471 | cheers
@mahuiwaga
It's already 12 midnight when Julian decided to go downstairs, to walk around and have some fresh air or maybe also drink if and only if the bar was not too crowded for him.
When he was already there, luckily it was not crowded yet unfortunately the bar seems to be closing soon. He went closer to check and there’s only one person inside the stall and he’s just putting some things in place.
He was about to leave when the person who seemed to be the owner noticed him. When they’re eyes met, he realized he was the person that ives was hugging the last time. “Nandito ka para uminom?”
Julian looks back. “Ah, sana. Kaso mukhang close na kayo.” He run his hands behind his neck.
“Yeah. Maaga kami nag-close since wala na masyado tao tska naubos din ibang drink.” He explained. “Pero may mga soju at beer pa rito kung gusto mo. Uh, yung pulutan nga lang na natira ay yung chicken wings.” he added.
“Uhm. Sige ano since nandito na rin ako, kunin ko na.” He smiles politely. “Kung okay lang, mukhang pauwi ka na kasi?”
The man chuckles. “Hindi, maya pa ako. Tska ayaw ko parin naman umuwi.” He said, preparing his order while Julian settles himself. After a while, he serves the drinks and the food. He was about to excuse himself but Julian beats him. “Uh, kung gusto mo…sir? Saluhan mo ako. Baka hindi ko kasi maubos.” He gritted his teeth.
“Ayos lang?”
Julian nodded. “Mukhang umiinom ka rin kasi do’n.”
“Ah oo. Wait kunin ko lang yung beer at tanggalin ko lang ‘to.” He is pertaining to his apron.
“Sure, take your time.” Julian said.
When he got back, he had his beer and had removed his apron. “Pocholo nga pala.” He introduces before sitting in front of Julian.
“Julian.” he shakes his hand
“Thank you for inviting me.”
“Wala ‘yun.” Julian smiles. “Ang lungkot ‘din kasi uminom mag-isa. Ang lungkot na nga ng buhay.” He laughs.
“Right.” pocholo smiles before drinking his beer.
“Ikaw may-ari neto?” Julian casually starts another conversation.
“Hmm.” Pocholo nods. “2 years narin.”
“Ang lakas din noh? Na-observe ko lang since marami ring tourist dito.” He said and when he’s about to pour the glass of soju and beer to his glass, Pocholo stops him. He did it instead.
“Thank you.” julian muttered before chugging it.
“Malakas talaga siya and it was a good investment actually. Tsaka, nakakatuwa na dinadayo rin kami kahit mga foreigners.”
“First time mo ba dito sa San Gabriel?” It was Pocholo’s turn to ask.
“Yeah. dadalawin lang dapat namin yung mga kaibigan namin, saktong beach break din pala nung pagdating namin.”
“Ah ikaw yung kaibigan nila kalel?” Pocholo realized and Julian confirmed.
“I see, so you’re a dentist too?”
“Actually, I’m a physician.”
“Ayun, so doctor ka rin pala.” Pocholo said. “Nice to meet you po, Doc Julian.”
Julian chuckles. “Grabe naman ‘yon.”
Pocholo shrugs. “I just have a great respect towards doctors like you, so it’s really nice to meet you.”
“Ikaw din naman. Malaki rin respeto ko sa mga taong magaling at marunong sa business. Kaya nga I was actually amazed when l saw your restaubar kasi ang ganda rin ng pwesto niya.”
“I hope I can start my own business soon, too.”
“You can do it Doc. If you have a plan, you can start it.” Pocholo encouraged him. “Wala naman madali pero part lang naman ng process ‘yun. Kakayanin ‘yan.” Julian agreed and they were embraced by silence after that.
Julian pours another drink and pocholo opens another can of beer when Julian breaks the silence again.
“I assume you are friends with Rein?” Julian asked out of curiosity. “Uh nakita ko kasi na magkakasama kayo?”
Pocholo nods and presses his lips together. “Yeah, friends.” he then suddenly chugs his drink.
Julian can feel Pocholo’s sudden change of mood so he apologizes. “Sorry.”
“Ha, bakit ka nagso-sorry?”
“Kasi baka may nabanggit ako?”
“It’s fine. Wala kang dapat ihingi ng tawad. Ako dapat mag-sorry, hindi ko lang mapigilan hindi malungkot.” but he still smiles.
“Pwede ba malaman kung bakit?” Julian asked. “Pero syempre you don’t have to kung ‘di ka komportable.”
“Actually I loved rein.” Pocholo sighs. “Pero ayun, it’s unrequited. He still loves kalel eh.”
Julian purses his lips, understanding and getting empathic after hearing what Pocholo said.
“Alam mo ba umamin ako sa kanya nung nakaraang araw lang.” He smiles but it never reaches his smile. Maybe telling what he feels on a stranger or a newly gained friend will help too. The alcohol may or may not pushed him.
“Bakit?” Julian can’t help but to ask.
“You mean bakit pa ako umamin?” Julian nodded.
“Umamin ako para maka-move forward ako, para maka-move on na ako, para ma-let go ko na siya.” Pocholo explained. “For me, telling him would help me move forward. Para wala akong regrets and walang mabigat na dinadala.”
“Magkaiba pala tayo.” Julian drinks before he continues. “Ako kasi, it’s better for me if my feelings are left unsaid. Mas okay na sa’kin na hindi umamin.”
“I understand.” Pocholo nods. “Gano'n talaga. May iba't-ibang ways tayo how to handle our feelings.”
“Just like this, example. We have different ways on how we handle our unrequited feelings, but our common denominator will always be that— our feelings are not returned.”
“Yup.” Julian agrees. “Wala eh, Nagmahal tayo ng mga taong hindi pa nakaahon from their past.” He laughs and it seems like he’s already getting drunk.
“Cheers para sa mga taong may unrequited love!” Julian shouted. “sa mga hindi nasusukliang nararamdaman.”he still went on.
Pocholo chuckles and shakes his head but still clinks his can on Julian's glass. “Cheers!” he said too.