Wages Of Sin

Kabanata 5

Kabanata 5

Umayos ako nang upo habang nakatingin sa kapatid ko at sa mga kasama niya. Robin's not around. Ang sabi niya lang kanina, magc-CR siya. But it's been like 2 hours.

Everyone's gaze makes me uncomfortable. Dahil na rin siguro sa suot ko. Mine's different from their outfit. Malamang dahil night club ito. Imbes na jeans, short skirts or leggings ang suot nila.

Muli akong napatingin sa kung nasaan ang kapatid ko. I suddenly felt uncomfortable nang makitang nakatingin din sila sa akin kung kaya't umiwas ako. I tried to distract myself from observing around but I just saw nonsense things. Kahit saan yata ako lumingon, may naglalampungan at naghahalikan.

"Excuse me." Napalingon ako nang may maramdamang kumalabit sa 'kin. It's an unfamiliar girl. Pero kung hindi ako nagkakamali, pareho sila ng table ng kapatid ko.

"Why?" pagtataka ko.

"We've been noticing you kanina pa. Looks like you are left behind. Do you want to be in our table kahit sandali lang?" she offered. Napatingin ako nang ituro niya ang table nila. Where my sister is.

Without hesitation, I agreed.

"You could sit here," she said. I nodded.

Everyone greeted me on this table. They looked young. Some looked high. Para silang mga nakadrugs—which made me think about my sister's state. Alam kaya ni mama 'to?

I flinched when some guy came closer to her and wrap his arms around her. I want to call her name, but I can't. I can't remember her name. Maybe it sounds familiar earlier, but I don't remember her exact name.

"May I ask if why you are wearing that...outfit?" some girl asked. I looked at her with intensity. Kaysa naman sa suot niyang fitted red dress na halos makita na ang singit. It's a hell no no.

"I-I'm not really updated," I simply said. Natawa naman ang iba sa kanila dahil sa sinabi ko.

"Hey. May dinala akong extras. You know, in case kailanganin ko." Napatingin ako sa nagsalita. It was my sister. "You want to...you know. At least just try?"

I smiled and nodded when a bright idea hits me. "If it fits me, why not?"

Sinamahan niya akong pumunta sa girls restroom pero nahirapan kami sa pagpasok dahil may naglalampungan sa lababo. They didn't even mind us two when we entered.

"Just choose if what you want to wear. I'll wait for you here," she said like she's used to situations like this.

Now, I wonder. Naaalala niya kaya ako? Did she even remember that she has once an older sister?

Muli akong napatingin sa dalawang naglalampungan.

"Are you sure?" I asked. She shrugged.

"I don't really mind," she said and smiled. I nodded.

Nagsimula akong magbihis at pumili sa mga binigay niya. Some of these are revealing. Sinusuot niya ba lahat ng mga ito? Kung oo, nasa'n 'yung pamalo ko.

In the end, I chose a black leggings and an off-shoulder black and white stripe. Lumabas ako sa cubicle saka sinalubong siya.

"Wow!" she said. "It looks good on you."

I smiled at her. Muli akong napatingin sa kung saan ang pwesto no'ng dalawang naglalampungan kanina pero wala na sila.

"Pumasok na sila sa isang cubicle at doon itinuloy," she said saka may inilabas. "Blush on?"

Umiling ako para tanggihan siya. "No, thanks."

She nodded. Humarap siya sa lababo at doon nagretouch. Napatingin din naman ako sa sarili. My hair is totally messed up. Para itong sinabugan ng granada. Mataas na rin ito at halos umabot na sa bewang. Noong first two years ko naman sa gubat, ginugupitan ko ito. Sadyang nawala lang iyong gunting at tinamad na akong hanapin ito.