The wedding happens so smooth, it was a lively wedding, I must say. Everyone seems very happy; both the groom and bride were goofy. They met most funnily; the bride thought he was gay, and the groom thought she was a lesbian; for years, they thought it was a one-sided love.
Until one of them stepped up and confessed their feelings, in the most unexpected way, they remained lovers for seven years before they got married; I also enjoyed listening to their story; who would have thought that they meant for each other?
"That's a funny wedding, isn't that?" Ana mumbled while cutting her steak, it's been a few hours since the wedding ended, and we are all now in the reception venue.
"Yeah," I answered back, looking in front, with a glass of juice in my hand; I'm not much of a drinker, so it will be safer if I just stayed with that; I'm not in my house.
"Eli, can you be a sweetheart and get me another glass of wine and chocolate moist? Please?" Ana said and handed me her glass and saucer, "I know we can ask that from the servers, but instead of asking, why not get it for yourself, right?" I just nodded and stood up, "Thank you so much, my heels are killing me, ugh!"
I made my way to the buffet table and got Ana's cake, and a glass of wine, one of the servers saw me and offered help, but of course, I refused and told him that I can manage it alone, he mumbled his thanks and continue serving other guests.
"Is that for you?"
"Fuck! You scared me!" I almost fell and dropped both the saucer and the glass when Grayson appeared suddenly.
"Oh," he chuckled, "I'm sorry, I'll help you with that," I haven't had the chance to argue, he grabbed it gently from my hands, so I let him do it, "Are you with Ana?" I nodded, "Nice song, by the way, I didn't know you sing like an angel."
"Stop, you freak," I let out a faint laugh and hit him in his shoulder; that's when I realized most of the people are looking at us; I don't know if they are looking at me or to Gray. "Hey, are you famous?"
He halted for a while, then walked again, with his creased forehead; he leaned a bit, the music was a bit loud, so he has to lean to answer me, "Why?"
"I think they are looking at us?" I'm not even sure.
"Oh," he simply roamed his eyes, "I think they are all looking at you, maybe, either adoring you or impress, don't bother yourself."
I just nod cause why not? It made sense, but I'm not that good at singing; it's just I have the voice; okay, this freak is indulging me too much.
"Oh, you bump into each other, are you friends now? What a sight." Ana asked when she saw us approaching the table together, "Ohhh, I didn't know you deliver foods now, Grayson, give me another glass, please?" she said, and her lips formed a smirk.
"Shut up," he utters and places down Ana's food and drink, before looking at me, "I'll go ahead," I just nodded and settled myself to my seat.
"What's with you too, huh?" I rolled my eyes and continued drinking my juice, it's a bit cold here now, and I don't have a cardigan with me; I just tried to warm my arm using my hands, "You cold? You want to leave?"
I shrug, "The party's not over, and you have a special speech later, right?"
She nodded and looked at her vintage-style wristwatch. "Yes, do you want to go ahead?"
"Can I?" I repeated; I was just making sure she said it right; I'm embarrassed to excuse myself here since I was just invited.
"Yes, of course, I know you are tired; you go ahead, but make sure to update me if you're already in your hotel room, okay?"
I nodded and gave her a peck before grabbing my clutch, "I'll take note of that."
"Update me, okay? Don't go anywhere else, alright?" I nodded and gave her a smile before exiting the venue.
"Finallyyy." I muttered the moment that I breathe fresh and warm air. It's been a while since I attended a party like this. I mean, I'm not a party goer, I usually stuck in my room reading books and watching movies, or sometimes I go hiking by myself.
I always value my ME time; there, I can think, reflect, breathe, and isolate myself from all the toxicity this world brings me. But when dad died and my mom got hospitalized, I can't even have a proper breakfast.
I felt my phone vibrate, so I fish it from my clutch, it was Día; I immediately press the answer button, just to hear her crying, my heart suddenly beat fast, that it was suffocating me.
"Hello? Jane? What happened? Why are you crying? Where's mom? Where's Dan?" I didn't even hear her talking, yet my eyes are teary.
"Eli," she called me in her tired voice, "She had another cardiac arrest,"
I feel my body tense up, but my hand is shaking, tears started to fall one by one, I'm sweating cold as fuck, what the fuck?
"What?! Where is she? What did the doctor say? Was she revived?! Answer me!"
"She was revived, but the doctor requested for an immediate operation; he asked if we can decide by next week; mom is in danger," I heard another sob, "Eli, please. We can't lose a mom."
I took a deep breath to calm myself; at least, mom was safe for now, "I know, I'll do everything. Stay calm, take care the both of them in the meantime; I'll be there in a couple of days, okay? Update me whenever something happens, okay?"
"Okay, Dan is sleeping, I have my exam tomorrow, so I need to rest." I nod as if she is now in front of me, fuck it.
"Okay, go and take a rest, leave all the burden to me."
"I'm sorry, Eli, I can't do anything." She's about to cry again; I'm hearing her sob again; I wish I'm with them right now.
"Don't be, just go and focus on your studies, leave everything to me." With that, she hung and, leaving me broken-hearted.
What the fuck is just happening to me? Why the hell was I given this kind of life? This kind of situation? We are all living simple; dad and mom are both kinds, both generous, both loving, both caring, both soft-hearted; where did it go wrong?
I dry out my tears before walking again; it was almost midnight when I came across this calming bar; it's not like any other bar, like a relaxing one, my feet walk on their own and enter the bar.
It doesn't have a different color of lights, waiters with short skirts, our woman dancing almost naked. I was surprised to see, the whole place has this dim blue light, every corner has these tall plants, the chairs and the tables look like it's made for friends who want to hang out, there is a bar table at the extreme right with high stool.
I'm not a drinker, but I wanted to try it; I want to forget anything for tonight, hoping that it will lessen the burden, worry, and pain I feel.
"Good evening, madame, what can I get for you?" the bartender seems nice; he's just wiping some of the glasses.
"Anything will do," since I'm not familiar with drinks that might found inside the bar.
"One vodka and one tequila, please." A man suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Only just to find it was Grayson, "Why are you here?"
I shrug, "Nothing, just wanted to, how about you?"
He chuckled, "I'm a regular here." I nodded; the vintner put two shot glasses in front of us, one is watered like color, and the other is gold-colored liquor with salt and lemon; I assume this is tequila? Err. I followed how Grayson took it in one shot.
"What the fuck?" I mumbled; it seems like he heard me, even if it's just a whisper, since the music inside this is too relaxing, that being loud will be your last choice to do.
"Come on, drink yours." He chuckled and handed me my liquor. I took a glance at it before drinking it in one shot like what he did, "Woooh, you're not really a drinker; the moment you drank that, your whole face turned red, what the heck?! He said and laughed at me.
I rolled my eyes even I feel a little dizzy, "Shut up; if not, then leave me." I said and face the bartender, "Another glass please?"
"Woah, Woah, no, that's enough." He said and blocked it using his hand, "You can't get drunk, that's enough for tonight, you can have it again tomorrow, come back here with Ana."
My forehead creased, "Why would I? You know what? Just leave the fuck out here? Or just in front of me, I don't need you here." I said, trying to get rid of his intimidating presence; I have never felt this tension in my body before, not until now.
"I said that's enough; Ana will be seriously mad and worried when she knows about this." He said and grab the shot glass I was about to take. "I'll take that."
"I said I'll have another glass, make me another one, that one he just took, that's his bill, we don't really know each other," I said and took the glass a drink it in one shot that made me dizzier, and another glass.
I feel like I'm going vomit, but I only had four glasses? I think? Ugh, who even cares? I can pay for that? It's just a small luxury. "I stood up, my feet are wobbling, my sight is blurry, and I feel like the floor is dancing, and I can't help but laugh.
"Shit, I told you, that's enough! Look at you know!" I heard Grayson; I intentionally ignored him; who does he think he is? I'm attracted to him, yes, but he's still no one; what the fuck? I'm attracted to him? No hell way! I barely know that freak!
"I only drank four shots." I can't hear myself; did I say it aloud? Or just in my head?
"Fuck, four? You drunk nine shots! You brat!" I felt a tight and warm arm encircled on my waist, "Let's go; I'll bring you to your hotel room; you're staying in 205, right? I'll bring you there. I just left for a second to call someone, shit."
I just realized we were already outside when I felt the ocean breeze, "Just let me go, Gray, please? I want to be alone." My tears immediately fell from my eyes. I'm trying so hard not to sob, but I can't contain my emotions right now.
The liquor is definitely in my brain right now, removing all the hindrances for me to cry and not talk. I'm overwhelming with emotions right now; I want to shout, I want to cry out loud, I want to release something heavy from my chest.
"I can't leave you here. The moment I laid my eyes on you, I know you're my responsibility."