Entwined

Rio

The summer vacation was just around the corner, with only three days left, most of which were exams rather than lectures. I was starting to feel much better, trying to regain my normal routine. This morning, I woke up early to revise for my final exam. Silas and Lele had been incredibly supportive, helping me through my sadness and keeping me going. I had even managed to reclaim my sarcasm and dark humor, though perhaps not entirely. Hugo crossed my mind daily, but now his memory brought me joy, and I found myself smiling at the thought of his voice and our time together. His best friends had kept in touch through a group chat, and we'd made plans to meet up in Viaden this summer. I hoped Silas would join us.
After finishing my revision, I made breakfast and sat in the dimly lit kitchen, munching on toast and sipping tea. My half-asleep brother joined me shortly after, and we ate in quiet companionship.
When the bell rang, I grabbed my bag and bid my sleepy brother goodbye. As I opened the door, Silas greeted me, looking as handsome as ever in his t-shirt.
"I know I look good," he teased, catching me off guard as I checked him out.
"Summer suits you. I'd love to see more of you," I retorted, rolling my eyes at his playful egoism as we headed back to university.
The exam went well, surprisingly manageable. Afterward, I had lunch with Lele and Silas, joined by a down-to-earth Phoebe, which was a pleasant break.
"So amigos, you're all invited to my farewell party this Saturday," Lele announced.
"Farewell?" I asked, puzzled.
"Cindy, I'm an exchange student, remember!" Lele reminded me.
I had forgotten about that and wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to her.
"Where's it happening?" Silas inquired.
"At Hades. I managed to convince Ace to let me use a small space for the party," Lele replied, quite proud of herself.
Memories flooded back. I hadn't been there since Hugo's passing and hadn't even picked up my last paycheck. Despite everything, I missed it. I missed Blade, Nether, and even Ace, despite his bossy demeanor, almost tyrannical at times.
"Will Blade and Nether be there?" I asked hesitantly, feeling guilty about suddenly cutting off contact with them.
"Yeah, they'll be there, and they can't wait to see you," Lele reassured me.
Now, I found myself genuinely looking forward to the event. I knew it would be a blast.
The last days of finals flew by uneventfully. I was glad this semester was over, with all its struggles and sorrows, which I was not willing to carry forward.
Silas and I had this ritual of cooking brunch on the first day of vacation. After scrolling for hours on Pinterest to find a brunch idea, we finally settled on Longganisa - Filipino sausage, either sweet or spicy, served with eggs and rice, paired with Pandesal - Filipino bread rolls, great for dipping in hot drinks or eaten with spreads like keso (cheese) or ube (purple yam jam). As for drinks, we couldn't pick one so we made Sago't Gulaman - a sweet drink made with tapioca pearls (sago) and jelly (gulaman) in brown sugar syrup, and Fresh Buko Juice - coconut water straight from the fruit.
We argued over the tutorial speed since I was impatient and deaf, and he was patient and specific. We settled on him cooking and me reading the measurements aloud for a silly reason. Basically, I was useless. I am just a girl after all.
After what felt like dinner time, we finally settled at the table, and I insisted on decorating it. I couldn't stop moaning over the food. Silas wasn't the least bothered by it. We kept exchanging drinks and picking from each other's plates the whole time. I liked sharing; it was one of my love languages.
"I moaned at the bite of Longganisa for the thousandth time."
"Wolfie, as much as I like your moaning, if you don't stop, I will paint this table white," Silas teased.
"Ewww, gross," I complained, half amused.
"Don't complain; you might like it," Silas teased further.
I did a puking expression in response.
"You never tasted it, so you never know," he added, a small smirk playing on his lips.
"You wish," I responded, rolling my eyes at him.
He grabbed my jaw and kind of forced it closer to him.
"Let me clean this," he murmured while wiping sauce off my lips. "You've always been a messy eater," he added.
"I like my food," I whined.
"I wasn't complaining," he murmured back.
Two things mess up my clarity of mind: Silas murmuring and his morning voice. I kind of can't keep my ovaries in place. Anyway.
"Okay, I see," I said, pretty sure that I was red as a ruby. "By the way, what's the theme of the party?" I asked, trying to divert the attention elsewhere because I kind of lost my invitation card.
"Rio carnival," he answered.
"What? I have nothing for that. What do people even wear for that?" I panicked.
"You just have to be sexy and dance well," he answered.
"We don't need your solution digest right now. We have to find something to wear," I said, while panic took its toll on me.
"I have already ordered our outfits," Silas said, eyeing his backpack.
"What? When?" I asked, taken aback.
"Well, you didn't even read the invitation, so I kind of knew you would be unprepared," he simply answered.
I was relieved and grateful.
"Are we matching?" I asked.
"Matchy-match," he answered.
I quickly got up and took the backpack. "Let me judge now."
I opened the bag, and vibrant yet smooth colors welcomed my pupils. At first, I grabbed a sparkly, sequined top and a matching mini dress. The colors were sensually melting with each other. It looked like a mermaid's skin, turquoise and illuminating emerald green accompanied by a hint of gold. It shone like a mermaid's skin under the moonlight. I gasped loudly at the sight of another gorgeous piece. It was my feathery, sparkly high heels. They bore the same colors as the outfit, and the heels were covered in rhinestones matching the tricolors. The feathers stood royally on the ankle band, and I loved the straps. They must go up to my calves. I was always fine with high heels; I could dance and run in them. Judge me if you must. I really don't care.
I dug deeper, revealing Silas's outfit. We were matching in colors, but not in the sparkly side. His was a matching shirt and white shorts.
I smacked my lips at the sight of his outfit. Although it would suit him as hell, I kind of needed it to be extra.
"What's wrong?" Silas asked.
"I lovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvve this. Thank you, Wolfie-wolf," I responded as I threw myself into him, hugging him tightly.
"I'm glad to hear that," Silas murmured as I squeezed him harder.
"Now, let's start dressing up. I will definitely add stuff on you, but let's get dressed first," I said, feeling productive and bossy.
Silas helped me close my strappy back. When I finished putting on my outfit, I looked at myself in the mirror. The top and mini skirt embraced my curves tightly, creating a second sparkly skin. I loved how my legs looked and how the skirt gave them justice. I also loved the fact that my shoulders were free, and my collarbone was visible for everyone to see.
I turned to search in Silas's bag for my accessories. I found a gorgeous gold armlet, imprinted with red shiny stones. I admired it for eternity and put it on my upper arm. I found another box; I opened it to find the most gorgeous necklace of all time. The box was midnight black, as was its interior. The necklace was so thin; only the black box brought its shape to view. A gorgeous red shiny stone sat in the middle, shining like a red sun buried under the sea.
I held it between my fingers, careful not to break it. It gave out shyness, danger, possession, and obsession.
I felt a hot breath at the back of my neck. "Let me put it on for you," Silas's voice matched the necklace's demeanor.
I couldn't speak, so his finger effortlessly took the necklace off mine. I could feel his fingers brushing over my skin; seconds later, the light weight of the stone brushed over my upper chest.
I looked up at the mirror in front of me. Silas was still standing behind me, my hair put up in a messed-up chignon with strands of curly hair almost brushing over my shoulders.
We didn't say much, but our eyes bore into each other's souls.
"You look breathtaking," we said simultaneously.
We stood there for some time, just taking in each other's beauty. After some time, the alarm broke the silence, urging us to finish up and head out already.
"Let's go," Silas said first, his voice unrecognizable.
I took a good big breath. I swung around to face him.
"We need to do some touch-ups," I told him, while waving at him with my finger in circles.