Forgetting Mellaine

Let's Get Drunk

The following afternoon I was eating my hot ramen while reading through the pages of the book I brought. People were swamped in gathering their clothes which were hanged over their backyards. They were like ants which're busy in gathering their foods just before the rain will start. Collisions are avoided on the streets as they hurriedly head inside their houses. Some of them departed with their cars and drove out of nowhere. The wind was getting heavy and the clouds were dreary. Mom would love seeing this kind of weather instead. Despite of the fact that it was going to rain, she would be delighted to see the pavements getting wet and let the plants consume some water, the streets will have their own paddles and the trees will have their morning dues eventually. She would also like to make some hot chocolate drinks for us to enjoy as we watch our house’s windows painted with the raindrops. How I’d like to spend time with her in this kind of time and asked for some advices regarding my job.

I was enjoying my food when suddenly my phone rang. I looked at it, almost being suspicious to the unknown number flashed over the screen. I reluctantly picked up the receiver.

“Hello?”

“Hi.” A man with a fine voice answered.

“Who’s this?”

“It’s me, Brandon.” He said earnestly.

I went to the kitchen, holding the bowl and leaned over the counter. “How did you get my number?” I curiously asked.

“Someone gave it to me. Anyways, are you free right now? France invited us to have some dinner at her residence. She told me I should inform you and also Amy. Might as well pick you up later.”

Why will France invite us three all of a sudden this day, I thought to myself. Was it a bit a surprise that she will do it? Well, I guessed she actually wanted us to have some time and get to know more about each other.

“Well, what time does she want us to go there?” I swiped my finger over the table and filled it with dust. I should better have the time to clean this off.

“Around 7 pm in the evening. Are you going?”

A sudden pause lingered inside the house and I thought for a while. To be honest, there’s nothing wrong if I would come along with them and have some fun. It’s just that, I felt France was in a little bit of rush to know us. I was having thoughts that there’s something that will happen which will somehow be out of my grasp. I was hoping my instincts were not right.

“Yes. I’ll come”

“Okay. I’ll pick you up at 6:30 pm.”

“Sure. I’ll see you later.”

Brandon hanged up the phone immediately. I thoroughly washed the bowl and the spoon I used. I dried them up and placed them carefully inside the drawer again. I thought I could bring something for France when we get there. Looking over my pouch, I grabbed some bills and headed to the convenient store at the other side of our neighbourhood. The cashier greeted me with a lifeless tone. I immediately went to look for some drinks for us to relish at tonight’s event. Maybe sodas will do, rather than drinking some beers late at night. Wasn’t a fan of those stuff too.

I walked over the counter directly and paid for the ones I grabbed. The cashier was somewhat off for today. She was slothful and barely got those energetic arms to put the drinks inside the plastic bag. I guessed she was not feeling well or not in the mood to have some conversations with the customers. I thanked her instead and smiled, letting her do her job and focused on my stuff. Looking above the gloomy clouds above, I hurriedly went back to the apartment. I don’t even want to come home running through the rain.

I locked the gate and went inside the house. The air is getting colder outside. I think a storm is coming this week. I went to the bathroom and decided to clean myself. The crystalline water is totally lovely and warm. I grabbed the soap with the scent of lemon and scrubbed it over my body. I suddenly felt the excitement for the latter’s event, yet uneasy in some ways. After a while, I went outside the bathroom, wearing the towel I bought with Amy. I looked over the closet for any clothes to wear. I opted to wear a casual white dress with red ribbon being wrapped over my hips. It also got some strips of laces at the edge of it. I heard Amy suddenly knocking over my door. I opened it and saw her dashing smile as she wears a green oversized shirt paired with white shorts. She is also having these tattered dirty white shoes with green imprinted marks on it.

“Oh, dear. I am glad to know you are going with us. It will be a lot of fun when we’re there all together.” She uttered with delight.

“Come in. By the way, are you the one who gave my number to Brandon?” I quickly asked.

She looked at me with a sudden inquisitive face. “Oooh. So that cutie called you. Well, no. I didn’t give him your number. I wish I did to be honest but I didn’t even ask yours, remember?” She sat down on the couch and brushed her wet hair through her fingers.

“I thought it was you. Who could have given it to him though?” I thought for myself.

“Come on. Just be grateful. It’s not a bad thing if he got your number now. Maybe he just wanted to make friends with you, or…he’s into you.”

“I guess I would like if he just wanted to make friends.” I said, shrugging.

I never did change my phone number, even once. I decided to keep my original one to stay still in touch with the people I used to know - only those that I still want to reach me out of course. I went to the kitchen and grabbed some tea for Amy. She was busy putting some makeup over her face. Grabbing her pressed powder, she gently put some and added a blush on to make her cheeks more pinkish, just enough not to make herself a talking clown over the parties. She also made her brows on flick. I went to her and handed the juice.

I looked at her face and recognized something. “Your lipstick is smudged” I said slowly. Amy grasped and wiped it off her mouth immediately. “Do you have a mirror here? It’s so hard putting this on without one.” She said.

“It’s in my room.” She stood and hurriedly went into. I sat down on the couch regarding how unpleasant my tummy was. I guess I’ll be getting a tummy ache later. I looked over the table that is in front of me. A potted plant was placed on its centre and a dandelion is slowly blooming. It is almost 6:30 in the evening when my phone rang on the table. It was Brandon.

“Hello.”

“Hi. Are you ready? I’m outside your house right now.”

Looking behind the long red curtains, I saw him standing beside his well washed car. Amy was also done dealing with her face and her cosmetics.

“He’s here.” I whispered at her.

“We better go outside then. Oh lala, I’m excited!” Amy said, more of saying it with her melodic tone, showing off her theatrical side. She was tiptoeing a bit as she walk to Brandon, making me chuckle.

I put on my red shoal and eventually followed her outside, bringing with us the drinks I bought a while ago. Brandon assisted us inside the car and drove immediately to France’s. The rain also began to fall and our neighbourhood streets are starting to be empty. Street lights began to shed their lights over the distant. Brandon is driving still and is focused on the road, while Amy is totally busy hauling inside her bag.

“What are you looking at?” I oddly asked.

“I think I forgot to bring my treats for you, guys. I made them.” She answered, giving us a frown.

“Well, you can give them in other times. It’s okay.” Brandon added. “I bet they’re delicious.”

“They are. I’ll just give them to you tomorrow.”

The rain was getting heavier and there were no stars to be seen above us. We barely talked inside the vehicle. Amy took a nap for a while. On the other hand, I was just looking upon the raindrops as if they were having a race. I drew a smile over the window. Slowly, it shed a tear with a raindrop, making it cry as it smiles. After some time, Brandon stopped the car in front of France’s café.

I saw France glancing over her window at the second floor of the building, patiently waiting for us. Brandon handed me the other umbrella and I decided to wake up Amy.

“We’re here.” I patted her hair slowly, enough to wake her up.

She rubbed her eyes gently and stretched out her arms.

“Uhm, you got a drool there.” I pointed at her right side of her mouth, and she I hurriedly wiped the saliva that is dripping.

“Gosh. I’m sorry.”

Brandon opened the door for us and assisted us with the things. I slowly stood and Amy eventually followed me. Brandon was holding the umbrella for us, while on his other hand, he was also making himself not to get wet with the other one. He walked us to the cafe’s door, where France was standing still. She was wearing a black hoodie and a pajama. Nice.

“Thank God. You were able to get here safely. I heard there was a storm coming. Are you wet?” She worriedly asked.

“Hahahaha!” Amy laughed frivolously all of a sudden. “I should prefer to be wet down there.” She whispered.

France slapped her arm a bit. “Silly. You’re just missing your husband.”

We laughed with each other and eventually followed France to the second floor. After a while Brandon arrived inside after he parked his car at the parking space.

France’s house was spacious but chichi to look at. The hardwood floors gleamed on us. Her house was divided into three divisions: the living room, the kitchen and her bedroom. The living room has its own aesthetics styles, where the walls are painted grey and black and the furniture are somehow all abstract, perfectly fitted the variants of colours inside it. A red carpet was placed under the wooden table at the centre where we could just sit and have fun. Her cushioned couch is lovely to look at with its fluffy squared pillows. An abstract painting was hanged over the right side, while a flat screen TV was placed just where we could see a movie clearly. We settled down and sat on the couch. Her kitchen is well arranged. The ceramic bowls, bottles and utensils are placed inside the mirrored drawer. Botted wines are also displayed properly in one of its counters.

“I made some corn soup.” France said as she hold the tray full of bowls filled with it.

She placed it on the table. Amy also handed over some chips. I grabbed the drinks and placed them on the other side. “Oohhh soda.” Amy said licking the side of her lips, while rubbing her hands together.

Brandon sat next to mine. He handed me some magazines to look at. After a while, France went back to us, bringing another set of foods: spicy fried chicken, barbecue, grilled potatoes, and to sum it all up, she didn’t forget to serve us rice.

“Gosh. My back hurts. Anyways, let’s eat!” France said while rubbing and massaging her right side of her waist.

Amy prayed for us and for the food. She handed me the rice first. I poured a cup of it and passed the bowl to Brandon. I took some potatoes and fried chicken. France opened the drinks for us. We were definitely enjoying the food.

“This is so gooood!” Amy commented while eating a piece of her fried chicken.

“And it’s spicy too.” Brandon added promptly.

France chuckled. “As always, I enjoy making delicious and lavish foods for all of you. Now, let’s enjoy and have some fun.”

She swooped in once again and said, “How’s your stay in Amy’s apartment by the way, Mellaine?”

I looked at her and replied attentively. “I loved it. At first glance, the apartment really caught my attention. But more to that, I’m grateful it is Amy who owned it. And, I’m still adjusting with the people who lived there. But I’m sure, I will have some time to get to know them more and make some connections.” I smiled.

“That’s good to here. Is Amy treating you good, or is she acting like a strict, furiously meticulous house owner again?”

I laughed and turned my gaze to Amy, who’s patiently waiting for my answer. “Somehow, she tends to care at all not only about her apartment but to those who have the rentals. She’s a good housekeeper.”

“You’re making me flustered.” She said, pouting her lips and acted like about to cry.

“I hate that. Don’t let me see that duck face again, Amy.” France said and tried to cover Amy’s face with her bare hands.

We all laughed as Amy teases France with her pouty lips. We finished our dinner and have our relaxation over the living room. France turned on the television and we watched the current news being on air. The rain began to soften its own voices, letting the clear peaceful sounds lurk around the streets. Crickets and frogs began to make noises everywhere. Stray dogs and cats were also all around, searching for food to lavish. Brandon was the first one to finish his meal, while I and Amy are enjoying the chips she brought. Potato chips are really the best. We played poker and chess. We even sang at the top of our lungs those favourite songs of ours, not even caring if someone will hear our wonderful voices. Amy went to the kitchen and later on got back to us, bringing four beers on her both hands. “It’s time to party!” She shouted.

The vibe inside the house was getting livelier. Amy played some pop and jazz music and passed on the cans of beer to each of us. France is singing with her heart, holding her chest while shutting her eyes. I could say she has the talent. Brandon is just observing us from the corner, more like he is enjoying just by listening and not talking.

“Hey, are you okay?” I snooped and suddenly asked him.

“Yeah. It’s been a while when I had some fun with other people.” He laughed a bit.

“Cheers.” He added.

“I-I don’t drink” I hesitantly said.

France went and sat beside me, poking me on the side. “Aysh. Don’t be a killjoy, y-young lady. Let’s drink.” She opened the can for me and raised hers at the top of her head. “For the new friendship, cheers!” Everyone tossed our own cans to each other. I’m having a bad thoughts about this drinking stuff. The last time I remembered myself drinking was when I am with my husband and his colleagues.

Robert invited me to join their reunion celebration at Mount de Hotel. All of them were enjoying their time, except for me of course. I was out of place, yet my husband was there to keep me company. The time came when we needed to have the drinks. Of course, all of them were party goers, more like they have high tolerance in terms of liquors. Robert handed me a shot of glass. Well, I couldn’t resist that time because everyone was looking at me. I glanced at the glass I was holding and for a split second, I drank it all up. I heard everyone clapped their hands, praising me and laughed. Moment by moment, they handed me more. I was getting a bit tipsy and my body was getting hot. The beat was louder and everyone started to dance under the bar’s lights lurking in all sides of the room. I was dancing with them. Robert handed me another glass – that was my 8th. It was fun. It was addictive. Then the last time I knew, I was on the bed lying, while my husband was beside me, peacefully sleeping. I definitely woke up with a headache.

“Another round, guys!” Amy handed another set of cans to us.

I gulped. “Hey. Mellaine, are you having a low tolerance on alcohol?” France asked as she dealt with her hiccups. She was drinking her third can now. She’s quite a drinker, I can say.

I laughed hysterically. “O-of course not! L-lets have another one. Yeah!” I drank mine, enduring the taste of it, letting it flow over my body.

“That’s my girl!” Amy shouted, while pointing her finger at me. Her voice was really pitchy, enough for us to get irritated sometimes if you’re not in a good mood either.

Time passed by so fast that we didn’t even realized that we are getting drunk. Brandon stood up and suddenly walked sideways. He couldn’t even stand at all, barely keeping his balance properly. France gave us a little squeak as she looked over Brandon. She was holding it. I slowly lie down on the floor. My head was aching and pounding like listening to rock music. Luckily the carpet was there enough for me not to feel the tiled floor’s coldness. Amy laid down beside me. She was getting sleepy too and was yawning. She rubbed her eyes while she had her unexpected hiccups.

I turned my gaze above the ceiling. It started to swirl, making me dizzy and nauseous. I closed my eyes and breathe deeply, dealing with the unusual smell of the drinks we enjoyed. It was all over the place. I was getting cephalalgia.

My visions sluggishly blurred. The music’s sounds began to loosen up, until I couldn’t hear anything from it. It was slowly getting dark.

Totally dark.