When We Were Drunk

Night 012

            I love seeing the city lights. I feel very refreshed because of the air I inhale everytime I’m on the rooftop. And it’s not because I spent half of my life there, no, that is not the case. I’ve only started going up there like six months ago.

            So I am quite confused with myself right now. Why the hell am I feeling uncomfortable to be here again on my usual scene before everything turned upside down?

            Maybe I have really changed. A lot.

            If it is for the better, I am not really sure. Or for the worst, let us hope not.

            Ten minutes have already passed (based on my calculation), and I am still here near the entrance gate of the university. Standing still. Thinking if I should just head home.

            The greens are gone. And I believe that if you would look from above, you won’t see a lot of empty spaces. I am aware there were a lot of students in our university, but compared to the past year I’ve never seen it this packed.

Various stalls, booths and mini stages took over the field. Everything is just colorful and bright. Simple has no place in this fair, almost everyone went a little extra with their outfits.

Well, I really can’t blame my schoolmates. It’s the most awaited and once a year Christmas fair commonly known as “Paskuhan”.  It’s the time of the year where we can all vent out our stress in academics and even in our personal lives. We have lots of events in our university but this one’s the grandest, I know ‘cause I used to be in council and I have organized this for years.

For the nth time, I sighed.

Looking at the small board paper in my hand, I am comtemplating if I should just tear it into pieces. f**k whoever invented Trigo, because of you I have to suffer all night. Why the hell did I fail half of my quizzes in that damn subject?

It’s the beer’s fault. Sometimes too much alcohol intake leads me to hours of sleep and no time for reviewing.

Okay, I know I shall be thankful because my prof was kind enough to give us extra points if we would just support Paskuhan. I am thankful, but I don’t know if I can do this.

Staring at the dart booth, the karaoke stage, the cotton candy machine and the grand Ferris wheel…everything just makes me feel so scared. Every single thing of them brings back memories to me. They were good memories but I’m so afraid to try them out alone for the first time. Without my best friend.

I know. I’m such a coward.

If it’s just one booth or ride I have to try, I think I’ll live. But the heck I have to try at least 10 activities in this fair! Or else I won’t get the plus points. And damn, I need them to pass that subject.

I exhaled. And exhaled again. Deep breaths will save me in this lifetime, as weird as it may sound. Deep breaths helps boost my courage bars.

So as much as I wanted to just run towards the exit gate, I stopped myself from doing so. With fake courage, I held my head high and headed on the nearest booth I could find.

Well, it’s not really the nearest. But it’s the least crowded one. Ring toss booth—it’s where you’re given plastic rings/hoops and you have to toss them and if you managed to shoot on one of the bottles, you will get a prize.

“Do you want to play?” asked the guy in-charge of the booth.

            I simply nodded while looking at the prizes. I like the fact that all prizes here are food—either chips or some drinks. I even saw some alcoholic beverage. I wonder how the council managed to get a permit for it.

            “You get three chances for only Php 30, the prize will vary depending on the color of the bottle where your ring lands into. The amazing prizes are on the red bottles, while the simple ones fall on the yellow ones,” he explained.

            “Okay, I’ll have one game,” I said as I handed him the payment.

            He gave me the three medium-sized rings. Well, I want to get one alcoholic drink so I better shoot this on the red ones.

            I don’t know if I have eye problems or luck just doesn’t want to work on my side tonight because all three attempts failed. The first did not even reach the table, it fell on the ground. Next hoop landed too far and the last one was almost there but it spinned a little.

            I stared at the prizes longingly. I so wanted to get a drink! I need it tonight.

            “So this is one of the things the great Margaret isn’t good at.”

            With creased forehead, I looked at my left side and saw him smirking at me. I glared at him and reached for my pocket to get another bill.

If there’s one thing I am good at—it’s for being competitive.

            “Wow you’re trying again, Marg?” he teased.

            I gritted my teeth. “Just shut up and watch me win, Esquivel.”

            He raised both his hands in the air. “Woah, Marg. Calm down, don’t kill me with those eyes.”

            I ignored Alfonso’s remark because I am really determined to win. I just really hate losing, I don’t like the feeling of being looked down on. I know sometimes this attitude is a bad thing but I really can’t help it.

            After receiving the three rings, I looked at my target bottle and calculated how I should aim. I guess I shouldn’t throw too hard…

            Two rings later and I can hear Alfonso laughing beside me.

            “Just admit it, Marg. You suck at this!”

            As much as he looks good with that bright smile on his face, I am so annoyed that I want to punch him to wipe off that beam. I seriously have a problem with losing.

            He continued chuckling. “I can even shoot that ring in one try, you know you can save face if you just give me the last one.”

            “Why are you even here?” I asked out of irritation.

            “Council, remember?” He raised his larger than usual ID and showed it to me. “I’m assigned on checking the booths.”

            I gave one last glance at the bottles. I hate losing but I so want to drink that alcohol so I have to accept defeat.

            “You better win me that San Mig can or I’ll kick your ass,” I warned as I handed him the last ring.

            He grinned. “What will I get in return if I win?”

            “How about a kick in the ass?”

            “Oh, come on! I thought we’re friends?” he whined.

            I rolled my eyes and pushed him on the line. I swear Alfonso can get so annoying at times so you gotta go an extra mile to shut him off.

            He was about to throw the ring when he suddenly stopped to look at me.

            “What?” I asked.

            He wiggled his brows. “How about one wish?”

What the f**k is this guy thinking? A wish? Is he a kid?

            “How about no?”

            “Then I won’t get you that drink.”

            “Who are you scaring, Alfonso?” I scoffed. “I’ll just buy one on the food booths.”

            He smirked. “Good luck if you can buy one, Marg. We did not only any booth to sell alcoholics, it’s only allowed as prizes.”

            I crossed my arms and weighed my options. That san mig will help me through the night, I just really need it to finish this task. “Fine.”

            Upon hearing my agreement, he smiled brightly and then turned his back on me. Slowly, he threw the ring on the table full of bottles.

I was torn in between wishing for him to win or to fail. I want him to win for the drink but I still want to see him fail just so I can annoy him nonstop.

“Yes!” he happily shouted.

I blinked twice on the bottle. Did he just succeed on his first try?

            “Can you please check if it really went in?” I asked the guy facilitator.

            Alfonso unbelievably looked at me while shaking his head. “You really have no trust in me, Santua. You made me believe we were friends. I’m so hurt.”

            The guy confirmed that the ring went in so he gave us the San Mig Light can.

            I took out the “Paskuhan activities stub” given by my prof and gave it to the guy facilitator. He pasted a sticker on the first box on the stub and signed below it.

            After saying my quick thanks, I stepped out of their booth with a can in my hand.

            While slowly walking, I opened the beer can and gulped from it. I closed my eyes when the liquid traveled down my throat.

            Thank goodness they have a cooler so I am drinking a cold beer right now. It feels so nice.

            “You have that stub?” Alfonso asked, who actually followed me for I do not know what reason. I can actually feel a few eyes staring at us because as I’ve said, this guy is quite famous.

            “Unfortunately, yes. I have to earn points for my Math.”

            He shooked his head in disappointment. “If you only accepted my offer to tutor you. Tsk.”

            “No thanks,” I declined again. “I’m not interested in learning how to draw Goku.” I mocked when I remembered that one time at the rooftop when he helped me on my Math homework.

            “Hey, that was one time!” he defended.

            I just smirked.

            I was caught off guard when he started he held my wrist and started pulling me towards I don’t know where. I tried wiggling off my hand but Alfonso is just so strong or maybe I am just weak. I refuse to accept the latter.

            “Stop dragging me, hey!”

            But he still continued.

            “I swear if you don’t let go of my hand I will bite you and I’ll turn you into a vampire!”

            Suddenly, he halted and looked at me in the eye. “Don’t be such a baby, Marg.”

            “Where are you really taking me, Esquivel? The people are looking at us!” I used my free hand to pushed his head and let him see some of those who are staring.

            But of course he is Alfonso, he just removed my hand and smiled at me.

            “I don’t care, Marg. We’re going on a date.”

            What? Did I hear him correctly?

            To be continued…