Chasing, November.

Episode 2

13:00 [Quezon City, White Plains]

Alfonso Chase visited his parents to bid his goodbye and to also notice them that he already prepared his packs for his leave to go to their hometown in Batangas. He was fetched by their personal driver Kuya Kael.

He has been our driver ever since, I recalled a memory when I was 5 yearsold, I remember him driving us 2-3 hours just to go to Laguna to visit Enchanted Kingdom every weekends. He even brings his daughter with us, my mom suggested that so that she can also enjoy the thrilling feeling of theme parks and so that I could also have someone to bond with. I love how thoughtful my mom is, she cared for everything. Our weekend trips was one of the best memories i've earned on my childhood, it was the amazing. We were happy, and complete.

As for our driver's daughter, she became my childhood best friend. Kianna Ivy Deguzman, her age is 1 year apart from mine. She's 22, while on the other hand i'm 23. Her relatives and close ones calls her 'Kian' it sounds like a boy's name, right? but she is ethereal herself. Good thing I never had a thing with 'friends into lovers'. We are good, apparently she's the only one I got when everyone left, she got Kuya Kael's kidness and funky attitude and I love her for that she never made me feel like I was alone and always up boosted my mood whenever I was sad. She's busy at her college at Diliman so I won't bother paying her a visit because I don't want to disturb his studies. I will most probably just text her on my phone to at least let her know or she might as well think that i'm already dead.

He opened the white wooden door to his surprise, both his parents are in their. He was only expecting his mother, it was rare for them to meet outside the company. Confusion was seen on Chase, he doesn't know what to feel mostly when he saw them holding hands. He was thoughts was stopped when her mother notice his presence. she approched him giving him a warm hug. "Kamusta kana anak, how are you? I hope you're feeling okay." She answered, it sound endearing, her voice always felt like home to me.

"I'm okay Mom, I was just about to leave nadin magpapaalam lang ako na susunduin ako ni Lolo. i'll settle muna po sa Batangas, sorry po."

"Ba't ka nag s-sorry anak?" his dad calmly said, his words felt light. As if both of them didn't broke up, that they didn't ended their relationship in divorce. The feeling of being complete, for a second he thought he was day dreaming. He was so lost in thoughts that he forgot to answer his dad's question.

Suddenly, Chase didn't know what happened but both of them hugged him. He was at the edge of crying, it felt surreal to him.

"Anak, pagod ka naba? nandito lang ako ha, you know that. Never pressure yourself just because of what we want your future to be. We want your future self to be happy and by tormenting yourself won't really help you with that. I'll always be here to talk, man to man." He affirmed me, he never told me this. This is what he's been seeking, his affection, his recognition. Because he barely felt him as he grew up. He was never there, he was just a shadow to him and his mom because business always comes in first. Tears was starting to be visible on his buffled eyes.

He was hugged by both of his parents while her mother's heavenly hands caresses his back, it feels home, this feels like a family to him. This is what he has been wishing for, to bring everythinf back to it's place and to be happy once again.

He raised his head from sobbing, and wipped of his tears. They're exactly right infront of their family portrait, it was hand painted, it felt like the pieces of the hole that was created in me was fixed.

But..

I spoke to soon.

Maybe it was a wishful thinking, we can never come back to the way we used to.

The family portrait faded, both of his parents dissappeared, in a blink of an eye everything that was surrounding him was gone.

"Gising na Apo,  nandito na tayo." I heard my Lolo's voice.

I opened my half asleep eyes, the ride on the way to Batangas was pretty cozy but sleeping all throughout was tiring. I can never survive a car ride without sleeping, long car rides gives me rollercoaster vibes. It shakes the hell out of my brain, I have severe motion sickness it feels like my brain is gonna explode in diziness. I cleaned my self and dusted my clothes before I went out the car. I suddenly recalled the dream I had, I knew it was too good to be true.

My mom still doesn't have a single clue that his son dropped a year and came along with his Lolo to spent his year in our hometown. My Lolo told me that he got everything in control and when he says he does, he really do.

I brought 2 luggages, I know this isn't enough for a year of stay here so i'm planning on hording clothes in here because I know how cheap everything here in the province is. Our rest house here is good for me to stay in, my place where I will stay is different from the house that my Lolo lives in it's just one of his many properties here in Lobo, Batangas. The ocean breeze felt warm on my touch, it felt like paradise was giving me a welcome greeting.

I was suddenly interrupted in thoughts when my Lolo called my name. "Chase pumunta ka rito may ipapakilala ako sa iyo." I let my baggages stay on entrance while I rushed my way outside where my lolo wants me to be.

"Bakit lolo?"

"Si November, November Fuentes. He will accompany you on your stay here, magkakasundo kayo parehas. Parehas naman kayong lalaki at matipuno magugustuhan nyo ang isa't isa." I was shocked at my lolo's statement, but he didn't lie when he said na matipuno siya. He stood there with his melanin skin, doe eyes, long lashes, curly with a figure of an hour glass. He was perfect at that moment, as if he paid the sun to streak his lights onto him.

I came back to my senses when he offered his hands, so I also offered mine. We clasps each other's hand, his touch felt soft I had a glimpse of his eyes. It was hazel brown, centered on his sclera.

I didn't notice that he was pulling his hands away from my hold, I was too caught up on his beauty. When he were about to leave I glance his way, and I was shocked at what I saw.

"Haha, did he just do that? siniringan ako? What an Asshole."

Apparently I left a bad impression on him, let's play it that way baby boy.