Theory Of The Constant Melody

CHAPTER 7

“BRO, I’M STILL SUCKING AIR,” I answered when Acherous asked me if I’m doing fine.

“That’s f*****g sarcasm, bro,” he commented, eyebrows arched and lips parted together.

We just arrived a little while in the Casa Miller. What a wonderful visit this has turned out to be. This day seemed to be the random night I never wished to occur. I just couldn’t set aside what had happened earlier. We had just been like blown in from the hospital to the casa. I badly wanted to back out of the scene and let Acherous het himself covered for all the mess he’s done.

I figured as much of observing him that he made out a bit change of my behaviour. I can’t even make a head or tail of this action, but one thing is for sure: it was due to confrontation where I needed to lie to cover up Acherous that apparently had a great deal to Auntie Fatima.

“Huh?” I answered shortly.

I was held back by his strong, sturdy arm around my shoulder, staring at me with full of empathy. “I get it.”

My eyebrows knitted and perplexity overcast my emotion. “What? You’re behaving—”

He spoke crossly, “I came to think that you regret coming with me here—or just a presumption that you better stay in the apartment—”

I aggressively poked him in the head and gave him a lopsided grin. “Bro, you’re not clairvoyant,” I joked.

On-board with their limousine until we reached the façade a moment ago, I leapt out at the rustic ranch gate stunningly welcoming. Its curve is entrancing, and I couldn’t help but draw irresistibly my attention to metal handle with a dragon outline.

I wandered my eyes around the house—or better to say, a mansion—only to have come me to realize it’s a modern two-storey house, emphasizing so much painting fixed on the walls.

“Undeniably fascinating,” I muttered. “The structure was built with concrete, modelled on the half pentagon, and based by a square spine,” I interpreted my observation.

“No doubt you’re as great as John Smeaton,” he complimented while the corners of his mouth quirked up.

I just chuckled and ranged my eyes about the chandelier high to explore aimlessly. I watched how the crystals shone around the empire girandole. Next, the nestled transform window struck my eyes as the light enters through the mounted space of it.

Apparently, my face held that faraway look, mesmerizing its entirety. Of my life, this is the first time I’ve seen a mansion this majestic.

“You never made mentioned that ambient glow; fascinating mansion of your family’s is this–”

“Dickhead, you’re exaggerating. This is owned by my ancestors and has been renovated every two years to preserve, all right? My dad told me that it had some Greek influence, followed by the Filipino-like ambiance since my great-grandfather found his first love in the Philippines, and that made him so inspired to build this,” he shared while looking around.

“That’s one of a kind story. That sounded romantic.”

It was only a few seconds later when he spoke, “Don’t you think the wheel of fate played a hand in this? I mean, after it was built, my great-grandfather’s first love died of a plane crash,” he continued.

“Uh… I’m sorry to hear that.”

I don’t even need to see him at all to see his reaction, I don’t have to stand next to him for comfort, I know him so well.

“Well, hit the sack. Just occupy my room, bro,” Acherous said in a fruity tone.

“And you?”

There’s no way we’re going to share a bed. It’s something I released some kind of consciousness. Living with him under the same roof never matters, does greatly sleep in a bed. I mentally slapped myself for feeling this way. I’m sure I’ll be a little intimidated when he lays so close to me.

“I’ll take the guest room,” he simply replied.

This time, I was not fazed. But suddenly, I creased my eyebrows and felt a cold wind down my spine when his naked body came into my imagination. I troubled maintaining eye contact with him; thus looking away is the only motion I manipulated.

“Take your nap, bro. I’ll just go to the bathroom to take my bath.” He began to hoof and caught a sight of me before standing on the base step in the ladder.

“Uhm… bro, I’m still not in a mood to get some sleep. I just wanna ask if you have some ingredients for cupcakes. I’m going to bake for Maricris since she told me last night that she’d love to taste my own-baked cupcake.”

He looked at me, and a charming smile formed across his lips. “Yeah. Explore the kitchen, bro. If you’d like to, I’m gonna call our maids to help you out.”

“No. I’ll be all right. It’s more like I had gone quite still well at being solo, I guess?”

 “Well, if you say so, just feel at home. It appeared to be you who’s Maricris’ brother. So caring,” he replied and gave me a smothered laugh.

“Well, if you wish to join me, then it would be a zest,” I added a postscript.

“We’ll see.”

WHISKING THE FLOUR, cocoa and baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl, the sound of the heavy footsteps startled me for a moment.

Once I’ve thought being aloof from anybody is something I focus or settle for less. That was a long time view that not everyone does understand. Since I met Acherous, something seemed to have really changed. I almost gave in life because of the frustration and self-doubt. He made me more realize that it was me who never sought attention, yet gave me something inside the circle. But now, I am more like being so lively all the time.

I couldn’t manage to take a glance of whose those treads when suddenly, I feel someone’s presence standing so close behind me then spoke under his breath, “I think it might be more delightful when–”

Every part of me went on pause while my thought straightaway caught u. it was as if the impact had knocked me down so as to struggle to maintain my breathe. Holding the rubber shaft of the metal whisk, I nudged Acherous with my right elbow and hissed. “Shut up!” I cut him off.

“What?” he groaned.

I had a peek at him only to find out that he’s half naked, caressing his left palm against his abdomen. “Dusty doughnuts! Bro, what brought you here?”

Then, he burst out laughing and patted my shoulder endlessly.

Sometimes, I couldn’t pay no heed of his sudden mirth—or he’s just joyful.

“Uh, nothing–or maybe I can help,” he gushed. “Anyway, did I startle you? My bad,” he sounded not totally apologetic, hurdling to choke off his guffaw. “But quite frankly, you’re really staid with mixing those together,” he commented, glimpsing the bowl.

“Bro, it’s ethical,” I replied.

“How come, bro? I mean… others sing their favorite song while… you know.”

I just shrugged and averted my eyes to the bowl. Afterwards, I loosened up my grip to the whisk and walked quickly toward the hanging cabinet where I saw the cupcake liners a brief time ago. Momentarily, I paused and grabbed an apron on top of the refrigerator then hurled it into Acherous.

“What the f**k, bro! Are you serious with that? Baking is not my forte,” he complained while his lips drew back in a snarl.

“Bro, of course. And you just said a minute ago if you forget if you could help me out. Why? Did I look frivolous?” I sneered.

His forehead puckered, and he slumped out his both shoulders.  “It’s a girly thing,” he repined. “And for the record, what I meant earlier is to be your taster.”

“Silly. What do you call me, either? A lady?” I wisecracked.

“If only you were a girl, then I would probably court you,” he joked then smirked.

I came down on like a bolt from the blue that my knees were wobbly like jelly. My blood wakes up my brain. I can either let him see what ignited in my heart of hide it at least, either way around, he never falls through to creep me out and supply me an inexplicable sensation.

“But since I’m not a girl, you can’t woo me; as a matter of fact, we’re both men,” I responded humorously to conceal the abrupt thrill—closely near to what clouded my emotion.

“Witty.”

“On the other hand, baking is not exclusive for a—”

He raised his arms head-high—mimicking a body language of surrendering. “Okay… okay. Fine. I’ll bake along with you. But first, teach me. I can’t do it by myself,” he requested.

My mouth curved into a smile, and I thumbed up with a plastic, disposable glove on my right hand. “Bro, no problem. Starting today, I’m going to save up to buy for an oven,” I said assuredly.

I want to make the best of us since this academic year would be the hectic time. In times of having a free time, we have something to spend our day. Moreover, it might be the year of grief on my side. After graduation, I will move back to Texas to live with my family, as well as to look for a job.

GIGGLING AND BITING A SMALL PORTION of the cupcake, Maricris lively extended her hand to me, sharing with me her cupcake. Despite the rashes around her neck and redness on her face, she can still show her cheerfulness. “Here, Cyan. You’re just viewing me like a display.”

Resting my left arm on top of the backrest, sitting, I chuckled and ran my hand through my hair. “No, it’s fine.”

She pursed her lips together and said, “Please.”

I took a glance of Acherous who’s sitting next to his younger sister on the bed and rubbed my fingers against my chin.

Before going back here, I also jumped in the shower and Acherous lent me clothes—even underwear he told he hasn’t used yet. Wearing a blue mint shirt and grey brown jeans makes me feel so special; in particular to that, he’s also wearing the same color as mine, but with different design.

“Actually, I already took a bite of your brother’s baked cupcake and—”

She snapped, “What? Acherous’ cupcake is not delicious unlike yours. His is horrible.” She placed the cupcake in her lap and stared at her brother.

I let out a half-suppressed laugh and heard Auntie Fatima and Uncle Johnson chuckle.

“You’re mean, Maricris. Learn to appreciate something,” Acherous reprimanded her sister.

“But that’s absolutely true,” she argued.

I stood up and began to step toward them. Walking to a halt, I sat on a barstool and rested my arms on the bed.

“Maricris, yes, your brother’s right. Catch up with admiration—or even just value small efforts,” I seconded what Acherous said while smiling at Maricris.

She turned to Acherous and jutted out her lips. “Sorry, Ache. Just improve to bake to make your cupcakes yummier next time,” she expressed.

I tended to Acherous who’s now stroking his younger sister’s hair.

“No problem. I will, baby,” he answered, beaming.

She averted her eyes from him and faced me after. “Thanks, Cyan. Currently, I have three men in life.”

“Maricris, forasmuch as we’re here, we’ll not get tired of staying here by your side, right, Acherous, Uncle Johnson?” Taking a glimpse of each, I was taken aback by a sudden hug of Maricris.

“I have a crush on you, Cyan.”

I heard the three laughs, and a smile escaped from my lips. “Thanks for admiring me.”

“And I’m so glad that Acherous met you by accident when moved to Los Angeles several months ago. I hit it off with you, honestly,” she sweetly uttered.

I snickered and motioned my hand to level her back head then gracefully caressed her hair.

Before I could speak to reply her, she continued, “Thank you for being a best friend of him.”

My face straightaway came to its normal expression, and my eyes accidentally fell on Acherous who’s wearing a cute smile.

“Maricris, no problem,” I whispered.

“May I ask you a favour, Cyan?” she asked.

We disengaged our hug from each other, and I quickly looked at her then gulped.

“What is it?” I inquired.

“Take care of my brother.”

I gulped once again and had a gander at Acherous.

“No, baby,” Acherous inserted. “He’ll not just take care of me, we will look after each other, instead. No worries, all right?”

“Well, he’s right,” I turned to speak.

She nodded continuously. “Cyan, with your broad shoulder, in times of getting my brother into trouble, protect him, okay?”

I nodded. “I’ve got him covered. But promise me to take care of yourself, too. Get your well soon.”

She nodded at me earnestly. “I am strong. I can fight my sick. And I will ever keep in mind what you told me yesterday…”

“What did he tell you, Maricris?” Acherous asked; puzzlement is visible on his voice.

When I gave him a quick look, his eyebrows drew together and lips parted.

“Cyan said I should believe in Lord Almighty. Talk to Him in times of sick and happiness. Thank Him for giving me a wonderful family. And… I must put my faith in Him.”