His Silent Addiction

07

I don't really have to worry about Caff, after six years of knowing him, I also know that he can handle his booze well. It may not look like it, pero hindi madaling mapatumba si Caf sa inuman, tested and proven ko na iyan.

On the other hand, I took my cup and had a sip, one after another while listening to them and joining their conversations from time to time. Ilang baso na rin ng beer ang dumaan sa kamay ko at napansin siguro ito ni Caf that he leaned to say something.

Unfortunately, sobrang ingay ng paligid from the voices of these people to the loud bass of the music, na hindi ko narinig ang sinabi niya.

"Ano?" pasigaw na tanong ko nang may kunot ang noo. "Hindi kita marinig!"

I pointed at my ears to hopefully get through him which did nang mas lumapit pa ito sa tenga ko that I can almost feel his breath next to my face. It felt hot, probably because of the alcohol, he reeked of its smell. Sa amoy pa lang ay alam ko nang naparami na rin ang na inom niya but he's acting just fine other than that his face turns red with alcohol.

"Don't drink too much Nics, ayaw kita buhatin pauwi," he shouted at my ears but it sounded like a whisper with all the noise going on around us. "Ayaw mo naman sigurong maulit 'yung nangyari last year diba?"

His questions brought back memories that I no longer want to remember. It was the first time we drank together, we just sneaked in some drinks sa bahay nila pero siguro dahil first time namin iyon ay mabilis akong nahilo at nalasing. He then brought me home the next day because I can't be caught by my mother nor sister drunk. Buti na lang ay nakalusot kami that time.

"Shut up!" sigaw ko pabalik. "Huwag kang pakampante, baka bumalik 'yan sa'yo!"

He laughed at it but said nothing hanggang sa napuno na naman ulit ang mesa ng mga inumin. Just staring at it somehow makes my head spin. Baka nga lasing na ako.

I stood to leave the table and get some fresh air but Caf stopped me. He held on to my wrist and looked up. His eyes were looking drowsy but there was life in it at the same time questions. "Saan ka pupunta?"

"Sa labas, magpapahangin lang," I told him but he didn't let go, instead, mas humigpit pa ang hawak niya sa akin. I heaved a breath and added, "It's just quick, I'll be back."

He hesitated for a second pero binitawan din niya ako and I was finally able to leave that place.

Nang makalabas na, I immediately felt the cold air against my face.

Tangina.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang oras na ang lumipas nang makarating kami dito pero ang alam ko lang ay palalim na nang palalim ang gabi. I took out a cigarette from my pocket, telling my self na babalik ulit sa loob pagkatapos ng isang stick, just to warm my body.

After I lit the cigar, the door of the bar opened and my eyes met with someone.

"Ah, sorry," he said at akmang papasok ulit nang matigilan ito na para bang nagaalang-alang pa.

"Hindi ako nangangain," I joked out of nowhere, hindi talaga bagay sa akin. So I added, "stay if you want."

Tila nakahinga naman ito ng maluwag sa sinabi ko. He then stood next to me, leaning on the wall. He was just silent but I can't help look at him. Ang alam ko nasa pareho kaming section, hindi ko lang maalala ang pangalan niya. I tend to forget names easily lalo na kapag hindi naman ganun ka importante ang tao.

Siguro ay naramdaman niyang kanina pa ako nakatitig so he said, "Don't worry, hindi kita isusumbong." Nagtaka naman ako sa sinabi niya to which he understood so he pointed at the cigar between my fingers. "I mean that."