DERANGED

     It’s almost midnight. At the double-hung transparent window of Darren’s flat was the waning moon, bright and glimmering along with the sparkling stars that hung in the vast cloudless sky. It was a windless summer night; adding warmth to the humid air-conditioned room that even in its coldest temperature setting, moist of sweat turned into tiny drops had began streaming down his already half-naked body.      Darren felt irritated both from the bright moon that directly hit his face and the discomforting sweat that steadily trickled down his face, to his neck, and unto his hairless chest down to his well-sculpted abs. He looked with pleasure at his pinkish protruding n*****s and playfully pinched them until they became red. He moaned at the tingling sensation he felt then he stretched his hand slowly, running his fingers down across his six-pack abs and with much effort; grabbed something below --- a hard object between his large hips. “Ahhh! My phone! What are you doin’ down there?” he blurted out to himself.       He opened it with his fingerprint and stared blankly at the wallpaper displayed on the home screen. He’s looking intently at a picture of his long-lost brother Mike whom as far as he can recall had made a vow to him: to treat each other as brothers and have each other’s back no matter what. It was a sacred vow for Darren, and he’s been holding on it for many years.       Where is Mike? Why did he abandon me? Why did he break his own promise? These same questions have been haunting him since he learned the bitter fate of their friendship, not to mention that this happened way back when he was still living in his home town in Leyte. And now that he had decided to live in a new environment inside a fortress, the city of Davao, to not dwell on his past and to turn a new leaf in his life, these bothersome questions continued on knocking at the back of his mind, seeking for fitting answers --- longing for the truth.       He sprang from his crimson-colored bed, approached the open window and peeked outside. It’s already past midnight. The listless street was dark and empty. Flickering streetlights were of little help in repelling the shrouding darkness that looms in every corner and every alley. The disheartening view outside just only made his troubled mind worsen.       How could he forget the flawless angelic face and the sonorous voice of Mike? The tender yet firm hands of Mike that would always hold both of his; gently pressing and squeezing them with delight, as their intimate conversations would eventually end up into soft whispers that would tickle their ears then their laughter would fade into sweet giggles which afterwards would come a warm and tight hug on each other.       Wait what? Darren, a now 20 year-old handsome-looking guy blessed with a great physique anyone could wish for: skin-glass face displaying pointed nose, rosy lips that’s concealing white even-teeth plus a bonus cleft chin, and down below his broad shoulders were abundant gifts that seemingly came from the gods and goddesses; everything was an up-size specially the tail that’s dangling on his front --- was feeling something more than friendship towards Mike? Did a seed of untold infatuation had sprouted in his heart during their intimate bonding, flourished into limerence?       He suddenly burst into tears as he could no longer contain the unbearable pain of the scenarios he was making up on his mind. He felt he already knew the answers to his questions as to why his best friend had ghosted him. But as soon as he tried to take a deep breath, a new question quickly formed and hurled back at him.      “Am I right?” he asked himself repeatedly as he moved away from the window and plunged unto his bed into a deep uneasy slumber.       Darren . . . Darren . . . Darren . . . soft whispers of a clear distinct voice seemed to call his name. It was repeated spontaneously floating in the air then would sharply vanish.      “Darren!” whispered the voice again, now closer to his ears.       The breath of a warm air on his ear tickled him and slowly, he opened his eyes squinting at the bright light coming from above, he then moved his face towards the voice. His now wide open eyes stared at the caller in bewilderment. The pupils in his eyes sparkled with great excitement and his whole body became stupefied, utterly shocked in awe and in disbelief.       “Mike!” he managed to blurt out at last with a cracked voice caused by his now over-flowing tears.       “Mike, why did you break your promise to me?” he rapidly asked instantly as he tried to catch his breath.       Mike who was lying beside Darren on his crimson bed looked at him with pitiful eyes. “I haven't left you.” he responded. “ I have been with you just as what I have promised you.” Darren’s face turned red and his eyes glowed with sudden anger.       “LIAR! You’ve been lying to me!” he shouted back to Mike.      “Calm down brother. Here, let me give you a hug!” Mike calmly replied.       Darren surprisingly felts a tight embrace with soothing and calming effect on him. He inhaled deeply and relaxed instantly. A familiar scent entered his nostrils ---- a scent he can never forget, Mike’s natural aroma. Strong arms had wrapped around him, giving him few warm squeezes before he closed his eyes while his head rested on a large muscled chest.       Riinnngggg!!! Riiiinnngggg!!! Riinnnggg!!! Darren’s digital alarm clock wildly rung, disturbing his deep sleep. He darted out of his bed and punched his noisy clock to silence. He panted heavily as he tried to recollect all the fleeting moments in his dream.       “Mike was with me last night. He embraced me. He was just here!” he muttered loudly. “Everything seems real and vivid. His voice and his arms felt real to me,” he added.       Bonk. Bonk. Bonk. He frantically fumbled on his bed in search for his phone. He opened a series of notifications on his phone. And with genuine thrill in his voice read one message from an email: “Congratulations! This is to inform you that you have passed all the necessary procedures and examinations to become a part of iKol Inc. As a new agent, you are required to attend orientation, 8:00 a.m on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at Durian Building Bajada Davao City. We look forward to work with you! Have a great day! Truly yours, Michael P. Albon Operation Manager on Human Resource, iKol Inc.      He inhaled and exhaled the air with great triumph then began jumping on his bed in hype.       “YES! I did it! You’re hired Darren, you’re hired!” he repeatedly told himself proudly.       “SHUT THE F*CK UP WILL YOU?!!! It’s effen early in the morning you moron!” a woman angrily yelled at him.      Of course, what was he thinking? He’s not alone in this damned building. He got neighbors from different walks of life with different personalities, and he would daresay that this vexed woman has the strongest personality. He bit his lips in embarrassment then quietly read back the letter once more.       He scrolled down until he came upon the last part of it: Truly Yours, Michael P. Albon. He fixed his eyes on those letters in an effort to comprehend what was written. He cannot be mistaken! It’s the same name with the same spelling of his long-lost best friend, Mike; whose full name is also Michael P. Albon. A lump had formed in his throat making it hard for him swallow and butterflies on his stomach went wild.       “This cannot be!” This can’t be him!”.