Chapter Text
Shit, I think this was not a good idea.
Regina was standing in front of a dark gothic door outlined with laser lights. The end of the lights led to its logo at the top of the building: RTRO. As she was about to turn around, a strong hand grabbed her arm, dragging her by the entrance.
"Gigi! Where do you think you're going?"
It was Xandra, her Dad's paralegal, but more of a best friend to her. This girl was so excited for Regina to step foot at a bar finally. She was the total opposite of Regina: outgoing, loud, and wild, to say the least. It still remains a mystery to Regina how she earned a friend in Xandra. But nonetheless, she was thankful that Xandra was around.
"Sandy, parang ayoko na."
"Anong ayaw mo na? May I remind you na ikaw ang nag-aya sa amin ni Ali dito? Halika na pumasok na muna tayo!"
She tried to escape Xandra's grasp, but as strong as she was, Ali, their family driver and her boy best friend, came out from the back to stop her. Her other best friend was just as rowdy as Xandra but a little more reserved like Regina. Damn it, I'm cornered alright.
The place was filled with people. Regina was a little surprised, especially since it was a Wednesday night.
"Ganito ba talaga karami ang tao even on a work night?"
Ali responded, "Oo, Gi. Hindi naman nauubusan ng tao dito." Jeez, what kind of people even dare to get drunk and then work after?
Xandra led them to a mini couch near the bar. It was an exclusive spot with the label, 'Reserved for Unemployed Atty. Regina' As soon as she saw the note, she sat and grabbed it, "Seriously? Kailangan ba talaga ipublicize na I don't have work anymore?"
"Correction, you quit your job!" Right, I did.
A waiter handed a case filled with beer and followed with shot glasses and a bottle of vodka. "Ayan na! Let the party begin!" Ali grabbed the bottle and laid the shots in front of Regina.
"Really, Ali? Shot na agad?"
"Oo, Gi! To commence our celebration of your long overdue freedom!"
"Sige na, Regina! Teka—waiter! Lemons at salt please, para sa aming newbie party girl dito." Regina instantly grabbed Xandra to stop spilling too much information out in the air. Clearly, she was so embarrassed for being unemployed and a first-time partygoer at 36.
Instead of waiting for the chaser, Regina took three instant shots. She let out a strong breath, feeling the heat strike her chest; a line definitely made its way down her stomach. "Woah! A great way to start tonight, Gigi! Mukhang marami-rami tayong matuturong tricks dito, Ali ah."
Maybe this night wouldn't be so bad after all, she thought. "Tara na, Ali! Hit me with more!"
🎶 'Cause I'm good, yeah, I'm feelin' alright
Baby, I'ma have the best fuckin' night of my life
And wherever it takes me, I'm down for the ride
Baby, don't you know I'm good, yeah, I'm feelin' alright 🎶
The DJ repeats these exact lyrics and tunes it up while the crowd anticipates the beat dropping. A drunk Narda shouts to Mara, "Tangina, jam natin 'to, bestie!" Her best friend extensively nods and shakes her head, almost ruining the curls of her hair.
Mara levelled the same energy as Narda, which is why they became besties in the first place. Narda's Cristina Yang to her Meredith Grey, as the nurses call them.
Their table was already wet from spilled drinks, leftover chasers, and squeezed limes; their boots were lying on the rest of the chairs. Good thing Luna, their other best friend, was purely sober and handled the roughness of the two women. She had the highest alcohol tolerance among the three which is why she is named the bodyguard of the group.
It was already too late in the night, and Narda had definitely exceeded her alcohol intake. But one thing is for sure; the next thing she did was something she was 'sober' and well aware of.
Being in tune with the DJ's tricks, Narda suddenly stood up at the bar counter, turning heads in her direction. The anticipated buzz of the music suddenly kicks, and she suddenly shouts, "All drinks are on me tonight! Inuman pa!!!" And as the beat dropped, the whole room was filled with shouts of excitement and fun.
Screaming, shouting, dancing, and more drinking. Narda and her former colleagues and best friends continue hitting the dance floor while refilling their glasses with a mixture of tequila, gin, and whisky. Other party-goers also handed Narda different shots, and she willingly accepted them.
All that Narda was thinking the moment she stepped foot the pub was, Ibuhos na natin ang lahat ng pera na pwede ilabas. Putangina, I'm finally choosing myself over everything!
RTRO was the trio's favorite escape from a long shift at the hospital. They may be dignified doctors in their own right, but the nightlife knows this is their happy place—a place of comforting chaos; there was a sense of ease that they did not have to worry about taking care of people in this hole. And Narda was the most frequent customer out of the three.
Out of all the nights they spent here, this will be the most special for Narda. Aside from maybe spending her last party night here, it was the beginning of a new eclipse for her. Narda finally left her all-time favorite job, which definitely mirrored the situation of a certain woman from the other side of the room.
It was a quarter to 4 in the morning and Narda was sitting at her usual spot at the convenience store, sipping on huge cup of Yakisoba. Spicy was her contra recipe to sober up and every single time, it works. Even the cashier knows her order by heart.
After throwing the cup in the trash, she slightly opened the door of the store, giving the chimes a sound. But suddenly, Narda felt the urge to look at a woman who was obviously struggling to sober up.
Curly and long brown hair, long (Yes, she admired those) eyelashes, rosy cheeks (She doesn’t know whether it’s because of her drunkenness or it’s a natural thing), and plumpy red lips.
She was wearing a leather body suit that wrapped her body so perfectly. It was partnered with baggy trousers designed with a weird type of chain pattern (Surprisingly, Narda liked it).
“Here, baka ito ang magwork para mahimasmasan ka.” Narda casually sat beside the lady and handed a large cup of black coffee.
She lets a timid response, ”Thanks.”
Narda watches as she chugs on the drink. Oh wow, mukhang gusto niya talaga mawala tama niya.
”Why are you giggling?” Narda did not realize she let out a slight chuckle that the woman clearly saw and heard.
”Pasensya ka na. Ang cute at nakakagulat ka maglaklak ng kape diyan.”
She smirked, “I really regret drinking so hard.”
”Kita ko nga eh.” Narda suddenly stares at her lips. Shucks those lips. “Sige na, ubusin mo na yan.”
And that she did. “Thanks again, um?”
She twists her body facing her, “Narda.” Releasing a sweet smile which the lady reciprocated.
”Regina.” Ang ganda ng pangalan niya. She did not even ask for her name but Regina willingly gave it anyway.
There was a long pause. The two faced the glass outlooking the quiet road and the flickering lampposts. The only sound they could hear was the rusty airconditioning and weirdly, each other’s breaths.
Suddenly, Narda could not help but ask Regina. “May gusto sana akong itanong sayo.”
”What is it?”
”Nasa RTRO ka rin ba kanina?”
Regina hesitantly nods, covering her face because of embarrassment.
”First time mo ‘no?”
”How’d you know?”
”Nagkafeeling lang ako. I’ve been in and out of that bar for years now and I guess, sanay na ako kumilatis ng mga taong pumapasok doon.”
Narda raises a grin, oddly getting comfortable with Regina.
”So anong story mo?”
”What do you mean?”
”Sabi mo first time. Most of the time, malalim ang dahilan bakit naiisipan ng mga tao to escape in a bar and drink till dawn. Ikaw, what’s your reason?”
Usually, Regina would dodge conversations like this with strangers. But with Narda, she felt something. She felt easy.
”I quit my job.”
”Talaga? No shit.”
”What?”
“I mean, ganun ba kabigat?”
Regina did a 500 pose, “Heavy is an understatement. My job was my life. Doon lang umiikot mundo ko for almost 7 years eh.”
”I see, I see.”
”To be honest, I almost backed out from quitting kasi sobrang hesitant ko talaga. Buti na lang my friends pushed me to do it. They definitely know that I need to do it soon.”
Narda felt that Regina was starting to open up and knew that she had to reciprocate that.
“Alam mo, not to sound creepy and all. Pero same.”
”Meaning?”
”Umalis rin ako sa trabaho ko sa ospital ngayon.”
”Doctor?” Narda nods. “The only difference sating dalawa is ako, plano ko na talaga ito. I’ve been dreaming of this day to finally happen.”
Regina was amazed, ”Oh wow. Good for you.”
”Good for you rin naman sa’yo eh! At least slowly you are choosing yourself and leaving your job as—?”
”A lawyer.”
Narda’s eyes widened, “Taena! Abogado ka???”
Regina giggled, ”Why are you that surprised?”
”Eh kasi, assumption ko sa mga lawyer is settled na sa buhay and all. Kasi syempre in demand and everything.”
”Well, not every lawyer is like that, Narda. I’m an exception.”
She grinned, “True. You are a good exception.” What does she even mean by that, Regina thought.
Shrugging the idea in her head, Regina continued to ask questions. “Ikaw ba, since sabi mo na plan mo talagang magquit, ano ng gagawin ngayon?”
”To be honest, walang akong definite ng plano. Pero gusto ko lang magtravel, iexplore ang mundo. Syempre dito muna sa Pinas then after sa abroad naman.”
Regina hummed. She felt envious of Narda. She wished that she had Narda’s confidence after leaving her work, her life. But then again, she is still thankful that she us taking the next step.
Looking at her watch, she cut short their chitchat. “Narda, I’m sorry pero it’s getting late. I have to go.”
”Oh sure. Pasensya ka na sa kadaldalan ko ah. I hope okay ka naman na ‘no?”
Regina nods, “Thank you for the coffee. It really helped a lot.”
As soon as Regina held the door, she looked back and they both shared a knowing look. It was deep and sweet, which ended with an exchange of genuine smiles; a feeling of joy.
Narda stayed inside the store and stared at Regina who was waiting by the side road, maybe for a driver or a Grab (She doesn’t know). Nonetheless, she waited for Regina to leave safely.
But then, her impulsiveness kicked in. Narda grabbed a jug of water, bubblegum, and Chocnut, paid for it at the counter, and packed it inside the compartment of her motorbike.
She quietly walked behind Regina, who was standing below the dim lamppost by the road. Narda tapped her shoulder and Regina turned around.
”Oh Narda. Pauwi ka narin?”
”Hindi. Actually I wanted to ask you something.”
Regina was puzzled, seeing Narda reach her hand for hers. “What is it?”
Narda gave a sheepish smile, “Sabi mo kasi, you have no idea on what to do after quitting law.”
”And?”
”Since ako may plano,” Narda stretches her hand a little more, “Would you like to escape the world with me?”
Regina was stunned. A stranger, a beautiful stranger that she just met almost an hour ago is inviting her for a roadtrip? travel? Or whatever she thinks this is.
She had to stare at this woman again.
Narda was wearing her hair down, all wavy. Eyes were sharp and striking. Lips were plumped with the pinkish shade. A white crop top and jeans, she did not see her whole silhouette but damn those abs, she thought.
“Regina?”
She came back to her senses. There was only one word in her head right now: Yes.
Regina slowly leaned her hand over Narda’s. It was soft, gentle, and small. They shared genuine and sweet smiles. Then, Narda enclosed her grip to Regina’s hand and ran towards her bike.
Narda is ready for a great adventure. But she did not think this escape would give her a plus one. Regina, being hesitant as she is, was nervous but excited for doing another impulsive move. This time, it’s all because a gorgeous stranger.