When We Were Drunk

Night 011

            It’s been a week since that night. I haven’t gone much in the rooftop last week because I’ve been very busy with my academics. I have to study while I’m sober because the concepts are so hard to grasp that I might mess it up if I’ll drink.

            I opened the metal door and was welcomed with the cold breeze of air. I can now feel that it’s already December, the air is really cold and I don’t know if I can last an hour without a jacket.

            Alfonso was already sitting near the gutter with a can on his hand. He’s always early in here, I wonder if he does well in his academics. Or nevermind, I heard this guy’s a genius so maybe he doesn’t really need to review.

            “Hey,” I greeted.

            He glanced at me when I took a sit beside him. “Are you new here? I don’t remember seeing you here, Miss.”

            At first I looked at him weirdly then I realized he was trying his acting skills on me. “Whatever, Alfonso. Your acting skill still sucks.”

            He pouted. “You didn’t go here for five nights and the first thing you do is insult me. Wow. Thanks.”

            “Well, I have to study really hard for five nights because unlike someone here, I am not a genius. Plus, I did extra hours on work.”

            “Still, you left me here alone. You let me get bitten by mosquitos alone. You’re a bad friend, Marg.”

            I laughed at his childish act. I actually find it cute but of course I won’t tell him that. The last thing I need is an arrogant Alfonso.

            I reached the plastic bag beside him and took a can from it. I realized it was so light so I brought it back to the plastic. I took another one and my forehead creased when I realized that it’s empty again. I looked through the bag and all three cans were empty.

            “I thought you wouldn’t go here tonight so I only brought four cans,” he explained.

            I nodded in understanding. Well, my fault for not notifying him that I’ll be here. “No, it’s okay. Also, I’ve been getting a lot of free beers from you. You’ve done enough, my friend.” I playfully patted his back.

            “Ouch, Marg,” he placed his right hand on his chest and pretended to be hurt. “You’re hurting my feelings. I thought it’s because of my handsome face. Turns out you befriended me for free beers.”

            “Whatever, ugly face.” I teased. “I’m gonna buy beers, how many do you want?”

            “Hmm, lemme think,” he tapped his finger on his forehead. “I’ve treated you 1000 cans of beer already so you can at least buy me half.”

            “I know it’s a lot but 1000 is too much, ugly face. You won’t fool anyone here.”  

            He laughed. “250 then.”

            I stood up and took the plastic bag. Sometimes we forget to bring down the empty cans so I better dispose it on my way.

“Let me just remind you that I’m a poor kid now, Esquivel.” After receiving a laugh from him, again, I walked towards the door.

            “Wait,” he suddenly blurted out.

            I turned to face him and asked, “Want me to buy you something? Boy bawang?”

            “Nope. Let’s just go to a ramen house.” He said and got up. Then suddenly he’s making his way towards me.

            “What?” I asked, confused. Am I hearing things right?

            “I said let’s go to a ramen house instead. I’ve been getting curious on the taste of soju since my blockmates won’t stop talking about it.”

            I still can’t process whatever he’s saying. With my forehead creased, I asked. “Right now?”

            “Yes, Marg. Is there any problem?”

            He wanted to eat in a ramen house with me? “But why?”

            He looked at me weirdly. “What do you mean why? Come on, Marg, I’m starving.”

            I decided to just give it a go and stop whatever weird things I’m thinking. I should not overthink. He’s just hungry and I’m here and it’s rude if he won’t invite me.

This is not a date. Definitely not, Marg.

            We rode the elevator and got off at the lobby. I glanced at the clock and it says 9 in the evening. Well, I think ramen houses are still open.

            I followed him and I thought we are going to the parking lot, because why not? I heard he’s got a nice car and obviously he’s not the type to commute. But I should’ve known better. I was really shocked when we went out of the building that I had to stop him.

            “Hey, the parking lot is there,” I pointed back at our building.

            “I know, Marg. I live here.”

            Confused, I asked him. “So why are you heading that way?”

            He shook his head while smiling. “You think I’m gonna risk driving you when I already had a few beers?”

            “Why not? You’re not yet drunk,” I argued.

            “Still, I won’t. So we’re gonna commute.”

            I just nodded my head and let him lead the way towards the waiting shed. I was walking beside him but there’s distance between us. I realized it’s the first time we’re walking together…and nothing, there’s nothing, Marg.

            Before, I didn’t know how to commute. I was used to having a car whenever I wanted to go somewhere. Still I’m glad I was able to experience these things, and I actually enjoy it minus the traffic part.

            Alfonso seems like he’s done this a lot. He made the hand signal so the jeepney would stop at the shed, he even assisted the other passengers by getting their fares and giving it to the driver.

            “Why are you looking at me like that?” he whispered in my ear.

            I shook my head and smiled. “Nothing, it’s just that…you look normal. Like you’re not rich at all.”

            “I’m not rich, Marg,” he smiled. “My father is.”

            We went inside this small ramen house. It’s a really different setting, you’d feel like you’re not in the Philippines once you’re inside. They have these cute lanterns above and there were tables but no chairs.

            It’s not really my first time eating in this kind of place. It’s been years since I last had a meal in a ramen house.

            Alfonso ordered spicy beef stew noodle soup while mine was miso ramen. I also added the Korean sushi kimbap ‘cause it looks appetizing to me. And of course, we did not forget the a bottle of soju.

            Sitting on the floor surprisingly made me comfortable. Alfonso was in front of me sipping his noodle soup. I don’t know why but this kind of set-up feels intimate to me.

            It’s like we’re so close.

            “Woah,” I said in amazement when Alfonso ate his noddle with that ‘sound’. You know the kind of sound Koreans make when eating noodles continuously.

            “Try it, Marg. It makes eating noodles ten times yummier.”

            I raised an eyebrow but still decided to try it anyway. I played with the chopsticks on my hand and tried copying what Alfonso did earlier.

            I knew I look awful when he started laughing at me.

            Glaring at him, I stopped eating. This guy! Really!

            “You look ugly!” he said in between his laughs.

            I placed one kimbap in my fork and immediately stuffed it into Alfonso’s mouth. I forced it in so he had no choice but to swallow it. I laughed so hard when I saw him having a hard time.

            Seeing his cheeks ballooned because of food is a really funny sight.

            And now it’s my turn to say, “You look ugly, Alfonso!”

We opened the bottle of soju and poured each other a drink. He even insisted that we should do that as a sign of respect and I teased him for watching Korean dramas.

“I’m not watching…it’s gay,” he strongly denied.

I grinned. “Yeah right, says the guy whose clothes are inspired by Korean oppas.”

He drank from his shot glass. “It’s not my fault they copied my style.”

I scoffed playfully. “Wow, so humble.”

We continued drinking until the bottle was half-empty. His cheeks were looking so red like he put so much blush on it. Even his pink lips turned bright red. But what I really love is the smile plastered on his face right now.

He looks genuinely happy.

“Why are you so busy, Marg?” he suddenly asked.

I looked at him and sighed. “I need to earn money plus I have to maintain my GPA or else I’ll be out of the scholarship program.”

“I don’t even see you at school.”

 Confusion took over me. What’s with the sad tone in his voice?

“I can’t go to the café because you don’t like me there.”

“Hey…” I uttered.

The way he stares at me is making me feel so flushed. Or maybe I had too much soju.

“I thought you don’t want to see me anymore.”

            I don’t know what to say. Especially that he’s looking at me like we’re alone, like I’m the only one he sees right now.

            He is seriously puzzling me. Maybe he’s just saying this because I’m a friend, right? Of course, he wouldn’t want to lose a friend!

            I decided to take a shot.

            “You’re just drunk, Alfonso.”

            He broke off our stare and shook his head. If my vision wasn’t kidding me, I know I’ve seen his ears turned red.

            “You’re right,” he smiled. But he looked too serious I’m even sure if it can be considered a smile. “Maybe I’m just drunk…”

            To be continued…