"Hey Adrian." I hissed while I stare blankly at the ceiling as if finding the right words to ask. I'm currently here in his unit and since there aren't things we're going to do at school as of the moment, I decided to just hang out here.
A week has passed now after I took the responsibility of handling my dad's firm. It was quite really rough for me but Joss was always beside me to help and make me understand things I'm not really familiar with when handling an engineering firm. He's really good at what he does and I'm thinking of expanding the firm but of course, not now. I'll consult with my dad about that when all things are on its proper places.
For now, I'll just focus on my studies and running the firm steadily. Although, it's somewhat making a toll of my mental health since I'm thinking too much of things— even the unnecessary ones.
"What?" The person facing his laptop scoffed at me as I curled myself on his bed.
"N-nothing." I hissed as I heave out a sigh from all the thoughts that keep on flooding my mind. "Final exams will be a week from now."
"Just get straight to the point, Metawin." Adrian cocked his head to look at me as I pouted. "I know you're overthinking again. Spill it."
"I'm quite messed up with the idea that Bright might be leaving soon." My breathing became hitched as I utter the words I just said. "But I know he'll come back eventually. He's just going to study there for some time." I breathily said, trying to convince myself that everything will be fine.
But my heart trembles just by the thought of it.
"When will he leave exactly?" Adrian's brows furrowed as I shrugged his question.
"I-I don't know." I bit my lip as a sudden surge of emotion swept me in a pool of realizations. "I never bothered to ask, so I'm just waiting for him to talk to me about it."
"You're just afraid. But why do you think he's not opening up about that topic to you?"
I shook my head in a response since I'm really clueless. He just chuckled and lets out a sigh.
"Because maybe he's also afraid that it might make you sad. Who's even happy when someone's going to leave, right?" He hissed and I frowned.
"But hey, it will all be fleeting eventually. They'll come back anyway." He added as if assuring me that it isn't hard but truly, it is. Long distance relationships for me are sad and although we live in an advanced society now, you can't still avoid the feeling of loneliness and longing that comes with it.
"Just enjoy the time he is here. You're not going to lose him anyway. Just physically." Adrian jokingly said and I threw him a pillow. The heck!
A sudden facetime request pulled me out from my dreary thoughts with which I immediately answered.
"Hey Mom!" I happily exclaimed as I see her on the screen. She's currently in my dad's hospital room and I can also see dad nodding at me beside mom. He's still recovering as of now and some of his muscles seem to be still paralyzed.
"Hi sweetie. Where are you now?" My mom asked as she noticed that I'm not in my room.
"I'm in Adrian's condo mom. I just finished work from the firm earlier so I just went here to hang out." I smiled as I hover my phone so me and Adrian could fit on the screen.
"Good day Auntie!" Adrian remarked as we laughed in unison.
"Oh dear, please take care of Win while we're away alright?" Mom said with which I immediately frowned. I'm not a baby anymore!
"Of course Auntie. You should also keep yourselves safe there!" Adrian chuckled and waves his hand towards the screen.
"How are you dad? I miss you." I pouted as he smiled at me. My eyes immediately squint but I tried my best to make him feel that he doesn't need to worry about anything since shouldn't be stressed too much.
"I'm fine my son. Still kicking." He lets out a soft chuckle but his speech is still quite slurred due to his stroke.
"We heard from Joss you secured a contract with an Architectural firm as a business partner yesterday!" My mom remarked and I giggled.
I was actually alone on a site visit a few days ago and the architect of the project was there and he discussed with me several things about a partnership since his firm needs an engineering consultant and so we made an agreement. After that, I consulted Joss about it with which he proudly affirmed.
"It wouldn't be for Joss mom. He's always helping me do my job and I believe I'm coping up now. But I'm still learning."
"Good job my son. Just ask him if you need help in the firm alright?" Dad nodded within his smiles.
"Yes dad. Take your time to rest. I'll handle it." My eyes glinted as I flashed a grin.
"Good bye sweetie. I just called because we miss you. Your dad needs to go to a therapy now."
"Miss you too mom and dad. See you soon!" I pouted and ended the call as I lied on Adrian's bed again.
Final examinations are approaching again and I guess we'll start studying next week. These past few days, I already did all of our requirements on every subjects since I thought that it may lessen the workload I'll be having before the exams. The firm handles quite a few projects now and some laboratory tests but it's smoothly supervised. I also talked to Joss about our upcoming exams and he just told me to focus on studying and not mind the firm for the time being.
I saw my phone light up as I see someone calling. Is everyone going to call me today?
[Hey.] I gentle voice greeted me as I answered the call.
Hi Joss. Something's wrong at the firm? I lazily sighed as I rolled on the bed with which Adrian hissed.
[N-no. I, uhm...] I chuckled as I hear him stutter. What the hell is wrong with him? [Can I take you outside for a coffee? J-just to discuss some work.]
I buried myself on the pillow while listening to Joss as I hummed in response. I've been dosing myself with caffeine these days and I believe it helps me focus more on things that I do. And it is also a therapy for me since I really like the smell of coffee.
Yeah sure. I breathily said as I got up from bed and stretched my back. Joss told me to meet at the café we went to where we first discussed about my work at the firm.
I immediately fixed myself and left Adrian's unit. It's quite cloudy today and I guess it will rain tonight. I looked at my wrist watch and it's 5 in the afternoon with which I think I'll be able to go and meet Bright later at his condominium. I actually haven't seen him for days now since I was busy handling the firm and he's also preparing for his thesis presentations and other schoolworks. I want to see him so bad, and he hasn't sent me a text or left a call today.
Good thing there's no traffic congestion right at this moment as I immediately arrived at the café after a 30-minute drive. Joss actually arrived there first so I just made him order for me.
As soon as I entered the premises, I gladly inhaled the smell of brewed coffee and looked at where Joss is sitting. I quickly saw him waving his hand and I let out a chuckle. He's wearing glasses today which I rarely I see him use it because he always wear his contacts.
"Hi." He briefly said as I sat on the chair in front of him. I immediately took the cup of coffee placed on my direction and grabbed a bite on the muffins.
"So what are we discussing for today?" I asked and I saw him become tensed.
"I-It's actually nothing. I just... want to take you outside since you told me you'll already prepare for exams next week." He pouted as he lets out a soft chuckle. I immediately frowned at him and hissed.
"You could've just told me Joss. I'll eventually give in since it's coffee!" I remarked and we both laughed. "'Discuss some work' my ass." I mocked him as he burst into laughter. He's really silly.
"Sorry boss." He grinned with which I threw him daggers. I really don't like getting called 'boss' by him since I look old when he calls me that. It's like I'm older than him but it actually isn't!
"We're not working right now. Drop the word for goodness sake." I hissed and he lets out a chuckle.
We stayed there for quite some time but I think something happened so Joss hurriedly left first. It's starting to rain outside now and I just took the time to enjoy the mellow music of the cafe while sipping my second cup of coffee. This is actually relaxing and it helped my mind be at ease, somehow.
Darkness is slowly creeping outside as I looked at my wrist watch and it's already 7 in the evening. Its still raining, but I guess I need to leave now since I have to go to Bright's condominium. I actually forgot to bring my umbrella with me so I basically ran towards my car which is parked just in front of the cafe. Guess who's having colds after this.
I heaved a sigh as soon as I'm inside of my car and immediately grabbed my phone to text Bright that I'll be going to his unit. The drive was smooth since it's a weekend and there are minimal cars going around the highways of Bangkok.
I'm on the elevator now and as I checked my phone, there was no reply coming from Bright. He's really busy today I guess. I hope he's not asleep yet, but of course, who sleeps at 7 in the evening anyways? You're really stupid Metawin!
I gently knocked at his door thinking that I might really disturb him if I'll just enter his room without having his permission.
I immediately smiled as soon as the door was flung open in front of me, but to my surprise, it wasn't Bright. I wasn't him who opened it with which my brows quickly furrowed.
"How may I help you?" she hissed at me as I can sense that she's really annoyed just by the sight of me. This girl really has the nerve?
"R-Rosie is Bright there?" My breath immediately became hitched as my mind is already out on the loose. What the hell is she doing at Bright's unit?
She cocked her head inside and then looked at me after. "He's taking a shower. We just finished arranging his documents for his flight." She shrugged and my body immediately becomes tensed.
"W-what?" My voice started to become shaky as I bit my lip and she raised an eyebrow at me.
"You didn't know? I thought you're his friend sweetie?" She asked mockingly as if I'm intrigued with what she is saying but I don't care because I need to know what is really happening now.
"Just fucking tell me!" I growled in frustration as my hands are already trembling. I noticed how her composure flinched as I tried to suppress my hitched breathing. A tempest of thoughts and questions are now engulfing my system as her lips turn into a crooked smirk.
"They are migrating for good, and they will leave immediately after the university graduation."
I guess the train of questions I had earlier are already answered.
"O-okay. Please... just don't tell him I went here." I said it almost like a whisper and she immediately raised an eyebrow. "I'll go now."
"Whatever." She hissed and shrugged as she closed the door.
My legs were shaking but I tried my best to calm down and stop my thoughts from engulfing me. I went straight ahead to where my car is parked and stared blankly into nothingness. The thought that Rosie was there... The thought that Bright didn't even call me even just for once today... And the thought that he's leaving-- for good. These thoughts plunged me into an abyss of questions I don't even want to know the answers. What should I really feel right now? I don't fucking even know anymore.
I let out a bland chuckle as I looked at my phone who's now showing Bright's name on the screen.
[Hey baby, where are you now? You're coming right? I just saw your text.]
I-I changed my mind, Bright. I'm about to go home from work. I lied and bit my lip as I try to suppress myself from breaking.
[Sorry I was busy today baby. I promise I'll make up to--]
Is there something you want to tell me Bright? My breathing was hitched but I didn't bother. My mind is on shambles now and I need to ask this now.
[What are you talking about? I think you're tired today. You should get some rest baby.]
Y-yeah I guess. I'll go now. I hung up the call and heaved a sigh. I guess I just need to stop overthinking again right? But the thought that I'll never see him again makes me quiver in fear.
The rain continued to pour all night long.
And I realized that I lost again.
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Author's Note
What are your thoughts? Your comments are deeply appreciated guys! 🙏🏻
Thank you for reading and have a nice day ahead! ❤️
-k