Orpheus

Chapter 5: Civil (Neutral Point of View)

Win's alarm is often silenced by him. But today is a different case because even before it gets itself to ring, Win has already interrupted it. He's been awake for a long time now. He's contemplating over the exchange that happened between him and Bright yesterday:

His words are just painful. Well, the thing with words is just when it's good, they usually stay shorter compared to when the words given to you are just painful. When it is painful, they linger longer. They're like deep wounds. We rush for it to heal while it takes its time to mend on its own. We can never force them to finish the process all at once. And worst, when they're scratched or even bumped on to a rough or sharp edge, they bleed once again. The next thing you know, you go through the process of nursing it anew. That is tiring, often exasperating. I have to bear through that process though.

Win didn't even expect for Bright's words to resonate that much on him. He wanted to become persistent, no stopping if possible. But Bright made it clear. He's not into him. That's okay only if his words did not hurt that much.

Win left his bed and unhurriedly took a bath. They're about to hear the feedback of the client on the tracks they produced yesterday. If only there's not been that exchange yesterday, Win would've been more excited to go to work today. He wanted this job. Software engineering is one of his interests. He graduated Tourism but it wasn't what thrilled him to work. He took it upon his mother's request. As an only child of two successful business magnates, their words equate that of a command. Win can reason out with them though. He's an only child, and most often than not, what he wants is what they grant. It just goes a little messy at times: a week or two of not talking to each other and even rebelling in the form of partying. This is what mostly happens. The same thing that happened when he told his parents that he'll be working in Synth.

After taking a bath, he pulled out his pressed khaki trousers from his dresser; paired it with light-blue colored chambray button downs; and finally slipped on an old but not fully worn out brown chukkas. This is his style. Casual and laid-back all at once. Thereafter, he pulled his black Burberry messenger bag and headed out of his unit.

As he was about to pull his unit's door close, Bright's figure showed through Win's periphery. Bright cleared his throat. Win heard it. He placed his eyes on Bright then turned away after a while.

"Ah, Win?" Bright's voice made Win stop.

"Yes?" Win asked back.

"Would you like to go with me?" Bright's invite is so tempting, Win thought. But he has to be aware of what Bright said yesterday. Civil. That was his word. So, they have to remain civil with each other.

"No, thank you. Claire's picking me up. She's already downstairs." Win explained then headed to the elevator.

Bright was left staring at the figure walking away from him.

He's mad. That's for sure.

Bright exhaled a deep sigh. He deserved that. How their conversation turned out yesterday is not something that he's proud of. As he recalls their exchange, he cannot help but let out a few more deep sighs:

It took me the whole night to admit that I went out of bounds with my words. Well, the thing with words is that it is easy to give away, most especially when you're at the peak of any kind of emotions. I admit that I felt like it was intrusive. Euri's poem is personal. It's something that I have not shared with anyone and I wouldn't want to. When Win handed it over, my impulsive self said words that I later on regretted. So much for working with no tension, huh? So yeah, now he's mad. And I get it, because when I threw those words, they were like sharp needles that pricked the heart of someone who just expressed his admiration for him. It's been a good run so far, Bright! Fuck.