WE ARE ALL CAVED IN

Chapter 20: Lovers

Onyx's POV

It was already ten in the evening when I returned to Kuya Rex's house. Carl and Jameson didn't mention anything more about what they found out about Ymar. The entire night, none of us spoke much. The three of us were solely focused on drinking our beer.

Now, I'm riding a tricycle heading to Kuya Rex's house. I had several bottles of beer, but I don't feel drunk, probably because my thoughts are too deep, and the pain I feel is overwhelming everything else.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I sat in the tricycle, lost in thought. I didn't even notice that the tricycle had stopped in front of Kuya Rex's gate.

"We're here," said the driver. He probably said it about five times before I finally noticed.

I quickly got out and handed him the fare. I gave him a hundred pesos and hurriedly walked away, not caring if there was any change. I just went straight inside the gate.

As soon as I entered the house, Elise rushed to me with a hug.

"Where have you been? I was so worried about you. Rex was worried too," Elise said anxiously.

"I'm fine, Elise. No worries," I replied. "Goodnight. I'm going to bed already," I added and immediately went upstairs to the room where Rex told me I can stay.

I noticed the worry in Elise's eyes and the tears forming. She's so concerned about me, but I know I can handle myself, even though the pain is suffocating. I know tat they're in pain when I was in the hospital, I understand that they care that much.

I entered the room, took off my shirt and shorts, leaving only my boxers. I grabbed my toothbrush from my bag, went to the bathroom, and brushed my teeth. After that, I settled into bed comfortably.

I gently closed my eyes, but images of Ymar kept flashing in my mind. Damn it.

I opened my eyes and gazed at the moon from the window. The moon was nearly full, bright and beautiful, but it only made me sadder. The moon has its dark days too, but eventually, it becomes bright and hopeful.

"Maybe Ymar and I are like the sun and the moon. But... me, as the moon, will have my dark days forever because my sun is gone," I whispered as tears streamed down my face.

I went back to bed and stretched my arms. I hope this is just a nightmare, and tomorrow, I will wake up to better things.

The next morning, I woke up at eleven. I got up quickly and washed my face, not noticing how high the sun was already. Maybe it was because of all the beer I drank last night that I slept longer, but I wasn't drunk, nor did I have a hangover.

I took a shower, dressed in a white shirt and black shorts, and went downstairs.

"Good morning, Uncle Onyx!" greeted Rex's daughter. I smiled at her, and she gave me a soft hug, which I returned. "You smell great, uncle," she added.

I smiled. "Really? How about daddy? Does he smell great too?" I asked, glancing at Rex, who was watching TV with Elise and his wife, Enez.

Rex looked at me with a slight grin while Elise and Enez laughed.

"No, Uncle Onyx. Daddy doesn't smell as good as you," Kelly, Rex's daughter, replied.

Elise and Enez's laughter grew louder, and Rex came over and lifted Kelly.

"Does dad smell bad? I'm jealous now," Rex said, pretending to pout.

"Daddy, you smell good, but Uncle Onyx smells great," Kelly insisted.

I stood up and patted Rex on the back. "Brother, I smell great, okay?" I said, laughing. The rest of them laughed too, and it felt like the first time we had a genuine moment of joy together after the shits happened.