"One year ago I started smoking, in the hopes that I would find that same warmth you gave me in nicotine, all to realize that I have long been addicted to it."
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aches & cigar butts ———
Shit it's cold.
It's nearly seven in the evening and we're outside right now, waiting for the bus at the shed and when I say we, I meant me and Caffeine. Suot ko na ang black sweater ko pero nilalamig pa rin ako, hindi ko alam kung sa panahon ba ito o talagang mabilis lang akong lamigin.
I peeked at Caf who is next to me, he is drawing quite the attention since kanina kahit naglalakad lang naman kami. Siguro dahil sa height niya, I didn't even notice how he grew this much eh pareho lang naman kami ng kinakain simula pa nung 7th grade. Or maybe it's because of his appeal that even I cannot deny.
Suot niya ang brown na turtle neck at brown na coat sa itaas nito. Looking at him, para siyang 'yung sa mga Korean drama, it doesn't even look like the cold fazes him at all.
Napatingin siya sa phone niya bago bumaling ng tingin sa akin.
"Nandun na raw sila, tara na," he said and we entered the bus na tumigil sa harap namin.
After some time, nakarating na rin kami sa bar na sinasabi nila kung saan magcecelebrate kuno. When we arrived, there were a lot of people, some are familiar faces, most aren't.
"Hey! Nandito na pala si Nico!" Bati sa akin ni Basil sabay akbay. "I didn't expect you to actually come."
"Well, someone was being persistent about it," sagot ko sabay tapon ng masamang tingin sa katabi ko who just guiltily smiled. "Atsaka, hindi pwedeng kayo lang ang magsaya, I didn't get injured for nothing."
Bahagya siyang natawa sa sinabi ko but tried his best to avoid talking about it. "Oo na, I'll treat you for it sometime but for now, ba't 'di muna kayo maupo?"
Basil led us to the table where everyone has their own cup full of beer. He then turned to the guy next to me.
"Everyone, let us please welcome our MVP, give it up for Caffeine Gavino!"
His dramatic introduction caught everyone's attention and so they all clapped. Hindi naman maiwasang ngumiti ni Caf, of course, he is easily flattered, almost like a child.
Caf awkwardly laughed and rubbed his nape. "Ano ba, nahiya na lang tuloy ako."
Everyone laughed at his reaction as well saka na bumalik sa kaniya-kaniya nilang ginagawa. For a second nawala si Basil sa harap namin but a second later, bumalik na naman niya but this time with a cup of beer in his hands.
"Oh, ano pang hinihintay niyo, take your shots!" he cheered us to drink to which everyone followed.
Caf, without any hesitation, grabbed the cup handle and chugged the liquid that disappeared in an instant, leaving no drop. Everyone went wild after seeing him do that. Napa-iling na lang ako habang patuloy sila sa pag-inom at pakikipagkwentuhan.
