Sidapa

Chapter 12: Katalonan

Dex felt light after that strange yet auspicious encounter with the local island child. He packed up his things that night but decided to sleep one more night in his car under the stars that oversaw the shifting waters of the beach below. The breeze was light and cool, he surely had a long day considering what has happened but now, he didn't felt the urge to drink another bottle of liquor to go to sleep. He closed his eyes and breathed out her name to the ether hoping that she can hear him.

Morning broke the night and the sunlight kissed Dex's car. He woke up later than what he expected considering the crazy events yesterday. He got out from his car and was greeted by the beautiful horizon shaded with the golden rays of the sun in a faded blue canvass. It's a new day and he is reborn anew.

He took his breakfast rather hastily and drove back into the city. He drove for an hour or two while he hummed along to the music he chose blasting on his speakers. It's a short trip and he couldn't wait to reach his destination.

He reached his destination later just before lunch. He walked straight to the elevator and chose the floor he wanted to go to. His mind swirled around his idea last night and he's not sure if that would be even possible or if she would agree to his proposal.

The elevator reached its destination, he quickly went out of the elevator and walk straight to the narrow corridor then took a sharp left before stopping at the room situated at the end of the hall. He took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. He could hear the people from the inside, scurrying. The sound of big loaded boxes thud the floor and finally footsteps approaching the door.

The doorbell beeped," Who's there?" a familiar voice asked.

"Marco is that you?", he said in confusion.

"Who's this...wait...",

Dex could hear another set of footsteps rushing towards the door, they were lighter than the first one. The door suddenly opens and there was Ann, teary-eyed with a worried look on her face.

" Is that really you, Dex?" her voice cracked as she asked.

Dex gently nodded and smiled.

"You bastard! I was worried sick. I thought I lost you too." she hugged her and wept.

Dex can't control his emotions either as he cried in her arms. He looked at Mark who looked relieved to see him. He pats Dex's shoulder and asked invited him inside. Dex has so many questions and it starts with Mark.

The week could've walked slowly for Dex but for Mae, it was the other way around. She explained to him that Mark and she will be living together. She said how Mark was very supportive of her for the past few weeks after Calista died. She also told Dex how she wanted to leave out of the apartment since it just gave her heartbreak thinking about Calista and their good times. Mae was tearing up. Her welling tears finally overflowed as she poured out her emotions to the current situation she has.

She was currently living in a hotel because she can't sleep in the apartment alone. It was too much for her. She points at the bags and boxes she was preparing for the move the next week and was also trying to dispose of Calista's belongings but she can't. She can't decide whether to stay or go. She told Dex that Mark wanted her to live with him in the province for a while to get herself out of the loss. But after that, she plans to just selling the apartment altogether.

"But what about Calista's things?" he asked.

"I just want to leave it as it is and let the new owner take care of it," she replied holding back the tears

He understood how difficult it was for them and how they can cope up with it. Dex knows he can't do anything to stop Mae from leaving and if he wants to, he won't. He knows she needs to heal as well.