The Girl Named 'Marga'

Auguste gazed at woman beside him as she drank the last drop of beer from her mug. He’s staring not because of how she drank the beer. Well, he liked the way she drank that beer, like she doesn’t care whoever might see her. She just drank and enjoyed the beer. Auguste liked it like that, like she doesn’t have a care in the world.

He doesn’t like those people who always act and talk like they follow a certain standard, like they should not and will not make a mistake or do something inappropriate. For him that’s not genuine, and he doesn’t like fake. He likes those people who are true to themselves, even though sometimes it’s not too formal or classy. What matters is they were being true.

But, he didn’t stare at the woman because of her authenticity. What makes him stare is what she said about someone who will shake up your world, mess up with your life and distract you. Which, for him, is exactly what love is. He knows because that’s how he felt before. Not for his ex, but for someone else.

His thoughts trailed off to that woman he used to love, who used to rule his life, who made him not want to do anything but be with her. That woman who is now engaged to a real-life prince. Auguste was about to trail of to sadness again, if only he didn’t hear the woman beside him order some more beer.

He concluded she’s not used to drinking. He saw how disgusted she was when she first drank the beer. He’s not even sure why she suddenly ordered beer, especially here in Pure Act Café where they serve beers on the biggest beer mugs you could ever imagine.

But as they say, alcohol is really addicting. That’s why he was not surprised when the girl suddenly became at ease at drinking beer, but that doesn’t mean that it’s okay for her to drink a lot. Especially when she’s starting to drink her beer like it is just iced tea.

“You don’t drink, do you?”

The girl looked at him, and her face is becoming more crimson.

“You’re not used to drinking,” Auguste explained.

“So what? Can I not drink because I’m not used to it?”

“That’s not what I mean,” Auguste said. “I just don’t like you getting drunk.”

The woman smiled. “You talk as if you’re my boyfriend!”

There is a tinge of cockiness on the way she said that. Auguste sensed that the alcohol is really starting to overpower the woman. He has to stop her from her drinking spree.

“Where are your friends?” He looked around.

“There.” The woman looked around as well. “Where are they?” She took her cellphone and her eyes widened when she read a message on the screen. “No way!”

“Is there a problem?”

The woman showed her cellphone to Auguste, who read what was written on the screen.

‘Hey Marga! We went ahead, okay? Anyway, it seems you’re having a good time with that cute guy beside you. Goodluck, girl! He might be the one you have been waiting for.”

The girl, who apparently is named ‘Marga,’ suddenly laughed loudly.

“They left me alone here at the bar…” She laughed again. “Did they really think I could hook up with a guy?”

Auguste watched her gulp some more beer. Oh yeah, the girl is having a beer party.

“How about you? Where is your cousin?”

Auguste surveyed the place and found none of his companions. He looked at his phone but no message is waiting for him. He decided to call Geoffroy.

“Hey, Big Brother! How’s it going?” Geoffroy asked on the other line.

“Where are you?” Auguste looked around again.

“We went ahead,” Geoffroy answered. “After Iñigo went back to his friends, we decided to leave as well.”

“Babe…”

Auguste frowned when he heard a woman’s voice on his brother’s line.

“Have to go, Brother. See you tomorrow,” Geoffroy said. “I’ll be waiting for your stories.”

The call ended. Auguste felt quite annoyed with his own brother. He scowled as he put back the phone to his pocket.

“They left you as well, huh?” Marga asked, then laughed again.

Auguste looked at the now drunken Marga. It seems he has no choice but to take her home. He can’t just leave her here on that condition. But then, he drank some scotch himself, so he can’t drive, too. He decided to call his assistant.

Robert immediately answered the phone.

“Hello, Sir!” he said on the other line.

“Robert, I need you to pick me up here at Pure Act Café. I brought my car, so just Call-A-Taxi to get here.”

“Okay, Sir.”

Auguste ended the call and looked back at Marga. Her second beer mug is almost empty.

“Marga…”

“Hmm?” She turned to face him. Her face is more red and her eyelids are drooping.

“Where do you live?”

“Number 84 Brgy. Bato-Bato, Gerona, Tarlac.”

Right. He felt a little annoyed upon knowing she lived almost 16 kilometers from his house. Not only that. Pure Act Café is just twenty minutes away from their house. That means, he needs to travel farther just to take Marga to their house.

But then, he could just ask Robert to take her home. He could ask his assistant to drive him home first, then Robert could take Marga wherever she lives. But then again, his parents might see that and for sure they will be curious as to who is that girl whom he asked his assistant to take to her home using his own car. Worse, his mother might think this random girl he met tonight is someone special to him. He might be asked to have her meet the family the next day.

Because of thinking what to do, Auguste forgot about Marga a little. Consequently, the woman found herself finishing up her second beer mug, and ordering a third one.

“I didn’t know it’s this good!” she said as she looked at the beer mug with a wide smile.

She really is drunk. Auguste wants to take the beer mug from her hand, but she might complain again and say that he’s not even her boyfriend. Which is true. Although, isn’t it right for him to be a responsible citizen who cares for his fellow human being?

Robert’s house is also just nearby, so it didn’t take long before he arrived at Pure Act Café. Auguste received a text message from him, saying he’s already in the parking lot waiting for him to go out of the restaurant.

“Marga…”

The woman looked at him.

“I’m taking you home.”

The lady frowned. “Why are you taking me to your house?” She hugged herself, as if he is someone who is thinking of doing something bad to her.

“No… That’s… That’s not what I mean.” Why did he suddenly feel awkward with how she acted? “I mean, I’ll take you to your house.”

“Do you know where I live?” Marga asked, looking like a young girl based on her facial expression.

“Number 84 Brgy. Bato-Bato, Gerona, Tarlac,” Auguste answered.

Marga smiled. “Wow! You know where I live!”

Auguste took three thousand from his pocket. “For my drinks and her beer,” he said to the bartender.

The latter nodded as he took the money he gave him.

Auguste helped Marga stood up from the bar stool she is sitting on. She was swaying as he led her out of the bar, making him hold her by the waist. Her arm is also entwined with his as she grabbed him for support. Auguste kind of felt something that he shouldn’t because of his body’s closeness to hers, and he blames the scotch for that.

They were already outside the bar when Marga suddenly stopped.

“What?” Auguste asked.

Marga looked at him. “I’m throwing up.”

Before Auguste could fully absorb what she just said, Marga started throwing up on the side of the driveway. Auguste watched her with disgust, but he kind of felt bad seeing her struggle. He went to her and rubbed her back to somehow ease whatever she’s feeling. He saw her hair getting messy around her head. He scooped it up and held it while Marga continued vomiting.

She suddenly stopped, then looked over her shoulders to him.

“Sorry… It’s my first time, you know.” She continued puking again.

Auguste waited for her to finish. A waiter saw them and he asked him to give them some cold water. Marga was finished throwing up when the waiter returned with the glass of ice cold water.

“Drink this,” Auguste said as he handed her the glass.

Marga drank some water, making her sober up a little.

“I’m sorry…”

Auguste just nodded. He then handed his handkerchief to her. Marga took it, then wiped her face.

“Let’s go. I’m taking you to your house.”

Marga just nodded.

Auguste immediately saw Robert as they arrived at the parking lot. He helped him take Marga to his car. The latter seems to start dozing off as her head is drooping and her body is literally clinging to his arms while they walk.

“Let’s take her to their house first,” Auguste said to Robert. He then told him the address that Marga told him earlier.

“Okay, Sir.”

Auguste gave his keys to Robert and the latter opened the door for them. He put Marga on the backseat, and Auguste decided to sit beside her as well since that is really where he sits when someone else is driving for him. Although that time, he suddenly felt different. Well, it has been a long time since he shared that spot with a woman who is literally slumped onto him. He swears it took a lot of self-control for him to stay still and not make a move on her.