Theory Of The Constant Melody

CHAPTER 6

WE TOOK SEVERAL HOURS to get from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. The first chance to experience to set foot on here occurred.

“In point of fact, I don’t know how to thank you for coming along with me here, bro,” Acherous quietly mentioned, head bended down while stroking at the back of his head.

The chirps of the birds became the salve of my mind. Those stone walls seemed to be cold, and the windows have different hues that felt me right. We were sitting, hands folded in lap, right next to each other in a small chapel at hospital.

I put my arm over his shoulder and tousled his hair with my free hand. “Well, bro, I could offer you more than this. Besides, we’re best friends,” I replied softly and beamed a little secretly. I really couldn’t explain the feeling of being with him.

He gave me a glimpse and chuckled.

“Don’t give me that look of disbelief. Bro, come on!” I smirked. “And besides, I’m all for it,” I added at a later time of musing around.

“All right. We gotta head out to the bar the next time, and it’s all in me.”

We’ve been here before surrounded in the cold at dawn. We found out that his 7-year-old sister, Maricris, has a scarlet fever. It is said to be a bacterial infection affecting so many children around the close border of Arizona.

I took liberty with his bare skin to touch him without his cognizance. It was swift that anybody couldn’t take notice of.

“Still, you never fail to support me and put up with my dramas. First, my breakup. Second, this… and nonetheless, you’re still here,” he uttered, having a gander at me. He pulled me out close, and his breath threw me off. His touch sent me a wave of revulsion through my body.

“Bro, don’t mention it. As long as we’re comrade, I get you back,” I assured and briefly nodded.

“Your generosity really overwhelms me, bro,” he expressed and heaved an audible sigh.

“This is nothing compared to what you’ve done. Uh… do you mind if I ask you, uhm… what bothers you? You’re letting out a burdensome sigh since we got here.”

“Nothing,” he said gruffly and freed his hands from my shoulder. Then, he placed his both hands inside the side pockets of his navy-blue track jacket.

“The way you spoke was literally weirding me out,” I said and patted him on the shoulder.

“Well, I mulled over shortly before going here about disturbing you for three days—not having the practice and attending classes just because you’re here, especially that you’re a dean’s list. More than that, I am worrying about my sister’s condition,” he divulged, and his mouth set in a hard line.

I’m projecting my feeling onto him. I figured I’d catch him being subdued by sadness. The quiet air tinctured with the scent of candles right before the exit.

“No worries about me. It’s totally fine. Aside from I can’t ship you out, I already contacted Sheila, as well as our profs to tell them we’ll be out for days. Further, rest assured that Maricris will get her well soon,” I motivated to even at least lift him mood up.

Feeling a bit tranquil, my eyes roamed around only to discover that there’s a girl, four seats apart behind us, kneeling on a prie-dieu; elbows resting on a narrow right front and hands clasping. After a couple of seconds, she sat down, and her eyes met mine.

A metallic smile drew its way across her thin pinkish lips and jet-black eyes. I beamed back at her as my eyes gleamed on Acherous.

Then, he turned his head just to come see whom I smiled at.

Looking like his sister, Acherous’ mouth curved into a smile. “Wait a moment,” he softly spoke before rising. He had his palms up in the air right after he bowed his head down.

I withdrew my arm and drooped it. Following him where he’s about to get to, I stood up and treaded towards him.

“Hey, kid!” I heard him greet the little girl, looking so young.

I knew it.

“Hello,” the girl, having a twist wrap ponytail hair, greeted back.

He moved his palm closer to her which she immediately comprehended what’s the intended meaning of high-five. Next, she responded to it by slapping Acherous’ palm.

“My mom said that I shouldn’t talk to strangers but you two looked amiable,” she uttered and sniggered eventually.

Afterwards, Acherous and I sat next to her—side by side of her.

“Uhm… well, in fact, Cyan is kind among us. I am Acherous, by the way. How do you call yourself, kid?” he acknowledged.

I chuckled and slightly tucked my chin.

“My name is Princess,” she replied and plastered a smile on her face.

“Wow! That’s nice. Like your name, you look like a princess,” I complimented.

“Yes, my grandma said that, too,” she rejoiced, and her lips turned up.

“Would you mind me asking you why you are here?” Acherous asked, having seemed to be a child wanting to lengthen that would bang on about something.

“My grandma…” she sadly uttered, “She’s in the hospital bed. She has cancer… and she is nearly bald,” she answered and titled her head downward, displaying her sudden sorrow that grew more profound and drained through her. She jutted out lips and wrapped her arms around herself.

“Uhm… my bad.”

I glared at Acherous with tight-closed lips. Then, I turned to Princess.

The next thing I knew is musing on my past that had kept me burning by pain when my grandpa died of cancer, too. That was too long enough to make it forget, but that was not as good as now when I ran off that memory.

My mind went around in an endless loop. But it was only for a split of second and by the time I regained my equilibrium, I heaved a sigh.

“Ah, Princess. What’s your favorite color?” I spoke to divert the topic.

“Pink,” she lowly responded, fidgeting her fingers on her lap.

“Oh… did you know what symbolizes it?”

She shook her head slightly and directed back her gaze towards me. “I have no idea.”

The corners of my mouth lifted up. “Princess with pink is naturally kindhearted and blessed by our Lord.”

“Really?” she amusedly inquired.

“Yes. Indeed.”

Meanwhile, I suddenly cogitated that once I regard myself to indulge in hypocrisy. For aught I know, loving both sexes is unlawful. And as my heart having this strong emotion shouts at Acherous’ name, I don’t even intend to love him—just this affection I feel towards him unintentionally. The color of a brewing coffee, arc fashioned eyebrows that made my heart thump every time I laid my eyes on them like odd crescendo.

“CYAN…” AUNTIE FATIMA, mother of Acherous, uttered as she entered Maricris’ exclusive room. She carefully shut the door and minced towards me.

I gave her a quick peek and tried to smooth down.

Occupying the seat beside her daughter, I stood upright and slightly bowed my head.

I heard her chuckle and glanced forthright. I moved my head back to normal and clasped my hands behind back.

“Acherous really means his words that his best friend is truly good influence,” she said, sounded silvery.

She looks in 40’s with her pale ivory skin, and I can’t spot any pores on her face. Like Acherous, she has a pair of round ocean blue eyes and a Greek nose.

I hesitantly smiled at her and stroked my right hand against the back of my head.

“You’re such a wonderful man,” she said, smiling widely then spoke again, “Please feel free. You’re my son’s best friend. Uh… anyway, where’s Acherous?” she questioned, eyebrows arched with confusion.

“He told me he’d just go to the comfort room and buy some snacks right after,” I answered, jittering my fingers behind.

“Uh… what the goose! I apologize for my son’s negligence. He left you alone.” She let out an exasperating sigh and pressed her lips together.

“No, it’s all right, Auntie Fatima. Besides, he just went out five minutes ago before you arrived,” I reasoned out.

I was too timid since I met her twice over. When we got here this morning, we didn’t manage to greet each other. She really looked like my mother how she looks after me whenever I get sick back in Texas.

“Ah… he didn’t hold out waiting for me to come here. In other respect, Cyan, is Acherous actually doing well in Los Angeles?”

My throat ran dry. Do I need to tell her that he’s having delirious all the time he’s hurt?

I nodded repeatedly. “Yes, he’s doing great… better yet. Additionally, your son’s kind. If I could live another chance, I would never have second thought of choosing him to be my best friend.”

“Likewise,” she simply answered.

“What?” I asked for clarification and stood still to remain my eye contact with her.

“He told me the same thing as yours. He’s deeply thankful that you’re beside him through this tough time,” she explained.

My heart beats rapidly, and it seemed to have a big lump in my throat for no sound is occurred to create.

“Uhm… here. I brought some food. I believe you’re starving already.” She handed over a blue paper bag to me which I took it at once.

“Thanks,” I muttered.

“If you don’t mind, Cyan, can I ask you something?” she asked with a bit hesitation.

 I was slightly caught off guard and swallowed. To alleviate the abrupt pain in my throat, I gulped once again and cleared my throat.

“Sure. What is it?” I asked, not showing any trace of tension in my voice.

“Have Acherous and Shandria broken up already?” she asked, and this only made her more determined to dig much information from me.

I seemed to be running low on steam. I couldn’t response, yet just make any sound out of it. My heart convulsed.

“Uhm… Auntie Fatima, be of the truth but I’m not in the position to tell you—even a single detail,” I answered, sounded so uncertain yet polite. I knew I’d been cornered with no way out.

“I see. Not at all, my son tells me about his relationship with that b***h,” she bitterly commented before crossing her arms.

“You don’t like Shandria for Acherous?”

She walked lightly and halted. “Never in a piece of my wish.”

“That is to say…” I mumbled interrogatively. My eyebrows drew together, and I viewed how her face contorted.

“That’s one of the factors why he moved out to Los Angeles to chase that bitch.”

Little by little, I nosed out the details why Acherous had decided to live on Sunset Boulevard because Shandria is living near the avenue.

“I understand.”

“Hasn’t he told you so far the reason behind opting to get away from us?”

“Not yet, and I guess he has no plans to tell me.”

“Uhm… Cyan—”

Suddenly, we got interrupted by the sound of veering knob on the door which opened straightaway, and so Acherous came into our sight.

“Oh, here you are, Mom.” Holding the knob, he pushed the door gently, making no clack as much as possible. He walked towards us while holding a brown paper bag.

“Where have you been, son?” Auntie Fatima initially asked.

“Not obvious,” Acherous sneered and giggled.

“You’re now twenty years old but still acting like a child,” she remarked and sat on the sofa, now intertwining fingers in her lap.

“You’re my mother, Mom,” he larked.

“Mischievous. Anyway, join Cyan to eat his meal. I’ll just go downstairs to catch up with your father. And after, I’ll swing by the casa to get some clothes,” she expressed while drawing out a silvery-white container lipstick with her right hand. Afterwards, she applied it on her matte lips.

“What did my mom tell you? Did she scold you?” Acherous playfully asked me while glancing sideways to poke fun of her mother.

“Daft,” she ejaculated, “before I go, Acherous, I have something to ask you. Be honest,” she added.

Perplexity clouded his features while his eyebrows snapped together. “What is it?”

“Did you and Shandria break up already? Better to hear from you the positive answer, rather than—”

He cut her mother off, “No. We’re still together.”

Auntie Fatima’s face went blank, afterwards she scowled at him intensely, and ire overtook her feature. Without further moments, she put her lipstick inside her bag and stood erect.

Aren’t they?

“Cyan, is that true?” she asked, seeking for the truth.

My heart pounded out of my chest, and I look at Acherous to inspect his face. He’s staring at me also with a signal of I should get him covered for providing an alibi or such a lie.

I gazed at Auntie Fatima and smiled a bit. “Yes. In fact, they are staying strong,” I answered with conviction. 

Subsequently, she stepped out of the room.

Meanwhile, I fell silent and looked fixedly at my best friend.

“Thanks, bro,” he acknowledged.

“Bro, a bit disappointed—not of you—rather of myself.”