Solitude in the Dark

Episode 7: Boundaries Part 4

Cloud leaning beside the sink teary, "Eugh... I think I'm going to throw up," And he vomits the food he ate, the adobo. It's too salty for Hayan and Cloud, giving them a nauseous feeling for minutes straight.

Hayan had some time staying in the Philippines in past years, and he loves some kinds of stuff, like lechon and pancit, but there's one thing he despises the most; the adobo, he'd rather leave the country than eat it. Knowing that Yunika would attempt to make it, he considered trying it again, maybe it might change his heart about the dish, but no, he still hated it. "Why did I even give a thought about it?? I should've never put this on my tongue ever," he said.

Yunika turned at them, crossed arms. "Stop you two! You guys are overreacting. It's not that bad come on!" she said as she scooped for another meal.

"What do you think?! It's your cook! Who the hell talks shit about their cook?!" Cloud bluntly responds.

Later on, after having the greatest meal of all time, they spend their whole afternoon indoors. Everyone does their own thing. Hayan is outside quietly listening to the songs of gale, while the two mind their own business inside.

Yunika casually scrolls online, entertaining herself by watching reels about the country educating herself. While Cloud is on the couch having an uncomfortable sleep, continuously moving in different positions and can't get a grasp of his sleep.

Yunika takes a look at him, concerned. Did I really mess up his sleep that badly? She waves her hand at him, conjuring magic to ease him up, soothing as well as providing him with a pleasant sleep that he seeks all day. Nothing more makes her happy than seeing his friend having a peaceful time.

Hayan who has been resting on the balcony, sees Yunika smiling at Cloud, "Ahem..." he faintly coughs. He startled Yunika, and she quickly grabbed his phone back and pretended nothing happened.

"I suggest not to stare at him, you might wake him up," Hayan jokes.

"Come on, Hayan. I'm just glad to see him relaxed."

Hayan carefully sits on the armrest. He turns on the TV and immediately lowers the volume. He looks at some channels individually to cure his boredom and entertain himself. But the channels have the same content and shows and he cannot even comprehend since he's not that fluent in Tagalog. Hayan just shuts off the television and sighs. Instead, he stares at the ceiling, wondering about something, "You guys wanna go out?" he asks Yunika.

Yunika thought it was not a bad idea "Yeah, sure, do you know any places nearby that can be visited at this time?" she said. "It's nearly seven in the evening now."

Hayan remembers one of his favorites, "There's a monument and a park nearby," he said. "Monument of one of the greatest Filipinos in their history."

"Let's wait for Cloud first, he needs some rest," Yunika said.

Moments later, they waited until Cloud woke up from his sleep and after that, they prepared to satisfy their boredom, he took a quick shower while the two waited for him. Hayan changes clothes and wears a formal white suit with accents of gold linings, as he fixes his cuffs Cloud comes out seeing him wearing such extravagant attire.

Cloud raises his brows, confused "What's with that? Are we going to a wedding?" he asks with sarcasm. "Isn't that too extravagant just for a stroll?" he said.

"Don't mind about it," Hayan simply snaps his finger cloaking his attire into a casual one. "It's my uniform, better prepared on something," He flicks his hand showing his flat-tipped daggers.

The sun sunk deep into the horizon, streetlights illuminate the roads of Roxas Boulevard straight down to the bay, overrun by bustling cars and wailing horns. The three have a long walk ahead, but it's long enough to glimpse Manila's nightlife. Cloud enjoys watching the water crash down to the shore, unnoticeable he starts to walk down the road with vehicles passing by, a gust of wind blows at his hair and ruffles his clothes as he steps back from the zooming cars. He looks and Hayan knowingly pulls his back.