Earlier this morning, I was suddenly disturbed from sleep by some people shouting. Sure, there are nights when people shout, but it was different earlier. First, the shouts were louder, and more fierce; second, they were more threatening than the usual. So, I woke up.

Then came the crashing of the projectiles, mostly rocks and beer bottles, coupled with running people and shrieks of fright. I could still hear the crashes on the metal gate at the shop nearby. More shouting, and more flying objects after a few second’s lull. It seems it will not end at that time. The shouting and the throwing ran unabated (I was beginning to wonder where are those fools getting their beer bottles).

And then there were three shots. Every one was scrambling for their lives. Even those who were not affected by the earlier commotion took notice. The shouting stopped, and those throwing projectiles ran for their lives. Cowards.

The aftermath is surreal. A neighbor was sweeping some bits of glass, even though their house is meters away from the scene of the crime; our house is nearer. Goes to show the power of the cowards. Mom took a look at 6AM; no blood, no glass bits, no broken rocks, except on the gate where some of the projectiles landed. And the usual reasons, circulated through the usual rumor mill, are the usual suspects, drunk and out of control and out of their minds. Drunk with stupid anger and feinted bravery, in the end they are just useless cowards, running with their tails between their legs.

I’ve never had the taste for alcohol. I have seen the ill effects of uncontrolled drinking, and I am always abhorrent of drunkards. I used to remember a drunk who was terrorizing my cousin. It was raining at that time and the drunk was wearing white pants, so I took off my wet and muddy slippers, and you know what happened to the white pants.

I really cannot understand people drinking a lot only to throw up later. What’s the use? It was an awful waste of money.

And what saddens me is that most of my former students, most of them younger than me, are already adept at drinking alcohol. I was wondering if they would end up like other victims of alcoholism, or they would get over it. One did, and it was because of health, when it was almost too late.

The future, just beginning to show promise, is now being drowned by alcohol. Dreams wallowing in the depths of drunkenness. Sad.