Cebu to Baguio

I can't seem to handle the headache I'm having right now. I didn't know that this is what a hangover feels like. I wonder how I got to my bed, remembering last night's scenes.

I puked.

That's the last scene that I can recall.

What happened next? Who was the guy I was with last night?

Did something happen? Oh my God!

I kept remembering everything, but only a few scenes would come out.

You're mine!

A flashback quickly passes in my memory.

What? Talking to a stranger all night long to tell him, "You're mine?"

Are you crazy, Mildred Alex Kate?

Shit!

When will I stop dismaying myself?

Shit, Alex!

Never drink alcohol again!

I wanted to head-bang my head because of too much embarrassment, but I still couldn't handle the sore in my head. I check my wristwatch; it's past 9 am already, and I know I'm late. I haven't changed my clothes yet since last night. I'm really, really drunk.

It's such a disgrace.

I felt thirsty, so I went downstairs. Honestly, I felt dizzy, and I still felt like puking anytime.

How many bottles did I drink last night?

I silently walk down the stairs, trying to remember more. I opened the refrigerator and pulled out the very chilled water. I need to quench my thirst. I've enjoyed the water traveling in my neck when I remember something.

"You really don't recognize me, don't you?" he asked.

I can't really see his face because maybe it's too dark and also because I'm so dizzy.

But a car passed and lit up his face. He is really Alex, the Vonne, the Patrick Alonzo that I know.

"I recognize you now," I smiled. "I'm your girlfriend, and you're mine." I stepped forward, held both his cheeks, and kissed him.

"What?" I shouted. I let go of the glass and broke it. I sat on the floor as I banged my head repeatedly.

No! That was another mistake!

I shouldn't have a drink.

Shit! Shit, Alex!

I was picking up the debris from the glass when I saw familiar shoes in front of me. I slowly raised my head, and I could see him grinning at me. I stepped back, leaving my weight on my hands. I got goosebumps.

Why is he in my house?

"Why? Why are you here!" I shouted while pointing my index finger at him. He grabbed my hand, which was bleeding now. I didn't notice that I was injured because of too much shock.

"Careful!" he said worriedly. He carefully examined my bleeding hand.

I'm out of words this time. I couldn't pick the exact words to address him.

"Manang!" I shouted again, but he covered my mouth with his hands.

"Ssh!" My head is an inch away from his. "Manang's not around." He grinned.

I can feel the redness of my face this time and sense the hotness of my ears.

"Why are you here?" I stand. "How did you enter here?" I slowly stepped backward while looking at him. "You're a thief, right?" I said it in succession.

"Don't you remember anything you've done last night?" He smirked. I can hear my heart pounding so fast at the same time, feeling annoyed.

This guy is holding a timebomb now, and I guess he can let it explode anytime. He walked slowly towards me while grabbing my hand. He pulled me to the sofa. "Wait here! Let's clean this up," he said while leaving me alone.

He came back with the kit.

"Let me!" I said angrily.

"No!" he answered emphatically.

"I said, No, thanks!" I said.

"Let me! Just this time—" he pleaded, saying those words that surprised me.

He was not wearing his suplado look when he said those words. I guess he knows how to tone down his voice and not just smirk and grin.

"Done." He stood up while carrying the medicine kit.

"Tss!" I said without saying, Thank you. "You can leave," I muttered.

He stopped walking and faced me.

"Really?" he replied sarcastically.

"Yes! It's my house, isn't it?" high eyebrows, I said. "So, leave!" I added while leaning my head on the sofa.

"Really?" he still laughs in response.

"So, this is your house? Still joking, Mr. Alonzo?" I asked angrily.

He didn't reply. Instead, he smirked again.

"Leave!" I even pointed to the door. He suddenly approached me and grabbed my shoulders.

"Are you really sure you're not drunk anymore?" He asked. "That's the door, by the way," he added.

I was shocked at what I saw. I rolled my eyes twice, only to find out that the color of the ceiling was blue while ours was white. My chest throbbed even faster as I looked around. And Yes! It's not my home.

"What!" I stood up as I surveyed the rest of the house.

"See? You don't want to believe—"

"What did you do to me?" I grab his collar.

"Wooh– wooh! I haven't done anything to you. Actually, you're the one who did something to me." He is smiling now, and I can see he is teasing me.

"Shut up! I don't want to hear anything!" I cover my ears. But a video is now playing on the big flat screen in front of us.

"I'll send you home."

"No, you're mine. I should go with you!"

I am seeing myself now hugging him. I can see how annoyed he is.

"Your eyes are mine, your nose is mine, your lips—" I pinched his lips. "Your lips are mine, too!"

"Stop! Stop the video, please!" I surrendered.

Alex is just smiling.

"Stop it right now!" I shouted.

"You dare act like that and can't bear to see yourself fooling around? Such a pathetic moron as always," he said with irritation.

"Shit!" I walked out. When I opened the door, we were in front of the sea. My eyes widened even more at what I saw.

Where are we?

What did you do, Alex?

The fragrance of the air is so nice to breathe. It was so refreshing to be in a villa.

"Tss! Take me home!" I said while stomping my feet.

"We're home already!" he said sarcastically.

"Whatever! Take me home right now!" I repeated to him.

"That's what I wanted to do last night, but you insisted on coming here—"

"What?" I shouted.

I'm in big trouble if I don't really know the man I talked to last night.

"So bring me back home, now," I begged.

"I can't," he said while leaning his head against the wall.

"Why?" I questioned him weakly.

"You called home last night, and you said you'll spend this week with me here at Baguio!" he said softly. This time, he was putting his hands in his pockets.

"What! Baguio?" Never in my dream will I be stranded in Baguio without a plan.

"Yup!" He nodded.

"Really?" I couldn't believe my question.

In Baguio, really?

"Yup! You talked too much last night. I don't know what got into you, but maybe that was an opportunity to be alone with you." He smirks again.

"Pervert! Take me home right now!" I'm losing my temper. I walk around and feel restless.

"Even if I wanted to, I can't!"

"Why again?" my voice is fading. I'm tired of screaming.

"You sent your driver home to Cebu," he said.

"Really?"

"Yeah! Really!"

"And why the fuck did you follow what I said last night. You know that I'm drunk, and you know that I don't know what I'm really doing?" I said in frustration.

"To teach you a lesson!" he said, and then he smiled.

Wow! Teacher?

"You shouldn't be hanging around with guys you don't know, Alex!" He is now irritated, but I can sense the tone of his concern.

"But I know you—"

"But you didn't recognize me last night," he said.

"Tss!" That's the only answer I gave. I know I was defeated.

"You alcoholic moron–"

"I'm not alcoholic–"

"Moron–"

"And I'm not a moron! Stop calling me those things!" I feel irritated once again.

"Okay, pumpkin."

"Yuck!"

I'm looking for my phone this time, but I don't know where I put it.

"Looking for something?" He enjoys my reactions.

"Where's my phone?" I asked.

"Can't remember again?" teasing him.

"WHERE IS MY PHONE, ALEX!?"

"You put it in the box together with my phone, and you said we'll just use it when the time is right—"

"Stop joking around, please!" I cut him off.

"I'm not joking, either!" he said seriously.

"Give me your phone!"

"Kuya, be back after a week, okay?"

"But Ma'am–"

"Ssh! Kuya! Don't be killjoy! I'm safe! We're safe!"

Suddenly, a flashback came in. It's true that I initiated everything today.

What did I do?

"But— but Alex! I'm only 16. How am I gonna explain this to Dad if I get home? Where's your telephone?" I looked for it, and luckily, I eyed it just in front of me.

I dialed the number at home, but he interrupted again.

"You can't contact them with this." He lifted the broken wire. "You cut everything last night!" he added.

Everything was a disaster!

What the hell did I do last night?

...to be continued.