Meeting you in the City

Chapter 4: Name

*In the hospital*

His POV

That split-second of a moment, his hands around me felt so warm it felt safe. For the longest time, I waited. Finally, I remembered what it feels like to breathe, forget, and feel free that seconds of contact made me see the life around me. I wanted to stay in the hug of a stranger that could mean me harm, but just why does it feel like I’m home. How could you just do this to me, but the truth is I’m the one who could harm you, Salvy. That small amount of time you gave me to be free to be able to breathe was so much for me to ask for in a blink of an eye. It was all taken away from me. I can never be truly free in this world I’m living in; even if I wanted to, chains are tied to me, they’ll keep pulling me back, they will always watch over my shadow, people who I will care about will be in danger, and I knew that very well, Salvy, so why save me. I know you didn’t obey me when I ordered you to turn around. I was fuming with anger, and you see me in the state to everyone and to me I am a heartless monster still you didn’t run away, but instead, you ran towards me just to give me a hug to let me have a break and to save me, I was tired, you knew didn’t you. Just who the hell are you, Salvy? Please be awake,

Salvy’s POV

I woke up from the sound of someone clicking his tongue *Click tsk, tsk click* the person sounded irritated, and I was too. I tried opening my eyes, yet my vision was still blurry; however, I can guess he is wearing black clothes, and a man is this the grim reaper? Am I dead? No, that can’t be, right?

“shut it, will you? I am trying to sleep here,” I said jokingly.

“Hey, you’re awake,” the man wearing black greeted me as he stood up and approached me.

His voice kind of sounds familiar, but I can’t pinpoint who he was. I’m pretty sure he is not pa, and I was curious, so “who are you,” I asked,

“who do you think, creep,” he said.

I can take a fair guess that he was smirking underneath his mask while uttering those words, but I realized who he was because of that.

“oh, so that wasn’t a dream,” I said, confused, realizing what happened wasn’t just my imagination when I’m just sure it was a dream. What a long day this is. I’m sure glad he’s okay.

“yeah, the fact that you’re in this hospital is the proof stupid, but I hope you’re already okay, and I’m sorry,” he said sarcastically, but he also looked worried. His eyes were sincere. Is he concerned about me? Nah, I’m just jumping to a conclusion.

“I just thought I was dead, and you’re the grim reaper waiting for my soul.”

“What? Why would you even think that you dumbass.”

“Well, I still can’t see that clearly, smartass,” I retorted

“ also, why are you apologizing? That is fine. It’s nothing,” I said, smiling.

*His* pov

He was smiling brightly like the sun, almost blinding. It was the most beautiful smile I saw, and I envy him his pure, innocent smile saying that everything will be fine, contradicting the condition he was in. like I’m not the one that causes him almost to lose his life, he makes it sounds so easy.

“I just can’t understand how he could just be calm in a situation like this; how could he….”

” Just how could you smile like that when you almost could have died because of me!” I yelled at him. I didn’t mean to; I was just confused. I was just worried; this is all my fault, it’s all my fault.

“Hey, shush, you might disturb other patients,” he shushed me while putting his index finger on his mouth, indicating me to be quiet, but It made me even more confused.

“eh?! what .. what, what?” I said, slightly addled and triggered,

“eh? What, what?” he replied innocently with a soft voice, like having no idea of what just happened

“what.. *Grr*what?!” I asked again; this time, it was getting on my nerves; Salvy scratched his head. He looked just as confused as me, but whatever

“what *grrr* what” he repeated as he copied my facial reaction then laughed. This man is hopeless, I thought. Ah, I see. It’s clear to me now that he’s just teasing me. I hate him, but I can’t; I don’t know why.

“I hate you, no, yes, but wait, yeah, I think I hate you,” I declared—what a convincing way of displaying my feelings. No one will ever believe that what a joke you are.

“No, you don’t,” he replied, sticking his tongue out after.

“bleh!” he teased.

“what a child you are,” I said,

“and I thought I was an old man. That’s what you said, hmp,” he noted.

Salvy is somewhat cute when he acts childish well, I mean, Salvy’s already pretty. If I were somebody else, I would have a crush on him. Still, I don’t

“Hey, I’m sorry if I called you a creep earlier. I just thought you were, but you’re awesome. You’re a cool weirdo,” I said as I let out a small chuckle when he faced me with a somewhat surprised or triggered face, it was funny to watch.

“what..what?!” he said as his eyebrows met, showing that he was angry, then he pouted.

“is that a compliment or another insult,” he asked with a baby voice still pouting, and I guess, a little prompt. He acts like a child.

“well, what is it for you? Hmm?” I remarked as I snickered at him.

God, they should have seen his face boiling with anger. It was hilarious. I laughed to irritate him; farther, that’s what he gets for teasing me; hmm

” eh! Forget it, I should have just left you there to die,” he said and was getting angry. I pouted to calm him down using my charm. It works every time his face becomes calm and. I knew I was that charming, just kidding.

Salvador’s Pov

He pouted; god, why is he so cute when he frowns? Even if he is wearing a mask, I can tell he is adorable. Hey Salvy, yahoo, remember that he is a boy. What a simp you are.

“no, I’m not,” I said to myself. I mean, look at this boy...

“well, there you go, Salvy. I think you’re a simp.” I don’t know how could my mind even talk to me like that, but I, well, I guess I am

“oh, that it’s ok. I want you to know that I’m much more grateful to you for not leaving me behind,” I replied with a smile. Mr. IDHACO smiled back. He smiled back *hfshgfchvjd panics* his mask move as his eyes look happy simultaneously, and I just know that he smiled.

“well, I could have just left you there, you know,” he replied

“well, you didn’t, and let’s leave it that way,” I commented

“ But why did you even bother to save me when you can just run for your own life? I’m just a stranger. You don’t know me either I could have maybe do something horrible to you too, you know,” he expressed.

I get it. He’s right. I could have just fled the scene; I could not just have risked my life for him, but It is one of those moments when your mind just goes blank, and your body moves on its own

“I guess what I have to say is that you are worth saving, and I don’t think you’re the kind of guy to do those kinds of stuff” I stated what just comes out of my mouth, not even thinking it’s just how I feel towards him he was speechless, I guess, he didn’t try to utter another word he just looks down.

I felt shy, so I grinned while rubbing the side of my neck. Still, I indeed thought he was worth my help for me. Mr. IDHACO is a good person for not leaving me there all alone.

“do you have any parents or relatives? I cannot call them since I don’t have their number and you have a password on your phone although I could unlock it that easy, I’ll just let you call them,” he said,

“I...you can do what?” I asked,

“open your phone. It’s a piece of cake,” the boy boasted,

“teach me then,” I requested

“no, you’ll use it for creepy stuff, and I don’t want to” he refused and gave me a wink.

I mean, what the actual **** maybe it’s not a bullet that can kill me

“Okay, then it’s fine,” I said

“ I should take my leave. Oh, tell your parents I’m sorry and grateful for their child. I can’t stay here any longer. I don’t want to danger your life again nor your family,” he said and waved goodbye.

“can we meet again?” I asked,

“no, or maybe if we see each other again in the streets, you weirdo don’t come following people again, okay?” he looked at me and winked again *panics* then laughed as he walked farter taking his leave.

“hey, would I even get to know you?” I asked. He looked back and looked away as he replied, “well, who knows?”

“Then Can I at least know your name” I requested, hoping to know his name, maybe just that “no,” he answered.

Then he walked away; I watched him walk as his back got farther from my sight and closer to the door. I want to ask him more questions. But, I restrained myself from further questioning him. He turned to me again, slowly taking away his mask, and gave me a genuine smile.

“I..okay, I said to myself and smiled. I spent hours thinking about Mr. IDHACO; before my parents could arrive, I lay down and closed my eyes until I fell into slumber. The events keep flashing back into my dreams. “I think I’ll never forget, but will you?”

”You’re a mystery for me, Mr. IDHACO.”

*One week later*

It was that one sunset that I’ve met you come to think of it I didn’t get to see the sun coming down I have my eyes set on you that day I didn’t get to know the color of the sky that day but just your eyes It just don’t sit right with me that there are more beautiful things than sunset. It’s you, hey Mister, have you ever try just to watch the sunset cause it is like you. Your words keep repeating in my brain, and I’m just left here wondering if someone like me could save you.

You’re 5 ft 10 inches - 5 ft 11 inches tall while I am 5’9, your eyes are a color of hazel brown they are so beautiful when the sun shines through them, your eyes become golden, and mine is blue, your coal-black curly hair fits your face perfectly as it contradicts your golden eyes and pale skin which makes it more define your speed is like lightning, you speak like life meant nothing, your rude and scary, but I just know that you are something, I just can’t seem to forget you no matter what I do cause you and I are opposites, I’m lying in my bed living an everyday life while your life just keeps moving forward without having time to stop. I wonder what you are up to now? What are you doing now, mister? I hope you are fine wherever you are.

“Salvy!, come down here this instant, or I will not let you eat!” My mom suddenly shouted

“what?! Wait a minute! I’ll be down there this instant, ma!” I yelled back from my room while getting up in my bed to run downstairs. Please help me why my mom is so scary; as soon as I came downstairs, I was welcome with my mom’s boiling red face.

“This is not good,” I thought as I gulped in fear that anything could come at me right now like spatulas, cooking pan, fork, spoon, or anything. I catch a glimpse of pa at the dining table with his dumb look again; gosh, this man is hopeless, I signal him of “what was wrong with ma?” and I guess he read my mind because he replied, “ I don’t know” while putting his shoulders up and then I don’t know sign in his hands.

“Ma, what’s wrong?” I asked while rubbing his back, trying to come her down

“Oh, nothing is wrong, honey. I was just calling you for the 15th time already, and you’re not even replying a single word to your mother,” she replied, calming down but a still a little bit mad

“ I’m sorry, ma, I didn’t hear you. I was spacing out. I think,” I apologized as I hugged her,

“ you’ve been spacing out a lot lately. Is something wrong” she checked

“There is nothing, ma.”

“ so if it’s nothing, it must be a girl?”

“No, it’s not,” I replied

“No? Then it must be a boy.”

“ well, maybe”

“ is it that boy you’ve mentioned about” she questioned

“ Uhm yeh, I just can’t get him out of my head,” I muttered as I was being shy to admit that he was the one I was thinking about

“ Oh, that boy, he seems interesting, but you’ll put your life in danger, Salvy, when you’re with him,” she commented

“ ma, it’s not that I Ju...I just”

“ Just what, Salvy,” she snarled. Honestly, I don’t know what I’m stepping on when I keep. I’m new to this side of my mother, but I just want to clear it to her.

“ I… I just want to help him, ma!” *gasped* I shouted. I yelled at her. I didn’t mean to; it was just the pressure. I was just worried about her reaction.

“ Hahaha, that’s my son. I raise you well,” she said as she smiled at me.

“ what, you are not angry at me, ma?” I replied, a little befuddled

“ of course not, hon.” she looked so happy saying those words. I can’t help but wonder if those words were genuine or her way of hiding that she was worried or scared. I don’t get to know

“ I’m glad that I raise you, you’re at your right age, and you have your own decision,” she said

“ What is this about, ma? I’m confused about how your acting.”

“ All I am saying is I’m proud of you, Salvy, for saving someone and for choosing to help someone. You’ve made bold and good decisions on your own, and that makes me proud.”

“ then why does it look like your not happy, ma?

“ because it worries me.”

“ What worries you, ma,” I asked her.

“ that you’re too kind, Salvy” she stayed silent for a while

“ so help him with all your heart, but please come back to us safely.” she hugged me

“ I’m the luckiest son in this world ma for having a mother like you, don’t you think pa?” I stated and kissed her on her forehead

“ yeah, we are both lucky to have you, ma,” pa agreed

“ oh, stop feeding on my ego, and lets us eat dinner” I wiped the tears on her eyes and then helped her prepare our meal.

“It was cold tonight,” I thought as I was walking to catch some air, then I heard a dog barking, my mind suddenly thoughts of Coco, gosh I miss that dog, hope I can pet her again.

“ woof, woof” The dog was barking non-stop; maybe someone just passed by their streets, or who knows, but as it was getting longer, I could feel myself getting worried. Still, the noise stopped, and it calmed me down a bit. The silence stops for just about thirty seconds before I am getting attacked. I just knew who it was. It was Coco biting my pants and pulling me. I don’t know why but Coco looks agitated. She runs around me and keeps barking and biting me as if it wants me to come with her; then I realize that minutes have already passed. Valiente was not coming after him, so I followed Coco in the direction where she was running. It was inside a forest-like place. There are so many trees, and it kind of scares me, but I’m here to help Coco. Coco then sits beside a tree and whimpers to me as if she was saying something. I opened my phone flashlight to my surprise; an unconscious man was lying with blood on his hands. I panicked as I had never been in a situation like this. I was so scared, so I tried to call the ambulance.

“Hello, Mister, are you awake,” I asked. There was no response. I tried tapping him, but still, there was no response.

“ Just hold on, mister, I’ll call the ambulance,” I said, reassuring the man. Just when I was about to dial the ambulance, Coco bits off the phone out of my hand, and I heard a distressed voice, one that was in pain.

“ Please don’t,” the man spoke.

“ but you have lost a lot of blood, mister. We need to bring you to the hospital,” I explained.

“ Salvy… please don’t bring me there. They’ll find me,” he begs, and at this moment, I was shocked how did he know my name. Who was he?

“ Please, I beg you,” he said once more, so I came near him and put one of his arms in the back neck and helped him to stand.

“ can you stand, mister?” I asked, but he fell on his knees, and I had no choice but to carry him, which surprised me that he wasn’t that heavy even if he’s taller and bigger than me

“ I’m sorry, you don’t have to carry me. Leave me here,” the man said

“ you know what, mister, you’re stubborn and a little bit heavy, but I will not leave you here. This dog finds me just to bring me here to you, so even if you refuse, I will help you,” I declared, and he chuckles. I followed Coco into the forest. Then leads me to a giant tree.

“ Coco, same code,” the man said to the dog, then suddenly the tree opened a secret passage leading it to a private room. I don’t think we are in the forest now. It looks like we’re in the city. I walked inside and faced with big guys. My knees are getting shaky; those big man all looks at me with intimidating looks, I get it I’m at their territory, but then I was shocked when they all turn into softies with puppy eyes.

“ BOSS!!” one of them shouted.

“ don’t die on me, the boss we still need you,” the other one, with a big voice, cried.

“ shut up, you twerps, and help Salvy and me,” the man I’m carrying around shouted.

“ you dumbasses,” a fair-skinned man hit the two boys who just spoked. Mostly I’m surprised to see a gang in real life. They do look like scary people, but I don’t know yet.

“ Astra, are you fine.” one of the gang members asked, and mister nodded to say he was okay. I look at his face. It stunned me that the one I was looking at was him, Mr. IDHACO… so you are called Astra, huh.

“It is nice to finally know your name, Astra.”