Part 10

The recording ended smoothly. A lively atmosphere surrounded the studio. Even I have a reason to celebrate. I no longer have to be here or face the band again.

Lunch palang ay naka-plano na ang celebration dinner na request ng members. The manager agreed with it and they decided to invite me  too.

"Sorry, can't," I told them. The last thing I needed was to be in a laid-back environment with them, specially Sancho. I don't trust myself enough when I'm with him.

"But you were part of the recording," Manager Jack insisted.

"And it's a dinner to celebrate your future article too!" dagdag ni Ms. Zoe.

The way they worded their request was hard to refuse. I, for one,  became familiar with them in the past few weeks. It's gonna be the last time after all. The article I've been working with them, they're just  gonna read it in the magazine.

Thirty minutes later, we arrived at a grill restaurant with the Saint  Claire team. A table was reserved for us but only half of the ten seats were occupied by the staff.

"Where are the others?" I asked since we all came to the place in three different cars.

"Pinatawag sa office," Ms. Zoe told me while the others checked on the menu.

"Office?"

"The label's office. Baka kinumusta lang ang recording. Madalas nila itong gawin ngayon, specially Saint Claire is the top music band of the label right now," she explained to me. "Mabilis lang ang meeting. Susunod sila."

Being with the team, I now realized why the members suffered from  bad cases of hangover. Almost every single one of them are heavy drinkers. Wala pa kaming isang oras sa restaurant pero nakailang bote  na sila ng iba't ibang alak.

"Cheers, Ms. Eula! Para sa article!"

I have a high alcohol tolerance. I basically trained myself for occasions like this. But I couldn't keep up with them who must have mistaken liquor for water. Isa pa, buong araw ng umiikot ang paligid ko. I can't add another torment.

Muli silang nag-abot sa'kin ng malaking mug ng beer with the froth brimming on the lid.

"Again! Bottom's up!"

I held the mug in my hand and took a deep breath. But before I could even place the glass on my lips, a guy standing behind my seat took it from me.

I tried to stare up but it only made me more dizzy. Sandali akong  pumikit habang naririnig ang kanilang boses... ang kanyang boses. Sancho. Did they arrive?

He sat on the empty chair next to me and took the drink, bottom's up.  His perfume. Among the smell of liquor and smoke, I can tell he was wearing that perfume... the brand I once gifted him.

"Nasaan mga kasama niyo?" Ms. Zoe asked Jarvis who sat across the table.

"Susunod si Papi paghatid kay Shun sa condo."

Shun, the youngest. Despite my hazy mind I couldn't help but  remember the details of my research. He's the one with the Japanese father who died of liver disease. It must have been traumatizing for  him.

"Must be hard for him not to be part of celebrations like this," I  mumbled.

"Shun?" Ms. Zoe asked. "Uma-attend lang siya kapag nasa mood. The kid's busy with online games and had an entire set-up of high-end  gaming computer in his room."

"Baka may laro sila ngayon kaya nag-pass," halakhak ni Jarvis.

That explains the frequent savage remarks from Shun. And here I am thinking of other things. I only had half of the things they've been drinking but I was already a mess.

Refusing to face Sancho who was sitting beside me, I kept my face to the side of the stylist on my right. The staff slid another brimming glass of beer in front of me.

"Suko na ba, Ms. Eula?"

Sancho took the glass away from my sight. "Don't give her any more drink."

Napatingin sa kanya ang mga staff na kasama namin. Before they could come up with their own idea, I reached for the glass from Sancho's  hand.

"I'm okay with it, Mr. Santana."

"Eula."

In the middle of the noise and smell of liquor, I could sense the warning in his voice. Hah! What's with the voice? That concern? Don't play games with me, Santana.

I drink the entire thing, bottom's up and slammed the glass back on the table. I almost choke. Unlike smooth wines, beer reeks and it burns my throat.

The staff cheered for me. Sancho stood up from his seat and left the  table.

That's right. We're no longer part of each other's lives. So don't act like you know me and show concern. I've been... trying so hard for the past years to forget you.

I lay my cheek on the cold table for I didn't know how long. The noise, the smoke and the smell of grilled meat and booze combined were making me queasy again.

Standing from my seat, I swayed a little. I was no longer aware if it's from vertigo or alcohol.

"Where are you going, Ms. Eula?" asked Ms. Zoe.

"Comfort room," I mumbled.

Trying to walk straight, I passed by tables with other customers already leaving the restaurant. It's already late after all. I had to contact my designated driver so I can go home.

I walked to the comfort room at the end of the hallway. Upon opening  the door, I was confused when the chilly outdoor wafted on my flushed face. It wasn't the door of the comfort room but the back door of the restaurant.

Feeling the cold breeze on my face, I stepped outside and leaned my back against the wall next to the doorway. I closed my eyes for a moment. I should have controlled my drinking tonight. I'm no good in such a  drunk state.

When I opened my eyes again, I noticed the tip of a lit cigarette from  someone standing a few steps from me. Even in the dark, I hate that I  still knew his built, his familiar stature and the way he carelessly lean against things such as the fence.

He stepped closer with the lit cigarette trapped between his slender fingers. Sancho.

"May maghahatid sa'yo pauwi?"

"I have, Mr. Santana." I tried to regain my calm composure in front of him.

"You shouldn't get drunk so carelessly."

"Thanks for your concern but I can manage myself."

I can see his face clearly now from the little light from the crack of the slightly open door on my side. I don't know if the other members are aware of this side of him. Sancho can be quite intimidating whenever  he's serious. With his lush eyebrows in a knot, jaw stiff and lips in a frown.

It's the same face I used to see whenever he scold me years back for skipping classes to attend his gig. That's a lot of years behind us and yet I'm seeing the same face again in front of me.

"Why?" I mumbled. Our faces were so close to each other. I wished I didn't lean against the wall. It feels like I was trapped with him. "Why  are you messing with me again?"

"I'm not."

If only I could slap the seriousness off his face. Because this side of him... this side he allowed only few people to see that made me fell for him.

"You worry me to the point of losing sleep."

My lips curved to a sordid smile.

"Stop the bullshit, Santana. You're worried about me now? How about all the years you were gone from my life with nothing, even a proper goodbye? It took me years to reach this 'I don't give a fuck' attitude because of you."

He stepped threateningly close. "'You think I've been living my best  life? 'You think there's a day I didn't think about you? You were the one who cut it all off, Eula."

Natulala ako, hindi makapaniwala sa kanyang sinabi. It's always like this... whenever we argue. I was hard-headed, persistent, and spoiled.  And he never hesitated to prove me wrong.

"So we're doing this again? Placing blames on each other?"

"Eula..."

"You know, two can play this game. So go ahead and blame me and I'll be free to loathe you forever."

"Let's talk when we're both sober."

"Oh no, Sancho," I exclaimed out of spite. "This is the last time I'm facing you so congratulations on your song and I wish you luck in your career."

It was the alcohol talking. I was aware of it. But there's no way I can prevent it now. My emotions were all here now... all exposed. And I  hate it.

"Let's head inside before you-"

"What do you want from me Sancho?" I demanded. "Friendship to abstain your guilt? Or do you want something more? Something that  can hurt me again?"

I had a smirk on my lips when I placed my palm against his chest. The cigarette that's been dangling from his finger fell on the cemented  ground. In the dark, his gaze remained on my lips.

"You still want it," I challenged. His eyes remained on my face. "You still want my lips on yours."

"Eula, you're drunk."

Ngumiti ako. "Yes, I am. Because if I'm not, I won't be doing this."

I reached for his collar and pulled his face closer to me until our lips finally met. I had to do it, to prove to myself that he no longer have  power over me. And I plan to end it at that with our lips grazing each other.

But Sancho raised his hand, cupped my neck and kissed me deeper.

//