Chapter 48

TVS 19: Association
X A V I E R R E
A week had passed since that hellish date happened. A week had passed since I last saw Fire.
I bought a bouquet of purple hyacinths. This flower means asking for forgiveness. I want to apologize for dragging her in such perilous situation.
I was about to knock on her door when Aling Maria, one of her neighbors told me, "Son, Fire isn't there. He left a few days ago." She is sweeping her backyard full of dry leaves.
"Ahh, is that so? I'll be right back." I smiled at her.
"Have you been locked up for a week? Your skin is so pale, son! Oh my, you should probably go outside. It's bad for the body not to be exposed!" Iiling-iling pa na sabi ni Aling Maria.
"That's why. I have so much work to do." I glanced at my wristwatch, it's 5:30 in the morning.
"Which Maria, do you want me there?" I offered. I will ask about Fire.
"Oh go ahead, why not? That's right because my joints are already hurting." I put the flowers I was holding in the car before heading to Aling Maria's house.
"Did Fire mention where he's going?" My question is simple. The tired Aling Maria was sitting on a wooden bench in her yard.
"He didn't mention it to me, but I was curious about the postman who went to his house before he left. I asked him where the letter came from, he said in Manila da-Wait son, I'm different. Do you like anything to him? "
I scratched my head, "Ahh haha, no. Fire likes me hahaha." I jokingly said, can you ask frankly?
"That's normal son. Almost all the young men here, like him!"
"T-Really p-po?"
"Oh yes! Hahaha I still remember when he was still studying! While he was rehearsing in his yard, some young men were secretly watching! The funny thing is, he shot the tree where those people were hiding! That's it! ! First run! Hahaha! "
"Hahaha is that so? Maybe that will happen to me too! Oh no!" While continuing to sweep I listened to Aling Maria.
"I no longer wonder why that boy is just like that." Her voice was a little sad when she said that.
"B-Why?"
"He was alone, when he came here. He was only nine years old, so he lived in that house alone."
I didn't respond. Letting her continue what she's going to say.
"Her parents are dead so she moved here. She lives there in the neighboring village. Her eyes are lifeless, always sad and always wants to be alone. I miss her, because she was able to live alone. All I know is that her Auntie supported her education, but after school she never received any help from it. "
"In that case, his life is really sad." If I just met her earlier, I probably helped her.
"I'm done. Do you have anything else to do?"
"It's gone, thank you so much son! Come inside-Oh Fire! You're back!" She said waving her hand at someone.
"Ahh yes." A girl's voice replied.
"Hey! Xavierre! What are you doing there?"
Is that what I see right?
Fire is with a guy?
"Brent, I'll take care of that. Leave it there at my door. Do you want something to drink?"
Fvck! Did he even offer a drink?
"Son, are you okay?" I didn't know, Aling Maria was close to me. I spaced out?
"No, I'll go first." That fvcking Brent replied. He smirked at me. What's the meaning of that? Is he teasing?
"Jealous." He said that without a sound coming out of his mouth before getting into the car and leaving.
Aba'y gago to ah! Eh if I do he can rock!
"Nay Maria! Is Xavierre bothering you? Tell me." Fire asked.
Am I still messing around?
I set aside my broom and dust pan before facing Aling Maria.
"I'm leaving." I have no appetite to say. I can't take this. I'm in pain.
"Oh go ahead son, thank you very much ah?"
"I don't have that." I think I'm sick. I feel like I have a fever even though it's impossible for me to have a fever. I took my first step out of Aling Maria's gate when a hand pulled my left arm.
It was Fire. I removed his hand from my arm, but he put it back.
"Hey! What's wrong with you? I've only been gone for a week like that?"
"..." I wasn't in the mood to answer his question. I need to go home. I need to be alone.
"All right you take care." He was right to leave but this time I pulled him to my car in front of his house.
"Hey! Are you crazy already?" She asked but I still didn't answer. I opened the passenger's seat door and pulled out the flower.
I gave it to her, "Sorry." I mouthed before getting in the car and leaving.
F I R E
What's the problem then? I just stared at the driveway of Xavierre's car.
I think I'm crazy. Haaaay! I'll just go home like that will happen? I just decided to put my things in the house.
It's only been a week since I lost the dust here ?! Grabe! What if my 2 years stay in Manila continued?
FLASHBACK ~
The first week of my stay here with Auntie was quiet. He bought me some gadgets. Here I am in my room and browsing the laptop he gave me.
I received an e-mail from Hunters Association. This is where I work.
Rank Reassignment and Annual Meeting.
That is the content of the e-mail. The HQ of the Hunters Association is in the province.
"Auntie, I need to go now." I say goodbye to him.
"Why dear? Is it urgent?" She asked while sipping her cup of tea this early morning.
"Yes Auntie."
"Alright then, I'll let Brent go with you. I'll just send you to him because you might get hurt. Pack your things for now niece. I'll miss you again." She hugged me.
"Don't worry Auntie, I'll contact you. Promise." After that, I went back to my room to fix my things.
A few hours later I got out to get in Auntie's car. Here is Brent outside the mansion, embarrassing. I'm still waiting.
"Our trip will be a day and a half Ms. Fire. You'll definitely get tired."
"It's okay uhm--"
"Brent, just call me by my name. After all, we're only a year apart."
"O-Okay Brent, then call me Fire as well."
We're almost the same age, aren't we? Anyway, will Auntie get an old bodyguard? Isn't it?
The length of the trip! We will probably get there early.
End of Flashback ~
To be continued...