The most expensive

The tavern remained dim lit, as usual. Thin white misty smoke seem to stem from nowhere. The sky was pitch black, save for the inviting gleaming stars. The day was special, they sell exquisite drinks today. And this was the day, when customers can barter drinks.

Assorted liquors of various colors adorned the counter. They were replaced by the ones brought by the buyers. The most favorite one was the "l'amour" , the drink of love. Girls and boys of all orders of sizes, shapes and color flocked around the carton of "l'amour", grabbing as much as they could. Some preferred to pay in cash, while some preferred to exchange bottles of "Compromiso." Older people seem to sell their "Desolation" but found few takers for it. They left them near the counter, for anyone to take it for free.

Close to midnight, the buyers are happy, and the bartender seems to the happy as well. But the most expensive drink was never bought, it remained on top of the stack, sporting its majestic look. It was then, he walked in, clad in his usual T shirt, scruffy as ever. The eyes had tints of red and orange, and drooped on to either side. The hair remained unkempt as well, occasionally obscuring the dead fish eyes. With a huge knapsack on his shoulders, he moved slowly to the counter, and with great difficulty, he unloaded his sack on to the counter.

"What do you have"
asked the bartender

"l'amour". Lots of them.
He replied, in his blunt, voice

"But everyone prefers to keep it"

"People makes mistakes"

"So what do you need"

He raised his head, searched the counter with his eyes, wide by now. The eyes got stuck at the top of the stack, stared at the beauty of his find.

The bartender was surprised.
"Thats the most expensive."

"But I will take it"

"I warn you, its dangerous. No one takes it"

"You name the price"

"That will cost you all you have with you"

"Take all I have"

"And you will also need to take these along with it. these comes free with it"
And the bartender pointed at the bottles of "Desolation" left over by the older people.

"Load them"

And he vanished.

Two girls were enjoying their share of "l'amour".

"People can be foolish"
said one

"I dont know why he always prefer that useless drink"

"Who cares? Its his life, not ours"
"Anyway, he is a snob"
"He is also a hypocrite"
"Of course he lies"
"And he believes he has a good deal"
"He is foolish"
"And what not!! that drink, is sure vile"

And outside the tavern, it started raining. Paying the highest disregard to the rain, he walked on, holding to his heart his bottle of "Freedom."

He believes he chose right.