Liquid Courage

Night 004

I still don’t feel better. And I don’t know if I’ll ever be. The only difference tonight is that I am no longer crying. My eyes got too tired, my tear ducts worked nonstop last night.

“Cheers to the new Vice President of the Student Council, Alfonso Esquivel,” I raised my beer and waited for his move. He clanked his can on mine without enthusiasm.

For someone who just won the election, he doesn’t look happy.

I’m not happy, either. It was my former position in the council. Today, I was supposed to be the President of the Council. I’ve been planning on running for that position since I entered college. But my life decided to do a rollercoaster, and here I was with no direction in life.

He was sporting these bored eyes while drinking slowly from his can. His polo was unbuttoned, revealing his white shirt that hugs his body well. I’ve been hearing a lot of stories about Alfonso or Alfo—as he was called by everyone, and it appears like he really got a nice body.

“Aren’t you happy?” I asked.

He turned his eyes on me, from boring it’s now filled with a tinge of sadness, “Why didn’t you attend the turn-over ceremony?”

I raised an eyebrow. The reason is too obvious. He should’ve known why. It doesn’t take a genius to know that my presence will not be appreaciated on that event. “It’s better that way.”

His eyes reflect the city lights. I noticed he likes looking at them too. I can’t blame him though, those lights may be flashy, but they are calming.

“I don’t want to win.”

What? Did I hear him correctly?

Pissed from what he said, I blurted out my response. “Then you shouldn’t have filed a candidacy in the first place. Some people dreamed of that, they worked really hard to get that position. And here you are saying you don’t want it.” 

I took another gulp from my can. I can’t help but be annoyed by him. That was my dream, I knew I was meant to serve people and I was good at it. But no matter how much I want it, how much I’m good at it, I can no longer do it.

He sighed. “’Cause I have to, even if I didn’t want to.”

A minute before I was annoyed, now I was confused. Esquivel sure knows how to play with my emotions.

Feeling sarcastic, I raised my brows, “What? Don’t tell me your fangirls will abandon you if you’re not the VP?”

He smiled, only it didn’t reach his eyes. “No, but my father will.”

That made me shut my mouth. I do not know what to say. My family has always been supportive of me, of what I want to do. Even now, that the circumstances have change, they still see to it that they’re giving me what I need.

I drank from my can. He did too.

For a while, we were silent. He was observing the view we’ve got here from 38th floor, while I was looking at him, figuring out what’s his deal. Guys like him don’t get my attention, the typical ‘I’m rich and good-looking and I can get whatever I want’.

But Esquivel…he seems different.

“You know what the funny thing is,” he suddenly looked at me. His voice may sound sarcastic but I can’t miss the gloom in his eyes. “I don’t even care if he abandons us again. I’m used to it. We’re better off without him, anyway. But if I want my mom to live longer, I should follow him.”

If I didn’t meet him like this, I wouldn’t think he got problems in his life. He has this easy-go-lucky vibe, he’s smart and from what I’ve heard he’s super rich. Now that I’m hearing all this, I realize everyone has their own baggage to carry.

“I envy you, though. How can you look like you have nothing to worry about? You’re skin is glowing everytime I see you at school!” I blurted out. I know I’m supposed to say some encouraging words but I know that it doesn’t really help. What we really need is a short break, a time-out.

And well, look at that. He’s laughing.

I can’t help but grin when he laughed. I felt better, knowing I made someone happy for a while. This is something money can’t buy and I’m proud with what I did.

“Well…being handsome is innate on me,” he winked.

I threw a pack boy bawang on him, unfortunately he caught it with his hands. “Maybe you’re just hungry, you keep saying nonsense, Esquivel.”

“What?” he looked puzzled. “I’m just being honest here.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, come on. Let’s just drink.”

“Cheers?” he asked.

I smiled and raised my can. “Cheers.”

To be continued…