Miara's Mistakes

(118) July 16, 2020

Open Up

Primo was staring blankly at the wine cabinet in front of him. Nakaupo siya sa high chair sa tapat ng bar counter. The row of wines and expensive drinks lined in front of him yet he couldn't bring himself to choose.

"I need some drink." He thought to himself. Pero kahit ganoon, tulala pa rin siyang nakatitig sa harapan.

"Why were you avoiding her the whole day?" Another part of his mind asked.

He contemplated for a while before coming into a conclusion: he was preparing himself for her departure. This time tomorrow, Miara would be at the province while he's back to his normal life.

He should be happy and excited, but he's not. He's not feeling as enthusiastic as he expected.

"But Miara wasn't a burden... not even once," aniya ulit sa sarili. "Her presence made the lockdown bearable."

He sighed. Then reaching out to the bottle in front of him. It was the Tequila Rose he bought out of curiosity.

Nagdadalawang-isip pa siya kung bubuksan niya ito o hindi nang may tumikhim sa likuran niya. Napaigtad si Primo at napahawak pa sa dibdib dahil sa gulat.

He turned around and saw Miara. Nakapangtulog na ito ngunit halatang gising na gising pa. She gave him a wide smile which caused that weird accelerating feeling in his chest.

"Iinom ka? Pwedeng sumama?" Ani Miara.

Primo nodded and gestured to the high chair beside him. "Tequila Rose, huh?"

He didn't know how to respond so he opened the bottle instead. They then both took a shot together. Nakatingin sa harap si Primo ngunit ang kaniyang mga mata ay inoobserbahan si Miara.

"Parang tunaw na ice cream," komento ni Miara. Sandaling napangiti si Primo dahil iyon din ang una niyang naisip. "At least it's sweet before it burns."

Miara asked for another shot. And then another. Napagod na siguro si Miara sa kahihingi ng shot kaya kumuha na lang ito ng wine glass at doon nilagay ang inumin. She finished it in one gulp.

"Miara!" Primo said, alarmed. "I know I'm not suppose to dictate you or something... but—"

"I'm good, Primo," she cut him off. "I just really need a drink... please..."

Walang nagawa si Primo kundi napatango na lang. Ngunit kahit ganoon, hindi niya mapigilang mag-alala.

He knows that feeling of wanting to escape through alcohol. He's been there. And he knows the after effects. It's always not good.

"For every glass of tequila, we'll drink the same amount of water," he negotiated.

Sinubukang abutin ni Miara ang tequila bottle mula sa kaniya ngunit mabilis niya itong nilayo. Tumango naman ang babae ngunit pabirong nakanguso na.

"Are you heartbroken?" Tanong ni Miara habang kumukuha ng tubig sa dispenser. She gave one glass to Primo.

"I thought you won't bring it up?"

She shrugged with a half smile. "Sabi mo okay lang."

Hindi na napigilan ni Primo ang sarili at tuluyan nang napangiti. "Before... but not now."

Miara sat beside him again. She leaned her elbow on the bar counter while facing Primo, still looking attentive.

Si Primo naman, matamang tinitigan si Miara bago umiling. "No. It's more on the self-pity side. But I'm holding on well. Better than I expected, actually. It's like I'm just wondering where I went wrong so I won't repeat it."