Kalyx had been lying on his bed for a long while now but his mind is still very much awake.
The sweet smile on his lips hasn't been erased yet.
He suffered ten long years of not being able to see Sidhiel's beautiful face. He had no choice but to be contented with the photos of Sidhiel that his mom sent him.
Earlier, while waiting for the boy, he can't help himself from worrying when night came and Sidhiel still hasn't come home.
It was nine-thirty when he told his Aunt Diehl that he will wait for Sidhiel. Diehl had already retired in her room but Kalyx was still left worrying in the big living room. Still hoping for the only person he had been anticipating to see, to finally arrive.
Exactly ten o-clock when he decided that he will just wait on the front porch of the house. And imagine his surprise and happiness when upon opening the door, he saw a close-eyed Sidhiel.
He can't forget the expression on Sidhiel's face. Based on the way he was clenching his eyes shut, he knows who Sidhiel was expecting on the other side of the door. His dainty hand that was clutching the key tightly was left suspended mid-air.
Surprise was what covered Sidhiel's face when he recognized him.
He might've not seen the boy, but it was a face he knew well enough. Kalyx had memorized Sidhiel's features.
Only now, they had matured. The skinny boy with an almost flat hair had grown into a lovely young man.
Oh, how he had changed. But some things remained as it was, like those long, dark lashes that framed his often shy Mediterranean eyes, his defined cheekbones and thin pink lips.
He sighed. Is Sidhiel still shy?
Sidhiel still looked shy but he seemed to have gained confidence somehow. Anyway, even though others can't see, he had always noticed that behind those shy eyes was intelligence. Though he was as quiet as a mouse, he saw a hint of inner strength in Sidhiel.
He knows that Sidhiel was really devastated by his father's death, aside from what his mother told him. And he realized that he has not yet given his condolences to the boy.
He wanted so much to go back home when he heard the news about Mark's death. He wanted to be there for Sidhiel so badly.
But then, it's not easy for him to do that. He was in the middle of a big project.
He plans on staying back in London for good and will just visit the different branches of his company. After all, he had already done what he needed to do. It was now time to fulfill his promise.
Kalyx sighed. When he came home five years ago after his graduation, he was both happy and devastated to find out that Sidhiel just went to Harvard.
Later on, he realized that what happened was for the best. Because if he had seen Sidhiel that time, he will surely not go back and will just stay with the boy.
He sighed again and closed his eyes. And just like what always happens to him, he saw Sidhiel smiling at him.
He went to sleep with Sidhiel in his mind.
*****
Sidhiel woke up early because he needs to bring his paintings to Jade's studio. She's a photographer and has her own studio now.
Jade told him to just bring his works there. Sidhiel needs to have at least twelve paintings to show Mr. Steiner. Right now, he has ten and he has to make two more.
He still had a long time to prepare. Mr. Steiner still needs to see his works and if he will like them, he will be with him and his works in the exhibit.
The truth is, he has eleven works, but the other one is very personal to him. It was too special for him and no one had ever seen it aside from him.
The style of the painting is abstract but if you will look at it carefully, you will notice that in the middle of it was a face of a man that is none other than Kalyx.
Sidhiel feels like the people will recognize that face even if what he thinks seems impossible.
In that painting is where he put all his hidden emotions for the older man. And it feels like what was in his heart will be known if someone saw it.
Sidhiel carefully placed the paintings that are covered by white paper in his car. His target really was to get out of the house early to avoid being seen by his mother. She will surely get mad at him if she saw what he was busy about. Thank the heavens and Diehl usually wakes up late to go to their company.
Since his father's death, Diehl took his place as the CEO of their company while Eara has her own flower shop. He did not want to work in his father's company because he wants to prove something to himself first.
When he finally passed the gate of their house, Sidhiel let out the breath that he'd been holding. He passed the subdivision's gate when his car's engine started to screech at him.
"Oh, no, not again," He nervously muttered.
He closed his eyes when the roaring sound and the movement finally stopped. The only thing he seemed to be lucky about is that he, at least, managed to direct it by the sidewalk.
"Oh, please, not right now. Don't do this to me, please." Sidhiel wanted to cry.
Of all the days that his car chose to disappoint him, it had to be now. He went out of the car and opened the hood.
He just stared at it because he doesn't know what to do with it. His father had always been the one to fix his car. And since his father died, his car didn’t rebel too much, as if it knows that the person fixing it is already gone. So why now all of a sudden?
"Hey, what's wrong with you, buddy? Why now?" Sidhiel asked his car as if it will answer him.
He really needs to bring his car to a car repair shop to end his problem. Talking to it there will obviously not solve anything.
"Sid, what's wrong?" He heard someone ask him.
When he turned around, he saw Kalyx getting out of his car. He probably just got out of the subdivision too, where they're both residing, but just, their house was far from each other.
Sidhiel faced the engine again. Gosh, how do I look? Gee, I know I'm a mess.
"What's the problem with your car?" Kalyxasked upon nearing him.Sidhieljust wished that he doesn't look so bad. He felt so small beside Kalyx, because he literally is smaller than the man.No word came out of his mouth. He thought that this was better than stuttering infront of him."Let me see your car." Kalyxheldthe hood of his car.Sidhieljust stood there watching Kalyxwhile the latter was checkingthe engine of his car."The problem was the radiator. You also need to tune this up." Kalyxsaid after a few minutes."I-Is that so? Thank you. I can handle it from here. You should go." He said wanting to get away from Kalyx."Where will you go? Why does your car seem so full?" Kalyxasked not commenting on Sidhiel'swords."I just had to go somewhere important.""I think it's better if I just drive you to where you're going," Kalyx said."Huh? Uhm.. I d
Sidhiel'sface felt hot. If Kalyxwas trying to make him feel uncomfortable, he was succeeding."And because you don't want to talk to me properly. When I asked you questions, your answer is so short like you're allergic to me. This is better." Kalyx said, still grinning.Sidhiellooked down at his fingers at the same time that the waiter came back with their orders."Okay, I'll talk to you. But stop staring at me." He said when he liftedhis head again."All right. Shoot.""A-Are you staying f-for good?" He cursed himself for stammering.Kalyxlaughed. "Hey, you're stuttering again. Why?"Instead of answering, he just focused on his food. Maybe, it would be better if he just ignore Kalyx. After all, he can't match him."Why can't you at least try to be mad or snobbish?" Kalyx commented amusedly. "Before, during our childhood days, you don't fight back even when you're annoyed at me. You will just look
"I don't know why I reacted that way, Dad. I just said all those things to Kalyx." Sidhieladmitted in front of his father's tombstone. That's where his feet brought him. He expects that if he tells his father what happened between him and Kalyx a while ago, the tension he's feeling will decrease. But he wasn't succeeding. "Ahh!" He rubbed his face with his hands. "I'm stupid, stupid, stupid. Why Dad? Why does every time I see him, all I can envision and think is how far we are from each other? I feel like, I don't even have the right to be his friend. I don't know, Dad. I hate this feeling. Why do I always feel like I'm nothing compared to everyone." "I tried to do what you told me, Dad. You know, that ‘believing-in-yourself’thing. I swear I tried. Sometimes, I succeed. But a lot of times, I fail." Sidhielcried because of frustration. " I think, Mommy is right. That I am heading nowhere. That I will just stay like this. I wou
A lot of minutes had passed but Sidhiel'sheart is still racing. Whew! What happened during dinner was tough. It was not him that Earakept on interrogating but it felt like he was the one on the hot seat. Good thing he thought immediately of a way out. He was thankful that he doesn't need to hear Kalyx's answer because he will surely get hurt. What kind of person in his right mind would like to date someone as simple and plain as him? Certainly not Kalyx. Heissure that Kalyxwould want to be with someone that is intelligent and fun to talk to and be with. Not like him who shakes with nervousness and stammers when spoken to. But he was surprised by how Earadescribed him. They both know that she was referringto him. A simple person but very beautiful in their own way. Those were Eara's exact words. This is the first time that Eara complimented him. His father would often tell him how gorgeous he is
"W-What are you doing here? H-Have you been there since..? D-Did you see..?" Sidhielasked Kalyxsequentially. Kalyx was not answering his questions yet but his face already started coloring red. He already knows what the answer to his questions was. Oh, Gosh, why does he have to see me like this? Sidhielwailed in his mind. "Take a deep breath, sweetheart," Kalyx instructed. Sidhielinvoluntarily obeyed Kalyx. He took several deep breaths. Then, Kalyx's word sank in his mind. Did he hear Kalyxright? Did he really call him 'sweetheart'? He eyed Kalyxthrough his lowered eyelids. Kalyxwas grinning. He scowled. Kalyxwas surely teasing him again. "Are you ready for my answers, Sid?" Kalyxasked mischievously. "To all of your questions, 'yes' is my answer. Yes, I've been here since you came down. Yes, I saw your performance. Ye-" Kalyxsuddenly
Kalyxsmiled at himsoftly.Then he bent his head again to kiss Sidhielagain. This time, it wasn't just a light kiss. It was deeper and passionate.Sidhiel doesn't know how to respond. He just closed his eyes and mimicked the movement of Kalyx's lips. He felt light-headed. He fisted Kalyx's shirt under his palms. Kalyx's hands traveled down Sidhiel's sides causing the boy to shiver at the warmth seeping through his shirt from Kalyx's hands.Kalyx's hands gripped Sidhiel'swaist and pulled him closer until they were chest to chest. He banded his arm around Sidhiel'swaist while his other hand traveled up, cupping the back of Sidhiel'shead and tilting it to accommodate their kiss even more.Kalyxnipped Sidhiel'supper lip, not stopping untilit was swollen. Then he focused on the lower lip, biting it and eliciting a gasp from Sidhiel. He thrust his tongue in the boy's mouth and roamed around, tasting it.
"I was about to tell you the reason, but it looks like I don't have to because you don't care. Get inside. I'll go ahead." Kalyx walked past him and went straight out of the gate.He wanted to call after him and stop him from leaving but shyness had crept up on him again. Besides, why is Kalyx so angry?Sidhiel shook his head and entered the house. He saw their long-time cook and helper, Mrs. Porter."Oh, Sid, you'd arrived. Have you talked to Kalyxalready?" She asked."Yeah." He answered shortly."He'd been waiting for you since five pm. Have you seen the flowers and his gift for you?""What?" He exclaimed. "W-Where?""There." She pointed towards the sofa. On the center table was a bouquet of flowers. Beside it was a big paper bag.He walked towards it and took it. He bid goodnight to Mrs. Porter and went up to his room.He put the flowers in a vase and giddily stared at it. Then, he opened the paper bag and pulle
"Since when is this happening?""Huh?" Sidhielwas confused. Why does it seem like his mother had calmed down?"Answer my question. Since when is this happening?""Just…now.""Go upstairs. Get some rest. We will talk about this later." She seriously said.He confusedly obeyed his mother. He needs to talk to Kalyx to tell him about the situation. He'll just take a nap. Then, he will contact the man immediately once he woke up. He needs to warn Kalyx.He will understand him. Right?*****A gentle tap on his shoulder, along with a call of his name was what woke Sidhielup."Hmm?" Sidhiel slowly sat up and stretched his arms up, yawning and rubbing his eyes with a closed fist. "What is it, Mrs. Porter?""Your mother called for you. They are all waiting downstairs.His eyebrows furrowed. "Who are 'they'?""You could've at least entrusted me with this secret, honey."