EZH #4: Caspian Hernandez [COMPLETED]

PROLOGUE

I came out from the bathroom feeling refreshed after my afternoon bath. My best friend really did stressed me out. If she was not in dire need of a place to hide, I wouldn't even let her enter my home. I ruffled my short hair to somehow flatten it. I'm too lazy to look for a comb. That's why I prefer my hair short in the first place.

I wore my usual loose white shirt and black cotton shorts. I don't need to dress up, I'm not going out anyways.

It has always been like this. Ever since I came back from abroad, I made it a habit to stay at home. Alone. With myself.

With my ugly thoughts.

I can't help it. I didn't have depression. I thought too highly of myself to have that. But that doesn't mean I had a healthy mind either.

The thoughs, they come. And they go. They stay in my mind for as long as they they want me to suffer. That's why ayokong lumalabas. Because the people around me would not know how to deal with my... situation.

They say, knowledge is power. But what if it really was a curse? What if knowing how things in this world works brought more anxiety than wonder?

I never asked for this, I didn't think anyone would really did. Having severe anxiety can really be a hindrance. Specially if it was something intangible was what causes that anxiety. Seems pointless, but it really was there.

I brewed myself a cup of coffee. Hapon na, but I didn't really care. I'd have coffee whenever I wanted to. Tito Whilhelm told me to slow down in my caffein intake but we both know that I really wouldn't. That was what the new batch of sleeping pills were for. I chuckled as I dip my newly unwrapped lollipop in my black coffee.

I decided to just sit on my couch and watch a movie or two to pass time. Wala rin naman ako na gagawin. I placed a bag of popcorn in my microwave and prepared myself a new cup of coffee. I also got some chocolates and my jar of lollipops. After getting all the food I want, I settled down on my sofa and snuggled under my blanket. Inabot ko iyong remote ng lights so I could turn it off and bask in the darkness with only my television and lamp as source of light. I was reaching for my table lamp so I could turn it on when I realized something.

My lamp wasn't on the table where it was supposed to be.

Mabilis na napatayo ako. I turned on the lights again and there, confirmed. My lamp was gone!

Where was it? I have photographic memory and as far as I could remember, I placed the lamp back at this very table after I hit Demi on his forehead with it!

Wait.

Demi!

That witch! I'm positive it was her!

Hinanap ko ang cellphone ko sa kwarto. I found it laying on my bed together with my other gadgets. Mabilis na kinuha ko iyon at ini-dial ang contact ng best friend kong may sayad.

"Yes?" Demi answered, her tone bored.

"You know why I'm calling you." I spat which she answered with a snicker.

"Your lamp is gone. I threw it out of your window."

"Fuck you!"

I quickly ended the call. That witch! She knew that lamp meant a lot for me! It was a gift from her cousin!

Nagsuot ako ng indoor slipper at padabog na binuksan ko iyong front door ng condo ko. I was about to go out and ask the condominium management staff if they could find my lamp for me. Kahit pa sira na, basta I want it back!

Pagkabukas ko ng pinto ay may tinamaan akong kung sino. The door here in this building opens outwards, para raw iwas makulong sa loob ng unit iyong mga nasa loob in case of fire or any other emergency, and by the harsh way I opened it, the one I hit must've been really hurt.

Hinarap ko iyong lalake na napamura pa dahil sa braso niyang tinamaan ng pinto ko.

I was about to say sorry when I saw what he was holding in this big, veiny hands.

My lamp. This... tall attractive guy was holding my fucking lamp. Fucking broken lamp.

"What did you do?" Mataray na tanong ko. My brow was automatically raised. Inis na nilingon ako ng lalake.

My lamp was in pieces! Grabe! Parang nasira na tapos sinira pa ulit!

"I don't know." The guy scoffed. "You tell me!"

This fucker---

"I wouldn't ask you if I know." I said as I rolled my eyes at him. Bobo ba siya? Umiiling iling na tinalikuran ako nito at parang aalis na siya. I need my lamp back! Before I could even think about what I should say, my mouth seemingly shouted on its own. "Hoy bobo!"

The guy grumbled before he turned to face me again.

"Hoy babaeng walang salawal, hindi ako bobo." He said, clearly irritated. I gasped in offense. May shorts ako! My shirt was long enough to cover it but I'm still wearing one! This fucking pervert! "I have a name and that is Caspian, thank you very much!"

"I don't care!"

"Okay. Bye."

Tinalikuran niya na ako ulit at nakita kong sa katabing unit ko siya nag-enter ng passcode.

"Hoy, give me back me lamp!" Sigaw ko sa kanya. "You... lamp-napper!"

Humarap siya ulit sa akin. He looked utterly scandalized from what I said.

"Tangina?" He breathed out. "Sa 'yo 'tong putanginang ilaw na 'to?"

"Bakit?" I raised my chin up so he can sense I wasn't about to back down from him. "May reklamo ka?"

"Aba, oo!" The guy, Caspian, stomped his feet on the ground like an overgrown child. "Nabagsakan lang naman ako sa ulo nitong lumilipad na ilaw mo! I will sue you!"

And that was how I ended up in a police station for the first time.

*****

EZH Series #4: Caspian 'the genius' Hernandez