Absinthe novel Chapter 22

"Look!" I said, showing Jiwoo and the vendor the screen. "It unlocked using my Face ID!"

The vendor smiled at me and slowly turned to Jiwoo, who was frowning. Without a moment's notice, he bolted, leaving my phone behind. Within seconds, Jiwoo was a blur of white, running after him.

I didn't know what made me do it, but my feet started running on their own, as if afraid to get left behind. I ran and ran, trying to catch up to Jiwoo, bumping against pedestrians and sellers alike. I ran until my sides felt like they were being ripped apart, and my heart pounded like there was no tomorrow.

When I stopped, I bent over with my hands on my knees, trying my best to catch my breath and stabilize my heartbeat. My glasses and entire face were covered in sweat. I removed my specs and wiped them using the back of my now considerably wet shirt. My heart skipped a beat when I realized where I was the moment I slipped my glasses back on.

I was at the darker side of the district, that small stretch of dimly lit alleys right in the middle of Quiapo and Recto. The sky was blocked out by dilapidated tarpaulins and banners and crisscrossing balconies from the floors above. The alleys were filled with shabby-looking doors and an array of mostly murky liquids in glass jars of various sizes.

"Looking for something?"

I jumped, startled at the sound of a scary, pitchy female voice. I involuntarily made the sign of the cross even though it had been years since I'd given up on my salvation through Christianity.

"Relax," the vendor said, laughing. "Come. I'm sure I can get you something." She dragged me by the hand over to her stall and presented me with the products she had. There was an assortment of herbal medicine for diseases that don't have an FDA-approved cure—diabetes, all sorts of cancer, AIDS, and even Alzheimer's.

"Who's sick? Your father?"

"No," I answered, still out of breath. "I'm just lost."

"Nobody comes here lost," she answered back, smiling. I noticed that she had lost her canines, both left and right.

She then showed me a much darker collection of bottled liquids. "Maybe you'll find something you need from here."

I spotted a bottle with a deep purple liquid and whose label was Evil Spirits (Possession). The bottle right in front of me read Heartache. It was blood red, and it looked like congealed tomato paste.

"Ahh, that one's a treasure for those who were cheated on or left behind." She grabbed the bottle and placed it in my hand. "A tablespoon a day from one full moon to the next, and all your heartaches will be—" With her hand, she mimed the act of something disappearing into thin air.

"Whoa..." I said, mesmerized by the idea. Good thing the logical part of my brain activated at once, allowing me to say, "Sorry, but I don't think I need this." I placed the bottle back on the shelf.

"Why? No girlfriend?" the vendor asked bluntly.

"More or less," I replied.

"Then maybe this will help!" She grabbed a rather small bottle, the liquid inside it pitch black and rich like the ink from a pen.

I read the label, and it said Gayuma.

"Just a tiny drop will make anyone you want fall hopelessly in love with you!" the vendor explained, her hands clasped together in a failed attempt to look cute.

"He doesn't need that anymore. He already has me."

I turned around to find Jiwoo looking disheveled from all the running but still more handsome than he had any right to be. His shirt was also sweaty, and parts of it stuck to his body. I saw the vendor absentmindedly licking her lower lip at the slightly visible lines on Jiwoo's torso. I realized I was doing the exact same thing, but thank heavens I stopped myself before Jiwoo noticed anything.

"I've been looking everywhere for you!" he said, taking out his handkerchief to wipe the traces of sweat on my forehead and neck. "I got scared for a second."

"Oh, you guys are gay!" cried the vendor. "What a waste! You're both so good-looking!"

Jiwoo grinned at her. "Sorry, ate. Love wins, after all." Then he winked at her.1

I knew the wink wasn't meant for me, but I still melted inside.

The lady vendor rummaged through her wares and took out two matching necklaces with flattened metal donuts for pendants. "Here. These are among my most powerful charms. They will fend off anyone trying to meddle with your relationship!"

Jiwoo cackled. I don't remember how I reacted, but I'm quite sure I was beyond perplexed.

"God, when will you give me a boyfriend as handsome as either of these two?" the vendor asked no one, her hands and eyes toward the heavens.

"I guess you're the one who needs the love potion, not us," Jiwoo said, laughing.

"Hey, stop jinxing my wares! Go now and be a happy couple. If you stay longer, I'll make you drink a love potion and make you madly in love with me!"