Cry of Heart

Chapter 5: One Of Them Died

AIDEN

"That's my girlfriend." He said, and then closed the door. After a second, he opened the door again and now I can see his naked upper body. "Or ex-girlfriend? I'm sorry it's complicated right now. She said we broke up, but I really can't recall when. You know, girls and their moods." He added and continued taking a bath again.

­I was put in trance by what he said. I was just looking at the door for I don't know how long, trying to understand what he said. Did I mishear it, or he really had/has a girlfriend? Considering he's still stuck with imaginary friends.

"Wait, you have a girlfriend, but you don't have friends? How is that even possible?" I asked in surprise. He opened his door again, and now he's soaking wet.

"Seriously, Aiden? We're going to talk about this while I'm here?" I just chuckled and showed him his locked phone. "10101988" He said his password was.

"That's your birthday?" I asked again. He just nodded and gone back in the bathroom. I went to the bed and scan through his phone. "Your birthday is in three days! What are your plans?" But I didn't get any answer from him, so I just shut up.

I logged into my email and pause for a moment. I closed my eyes and wished that it didn't blow up that much, that they haven't read it, or miraculously the email didn't send. I heaved a sigh before I clicked all the way to my inbox. There I saw all of my recipients had read my email. I scrolled down to read their replies:

Hariya1989@mail.com: Come on, Aiden, is it about the video? Stop being so dramatic. I know it’s hard, but it happened already.

ClaireShaniah@y*******m: Aiden, you know this is a bad joke, right? Stop this nonsense. We’ll see you at your house.

DietherFerret@mail.com: Come on, man. You're still our friend. I'm sure it'll pass soon. You even included your parents in this email. You're such a kid. Let’s all talk about this, okay?

LeonardoOcampo198999@g*******m: Where are you? Contact me ASAP.

My whole world shuts down in an instant. Even though I was lying down, I felt like I was losing all my strength. My vision started to blur as my eyes were filled with tears. Dramatic, a kid, nonsense—the words I least expect to come out of my friends. I held my chest as it feels like it's going to explode for real this time. I tried not to make any noise while crying myself out of this unbearable heartache. If this is already painful for me, just these mere words can shatter me easily, what more if my family has to speak about this. To be honest, I don't want to know. I think I won't survive that. I looked at the bathroom where Kai is. If my friends were thinking this is all drama and nonsense, I'm sure he will too. I really have no one now. I laid down, covered my face with the pillow, and started crying again.

KAI

I got out of the bathroom and there I saw Aiden, lying down on the bed with a pillow covering his face. His sniffling tells me that he's crying. I was about to pat his shoulder and ask him what's wrong, when I realized maybe it's not the time. He needs to cry it all out, just like how I let him last night. I saw my phone beside him. My curiosity told me that I should check it and see it myself, but I didn't. I respect his personal space. If he's comfortable enough to trust me with his struggles, he will tell me himself. He must have seen and read something terrible about the suicide email he was talking about, and that thing is what tearing him apart right now.

I decided to leave the room and let him be alone first. I'm not really good at confronting problems, because if I could, for sure my own problems were already solved. I can't even straight things up with my girlfriend, what more if it’s other people's business? I decided to stay outside for a moment and stared nowhere.

I was sitting on a chair I pulled from the room, when one of the hotel crew asked me what's wrong. I just told her I was enjoying the view, which is weird, because the view is just a parking lot. She gave me one of those uncomfortable smiles and proceeded to whatever she's doing. I felt bad for myself because of that. This is what you get for not socializing more, you learn the art of pushing and scaring people away.

Not long enough, while I'm in the middle of counting the cars in the parking lot to pass some time, I heard a click from the doorknob. Aiden peeked out. I immediately looked away and pretended I was busy. I feel like I shouldn't see him crying, or that it's because I am uncomfortable with people crying, or maybe because he's a guy and I'm not used to see boys cry. Oh, great. I did it again. The toxic masculinity Aiden was preaching a while ago. Why am I doing this again?

"Hey," He greeted. I pretended to be surprised though I know my acting skill sucks. "What are you doing there?" He asked and walked out of the room. He's all messed up again; swollen eyes, red nose, and the sad eyes.

"Uhm, not much. Just..." I looked around to find a reason that's valid and believable. Come on, Kai. You can find one. "Counting the stars?" And yeah, I failed. He furrowed his brows and looked at the sky.

"How many did you count?" He said sarcastically while giggling. He went inside and I followed him.

"Actually, I found one, called Sun." I boasted with all my might. "Huh! See? If you think you're the only smart person in this very room, well, I hate to break it to you Mr. Serrano, but you got an opponent." I said stretching my arms like I already won this non-existent game.

"You got it, nerd." His only answer and proceeded to the pizza on the table. I just watched him take a bite on the pizza like everything's back to normal—that there's nothing breaking him inside and he's keeping it all under control.

"You ready to go?" I asked him while collecting my things. He just continued eating, while removing the olives on the pizza one by one. After I asked him that, he slowly stared at me from head to toe for a moment while enjoying his food.

"You sure?" He asked back. I looked at him with confusion. He drunk his water first before continuing. "I mean you're good? Finished? All set?" He asked one after another. I nodded, still not letting go of my confused reaction because of his snickering.

We stayed in the room for a little longer before heading out. We just talked about random things while cleaning the room; like how come I have a girlfriend when I don't have friends, how long we've been together, is my girlfriend a living, breathing species and not just one of my imaginations—basically, all about me. To be honest, I'm actually starting to feel annoyed by that recognition. It's not like I really have no friends at all. It's just that I'm too picky and I don't get along easily with new people, that's why I have a few, not zero. And like what I've said, they are seasonal. They have to move on with their lives and find new ones and you got to let them go. That's how the world works. Lucky for those people who have found their lifetime friends at an early age, but some people don't get the same opportunity. Life is a big maze after all, a trial and error. Those are the things I said to him. He was convinced at the end and I really wish this topic will never be brought up again. It's kind of annoying when repeatedly talked about. Plus, I just don't want to be tagged as an anti-social.

After having that conversation, we went out of the room. I was walking my way to the lobby to check out when Aiden walked in the opposite direction. I asked him why, but he said he just doesn't like the idea of us strolling around in public. It shocked me because we've been together since yesterday and he only said it now. He added there's just something not so right about his day, reassuring me that it's not personal, so I let it slide. Maybe it has something to do with his suicide email or whatever happened to him earlier.

Before we parted for a moment, he embarrassingly asked me if I could lend him some money. He said he saw this jacket he really likes at the motel grocery and wants to buy it before someone else could. Though I'm a bit skeptic to his reason, I gave him the money anyway. He said he will pay me half of what I had spent since yesterday with him including this one. I just gave him a nod so he would stop talking about it. I don't really want to put it that way. I brought him here and everything's on me. He owes me nothing, but I know that's not what he thinks. If I'm going to say that out loud, I'm pretty sure it's going to be a long discussion.

Shortly after I took errands in the motel lobby, I went straight to the car and saw Aiden leaning on the car with a jacket already on. It's a plain gray, zippered jacket—the ones you see in every store. I wonder what makes it debt-worthy for him.

"Nice jacket. Great taste." I said, opening the car. We got into the car and before I could start the engine, he complained.

"The jacket I want was already bought and there's no more other decent clothes to pick but this. I'm really in need of a jacket right now." He said while pocketing his hands in the jacket. He's like a kid starting a tantrum. I smiled without realizing it.

"And yes, that's what I said. It's nice." I said, nearly confused, but still bowled over about his sudden change of mood. I managed to last a day with this guy, my social skills must be developing, thanks to him. I waited for him for a second, but he didn't answer anymore, so I started driving. He must be thinking that I'm mocking him or being sarcastic by how I said his jacket was nice.

Hours immediately passed and we reached the mall.

"So, mall is your idea?" He said as he got off the car.

"Don't worry, Aiden. We're still miles away from your home. No one will recognize you here." I answered as I got off the car also.

As we're about to walk our way to the entrance, one from the group of running teenagers accidentally bumped into Aiden. They both fell on the ground. I ran towards them and helped Aiden got up. Funny thing, Aiden's smiling but you can see in his eyes he's raging.

"I'm really sorry, sir." The guy exclaimed. "Oh no. Your jacket." He added looking at Aiden's jacket and turned his eyes at the small container he's holding. I knew it was prawn sauce the moment I smelled it.

"It already happened." First words from the discreetly raging Aiden. "Just go to your friends. I think they're waiting for you." He added and we glanced at this guy's friends not far from us. They're all concerned and shock, I think.

"I'm really, really sorry, sir. I insist. Let me buy you at least a new jacket." He almost pleaded, but Aiden was so kind and let it pass.

"Just go to your friends. And be careful from now on." Aiden advised the young man. He bowed and said sorry for the last time before heading to his friends.

"Such a kind spirit." I commend Aiden as he takes off his jacket.

"I am not kind. I just want him to leave before I get even angrier." He answered and I laughed. We got back in the car and there he put his stained jacket inside.

"Why do you even have to wear a jacket? It’s neither cold nor raining. The sun is burning the earth" I asked him with my suspicious eyes. "Actually, I'm starting to think the jacket was just an excuse for you not to be seen wearing the shirt." I added. He knitted his brows with so much confusion, then realized something.

"Of course! The great Malachi Sebastian doesn't know." He said and walked pass through me. I was stunned and left there standing and thinking for seconds.

"What was that? What do I not know?" I asked him as I ran towards him.

"I don't like colorful shirts." He plainly said, referring to his shirt with indeed bright colors just like mine. "You bought this for me and I don't want to be rude, but I really don't like the color scheme. It's hurting my eyes." He explained and made me chuckle.

"Sure! Let's just go inside and you can pick whatever shirt you want." I told him and he just nodded.

As soon as we got inside, Aiden put his hands on his pockets and shrugged a bit. “What to do now, Mr. Sebastian? It’s your day after all.”

“A little correction, our day.” I said holding his wrist and leading the way.

AIDEN

Kai and I spent a lot of time playing at an arcade house in this mall. It’s like we owned the place! Imagine grown-up tall guys playing whac-a-mole, video games, and even the dance mat. The kids didn’t have the chance to play. They just cried their balls out while their parents are dragging them out of the house. We couldn’t leave that station! A lot of people were watching us and for the first time in my life, I didn’t care about other people. I was so occupied by all the fun I was getting at that time. And not to brag, but I keep getting A+ scores in that dance game. Kai’s performance is okay, but let’s face it, his opponent is a God, he won’t stand a chance.

After that, we went for a quick bite at a fast-food restaurant that sells submarine sandwiches. We didn’t take much time there because apparently, Kai still has energy for another play.

After eating, we went to another game house. It was a different one. They only have video game consoles. He even bragged about his high scores here and that everybody knows he’s unbeatable in every game. We first played this 1v1 fighting game where I always lose anyway. In my defense, I didn’t know that game. I was literally just pressing all the buttons to an extent that I even pushed the power button. He won each round and if you could only see his face every time he won, you might hit him with the controller. And then we played more games there.

“Where and what to do now?” He asked me while walking. We just finished playing at that game center. I lost track of time and realized it’s already dark outside.

‘Time really flies so fast when you’re happy huh’

“Anywhere and anything, except playing.” I answered. We just kept walking around looking for something to do, until he suddenly hold my wrist again and run towards a small gathering of people not far from us. I didn’t have the chance to read what the banner was all about, but if I did, I am sure as hell I will stop this stupid guy.

They were clapping as soon as we got there. One of them has just finished reading a book and left the mini stage. I thought at first this is just a simple book reading event, turns out it’s an assembly. I secretly check each one of them and turns out they are a club of mythology fans and this is their event. An event where we shouldn’t be. Too late for me to realize because one of them noticed us.

“Wow! We have new members I think!” The person next to Kai yelled ,causing a scene. Before I could even tell Kai to run, they were all smiling and congratulating us. I faked a smile and just pretended to get along.

“What’s happening?” He whispered while innocently taking the hands of the people congratulating us.

“Just get along for a moment, then we run.” I whispered back.

“Tell me now. They are so creepy. Is this a cult?” He whispered again and I chuckled.

‘A cult in a mall? Sounds rich.’

“We’re in a mythology fan club and they’re having their event.” I answered. Lucky us the handshaking stopped.

“We’ll just get our president to officially welcome you. Just wait a second.” The last person said and smiled from ear to ear.

“Oh, I see. Is that why they thought we’re joining them? Because we’re watching?” He’s still whispering.

“No.” I answered again. “It’s because of our t-shirts you idiot.”

“Oh, right! Apollo is a Greek god! Now I remember.” He said.

“Yeah, and to them, we’re not just regular mythology fans.” I told him while waiting for that person—who’s about to call their president—to go in the small tent where he’s headed to.

“What?” He asked again.

“To them, we’re both mythology fans and…” I said while my eyes still fixed in that man. “a couple.”

“What?!” He almost shouted.

“Apollo and Hyacinthus were lovers you i***t. They were both guys. We’re both guys, so in their eyes, we’re a couple with an obsession to Greek gods and their love affairs.” And I saw the man just gestured someone to come to us before he even gone inside.

“Now, we run.” I said to him, then ran out of the event.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He said keeping up with me.

“I’m sorry?” I said sarcastically. “I didn’t think there would be a mythology event here, duh?” I said still running.

“Hey, Aiden!” He called me and stopped running. “There’s no one catching us.” He said almost out of breath.

“I don’t understand. I bought it in a small stall near the gasoline station.” He explained.

“Yeah. To a*****e named Rainbow Store. a*****e that supports and sells l***q+ stuff. You are really idiot.” I said laughing. He became quiet for a moment, and then burst into laughter.

“That explains everything! Why you want to wear a jacket, the blinding colors this shirt has, and the congratulations and handshaking there! Haha!” He unravels the truth while still laughing.

“This is so weird. Who would have thought we’re going to bump into a mythology club wearing mythology characters. The world is crazy.” I commented.

We’re still laughing at that weird experience when we reached the car.

“So, these lovers,” he said referring to the prints on our shirts. “What happened to them?”

“Why are you interested? Want to join the club?” I asked and we laughed again.

“I’m serious! What happened to their story? I know the basic story of Greek mythology, but I never heard their love story.” He said leaning forward on the car.

“One of them died.” I answered and his expression changed suddenly. “Hyacinthus. He’s the one who died.” I added then looked at my shirt.

And just like that, the laughter vanished.