Chapter 6

It has been a week in Tokyo and my life seems going upside and down. Hindi pa naman nangyayari ang mga gusto kong mangyari. But I guess it might take time at hindi ko rapat madaliin. I'm here to take everything slow and cherish every moment. Hindi ko naman mamadaliin. My contracts permit me to stay for only six months kaya sa loob nang ilang buwan na 'yon, I will make this time to do something good.

Not someone who could be against them.

I'm with Sasa on a Friday night, tinawagan ko siya dahil wala na naman si Trent sa condo. He's with Albertyne kaya meron akong time magliwaliw. Nagpaalam ako sa kanya though he doesn't have any idea na sa club ako pupunta ngayon.

"So, what you and your boss are up to now?" tanong ni Sasa sa akin.

I scrunched my face. "Duh? Wala. Issue ka, girl."

"Weh? Mukha namang meron talaga," panunudyo pa nito.

Binatukan ko siya dahil hindi niya talaga ako titigilan na i-link sa akin ang boss ko.

"Ito naman," nguso pa nito. "Pero nakakapagtaka, bakit wala kang ideya na well-known billionaire pala 'yang boss mo? I thought you're just babysitting a toddler kasi girl, alam naman ng lahat na walang anak 'yang boss mo. How could you resist the temptation?!"

I grunted, rolling my eyes at her. "No, I did not know him and that's actually not a big deal."

Binalik naman niya ang pamamatok sa kanya. I glared at her but she's so serious that what I said was something erroneous.

"What—Why did you do that?!"

"Let me explain," she said and cleared her throat. "I don't even need to research his whole biography but just to give you some proof, ay screenshots ako for better understanding okay?"

"Bahala ka," walang gana kong sagot sa kanya. We're heading to a club na hindi pa rin niya sinasabi sa akin kung saan kasi for sure, mag-eenjoy daw ako nang bongga kaya hinayaan mo na lang muna siya. She knows Tokyo more than me.

"Before I even came here five years ago—"

"Five years ka na rito?"

Tinanguan niya ako ng mabilis. "Oo, girl. Ang bilis nga lang ng panahon. Pagkagraduate ko ng college, diretsyo agad ako na mag-apply abroad at may experiences na rin naman ako dahil working student ako before so hindi ako nahirapan on that part. Anyway, nalilihis tayo sa usapan. My story isn't that relevant kaysa diyan sa boss mo."

"Oh, okay... but if you'd like to talk about your story—"

"Next time," pagputol nito sa akin. Nanahimik na lang din ako at hindi na sumabat pa. "I know Trent Hu even before. Hindi siya model. Hindi siya celebrity. He's a known billionaire. Maraming humanga sa kanya na sa edad niya pa lang ay sukduluan na ng yaman niya. And for sure, hindi mo rin alam kung anong business ng boss mo, am I right?"

Napangiwi ako at saka umiling. Kukurutin pa sana niya ako sa tagiliran ko pero ako na mismo ang umiwas.

"He owned an international bank and a few fast-growing retailing companies. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, he owned some real estate group of companies, basta 'yon. Hindi ko 'yon na-research at 'wag na natin ipamukha sa sarili natin na sobrang yaman niya. So 'yon nga. Why am I so surprised that a person like Trent Hu would get a nanny that in the very first place ay wala naman siyang anak? Nakakaloka."

"But he's fucking someone... baka may mabuo."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Sasa sa sinabi ko. "Goodness, gracious! That's a big scandal," halos pabulong na niya iyong sinabi sa akin at lumilingon sa dinaraanan namin para siguradong walang nakarinig. "How sure are you?"

"Hindi naman mag-aaya sa 'yo tonight if he's around, right?"

"Hala..." Umuwang ang bibig niya at tinakpan niya ng kamay ito. "I didn't know that... nakakabigla naman."

"I'm not," sagot ko sa kanya. "When I met that German model, she's really nice, skinny, and beautiful."

"Oh... that's why," tatango-tango niyang tugon. "He's a bachelor. His eagerness and his overflowing testosterone needed to be done and out. Nakakaloka finding that out ha?"

"And one more thing," dagdag ko pa.

"Go girl. I need more tea. Umaapaw ah," halakhak pa nito. Buti na lang walang pakialam iyong mga taong nakakasalubong namin.

"He told me he needed me to get that German model out of his life," sagot ko sa kanya. "I'm not sure if he really meant that o pinapalabas lang talaga niyang gagamitin niya ako in some way. After all, it's my job to take care of him kaya whatever he asks and wants to do, gagawin ko na lang."

"Girl," ngisi pa ni Sasa. Humalukipkip siya sabay tango na para bang alam na niya ang nangyayari. "If Trent Hu did that, seryoso siya niyan."

"And why would he be with her tonight?"

"He might be looking for other ways na 'di ba? Hindi pa natin sure kung ano ba talagang intensyon ng boss mo at sa trabaho mo. But it looks like he needed you for something and not just a nanny. Gets mo ba ako?"

Umiling ako. "Slight lang."

"Ayoko na magpaliwanag. Naboboba ako sa 'yo," tawa pa nito saka niya hinawakan ang kamay ko at hinigit niya ako nang matanaw na niya ang tinutukoy niyang club na pupuntahan namin.

It's what I missed the last time she went there. I'm looking forward to what other things we could do there. We entered a bar named Gaspanic Shibuya. She pulled me in and I was overwhelmed by how much this place suffocated me. The place is dark but filled with so many neon lights. Medyo masakit sa mata but other areas are fine. Halo-halo naman ang mga lahing narito. Karamihan ay locals and there are some foreigners who were already having fun.

Idinala niya ako ito kasi libre raw ang entrance at walang fee. We would only be paying for the drinks and that wouldn't cost us too much pero dahil wala pa akong sahod at mismong pera ko pa ang ginagamit ko, I think I don't need to spend too much. Hindi rin naman ako magpapakalunlon sa alak tonight.

Gusto ko lang ituon sa iba ang atensyon ko.

"Do you want some beer or other alcohols? Ano bang bet mo? 'Yong hard o 'yong soft lang? Alam mo bang ako na umubos no'ng iniwan mong drink no'ng nakaraan, anyway ako rin naman nagbayad no'n kaya sulit din. So? Anong gusto mo?"

Napakibit balikat ako. "Ikaw bahala. Ano ba sa tingin mo? 'Yong hindi nakakalasing ah?"

Kumunot ang mukha niya. "Girl? Walang alak ang hindi nakakalasing. Bakit nga ba tayo pupunta sa night clubs kung hindi tayo iinom 'di ba?"

Napahugot at nagpakawala na lamang ako ng malalim na hininga. "Yes, it is!"

She squinted her eyes. "Ano bang iniisip mo? Iniisip mo ba si hunky Trent?"

"Hunky Trent? Ewww."

She was a little surprised when I reacted that way. "Maka-ewww girl? Big time na 'yon. Masarap lamasin ang muscles and you're just gonna feel that way. Anong klaseng babaita ka? Aren't you attracted to him?"

"I do," diretsyo kong sagot sa kanya.

"So, anong ka-echosan 'yang drama mo?"

"But I'm not here to find love or whatever you're thinking. He's my boss and I'm not gonna do a thing na makakasira sa plano ko. He's my boss. I'm his nanny. Hanggang doon lang 'yon. Trabaho lang talaga."

"Edi trabaho," paggagaya nito sa akin. "Anyway, ako nang bahala sa 'yo tonight but please, have fun, okay?"

"Do I have any choice, Sasa?"

She laughed. "Of course, wala!"

Pumunta kami sa bar counter and Sasa ordered some two bottles of beers. Aayaw pa sana ako pero wala na rin akong nagawa. I was about to sip on my drink when someone poke me on my side. Agad din naman akong lumingon para tingnan kung sino iyong nangangalabit sa akin.

"Seila?" banggit nito sa akin. And when I finally had a better view of his face dahil sa mga ilaw na pasulpot-sulpot sa paligid ay doon ko lang siya nakilala. I immediately held back when I figured who it is. "Ikaw nga!"

"Yes, Fredrick..." ngiwi ko pa.

"Hindi ako makapaniwala na makikita kita ngayon dito!" he exclaimed then gave me a huge, tight hug. Napansin ko naman si Sasa sa tabi ko at ineeksamina na niya ako sa lagay ng tingin niya sa akin. Nang alisin ni Fredrick ang pagkakayakap sa akin at muling nagtama ang mga mata namin, I instantly look at away. "How are you?"

"I'm good," tipid kong sagot sa kanya. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, yeah! I'm here for a vacation. Actually, I was with my fiancée but she couldn't come so she stayed at our hotel. Ikaw, anong ginagawa mo rito? Are you also on vacation? Are you with your brothers?"

Napalunok ako ng laway bago ako magsalita. I may not know what to say to him pero bahala na. "No, I'm alone here... and yes, I'm here for vacation."

"Great! Hanggang kailan ka? We only have a week left, baka naman gusto mong sumama sa amin ng fiancée ko gumala? Wait. Hindi pa kayo nagmi-meet ng fiancée ko, right?"

Umiling ako. For fuck sake, iyong tinatawag niyang fiancée ay three months lamang simula nang magkakilala sila at engagement na agad. I know it because I stalked Fredrick on his IG.

"I already have a plan, Fred. I wish we could do it sometimes though. Saan niyo ba balak pang pumunta?"

"Oh, we'll be going to Mount Fuji this time and maybe after just random things o kaya bumalik kami dito sa city at gabi sa mga night clubs. And wow! I'm not expecting to see you at the club alone, Seila. Nakakabilib."

"Oh, I was with my friend," sabi ko saka ko tinuro si Sasa at kumaway naman ito. "She's the one who brought me here and she'll be touring me around the place dahil mas alam niya ang pasikot-sikot."

"Nice," he smiled and then he shook his hands with Sasa. "Why are you alone? What about your family?"

"They have their own business thing to do and there's nothing wrong if I'm alone in Japan, right?"

"Oh, yeah. You're right," he chuckled. "Hindi lang talaga ako makapaniwala na nandito ka ngayon. And why don't you join us mamaya sa isa pang club? They believe that Gaspanic is only for pre-party drinks. Have you heard fo Club Camelot? I think it's far more interesting than here."

"I know it!" singit ni Sasa. Tiningnan naman niya ako at para kaming nangusap sa titig namin sa isa't isa. "But I believe Lav and I will stay here for the meantime or for the rest of the night."

"Sure, not a problem. And I mean not to interrupt with guys anymore, nice to see you again, Seila," he said and hugged me one last time before he left us. "See 'ya 'round!" he waved and I immediately pulled Sasa out of his sight.

Parang nakaladkad ko pa si Sasa sa pagmamadali ko. At dahil sa nangyari, hindi ko napigilan ang sarili kong tunggain ang bote ng beer at naalis lang sa bibig ko iyon ng pigilan ni Sasa na kalahati na lang din ang laman ng bote.

"Hinay-hinay, girl. Kalma ka lang," aniya.

Umiling ako. "No. Paano ako kakalma. If you just know who's that person is, hindi mo magugustuhan."

"Oh, try me. Mahilig ata 'to sa tea—hindi tea-tea ah," pagtatama pa nito.

I heaved out a deep sigh. "He was my childhood sweetheart. On every occasion ay magkasama kaming dalawa and we always come in pairs. We never got into a relationship but we almost did. He believed we're not meant to be so we stopped seeing each other for the longest time. We remained friends and as you heard, he got a fiancée—he's engaged and for fuck sake, he's in Japan."

She raised her brow. "And why you be worrying that he's in Japan? Mukhang inosente naman 'yon."

"Mukha lang pero sobrang yabang din ng lalaking 'yon," I grunted at tutunggain ko na sana ulit ang alak ko ng pigilan niya ako.

"Mamaya na inom. Kwento muna," aniya.

"Basically, no one knew that I'm in Japan to work as a nanny. Fredrick is close to my older brothers so he can tell them what I've been up to. And when they find it out, they might get me back to the Philippines. The reason I'm in Tokyo was because of them and it's not just because I want to work... you won't understand it. My life's complicated."

"Sure... but you know Lav, you can always share something with me. Hindi naman ako katulad ng ibang tao. Mukha lang ako burara at walang pakialam sa mundong babae pero may decency ako at isang salita. Trust me."

"I don't know... maybe I just need to drink this off. I hate my life you know..."

"Nakakainggit ka nga e," she sighed.

Kumunot ang mukha ko. Napuno ng irita. "What did you just say?"

Umiling siya. "Wala. Sige, inom ka lang."

I continued drinking the beer at nang maubos ko ay agad akong bumalik ng counter to grab another one.

"Hinay-hinay ka lang girl," ani Sasa. "Masamang makarami..."

"I don't care. I just need to get this off of my chest and head. Nakakaasar. Sana nga hindi na lang tayo pumunta ngayon dito e."

"Oh, sorry, Lav..."

We spend the rest of the night at sa pagkakatanda ko ay mga pasado alas dos na kami nakaalis ni Sasa ng club. I laughed so hard when she mentioned to me her whole and I almost die laughing at it. Who would be naming their daughter Satanes? After Fredrick pissing me off, Sasa's name became a laughing stock for me and she's fine with that. She laughed with me as well.

When we finally reached the Toranomon hills and we stepped out of the taxi, I feel like my whole world is spinning around.

"Patay ka. Lagot ka sa amo mo," ani Sasa.

"Okay lang 'yan. Sausage lang ang sagot diyan," I answered followed by a hiccup. "Saka, wala naman 'yong pakialam sa gagawin ko. Maybe he's already asleep with Albertyne in his room. Maybe they were already done fucking, you know?"

"They might not," sagot ni Sasa sa akin. "We should go inside na. Sobrang late na."

"Masilip nga ulit sila," aniko sabay hagikgik.

Napailing naman si Sasa. "You're drunk, Lav. Ganito ka pala malasing... oh well, at least you experience your first nightlife in Tokyo!"

Pulos sinok na lamang ang nagiging tugon ko sa kanya until we walked inside the building and then goes right through the elevator. Sasa pushed the 35th floor while I pushed every button from 40th to 50th and I just laughed it off.

But once Sasa left me and I was the only one inside the elevator, I feel so sick and I feel my head going crazy. Pahinto-hinto pa ang elevator kaya nahihilo ako lalo then until I finally landed on my boss' unit floor and before anything could happen, my vision blacked out.

***

The next day, I woke up on the sound of my alarm at five in the morning and with a big headache. But then I got up from bed realizing what happened last night and when I passed through the mirror, I was shocked when I'm wearing a loose white shirt.

Okay... what the hell just happened?

I tried to call Sasa but she's not picking up the call. Puno naman ng kaba ang dibdib ko kaya hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. I took a deep breath and bravely walked out of the room and by doing that, I met my boss on his usual morning get-up on his white robe.

He stood before me and he smirked. "Drink too much last night?"

I winced and bowed my head then I apologize. "I'm so sorry, sir. Hindi na po mauulit—I mean, I won't ever do it again."

He hummed. "Why did you call me daddy sausage?"

And at that freaking moment, my body literally just froze and I wished that I could die. This is so embarrassing! Why would I even call him that?!

And yes, A Mercondia like me is always an embarrassment and that's a fact!

***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

#NightLifeInTokyo6 #NLI6 #WT3

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