(This is a work of fiction)
*Giggle*
“That’s another new one.”
“Drei!” She said with an upbeat voice that sounded more embarrassed than angry. “Stop doing that!”
“Stop doing what?” I asked sheepishly.
“Counting them!”
Now it’s my turn to laugh, and unlike her, I only have one type to use. The one that sounds weird and out of place. That’s why I try to restrict it as much as possible because everyone always gives me that stare, like laughing is not normal. Like I am a guy who escaped from the first ever stage ten cancer. They give me that kind of look. But this time, I couldn’t resist it. Especially while talking with her.
“Is there anything wrong with what I’m doing? I told you I am very particular with details.”
“Crazy.” She replied a little calmer than before. “How many hours has it been already?”
I checked my phone for what she meant. For reasons I cannot fully understand, she asked me to call her over the phone, and I did. Usually I don’t do this, especially with people I’ve just recently met. Not because I don’t like to, but because I see myself as a person who can easily be replaced. Someone you’d replace in a heartbeat once you find a person more interesting, and believe me it is that easy.
“Five hours and thirty minutes. Why do you keep asking anyway?”
“Nothing.”
“Crazy.”
“Crazy-er.”
It’s actually a funny story how we got to this point. Well, that also depends on your perspective. Either it’s funny or stupid. Or maybe both. I’m not sure. Moving ooonnnn…. she asked me to call and that was around eleven in the evening. She couldn’t talk to me earlier because she was taking her sweet time in the pool of the condo that she’s staying at.
When the time came, I asked if I could call. It wasn’t actually exactly 11 in the evening, fifteen minutes before the time I already asked because, I don’t want to wait for something that might just be a joke. Luckily she was online and so the answer came as quickly as the question.
“Do you really want me to call you at eleven?”
“Yeah. Seriously. But. Wait. I’m still eating dinner. Burger, fries, and fried chicken. Super healthy don’t worry.”
I passed my time by walking around for a while. The streets are quiet by this time leaving only the sound of insects, leaves, and vehicles passing through the highway. I had my phone with me so I’d get notified when she chats. Then a familiar beep sounds from my phone. I turned the screen on and saw the chat all at once.
“Drei.”
“Here.”
“Can you call now?”
I did as she asked, still walking along the streets. We had a great time talking. She laughed and I did too, and we talked about a lot of things that are fun. Things she did, places she went, people she met; her stories never ended and she could tell them with so much life. As if all she said happened just now but they didn’t and that is what makes her a great story teller.
The night continued to become colder. I stayed seated at one of the plastic swings in the playground. Well, technically it's not a playground because the see-saws and slides don't get used often. Most of the time, only grown ups stay here and...yup. you guessed it. They also stay because of the swing.
We laughed some more. I told some stories. She teased me. I teased her back. Then while everything was going well and the discussion kept getting fun, she said something I would never forget.
"I miss you Drei."
These words shook me. I couldn't move for a while, and I thought I might have gotten stuck in a wormhole that freezes everything. I couldn't reply, it was so sudden and unexpected. Like ridding a taxi and finding out that the driver is a suicide bomber.
"Drei are you still there?"
"Wait. I'm still internalizing what you just said."
*Chuckle*
"That's another new one."
"Dreeeeiiii! Stop categorizing my laughs!" This time it's my turn to laugh. She tries to stop me but I continue anyway. You don't stop laughter after all, as long as nobody gets hurt, you should laugh until your lungs burst out.
"It's getting late." I told her.
"Uh Huh." She quickly responded.
"I should probably head back now. I might literally get locked outside of the house."
"Yeah you should."
"But I won't end the call. Just let me do this until I reach our house okay?"
"Okay" I don't know why but I could definitely hear the blushing cheeks emoji from her voice. Well, I couldn't really tell over the phone. Whatever her facial expression is right now, I'm sure she's smiling really wide.
It didn't take me long before I reached the front door of our house. The lights are turned off, the light of the tv is also off. (the tv can be seen from the front windows of the house. BTW, it's already 12 in the evening, and if the TV is off, then that means that everyone is already asleep and I'm about to die, 'cause I'd get a good scolding later.) I already knew what would happen next, like those low budget-retarded horror movies, I knew it would be locked. But I tried anyway.
"Dy"
"Yes?"
"The door."
"No."
"Yes"
"Don't tell me..."
"You know, it's actually funny how what we were joking about earlier actually came true."
"It's locked?!?!"
Her voice came so loud that, if this woman was with me right now, she would be super helpful. I could count on her to wake up the whole neighborhood with her voice. No microphone or speaker needed.
"Calm down, you sound more shocked than I am."
"But Dreeiiiii"
"It's fine Dy."
"It's not! Aaaaaaaah"
My voice came out of my mouth unexpectedly. I laughed so hard not even knowing why, or maybe I did. She's concerned about me, she's worried.
"What's so funny hmm?" Her tone quickly changed from worry to irritation.
"Oh. Uhm..."
"Choose your next words carefully."
"Nothing. Nothing Ma'am"
I still laughed some more because I knew she couldn't bear to get irritated with me. Well, not in this state at least and I was right. A few seconds later she turned back to being worried and apologetic again.
"Dreiii you're locked outside your houuusee."
"It's fine."
"It's not. Stop saying that. This is all my fault."
"Hey nothing's your fault. I shouldve gotten the keys before i went out."
"Have you tried knocking?" The suggestion was as good as it could get, but it wouldn't work.
"At this hour?"
"Yeah. Why not?"
"Dy. They're probably all upstairs now. I'd just be wasting energy."
"But have you tried?" There is so much hope in her voice. Like she believes that someone is still magically awake at this hour and staying just behind the door. But I know my family all too well, and I'd bet my whole anime collection that no one is awake.
"Ummm..."
"Drei. I swear. If you dont knock I'll..."
"You'll?" I was teasing her of course. But I want to know what kind of threat she could make in this situation.
"I won't come home anymore. No joke."
"Dyyyy!!! I'm knocking now. Do you hear it?"
*knock knock knock*
. . . . .
*knock knock knock*
. . . . .
*knock knock knock*
. . . . .
I made sure that my knocks are audible over the phone. But there was no answer. The only response I got was the barking of our dog. That could have woken them up, but since our dog barks at just about everyone, there was no point in what happened.
"Dy. There's nothing."
"Drei... I'm sorry."
"It ain't your fault, don't worry."
She still continued apologizing to me. It's unbearable how I wanted to laugh whenever she did. I couldn't afford to be irritated about my situation after all. The air is cold. My spine is agonizingly painful. Mosquitoes are practically feasting on my blood, having their joyful reunion on my body. But most importantly, I'm hungry.
I stayed at my family's car for a while; switching from one to the other. I couldn't afford to be seen by the guard of the villa after all. Even if I'm a resident here, I might look like a burglar seeing as I am awake until now and walking restlessly from one place to the other. That's why I stayed in the car. Oh, Err, cars I mean. Aaaand. That is the story of how we got to this point.
You know what? Technically, this is supposed to be an inconvenient and unwanted circumstance. This is supposed to be unbearable, but it's not. Instead of getting pissed I keep on laughing. Instead of getting tired, I feel so energized. Instead of feeling bored, I feel so excited. She's the reason for all these. Her. She makes me feel this way.
Later on the house finally opened. Around 4:00 in the morning. I crept back inside. Literally. They'd kill me if they knew where I've been. But before going into a deeper slumber than all those Disney Princesses, called one last time.
"Good Night Dy, I miss you so much."