HE WAS A SHE

CHAPTER 9: WAS IT A TWIST OF FATE?

Fate, destiny, or whatever you call it, has its ways of making people believe that everything in life doesn’t happen from mere coincidence. Everything was preordained from the beginning. That’s why certain things are bound to happen no matter what. No matter what hinders it along the way, it will surely happen in the end. But I’m not a firm believer in fate or destiny. Not because I believe in coincidence either. I just stopped believing in it after losing both my sister and my dad while growing up. I just felt like it wasn’t justifiable to lose someone close to you as quickly as the blink of an eye. I felt like life had been unfair. But, from the moment you stopped believing, something unexpected was bound to happen. Something that made me ask myself. Was it part of my destiny? Or was it just another play of chance in life? Was it a twist of fate? Or, was it just an accident?

***

It was almost past 11 in the evening. The surroundings were so peaceful and quiet that no one was seen passing by. Literally, no one except the two of us sat on the swing. The only light that lit the area was the full moon shining brightly in the night sky. The night breeze was slowly getting colder as time went by. But despite the coldness of the weather, Bob didn’t move an inch from his position. He remained seated looking from afar while his face was showing no emotion except a blank expression. I don’t know if he was sad, angry, or disappointed. It’s hard to tell. But, if there’s one thing distinct about him tonight, his mouth was loosely hanging open, his shoulders were down, and resting on the left side of the swing, suggesting that the rest of his body might be limp and heavy. Honestly, I wanted to hug him tight and comfort him as his best friend. But I don’t know if doing that would really comfort him or make him more crushed and broken.

Actually, I wasn’t totally surprised by his melodramatic confession, since he’d already made one when we were in college back then. But way back in the past, I thought it was just a first love thing or a puppy love that would only pass as time goes by. Nothing serious. Just pure young love. And back then, I don’t know if I had the time to entertain romantic feelings or something because I was juggling between studies and work. So, my whole focus was purely on finishing my studies and nothing else. That’s why when he confessed to me before, I didn’t take it seriously. I just ignored it. And imprinted on my mind that love isn’t for me. And as time quickly changed, I forgot that memory. Not because I thought he was just fooling around. But because I choose to keep what we had as merely best friends. I’d just felt like I couldn’t lose a friend like him. He’s one for keeps.

Phone rings. It was his sister Bella.

“Yes,” I said while walking from a distance away from my Bob. “Don’t worry. I’d already found him. We’re together right now. We’ll be home soon. So, take a rest now. Okay? You’ll have school tomorrow. I guess your brother just wanted to breathe for a while. I guess he just feels so stuck working in the house for the whole day. And, you shouldn’t worry about him in the first place. You’re younger than him, so he should be the one worrying about you and not the other way around.” I tried to ease her worries.

“I know, Ate Eli.” She sounded sad. “But, he’s the only family I have. We don’t have any parents or close relatives. We only have each other to depend on. And I don’t think I can afford to lose him. Never.”

“Hey! Why are you so serious tonight? Huh!” I giggled. “I know. I was just joking because you are so anxious and troubled. I was just trying to lighten the mood.”

“I’m sorry. I think I just overreacted. I even called you out so late just to find my brother. I’m sorry, Ate Eli.” She expressed.

“And, thank you. Thank you for always being one call away, especially if it’s about my brother.”

“Ah! You'll make me teary-eyed tonight.” I happily replied. “I’ll go…” I momentarily froze for a moment after noticing that Bob was gone from sitting on the swing. “I’ll go ahead, Bella. Take a sleep, okay? Bye!” I quickly added.

I rushed towards the swing he was sitting on earlier. “Where did he go this time?” I muttered while scanning every corner of the playground while calling his phone. “Bob, where are you? Please, pick up the phone. Don’t be so stubborn. Please? Not now, okay?”

I followed the sound of his phone after realizing the ringtone was just still nearby. A cold breeze has finally run and sunk into my bones. I ran and hastened my steps as the sound grew stronger. “Thank goodness!” My heart sank after finally seeing him stumbling on his walk. Suddenly, I became too emotional while tears slowly fell down my cheek. I felt relieved to have found him. I rush towards him as he stumbles on the pathway. He tried to get back on his feet but he was too drunk to do it.

“Are you okay?” I uttered while helping him get back on his feet.

But, he pushed me away. “I’m fine.” He angrily responded. “I can help myself get up. I’m not a kid anymore. Nor I’m not a weakling or something.”

“But…” I tried to insist and grab his hands so he could stand straight, but he continued to shove me away.

“I don’t need your help. So, just leave me alone. Go!” he shouted.

“Bob, please? Don’t be so stubborn,” I muttered. “Yes, you can hate me all you want. But, please let me take you home. Okay?

You’re too drunk to drive a car. So, please? Let me take you home. Promise, I will leave as soon as I make sure you're home.”

“Why? Why would you do that?” He bluntly asked.

“Why? You’re asking me why? Because I’m your friend. I can’t stand seeing you like this. So, please?” I begged.

“Friend?” He smirked. “Yeah, I’m your friend. Right! I will always just be a friend to you. Nothing more and nothing less.” He became emotional as a tear fell from his cheek. “But, why him? I mean, of all people, why him? He’s your enemy, remember? Are you just going to forget what your family did to your sister and your father? Just because you’d already started to like him, you will just erase everything as if it didn’t exist.”

I understand where he’s coming from. That’s why I didn’t respond to his woes. Instead, I listen to him until he subsides with his anger—until he lets everything out. That’s the least I can do for him as his best friend and as someone who can’t express how sorry I was for not being able to reciprocate the kind of love he’s given to me. I became like a sponge absorbing all his rage.

“Let’s go.” I calmly uttered while assisting him on his walk, but he continued his stubbornness and avoided any of my help.

“I can handle myself.” He strongly added.

But both of us know, he couldn’t as he’d tumble as soon as he tried to take a step forward. Thankfully, I was just a few steps behind him, so I was able to catch him every time he fell to the ground. But every time I did so, he was consistent in avoiding any of my help. He acted as if I had a contagious disease or something that he would really dodge so quickly. And thankfully, I bought a lot of patience tonight because if not, maybe I’d already left him a while ago.

“Where are you going?” I asked after seeing he was looking for something.

“Where is it now?” He babbled while pressing the keys of his car into the air. “Don’t tell me, you won't even cooperate with me this time. Even you, you don’t like me too.” He was obviously disgusted while pressing the keys harder, making them be thrown near to the place I was standing.

Quickly, I picked it up after seeing how he moved towards where the key landed. Luckily, I was faster than him. “Gotcha!” I giggled and hid it behind my back.

“Give it to me quickly.” He nagged.

“No. I won’t.” I mumbled.

“Hurry!” he asserted.

“No,” I insisted. “You can’t drive in your situation. You’re too drunk. Okay? And, what if you get in an accident? What will happen?

then? How would you explain that to your dear sister waiting for you at home? You just don’t know how worried she was. So…” I moved towards him while he moved a step backward trying to avoid my gaze. “Let… me… take… you… home! Okay?” I suddenly shouted, making him jump off from his place. “Wait here! Okay? I will just find your car over there.” I added, pointing to the parking area on the left side of the playground. “Don’t ever try to leave, okay? You’ll be dead once you go missing.” I playfully warned him.

Thankfully, it worked for him, seeing how he stood in the same place I left him. I guess he knows how to listen, despite the fact he’s annoyed at my presence.

“Let’s go!” I shouted while lowering the window of the car.

He hesitated for a moment while roaming his eyes around. But thank goodness, he slowly walked away and pulled the car door. With eyes slightly narrow and vertical wrinkles between his eyebrows, I can tell getting into the car was against his will. But, he couldn’t do anything because I wouldn’t go home, not until he was gone with me. He might be stubborn, but I am much more stubborn than him. Ever since the past, he’s been no match against me in matters like this. And he’s always the first one who will give up. Thank goodness, my persistence is of big help to me tonight.  

I could tell he was not in the mood and he was disgusted as he remained silent and was fixating his gaze outside the car. I guess he’s not yet ready to talk to me. I tried to snap a conversation with him but he just acted as if I didn’t exist at all. And as the hour had passed, the ambiance slowly became awkward.

It was already dawn when suddenly the car stopped in the middle of the road—literally in a place far from civilization—somewhere near a thickly covered forest road where no one was seen passing by, especially on an hour like this. I tried to start the engine all over again but it wouldn’t cooperate. And what’s worst, the front part of the car was covered with smoke.

“Ugh! I can’t believe this.” I muttered while getting out of the car and checking the engine. But seeing how dark the smoke is, it was badly damaged and my basic skills won’t fix it. I tried to call someone but my phone wouldn’t cooperate either. No single signal was detected. “What a bummer!” I added while looking for good reception. But after trying for quite a while, it’s still hopeless. And what made it harder this time was that I slowly felt tiredness all over my body. I went home late from work and was just about to sleep when I rushed outside to find him and now, we’re stuck in this situation because of his stubbornness. I mean if he’s angry with me, he doesn’t need to leave far and makes his sister worry. He’s way older to know and to act this way. I know I felt a bit guilty about his stubbornness, but this is still unreasonable.

Hours had passed and still, no help came. I guess what we needed this time, is a miracle from above, seeing how hopeless our situation gets as time passes by. Unexpectedly, a sudden pour came. “Seriously?” I added with disgust. “How come all of you go against me this time?” I added while rushing inside the car.

I was extremely anxious as we were still stuck on this road all alone with no means of communication to ask for help and I have a strict boss who wants me to report to work as early as 7 in the morning. I was agitated as to what to do and yet he seemed relaxed—just sitting in the car while closing his eyes and wrapping himself with his hands.

“Wow! You must enjoy this. Right?” I snapped in my mind while shaking my head with disappointment.

***

“Knock! Knock! Knock!” The sound I heard while slowly opening my eyes. I thought I was just dreaming or something after seeing unfamiliar faces mimicking something outside the glass of the car. My eyes scanned the surroundings and, after seeing Bob falling asleep soundly beside me, the front cover of the car was raised, the memory of last night slowly came to my senses. And after getting all my memory back, I immediately rushed outside and told the patrolling police about what had happened. Thankfully, they found a nearby mechanic and after less than an hour, the car was fixed although it needed to be thoroughly fixed in a car repair shop. Nevertheless, we were able to leave and get home as early as possible.

It was already past 6 am when we arrived at Bob’s house. Even from afar, I could see his sister waiting for him patiently with a distressed face, seeing how she walked back and forth and left to right. And as soon as we arrived, she quickly rushed towards the car and hugged him tightly.

“Thank you, Ate Eli,” Bella uttered with teary eyes. “Thank you so much for keeping your promise.”

“No worries,” I replied as I pat her hair. “Go! So, your brother can rest and have some breakfast. We both know how annoyed he gets when not fed early in the morning. And so you can rest, too. I know you've been very worried about him since last night. I’m sorry we couldn’t go home quickly after we talked on the phone last night.”

“It’s okay, Ate Eli. What’s important is you brought him home. And for that, I couldn’t be more grateful for always being there for my brother.” She added.

“Yes,” I replied. “I’ll go ahead. Bye!”

“Would you like to join us for breakfast, if you don’t mind?” She offered.

“I guess I’ll have to say no for now,” I responded. “I’m sorry. I really have to go. I need to be at the office as early as 7 am. And I only got less than an hour to prepare for work. And I also needed to drop the car at the repair shop before going to work since it was terribly busted on the way.” I explained.

“Okay. I understand. But, I do hope you can drop me at the house later for dinner. We couldn’t celebrate my brother’s birthday yesterday because of what happened. So, maybe, tonight you could come. Please? Ate Eli?” She pleaded to look like a cute puppy.

“Okay. Fine. I will drop by. Bye!” I added.

***

It was already 7:30 am when I arrived at the company. I was walking as quickly as possible despite feeling a bit dizzy after not getting a sound sleep since last night. Seeing how the front elevator was about to get full, I ran as fast as I could, trying to catch it before going up. Luckily, I landed right on the dot. I breathe in and out. I was restless as the elevator went up and when it reached the 10th floor, I immediately rushed outside and ran towards his office. Thankfully, my experience as a part-time delivery rider helps me in situations like this.

But before getting in, I stopped at the door and rested my ear on it, trying to see if he was already arrived or not while catching my breath slowly. And after sensing silence from inside, I decided to open the door and get in. But my smile slowly fades away after seeing someone seated on the COO chair. I wondered who it could be, since the information lady in the front lobby had told me that my boss hadn’t arrived yet.

My eyes bulged in shock seeing who it was after that person slowly turned his chair fronting me. It was my boss. But even before he could say anything, I immediately begged on my knees and apologized for being late.

“I’m sorry, Sir. It won’t happen again.” I uttered and suddenly sneezed. Looking at him straight-faced, I immediately apologized. “I’m sorry, Sir.”

“Hey!” His face suddenly became annoyed. “You arrived late. And now, you’re trying to spread some bacteria on me!” He yelled.

“No. it’s not like that. I’m sorry, Sir. “Achoo!” I continued sneezing in front of him.

“Hey! Stop it. Okay? Don’t talk anymore. The more you talk, the more you spread your allergies all over the place. Just go.” He annoyingly added. “Take some meds first before starting your work. Okay? I wonder where you were last night to catch a cold like that.” He murmured on my way out.

As he ordered, I took some medicine to ease my cold. Thankfully, it helps and stopped me from sneezing. But, I suddenly felt sleepy. I tried to hold back not until after lunch when I took the second dose of meds, which I couldn’t resist sleeping.

“Mr. Perez! Mr. Perez!” A voice was calling me. I slowly opened my eyes and saw the security personnel of the company trying to wake me up. “Sorry to bother you, Mr. Perez. But it’s already 7 in the evening and everyone has already gone home. The entire building will automatically close for security purposes after 8 pm. And by then, you won’t get out unless the clock hits 6 in the morning on the following day.

“7 pm?” I repeated. “What?” I jumped off my seat after realizing I had just fallen asleep after lunch and neglected my duties at work. “I’m doomed” I uttered while rushing towards my boss’s office.

“Rest well at home. I won’t need any more excuses for tomorrow. And take the keys I placed on the table. You can use my car in the meantime. If the repair shop weren't calling me and asking about the car, I wouldn’t have known it was severely damaged in the first place.

This is the last time I will hear something like this.”  I suddenly felt a cringe in my bones as I read the words written on the note.

he left on his table.

***

At home. I went home to the house my boss offered me a few days ago. At first, I declined his offer. But after hearing he wouldn’t take no for an answer, I just accepted the house and moved for a while now. Plus, I also needed some space away from Bob, especially after what happened between us. It’s the only way I can do for now to save our friendship. And maybe then, giving him space would help him view things from a different perspective. I don’t know if this will work for now, since over the years, Bob has really changed a lot. But I do hope so, since I'll always believe in the person I met when I was all alone— the person who became my second home.

After dinner, I took my meds and got ready for bed when my phone beeped. It was Bella. She sent a message about the dinner invitation she told me about earlier. I scanned my phone only to see five missed calls from her.

“Ah! Right!” I told myself after remembering the promise I made to her. I immediately called her.

“I’m sorry Bella. I forgot the dinner I promised.” I uttered. But instead of getting a reply from her, it was his brother who responded.

“Don’t make any promises if you can’t fulfill them in the first place.” He grunted. “Don’t give false hope even to my sister.” He added while hanging up the call.

“What was that?” I asked myself. “Hey! It’s not like I intended to fall asleep until 7 pm in the office. And it’s not like I want to get sick either. I caught a cold because of him in the first place.” I fumed.

I rolled into my bed trying to sleep, but I couldn’t after hearing his rage against me. I thought it had already subsided after letting him talk to me like that in the playground and staying with him until we reached his home the next day. But I guess I was wrong. He was still holding bitterness in his heart.

“This is not good,” I uttered while getting up from my bed and taking on a thick jacket, and picking up the keys of the new car my boss lent to me in the meantime. I quickly rushed into his house despite feeling unwell. I feel like I really have to talk to him urgently. And making it too long will only draw us apart. I know talking to him is a huge risk, since he might say words that could be too hurtful to hear. I’m willing to receive his anger if that would pave the way to save our friendship.

I pressed the doorbell of the house. “Bob!” I called. “Bob! It’s me, Eli. Please open the door. We need to talk.” I continued. But it was Bella, his sister, who opened the door for him.

“Ate Eli?” She uttered in surprise. “What’s wrong? I thought you couldn’t come tonight?” She asked.

“I’m sorry…about…that… Bella.” I was stuttering with my words. “But I came here for your brother. I wanted to talk to him. Is he inside?” I hissed.

“Yes,” she replied. “Get inside, Ate Eli. I’ll just call him upstairs.”

But even before I could step foot forward, Bob just came out suddenly standing on the edge of the stairs with the same look on his face from when we departed early in the morning.

“I thought I’d already made myself clear.” He uttered. “Bella, would you excuse us for a bit?”

“Yes,” Bella replied.

“What do you want to talk about?” He fumed as he slowly went downstairs.

“I know you’re still mad at me,” I said. “What do you want me to do, so you could forgive me?” I pleaded.

“Seriously? You’re really asking me about what you can do?” He smirked. “Don’t be so funny. You know what you can do.”

“But doing that is not real,” I insisted.

“So, I guess this is the end of our friendship,” he uttered.

“You just want to throw everything away so easily,” I added as tears slowly fell from my cheeks. “How could you, Bob? Just because of those stupid feelings, you’re going to end our friendship. We’ve been through a lot.”

“But I don’t want us to be just friends,” he added.

“Bob, please? Do you hear yourself right now?” I uttered.

“Just leave. Go!” he shouted.

“If that’s what you want,” I conceded. But even before I could fully leave the house, I suddenly felt dizzy, as if my head was turned upside down and everything became dark. All I could hear was Bobby calling my name and shouting for help.

***

A day had passed until I opened my eyes. I scanned the entire room only to be surprised, as this is not my room. I tried to recall everything from the last memory I had—from where Bob and I were talking and he was forcing me to leave until I suddenly felt dizzy.

“I need to see Eli.” A voice I overheard from the outside. I slowly got up from my bed and went downstairs.

“Sir?” My eyes rolled into shock seeing him outside as early as 6 in the morning. “What are you doing here?”

“I tried to call your phone but no one’s responding. I went to the place I let you stay but you’re not there. Luckily, I got a response calling you a while ago saying that you were here after collapsing. So, I rushed here. Let’s go. I’ll take you to the hospital. So, you can have a thorough check-up. Don’t worry. I’ll pay for everything.” he said.

“Thank you for visiting me so early in the morning. But, I’m fine now. They’ve already taken care of me. So, no need to take me to the hospital.” I explained. “I’m sorry for not reporting to you immediately about what happened and for skipping work.”

“It’s okay. But I insist you should go with me to the hospital. It’s better to be sure than make it worse later on. Let’s go.” He added while grabbing my hands.

But even before we could leave, Bob suddenly grabbed my left hand, saying, “She’s not going anywhere.”

“She?” I asked myself as my eyes rolled into shock after hearing the word—"she" from Bob’s mouth, especially in front of my boss.

“She? What do you mean?” My boss asked.

“She?” Bob repeated. “Who?”

“You said, she’s not going anywhere, right?” My boss asked.

“Nope. I didn’t say her. I said he’s not going anywhere. You must be deaf or what?” Bob thankfully finds his way out. “Just leave. You’re not invited here. And he’s not going with you. He!” Bob reiterated. “He’s staying here.”

“I know you’re his best friend. But since he is my employee, he’s within my watch. That’s why I am taking him with me to the hospital. I’m taking full responsibility since I let him work during the past weeks due to the series of meetings I need to attend.” My boss added.

“Yes, I’m his best friend. And I’ve known him even before he became your employee. We’ve known each other way longer than you know him. And I can take good care of him.” Bob added while dragging me to his side.

“No,” my boss insisted. “He’s not staying here.” He asserted while dragging me back to his side.

“No, he’s staying here.” Bob reiterated.

“No, he’s going with me.” My boss stressed.

Looking at both their faces, they were like two little kids fighting over one available swing in the playground and no one would let the other one take it. They were both resolute about taking that seat on the swing. And unfortunately, I was the one being dragged between two sides.

“Was it also part of the twist you’re plotting in my story?” I asked. “Was it part of my fate to be torn between my best friend and my boss? It’s not like I rejected Bob just because I would pursue whatever feelings I have for my boss, as Bob was telling me. What kind of twist of fate is this, then?”