Chapter 14: Club

"Nakalimutan ko nga palang ibigay ito sa 'yo." Archie handed me a small pocket bag.

"What's this?" I asked.

"Ipinapabigay iyan ni Tito Peter sa 'yo —"

"Si Daddy? Saan siya?" agap ko, medyo kinabahan.

"Nasa inyo, ipinahatid niya lang iyan kay Daddy para ibigay sa 'yo. 'Di mo ba alam kung bakit?"

I sighed. I thought Daddy's here, what would I expect?

"Why? Ano ba kasi laman nito?" My eyes grew wider as I saw inside my I.Ds and cards, there's a cash too. "Oh my..."

"By the way, binawasan ko iyan. Inubos mo laman ng credit card ko, e."

"Seriously?"

"'Di joke lang, sa 'yo naman talaga iyong card na nasa sa 'kin, pinahawak lang ni Tito Peter para hindi ka gastos nang gastos, pero wala rin, ubos pa rin."

My eyes widened. "Really?! Oh my,  I thought he doesn't care about me!"

"So, ayon na nga! Hindi mo ba alam kung ano'ng mayroon at ibinibigay niya iyan sa 'yo?"

I shook my head, no idea. "Ano nga? Just spill it, dami pang alam."

He pulled my hair. "Araw mo na sa susunod na araw, bobo!"

"Ouch!" I pulled his hair too. "Ano'ng araw pinagsasabi mo..." I stopped when I realized something. "Oh my, March 21 na ba the day after tomorrow?" Medyo na-excite ako, pero nang naisip na baka wala pa rin namang mangyayari ay huminahon ako.

"Oo, iyan kasi, e! Puro ka Zian, Zian, kaya nakakalimutan mo!"

"Pinagsasabi mo riyan?" I rolled my eyes.

"Weh, kunwari ka pa..."

A week had passed since we took a short vacation there. It was actually fun, I really had fun. I got more closer with Zian, minsan nalang kaming nag-aaway noong linggong iyon. Kaya pagka-uwi namin bigla akong nacurious tungkol sa kaniya. Ayaw kong itanong sa kaniya dahil baka mahalata niya kaya naman si Archie ang kinulit ko.

"So, ano? Ano'ng real name ni Zian?"

"Ba't ba tanong ka nang tanong! Umalis ka nga riyan sa labas at hindi ako makatae nang maayos!"

"Archie! You're so gross!"

I was currently in his room that time, kahit nasa bathroom siya ay kinukulit ko siya.

"Mamaya na, p'wede ba! Lumayas ka nga sa kuwarto ko!" he yelled from inside his bathroom.

"Okay. Bye, disgusting idiot!"

"Oh, Archie! Come here, I ordered a pizza. Answer what I am going to ask, okay?"

"Wow, himala. Sige, ano ba 'yon?" He sat and was about to get a pizza when I stopped him. "Did you wash your hands properly? Nag-sanitize ka ba?"

"Oo! Pakainin mo na ako!"

"Okay, first..." I clicked the small box on my cellphone. I am taking down notes. "What's his real name?"

"Name ni Zian? Ano... Hmm,  Fernando Zian Magsaysay Jr."

"W-what?" I bit my lowerlip, but what he said made me burst into laughter. "Hey, Archie! Are you serious? You mean..." I covered my mouth to stop myself from laughing. "I'll kill you, Archie!"

Nailuwa niya ang pizza dahil sa kakatawa kaya naman umalis muna siya para linisin ang sarili.

Just what the hell? I mean, no offense, but... seriously? He's a freaking hot... and his name is... Fernando Zian Magsaysay Jr.?! I mean, just what the f*ck? Oh my, help me, my Lord.

"Oh, ano? Nilista mo na ba?" tanong niya pagkabalik.

"I... I c-can't..." I then laughed again... so hard.

Gosh, I've never been like this before! "Fvck you, Archie!" Halos maiyak ako sa kakatawa.

"Isulat mo na, iyon nga kasi talaga pangalan niya. Ano, next na?" He sat on his usual seat and took a bite on his pizza.

"Okay..." Weird man ay ni-type ko ang buong pangalan niya.

"Next, when is his birthday?"

"Birthday niya? Aba'y itanong mo sa mama niya, hindi naman ako nagpaanak kay Zian. By the way, ano ba'ng mayroon?"

"Wala! Just answer me, okay!"

"April 21, 2000 ata?"

"Okay, dapat sigurado ka!"

"Next, how old is he?"

"19 na siya, malamang."

"Oh, so he's a one-year older than me? Okay..." And we have the same date of our birthday.

"What's his favorite subject?"

"Science, favorite nilang magkapatid at magpinsan."

"You mean Ariane and Kent?"

He nodded.

"So, Ariane Magsaysay and Kent Magsaysay?" I bit my lowerlip.

He nodded, natatawa. "Oo nga! Isumbong kita kay Zian, pinagtatawanan mo siya!"

I shook my head. "Shut up! I'm just shocked, p'wede ba!"

"'Sus, wala ka naman dapat ikagulat, e, apelyido iyon, ang sama ng ugali mo!"

"Hindi nga kasi! Nagulat lang ako kasi... his name is old, malayo sa kaniya, wala naman akong problema roon, p'wede ba, Archie?"

"Oo na! Defensive ka rin, e, 'no?"

"May naging crush na ba siya?"

"Hmm, sa pagkakalam ko... wala pa, e."

"Okay?" But, sino naman iyong babae na muntikan niya nang mahalikan?

Iyon ang mga pinag-usapan namin tungkol kay Zian noong isang araw.

"So, ayon na nga. Binigay iyan ni Tito Peter, I mean binalik niya na para present niya sa 'yo."

"Okay. Will Dad come here?"

Natahimik si Archie. "Hindi ako sure, e. Pero malay mo, 'di ba?"

"Whatever. Sige na, I'll rest."

After that day Archie gave me my things, I called Daddy since he didn't call me ever since.

Nagbabakasali lang naman ako. "Hello, Dad?"

"Hey, Audrey. How are you, are you doing fine there, hija?"

I suddenly missed my Daddy. I sighed. "I am, Dad. Hmm, Dad..."

"Yes, hija?"

"Tomorrow's my birthday..." paalala ko, baka nakalimutan niya.

"Of course, it is. Advance happy birthday, sweetie. What do you want on your birthday?"

Usually, I ask some things to cure my whimpers. Pero ngayon, iba iyong gusto ko. "Are you free that time, Daddy?" I almost whispered.

"Of course! It's my dearest daughter's birthday. Tomorrow, your driver will fetch you, okay?"

I bit my lowerlip, trying to stop myself for crying. "Okay, Dad... I love you so much." I finally said it as I hung up the call, feeling embarrassed.

I love Daddy, but I just don't show it, I'm not that confident for showing feelings. It was that night, I was still hoping for my mom to call, but she didn't. Not even a message, I didn't receive anything.

I woke up at midnight when my phone rang. "Hello?" I answered, eyes were closed.

"Happy birthday, Audrey! Miss na miss na kita! I love you, best friend! We're always here for you!"

Napabangon kaagad ako sa pagkakahiga at tila nagising. "Oh, Marga. Why are you so loud?"

"Ito naman, panira ka ng moment, nagpuyat pa naman ako para mauna akong makabati sa dalagang kaibigan ko!"

I chuckled. "Nagpuyat ka ba talaga para sa 'kin o ka-chat mo pa iyang lalaki mo?"

"Hoy, baliw! Si Dante ba? Hindi, ah."

"Did I mention someone's name? I just caught you, Margaret. Anyway, thanks."

"Ayos iyan, ah? Buti naman may 'thanks' kahit papaano, o ano uuwi ka na ba rito?"

"Yes, ipapasundo ako ni Daddy mamaya."

"Yes! See you later, my girl! Wait mo lang tawag ni Rhiane, tinadtad ko ng call iyon, e. Bye, love you!"

"Okay, bye."

I sighed as I took a glance on the wall's clock. It was already midnight. Maya-maya pa ay tumunog na naman ang cellphone ko dahil sa tawag.

"Hello, Audrey. Happy birthday, babae ko. Pasensya late ako ng 5 minutes, inaantok na talaga ako, e. Pahingi handa mamaya, ah? By the way, tulog na ulit ako, mamaya nalang tayo usap. I love you."

"Whatever, Rhiane. Just go to sleep, bye."

Since we became friends, nakasanayan na rin namin ang ganoon. Tinatawagan namin ang isa't-isa sakto sa alas dose tuwing birthday namin. Iyon lang din ang nagpapasaya sa 'kin, dahil tuwing birthday ko laging busy, minsan naman may emergency. Nasanay na rin ako, kaya mas lalong nalayo ang loob ko sa pamilya.

Sana nga lang ay kahit papaano ay maayos ang birthday ko. It's my 18th birthday afterall.

Hindi na ulit ako nakatulog nang maayos dahil sa excite na nararamdaman. I've never been this excited. Simple lang naman ang gusto ko, e. Kahit lagi silang walang oras sa 'kin ay sana naman kahit ilang oras lang sa debut ko ay mayroon. It's enough for me.

"Happy birthday, hija!"

Pagkalabas ko ng kuwarto ay may confetti na bumungad sa 'kin sa dining room.

"Ikaw maglinis niyan!" sabi ko kaagad kay Archie.

Tito and Tita hugged me. "Happy birthday, hija. Did you have a good sleep?" Tito Isiah asked.

I smiled. "Yes, thanks."

"Audrey, Audrey! Halika, may ipapapili ako sa 'yo."

"What?" I went near Archie and looked at him.

"Pili ka sa dalawa. Number 1 or 2." He's holding a two small box with a number on it.

"2?"

"Buksan mo," utos niya.

"The f*ck..." May bumugang harina sa mukha ko pagkabukas ko ng box.

"Are you serious?!" galit na sigaw ko sa kaniya.

"Archie, ano na naman iyan? Don't pull some kind of pranks, birthday pa naman ng pinsan mo," Tita preached.

"Sayang naman itong isa, buksan mo..."

"Ayaw ko, bahala ka!"

"Sige na, totoo na talaga 'to!"

"I don't trust you."

He pouted. "Please?" He gave me his puppy eyes.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine! If this is a prank, I'll kill you."

I slowly untied the ribbon of the other box. Bahagya pa akong pumikit baka may anong bumungad sa 'kin pagkabukas.

My eyes widened. "Oh my! Is this freaking true?!" His present is a diamond purse from Paris! It's their new edition for Pete's sake! "How did you get this?!"

Mayabang niya akong nginisihan. "Ako pa ba? Kaibigan ko gumawa niyan."

Akmang hahampasin ko siya nang tinaas niya ang dalawang kamay, sumusuko. "'Di joke lang! Nag-order ako malamang! Nagpatulong ako kay Chesca."

"Really? Oh my! Thank you!" I smiled at him widely.

"'Sus, wala 'yon. Ako pa ba? Basta ikaw maglinis bukas, ah?"

I rolled my eyes. "It's my birthday, Archie!"

"Kaya nga bukas, e, 'di ba?"

"Tama na 'yan, kumain na tayo ng tanghalian."

When we finished eating our lunch, we did some talks for later. I already informed them that my driver will be here to fetch me. I was that excited, at wala akong ibang nasa isip kun' 'di ang makasama sina Daddy mamaya.

But all my excitement went to nothing.

"Hija, p'wede ba kausapin ko muna namin?"

"Why, Tito? My driver might be here in a minute." I glanced at my wristwatch when I was about to go outside, mag-aabang.

I'm already wearing a black tube dress. I did my make-up and made my hair into curl one. At naghihintay nalang ako sa magsusundo.

"Hija, I'm sorry to say this, but..."

"What is it, Tito?" He caught my attention because of his guilty tone.

"You're celebration got delayed for a reason."

"What?" I asked, sadness and anger filled my voice.

"There's an emergency happened just now... May nangyaring pagsabog sa isang public market sa Makati, and your parents need to be there... They can't do anything, they need there since they're lack of people..."

My lips parted. What?

But I tried to calm down and keep my posture good while Tita, Tito, and Archie were watching me.

"Okay..." I lowered my gaze. "I'll just... change." I excused myself and went upstairs.

Pabagsak akong naupo sa kama at ibinato ang heels sa kung saan. Bakit nga ba aasa pa ako? Importante ang trabaho nila kaysa sa 'kin kaya bakit pa nga ba ako umaasa?

I closed my eyes, trying to stop myself from crying. My eighteenth birthday, yet... they have still no time for me even just a bit.

I won't get my hopes high again. I will never because the greater you expect, the greater disappointed you will be.

My phone rang beside me, I was about to ignore it when I saw who's calling.

Mom.

"Hello, Audrey. Sorry, we can't make it there. I guess, ipapalipat ko nalang ang araw para sa catering. I didn't expect this to happen, sorry. Babawi kami bukas, hija —"

"No, it's okay... Huwag nalang, just cancel it..." I slowly cut off.

Mommy sighed on the other line. "Are you sure? Okay, I'll cancel it. By the way, I'll hang up now I'm in the middle of work. Happy birthday, Audrey. Take care." She then hung the call up.

I sighed again as I couldn't help myself but to cry. Mommy always make me feel this way. She always make me feel an outcast and nothing. I never feel her love towards me, she doesn't care. She acts like I'm nothing.

I wonder if I am really her daughter? I don't know, but jealousy's always with me when everytime I get to know she's always with Fiona. She's not busy when she's with my sister, but when it's me... Kahit may oras pa siya, mas pipiliin niyang gawin ang ibang bagay kaysa kasama ako.

I wiped my tears away. "Come on, Audrey. It's your fvcking day, don't act like a loser."

Pagkalabas ko ng kuwarto ay nakasalubong ko si Archie na mukhang ako rin ang sadya.

"Umiyak ka ba?" he asked.

I rolled my eyes to hide its puffiness. "No."

"Kitang-kita na nga, e, magsisinungaling ka pa?"

"E, kitang-kita naman na pala, e, ba't ka pa nagtatanong?"

He pouted. "Oo na. Gusto mo i-date nalang kita?"

"Whatever, I'll call my friends, magka-club ako."

"Sama ako."

"Bahala ka." I took my phone out and texted Marga and Rhiane to come here instead.

Nagpaalam ako kay Tita at Tito na makikipagkita nalang sa mga kaibigan habang sunod-sunuran naman si Archie sa 'kin. I just let him.

"Where are you going?" I asked Archie when he turned his back.

"Bathroom lang."

I shrugged and just went straight to reserve a VIP table. I was just wandering my eyes inside the club. There's no much fun.

I sighed and took my phone out again to text Zian. We're now good and there's nothing wrong to invite him over. I also saved his contact number again.

Me:

Zian, are you free tonight? It’s my birthday.

Zian:

di e busy ako

What the? Hindi na nga siya makakapunta ang tipid pa ng text niya?

Zian:

hbd pala

Sa inis ko ay hindi ko nalang siya ni-replyan at umorder nalang ng inumin habang hinihintay sina Marga at Rhiane na dumating.

It felt hour had passed and no one's still here, even Archie. Nalunod na kaya sa inidoro ang lalaking 'yon or is it just an excuse? Bahala siya.

My phone beeped.

Margaret:

Audrey, we’re here na. Saang club ba?

Me:

South VG Club.

Margaret:

Sige, sige. Papunta na kami.

Habang nagpalinga-linga ay natanaw ko ang dalawa na kakapasok lang ng club. We have our fake identification cards kaya madali lang kaming pinapapasok, minsan naman hindi na sila nanghihingi noon at pinagmamasdan nalang kami, we look mature in our outfits afterall.

"Oh my gosh! I missed you, Audrey!" Sinalubong ako ni Rhiane nang mahigpit na yakap at sumunod naman si Audrey.

"Hey, I can't breathe!"

Kumalas sila at parehong nakangiti sa 'kin. They handed me their gifts and grabbed me to sit on the sofa.

"So, how are you, Audrey? Akala ko ba ipapasundo ka o... hindi na naman natuloy?" Marga asked carefully.

I sighed. "It got delayed. By the way, how are you two?" Baling ko sa kanila ni Rhiane.

"We're good, ano ba! Ikaw nga 'tong inaalala namin, e! Uwi ka na, ah? Huwag ka mag-alala, magpapakabait na ako," Rhiane pleaded.

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. Let's just have fun tonight."

"Sure, let's toast!" Itinaas ni Marga ang kopita at sabay-sabay kaming nagtoast.

"Happy birthday, Audrey!"

I smiled at them. "Thank you for being here for me."

They smiled genuinely. "What are friends for?"

I can't help but to be emotional. Friends is only what I have right now, I can't lose them.

An hour later, I just found myself dancing with a hot stranger not as hot as that jerk who said he was busy and was not free tonight. I don't know, but he just suddenly popped in my mind.

I shook my head. That jerk's ruining my night.

"Hey, gorgeous..." the guy whispered on my ear while dancing behind me.

Dahan-dahan akong humarap sa lalaki, madilim sa loob ng club kaya hindi ko masyadong maaninag ang mukha.

"Wanna rest a bit? I'm with my friends, but they're somewhere, so I'm alone... I'm Joe, anyway."

"So, what?" I answered.

"Let's just have some fun."

"Where?"

This guy pointed the second floor, so I nodded and smirked. I guess, this is where I belong.

I just found myself making out with him, he pressed me against the wall while I was busy pulling him closer to me.

This felt boring until I heard someone spoke that made us stopped.

"Brat..."

I immediately glanced beside me. There I saw him. Zian on his white long-sleeve, his hands inside his jeans' pocket. He looked dashing and hot at the same time.

"P'wede ba hiramin ko muna saglit iyang babaeng iyan?" kalmado niyang sabi sabay nguso sa direksyon ko.

"Who are you?" Bakas sa boses nitong lalaking kahalikan ko ang inis at naging dahilan lang din iyon para mairita ako sa kaniya. Marahas ko siyang itinulak papalayo sa 'kin.

Who does he think he is to act like that?

"Bodyguard ako niyan, at pinapauwi na ng nanay."

"What the f– Zian?!" I exclaimed.

"Come here, I have something for you," he said and motioned me to come close.

Para naman akong uto-uto na lumapit sa kaniya. Kalmado lang siyang nagpatiuna sa lakad habang pababa kami. Nang nakarating kami sa table ko ay hinarap niya ako ng may iritadong mukha.

He crossed his arms. "Are you seriously making out with a stranger, huh?"

I crossed my arms too and looked at him, smirking. "Why? Ayaw mo bang may kahalikan akong iba? Atsaka ba't ka nga ba nandito?"

He sighed. "P'wede mamaya na tayo magbangayan?Nakaka-distract iyang kalat mong lipstick, napaghahalataan."

My eyes widened before looking away out of embarrassment.

He took out a clean white handkerchief in his pocket. "Halika nga, punasan natin." He lifted my chin and started to wipe my lips.

"Ouch! Can you atleast be gentle?!" inis na untag ko nang naramdaman ko ang galit niya habang pinupunasan ang labi ko. The way he wiped it was too harsh, at madiin pa. Parang masama pa ang loob niya!

"Gentle-gentle, mukha mo," he whispered.

Nang natapos ay may kinuha siyang bouquet ng rosas sa lamesa at naiinis pa ring inilahad iyon sa 'kin.

I swallowed hard as I lifted my gaze. "Is this for me?" I asked as I accepted it.

"Hindi, pinapahawak ko lang sa 'yo," he sarcastically said.

I hit him on his arm. "You're so mean!"

"Nasira na tuloy plano ng pinsan mo, p'wede naman kasi mamaya ka nalang makipagmake-out —"

"E, ba't ba galit na galit ka? Gusto mo ba sa 'yo ako makipagmake-out?!"

"Hindi. Bahala ka, hinalikan mo iyong lalaking iyon tapos hahalikan mo ako pagkatapos? Hibang ka ba?"

"So, kung wala akong nakamake-out kanina... I'm allowed to kiss you?"

"Hindi rin, huwag ka na umasa, Audrey. Kahit lumuhod ka pa hindi magdidikit ang mga labi natin."