Chase more sunsets with you

Chapter 7

Haruki's POV

The sun rose slowly over Quezon City, casting a gentle light through the windows of my modest dorm room. I stretched and yawned, eager for another day with Carl. We had planned to meet at the Sunken Garden again, and I had been looking forward to it all week. I couldn't deny how much our time together had come to mean to me.

I picked up my phone, checking the time and seeing a few new messages. I opened the chat with Carl, only to find that he hadn't responded to my messages from the previous evening. It was unusual, given how regularly we had been in touch. I shook off the initial pang of worry and decided to send him a quick follow-up message, just to make sure everything was okay.

Haruki: Good morning, Carl! Are we still on for today?

I hit send and went about getting ready, trying to ignore the small knot of anxiety forming in my chest. I had grown accustomed to Carl's responses and his company, and the sudden silence was unsettling.

The Sunken Garden, with its lush greenery and tranquil pond, had become a special place for us. It was our usual meeting spot, a place where we could unwind and talk about anything and everything. I had come to associate it with comfort and friendship, and the thought of not meeting Carl there felt oddly empty.

I arrived at the Sunken Garden earlier than usual, hoping that perhaps Carl was just running late. The garden was bathed in the soft morning light, with the occasional student passing by on their way to class. I took a seat on our usual bench, the one shaded by a large tree, and waited. The peaceful surroundings did little to ease my growing concern.

As the minutes ticked by, my worry only grew. I checked my phone again, finding no new messages from Carl. I tried calling him, but it went straight to voicemail. I left a message, trying to keep my tone casual despite the unease I felt.

Haruki: Hey Carl, it's me. Just wanted to check in. I'm at the Sunken Garden, but I don't see you here. If you're running late or if something came up, just let me know.

I hung up and continued to wait, my gaze drifting over the garden's serene landscape. The gentle rustling of leaves and the distant sound of laughter from students seemed to mock my mounting anxiety. I tried to stay calm, reminding myself that there could be a simple explanation for Carl's absence. Maybe he had slept in or had an unexpected commitment.

But as the hours passed, my concern only deepened. The garden began to empty out, with students going about their day and leaving behind the tranquil oasis that had become our meeting place. I remained on the bench, hoping for a sign of Carl's arrival.

I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Carl had always been reliable, and his sudden silence was out of character. I tried to focus on the positive, reminding myself that he might have a good reason for not showing up. Yet, as the sun climbed higher in the sky, my worries grew more intense.

Around noon, I decided to take a walk around the campus, hoping that maybe I would run into Carl or get some information about his whereabouts. I passed by the buildings we had explored together, the familiar sights serving as a bittersweet reminder of our shared experiences. I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that clung to me.

As I walked, I couldn't help but think about the conversations we had had over the past few days. Carl had shared so much with me about his dreams and his passion for art. I had come to admire his resilience and his ability to find joy despite the challenges he faced. The thought of him being in trouble or unwell was deeply distressing.

I reached out to a few mutual friends, asking if they had seen Carl or knew where he might be. Each inquiry only added to my sense of helplessness. No one seemed to have any information, and my frustration grew as I struggled to understand why Carl wasn't responding.

By late afternoon, I found myself back at the Sunken Garden, once again waiting and hoping for a sign of Carl. The garden, which had once felt like a sanctuary, now seemed empty and forlorn. The peace I had always associated with this place was overshadowed by my growing worry.

I texted Carl one more time, trying to convey my concern while maintaining a sense of calm.

Haruki: Carl, I'm really worried. Please let me know if you're okay or if there's something I can do. I'm still at the Sunken Garden, waiting for you.

As the sun began to set, the familiar hues of gold and crimson spread across the sky. The beauty of the sunset, which had always been a source of comfort, now felt like a cruel contrast to my anxiety. I sat on the bench, watching the colors shift and fade, and felt a deep sense of helplessness.

I tried to calm myself, reminding myself that Carl might simply be dealing with a temporary issue. But the gnawing feeling in my gut told me otherwise. Something didn't feel right, and I couldn't shake the feeling that Carl was in trouble.

As darkness settled over the garden, I reluctantly decided to head back to my dorm. I felt a mix of sadness and frustration, knowing that I had done everything I could to reach Carl but had come up empty-handed. I promised myself that I would continue to search for answers and find out what was going on.

The walk back was quiet and reflective. The city's hustle and bustle seemed distant, replaced by the quiet turmoil of my thoughts. I felt a deep sense of longing to know that Carl was safe and well, and I couldn't help but worry about what might have happened.

When I arrived at my dorm, I was met with an emptiness that mirrored my feelings. The comfort of my room did little to ease my anxiety. I checked my phone one last time, hoping for a message from Carl, but found nothing.

I sank onto my bed, feeling the weight of the day's events. My mind raced with possibilities, and I couldn't help but think about the worst-case scenarios. I wanted to reach out to Carl, to find him and make sure he was okay, but without any information, I was left with only my worries and fears.

As I lay there, staring at the ceiling, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was deeply wrong. The day's events had left me with a profound sense of unease, and I knew that I wouldn't be able to rest until I knew what had happened to Carl.