Say The Word

Chapter 17- Well, That Got Dark

  Was I surprised that Elly had a Mercedes and a driver? Honestly, no, I sort of expected it. The little hang out was fun, Ellly was basically our tour guide, from karaoke to arcades. Undeniably, we were all having a good time. Well, it was enjoyable until Sumi accidentally saw Ceb in a shop working. That was when things really went downhill. She gasped, and proceeded to point it out to the both of us, expressing how unbelievable it was for Ceb to smile at customers (That's how professionals do their jobs, Jesus.).

"I'm sure Cebario doesn't want us interrupting him," Elly stopped Sumi, who was about to make our presence known to them. "I don't think it's a good idea to show up randomly at someone's work, Sumi."

What she said was not false, and I did agree with her. I knew that Elly was trying not to provoke Ceb as much as possible, it was known secret that they did not want Elly near them any time soon, might as well let them work in peace.

"Y-yeah, I suppose so," Sumi drooped in disappointment. The three of us walked away from the shop to the other side of the area, agreeing on never asking Ceb a word about any of it. Not a bad decision, really, I doubted if Ceb really wanted us to know anything in the beginning. Elly was the one who brought it up, giving the same reasoning, Somehow, I admired how she just asked us to seal our mouths shut, it was straightforward and just cutting the chase.

I thought us walking away was the end of things. Guess someone had other plans for me.

Our outing was coming to an end when the sudden urge to use the bathroom hit me out of nowhere. Awkwardly, I said to both friends, "Hey, I'll be back, I need the bathroom."

You know the small half limp run-walk? That was exactly what my body decided to go with instead of choosing between walking and running. Anyway, upon reaching the bathroom, I was blessed with an empty row of urinals, it made me feel comfortable knowing that there would be no one around to listen to me pant like I just ran a marathon. I don't think you need details as to what happened after me fumbling with my rubrics cube of a belt buckle.

As I furiously washed my hands at the sink, a pair of hands wrapped around my lower torso, making me yelp for help and splashing water all over the place. My panicked mind blurred everything around me with only one thought: DANGER!

"Vastel!" Everything, including my thrashing stopped.

It was all still for a moment.

I looked up into the mirror, making eye contact with the Ceb behind me. Their luminous deep set eyes met mine, signs of jealous flashed passed them for a split second. Resting their cheek into my neck, without breaking our eye contact, they murmured, "Saw you guys at the shop, y'know? You guys suck at hiding, visible from three miles away, if you ask me."

Slowly reaching out, I smoothed their hair, "Um, well, it was a coincidence, but I was really happy to see you. You were working really hard; we did not want to disturb you. Are you already done with work? It's almost six..."

"Of course my shift is over, I was going to leave but you passed by and I just followed you. Told my friend I to wait for me before going to the bar though," they nipped at my earlobe, squirming did not help me get out of that situation. They proceeded to comment in disdain, "Why were you hanging out with that asshole though? Sumi is understandable, the other one however..."

"Ceb, I swear Elly is trying to change for the better, it might help if she has some friends. Sh-"

The grasp on my body was instantly let go, the unoccupied washroom felt artic, so did Ceb. "Anyone except her is fine. She's ruined friendships in front of my very eyes; I can't imagine what she'd do to you. All I want is for you to not get hurt because of her; because of some sick twisted game she enjoys playing. Vastel, I don't think I'll comprehend why you can't see she's not ever going to change any time soon, someone like her isn't going to just change. Know that I'll never forgive her either, if that's why you're still hanging around her. If she's forcing to stay with her, know that you can always come to me."

"Gotta go to work now, let's hope we won't have this conversation, it's a downer," they said, leaving the words hanging in the air and me alone trying to process what they had just said. I wanted to defend Elly, I really did. There was no room for me to doubt my own judgement for her; that was how I was. In my eyes, she was willing to change, and I was going to help her. At the same time, there was no way I would be able to waver Ceb's opinion at the snap of my fingers, which I understood.

Thumping of my heart made my chest tightened, hurting a little. The fact that I had to face them tomorrow was a little frightening for me.

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The distance between us on the roof the next recess was disheartening. It was as if we were at the first week of knowing each other again, nobody was talking.

"So," Ceb finally broke the silence. (When I say I thanked the lord, know that I mean it.) "We can't possibly waste our time here. Just tell me what you want to know."

I gulped; fairly unsure of the territory I was in. "Why did you...why did you, um, get angry yesterday?"

They took off the jacket they have been wearing since I had since them, along with their uniform. Under all that clothing, they revealed patches of heart-breaking bruises and scars, some old, some looked like it was still fresh. As I gaped at their exposed body, they said, "It was 'cause I fucked up yesterday by flinching, you looked really concerned, and the 'I-have-a-million-questions' look was written on your face. Had me panicking for a second there, so I ran away like an idiot. Asked a friend yesterday what I should do too. He suggested for me to simply tell you the truth. Then I figured, I might as well show you."

Their back was facing me the whole time they were talking. Unconsciously, I crawled closer to them, trying to take a better look at everything, even when my spirit was already crushed to a million pieces. Perhaps I caught them off guard, when the pad of my index finger lingered on their damaged back; they let out a shaky breath.

"What happened, Ceb?" I asked, my lips quivering.

"Domestic violence." The answer was short, straightforward, and hit directly into my heart like a bullet.

"Ceb...I...I do not know what to say. Did you tell anyone other than me?"

"Can't do that. Can't risk the fact that they're going to call the authorities, especially if I told an adult, I have no idea what's going to happen, Vastel. I can't lose my brother too, there's a high chance of us being separated, from what I've heard at the bar. There's no way I can just...set up for my own misery. It's selfish, I know, but, Vastel, I beg of you, please, don't tell anyone. I can do this, please..."

Their voice came out as barely an audible at the end. They clung onto me, exposed topless chest pressing into my clothed one. All I could do was softly affirm them, running my hands all over their body as tenderly as possible.

Clouds covered up the sun that day, as if countering my hushed comforting words, telling me that my words were nothing by covering any rays of hopeful sunlight.