When Things Fall Apart

Two

    Sebastian was riding his grey and white scooter type motorcycle while heading home from Kevin's night party. He was used to Kevin's subdivision, Sebastian took about forty-two minutes. Kevin's place is one of the rich ones residing here in Cebu City. His family owns a company that is top 32 on Cebu's Top Leading Businesses.

    It is very dark at dawn. Only the lamp post on the quiet street giving him lights. It was actually curfew hours already, but he was confident enough to ride home so late because the Barangay Captain knew him. His father and he are old friends. Sebastian stopped his motorcycle on the side street where the Captain and others who watch during curfew hours. 

    "Didn't know I'll catch you again for the third time", said the Captain to him. His voice, the voice of a fifty-year-old man. He was wearing a black cap, white shirt coated with a thin neon green blazer.

Sebastian chuckles, "I didn't know it too." 

    He removed his cap, "You're so stubborn. The next time I'll see you again, I'll be calling for your mother, you got it?" 

"Sir, yes, Sir", he saluted and drove off. 

    He opened the gate as quiet as probable it could be. Parked his motorcycle and went through the main door. All the lights in their house are already off, which means to say that his mother is already deep in her dreams and shouldn't be disturb. He quietly opened the door with his duplicate key, trying not to make a sound and startle his mother awake.

                                                                                                ° ° °

    A phone vibrated once or twice on the bedside table. Sebastian slowly opened his round eyes showing the very deep dark black iris. Blinked once or twice. He moans as he moves towards the wooden table where the phone is lying. He overslept again. It was already twelve-thirty in the afternoon when he glanced at his round white wall clock. He reached for his Vivo Y9i and saw two messages: one from Kevin and the other is from her mother.

Message from Mama:

Eat lunch, okay? You know how to cook. There are foods in the fridge. I'll be back soon. Take care.

    Mother sure is a worrier but, father's a warrior. Sebastian grew up by his mother's side while his father is away working abroad. He is the only child that is why his mother is much too caring for him. He opened the last message... 

Message from Kevin:

Thank you, bro, for attending my party last night. See you again soon!

    Kevin is a friend since their first year of high school. It was his birthday last night and it so happens that they got missed everyone, they hardly bid farewells.

    He got up from his pearl white bed, soft and comfortable. Put his phone in his pants pocket and his furry slippers on his feet as he rubs his eyes to clear his vision. Sebastian's room is simply black and grey and white theme color. His floor is carpeted with black urbane furs. He was a bit disappointed with Wincy not showing up at the party nor texting him. He misses her already. The last time they met was on their barkada outing on Visa Resort, and they barely had time for each other. He went inside the bathroom, filled his mouth with water, gargle it, then he spits it onto the sink. He stared at his reflection. Same short curly hair, symmetrical face, sympathetic distinct eyes with long curly lashes, and a hint of whiskers on the chin and above the upper lip. 'I guess, the shave is coming after me already', he thought looking at his self intently. But then, a bolt from the blue, his phone vibrated again. He took it out from his pocket and was surprised to see the message from Wincy, asking how did the party go.

    Sebastian completely finished his shaving and shower routine. Now, he was right in front of his big closet. He asked Wincy out when he had known that she hadn't eaten yet. He took out a simple Giordano grey shirt and a Bench black pants from his closet. The phone vibrated again. He reached for it and read the message as he dresses up. Wincy will wait for him at her house. It was his idea that he'll fetch her there. Since their already legal on both sides, he can come there anytime without even worrying about anything. He took his wallet from his desk and walk out of his room. He was about to walk straight to their main door when he glimpses something. Instead, he went to the kitchen.

    "Ma, you're home early", he blurted when he saw his mother who's carefully placing the groceries in the fridge and cupboard. 

    She smelled Victoria's secret perfume and glanced at the dressed guy. "Where are you going?"

"At Wincy's", adjusting one of his favorite collections of wristwatches.

    "Oh. Okay. Take care", she let out a wry smile.

    He went out and grab a tricycle heading to Neiville to meet Wincy. When he got there, they bid their farewells to her mother and went ahead to Nexus Café. It was a perfect place for comfort and peace of mind. Sebastian likes this place and so as their Cold Brewed Coffee Latte.

    "What do you like to eat today? I bet you're hungry. Let's have a full course?", he suggested while scanning the menu.

    "Yeah, sure. Anything will do", she replied automatically. Well, he doesn't even need to ask. She would always say yes. Wincy doesn't argue on these types. It's not like they both have the same interests, she's just the type of timid girl that is easy to get along with. 

    "Okay... 2 Sichuan hot and sour soup for an appetizer, Tiger Prawn in garlic ginger for two, 2 cold latte for our drinks, and for desserts: Black Sambo, Pastéis de Nata with raspberry syrup. " The waiter repeated their orders and after confirming it, he left. 

    " So what happened to your summer vacation? Did you enjoy it? " He relaxedly leaned on the porcelain-colored beauteous carved wooden chair. 

    " I undeniably enjoyed the excursions before. The foods are delicious too. Haha. And you know, Zero..." She continuously blabbers while he listens to her words. 

    Once they had their meal, they started sharing what they had missed since the end of the school year. Sebastian's journey to the cool summer of Baguio: Every morning they went to the Cathedral for the mass; they also visited the Chinese Temple which is full of Chinese antiques; then, of course, the Burnham Park; The Camp John Hay, where everyone camp, bike, picnic, etc. They slept there for the whole night; Strawberry Farm; Mines View Park; and the endless stairs of Lourdes Grotto Transient. 

    Wincy was amazed at how many places he has gone to, even the areas that she badly wanted to go to. He showed her the pictures he took for her. Surely, she had already visited Baguio City but it was only limited to few areas due to time and financial reasons. He knew she loves Baguio that is why he took the best sceneries.

    "These pictures are incredible. I hope that we had a chance to visit there again...", she pouted. He took a glimpse of it then, back to his meal. He is now digging in at the famous Black Sambo. It is a sweet aromatic dessert; a two-layer dragon fruit gelatin.

    "Hmm... Why didn't you go to Kevin's party? We were all expecting you", he said, not looking at her, trying to hide the fact that he missed her.

    "Oh that. I had a stomachache. I don't like eating or going out", excusing herself.

    "Ahh."

    They busied themselves at the depth of the mouth-watering sweet desserts. The sound of utensils screeching against the small round porcelain plate is the only noise that can be heard between the two of them.