It was past seven in the evening when Mar and I arrived at the Bar that Malia said in her text. Mar even came to the house early to pick me up.

I also tried to contact Ken to invite him and also to introduce him to Malia but I can't contact him and he doesn't reply to my text either. I'm too worried and wondering what he's doing.
My face shows that I don't like that place because I know what I will find inside and I am not used to such a place.

I felt Mar hold my hand and smile. "I know you don't like this place, Jan, but let yourself enjoy it. We are here for that reason," he said calmly.
I took a deep breath, then just nodded to him to show that it was okay for me to go inside. Also, there is nothing I can do. He didn't let go of my hand as we entered the noisy room.
My eyes narrowed at the same time as my face frowned when I was greeted by a loud ringing. Lots of people, it is noisy and there is even smoke flying in the air. I even covered my nose so I wouldn't inhale it.
"I can't take it longer, Mar," I shouted to him as we headed to the side of the room.
"Do you want us to move? I would tell Malia," he returned in the same loud voice.
"Hey, I'm here."
Mar and I both turned to Malia who was sitting alone at the empty table near us. I quickly let go of Mar's hand before looking at him. "No, we'll just stay here," I answered his earlier question.
We sat on the couch there, Mar and I were next to each other while Malia was facing us and seemed to be enjoying herself immediately because her body movement was in sync with the music.
"I thought you weren't going to whip me. I was going to sulk right away," Malia said, then called a waiter. He ordered beer and honey. It turned back to us. "You guys aren't minors, right?"
"We are," Mar returned.
I turned around and did not understand the conversation between the two. I just now know that I will not enjoy this place. This is not my type of place to unwind. I would rather go to the library or museum.
I just turned to Mar when he held my hand. I scolded him with my gaze but he didn't budge.
"Attach yourself to this place and let yourself enjoy it."
I turned to Malia. "You know me, Malia, I'm not the kind of person who likes this kind of place," I explained.
"What are you doing, don't be so KJ, Cous. Sometimes you need to explore anything, do something you didn't do before. Go out of your comfort zone," he said.
I sighed a little. "I have nothing to do now but adapt myself to this place," I gave up. I can't do anything anymore, we're here.
"Good," Malia said smiling. "They say, every first time in your life, is unforgettable, so make it fun," he added.
"Uh-uh," I nodded back.
"Then it's just this once, Jan. Let's just say welcome to hang out for your cousin Malia," Mar said.
"Mar is right. It's been a decade since we last saw each other so I deserve to be with you in this place. You know how I miss you, Cous," Malia agreed.
"Yes, isn't it? The explanation is correct, let's enjoy," I interrupted the two of them who just laughed and I did the same.
Malia's order arrived later. I gulped when I saw how much beer was on the table. I've never had a drink in my whole life and I don't know if I can handle the taste of it or if I might throw up and never taste it again.
"You look surprised, huh?"
I turned to Malia who was referring to me.
"Seriously, Malia?" I looked at the beer on the table. "You guys are so thirsty to order too much beer," I said.
He laughed and so did Mar. "Jan, it's just a beer and it won't make you drunk," I heard Mar say.
"Just try and you'll know," Malia said before taking a bottle of beer and drinking it. I cringed when I saw how his face contorted at the first sip.
Mar also took a bottle but not for him. "Try this," he offered. I'm still hesitant to take it.
"I'll sulk if you don't drink."
I couldn't do anything but take the bottle, it was embarrassing for Malia to pressure me to drink.
Mar took a bottle again and drank it like it was just water.
I frowned and looked at the bottle and tried to smell it, but it only made me wince and it seemed like I couldn't handle it.
"It's your fault if I throw up," I threatened.
"Don't worry Mar is here to take care of you. Even if you throw up on that, for sure he didn't complain," Malia laughed.
I just raised my eyebrows and couldn't look at Mar.
"It's my honor to take care of him."
I felt my cheeks turn red because of what Mar told Malia that he didn't seem to care that my cousin didn't know what was going on between us.
Malia laughed excitedly and turned to me. "You heard it, Jan? You're lucky to have him in your life," he praised.
"He's more than lucky to have me in his life," I corrected, then laughed.
Mar just smiled, then took a sip from the bottle he was holding.
"If I were you I would confess," Malia urged us.
"Confess? What will we confess?" I'm back.
Malia snorted, obviously not believing me.
"What do you think of me, Jan numb and blind so I can't see and feel what you have?" He smirked. "I'm an expert when it comes to observing someone's life."
"What are you, we're jus–"
"You're right, Malia, we're already in a relationship."
My eyes widened when I heard that from Mar. I was suddenly embarrassed and wanted to disappear suddenly. What was Mar thinking about to say that?
I felt him take my hand and lift it to show Malia.
Malia was smiling happily as if she was still thrilled. "Did I say it, my observation was not wrong again." He got serious. "I'm happy for you guys," he said.
Because of the shame I felt, I quickly drank from the bottle I was holding. I winced a lot when I tasted the bitterness of it. I could also feel the warm liquid drawing down my throat and the heat it brought to my stomach.
I heard Malia whooping in surprise at what I did.
"You okay, Jan?" I heard Mar say as he came closer to me.
I wiped the side of my lips and faced the two. "It's bitter," I complained.
"Go ahead, don't drink anymore." Mar grabbed the bottle and drank it himself.
"So guys, before I get jealous of you two, I'll just go to the restroom," said Malia, laughing. "Nice one, Jan," he added before leaving.
"It's your fault," I blamed Mar when Malia left.
He laughed. "Huh? Why was it my fault?"
"If you hadn't said that, I wouldn't have drunk." I withdrew the hand that he was holding.
"I'm just being honest. Aren't you proud that your boyfriend is honest?" Mar said. He suddenly became serious. He felt my palm and squeezed it lightly. "I want everyone to know our relationship but I know you're not ready yet and I also know myself that I still feel some fear but I want the people close to me, to you, to know who you are in my life. " I was even surprised when he lifted my hand and kissed it. "I love you, Jan."
I bent down and bit my bottom lip trying to stop myself from smiling. Who wouldn't be thrilled by that word? I felt something tickling my heart because of the strange happiness that enveloped me.
"Are you drunk, Mar?"
He frowned. "I'm drunk? Not from alcohol but from your love, I'm too drowned," he smiled.
"You're talking too much, Mar," I returned and couldn't stop smiling.
"Why are you smiling?"
"Huh? I'm thrilled, aren't I?"
"I'm just your boyfriend."
Our happy conversation was interrupted when Malia came to our table. I frowned when I saw his look. He looks angry and annoyed.
"Hays! That arrogant man. Shs!" I even heard his whine.
"Hey, what happened? You look pissed off?" I asked curiously.
"The man who bumped against me in the cafeteria is so arrogant. I'm not chasing him," he growled.
"Hey, we're just calm down," said Mar laughing.
Malia clutched the two of them who were obviously in awe of whoever that man was.
"I don't know how to calm down," he said. "He's damn arrogant from hell. He's annoying!" He grinds continuously.
Mar took a bottle of beer and handed it to Malia. "Here, drink this and you'll calm down."
Malia quickly grabbed the bottle and mindlessly drank it until it was almost empty. It's so annoying that it seems like it's going to disappear at any moment.
"What did that man do to you, huh?" I asked.
Malia gasped. "He kissed me."
My eyes widened when I heard that from my cousin. I was more and more curious as to who the man was referring to.
"Huh? That's stupid," I answered, annoyed even though I was shocked.
"You said it. He's so freaking nasty."
"What did you do?" Mar asked.
"I slapped him," Malia answered directly.
"Huh? Did you slap him? Wow! You're so brave to do that," I praised what he did.
"Of course, I won't let that man do what he wants from me. He will see, he will get more than a slap when I see him," Malia seriously threatened the man.
"Opss! Calm down, we are here to enjoy," Mar interrupted the conversation.
"Mar is right, Malia let that man go, just enjoy," I said to Malia.
"You guys, right? Come on, let's drink some more." After saying that, he emptied the rest of the bottle and took a new one.
I just watched the two of them while drinking because I didn't want to taste it again and I might end up throwing up.
"Do you guys know when I was in Thailand there were a lot of boys hitting on me but I rejected all of them." Malia laughed. "So look, until now I'm single."
"You're so choosy, huh?" Mar said laughing.
"Maybe but I don't feel all the men who approach me. I've tried sometimes but nothing, it doesn't work," revealed my cousin who seemed comfortable with Mar right away. "Isn't it? I'm too choosy?" He laughed.
I just shook my head at Malia. I can't tell if he's drunk because I can't see it on his face but he's become more talkative now.
"Maybe the man for you isn't yet here," I replied.
Malia snorted and then shrugged. "Maybe so. Well, how did you know that this man beside you is the right man for you?"
I was silent and did not immediately answer Malia's question. Is he the right man for me? Until now I don't know the answer to that question.
"I don't know," I answered seriously. "We don't know if we're destined for each other. We still have a lot to go through to say we're right for each other."
Malia just nodded while holding the beer bottle.
"If It's just me, I won't accept that I'm not the right man for you, Jan," I heard Mar say full of emotion.
I can't help but be moved by those words. It's just so good that I want to hear it over and over again.
"Aysus! Long hair, Cous," Malia teased.
"Crazy!" I laughed and reprimanded.
"I don't know about your cousin, he's always thinking negative thoughts. He always thinks that maybe we won't make it to the end, that many people will oppose us and he's afraid to tell our relationship to anyone," Mar seems to be reporting. to Malia.
Malia looked at me. "I do understand Jan. Your relationship isn't normal like everyone is supposed to see. It's scary to judge and it's better if everything is quiet. But I'm sure if Jan's ready, he would tell it to anyone."
I was speechless. Mar is right that I'm afraid of what might happen and I'm not strong enough to face it like him.
"That's what I'm gonna do, wait and wait until Jan is ready."
The sadness in Mar's voice did not escape me. Even if he wants to show everyone his love for me, I'm afraid.
I didn't say a word anymore and just let the silence between the three of us swallow me. They continued drinking and later Mar said goodbye to go to the restroom.
"I know what you're thinking, Jan. I can see how much he loves you and he understands you," Malia eased my heart.
I smiled. "I just felt sad for him, Malia because until now I'm still scared," I said sadly.
"Let your love fight for it, Jan." Malia smiled at me. "Drink?" he offered with a laugh.
I shook my head quickly. "No, thanks," I returned.
"Ok," he agreed with a shrug. He just drank the beer he offered me.
"Hi, can we join?"
I quickly looked at Malia and the three men faced us. Malia and I looked at each other and turned back to them.
"Go get your table," Malia pushed them away.
The tall man came even closer to Malia. "You are what I want to get," he said.
"Get your fucking ass." Malia is starting to get annoyed with him.
The tall one turned to his other two companions. "Did you hear that? That gay guy is choosy, isn't he," he said mockingly to his companions.
I was starting to get nervous about what was going to happen next. I am afraid of what they can do to us. Where is Mar?
"Maybe you're not the type, maybe I am." The group's laughter followed when one of them with a big nose said that. He approached Malia. "Don't be so choosy, you're not a girl." He grinned as the two laughed. "Come on, have some fun with me?"
"Damn you! Didn't you see? I'm having fun here so get your friends out of here and have some fun," Malia said boldly as if she wasn't afraid of them.
"Please, just leave us alone, we don't want trouble," I replied calmly.
I grabbed their attention. I was quickly startled when one of them sat next to me with a big pimple on his forehead. He turned to his companion. "I have one," he boasted.
I felt his arm around my shoulder which made me shudder. I'm nervous and scared. I called Mar over and over in my mind.
"If you don't stop, I'll call security," Malia threatened. He stood up from his seat and his face showed annoyance and anger.
While I could hardly move. I took a deep breath. Gathered courage and removed the man's heavy arm. I distance myself from him.
"Please, leave," I begged. Because I'm the type of person that's afraid of trouble and if it's possible to talk, I'll beg. "We're not entertainers here so please, find someone who can entertain you all."
The three laughed. The tall man approached Malia and just as he was about to walk, Malia dodged.
"Why don't you guys leave and find a dog to entertain y'all."
I heard a familiar voice so I quickly turned around. I was so surprised and happy when I saw Ken standing next to the two men.
"It's you again?" Malia exclaimed in surprise that I wondered.
"Ken," I mentioned his name.
"I didn't know you had a knight and shining armor, huh," said the tall man who was now facing Ken.
"He's more handsome than you, bro," said the man next to me.
"F*ck you, bro," he said back.
"Don't you dare to touch the man beside you if you don't want your pimples to pop on your forehead," Ken threatened the man next to me. If I wasn't so nervous and scared, I might have burst out laughing.
"Hey you, stop talking okay? Get rid of these freaking addicts," Malia said loudly to Ken but he ignored it.
The man next to me grinned. "This man?" He turned to me. "You're cute," he said. Just as it was about to walk towards me, Ken's movements became fast.
The man screamed in pain as Ken twisted his fingers. "I said, don't you dare to touch my man," he said bitterly.
My man? I was almost deaf when Ken said that. I don't know but I can see sadness and bitterness in his eyes. It was also obvious that he had been drinking.
"Oops!"
I turned around and saw Mar holding the fist of the tall man who was about to punch Ken.
I screamed when I saw another man's fist hitting Mar's cheek. He even tilted his head because of his strength.
"Mar," I asked worriedly.
Next to me, I saw the man punching Ken but he avoided it and retaliated against the man who was hit on the cheek.
I saw the surprise of the people there and others turned away from us.
I quickly stood up and went to Mar. I attended to him. "Mar, please, stop," I begged.
"Just stay at my back, Mar, I won't let them pass. They deserve thousands of punches for insulting you," he said seriously, filled with anger. He wiped the blood on his lips and guided me behind him. Malia attended to me.
"Malia," I said nervously and scared her.
Malia hugged me. My knee is starting to shake. I closed my eyes because I didn't want to see how Ken and Mar would get hurt.
I heard moans and sounds of kicks and punches. I don't know who it hits. Malia just held me tight.
I took a deep breath and slowly opened my eyes. Seeing Ken and Mar wrestle made my grip on Malia tighten.
The impact of the tire they made is also visible. Several bottles were scattered on the floor, there were overturned tables and benches and scattered food.
I closed my eyes when Ken's fist hit the tall man and when Mar's punch hit the man walking towards me, furious.
"Malia please, do something," my voice trembled as I begged. I felt liquid dripping from the corner of my eyes.
"We can't do something, Jan, it's a boys' fight anyway," he replied calmly even though I knew that he was also nervous.
I turned back to the fighting men. I was even more worried about the two when I saw the blood on their lips.
Later I had hope and joy when I saw the approaching security guards. I smiled even though there were tears in my eyes.
The men who were fighting were quickly attended to by security. I breathed a sigh of relief and ran away in great fear when the punches and kicks between those men stopped. But the worry is still there.
I smiled and quickly greeted Mar when I saw him approaching me. I couldn't help myself and hugged him tightly.
"You okay, Mar?" I said full of concern as I let go of him. I gently caressed his bloody lips with my palms, trembling.
I felt his hand placed on the back of my palm and he held it. "You're shaking, Jan. I'm sorry if I worried you so much," he whispered.
"Why did you even fight with those men?"
"They've messed up with you, Jan, and I won't let that happen," he said seriously and brought his lips to my forehead. I closed my eyes.
Such a scenario was interrupted when I heard the noise of the guards, even those men. Mar and I turned around together and I almost didn't blink and breathe. I was moved by what I saw.
"M-Malia," I exclaimed in surprise.
I forced myself to move and quickly attended to Malia who was lying on the floor. Ken was there and was very worried and I could also see the guilt in his eyes.
"W-what happened to Malia?"