April 20th

II

CHAPTER 2

Luke Rivas

She actually refused my help and limp away. Was she nuts? I followed behind since she was walking in the same direction as me. I’ve been away to my hometown, Bohol, for a few weeks. I really had no choice but to spend some days of my vacation there because my Mum insisted despite my reasons and Dad was having none of it.

It’s good to be back. I smiled. As I entered the building, I squared into the restroom to have a piss. The night was young and I have no companion with me. I was itching to call my friends, but I knew they were having a good time with their families. I called Alexa and as I was waiting for her to pick up the call I checked my favorite spot if it was vacant.

And there she was, in that large hoodie, her eyes closed as if she was asleep. Her hair was deep dark brown, long, and wavy pulled back in a hair tie. Her entire back was resting on the recliner.

“Luke? Hello?” The voice over the phone snapped me out.

“Hey, Alexa,” I said contemplating whether I want her here with me.

“Are you back in town? Want me to accompany you,” she offered.

“Nah. I’m good, just wanted to let you know I’m back. Are you free tomorrow?” I decided.

“For you, I will be”

“Thanks, I’ll call you” I ended the call.

I went inside and looked for another spot near the window. I picked one that was adjacent to the glass walls overlooking the boulevard. It really felt nice to be back. Back in Bohol, I only had my family and relatives. I have a few friends from middle school but they weren’t that close to me anymore. Staying there was suffocating. We just figured this summer that Dad was terminally ill, and we have to make sure nothing stresses him out. So no more wicked ways—no more drinking, and no more failing grades. I bet anyone would find it funny considering the distance, but I will never fathom the idea of Dad knowing his only son is a good-for-nothing jack. I groaned at the thought.

As I snapped out of my reverie, I opened my eyes and saw the girl from earlier. She was napping or looked like she was, perhaps waiting for her order. She’s average-looking. I recalled seeing her in the bright light as she looked up at me. Her irises were dark brown, an average nose, and a cute toothless smile. Now, in the soft white light she looks-- What am I thinking?

I took off my coat and rested. The queue was still long and I refused to stand and wait in line. My head was pounding out of seasickness. I sent a quick text to my roommate, telling him I was back in case he had a sleepover with who knows the f**k who.

“Arci?” The waiter called out.

The girl opened her eyes and smiled. So, that’s her name. Arci, a unique one. She stood up on her seat and walked towards the counter, trying so hard to walk normally and not limp. I grinned, how amusing.

I stood too, ready to take my order.

“One large original milk tea, 100% sugar, and one serving of blueberry cheesecake,” I said.

Arci glanced up at me startled by my presence at her back. She quickly averted her gaze and took her tray.

“Excuse me,” she said. And I had this thought to annoy her, so I didn’t move away.

She looked at me, annoyed. And I grinned at her.

She bumped her elbows towards mine so I would step back. I bit back my laugh at her childish tactics.

As soon as I paid, I went back to my seat. I checked up on her but she was completely ignoring me. Or should I say, ‘completely ignoring her surroundings’ as she ate her pasta with her earphones and iPad.

“Luke?” the waiter called.

I ate my food in utter silence. The seasickness was consuming me, I needed air. After I had my fill, I left.

I crossed the streets and made my way to the vendors.

"Mangga with hipon please" (Mango with shrimp paste). I bought two and I sat on the gutter overviewing the open sea. The tide was high and the waves were hitting the gutter walls of the pier. Red, green, and white lights shone from afar. Seafarers and fishermen do hard labor at night while other privileged individuals rest. I recalled my fight with my Dad before I left for Senior High. I wanted to stay because that is where home was and, partly because of my girlfriend. But both of them, Mom and Dad, insisted I must leave for greener pastures. That's what they told me.

Only then Patricia told me about her being seen by my parents with another guy at the beach, did I realized they must thought Pat was cheating on me and we must be separated. I remember marching into the house with a heavy heart, while they dined for Supper.

"You wanted us to separate, right?" I yelled.

My Mum was shocked due to my tone and eventually cried when I keep on yelling.

"You just saw her with a guy and you ant us to separate. Is it because her Dad is a gambler that makes her not suited for me? Is that it?"

"Keep your voice down, Son. I will not tolerate this kind of attitude." Dad's voice was serious and stern but he didn't shout back. It made me feel awful.

"No, Dad. Am I right?"

"Come here and sit. Let us talk it through dinner after YOUR SISTER is done." He emphasized 'sister' which made me feel more awful after Mum cried. I bent on both knees feeling defeated. I looked up to my sister who ran to me and hugged me.

"Kuya, stop yelling. You're scaring me." She wiped the tears from my eyes and pulled me with her.

I sat on the right chair to my Dad, facing Mum.

"Mia, please go upstairs" Mum croaked. Mia left.

"Who told you, Luke?" Dad asked.

"It was Pat. She told me that you saw her with another guy and may have assumed she's cheating on me"

"We didn't assume, son. We saw her kissing the guy. And yet, we didn't tell you because you would have gone berserk. Especially now that you're leaving for Senior High." Mum explained. She was using the table napkin to keep her cheeks dry.

The breeze was cold and I instinctively reached out for my coat, but I couldn't find it. I've been sitting here for how many hours now. My phone lit, a text message.

From Mace Datu 12:47 AM Text Message

Dude, where you at? Want me to pick you up?

To Mace Datu 12:50 PM Text Message

Boulevard Perdices. Thanks

I walked back to the building in search of my coat. The coat was on my seat, just where I left it. I came over and picked it up glancing over to the next table I saw a photo. I came over, it was a digital painting of a guy wearing a grey shirt with black raybans. A guy that resembled a lot like me.