Getting To Know

“Hey! Hey! Hey!” I felt someone hit me at the back of my head.

“Ouch! What the? Who hit me?!” I asked. It really hurts.

“You’re acting strange. We kept on talking to you but you’re not answering! You wouldn’t say a thing if I didn’t hit your head. You forgot to talk already? Are you okay?” Gosh, that was Lara. Damn, I was day dreaming! Wait, what happened? Was that a dream?

I heard a soft giggle, as if someone was trying not to laugh. That’s cute.

I looked for that sound and there I saw her, that’s her! So, it was true!

Another hand smacked the back of my head again.

“Ouch! That’s the second time! What’s your problem Lara?” I told Lara while I’m touching the back of my head.

“Crazy! You’re just talking when I hit your head. Why do you keep on staring at Patricia? Is it your first time to see a human being?” said Lara. Wait, Patricia? Who’s that?

“Huh? Who’s Patricia?” I asked.

“Gosh, you’re crazy and now you’re deaf too. I already introduced Patricia to you earlier and you didn’t even remember her name? With all the girl’s names that you know, your mind is already having a hard time to register new names?” said Lara and everyone just laughed with her.

Why is everyone laughing at me? Is this a comedy bar?

“Well, Lance, this is Patricia my high school friend. She lives near here that’s why I asked her to come. Patricia, this is Lance, my college friend.” Lara introduced us to each other. Then, Patricia smiled. Oh gosh, here comes the different beat in my heart again!

Back to reality Lance! Back to Earth!

“Hi Patricia I’m Lance! Hope you’ll enjoy it here. Good thing you came. Where do you live?” I asked, trying to calm myself down.

I felt another smack at the back of my head!

“And why are you asking where she lives? Patricia is straight! So, you better stop whatever you’re trying to do. We just saw each other again tonight and this might be the last if you scare her!” Lara is really annoying!

“Excuse me, you said that she lives near here that’s why I was asking where she lives. Your mind is full of dirty thoughts Lara. You might want to clean it sometimes.” I said to Lara.

“You’re so funny.” She’s really cute when she laughs. Her voice sounds cute too. I noticed that her eyes are becoming chinky eyes when she laughs. She’s really cute. I’m not really into chinita girls but why do I find her so adorable?

Erase! Erase! This is not good. This can’t be.

“You know what Lance is full of jokes and pranks cause she doesn’t have a love life. So just let her be.” Lara said bitterly.

“Hey! Is it right to tell everyone that I don’t have a love life? Should I call the press so that you can tell the whole country or the whole world? Let’s just upload it in Youtube too.” I told Lara.

“Well, it’s true you know. You’re saying a lot of things Lance just bring out the drinks. I’ll just got to the comfort room. Take care of Patricia.” Lara left with her girlfriend. They went together because the last time her girlfriend went alone in the CR, someone kissed her out of the blue. I was nervous at that time. I thought there was gonna be a fight here in the club. Luckily, Lara just gave sarcastic comments on the girl with an I-don’t-know-face.

“Pat, what drink do you like?” I asked her.

“Oh, I’ll have a drink later. I’m a light drinker so I get tipsy right away.” She answered.

“Alright then. If you want a drink, just let me know. Good thing you came here. It’s really crowded because it’s a Saturday night. In just a few minutes the people in the crowd will go wild and drunk. Anyway, was it a long time since you last saw Lara?” I asked her trying to have a normal conversation.

“We were supposed to go out with our high school friends. I asked her to hang out tonight cause she just got back from the States right? Then she told to just come here. Since my place is just near, I just did. I live two streets away in the subdivision full of condominiums.” She answered.

“Your place is really near. But I haven’t seen you around. Don’t tell me it’s your first time here?”

“Well, yes. It is my first time. Actually, I’ve been curious about this place for a long time already because every time I pass by there’s a lot of people coming in. But since I’m always in a hurry, I still haven’t tried to eat in the café. I heard that the food and coffee is really great. Good thing that Lara asked me to come here because she said that she knows the owner of this place that’s why we don’t need to line up outside.” Well, that’s true. We have lots of reservations for the resto and café while we have a long line outside for the bar specially during the weekends.

“Yeah, that’s true. There’s really a huge crowd here during the weekends. I also heard that the owner is a cutie that’s why there’s a lot of people coming here. Now that you have already experience coming here, then you can now always come here. Don’t worry, we got you!” tried to slightly wink at her and work on my charms but failed. Damn, she’s really straight!

“So… you’re always busy. What’s keeping you busy? Work or boyfriend?” simply trying to figure out if she’s single.

“Work! I’m busy with work. I don’t have a boyfriend. What about you? Do you also know the owner of this place?” Damn, I can’t help but smile. She doesn’t have a boyfriend, so it means she’s single. Yeah, let’s party! DJ please turn the music louder! As if on cue, the DJ really turned the music louder so I leaned closer to Patricia and gosh we were so close that I could smell her perfume. It’s intoxicating.

“I don’t have a boyfriend. I’m not into boys. What’s your work?” I answered with my mouth near her ear.

“So… girlfriend? I work in an advertising agency that’s why I’m always busy.” Gosh, is she interested?

“Girlfriend? I do-----”

“What’s the meaning of this? Why are you too close to each other? I just went to the CR! Is this really how you should talk to each other? Lance you’re doing your moves again! Don’t include Patricia in your list, she’s straight!” Lara butts in and always ruins the moment.

“We’re just talking! The music is too loud so stop with your dirty thoughts! We’re just getting to know each other. Right, Pat?” I winked at her.

She just laughed. Damn, she’s really straight. My charms are not working on her. I think I’m heartbroken already.

“As if I don’t know you Lance. What are you getting to know about? I know your moves! And you’re calling her Pat? Are you already close? Her nickname is not Pat, it’s Ley!” Lara’s mouth keeps on talking non-stop.

“You’re really something else! I want to call her Pat and we’re already close since you went to the CR. Do you want to go the CR until later so that we can be closer? Right, Pat?” Lara and I really talk like this. Like we’re siblings with endless and senseless things to fight about.

“You’re really funny Lance.” She said. I think that’s a point for me! “Anyway, Lara who’s the owner of this place? Lance said that the owner is a cutie.” I’m right beside you Pat. You already met me.

“Don’t believe Lance. The owner of this place is really arrogant and not so good looking. No heart, no emotions. I won’t introduce the owner and your night might get ruined.” Lara said in a very sarcastic tone. I’m not arrogant! I don’t even brag to everyone that I’m the owner and I don’t want to because they would just want some free drinks! Not so good looking? When did that happen? Last time I checked the mirror, I am good looking! But I think I’m bragging a little but damn, I’m just stating a fact, you know!

No heart and emotions? Is it my fault that someone I didn’t expect to lose stole my heart and all the love that I have?

Lara noticed that I was hurt and gave me a sorry look. We’re like that. We tease each other like crazy but when we need each other, we’re there in a heartbeat. We don’t need a lot of words to tell each other how we feel, it’s like an instinct already. One look and we already know. That’s why I’m so thankful for the friends that I have.

“Hey, have a good time here. I’ll just go to some of my friends. Pat, what drink do you like? I’ll order for you.” I asked her.

“Just tequilla, Lance. Thank you.” She smiled cutely.

All the drama moments in my mind just vanished in an instant. She’s a hard drinker, tequilla! Wow! I gave the order to the bartender and he gave it to me right away.

“Cheers for this night!” I shouted to everyone.

Everyone cheered including Natalie and her blind date. I think they were in the dance floor a while ago. It was a good thing then at least I had an alone time with Pat. Well, this can’t be. She’s straight! Erase! Erase! Erase!

“So, I guess you like Patricia?” Natalie asked me on the side. She semi hugged me and I put my right arm over her shoulder since she’s shorter than me. We’re always like this but no funny business is going on. Promise.

“Huh? What do you mean? You know that Lara said Patricia is straight right?” I told her in a defensive manner.

“Wow. Your answer is so defensive, Lance! Well, I was also straight before I met you, right? Since when are you having a hard time to get a girl? You don’t even care if the girl is straight or bi. Even if that girl has a boyfriend, you have a way to confuse a girl. And now you’re just not doing anything? Who are you kidding? What’s your motto for straight girls again? Tell me!” Natalie is trying to give me some encouragement.

“Straight girls are like noodles. Straight until they’re wet. You’re crazy Natalie, let’s not talk about this! Can you just go back to your blind date?” I pushed her away.

Natalie never forgot my motto. Whenever someone hears my motto, they couldn’t stop laughing. Well, it’s true right? I’m not even joking about that.

I went around the bar until I saw Jam while Cole is dancing with a guy. Cole is a really hot guy and no one can tell that he also likes guys. While Jam has a long-time boyfriend and their love story has a lot of drama but they are still together.

Jam suddenly gave me a big smile that made me confused a bit. I suddenly thought of Pat, what will our love story be? I felt so happy as if we’re really gonna be together. But then someone ruined my thoughts.

“Are you crazy? Is what I’m seeing true? You’re smile… it’s different! I haven’t seen you smile like that in five years! Wow! Who did you meet? Where is she?” she scans the crowd looking for someone.

“Huh? What are you talking about? I’m a happy person, right? So, I’m always smiling. You’re going crazy. “I dismissed her.

“Krystalance! That’s a different smile! Before, you just have a plain smile. Now, your smile reaches your eyes. Your eyes are even different. It’s different! The last time I saw you like that was when you were still together with ----”

“Ssssh! Don’t say bad words. This is nothing. Don’t mind me, you’re just drunk. Look at your eyes they’re forming a straight line already. You had a lot to drink already?” and Jam just laughed. I was right she was already drunk. Her chinita eyes is now just a line that’s having a hard time to open.

I looked at the area where Pat is. I want to see her even just from a far so that she wouldn’t notice that I’m looking at her. I’ll just stay here far from her.

But something urged me to get to where she is right now. There are guys surrounding her and Pat looks uncomfortable and wants to go but she can’t. I didn’t notice that I was already running towards where she is and grabbed her on her waist. I felt her surprised and tensed up. I looked at her and smiled and she smiled back feeling a sense of calmness.

The guys around were surprised and introduced themselves. I just smiled at them and whispered to Pat. “Are you okay? Where’s Lara?”

“I think they’re dancing. I’m not in the mood to dance so I stayed here. Can you help me? I’m really not comfortable with these guys around me.” She really looks tensed.

“Alright. Let me handle this.” I assured her.

The guys were talking with us and asking us some questions like if we’re regulars here. I was the one answering all their questions while I’m still holding Pat by her waist and seems like she’s comfortable with the way we are right now. She then whispered… “Lance, can we go now? I’m really not comfortable here. Please”

I smiled and told the guys that we have to go and they were all disappointed like they lost a bet or something. Epic faces boys! Before we left, the other guy touched my arm as if trying to stop me. I looked at his hand on my arm and looked at him.

“Hey! I hope to see you girls here again. What’s your name and can I get your number?” the guy asked.

“Sure. Here’s my number. I’m Sandra by the way. We have to go, sorry.” I said.

Well, of course I gave him a fake name and number. I know how to get away with this kind of situation. I went with Pat outside the bar.

“How are you going home? Did you bring your car?” I asked her.

“Yup, I did. That’s where I parked. Thank you for what you did Lance. I’m not really used to this situation.” She said as she pointed the direction of where she parked.

I saw her car. It’s a red convertible that’s parked near the entrance. My thoughts are wandering with a hot girl on a hot red car. Damn!

“That’s okay. Anytime you need me. I’ll walk you to your car. The next time you come here, you should already know how to handle those kinds of situations. Don’t worry, I’ll teach you.”

“Wow, expert! Alright Lance, I’ll go ahead. Thanks again for tonight. I had fun.” She said and kissed me on the cheeks.

It felt like it’s the end of the world. It’s like there’s an earthquake inside my heart. I can feel my cheeks getting warm.

“Well, I thought you are already an expert Lance. But with just one kiss, you’re already blushing. Is it your first time?” she teased me. Oh gosh!

“Go, now! I’ll see you next week? Same time? Same place?” I asked her. Because I really wanna see her again.

“Sure. I’ll see you. Good night.” And she left.

Wow. Tonight, was the night. The night that changed me.

I got confused. Well, not with my gender. I got confused with myself because I never felt like this for a long time. The kind of happiness that you can’t explain and you just wanna shout. The kind of heartbeat that is this strong and fast, it feels like you just finished a marathon of 15kms. Also, the excitement that you want to pull the time so that it’s already next week and you’ll get to see her again.

What am I feeling? I’m scared. Can this be the start of something new?