When We Were Drunk

Night 015

            The week had passed so quickly I did not even notice it was time for me to go home already. It was our first time celebrating Christmas and New Year without my brother. It felt so different ‘because he’s our family’s happy pill.

            Still…we tried our best to be happy for my Kuya. I know he would have hit us in the heads if he sees us being sad during Christmas. It was his favorite time of the year and not because he was religious or something.

            That guy loves Christmas because of lechon! That glutton! He would always eat the crispy skin of the pig more than the meat itself.

            I know I’m so stupid for waiting for my best friend’s greeting during those two special holidays. It’s just that I’m used to her greetings, but I guess everything have changed now.

            On the brighter side, Alfonso texted me! I was so shocked when I received a text from him during the Noche Buena because I don’t really perceive him as someone who would do that. He even sent me a picture of him and his mom together.

            Alfonso’s mom looks so soft and gentle. I can’t help but curse his father on my mind because he is such a fool for hurting that kind of woman.

            A minute after 2019 has arrived, Alfonso called and requested for a video call. Imagine my shock that time because we’re not really texting and video-calling each other. That was actually the first time!

I was so nervous that I accidentally tapped the decline button. Stupid me, I know!

Good thing, he called again and this time, the horses on my stomach has already calmed down so I successfully tapped the accept button.

I was so shocked by how good he looks on the screen of my phone. Gosh, I remember me not talking for like a whole minute because I was speechless. And of course, Alfonso being Alfonso…

[flashback starts]

“Tsk,” he shook his head a bit. “I should really thank my mom for bringing a handsome son in this world, so handsome I could render Marg speechless.”

Even on the phone, he’s still as arrogant as ever.

“Whatever,” I deadpanned. “Tell your mom Happy New Year.”

I almost lost a grip of my phone when he suddenly pouted. His face was so close I could see his eyes and lips so well!

“What about me, Marg? No greetings?”

“Fine. Happy New Year to the most arrogant person in the world.”

He laughed. Oh goodness, I hate how his laugh even sounded good on the phone!

“Happy New Year to my number one fan, Margaret Santua.”

I rolled my eyes. “Correction. I’m your number one hater.”

He ignored my response and suddenly shifted the phone away from his face. Based on how shaky the camera is, I guess he is currently walking.

Seconds later and the camera focused on a plate. I gasped when I saw what’s in there! It’s caldereta!

“Like what you’re seeing?”he asked.

“Of course, i***t! I told you that’s one of my favorites!”

He then focused the camera on his phone and I saw him getting a spoonful of caldereta and he moved it towards his phone, “You want?”

I glared at him. This guy sure knows how to make me hungry!

“Aww, too sad you’re not here to taste my mom’s special Caldereta.” Then he ate the caldereta while munching loudly.

“You really called just to make me envious of your caldereta huh? What a good friend, Alfonso!”

He chuckled. “Tell me you miss me and I’ll bring over a tupperware full of my mom’s caldereta on lunch when I get back?”

I pushed the phone away from my face when I felt it heating up. What the hell is this guy saying?

“W-what?”

“Come on, Marg,” he teased. “Don’t you want caldereta?”

Damn it, for the love of caldereta.

I heaved a sigh. “Fine…I miss you.” I whispered in a small voice then I looked away from the screen of my phone.

“What did you say, Marg? I didn’t hear it!”

He received a glare from me. I won’t be repeating that! I might die both from humiliation and rapid heartbeat.

“I’m just kidding, don’t kill me with those eyes!” he laughed. “I miss you too, Marg.”

Once again, I was so stunned I just stared at him until he said bye.

            [flashback ends]

He really does know how to melt my heart. I can’t believe I just said that! That guy is really something!

            Yeah, he really is something. Only he could make me feel what I’m feeling right now.

            I stretched out my feet on the rooftop’s floor because it’s been stinging for I have been sitting here too long. I reached for the half-empty can of beer and slugged from it.

            A long sigh escaped from my lips.

            I seriously can’t understand myself right now. Why the hell am I feeling this way? I wish I have my best friend with me right now. She always knew the right words to say, she’s always there figuring out my feelings when I can’t sort them out.

            I’m so lost without her.

            Getting my phone from my pocket, I searched for her name. I stared at it for five minutes, contemplating whether I should text or call or text…I don’t know. Will she reply if I will text her? Will she answer a call from me?

            I was about to tap “call” when a text message suddenly arrived.

            I regretted opening it as soon as I read what the text is all about.

            From: Arrogant Alfonso

                        Sorry, I didn’t make it to lunch. Had to do some company matters. I’ll just see you tomorrow. Good night, Marg.

            I felt even worse upon reading it. Company matters? Really?

            We were supposed to eat lunch together. He promised he would bring me his mom’s special caldereta. I even set aside my pride and told him I miss him over the phone.

            I f*****g waited.

            For an hour, I waited at the university garden.

            No texts. No calls from him. I tried contacting him, I even went to his college building because I’m just so worried that something bad happened to him.  

            I know him. He isn’t the type of guy who would stand someone up. He would have notified me beforehand if he wouldn’t be able to make it.

            So even if I tried my best to avoid the cafeteria during lunch time, I dismissed my other issues on that f*****g moment. I just wanna know where he is, if he’s alright.

            And that’s when I saw him. With a girl.

            I know. I’m just a friend. I shouldn’t feel something even if they were eating together, so close with each other that the girl even wiped something on his lips. I shouldn’t feel anything even if everyone at the cafeteria is sneaking a peek at them. I should feel fine even if all I hear that time was gossips about them being together, being a f*****g couple.

            When I hot felt something hot on my eyes, I immediately exited the cafeteria. I shouldn’t have gone there in the first place. I shouldn’t have hurt myself.

            I ran away with a very confused heart. I don’t f*****g know why I wanted to strangle that girl on the cafeteria! I don’t know why I wanted to cry!

            Waiting is not the issue to me.

            Hell, I could wait for half a day if Alfonso has a reasonable excuse!

            And now he’s making up an excuse. Company matters, his ass! I know what I saw. Does he really think he could lie to me?

            He could have just told me he has to date his girl. He could have texted me so I wouldn’t have waited for him. He could have told me not to hope for something…something I thought we both know there is. He could have told me it was just me all along.

            And I would understand him. No matter what.

            Fine. I will admit it. I kept on denying it—thinking it was just a happy crush.

To me, we’re not just friends. A friend would not feel what I feel right now. A friend would not be this hurt by what I just saw.

            They were just eating. Together. Why am I being jealous?

            To be continued…