The Red Flag Enjoyer (BL)

🚩17: Under the calming night sky

WIN

Nagpadeliver lang ako ng pizza at milk tea sa aking unit. Ginawa kong abala ang sarili sa paglilinis ng bahay ko. It's been a while since the last time I came here and there is dust everywhere. Kahit papaano naman ay nalibang ako sa ginagawa. But honestly, I still carry this heaviness in my heart. I can no longer push away the pain of knowing that the people I love have already found their one true love. Naiwan na lang ako mag-isa—at masakit 'yon.

My sweat kept dripping from my skin. Pinunasan ko ang noo gamit ang suot na damit at saka nagtungo sa kusina upang maghugas ng kamay.

Nalinis ko na lahat. I vacuumed the whole unit and sprayed air freshener to eliminate Ren's perfume. I also replaced all the picture frames in my room with the souvenirs I bought from the vacation trips Warren and I went on together.

Tinapon ko na iyong mga litrato namin ni Rendy. I didn't hesitate to throw everything that reminded me of him into the trash bin. Miski iyong mga naiwan niyang damit, nilagay ko na rin sa trash bag.

I also changed my bed sheets and pillowcases, as well as the curtains and the setup of the living room. Halos baligtarin ko na ang buong unit para lang mawala ang bakas ni Rendy sa loob.

Bumalik ako sa sofa at kumuha ng isang slice ng pizza. I took a bite and sipped my milk tea. Hindi na ako nagtanghalian dahil mas trip ko ito kainin.

I was on the middle of enjoying my food when I heard the loud roar of thunder. Napalingon agad ako sa bintana at napansin ang paglagaslas ng ulan sa window pane.

I stood up. Ibinaba ko ang hawak na milk tea at inubos ko na ang hawak na pizza, saka ako nagtungo sa harap ng bintana. The heavy clouds surrounded the whole city, making it look much darker than the approaching nighttime. Hindi ko na rin namalayan ang oras. Masiyado akong nalibang sa paglilinis ng unit ko.

I walked closer to the closed window while staring at the rain, feeling the strong winds cause the rain to be terrified. I don't know why but the pattering of raindrops on the glass was usually soothing, but now it seemed ominous, like a steady countdown.

Nabuhay ang kaba sa dibdib ko. Something about the rain brought terror to my system, as if it reminded me of something bad that was about to happen.

Then the lightning struck, and in a split second, a scene flashed before my eyes. It happened quickly, but what I saw was clear to me. There was blood everywhere. The place felt haunted, as if it had been abandoned. Madilim at walang kabuhay-buhay.

Napa-upo ako sa gulat. What was that? Iyon ang unang beses na nakaranas ako ng ganoong bagay. I'm not a psychic or what but what did I just see?

My adrenaline rushed over me. Mabilis akong nagtatakbo patungo sa phone ko. I dialed Wren's number and in just few rings, he answered.

"Yes? Kumain ka na? Maya-maya siguro ay pupunta na kami diyan—"

"Where you at? Okay ka lang ba? Tell me? Are you okay there?" taranta kong sambit sa kaniya.

"Win, I'm fine. What happened to you? You seem tense? Napano ka?"

It took me a while to process everything. Kinuwento ko sa kaniya ang lahat nang nakita ko.

"Calm down. Papunta na kami diyan. Lock the door and don't open it until I say so. Okay?"

"Okay. Mag-iingat kayo."

We bid our goodbyes and ended the call. Sa takot ko ay tinawagan ko lahat ng mga kaibigan ko. I started with Amanda then Calvin. They both responded to me. Para akong nabunutan ng tinik dahil doon.