By the time they left, Santiago Barrios was already drunk.
Umberto Santangel and Camilo Eagle were awake. They came by car, so they didn’t drink much.
Santiago wanted to relieve the pain with alcohol. He drank again and again. They ended their meeting because of his condition, he was completely drunk.
Camilo held him, and watched him mumble. He hit him gently for his bad appearance.
-I’ve never seen him like this.
The three of them used to go out drinking and didn’t drink too much before. Although Santiago liked to party, it never ended up like this. This was his first time.
-I’ll take him home.
Camilo wanted to leave when Umberto stopped him.
-I’ll take care of it. He lives with Ariana Andino.
Camilo nodded his head. He didn’t know Ariana very well.
She helped him put Santiago in Umberto’s car and put the seat belt on him.
But suddenly Santiago woke up and wanted to get out of the car.
-Where are we going?
Santiago was so strong that Camilo almost didn’t manage to stop him.
Umberto came closer, and controlled Santiago in the chair with Camilo.
-To your house.
Santiago calmed down and murmured, pressing his lips together.
-I want to see Ariana.
Camilo didn’t know what to do as he looked silly as if he were a child.
-She’s at home waiting for you.
Santiago nodded with tears in his eyes.
-Yes, she’s waiting for me at home.
Seeing him still, Umberto got into the car and put on his seatbelt. He wanted to say goodbye to Camilo when Santiago shouted:
-Ariana!
They were both surprised.
-I love you! -Santiago continued, “I didn’t make love with Natalia. It’s a misunderstanding. I don’t love her. It’s you I love. I love you!
His voice was hoarse and he shouted out loud. Several glances fell from the car because of this noise.
Umberto and Camilo noticed the curious looks. They clenched their teeth and held their anger.
But Santiago didn’t notice them and kept shouting in his seat.
Umberto couldn’t control himself and pressed the steering wheel.
-Shut up or I’ll hit you. Yell when you get home.
-Ariana.
-Stop it! I’ll take you to see Ariana.
Umberto didn’t think Santiago was so annoying when he was drunk.
Camilo laughed and recorded it with his cell phone.
-I’ll send him this video tomorrow so he can see it.
Santiago calmed down when he heard Umberto’s words and sat quietly in the seat. His eyes were full of tears and his cheeks were red from the alcohol. He wiped his tears and fixed himself with a mirror.
Fixed, he didn’t look drunk.
Camilo and Umberto noticed him. They didn’t know what he wanted.
After a while, Santiago pointed to the fruit store with his finger.
-To buy grapes. Ariana likes grapes.
Camilo gritted his teeth. He looked at her firm expression and took a deep breath.
-I really owed you something in my past life.
Camilo hurried to the store.
Umberto looked back at Santiago. He was uncurling his hair, his cheeks were red and his eyes were full of excitement to see his lover. He felt pity.
-If you love her so much, why did you do things like that? Everything you did broke her principles. If she didn’t love you, she would have left you by now.
Santiago’s fingers stopped and he bit his lips so hard they almost bled.
Umberto was looking outside, and didn’t notice what Santiago did. If he looked carefully, he would notice that his eyes were clear and he was not drunk.
After a few moments, Camilo returned with grapes and threw the bag into Santiago’s arms.
Santiago caught it, looked at the grapes and changed his expression.
-They are not fresh.
Camilo became angry and clenched his fist. He wanted to hit him.
-It’s too late. They are the freshest in the store.
Umberto didn’t listen to Santiago. He said goodbye to Camilo and drove off.
On the way back to Santiago’s house, he was quiet. He hugged the grapes and lowered his head. He wasn’t acting like he used to.
Soon they arrived.
Umberto was holding him getting out of the car. Before he knocked on the door, it opened and Ariana appeared.
-I saw you on the balcony.
-He was drunk. I took him home.
Ariana saw Santiago and frowned.
-How much did he drink?
Seeing Ariana, Santiago pushed Umberto. He was carrying the grapes and stopped in front of Ariana.
-I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have drunk so much. I bought grapes for you.
Ariana stared at him pursing her lips.
Santiago’s pulse was racing. He was so nervous he was almost crying.
-My love…
His voice was weak. Ariana sighed, accepted the grapes and took Santiago’s hand so he wouldn’t fall.
Umberto wanted to help her, but Santiago didn’t let Umberto touch him.
He hugged Ariana’s shoulder and rested his head on it.
Ariana didn’t know what she should do.
-He’s very drunk, so I’ll take him to the room. Be careful on your way back,” she told Umberto.
Umberto nodded his head. He was not a kind person, but when he saw Santiago, who leaned on Ariana because of the alcohol, and explained to him:
-He loves you very much and has not betrayed you.
Hearing that, Ariana stopped and then laughed.
-I know.
Umberto was surprised. He thought Ariana was arguing with Santiago about his betrayal.
She looked at Santiago softly.
-He has not betrayed me. If he did, he would tell me. He’s an honest man. He didn’t tell me what happened just to avoid a misunderstanding.
Ariana didn’t notice that Santiago stiffened and hugged her tighter as he frowned unselfconsciously.
She didn’t say much and said goodbye to Umberto.
-Thank you for taking him home. I’ll take good care of him.
Umberto pursed his lips and nodded.
Ariana closed the door, put away the grapes and carried Santiago slowly into the bedroom.
When she put him on the bed, she was exhausted.
She was a thin woman and Santiago, strong and tall. When she laid him on the bed, his arm ached.
But he did not complain. She took off his jacket and shoes and covered him with the blanket gently.
After all that, she stopped on the bed to look at Santiago and then went out.
The door didn’t close, so the sound of the water was clearly heard.
Santiago opened his reddish eyes. He couldn’t speak and squeezed his clothes tightly. He didn’t know why his chest hurt so much.
He closed his eyes when he heard footsteps.
Soon he felt a warm, wet towel. Ariana was wiping her face.
When she finished, Ariana wanted to get out, but Santiago grabbed her wrist.
She stopped and turned her head. She saw Santiago look at her with red eyes and said in a hoarse voice:
-My stomach hurts.
He was drunk and pitiful. His body temperature was high, especially his hand.
Ariana was surprised and touched his forehead.
-Do you have a fever?
However, his forehead was cold.
-My stomach hurts,” Santiago indicated with his finger. He hadn’t eaten anything all day and drank a lot, so he started to have a stomach ache.
Ariana sighed. She sat on the bed and stroked his stomach.
-You’re sick to your stomach, why do you drink so much? Wait, I’ll pour you some soup. Drink and take the medicine.
Santiago listened to her voice and looked at her. Especially when she came closer, he looked intently at her fine face and bright eyes.
He was absolutely sure he loved her.
-Ariana, I will treat you well, so don’t leave me.