The Alcoholic Way to Fall inLove

G L A S S 1

E M O R Y

"The usual?"

"No...something vodka based, please"

This is bliss. The faint smell of perfumes which mixes with the liquor's scent, the dim lights, small time chatterings and the soft jazz music...is it strange that I found peace sa loob ng bar, of all places na pwede? No, not really. Ambiance palang ng lugar it already lulls the customers to relax and lower their guard.

'tap' ibinaba ko sa wooden stool ng bar ang bagong gawang Vodka& Lavender at wala pang isang segundo at nilaklak niya ito sa isang inuman. She made a bitter ugly face, matapang ang inumin given na vodka based eh, specifically this Vodka&Lavender.

A combination of gin and vodka with a little Japanese whiskey and lavender-infused cocchi Americano imbis na usual vermouth. By all means Vodka & Lavender is one of the strongest vodka-based cocktail.

"You don't look happy today madame," Ani ko at napairap siya habang nakatitig sa baso. She gave a bitter smile.

"He asked for a divorce...I'm just abit broken," kwento niya habang tine-trace ang rim ng glass. "Halata ba?" Mahina niyang tanong.

"Miss Garcia, I remember my regulars quite well pati narin ang preference nila sa inumin, you never ordered Vodka, because Vodka's too much for your tolerance to take. You love mints and something with refreshing aftertaste." Ani ko and tumawa siya ng mahina.

"I wish ikaw nalang napangasawa ko Emory, compared sa asawa ko you pay attention kahit sa mga minor details." Nawala ang bahid ng kalungkutan sa boses niya at napalitan ito ng tonong parang nang-aasar.

I'm 27, Miss Garcia is 36, I'm not into older woman kaya kahit nakilala namin ang isa't isa ng mas maaga I doubt that I would had dated her still.

"Miss Garcia, I do one night stands but not loving, you know that already diba?" Singhay ko at tumawa lang ito bago ininom ang 2nd shot.

"Well, your ex-wife is a fool. And soon enough pati ako madidivorce na, doesn't that makes us birds with the same feather?" Tanong niyang mapang-akin habang tumayo para ilapit ang mukha niya sa sakin. Her eyes is clouded with lust and love, at kumurba ang labi niya sa isang ngisi. Madami siyang sinasabi but it only leads to two word sentence, 'Comfort me'

"Miss Garcia, I think I already said no." madiin kong sinabi habang pinapanatili ang ngiti ko. Tumawa lang siya bago inilabas ang wallet at nagpatong sa mesa ng 2 thousand pesos. Too much payment for one drink.

"Keep the change, tip ko na sayo since you've always treated me good Emory~" Mas matamis pa sa candy niyang ibinulong sakin. Hinalikan niya ang pisngi ko at kinuha ang bag tsaka lumabas ng bar.

Agad kong pinunasan ang pisngi ko para tanggalin kung nagkaroon man ng kissmark mula sa pulang lipstick niya. Ugh, I really hate this part of my job. I get too involved sa buhay ng mga customers namin, but oh well, hindi na ito bago since kasama ito sa job description ko na makinig at magpayo sa customer's problems and rants. Its not really much of a problem, not until magsimula silang mahulog sakin.

"Their martini here is good, you should try it!"

"Ah, I can't drink too much tonight sorry... I'm just having something light." Ani ng dalawang bagong upong customer sa stool sa harap ko and agad akong napatingin.

I saw a beauty, she has short wavy hair, nakasuot siya ng puting revealing na sleeveless dress, and smells like fresh jasmines. She waltzed in kasama ng isang average looking guy na nakasuot ng mamahaling suit. For a moment I can't remove my smile...no, I'm not inlove, I'm amused.