Arnie

"One more round over here, please." I raised my hand and waved to call the attention of one of the crews, asking them to bring in another set of chicken wings on our table.

"Slow down, we just got here and that's your third plate already." I ignored Josh, my partner, who asked me out today when I shouldn't even be here because I'm grounded for two days.

"You know I'm grounded, right?" He raised his eyebrows at me. "So we need to leave as soon as we finish."

One of the crew approached us. He didn't say any other word, instead he just handed me a list of flavors to choose from. I took a quick scan and looked back at him who is waiting for my order.

"Give me the spiciest one." I fixed my gaze to the crew who's just blankly staring at me. I gave him a wink and the crew rolled his eyes on me. It looks like he hate his work so much. I returned my gaze to the man sitting across the table.

"I won't help you with that one." He took a sip from his cola and resumed his eating while I wait for mine to arrive. "You know I hate spicy food."

"Who told you that I'd be needing your help?" I brought out my phone to take a quick picture of him while he devour his food.

"The last time we ate here you almost cried your eyes out," He let out a giggle as he looked at me. "you even made me ran to the convenience store outside to buy you milk."

'Cute.' I thought, as I added his picture to one of my Instagram stories.

Minutes after, the crew came back with a plate of chicken wings. I took my first bite as I glanced outside and noticed an elderly woman.

'Life is somehow unfair.' I told myself as I saw her asking for coins from by-passers.

"Is something wrong?" I wasn't aware that I have been staring at her for seconds already when Josh asked me.

I shook my head and continued eating. The spiciness started to take effect on me when I took my bite for the third chicken. Tears already forming on my eyes, I looked at Josh who's taking a video of me.

"What's that for?" I asked, letting out a cough due to too much spiciness. "Go and buy me milk outside."

"Just a proof that you can't take spicy things as well so that you won't order them again next time."

It's already 7:30 in the evening when we left the restaurant and traffic is already building up. I would call myself lucky if ever I get a ride at this hour. Students and workers started to gather at the terminal. Countless number of vehicles passing by us, some managed to hop on buses, while I patiently wait for a not-fully loaded bus to stop by.

"You don't need to come with me, you can go first." I told Josh who's busy texting his friends. I know he needs to go somewhere else after this so I don't think it's a nice thing if he'd wait for me to get a ride. "I'll text you when I arrive at home."

"Alright then." He released his hold from hands and gave me a pat on my shoulders.

"Stop being awkward." I softly laughed and gave him a peck on his cheeks. "There, you can go now."

"Take care." A wide smile formed from his lips, he waved his hands as he started to march off. "Bye."

Grabbing my phone, I plugged in my earphones and played Portrait of You. I tapped the repeat button, so I can listen to this song until I arrive at my place. I have this funny habit of repeating the same song all day and never get bored of it.

As I was about to turn my phone off, my phone suddenly rang. I looked at the caller ID for seconds and decided to ignore the call. This is her 12th call for the day, and I can tell that I am seriously fucked up right now. A bus stopped by and I had the chance to hop on.

Finally, I'm on my way home. I checked the time at my phone and thirteen minutes had already passed. I was about to keep my phone when I received a text message.

"Please, stop ignoring my calls. Come home asap"

Shit.

This is bad.

It's almost quarter to ten when I arrived at my street. It's a lie if I say that I'm not nervous right now. I hurriedly ran to our front gate, checking for signs if someone is inside. The light outside is on, so someone must've been waiting for me. I quietly unlocked the gate and went inside.

"Kath, what are you doing here?" Kath, my cat, was the first one to greet me. It is odd for me to find her outside when she's usually at my room at this hour. "Were you waiting for me? Hmm?"

I brought her to my arms and I noticed she had a fixed gaze above so I followed. Smoke was everywhere on the terrace. I started to breathe heavily, nervousness is evident to me right now.

I went inside and went directly to my room, putting Kath down on my bed and unpacking my things. I placed my bag back on my study table and looked for comfortable sleeping clothes. I changed into my pajamas before doing my night routine. As usual, washing my face and applying face mask after. After finishing the routine, I went outside my room and prepared a glass of milk.

I walked back upstairs, with two glasses of milk on both of my hands. I was about to walk back to my room when my gut told me that I should check the other room and so I did. The bed is empty, but the smell of alcohol and smoke is reeking. I checked the terrace and there I found her. The sight earlier haven't changed wherein the area is still filled with smoke. I took a step forward when she slowly looked back at me. Her eyes doesn't look the same, and it is a heartbreaking sight.

"How could you do this to me?" Her voice cracking as she started to cry.

I can't believe what I'm seeing right now, every word felt like a knife that stabbed me and it hurts, I didn't realize my tears started to fall too.

"I love you so much, it hurts."

I can't believe I broke my grandmother's heart...