Emerald Eyes

Chapter 18: Queen Of Hearts

The moment I opened my eyes, I immediately got out from bed. I excitedly went out of my room and is expecting to see a usual morning where Vyl would be watching T.V with a cup of coffee in his hands. But instead, I was greeted by an empty and quiet living room. Only the sound from the air conditioner can be heard.

Pumunta ako sa kusina na nagbabakasakaling nandoon si Vyl na kumakain ngunit wala pa rin. There's not a trace of Vyl's soul anywhere inside the condo. Even the food I left him last night is untouched. He hasn't eaten anything since we came home yesterday.

Napakagat-labi ako habang iniisip kung saan maaaring pumunta si Vyl. Then Drake came into mind. Dali-dali akong naghilamos at nagsipilyo pagkatapos ay nagsuot lang ng isang oversized hoodie at lumabas na ng aking condo unit.

Nang makarating sa harap ng pintuan ng unit ni Drake ay malakas akong kumatok dito. Hindi na ako magugulat kung mabulabog man siya sa lakas ng aking pagkatok.

Saglit lang ay bumukas na ang pinto at iniluwa nito ang kalmang mukha ni Drake na halatang kanina pa gising. I expected that he's still in a sleepy state. A hint of disappointment crossed my face. That would have been a funny picture.

"Is Vyl in there?" Agad na tanong ko dito.

"Uhh... no? Why? What happened?"

"Stop lying and drag him out right now." I crossed my arms and raised my right brow to show him that I'm serious.

"Woah, woah. Chill, Ven." He raised both of his hands as if surrendering. He always does that. "I swear he's not in here."

He fully opened the door so I can see the inside of his unit. I don't see any sign of a green-haired guy anywhere in it. Where did that idiot go?

"See? Not in here," kibit balikat pa niyang sabi na pinapatunayang hindi siya nagsisinungaling. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Should I help you look for him?"

"No need. Thanks anyway," sabi ko sabay alis na at agad na pumasok sa elevator. Maybe I'll try the rooftop.

Good thing it didn't take me long to find him. I was right to look for him here on the rooftop. He's now sitting quietly near the edge. Kasalukuyang nakapikit ang kaniyang mga mata habang naka tingala sa langit na para bang dinadama ang sariwang hangin dito sa taas.

I tiptoed towards him to try and scare him but before I got close enough, his eyes snapped open. He flashed a small smile when he saw me looking like and idiot.

Nakasimangot akong tumabi sa kaniya.

"Why are you here?" Tanong ko na lang ng mapansing wala siyang balak magsalita.

"No particular reason," tipid niyang sagot sabay kibit-balikat.

"You didn't eat the food I cooked last night." I can't help the disappointment in my tone. I'm not used to this kind of Vyl.

"I even took the effort to make it extra delicious," dagdag ko pa na naging dahilan ng kaniyang pagtawa ng marahan. At least he laughed. He's been obviously off since yesterday.

"I'm just not in the mood to eat."

"But you haven't eaten anything!" Malakas na angal ko pagkatapos marinig ang walang kuwenta niyang sagot.

Hindi ba siya nagugutom?! Hindi ko na hinintay na humaba pa ang aming usapan at agad ko na siyang kinaladkad pababa sa aking unit. Pagdating sa condo ay itinulak ko siya paupo sa sofa.

"Watch T.V while I cook something for breakfast," sabi ko sabay lapag ng remote sa harapan niya. Tiningnan niya lang ito kaya napairap ako.

Umalis ako sa harap niya at pumasok sa aking silid upang kunin ang aking cellphone. I messaged Colleen that we'll be late at sinabing mauna na silang gumala-gala sa university campus para ipagpatuloy ang pagtingin sa mga attractions. Hapon pa naman ang battle of the bands kaya hindi ko kailangang magmadali.