"Is it bad that I feel tipsy even when the wine isn't alcoholic?" Crystal asked Jason after they'd finished the whole bottle of wine.
"I feel lightheaded too" Jason replied. He lifted the bottle and turned it over to read the contents on its label.
"I guess it's the smoke. That dude smoking over there. I guess it's the weed" she exhaled audibly.
"Yea. Let's go home"
Jason tipped the waiter and they headed out, hand in hand.
Crystal swayed immediately they got outside, the sudden gush of fresh air was overwhelming and a little much to take. But he caught her in time and steadied her, his hand encircling her waist.
"I don't feel so good Jason" she mumbled and placed her head on his chest since she wasn't tall enough to place it on his shoulder.
He'd read the label, it was an alcoholic wine.
Crystal had zero tolerance for alcohol. One glass and she'd be sprawled on the floor or talking gibberish.
The wine had just 5% alcohol concentration and they'd drank the whole bottle.
He didn't want to tell her or lash out at the waiter. He couldn't be blamed. The damn place was crowded and the waiter must have gotten everything all mixed up.
"Steady, steady," he said as he guided her home. The thought of hailing a cab didn't occur to him or maybe it did but he ignored it.
He loved the way her body felt on his, how her curves fit into his, very perfectly.
"I think I'm going to throw up" she mumbled.
"Please hold it in till we get home" he made a sorry face even though she couldn't see him.
She grunted or made a sound that seemed to be an agreement or laughter that died in her throat.
They walked on in silence. The old woman selling the vegetables by the road looked at them and smiled, just like she always did.
"Just fifteen more minutes and we'll be home" he patted her back.
"Piggyback" she mumbled.
"What?!" He asked, astounded.
"Piggyback" she repeated.
"I thought you said you're too big for that?" He asked
"Well I changed my mind" she replied.
He snorted but still went in front of her and squatted so she could hop on his back easily.
She swayed a bit and almost lost her footing but thank God, there was a wall close by. She placed her hand on it and hopped on his back gleefully.
The alcohol.
Immediately she got on, she began to sing unintelligible songs, and he couldn't help but laugh.
"I'm having fun" he laughed.
"Jason" she called, sighing deeply and placing her head on his broad back.
"mmm," he replied.
"Do you want to kiss me sometimes?" She asked innocently.
"Do you want me to kiss you?"
"Maybe" she replied and giggled.
"You're drunk"
"No I'm not" she protested.
"I'll put you down and we'll walk home. If you don't fall, I'll kiss you"
"No deal" she replied and buried her face in his neck.
Her breath sent shivers down his spine, it did things he didn't want to happen. She fell asleep immediately but he was unaware of that.
"I wish I know how to tell you how much I love you, how much I've loved you..." He stopped when she didn't reply.
Two minutes later, he stood outside their apartment. She felt like a dead weight on his back but he wasn't ready to set her down yet.
He stood in front of the door and sighed.
"I need to tell you something, Crystal"
She mumbled an incomprehensible word and he knew she didn't, wouldn't understand anything he said but he continued anyway.
"I think I'm falling in love with you. I'm too scared to tell you but I guess it's now or never right? I'm confused and I don't know what to do. What do you say?"
"Why are we standing outside the door?" She asked, sliding down his back to stand on her feet.
"I thought you were asleep?" He asked, his heart thundering in his chest.
"Well, I'm awake now. And I really wanna throw up. I need to sleep. Take me in Jason"
Did she hear what he just said? How much did she hear?
"Uhm... Let's go in then" He took her hand and walked her... Straight to her bedroom. She fell on the bed and took a deep breath, falling back into her slumber immediately.
He smiled, "I wish I recorded your amazing display tonight"
He walked into the kitchen and got a glass of water, returning to her bedroom and placing it on the bedside table.
She had taken off her jacket when he was back into the room and the little light from the bedside table made her skin so beautiful and shiny. He fought so hard to keep his hands under control, lest he runs his fingers on them.
He took off her shoes and tossed them to God-knows-where. Drawing the covers over her, turning off the light, and pecking her on the cheek, he whispered, "goodnight" and walked out of the room.
The door closed with a tiny click.
Crystal slightly opened her eyes and smiled, then drifted off to sleep once again.
=========================
Back in his room, Jason took off his shoes, got on his bed, and slumped against the pillows.
What was wrong with him? Why did he suddenly have these feelings? Feelings of desperately yearning to be in her company? This had never happened to him so why was it happening now?
When he remembered the things he'd said to her unconscious body on his back, he scoffed and rolled his eyes.
"Love?" He muttered and shook his head.
He was in love with his girlfriend Ashley but he'd never felt this way around her. Not that she was a bad person, although she could be a bitch sometimes.
But she cared for him and showed concern whenever he was on a low. She was good in bed too. But all that didn't matter to him at that moment.
All he wanted was Crystal and he wanted her badly.
He needed a long shower and cold water.
The bathroom had become his best companion these past few days.
Just as he got off the bed, his phone chimed and the message notification popped up.
Ashley.
Damn! He'd forgotten all about the plans he'd made with her. They were supposed to go see a movie that night, the same time he went out with Crystal.
He tapped on the message with shaky hands to open it.
"I saw you", the message read.
"What do you mean 'you saw me'", he replied.
"I saw you and Crystal, Jason. So it's now a piggyback ride back home huh? No cabs? Or does she have a stroke? Can't she walk?", Ashley replied angrily.
He had to calm her down and so he dialed her number. She answered the phone on the first ring.
"Ashley, I'm sorry" he began immediately after she answered the phone.
"Jason. You stood me up because of her. I stood there watching the both of you play love. I saw the way you looked at her, the way you handled her gently! You don't do that for me and yet you say you're not in love with her?!"
"Ashley please listen to me. I can explain" he panicked.
"Oh yeah? You always have an excuse to make for her. Let's hear this one"
He could picture her pouting her lips and crossing her legs comfortably on her couch.
"Crystal got the job interview she's always wanted and I took her out just to celebrate. I didn't plan on staying long but the waiter served the wrong wine and she got drunk so I had to carry her"
Ashley clicked her tongue and gave a laugh, void of emotion.
"There was no taxi? How do you explain the piggyback ride?"
She got him. There was no response.
"Ashley I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you, I swear"
"That's what you always say, Jason. Every single time. You love her. You're just a coward and I'm sorry but I can't see you anymore" her voice broke, along with his heart.
He felt weird.
"Come on Ashley. It hasn't gotten to this. We can make this work. Please"
"We? Oh, you are now ready to be a part of this relationship? For one full year, I've been the only person fighting for us. When I complain, you say I hate your friend. I'm tired Jason. I am. There are a million things I need my strength for and this relationship isn't one of them"
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"I'm breaking up with you Jason. Don't call me, ever again" she sounded rude but before she hung up, he heard her sobbing and it broke his heart.
He wasn't sad because she broke up with him. He was sad because he made her cry.
It was really weird. He wasn't feeling pained or emotionally down. He tried to tell himself it was because he was expecting it or planning to do it but deep down, he knew it was a blatant lie.
He took a cold shower and went to bed. He always looked forward to his dreams because there, he could tell Crystal how much he loved her and she wouldn't look afraid, she wouldn't run away from him, wouldn't reject his love...