since she would not take no for an answer, i went to that place i have barred myself from going. my hands were cold, but i know i had to do it sooner or later. it is not exactly a familiar place; i can only count with one hand the times i have been there, but it is somewhere that blisters with a bittersweet past...

so we talked about the things that drive our lives. things that shape the contour of our everyday existence, from the necessities of work, to the indispensability of friends. i made history that night, eating oysters for the first time.

there was cold beer to dispel the aftertaste. but my hands, for the exact reason why i have considered this place off-limits, were colder than the glass of beer i was nursing.

because all the while i could not help but turn my head towards the direction of that landmark that rose over everyone's heads. the exact same landmark that helped me remember that inconspicuous little alley that lead to a place with a nice view of the mountains...

so we ate our oysters; me, her and a new friend i met that night. some street food looked yummy after a few bottles of beer so i had my first few bites at it too. my gut seemed to be impervious to the worst of alcohol that night so i decided to escort her home. necessities of work.

she's a good friend i have not seen for three years. and when chance finally permitted me to see her again, it's something i could simply not say no to. when we reached that corner where i had to leave her, i thanked her for the cold beer, the surprisingly delicious oysters, and the company. she said that wounds heal in time, and that i had to face those demons and learn to smile more often.

so i walked, passing by that little alley, with songs playing full blast in my ear, saying goodbye, not just to the landmark whose lights has longed ago been turned off for the night.