Bound By Fire

Chapter Three

"Hey, kasama mo naman na ako, who are you still texting with?" Justin asked as he gave my shoulder a soft kiss. Pasimple kong ibinaba ang phone ko at nginitian siya.

"Sorry, it's dad. Sinabihan niya kasi ako na itext pa rin siya every once in a while. You know him, hindi naman siya mahigpit sa'kin, but then he wants to be updated," I lied.

Because the truth is, I am texting with Nicolas. Nandito rin naman siya sa bar kahit na hindi ko siya nakikita, and he just can't stop texting me, like warning me about my off-shoulder top, and if there is anyone, he thinks na trip ako dahil panay daw ang tingin sa'kin.

Justin clutched one of my hands and brought it to his lips. "Nandito ako. I may not be the strongest person in the world, but I won't let anyone hurt you."

Supposedly, dapat kiligin ako di ba? But hearing those words kind of made me sad in the sense that it reminded me of Nicolas and the fact that we will always be just friends; we'll never cross the line, ever.

"Are you okay?" it's Justin's voice and the loud music that pulled me from my trance. Sunod-sunod ang pagtango ko.

"Yeah. I just kind of feel dizzy with the smoke. Matagal na kasi nung last time na nagpunta ako sa bar kaya medyo naninibago ako ngayon," pagdadahilan ko and sipped from my cocktail para hindi mahalata ang pagsisinungaling ko.

The last time I went to a bar was during Nicolas' eighteenth birthday. It was one of the best nights of my life. I got way drunker than him, na para ngang ako raw ang may birthday at hindi siya. The morning after, napagalitan siya nina Tito Blaise and Tita Arya for letting me drink beyond my capacity.

Hanggang ngayon naaalala ko pa rin ang reaksyon niya. He was too cute. 'Yong tipong gusto niya ipagtanggol ang sarili niya, pero di niya magawa dahil mas lalo siyang malalagot kaya nakatingin lang siya sa'kin nang masama.

"If you want, pwede naman tayong pumunta sa ibang lugar? I mean, it's obvious as well that you don't like Jace's crowd," he asked, which alarmed me. Ito na kaya yung sinasabi ni Nic?

I kept my composure, then shook my head. I'm not enjoying this party because no one is talking to me aside from him, but ayoko pa rin pumunta sa isang lugar na kaming dalawa lang.

"No, it's okay. I like it here," I said, and I wish he wouldn't force it. He then smiled, which relieved me.

"Alright, I won't force it. How about I get you another drink? Jace is friends with the bartender here, and he makes delicious cocktails. Wanna try it?"

"Sure," pagpayag ko na ikinatuwa niya.

"I'll be back," bago pa ako makagalaw; he has already managed to inched his face towards mine and gave me a soft kiss on the lips. Hindi naman matagal 'yon, but it startled me.

Nang makaalis na siya saktong nagring ang phone ko.

"Did that fucker just kiss you?" Nic asked angrily.

"It was a smack. Hindi ko napigilan, nagulat din ako," I reasoned, which is true. I heard him breathe harshly.

"Sa ganyan yan nagsisimula, Millicent! Go get your purse, and we're leaving!"

"Nicolas!" I snapped in a warning tone.

"How can you expect me to calm down? Ninakawan ka ng halik ng gagong yan! He's not even your boyfriend!"

"Stop overreacting! Natural lang naman na gawin niya 'yon since I'm also letting him feel na gusto ko siya!"

He has no answer to that. Bago pa ako makapagsalita, napatay niya na ang tawag. Damn him!

"Hey, it's here!" Justin is back, and he's carrying two glasses, of which I suppose the other one is for him.

"Go have a taste," tinikman ko yung cocktail, and it's really good.