ang mata mo?

Lorraine: Well I like it personal. *smirks annoyingly*

Akhi: If you really do, you can just talk to me directly rather than bothering my employees.

Lorraine: Oh so feisty.

She stood up and tossed her hair over her shoulder.

Lorraine: Did you enjoy bathing in coffee the last time I was here?

Akhi: you're lucky I'm too civilized to do the same to you.

Then she grabbed her coffee and splashed the contents into my face.

Lorraine: Now how's that? *smirks*

While we were having a scene pumasok si Celine at si Alyssa sa DCC.

Celine: Oh my gosh... Ito na pala yung cafe nila sista Cherry and Akhi.

Alyssa: My god Celine it's lovely!

Celine: I knerr right? Perfect! Let's have a seat.

Catwalk in sync ang dalawa and as usual they're dressed up na parang mag ka-clubbing and wearing make up ng mapansin nila ang eksena namin ni Lorraine.

Celine: Oh em gee Lyssa! May nagaganap na tarayan portion dito.

Alyssa: Nako hindi ko nagugustuhan ito. May kumakanti sa friend natin.

Lumapit silang dalawa samin.

Akhi: *wipes my face* Ah ganun? Pinagtitimpian lang kita dahil ayaw kong pumangit ang image ng cafe at magkaroon ng reputation na "war zone" pero hindi ko na ito palalagpasin!

I raised my hand and was about to hit her sa sobrang inis ko nang hawakan ni Celine ang kamay ko then Lyssa stepped over at sya ang sumampal kay Lorraine.

Lorraine: Ouch!

Alyssa: Hoy sosyalerang feelingera! Ang mahal mahal ng kapeng yan ginagawa mo lang pampaligo ng ibang tao?!

Celine: Lyssa that's not the point.

Alyssa: Alam ko Celine *eye roll* wag mo nang sirain yung moment ang taray ko na eh.

Akhi: Why did you stop me?!

Celine: Hello?! Anu nalang sasabihin ng mga tao kung ikaw mismo popoksa sa insektong yan? Madudumihan lang ang kamay mo so let us handle this.

Lorraine: And who are you? You cheap looking town hooker!

Alyssa: Abay gusto pala talaga masaktan ng babaeng to eh!

Sabay sabunot ni Lyssa kay Lorraine. Mabilis na tumakbo papunta samin si Victor ang bagong barista followed by  guards para awatin si Lyssa.

Alyssa: Ano ka ngayon ha?! Tabil ng dila mo wala ka naman pala!

Lorraine: Bitch please... I've got class and I'm not feral like you.

Akhi: Guard palayasin nyo yang babaeng yan dito at wag na wag nyo na syang papapasukin ulit.

The guards approached her and grabbed her arms.

Lorraine: Let go of me! I can walk on my own. *glaring at us* You bitches better not think this is over. I've just started at dudurugin ko lahat ng kakalaban sakin.

Alyssa: Hoy wala ka sa pelikula bruha ka! Anung durug durugin pinagsasabi mo jan eh kung durugin ko yang pagmumukha mo ngayon din?!

Inis na inis na lumabas ng DCC si Lorraine but before she got out I saw her and my two new employees exchange looks. Nagkakaroon na ako ng masamang kutob. Feeling ko ay kilala nya ang dalawang ito.

Alyssa: Ano okay ka lang ba?

Akhi: Okay lang ako. You didn't have to do that but thank you.

Celine: Akhi, friend ka narin namin ni Lyssa from the very first time na magkakilala tayo sa restaurant ni Aaron so dapat lang na ipagtanggol ka namin.

Alyssa: Speaking of! Alam mo ba na andito na ulit si Aaron sa pinas?

Akhi: Yeah nabalitaan ko ang masamang balita na yan months ago.

Alyssa: Weird nga eh. We bumped into him somewhere in town and he's really different now.

Celine: Tinarayan namin sya ni Lyssa pero humihingi sya ng humihingi ng sorry samin at nagmamakaawa pa.

Alyssa: Kaya ayun sabi nalang namin na hindi naman dapat sya samin humihingi ng tawad.

Akhi: Oh really?! Nakakapag init ng ulo yan! Kahit anong hingi nya ng tawad hindi na nya maibabalik pa ang buhay ni Gab at ang relasyon namin na sinira nya!

Celine: True!

Alyssa: And di ko alam kung bakit hinahanap nya si Mackhoy yung pinsan ni Cherry. It looked as if napaka importanteng makausap nya ulit yon.

Akhi: *chuckles humorlessly* So this is karma.

Celine: Huh?

Akhi: Pakana namin ni Cherry na landiin ni Makchoy at ligawan si Aaron to get back at him. I didn't know it actually worked but I'm so glad it did. He's in love with Mac but everything on Mac's side is staged and fake.

Celine: Well anyway now that we've dealt with that ugly bitch pwede na siguro tayo mag relax at ng maka order na kami.

Akhi: Okay go right ahead.

Alyssa: We got your back Akhi.

Akhi: Thanks. Sige, babalik narin ako sa ginagawa ko.
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At Night Rounds Bar mag isang nag iinom si Richard at medyo lasing na. He pinches the bridge of his nose with eyes closed. Halo halo ang nararamdaman nya. Inis, selos at pagkalito. It is already 10 in the evening at marami rami narin ang nainom nya.

Richard: What the hell is going on with me? This can't be right. Nagmumukmok ako over another guy? Shit! This is ridiculous! Maybe I just need to drink some more...

Then biglang dumating si Lorraine and ordered a glass of whiskey nang mapansin nya na andun din pala si Richard.

Lorraine: Oh! Funny seeing you here looking so down and miserable.

Nilingon ni Richard si Lorraine and looked even more dissapointed then returned his attention to his glass.

Pagkabigay ng bartender ng alak kay Lorraine, she drinks it in one go. Then  asked for another one.

Lorraine: What's wrong Richard? Karma got you now?

Richard: Shut up Lorraine!

Lorraine: Oooh this is interesting. Lately parati kitang nakikitang masaya at parang inspired and now andito ka na para bang pasan mo ang problema ng mundo.

Then Richard saw Lorraine drink another glass of Whiskey in one go.

Richard: *chuckles* You're one to talk.

Lorraine: This is really intriguing! By the looks of it I'd say someone dumped you. Kawawa ka naman! Hahaha. Ang tanong, sino naman kaya ang dahilan? I have her to thank for!

Richard: Pwede ba?! It's none of your business!

Lorraine: Oh but it is my dear! For what you did to me? Haha this is nothing compared to that. *drinks another glass of whiskey*

Richard: So that's why you're here because you're still brooding over that? Uso na ngayon mag move on Lorraine.

Lorraine: You think ganun kadali kalimutan ang lahat?! The humiliation in front of all those people?!

Sa inis ni Richard tumayo sya at lumapit kay Lorraine, their bodies just inches away.

Richard: So you must really be into me at hanggang ngayon di ka parin maka move on.

Lorraine: You're too full of yourself boy for thinking that. Remember, it was all pure business.

Richard: Really?

Richard spoke in a deep, seductive and manly voice. He moved closer to Lorraine.

Lorraine: Get away from me... I mean it.

At the back of his mind Richard is asking himself "am I still a straight guy now that I'm falling for a gay guy? I need to prove something." and just like that dahil narin sa kalasingan bigla nyang hinalikan ng madiin at marahas si Lorraine. She struggled from it but then she gave in ng biglang marealize ni Richard ang sitwasyon so he pulled away.

Lorraine: Why did you do that?

Richard: Don't act like you didn't like it. Sabi ko na nga ba. Gusto mo ko.

Lorraine blushed in embarrassment. She wiped her lips as if she was disgusted by that kiss.

Lorraine: You perve!

She slapped him hard on the face and grabbed her bag then furiously left. Bumalik si Richard sa kinauupuan nya.

Richard: I definitely still like kissing women... So what the hell exactly is going on with me?

He wipes his face with both his hands at muling uminom.
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At home after dinner since mukhang buo nanaman ang barkada ngayong gabi naisipan naming mag inuman para narin e welcome si Miko at Cindy. Medyo lasing na ang lahat other than Cindy na hindi pinayagan ni Miko na mag inom. As usual just like before pag may bagong housemate, we asked Miko and Cindy to share some of their life's story para naman makilala namin sila a little more. So they shared some story but most of the time si Cindy lang ang nagkukwento at si Miko ay panay tango lang.

Cindy: And just like that haha si kuya binasted ni Lyra hindi kase marunong manligaw si kuya. Hahaha naalala mo pa yung sinabi mo kay insan na si Butch after that na nag inuman tayo kuya?

Miko: Ha? Inuman? I never allow you to drink!

Medyo lasing na si Miko.

Cindy: Kuya alam mo napapansin na kita. You've been so weird lately. Kagaya nalang ngayon, I started drinking at 15 at alam mo yan dahil patago tayong nag shoshot ng mga pinsan natin at ikaw pa nga nag patry sakin ng alak. Tapos ngayon ayaw mo ko painumin? Akala ko dahil nag fefeeling role model na kuya ka lang pero kung magsalita ka ngayon it's as if you don't remember a thing na mga pangyayari sa buhay natin. It's as if you haven't been there at all!

Miko: Ha? Eh kase binubuking mo ko nakakahiya naman kina Harold at sa iba na baka sabihin nila kunsintidor ako na kuya.

Once again I saw the pained expression in Cindy's face na para bang gusto nyang maiyak but she instantly shifted it into a smile then said

Cindy: Well now that they know, tatagay na ako sa ayaw mo at sa gusto mo!

Sabay kuha ni cindy sa baso at hindi yung shot glass. Nilagyan nya ng alak na halos kalahati ng baso at nilagok all at once.

Rocel: Oy ne, dahan dahan lang. Hindi ka pa sing lakas kong uminom. Darating ka pa lang dun.

Cindy: I'll be alright. *burp* humahabol lang ako sa tagay.

Harold: Oo nga pala. Tol Miko pano mo nalaman yung gym kung saan ako nag t-train ng clients? Nagulat ako sa'yo kanina eh. Nakalimutan ko kase na dito ka na nga pala nakatira kaya pakiramdam ko kanina nagmumulto si Gab. Ay sorry ano sadyang mahirap kase sanayin sarili ko magkamukhang magkamukha kase kayo eh.

Tahimik lang na nakikinig si Cindy at nakatingin sa baso. Nung marinig nya ang sinabi ni Harold makikita mong parang naiiyak na sya.

Miko: Ah yun ba? Nagtanong tanong lang ako kung san may malapit na gym.

Harold: Ah ganun ba? Pero may mas malapit na gym dito satin kesa dun?

Miko: Ah siguro hindi lang alam nung pinagtanungan ko.

Harold: Ah oo nga siguro. Oh, tagay mo na Gideon.

Cindy: Ako muna ulit tatagay kase sobrang behind na ako.

Then she poured more drinks into her glass more than half at ininom nya ulit in one go.

Miko: Oy anu ba?! Tama na yan! Pasaway ka talaga!

Inirapan sya ni Cindy and clearly the liquor is taking effect on her.

Cindy: Pasaway? Hahaha... Do you really know anything?

Hindi nakasagot si Miko at nakatingin lang kay Cindy.

Cindy: Sorry guys ha I don't mean to be rude. Matutulog na po ako kase tinamaan na yata ako ng alak. Naiinis lang naman ako kay kuya. Enjoy nalang po kayo. Mauna na ako matulog ate Ross. Goodnight everyone!

Rocel: Ay sige masmabuti.

Miko: Guys pasensya na kayo sa kapatid ko ha?

Akhi: Naintindihan ko sya at naintindihan din kita. Sobrang protective ka lang sa kanya.

Rocel: Nakakarelate naman ako sa kanya. Haha walwal is life din ako eh at an early age tapos nagagalit pag napapag sabihan.

Harold: Now I know noon pa man ganyan ka na pala talaga.

Rocel: Wag ka kaseng epal Harold!

Gideon: Haha hayaan nyo na tuloy ang inuman.

Akhi: Actually wait lang pala. I have to talk to Cherry about dun sa mga machine namin na mysteriously nasisira eh kabago bago pa lang. Balik ako after.

Rocel: Okay go.
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About an hour later napahaba pala ang usapan namin ni Cherry at nakalimutan kong naghihintay pa pala mga kainuman ko sa sala. Pagbalik ko lasing na sila lahat at si Miko ay nakahiga na sa kalasingan.

Akhi: Aba eh bat parang sobrang lasing naman na ata ni Miko?

Gideon: Pano sobrang taas ng mga tagay nya. Dinamdam yata yung pagtatantrums ng kapatid nya.

Rocel: Oh baka naman may iba pang problema yung tao.

Harold: So alam mo na Akhi?

Akhi: Ha?

Harold: Dalhin mo na sya sa kwarto nyo.

Akhi: Bat ako?

Harold: Eh kayo mag roommate diba?

Akhi: *sigh* okay.

Kinuha ko ang balikat nya at binuhat sya.

Rocel: Asus Akhi don't me. Alam kong gusto mo rin naman.

Harold: Wag mo lang syang pagsasamantalahan ha?

Akhi: Guys?!

Naipasok ko na sa kwarto si Miko at inihiga sa higaan nya nang bigla syang magsalita.

Miko: I'm so sorry...

Akhi: Anu yon Miko?

But it seems he was sleep talking

Miko: I'm so sorry Miks... Di ko alam...

Akhi: Huh? Who's Miks?

I'm perplexed and so many thoughts are running through my head. I was about to stand up and go to my bed nang hawakan nya ng mahigpit ang kamay ko.

Akhi: Miko let go, matulog ka na.

Nagmulat sya ng mata

Miko: Akhi...

Kinilabutan ako sa pagkakasabi nya. It was so familiar to the point na nakakatakot. Para bang sinasapian sya ni Gab. Bigla nya akong hinila at niyakap ng mahigpit habang nakahiga. He was crying and sobbing. I can smell the liquor from him. Maya maya pa naghilik na sya. I can feel his breathing, his muscular chest and the muscular grip of his arms and his warmth which is so terrifyingly familiar. Looks like he already fell asleep as I can't feel the pressure from his arms anymore kaya tumayo na ako. Sabi ko sa sarili ko I need some air... Or maybe a drink... Lumabas ako at wala na sila Ross. Naiwan nalang ang mga basyo ng alak na wala nang laman.

Akhi: I was hoping na may maabutan pa ako dito but oh well... I guess I'm going out for a bit.
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I decided to go to Night Rounds Bar to have some more liquor... But to my surprise, nakita ko si Richard na tulog na sa may bar at mukhang lasing na lasing din.

Akhi: Seriously??? Minumulto ako ng mga lasing na love interests ng buhay ko ngayon!

Lumapit ako at ginising sya. Kinausap ako ng bartender

Bartender: Sir kilala nyo po sya?

Akhi: Yes he's my friend.

It was about 2am na by that time.

Bartender: Kanina pa po sya dito mga 9pm.

Akhi: Ha? My gosh so marami na syang nainom?

Bartender: Opo.

Akhi: Sige ako na bahala dito.

Inakay ko sya palabas ng bar at tumawag ng taxi. Dahil di ko alam kung saan sya ihahatid, I decided na e check in nalang sya in a hotel nearby. When I got a room and got him inside nagising sya.

Richard: Akhi...

Akhi: Matulog ka na.

Richard: Anu bang ginawa mo sakin?

Akhi: Ha?

Richard: Akhi bakit ganito? Bakit pakiramdam ko mahal na mahal na kita?

Gooooossshhhh... I am soooo torn right now. A part of me is saying "what have I done to deserve such beautiful men?" and the other "Ang malas ko naman palaging may conflict with my potential lovers". Nakatulog na si Richard and I decided to just leave him there. At dahil feeling ko I've had my share of liquor and drunk people for one day, naisipan ko nalang na pumunta sa Park at doon magpahangin.
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Akhi: This is a new chapter for me... Richard confessing, Miko and Cindy moving in... I'm terrified but all at the same time excited...