Theory Of The Constant Melody

CHAPTER 20

NOT REALIZING THAT THE DRIVER pulled over the cab, he prodded me in the elbow that escaped my mind which was occupied by just a trivial thought. I held my breath behind my twitched lips to become more unlikely plain.

“Are you getting out?” the cab driver asked, sounded irritated.

Exhausted and frustrated, my stomach grumbled as it reminded me that I’d missed my lunch.

“Uhm, yes… here,” I replied and handed a bill which he immediately got at once.

I dropped and stood on the sidewalk, viewing how the translucent light casted a shadow of two people, standing right in front of each other, gesticulating hands, through our apartment’s window.

The ultimate vestiges of the setting sun slowly fades over the horizon. The distant skyline, having the natural lighter blue and white turns into dusty purple scattered across the velvety sky.

Acherous and Shandria.

I stepped backwards as if it was a struggle to drag my eyes away from the vision.

“Dude!” a silvery voice exclaimed, catching my attention.

As I wandered my eyes around, here’s this familiar man strutting down the street; his nature grows barely perceptible as time goes by.

“Alex!” I exclaimed and not to anticipate anything, we reached halfway and bumped our fists.

“How are things going? And what happened to your face?” he questioned with his hands in pocket. His piercing blue eyes stared back at me when he glanced situating on every side.

“Fine, but it would never be easy as it once became tragic. Don’t mind my face. Some sort of trouble,” I replied and gave him a smothered laugh.

He giggled and jutted out his lips. “Perhaps, you already captivated so many ladies out there for being so carefree always,” he expressed that it has meant to be a joke.

“Well, never have I ever done to mingle with them. And by the way, it’s been almost a year when you moved in NE 7th Avenue, right?” I guessed as to remember the days we shacked up under the same roof.

Alex was way too different from Acherous. His gait ever gets into someone’s nerves as it actually appeared to be smug.

“Exactly, Cyan. And then, my girlfriend gave birth to my cute, pretty baby. Actually, Cyan, I popped in here to give you this…” Speaking to a halt, he drew a small floral cream paper with a ribbon lace, laser cut and rustic navy template.

“Alex… all right. You’re getting married, aren’t you?” I asserted and got at it.

“Yes, Cyan. And you’re cordially invited. Hope to see you there,” Alex wished.

I leafed through the pages which captured my given interest on the designs. However, I gave over when my eyes fixed on the date it will happen.

“Dusty doughnuts,” I said under my breath.

“Pardon me,” he uttered.

“Uhm… Alex, the last week of March is our foundation day. We are annually celebrating it and there’s a least possibility that I can’t attend your… wedding,” I hesitantly expressed. “But I’ll see if I could free my time just for this,” I added to assure him.

He stroked his real, scraggy greying beard that climbed his face after it grew and was a way of telling himself of arriving to a period of his manhood as what he told me many months ago.

“Really unfortunate. Honestly, I went here not only to hand that invitation personally, but also ask if I could hire you to sing for my wedding. Seven hundred dollars,” he proposed and his blue eyes—not easy to describe since they were not the kind of shade it would characterize well in a simple glance—blazed with the sideways, brows furrowing.

“I’ll call—”

“They are new, aren’t they?” he inquired, making me crease my own forehead.

“Who?” I turned around only to discover that Shandria and Acherous were heading to us. “Ah… the lady was not actually living here.” I flickered my eyes with Alex and let out a sigh.

“I see.”

“Alex, I will just call you when decided upon your offer. If it would happen that I can jump at the chance—besides I needed money—can I go with my comrade? He can be taking in-charge with the guitar.”

A satisfied smile slipped across his lips and he nodded unambiguously as loved what I said. “That sounds nice.”

“Cyan…” a feminine voice called me behind.

I turned around and smiled at the two who are just standing feet away from us. Almost her body rubbing against his, Acherous let loose of his arm around her shoulder and stood erect.

“Hey!” I greeted.

“How have you been?” she asked. Life would be harder if in reality all she wanted to do is the opposite of regard.

“Uhm… excuse me,” Alex butted in for a while.

“Who’s this boy next to you, Cyan? Mind to… introduce him to us?”

I contorted my lips ungainly, not allowing my face to return to usual warm smile. “He’s Alex Watson. We became roommates before Acherous has come. And, Alex, they are—”

“We are lovers. I am Shandria Russo and he’s Acherous Miller,” she introduced herself flirtatiously, chin up while not blinking to focus eye contact with Alex.

“Oh…” he muttered and faced me after a second. “Cyan, I’ve got to go. My fiancé would love to dine out for an early valentine date tonight,” he continued.

“Well, then. Have you changed your cellular phone number, by chance I can call you in some time?” I questioned.

“No, still.”

I nodded and beamed a little. “Watch out.”

“Thanks.” Then, he walked past us to leave.

“Going back, how have you been, Cyan? I heard a news about you. You were confined to the hospital for a week,” she spoke with a grin much too wide.

“Uhm… yes.” And you are the reason why it had happened to me. “And I’m absolutely fine now. You, what you are doing here?” I hung my left thumb on the drooping compression strap and was still hesitant to give Acherous a once-over, but in the latter, I chose to settle my eyes on Shandria.

“Wicked. I just dropped over to ask Acherous how are we going to celebrate the heart’s day. We have so much plans, actually. Can you suggest some?” That little rise in the corner of her mouth gave me a hint that she’s playing with me around.

If there would be a subtle way to tell her that I no longer wanted to talk to her, then I could be rude. Whereas, just respect for the woman and my best friend will do to maintain my reverence.

“Dine aboard the Queen Mary or explore Griffith Park,” I suggested, either way around had not I taken there every year.

“Good idea. What do you think, Acherous?”

“Very well,” my best friend answered.

“You want to come with us, Cyan?” she invited but I couldn’t feel the sincerity in her voice that’s why I just plastered a smile and shook my head.

“How do you celebrate Valentine’s day, then?” she then asked like we’re an interview that will be aired on national television.

“Get views of downtown and meander down the avenue.”

“Even you’re single?”

I ran my fingers through my hair and tapped my feet on the ground. “Valentine’s day is everything for everyone who cherishes. And to correct you, celebrating heart’s day is not meant just for tomorrow, rather every day, every hour, every minute, every second.”

She fell silent after hearing my statement as her mouth set in a hard line.

THERE ARE NO BETTER than true love and the heart that yearns. Valentine’s day is as ordinary as before. Nothing new to celebrate this, but to cover a song then send it to my friends and family. I only have to find a way back into traditional letters or in a sticky note or card comprising to love ourselves first before anyone and anything else. Because love matters when it is felt by our own hearts.

I woke up early and rolled out of bed. After musing on the plans today, I walked about the sink and turned around to look at Acherous who is still sleeping soundly.

In everybody’s life, people don’t need anything to satisfy their affection, but have their someone they love in their arms—that to feel the beat of his or her heart next to theirs. In such a different way of nonchalant feeling of prowess to take risks of love. Because love is sacrifice.

After some thought, I stroke out the idea of baking cupcakes for Acherous which I’ve never done before. Last Valentine’s day, he went to Shandria and took her out to a restaurant, leaving me here alone. However, that time, I don’t feel any affection toward him. We’re just simply friends.

“So… where would you go if you were invisible?” Acherous asked after throwing a coin in the air and it landed ‘head’ on the table.

It’s past nine in the morning and we both have already taken our bath.

Taking a bite of the cupcake I baked earlier, I stood up and caught at the glass of water beside the sink. I came back to my seat while tossing it down.

“Somewhere to find a person who can see me,” I bantered after placing the glass down. “Describe a perfect kiss in three words.”

He sneered, “Toss the coin.”

I hissed and  lethargically grabbed the coin then threw it in the air. For this time, I smiled enigmatically; chin tucked slightly, when it favored with me.

“Maybe it would be more special if I try it to you,” he wisecracked while staring at me intently.

“Pardon me,” I apologized for not perceiving well the intended meaning of his joke.

“Uhm… nothing.” Steepling his fingers, he rested his back and looked heavenwards. “How do you define a perfect kiss?” he inquired. “Don’t toss the coin. It will take so much time. Just answer me. How does it feel to kiss someone like the world stops revolving?”

A perfect kiss doesn’t necessarily mean it is flawless. “When you kiss someone, you touch her face lightly before having this… impulse that a kiss takes over. Sweetness never often defines as the quality, that it brings you back a billion of memories in a split second. It must be soft, passionate, yet full of love.”

“I don’t doubt when you get into an intimate relationship, it will work out. How lucky that person is,” he commented seriously.

Our conversation is so much more than phrases we say that he listens carefully like my words are golden treasure to keep. For quite some time, anybody’s version of what heart takes unleashed its strength how love is powerful and universal.

“Bro, close your eyes,” I ordered.

“What?” he trailed off and relaxed his arms against the table.

“Bro, close your eyes,” I repeated, now less guttural.

“I wonder what are you going to do? I mean… are you planning to kiss me?” he ridiculed.

“Silly. Bro, just do it,” I emphasized. “Don’t tell me you are fag.” Then, I sniggered and reached his head to ruffle his hair.

“No, of course… not,” he defended.

“Well, then. Close your eyes.”

“Fine,” he replied and shoot me a confusing look before shutting his eyes.

“Imagine…” I preluded. “… you are standing on the bridge. Your eyes are gazing across the river. Suddenly, someone stood next to you. When you took a glimpse of it, you saw a blurry image. You’re bewildered. That to feel the water that seemed to be serene, but violent currents roaring near below, you sat down by the river’s edge, the water moves around your outstretched fingers, caressing frenetically. And here this image who laid its head down over your shoulder, you have the chance to opt who’s the image, who would it be?”

“I imagined myself kissing that person passionately even though I was puzzled at once who it was. I quenched my thirst with that person’s sweet kisses. And the person would be someone…” He opened his eyes slowly and licked his lips. “… who can take risks and sacrifice that none other thing can hinder us to love each other, despite all odds that are coming to our ways.”