When We Were Drunk

Night 010

            For the past hour, that particular smile never left his face. I don’t really know what’s with him today but he seems really happy. But I gotta admit that he really looks better with that smile, he’s ten times brighter than usual.

            “Why are you so happy?” I can’t help but ask.

            He titled his head to look at me. He laughed and took a sip from his can. “What?”

            “Nothing. It’s just that…you’re all smiles tonight.” I said and drank from my can as well.

             I don’t even know it’s possible for his smile to get wider than it was earlier. I wish I could be that happy as well. Maybe something really good happened.

            “It’s better than crying, Marg.”

            “You’re weird,” I looked at him like he suddenly had a visible third eye on his forehead.  I don’t really know what’s with him but I’ll just be glad for him. At least he’s feeling a lot better than last week.

            My gaze landed on his wrist, particularly on the bracelet I gave him for his birthday. It’s been a week since I gave him that and everytime I see him, I can’t help but check if he took it off already.

I know that Alfonso is really different from other guys, I know he appreaciated it even if it’s cheap but compared to the gifts he received…the bracelet doesn’t really stand out. And knowing he hasn’t taken it off yet, it makes me feel special.

Or maybe he just likes the bracelet.

“Catch it, Marg,” he instructed as he throwed a pack of chocolate to me. It was so sudden that I didn’t catch it. Good thing it landed just behind me.

I opened it and took one. I really like the fact that it’s dark chocolate. Chocolate plus beer? Let’s see if it’s a good idea.

He sat near me and took one chocolate. I didn’t notice that he stood up earlier to get this chocolate from his bag. One thing I noticed about him is he’s really prim and proper when eating. He’s even better at me when it comes to food etiquette.

“Do you know how to eat loud?” I suddenly asked.

His forehead creased. “What? Do you want to eat loud?”

I laughed and shook my head. “No, of course not. It’s just that I noticed that you eat without a sound. How do you do that?”

“So you’ve been watching me?” he teased. From a happy smile, it shifted to a smirk.

“What? No!” I defended. “I just noticed at the cafeteria earlier.”

He took a sip and continued giving me his teasing smile. “You noticed because you’ve been staring at me, Marg. Don’t deny it.”

I rolled my eyes at him. “Well, I have no choice but to look at you because you just sat in front of me without my permission.”

He laughed. “Hey, I asked!”

“No, you didn’t.”

“I did.”

I shook my head at his foolish action. He’s trying hard to deny it when we both know what happened. “You even lied about not having a table when clearly there were a lot of vacancies. Oh, Alfonso you’re not a good liar. I can see right through you.”

“But you gotta admit you enjoyed watching me eat,” he winked.

“Yuck!” I elbowed him. “I’d rather eat alone than watch you eat.”

“Ouch…” he touched his stomach and made a painful face. “You’re gonna kill me with that elbow, Marg.”

I laughed at how ridiculous his face is. “You won’t fool anyone with that kind of acting, Esquivel. You better practice.”

I may be complaining right now but the truth is…I appreciate what he did earlier in the cafeteria. I’m so used to eating alone for the past months that I forgot how good it feels to have someone to talk and laugh with while having lunch.

“Why did you leave your table?” I asked.

He tried his best to hide his shock expression but I’m not lying when I said that I can see right through him. I know we haven’t known each other for long…but for some reasons, I feel like I truly know who he is.

“No, I told you I came alone.”

I looked at him with disappointment in my eyes. “I saw you. With your friends. You were eating with them but you suddenly saw me so you left your table.”

He sighed. 

“Is it out of pity? Because I’m always alone?”

I’m truly glad that he shared a table with me but I don’t like him feeling obligated just because we suddenly became drinking buddies.

“What kind of question is that? No, Marg. I went to your table because I want to eat with you. I don’t pity you. I never did,” he said firmly. “Okay…I know I may have lied about not having a table but I just feel like you wouldn’t like it if you’ll know that I left my friends to sit with you.”  

“You’re right. I don’t like it.”

“But Marg, you’re my friend,” he looked at me in the eye. “If I wanted to eat with you, that’s on me. They shouldn’t care about our business, okay? They will not bother you.”

I’m not worried about that. I don’t care what people do to me, they’re nothing to me. I only mind those people I care about. And Esquivel…he’s making his way towards that list.

I took a sip and let my gaze land on the street below. Since it’s already late in the evening, there were only a few cars passing by.

“Are we good?” he asked.

And tell me how can I resist that puppy eyes he’s pulling off? Argh. I hate how I can easily give in to his expressions. Sigh.

I raised my can. “Fine. Cheers?”

“Cheers.” He smiled.

            We silently drank from our cans. I ate chocolates in between drinking, Alfonso did the same. There’s something addictive with the taste of chocolate with beer. It’s not a good combination at first but eventually, you’ll get the hang of it.

            “Why did I only see you today in the cafeteria?” he asked.

            “That’s because I don’t really eat there since…” I paused. He nodded at me as if saying he already knew the answer. The truth is, it’s not because I’m afraid to eat alone and be seen by people. It’s because I don’t want to see my bestfriend sitting in another table away from me.

We’re always together, we’re inseparable. People used to say that we’re a package. If you invited me to a party, expect that she’ll be there as well.

I’m not used to seeing her without me.

“Anyway, I just ate there today because there weren’t really a lot of people eating at 2PM,” I answered. That’s how my daily routine goes. Either I eat lunch at the school garden or I eat late in the cafeteria. As long as I can avoid her.

She’s not really happy whenever she sees me. It’s like I’m a virus she should stay away from. That’s my fault so I don’t complain. It’s just that…I miss her.

“Where do you eat when you’re not in the caf?”

I raised my brow at him. “Why are you so curious, Esquivel? Am I that pretty that you’re gonna follow me everywhere like a puppy?”

He looked shocked at my sudden boasting. “And you’re saying I’m the one who’s arrogant? So modest, Marg.”

I laughed. “That’s where you’re wrong, Alfonso. I’m stating facts here, I’m not boasting.”

“Really?” he mocked.

“Yes! Do you know how many chocolates and flowers I received every Valentines? I can even fill a flower shop!” I bragged.

            “And that proves what? I can give you a whole flowershop too, so maybe it’s just one person who gives you those,” he argued.

            I took a sip from my can before throwing my counterattack. “It can’t just be one person who’s giving me letters. It’s impossible for one person to have 100 different penmanships, you know.”

            “Hmm,” he nodded. “Maybe he hired 100 different people to write it for him.” 

            “Killjoy.”

            I glared at him. He’s being such a killjoy tonight. I only boast once in a while, especially now that my confidence level reached the ground. I don’t even think I’ll receive the same amount of flowers next year. Maybe not even one.

            He just laughed at me when he saw me shooting daggers at him.

            I decided to just give up because clearly he can contradict whatever I say. “Fine. I’m not pretty. Happy?”

            “Very.” He smiled. “But I know you’re not.”

            “Obviously because some killjoy here wanted to ruin my night. He can just agree so we’ll all be happy tonight, but he didn’t.”

            “Hey, I’m not a killjoy.”

            I rolled my eyes. “You are and you know it.”

            He moved closer to me and messed with my hair. I swatted his hand away because he’s ruining not just my night but also my hair.

“You’re pretty, okay? I’m just teasing you.”

I looked at him. “What did you say?”

He looked away and mumbled, “I said you’re pretty.”

            I wanted to tease him for being shy. I wanted to laugh at him for admitting that I’m pretty. But how can I make fun of him when it’s affecting me big time?

            “Damn it, Esquivel,” he muttered.

            Yes, damn you, Esquivel. What are you doing to me?

            To be continued…