Chapter 13: The Tavern

I pulled her into my chest so tight that I could suffocate her. She didn't complain. I even heard her chuckle as she slowly tapped her fingers on my back.

I felt so lost my whole life until now.

May tumikhim sa gilid namin kaya bahagya akong tinulak ni Celeste. There was a man wearing a polo shirt and leather hat on his head. Napatingin ako sa nameplate na naka-pin sa kanyang polo shirt. Glen.

"Nagdadagsaan na ang mga customers natin, Lady Celeste," aniya habang ang tingin ay nasa akin. "Siya na ba 'yung bago nating trabahador?"

"Pabalik na rin kami," tugon ni Celeste. "Mauna ka na para may mag entertain sa kanila. I'm sure parating na rin si Julie. Thank you, Glen."

After the man in a brown leather cap left, I turned to Celeste. Nakangiti pa rin siya sa akin. Hindi ko rin tuloy maiwasang hindi mapangiti.

"I assume you came here because you received my letter," her voice became so formal that it made me laugh. I don't think I've ever heard her talk like that. Kumunot ang noo niya. "Why are you laughing?"

"Nothing." I bit my bottom lip. "Yes. I received the letter. That's also the reason why I am here."

"Good." She nodded. "Spark and Fly Tavern is a newly established business. You will be paid based on your performance. Still, we have a standard minimum salary. You don't need to overwork, but just in case you want more, I don't mind."

Spark and Fly Tavern. That's really sounded like Celeste's idea. Cute.

"We don't have a paper contract, so I'm afraid I can't give you one," she added. "I am not into that. Loyalty and hard work. That's all I need from you, Mister..."

She doesn't know my name.

"Oscar..." I introduced my name as I extended my hand for formality. She held my hand back, and an agreement was sealed.

"Shall we go now? I will show you the tavern."

"Sure, Lady Celeste."

We walked through a busy street. Maingay at lahat ay abala. Maraming mga negosyo sa paligid. Nauunang naglalakad si Celeste habang ako ay nakasunod lang sa kanya.

I was smiling from ear to ear while watching her back. She's real.

"Anyway..." Nagkunwari akong nakatingin sa paligid no'ng bigla siyang lumingon sa akin. "Bakit ka nga pala umiiyak kanina?"

"Ano kasi...?" napakamot ako sa batok.

"You said you are tired. That's why I let you hug me." Napansin kong bigla siyang nahiya. "Did something happen? Kaya ba kailangan mo ng pera?"

"Yeah." I nodded. "Personal."

She nodded. Napansin ko ulit na lumambot ang expression ng kanyang mukha. Bumalik uli sa harapan ang kanyang tingin. Ang mga kamay niya ay nasa likod. Gusto kong hawakan ang mga 'yon. Ngunit pinigilan ko ang sarili ko.

I like what's happening.

Just like what Celeste has told me, her tavern was really small. Kaya may mga lamesa rin sa labas para mas maraming ma-entertain na customer. I saw Glen standing beside the door and talking to a group of men.

"Oscar..."

Napalingon ako kay Celeste.

"Yes, milady?"

Her eyes twitched as if she felt weirded out by the way I called her. I didn't regret saying it. I had to say it. Napangiti na lang ako.

"I'm sorry if I sounded rude to you—"

"No, you are good," I immediately cut her out.

"Lady Celeste..." A voice broke in from behind.

"Julie!" Celeste giggled and immediately ran to hug her. "How's your vacation? I'm sorry that you have to return to work this early."

"No! Miss ko na ring magtrabaho, eh!" ani Julie.

"Ay..." As though Celeste just realized I was standing behind them. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko saka hinila. Napatikhim ako sa ginawa niya.

She introduced me to Julie. But I couldn't focus since she was still holding my hand, and that's all I could think of. I could feel her in my skin. I could hear her in my head. She knew I was here.

"I hope we can be good friends, Oscar!"

"I also hope so." I smiled.

"Guys!" Glen has a frown on his face when he approached us. "It's time to work now. Pagod na akong ako lahat ang gumagawa ng lahat!"

"Kami na muna ang bahala," ani Celeste. "Ikaw muna ang bahala kay Oscar. Tell him everything he needs to know. We also have a spare uniform in the stock room."

Celeste was giggling when she pulled Julie inside the tavern. Susunod sana ako sa kanila nung hinawakan ni Glen ang balikat ko.

"The stock room is this way," sabi niya.

Wala akong nagawa kung hindi sumunod sa kanya. Sa likod ng tavern ay may pintuan. Pumasok kami roon. Medyo madilim kaya nagsindi ng lampara si Glen.

I watched Glen as he rummaged through the old wooden cabinet.

"Hindi ka naman maarte, 'di ba?" tanong niya.

"Not really."

"Good." Hinagis niya sa akin ang uniform ko na nakabalot pa sa plastic. "That's your uniform. Lalaki naman tayong pareho kaya puwede kang magpalit dito. Pakibilis na lang."

Binitiwan ko muna ang uniform sa maliit na lamesa. I took off my shorts and put on a brown pants. Sinunod ko ang damit saka ko sinuot ang polo shirt. Naintindihan ko kung bakit tinanong ni Glen kung maarte ba ako. May butas kasi sa didbib ang polo shirt.

"Ehem." Glen cleared his throat. "I'm Glen, by the way."

"Oscar."

"I'm also the leader here."

I nodded. "Okay."

"Come on. Let's go inside the tavern, so I can show you your work."

That was the most exciting thing I've ever heard. Nagmadali akong inayos ang mga hinubad kong damit saka agad na lumabas ng stock room.

I was thrilled as I followed Glen into the tavern. It was warm and loud inside because of all the customers and their random conversations. The tavern was already small but felt even smaller due to the crowded customers. There was no empty table.

I saw Celeste on the counter. She was talking to three men and I could tell that she was doing a great job of entertaining them. Humahalakhak ang mga kausap niya habang siya ay naghahalo ng mga alak.

Glen handed me a wooden tray. He then pulled me to the bar counter. Kinuha niya ang mga nakahanda nang alak saka isa-isang nilagay sa tray ko. Masyadong malalaki ang mga baso na tatlo lang ay puno na agad ang tray ko.

"Table number 4," ani Julie.

"Heard her?" tanong sa akin ni Glen. "You will serve this drinks on table number 4. Wala ka namang sasabihin sa kanila. Just gently put their drinks down without interrupting their conversations."

I nodded. "Noted that."

"Hey, Glen! Would you mind refilling our red wine jar?" Celeste kindly asked Glen. "Pakihugasan na rin ang mga nagamit nang baso."

"On it!" sigaw ni Glen bago tumingin sa akin. "May gagawin na ako. Alam mo na siguro ang gagawin mo rin. Kung may tanong ka, I'm sure Julie can provide you the answers. Huwag mo lang istorbohin si Lady Celeste."

Glen narrowed his eyes at me. As if he was threatening me not to talk to Celeste. I just shrugged.

Bitbit ang tray ay inikot ko ang mga lamesa. Nung mahanap ang table number 4 ay agad kong nilapitan 'yon. The table was being occupied by two men and one woman. Sila lang yata ang tahimik na nag-uusap.

Gaya ng paalala ni Glen ay tahimik kong nilapag ang mga inumin nila nang hindi nakakaistorbo sa diskusyon. Pagkatapos no'n ay bumalik ako sa counter.

"Table number 12. Sa labas," ani Julie nung makitang lumapit ako.

Nilingon ko si Celeste. Naabutan ko siyang hinahawi ang kanyang buhok habang nakayuko at nakatingin sa hinahalong alak. I watched her lips as they moved in the rhythm of a fun conversation. There was a gentle smile on her face.

The name of this place suddenly made sense— Spark and Fly Tavern. It was not the delightful drinks they offered. I think it was the way she set the mood of her business.

"Oscar?" Julie snapped her fingers on to my face. Sinundan niya ang tingin ko bago muling bumaling sa akin. "Table number 12, please? Marami pang kasunod."

Napalingon sa amin si Celeste. Nung mahuli niya ang tingin ko ay ngumiti siya.

As much as I still wanted to stare at her smile, I had to do my job. I had to impress my boss. Not because I wanted a high salary. But because I love seeing her so happy that her business was doing so well.

Pagkabalik ko uli sa counter ay nagulat ako no'ng salubungin ako ni Celeste. She was holding a glass of beverage on her hand.

"You are doing so good. Have a drink first," she handed me the drink. "I don't know your type of drink. But I hope you like it."

I took a sip. As soon as I tasted it on my tongue, I was suddenly reminded that this was not my reality. This situation and place would fade in any second.

"Why do you look sad? Hindi mo ba nagustuhan?"

Umiling ako saka mabilis na inubos ang alak. Napangiti naman siya. Pakiramdam ko ay maiiyak ako kaya mabilis kong kinuha ang tray ko at nagpatuloy na sa trabaho.

My fears and thoughts got in my way and distracted me from my work. May mga napagpalit kong alak, at ang huli naman ay natapon ko.

"It's fine," ani Celeste nung yuyuko ako para pulutin ang mga nahulog na baso. "Glen!" tawag niya sa kapapasok lang na lalaki.

"What?" Glen asked. "Natapon mo?"

"Just take over first. I will talk to Oscar first."

Hindi na hinintay ni Celeste ang tugon ni Glen. Hinila niya ako palabas ng tavern. Hindi gaya nung una kong pumasok kanina rito, malungkot ako ngayong lumabas.

Akala ko ay hihilahin niya lang ako sa tahimik na lugar para kausapin nang masinsinan. Nagtaka ako nung lumayo kami sa tavern. Huminto kami sa isang ihawan ng mga karne.

"Tikman mo." Inabutan niya ako ng isang stick saka rin siya kumuha ng sa kanya. Pinanuod ko siyang kainin ang karne. "Sige na. Tikman mo. Masarap."

I took a bite. Gaya ng sinabi ni Celeste ay masarap nga. Hindi ako nakuntento sa isang stick lang kaya kumuha pa ako.

"It tastes so good!" I said, munching the food and savoring it in my mouth.

"I told you!" she giggled. "Kumuha ka lang kung gusto mo pa. Don't worry, my treat. Hindi ko rin ito ikakaltas sa sahod mo."

I smiled. "You never changed."

Napakurap ang kanyang mga mata.

"What?" she asked.

I shook my head. Busog na rin ako kaya hindi na ako kumuha pa. Pagkatapos magbayad ni Celeste ay nagsimula na rin kaming maglakad pabalik.

"Don't feel bad about it," sabi niya habang ang tingin ay nasa harapan. "You shouldn't feel bad for doing things wrong the first time. That's where we learn."

"I'm sorry—"

"I just told you not to be sorry for it!" she scolded me. Saka niya ako inirapan. "Saka kahit naman si Glen ay nagkakamali pa rin. Kahit ako."

"I didn't really mind it, though. Still, thank you for reassuring me," I said casually as I slid my hands inside the pocket of my pants. "I've had worse."

She laughed. "Right? We all have been through worse."

"Thank you, Celeste."

Hinarap niya ako nung malapit na kami sa tavern. Napansin kong wala nang mga customers sa labas. Unti-unti na ring nag-uuwian ang lahat.

Napatingin ako kay Celeste nung hawakan niya ang polo shirt ko. Hinawi niya ang basa roon gawa ng natapon kong alak kanina.

"Bakit parang ang lungkot mo?" tanong niya sa akin. "Marami na akong nakausap na mga bampira. Iba't ibang kwento ang naririnig ko tuwing nagtatrabaho. Pero bakit gano'n?"

"Bakit, Celeste?"

The lights sparkled in her eyes as they stared at me.

"You haven't even told me anything about you. But you give me the impression that you have the most entertaining story and yet sad at the same time?"

Sumikip ang paghinga ko. Hindi ako nakapagsalita sa mga sandaling 'yon. Wala akong ginawa kung hindi ang magpakalunod sa kanyang mga mata.

It's funny how she feels that way for me without knowing she's part of my story. She is the most entertaining part of my story. She's also the saddest part of it.

"Anyway, we should get back to work now. Kaunti na lang ang customers. Mas madali na ang trabaho," nakangiti niyang sabi.

Nauna siyang bumalik sa loob. Kinailangan ko munang pakalmahin ang sarili. I shouldn't feel sad here. I'm already miserable outside this world. Why will I still let myself succumb into that feeling even in this delusion? I am not here to stay.

Pumasok na ako sa tavern. Tatlong lamesa na lang ang ukupado. Nadatnan kong naglilinis na sina Julie at Glen kaya dinaluhan ko sila.

"Are you okay now?" tanong sa akin ni Julie na sandaling tumigil sa pagmo-mop ng sahig.

"Yep. Sorry for the trouble. Do you need help?"

"Please?"

She handed me the mop. Ako na ang nagtuloy sa pagpupunas ng sahig. Napagawi ang tingin ko kay Celeste. Tinangka niyang buhatin ang isang lamesa pero mabilis na nilapitan siya ni Glen para siya ang magbuhat no'n.

"He's really a sweet guy," anin Julie nung mapansin na nakatingin ako sa dalawa.

"Yeah. Halata nga."

Habang nagpupunas ng sahig ay palingon-lingon ako kina Glen at Celeste. Kausap nila ngayon ang natitirang customer. Mayamaya rin ay hinatid na nila ang mga ito sa labas.

"Another day done!" maligalig na sigaw ni Glen pagkasarado ng pintuan, marka ng pagtatapos ng araw. Saka siya tumingin sa akin. "Ayos ka pa ba, Oscar?"

"Yup," tipid kong sagot.

Kinuha ko na ang mop saka binigay kay Julie para siya na ang magtabi. Wala si Celeste na may nilagay sa stock room.

"Sigurado ka ba?" tanong pa ni Glen na nakaupo sa lamesa habang nakahalukipkip. "If you are not comfortable serving drinks, you can take over the dishes."

Nagpantig ang tainga ko sa sinabi niya. He said it so casual, but it came out like an insult. Sinasabi ba niyang pang magaan na trabaho lang ang kaya ko?

"Ano ba ang trabaho mo bago ito?" aniya na parang nangingilatis. "Mukha kasing hindi ka sanay na magtrabaho."

"I am a leader of an entire clan," I said.

His lips parted. Napangisi ako sa naging reaction niya. Saka siya humalakhak na siya ring pumawi sa porma ng labi ko.

"Nice joke, bro!"

"I am not joking."

"Are we good?" natatawa pa rin niyang tanong.

My fists clenched. Bumukas din ang mga kamao ko no'ng dumating si Celeste. May mga dala siyang alak na nilapag niya sa isang lamesa.

"Whoa. What is this?" nakangising tanong ni Glen.

"Since starting now, the four of us will handle this business together. Hindi ba mas magandang makilala natin ang isa't isa? Lalo na si Oscar."

Napagitla ako nung akbayan ako ni Glen. Saka niya ako hinila sa upuan at sapilitang inupo. Napasinghap ako nung pagtingin ko sa harapan ay nakatingin sa akin si Celeste.

"Tatagawin ko lang si Julie," ani Glen bago umalis.

"So..." Pinagsalikop niya ang mga kamay sa ibabaw ng lamesa. "How's your first day, Oscar?"

Shit. I still love how she says my name, how her lips form before my name comes out of her mouth, and how it sounds on her lips.

"Are you real?" I couldn't help but ask.

"What?"

"I mean..." Napatikhim ako. "You look so kind."

Natawa siya sa sinabi ko. Hinawi niya ang buhok para itago sa likod ng kanyang tainga.

"Being kind doesn't cost anything," she said.

"That's so you," I chuckled.

"Wait." Kumunot ang kanyang noo. "Have we already met before? Kung makapagsalita ka ay parang matagal mo na akong kilala."

Tinawanan ko na lang siya. Dumating na rin sina Julie at Glen para Samahan kami sa pag-inom. Marami kaming napag-usapan, pero ni minsan yata ay hindi nalihis mula kay Celeste ang tingin ko.

"How about you?" biglang tanong ni Julie sa akin. "What brought you here?"

"Baliw din 'to, eh!" Inakbayan ako ni Glen. "Tinanong ko kanina kung ano ang trabaho niya bago ito. Ang sagot ba naman ay leader siya ng isang clan!"

"Ako rin dapat prinsesa na ako, eh," ani Julie bago uminom. "Kaso ang pangit ng prinsipe. Mas gugustuhin ko na lang maging mahirap kesa pakasalan 'yon!"

Sabay silang humalakhak ni Glen. Si Celeste ay nakangiti lang. Gano'n pa man ay halatang naeengganyo siya sa kwento ng dalawa.

"What if he was telling the truth, though?" ani Celeste.

Natigilan sina Glen at Julie saka sabay na napalingon sa akin. Mukhang naghihintay na sabihin ko kung totoo 'yon o gawa-gawa ko lang.

"It was a joke," I laughed. "Well, to tell you the truth, I used to serve a daughter of a leader before. She was the most gentle woman I've known."

"Really?" Celeste sounded so fascinated. "What happened?"

"Well, servants are replaceable," I simply said. "I was replaced by someone whom she had thought was better for her."

"Was she wrong, though?" Celeste asked.

I shrugged. "Maybe..."

"I see..." Huminga nang malalim si Celeste. "But if I were her, I would try to find you and get you back. Some things are just simply irreplaceable."

"Pero kahit naman mahanap niya ako, sa tingin ko ay hindi ko na tatanggapin ulit ang trabaho. I wouldn't dare to get back to someone who could easily replace me."

"May point ka," ani Julie.

"Kailangan ko nang umuwi," ani Glen saka na tumayo at nag-inat ng katawan. "Bukas na lang ulit. Teka nga pala. May tutuluyan ka ba, Oscar?"

"I can stay here," sabi ko.

"Sumama ka na lang sakin," paanyaya pa niya. "May bakante pa naman sa tinutuluyan ko."

"No. I'm good here."

"Ikaw bahala. Sige, guys. Bukas ulit!"

"Sama na rin ako!" tumayo na rin si Julie. "Ikaw, Celeste?"

"Hindi ko pa tapos ang budget sheet," sagot niya kay Julie. "Uuwi na rin niya ako. Sige na. Mauna na kayo. Thank you for your hard work."

Hinatid ni Celeste sa labas ang dalawa. Ako naman ay niligpit na ang mga bote ng alak. Natapos ko na lahat ang paglilinis ngunit hindi pa rin bumabalik si Celeste.

I was about to look for her when she walked in. May mga dala siyang unan saka comforter. Nilatagan niya ako. Napansin ko rin na may hawak siyang libro.

"Do you sleep?" she asked.

"Sometimes."

"But in case you don't want to sleep..." Nakangiting inabot niya sa akin ang isang libro. "I think you will love this book. Do you read?"

"I do. Thanks!"

"I think bukas ko na lang itutuloy ang budget sheet," sabi niya. "If wala ka nang kailangan, mauuna na ako para makapagpahinga ka na rin."

"Thank you..."

"If nauuhaw ka, uminom ka lang. May mga pagkain din sa likod. Good night, Oscar. You did great today. I'm so proud of you."

The moment she turned her back on me, I grabbed her arms and pulled her to my chest. Napayakap siya sa akin habang nakatingala at nakatingin sa aking mga mata.

"W-why?" she asked.

The tears started to glitter around her eyes.

"Celeste..."

"Oscar..." she whispered my name. "You do know me, don't you?"

Hindi ako nakasagot.

"Did I just forget about you?" she asked.

The fear abruptly crept into my chest when the vision of the surrounding suddenly started flickering. It was as if everything was disappearing as she was slowly trying to remember me.

The moment she remembered me, I would disappear.

"No," mabilis kong sagot. "You don't know me. I don't know you as well. We haven't met until today."

The vision of the surrounding turned back to stable.

"All right," she chuckled. "I really have to go now. See you tomorrow."

"Yeah." I smiled. "See you again, Lady Celeste."

I let out a sigh of relief.

Hindi niya dapat ako makilala.

I still want to stay here.