The first time a drop of beer touched my tongue was also the last time. After that first time, I swore I’d never taste anything like it again. Here’s what happened.
Ever since I could remember, my father and my grandfather had always been partners at the drinking table. Whenever there’s an occasion- a birthday party, graduation, or fiestas- it’s always expected that there would be a drinking spree, a drink-til-you-drop kind of thing, lead by my father and grandfather, of course. It was my uncle’s wedding after party. We were at my grandmother’s house then. That day, my father and my lolo were joined by some of my uncles. They were having a really good time. I was nine, maybe ten, years old. I remember being with my brother then. He was a year older than me. I used to play with my brother a lot. I always end up playing 'boy' games like marbles or 'takyan' because he won't agree playing dolls with me. He was always the boss. Now, we were passing the 'drinking table' when my brother suddenly asked my father what those golden-colored bubbly liquid taste like. My father, a little drunk then, asked my brother if he wanted a sip. My brother, ever the adventurer, consented. I was nervously watching my brother take a drink. I knew even then what that drink could do to someone who drinks it. I've watched my father sleeping on the floor after those said drinking sessions. He drank the liquid from the glass. I looked at his face and saw him frown but after a while, he turned to me and said that I should try it to. I was hesitant at first. It's not like my mother would want her daughter getting drunk. I looked at my brother and he urged me to try it. I should have known that he was up to some kind of devilment when I saw that grin on his face. But I was too curious to notice. My curiosity got the better of me. I took a sip and immediately regretted it. The drink was so not good. I swallowed it so fast and felt my throat in flames. The burning feeling continued all the way down to my stomach. How could someone gulp down something like it like it was just water? My head was pounding after a while. I swore I'd never drink beer again even if they'd pay me a fortune for it.
I learned an important lesson that day. I think, not all things favored by others would sit right with you. Try asking yourself if you could carry the consequences. And oh, if your brother tells you that something tastes good and that you should try it, it's almost always a lie. Trust me.
Ever since I could remember, my father and my grandfather had always been partners at the drinking table. Whenever there’s an occasion- a birthday party, graduation, or fiestas- it’s always expected that there would be a drinking spree, a drink-til-you-drop kind of thing, lead by my father and grandfather, of course. It was my uncle’s wedding after party. We were at my grandmother’s house then. That day, my father and my lolo were joined by some of my uncles. They were having a really good time. I was nine, maybe ten, years old. I remember being with my brother then. He was a year older than me. I used to play with my brother a lot. I always end up playing 'boy' games like marbles or 'takyan' because he won't agree playing dolls with me. He was always the boss. Now, we were passing the 'drinking table' when my brother suddenly asked my father what those golden-colored bubbly liquid taste like. My father, a little drunk then, asked my brother if he wanted a sip. My brother, ever the adventurer, consented. I was nervously watching my brother take a drink. I knew even then what that drink could do to someone who drinks it. I've watched my father sleeping on the floor after those said drinking sessions. He drank the liquid from the glass. I looked at his face and saw him frown but after a while, he turned to me and said that I should try it to. I was hesitant at first. It's not like my mother would want her daughter getting drunk. I looked at my brother and he urged me to try it. I should have known that he was up to some kind of devilment when I saw that grin on his face. But I was too curious to notice. My curiosity got the better of me. I took a sip and immediately regretted it. The drink was so not good. I swallowed it so fast and felt my throat in flames. The burning feeling continued all the way down to my stomach. How could someone gulp down something like it like it was just water? My head was pounding after a while. I swore I'd never drink beer again even if they'd pay me a fortune for it.
I learned an important lesson that day. I think, not all things favored by others would sit right with you. Try asking yourself if you could carry the consequences. And oh, if your brother tells you that something tastes good and that you should try it, it's almost always a lie. Trust me.
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