MR. MATCHA

Khai's POV

My phone rang loudly while I was putting on my favorite watch. Justice's name appeared on the caller I.D.. I think they're already outside the building. I should probably go now. I picked up my wallet and left my room, not bothering to look at myself in the mirror. I look the same anyways.

When I reached the ground floor, I immediately saw the black car that Ram often uses whenever we go out. Lagi nila akong sinusundo sa tuwing nag-aaya silang lumabas. May kotse naman ako, pero alam nila na mataas ang chance na tamarin ako at hindi sumama kung hindi nila ako susunduin. They know I prefer staying inside my room and reading or playing games whenever I don't have anything to do.

I approached them as they rolled down the window. "Finally. Get in," sabi ni Just na nakadungaw sa bintana. "Ang linis mo palaging tingnan. Iba ba ang hangin sa dorm mo?" dagdag pa niya.

"Dugyot ka lang, Ungas. Hindi ka kasi naliligo," sabat ni Ram na nakahawak sa manibela ng kotse. Natawa na lamang ako dahil hindi na nakaimik iyong isa. Si River naman ay nakatingin sa akin nang makapasok ako sa loob. "Ganda niyang black shirt mo na 'yan. Bigay mo na sa'kin."

"Ang kapal naman ng mukha mo. Ang dami mo nang ninakaw na damit sa wardrobe ko," reklamo ko. Iyon ngang suot niya ngayon na kulay puting polo ay sa akin din galing. "Mahiya ka naman, River. Ang yaman mong tao, anak ka ng isa sa mga mayayamang tao dito sa Pinas tapos buraot ka?" kantyaw ni Justice.

Nagtawanan naman kaming apat habang nagsisimula nang tumakbo ang sasakyan. Hindi ko pa rin alam kung saan kami pupunta ngayong gabi. Hindi nila ako sinabihan kung saang nightclub kami pupunta. Ang tanging alam ko lamang ay iinom silang tatlo at hinigit lamang nila ako kahit alam nilang hindi ako mahilig sa alak. Hindi naman sila papayag na hindi ako sasama dahil ako ang umaawat sa kanila sa tuwing umiinom sila. Minsan kasi ay napapasobra ang mga ito.

Masyado kasing mataas ang calorie content ng alak. Hindi raw nila gustong maging cause ito ng pag-gain nila ng weight kaya kailangan daw nila ng tagapigil. Nakikinig naman sila sa akin kaya pumapayag na lamang ako. Tsaka sila na rin ang bumibili ng mga inumin ko na mababa lamang ang alcohol level at hindi gaanong mapait at hindi gaanong mapakla ang lasa. Iyong iniinom kasi nila ay puro at hindi ko alam kung paano nila nakakayanan iyon e parang amoy pa nga lamang e nakakasuka na dahil sa tapang.

Mabilis lamang ang naging byahe dahil gabi na at wala nang masyadong sasakyan sa kalsada. Narito kami sa isang sikat na inuman dito sa city, ang Dionysus. Malaki ang inuman na ito at makikita mong maraming nakapila ngayong gabi. Mabuti na lamang at hindi na namin ito kailangan pang pilahan dahil mayroon silang VIP pass. Hindi ko rin alam paano nagkakaroon noon at kung bakit mayroon itong si River pero siya ang nagbigay ng I.D. sa mga guard.

When we entered the place, we were welcomed by a loud music that almost made me cover my ears. It was so loud that it hurts my eardrums. The lights were also flashy and were dancing around the place like most of the people here. The vibe here in Dionysus is really lively, it was the vibe I was never a fan of, unless I am in court. The people here all danced like their lives were on the line, while also singing their lungs out to the upbeat song. I don't know what the title is, but the three in front of me were also singing along to the song.

We went to the VIP table reserved for us. A bottle and a bucket of ice were already placed on top, together with four empty glasses. I don't drink, but I know that the bottle of liquor on the table is one of the most expensive bottles available in this place.

The three of them started drinking while I just sat on the couch comfortably, almost yawning amidst the noisy background music and the loud cheers of the crowd. God, I hate noisy, crowded places. Remind me again why I agreed to go with them.

I blew off a loud sigh and poured myself a little drink when nobody was looking. Ang boring naman kung hindi ako iinom. Ang tagal din kasing dumating ng light drink ko.

I sipped a little from my glass, and boy, it was the worst decision I have ever made. I want to spit it back into my glass as soon as it covers my whole mouth. It was a mixture of a bitter taste and a cold and burning sensation. This is the most unpleasant drink I have ever tasted. What in the world of gumball is this drink? Dali-dali kong kinuha ang lemonade na nasa table at nilagok ito. Paano ito natitiis ng tatlong hunghang na 'to? Napakapangit ng lasa. Pwe!

Nagpaalam ako sa kanila at pumunta sa kinaroroonan ng barista. I go here seldomly, but the barista remembers me everytime. "Ngayon lang kita nakita, Kai, ah. Balita?"

I smiled a little and nodded. "Busy with school and court. I'll have the usual. Don't make it too bitter, please."

Ngumiti naman siya pabalik bago kuhanin ang mga gagamitin niya para sa inumin ko. "Nahila ka na naman ng mga kaibigan mo, ano?" natatawang sabi niya. "Correct. Wala naman akong magagawa."

Habang nakaupo ako rito ay pinagmamasdan ko ang mga tao sa paligid. May ilang mga lalaki at babae na panaka-nakang tumitingin sa kinaroroonan ko. Kumakaway pa nga ang iba na hindi ko na lamang pinapansin. Nagkukunwari akong walang makita nang matino dahil hindi ko suot ang salamin ko. That is how I avoid those fans and people most of the time.

"Hello, pogi! Anong hanap mo?" Huh? Ano 'to, palengke? Maraming lumapit sa akin na malalagkit ang tingin ngunit lahat sila ay hindi ko pinapansin dahil una sa lahat, wala akong energy na makipag-usap sa mga tao.

Napansin ko na ngayon ay mas dumami ang tao sa loob. Habang lumalalim ang gabi ay lalong sumisikip din ang paligid.

"Can I buy you a drink?" Lumapit sa akin ang isang lalaking nakasuot ng coat. He had grown his moustache, and his hair reaches his shoulders. Magkahalo rin ang amoy ng sigarilyo at alak sa hininga niya. I hate it so much. I hate a lot of things, and the smell of cigarettes is on top. Hindi ko siya kilala at parang hindi ko pa siya kailanman nakita. Sino na naman ito?

Umiling lamang ako at ipinakita ang inumin ko. "Thank you, but I already have this." Tumango-tango lamang naman ang lalaki at hindi na muling umimik. Pero hindi pa rin siya umaalis sa upuang katabi ko.

I finished three glasses of my cocktail with a low alcohol content. The barista knows what I need every time, and he never fails. The cocktails successfully made me tipsy. In my eyes, the world is on the verge of spinning already. I blinked a few times and tried to contain my composure. This is my cue to stop drinking.

Napagpasyahan ko na lamang na bumalik na lamang sa table namin at doon na lamang umupo. Not far from me, I can see Justice and Ram dancing on the dancefloor where most of the people are. They are grooving swiftly to the beat, while River is on the couch with a girl, doing God knows what. Ako na lamang ba ang matino sa aming apat?

Nakakadalawang hakbang pa lamang ako nang isang kamay ang pumigil sa wrist ko. "Before you go, can I get your number, Cutie?" Nagulat ako sa tanong ng lalaki. Sanay naman ako sa mga ganitong tanong pero hindi ko ito ine-expect mula sa kahit na sino, lalong-lalo na siya. Wala lang...

I just thought that he's a lot older than me, so I find it weird. "No," I answered clearly, trying to free my hand from his grip. However, his grip got tighter. "Number lang naman e, dali na..."

I was about to snatch my hand harshly when an arm was draped around my shoulders. "I was wondering what's taking you so long. Do we have a problem here, Puff?" an unfamiliar yet familiar voice spoke beside me, hand gently patting my shoulder. I felt the grip on my wrist loosen completely.

I looked at the man whose arm was on my shoulder, and smiled at him a little. Oh, look! It's him. "Hello, Mr. Matcha."

He smiled sweetly at me, the very same smile I had seen last Friday. Then, he looked at the man who was still holding my wrist. "Do we have a problem here, sir?" His tone was full of respect, but it was laced with warning.

"Uh, no, sorry. I just thought that this cute guy here is alone." Ngumisi pa siya pagkatapos tumingin sa labi ko.

"Creep," I muttered. I don't like how he looks at me and my body like I am his prey. He even bit his lips with those dirty eyes while looking at me. Kung sa ibang pagkakataon ito nangyari e baka hinampas ko na na parang bola ang mukha ng lalaking ito.

"Sorry, but this cute guy here is with me." His hold upon my shoulders tightened as he guided me away from the creepy old man.

We left the man alone and walked towards a table where four people were drinking. It was so hard to walk straight. If it isn't for this man, I would not be able to reach this table. Hindi rin nakakatulong sa umiikot na paligid ang iba't ibang kulay ng ilaw at ang malakas na tugtog mula sa mga speaker. Ugh, I want to go out of this place.

"Stay here with my friends. I'll get you some water." Mr. Matcha was about to leave, and I don't want to be left alone here so I quickly grabbed the hem of his shirt. "Outside, please." He looked back at me and smiled.

I looked down and smiled uncomfortably. "Please?"

"Okay. Let's go outside." Marahan niya akong hinila patayo at inalalayan sa paglabas ng club. His hands were on my shoulders the whole time, which I can't deny I needed. Malapit na kasi akong bumagsak. Nahihilo na ako at inaantok na rin ako sa mga oras na 'to. It is 11 o'clock, after all. Hanggang dito lamang ang energy ko.

Nang makalabas kami ay para bang nakahinga ako nang maluwag. Biglang naging maginhawa ang pakiramdam ko, lalo na nang humampas sa mukha ko ang malamig na simoy ng hangin. Para bang nahulasan ako at ngayon ay napayakap ako sa sarili ko. It is so cold out here.

Tumingin ako sa lalaking kasama ko at nagpasalamat sa kanya sa pagdadala sa akin dito sa labas. "Stay right here, hmm?" I only nodded. I looked at the sky and smiled when I saw the moon. The night sky is clear so I can clearly see the stars. They really are beautiful. I chose to lie down the bench to see more of the sky. The cemented bench is really cold, but I didn't mind. Hindi naman siguro ako magkakasakit sa paghiga sa malamig na upuan.

When I was about to close my eyes, a head suddenly blocked my view of the moon. Mr. Matcha is back, carrying with him a white jacket. "Bumangon ka na riyan. Malamig ang bench, baka sipunin ka." Katulad ng sinabi niya ay bumangon na ako. Ibinigay niya sa akin ang jacket kaya't tinanggap ko ito at isinuot. It is a bit big for me, considering the size of the owner of this jacket, but it really is soft and comfortable.

"Thank you, Mr. Matcha." I lost count of the number of times he smiled sweetly at me tonight. Does he really smile like this? He chuckled as he sat beside me. "Where did you get that nickname?"

"You make really good matcha latte e, and I don't know your name." I pouted and looked at the moon again. "You never introduced yourself."

He brushed his hair up and shyly massaged the back of his neck as he looked at the moon. "I'm sorry, Kai, I was shy." I don't know why I found myself looking at him. The lunar rays are illuminating his facial features, making him appear as mesmerizing as he can be in my eyes. His pointed nose, perfectly shaped brows, those long lashes, and his soft lips...every feature he has fits him perfectly.

Am I insane? Did I really look at some man's lips and say it's soft? Huh? What is happening to me? When did I ever think like this towards a man? I didn't know if it's the alcohol that is talking and making heat rise up to my cheeks and my ears or what. I really should not drink after today, I am being weird.

But then, his eyes shifted from the moon to my eyes. The rays of the moon hit his brown irises, and I saw how it shines. He stood up and offered his hand to me. "I am Yve Denver Delos Santos."

I accepted his hand and shook it as I stood up. "Hello, Denver, I am Khai Ramirez."

His hand shifted from my hands to my shoulder when I tried to stand up straight. Hindi ko na pala kaya. "Uwi na tayo? Hatid na kita."