Sa kabilang banda, hindi makatulog si Garet sa sandaling iyon. Nasa apartment siya that time at gusto niyang uminom. It was 2 a.m. at hindi pa rin siya dinadalaw ng antok. Naisipan niyang tawagan si Luciano. Alam niyang hindi pa ito natutulog ngayon.

Nang ma-dial ay agad itong sumagot.

"What's up, Gars? Napatawag ka?"

"I just want to drink right now, are you down?"

"Yeah, come to my place." Sabi pa nito.

"A'right. I'll be there in ten minutes."

Sa puntong iyon ay agad na nag-ayos si Garet at kinausap si Andres na aalis muna siya.

Agad siyang pumunta sa garahe ng apartment niya saka kinuha ang kaniyang big bike. Mas mabilis kasi ito patakbuhin. Hindi rin naman kasi malayo ang apartment niya kay Luciano, kaya mas convenient na doon siya muna pupunta.

***

Nang makarating sa apartment ni Luciano ay pansin ni Garet na nakabukas pa rin ang ilaw ng sala nito. Tanda na hindi pa rin ito natutulog.

He start to park his big bike and press the door bell. 

Agad naman itong nagbukas. It was Luciano.

"Oh, Garet! Come in, come in! I thought you weren't coming. You look like you're carrying the weight of the world!" ngisi pa nito sa kaniya saka mabilis na umakbay.

"Sorry, I arrived a bit late of three minutes. But here, I brought your favorite liquor. Let's  relax tonight." Sabi naman ni Garet sa kaibigan.

"That's great! You know me, I'm always game for drinking no matter what time it is. Sit down, I'll just grab some snacks." Sabi pa ni Luciano.

Pumunta si Luciano sa kusina habang si Garet ay naupo sa sofa. Nagsimula na siyang buksan ang dala niyang alak.

"How's work, Luciano? I heard you've got a lot of enrollees lately."

"I'm good." Sagot naman ni Luciano.

"Looks like you're really busy. But seriously, Luciano, don't you get tired? It seems like you're out partying every day."

"Oh, Garet, yeah, been busy but I am fine, you know me. I can work under pressure, right?"

Napangiti si Garet sa kaibigan, kabaliktaran talaga sila ng ugali, kung anong seryoso niya sa buhay ay ganoon naman ka care-free si Luciano.

"Honestly, I have no plans to take things seriously. Why stress myself out when life is meant to be enjoyed? How about you? How's life in the business world? You look even more stressed than last time!" Saad pa ni Luciano kay Garet. Napaubo naman ng wala sa oras si Garet habang iniinom ang alak.

He sigh as he put the glass in the center table.

"It's stressful, but it's necessary. I've got dreams I want to achieve. You know me, I must endure the pressure between me and Papa. Lately, I closed some deals, I also opened the Mindanao branch, finding some sources of local products."

"Wow, big shot! As for me, my simple dream is to wake up late, have no boss, and always have a drink in hand." Tumatawang saad ni Luciano saka uminom ng hawak na baso ng alak.

Garet just shake his head. Ganoon pa rin talaga si Luciano, hindi talaga ito nawawalan ng pagbibiro sa mga bagay-bagay.

"You're really something else, Luciano. But seriously, when are you going to settle down? You're always dating someone, but I don't hear about anything serious." Medyo sumeryoso ang usapan nila that time.

"Hey, don't compare me to you. I'm the king of freedom! But don't worry, someone's coming over later. I invited a couple of dancers to liven up our night." Sabi pa ni Luciano.

"What? Dancers? Luciano, are you serious? I don't want any trouble." 

"Relax! There's nothing wrong with this. It's just to make our night more fun. Trust me, it'll be chill."

"Fine, but don't get us into trouble."

Ilang sandali pa ay may kumatok sa pinto. Siguro'y  ito na ang sinasabi ni Luciano na mga dancers.

"There they are! Hold on, bro. I got this." Luciano raise from his seat, feel excited.

Binuksan ni Luciano ang pintuan at pumasok ang dalawang babae, magaganda at naka-casual na damit.

"Oh, meet my friends, Garet! This is Alona and Trisha. Garet, they'll be entertaining us tonight." Pakilala pa ni Luciano sa dalawa.

"Hi, Garet. Nice to meet you." Sabi pa ni Alona.

"Hello! You seem quiet. Don't worry, just relax and enjoy." Dagdag pa ni Trisha.

Nag-aalangang ngumiti si Garet sa dalawa. "Uh, hi. Nice to meet you too."

"Come on, let's sit down. Garet, drink up! You need to loosen up. Alona, Trisha, help yourselves to whatever you like." Sabi pa ni Luciano.

Sa sandaling iyon ay nagsimula ang inuman, tawa at kwentuhan ang nangyari sa sandaling iyon. Unti-unting naging mas magaan ang mood ni Garet habang nakikipagkilala sa mga kaibigan ni Luciano.

"See, Garet? Life's more fun when you don't take it too seriously. You should let loose once in a while!" Sabi pa ni Luciano kay Garet.

"Yeah, maybe you're right. I guess I do need to relax sometimes. But I still can't be as carefree as you, Luciano. We just have different approaches to life." Garet smile a bit as Trisha holds his abdomen. Pinabayaan lang niya ang babae na parang kanina pa gusto siyang lapain.

"And that's why we're friends. I'm the one who brings excitement to your boring life!" Tumawa nang malakas si Luciano.

Nagpatuloy ang kanilang inuman. Napasayaw silang dalawa habang pares-pares kina Trisha at Alona. Garet never imagined na may darating na mga entertainer that time, mabuti na lang talaga at ganoon ang nangyari. Nang maibsan din ang pagiging boring ng buhay niya. 

Sa sandaling iyon ay sumiksik sa isipan niya si Yuri. Napapatanong siya kung kamusta na kaya ito. Gusto niya itong dalawin kinabukasan, that's right! Makikipagkita siya bukas sa dalaga.

Sa sandaling iyon ay naramdaman na ni Garet ang antok.

"Wow, it's been a while since I relaxed like this. But I'm getting sleepy now, Luciano."

Humikab din si Luciano habang nakahilata sa carpet ng kaniyang sala.

"Bro, you're not the only one. I feel like crashing on this sofa. Let's do this again sometime, okay?"

"Sure. Thanks for tonight. It was fun to join your crazy trip for once. Let's invite Sebastian next time..."

"Anytime, bro. You're always welcome here. Alright, let's tell him, but for now... let's have some sleep."

Tila dinaanan ng bagyo ang apartment ni Luciano sa sandaling iyon. Wala na ang dalawang babae at naiwan sila sa ganoong ayos. Very plasured, tired, and happy.

Kahit man lang sa isang sandali, nawala ang stress ni Garet sa buhay-buhay.