A War Away

Chapter 12: A Silent Wish

I wake up from my dream to find me on a bed with Emilia and Carlo by my side. "You finally awoke from your slumber" Carlo says in a deep menacing voice. "Next time try not to fall into my pool" He waves his arms around imitating ocean waves.

Emilia and I share a laugh as Carlo does his antics. "Where are we anyway, is this a hospital?" Carlo replies with his arms folded "Not exactly, you are in my bedroom. Much better than a hospital, but my bill will kill you faster than any hospital." He says grinning and snickering to himself. Although Carlo always lies and jokes around there is always a tinge of truth behind his words whenever he says the truth and whenever he starts joking. At some point when you have to be companions with a guy like Carlo you pick up on every small detail.

I slowly get up from bed scratching my head still trying to process everything that happened in such a short time. "I was soo worried Agapito. When you fell from the balcony after we..." she blushes so Carlo steps in "I know... I know... After you two kissed! Now lets get a move on, Agapito is alive and awake we need to move on with our lives don't you think?" Carlo says a bit annoyed.

A little offensive, though he does have a point. I have bothered him enough today, I'm always thankful to people who can put up with other people's antics. "Sorry for the interruption in your day Carlo... It's just that I was not expecting anything like that. It is only our second date after all" Emilia smiles and bobs her head. "Alrighty! Afternoon snacks are ready downstairs, some Spanish bread, ramen or coffee if you want to go light" 

"I can't thank you enough Carlo, you may have been the class idiot, but you have a heart of gold" He gives me a thumbs up before exiting the room. Emilia also stands up to leave and says "Come downstairs when you are ready Agapito. So its official now..........!" My mind is cluttered, it was all in my head after all. Making illusions of destiny to fit my own narrative, enough of that. Illusions can only take me soo far in life, action will make those illusions reality. I did not catch what she said in the end, something about official.

I go down the stairs making sure not to cause another accident. My body still feels a bit weak, must be a symptom of passing out instantly from a fall. Everyone is seated at the table drinking coffee and eating bread, they assume I wanted the ramen. No complaining, after a good unplanned swim some food to fill the beast in my stomach is welcome. I slurp down some ramen prior to noticing someone at the main doorway, it's Manuel. "Heard you were here, no need to ask how. I've been assigned to watch over you by decree of myself." Manuel says while taking off his hat "Do not go off doing these kinds of things, spies are everywhere these days."

"Nice to know you have my back Manuel, not what I remembered you were like in Highschool." He lifts his eyebrows and gestures outside which tells me that he will be waiting outside for my next move. After finishing the ramen I thank Carlo telling him to visit me at Babag sometime when he has the time. 

"Before you go" Carlo grabs my arm then gestures to a secluded room with his head. We go inside the dark room. It's remarkably clean considering how large it is. Maybe this is an unused part of the mansion?

Carlo grabs a glass of wine from a nearby wine rack. He then proceeds to open an unlabeled bottle and pours it on a shot glass.

"Congratulations, Agapito you've graduated from being Single to actually being in a relationship, good job" Carlo says in a serious tone. He offers me a shot full of the mystery drink. At first I'm apprehensive of what's inside. 

"Thanks for the shot" I reply.

"A toast to your continued success!" He raises him glass and we do a toast before drinking. Suddenly a burning sensation in my throat causing me to gag as Carlo laughs.