Glasses

Chapter 6: 5 days

It's been 5 days or so since Riley left. I hope he already fixed the matter with his parents. 

Here I am sitting on my favorite spot. Doing my favorite "thing". I just wish Riley can see my feat today. I just defeated 10 opponents in a row which I'm sure he hasn't done yet in his entire existence. He will be ashamed for sure and he'll be proud that he has a best friend like me.

He's with me for almost 2 weeks and having your best friend like your own sibling is the greatest experience ever. 

But as I hit the keys of my keyboard, beating all this craps at once, I'm still trembling.

I'm still worried about my friend's life and why he's like that lately. And what's making me anxious is that he's not attending the classes anymore after he's gone home. I hope he's alright.

I remember meeting a very energetic Riley which makes him stand-out in our circle of friends. But now those electric sparks that come out of his eyes and mouth before are gone. 

He's like deviating into some kind of world that I, or even his parents, do not understand.

I'm texting and calling him many times but there're no answers from him.

I just wish and pray that he's doing fine.

I want to visit him at his house but I can't find the right timing. Maybe it's alright if I do it today.

I turned off my PC and made my way to their house. It's weekend by the way.

I brought some notes with me, the things he missed in school.

I also conditioned myself that I will spend much time tutoring this guy today so I bought foods.

I'm already just meters away from their house but I think I remember him saying that every weekends, his parents are out of town.

Well better to try than never.

When I reached the place, I pushed the doorbell and surprisingly, his mom is there opening the gate for me.

"O Jordan, ano na namang ginawa ng anak ko?" (Oh Jordan, what is it that my son did this time?), asked by his mother who has a very similar facial expressions with Riley.

"Wala naman ho. Nandiyan po ba siya? Gusto ko lang siyang bisitahin. Ilang araw na po kasi siyang di pumapasok. May sakit po ba siya?" (Ah, nothing ma'am. Is he there? I just want to visit him. He's absent for how many days, is he sick?), I asked.

"Bakit mo siya hinahanap dito? Di ba nasa apartment mo siya?"(Why do you search him here? Isn't it that he's in your apartment?), his mother said changing her facial expression very quickly.

"Ano po?"(What?), I said abruptly. "Pero wala na po siya sa apartment. Umuwi na po siya 5 days ago di po ba?" (But he's not in my apartment anymore. He's gone home 5 days ago right?) I added.

"Hindi pa siya umuuwi." (He hasn't come back home.), his mother claimed.

This is not possible. Where on earth is Riley?