The Cold Side of the Moon

Chapter 3

I shook my head as I tried to wake myself. I cannot even walk straight anymore. I finished the bottle of liquor but it turned out it wasn’t enough to knock me out. Now I’m trying to find my way home. I am literally lost. I giggled as I lean on the lamp post to stop myself from falling.

“I’m so stupid,” I laughed at myself. “Who would go out into the oval at this time of the night just to get wasted?”

I yawned. I’m sleepy. Maybe I should just sleep here in the sidewalk and go home when I’m not too drunk to find my way home.

“Stupid. You’re so stupid Arriane,” I repeated louder.

I stood straight and continued walking. Well, I tried. My knees felt so weak. After about four steps, I fell on a lawn of grass. The grass felt cold against the back of my hands, a little wet from the morning mist.

I chuckled. This is so… I frowned but I couldn’t find the word. I just chuckled again as I stretch my right hand to reach for the sky. It is a little cloudy but I can still see the stars. I saw a falling star and my tears automatically pooled at the side of my eyes.

I used to believe in falling stars but my wishes never came true… 

I held my breath when a silhouette covered my view. There’s a man standing beside me. He didn’t say anything but I can feel the weight of his stare. I sat up in panic. Wrong move. My stomach turned before I found myself kneeling on the ground.

“You alright?” the man asked but I’m already vomiting on the grass.

I stopped vomiting after a while but I’m still feeling groggy. Gosh. I’m never doing this again.

“Hey,” the man kneeled on the ground to level with me. I can’t see his face because of the streetlight behind him. “What are you doing here miss?”

“Yo!” I saluted jokingly before laughing.

He frowned. “You’re drunk. Where do you live?”

“In wonderland!” I stretched out my arm and laughed. I almost fell back but he immediately pulled me by the shoulders.

I saw him shake his head in disappointment. Who wouldn’t be disappointed with me? I’m a mess! I chuckled.

“Come on,” he helped me stand up but it only made my stomach turn again. I puked.

I moaned as I turned to my side. This bed felt so soft. It doesn’t feel familiar but very comfortable.

“Hello? Ate, is Kuya there?”

I frowned. Who’s that? My eyes felt heavy but I forced myself to open it. My vision is blurry but I saw someone standing beside my bed. He seems to be talking to someone on the phone.

“Hey kuya. I kitten strayed on my lawn. Is anyone looking for her?”

I felt a lump on my throat. Strayed. A lost kitten… without a home. Without no one.

“She’s about 5’3. Long hair. She’s wearing a black jacket and red sneakers,”

I closed my eyes and lay on my back. I wish I died. I sniffed.

“Just call me. Thank you,”

I wiped the tears from my eyes but they never stopped. I sniffed again. I wish I died instead of ate. She’s stronger than me. She has always been stronger than me. I’m sure if it’s me, she can still hold our family together. If only it was me.

I felt the bed move. I opened my eyes and found someone sitting on my bed. I gasped. This felt familiar. Ate would always come to my room everytime I’m upset about something. She would always sit there and wait for me to stop crying. She would always wait. She would always listen. She was always there.