DISTRICT II: How does the bird sing? (District Series #2)

CHAPTER 26 - TO THE CITY

CHAPTER 26

TO THE CITY

"Why did you stay underground?' Eitan asked in a low voice as he picked up the frame on the bed side table.

Apple were busy closing the windows and tying the curtains around the room. 

"You know that was the best for me, Ei." Apple said as he tied a curtain with a small band.

Eitan stared at the picture frame with Apple and his arm wrapped around the shoulder of a man who is smiling wildly. As if it triggered a memory of Eitan back when they were all still together at the District.

"I was expecting to see the both of you here." Eitan murmured.

Apple chuckled as his hands stopped from tying the curtains. "Cut it out. Peter's already married and is a father of two. He's happy with his own life now."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Eitan nang marinig iyon. Agad niyang nilingon si Apple na nakatalikod pa rin sa kaniya. 

"What...Wait, are you serious?" Eitan asked.

Huminga ng malalim si Apple at nilingon siya. Kahit na nakatakip ng eyepatch ang kabilang mata ay alam ni Eitan na hindi umaabot ang ngiti nito sa kaniyang mga mata. Nakangiti si Apple na lumapit sa kaniya.

"Yeah, he sent me the photo of his twins. Wanna see it?" Apple said as he pulled a small box inside the cabinet and handed it at Eitan.

Tinanggap lang iyon ni Eitan habang gulat pa rin na nakatingin kay Apple. "Why? Why did this happen?"

Apple chuckled and picked up the frame from Eitan. "Maybe he realized he wanted his own family and we cannot do that.  Well, we already talked so this things a part of my past now."

"How can you do this so easily? You..Your.." Eitan can not find the right words to say as he glanced at Apple's missing left ear. "You gave up everything for him and this.."

"Guess the light of our fate ends right there." Apple said. "We cannot battle fate, Eitan. And I can't sulk forever on the corner."

Apple can see how Eitan's lips are moving but there were no words out of it. Apple tapped Eitan's shoulder. "Just..keep it a secret, okay? I don't have much energy to tell this to anyone."

At the end, Eitan nodded with having no choice.

Like the usual routine, all the members of the Metal City Faction will gather inside a warehouse with a long table. There were lots of food cooked by the women of the faction and the kids were playing around while the men are eating and drinking.

Maingay sa loob ng warehouse habang si Eitan ay pinapanuod at inoobserbahan lang ang lahat.

"By the way!" Apple stopped from laughing, his face were flushed from all the drinks as he looked and tapped Eitan's shoulder. "This is my young pal here from the District. This is Eitan and he's good with everything! Don't go hard on him!"

Everyone cheered after that.

Eitan awkwardly smiled as he gently bowed his head.

All of a sudden, Cloud slammed his mug of beer down the table that made all of them silent while Apple is still chuckling from drunk ness. 

Yep. He hates me. Eitan thought.

Cloud looked at Eitan and offered his mug full of beer. "A man in the faction must be able to drink this in one go."

Slowly, a smile crept up of Eitan's lips and accepted the mug. He got up from his seat and in no time finished the mug full of beer. After he finished the beer, everyone cheered again. Cloud laughed as well and exchanged hand shakes with him pulling Eitan to his chest and slapped his back.