I'm on my third bottle of beer when I saw a familiar silhouette approaching. I was surprised when I realized who it was. I quickly looked around to find a spot to hide in but there was none! I thought of hiding under the table but it would be no use by now because I'm sure that he saw me already. It would just make me look stupid.
Instead, I remained calm as he sat in front of me. Titig na titig sya sa akin at kahit nang uminom sya sa sarili nyang bote ay hindi nawala ang tingin nya sa akin. Nakaramdam ako ng panlalamig.
"Bumalik ka na pala." he said after finishing his bottle.
"Y-yeah, kanina lang." I reached for my own bottle and took a sip as I roamed my eyes around. Nasaan na ba si Eve?
"Tapos dumiretso ka dito? Sinong kasama mo?" his brows were furrowed as he crossed his arms.
"I'm with Eve. Pinilit nya akong pumunta." I answered. Tumango lang sya at sumandal sa inuupuan nya.
Kung kinakabahan na ako kanina, mas lalo na ngayon. Of all people, ang pinsan pa ni Psalm talaga ang makakausap ko! Wala na akong kawala. Kung hindi man kami magkikita ngayon, sigurado akong makakarating talaga sa kanyang nandito na nga ako.
"Relax. Mukha ka namang tensed. Para namang hindi tayo magkaibigan." tawa nya at kinuha ang boteng hawak ko. "Umiinom ka na pala?"
I laughed and shook my head. "Ngayon lang. Kailangan ko ng lakas ng loob."
"Edi hindi dapat 'to." ngumisi sya bago inubos ang natitira sa boteng iniinuman ko kanina. "Ikukuha kita."
I was about to utter my protest but he already left. Somehow, nabawasan ang kabang nararamdaman ko. Same old Theo. He's really good at comforting people without him knowing.
We were really close back then. He's one of those people whom I trust the most. Sobrang komportable ko sa kanya na lahat ng bagay na hindi ko kayang aminin sa sarili ko, sa kanya nasasabi ko. We were really good friends.
He came back with four shot glasses in hand. I don't know what are those but I'm certain that those are the hard ones.
"Lalasingin mo ba ako?"
He laughed. "Hindi ka pa ba lasing ng lagay na yan?" tinuro nya yung mukha ko. "Pulang pula ka na."
I suddenly felt conscious. Shit! Kaya pala pakiramdam ko ay nag-iinit ang pisngi ko! Tinawanan nya lang ako nang makita ang reaksyon ko.
"Vodka and Tequila." he gently pushed two shot glasses towards me. "Pick your poison."
I stared at the shot glasses in front of me for a few seconds before picking the Tequila. I have no idea what it is but it sounds nice so I hope it tastes nice too.
"What's the difference?"
"Wala. You'll get drunk, either way." he shrugged then took his shot of Tequila.
