In This Lifetime

Chapter 38: I'm Home

"I don't exactly know, but it seemed serious... I'm sorry— Bright wait!" The other quickly strides his way into his car and drove out of the premises. He then fetched his phone and dialed Win's contact number but there is no one answering the call. He hissed under his breath as he now thinks of the possibilities that may have happened to cause an emergency.

"Win, where are you... please answer the damn phone." He whispered as he tried to suppress the sudden nervousness creeping inside his chest. Bright immediately thought to check if Win is in his unit and quickly drives straight to his condominium. He rushed to go to the other's room and unlocked the door but he was only greeted by a dark room without Win inside.

Bright once again tries to call the other but Win's phone is now out of reach. He then remembers what Adrian told him awhile ago when Win got a call from his mom and this could mean that there might be something that's happened in their family house.

He quickly dashes to his car and never bothered the long drive it might take to go to the house. It has been weeks ever since they went there together and Bright was thankful as he still remembers his way on how to get there. He continued to call Win, but to no avail, it is still out of reach.

Bright notices that he is now almost there but his car unknowingly halts abruptly in the middle of the road—without even cars passing by just so he could ask for help. He curses in frustration as he hastily leaves his car and sprints. Droplets of water brushes his skin but he didn't falter as his mind is now already out on the loose.

The downpour of rain quickly soaks him as his surroundings started to get blurry. He then finds his way to the house, but to his surprise, no one was there—even a single person that he might ask if what the hell happened.

"Fuck!" He lets out a groan as he tried to climb up the gate and rushes to the house's porch to keep himself away from the heavy rain. Thankful enough, his phone was still working and he once again dials Win's number but he's still not answering. His body now quivers from the coldness of the night as he just waited there for hours staring into nothingness.

"Baby? Are you there?" Bright said weakly as he realizes Win answering his call. His breathing is now completely hitched—the rain has already stopped but he just sat there and felt relieved.

[Bright I'm s-sorry did you wait for me? I'm sorry there was an emergency... I-I need to g-go to...]

"Hey baby, it's fine. I'm fine. Calm down, it's not your fault." He said in a soft voice as he tried to be as gentle as possible even if he's controlling himself from shivering. "Now, tell me what happened?"

[Bright, it's dad... H-he had stroke.] Bright widens his eyes as soon as he heard his statement and quickly notices Win's violent sobs which made his chest feel heavy.

"Hey baby, where are you exactly? Are you okay? I'll go there... Please stay calm alright?" He said wearily while trying to console the other as he stood up and quickly heaves a sigh because exhaustion now strikes his body.

[No it's fine Bright. I'll just meet you tomorrow. Is it okay?] He hears Win whisper which made him huff in frustration.

"But Win—"

[Please Bright? I need to breathe. I want to think about everything that happened alone for now. I also have other things to do.] Win hisses but Bright felt a pang of pain inside his ribcage and just took a deep breath. He wanted to be always there for Win, but now he couldn't do anything.