He started facetiming me...
"Hey... I can see you." I said and I shut my eyes.
"Hey... look at me."
I looked at Paulo and he looked at me so deep in the eyes..
"Why did you drink more than what you can handle?"
"Bakit? Iiwan mo ulit ako dahil I had more than what I can take? Di ba pwedeng uminom dahil matagal ko bago makita mga kaibigan ko?" I yelled crying. " Iiwan mo ulit ako kasi di mo nagustuhan na uminom ako?"
"Shhh.. Love. I didn't say anything like that..."
That's the last thing I heard and I fell asleep.
The next morning I woke up and I hurt all over. My head hurts and I feel nauseated. I sat up and curled myself in a ball against the headboard. I glanced at my wall clock.. 10:30 AM.
"Oh my God.. what have I done? Anne.. why are you so stupid to drink shot after shot? Crap."
I heard laughter and it was coming from my phone... where is my phone anyway?
"I'm here if you're looking for me, my love."
"Paulo? What are you doing on my phone? Oh my God.. my head."
"Do you not remember anything?"
"I remembered showering and ohhh... you said why did I drink more than what I could handle..I'm sorry Pau."
"I'm not mad, love. I was just worried about you kasi you said it yourself.. you usually don't drink alcohol. I ordered soup and some fruits for you okay? Don't say no.. you have to eat something.."
"I'm sure I can find something in the kitchen..but thank you. I will for sure eat them."
"Baby, I wasn't upset that you had too much to drink. It's all in fun's name.. I'm just afraid that you will get hungover and I don't want you to experience that... I'm sorry if you thought I was mad last night.."
"Sorry, Pau...Alcohol took over me."
"Look at me.."
I looked at the screen and he smiled... "I love you, baby. I love you more than words can say."
I just nodded and smiled.
I said bye to Pau so I can clean up. My beddings smell like Alcohol. So I said I'm gonna wash them first
The food he got me arrived and I ate. I also took some Tylenol to help the headache. When I stepped out in the backyard, everything was already put away and clean. I decided to swim a few laps to help with my hangover.
Crap. I'm not drinking ever again. Or if I will, just casually.
——
Days and weeks went by and it's already Thanksgiving tomorrow. I still talk to the boys, Denise, Alex and our parents daily. Our convenience stores finally had a soft opening and business is doing well.
"Guys!! Christmas party tayo sama naten families naten." Sabi ni Stell.
"Yung ate ko baka papuntahin ko dito sa Christmas. Para makita nyo ulit sya." Si Ken
"G. Plan natin yan...tapusin lang natin tong Christmas show natin tapos doon natin gawin." Si Paulo
"Game ako dyan. Basta party." Sabi ni Josh.
"Dapat nay exchange gifts tayo tapos sali naten sa exchange gifts pets naten." sabi naman ni Justin.
"Ikaw Anne? Sabihin mo kina Tita.. dala sya kamo ng bibingka na dala nya noong bday ni Pau. Masarap eh."
Twenty-Two
Start from the beginning
