Ice Cold You

Chapter 39: Distance and Time

Tin's POV
I drove to Can's house as fast as possible. I made a terrible mistake. When I arrived it is unusually silent, all lights are out.
I ring Coby's number.
"Hello Tin! Wha-"
"Do you know where Charles is?" I ask him without waiting for him to finish.
"I don't know for sure but he is mostly seen hanging out on the new skater bar downtown."
I end the call and look for the place Coby told me.
The place is full of avid skater fan. It took a while to look for him. He is on the sidelines with someone I just saw today.

Upon seeing me his face darken in an instant. But being afraid is the last thing on my mind right now.
"We need to talk." I told him.
"About?" His response is weak and short.
"Charles, about Can where is he?" I asked him.
I can see his brows knit a crease.
"If you value what's left of our friendship I suggest you leave Can alone." He said coldly.
Somehow his response is something I expected. But I cannot back down now. I need to know where he is.
"Please! I'm begging you!" I kneel before him.
But he just stand and left me alone on where I knelt.

I drove away without any clue on where Can has gone to. I scout the busy streets taking my chance on seeing him. Luckily I spotted Renz.

"Renz do you know where Can is?" I ask him.
I can see that he know something about Can seeing how uneasy he became upon seeing me.
"I don't kn-" not waiting for him to finish I beg for his answer.
"Please tell me!" I pleaded.
He sigh and look at me in the eyes.
"He's no longer here." He told me.
His answer is vague.
"Where is he?" I ask again.
"He went to study abroad." His answer is like a bomb that got dropped on me.
"Say that again? You're not saying he left the country?" I ask wanting him to give me a different answer this time.
"We send him yesterday morning. Although he doesn't tell me which country." That is when I realized I was too late.
I must be the reason Charles told me to leave Can alone. Then I heard Renz say his goodbye.

As I drove my way back home I saw a couple of familiar stalls where we usually eat to ease Can's cravings. I can still remember the happy face. Then tears began to form on my eyes. I cannot stop them from falling continuously.

I was too late.

Can's POV
Flashback two months before Can left.
"Can do you want to study in Australia?" Dad ask me.
"Let me think about it." I answer Dad.
I don't want to decide halfheartedly.

When Emma announce their wedding on me that is when I finally decided to let go of him. He is not worth it. I regret all the tears that I shed on him.

I am now living alone here on a foreign soil and I've been here for a year now. Everyday I miss my parents and Charles. It's hard and it made me a even stronger.

Suddenly my phone rang. It is my Charles!
"Hello Charles!" I happily greeted him.
"You need to come home." He said.
"Why is that?"
"It our parents wedding anniversary remember? They plan to renew their vows." Charles said on the other line.
"Alright! Let me know the details so I can book a flight back." I told him.
"Are you ready? There is a huge possibility of seeing him again." His concern is evident.
"I'm going to be fine. Besides he is just nothing but a bad memory." I convincingly said to Charles.
Then he press the end button.
After that I got a message from Charles about the details of the renewal of vows.

Charles POV
I am excited to see my baby brother, his flight has just arrived based on the flight information board. Not too long I saw Can.

"Charles!" He jump on me and gave me a hug.
I miss him so much.
"How was your flight?" I ask him.
"It was ok but I wanted to sleep more." He answered me.
I grab his luggage and we head to the car.
As much as I wanted to ask him how he was when I turn to him he is already sleeping. He must have been tired. Literally tired. Now that he is back he will soon face Tin and all the issues he left a year ago. Unlike that time I won't allow him to be hurt again. He suffered to much and he has to endure it alone.