Chapter 29: Hopeful Next Times

***

/KENNETH'S PERSPECTIVE

***Saturday;

Max called. He said he'll be here in Philippines at lunch. What's he up to?

Max 

Calling...

Decline | Accept

I answered, of course.

"Hey man, what's up?"

"I'm already here. Pick me up, dude."

"You're gay."

"Whatever. I still make a hot impression in both gender." he said smugly.

I laughed. "But seriously, I don't know how to get there."

"WHAT?! You're one hell of a coo coo brain, dear cousin. You left L.A, gone independently for so long, but you still don't know your place?!" he sighed.

I chuckled a bit. "Calm down. What I did back then was a very wise thing." I'm going to tease him first. "A very wise thing that made me a genius. A wise, intelligent th—"

"Knock it off dude. It's not funny anymore. Ha-ha!" he fake a laugh.

"Alright, first thing you need to do it to grab a pen and a paper."

"Uh-huh."

"Already got it?"

"Yeah, continue already." he's being impatient just like the usual.

"Then write things as I say it, okay? This will be very long so keep your ears open."

"How can I even close it? Ugh. Just continue!" I can tell he's irritated.

"In order for you not to get lost," I'm trying not to laugh here, this'll be a good one. Hahahaha! "You need to hire a taxi and head straight here."

"Then what?"

"That's pretty much it. You're done. Say hello to me." then I laughed so hard.

"You obnoxious cousin! You made me look like a fool here."

"Aren't you already. Just kidding. Why are you here, by the way? Are you going to visit your grand parents or something?"

"That's for later. Right now, I have to find you and kick your back. Later dude!"

And then he hung up. He's a great joke himself. Far more enjoyable irritating him than video games.

I took my afternoon siesta then the next thing I knew, someone's knocking wildly at my door. I opened it, and expectedly saw Max.

"Dude, don't break it. It's much more expensive than you yourself." I joked. "Welcome to my pad."

"Yeah yeah. I'm starving."

"Oh-kay."

"Aren't you going to prepare me something?"

"Be independent dude. It's time that you learn."

"Please?"

"Oh, alright."

I prepared him my left-over lasagna last night. He's not sophisticated, so he didn't complain at all, bonus!

I sat beside him. "Why are you here, could you tell me now?"

"Oh, that. Maybe later dude. I need to get some rest. You should, too."

"Why so?"

"Because you won't be hearing any good news from me. Take that as a caution." he looked very serious. "But right now, I have to get my handsome rest."

He laid himself down on my couch, and snored angrily. That made me laugh in this serious situation. Then my manager, Louie, came.

"So, monkey's already here." he joked. See, we really like annoying this boy. But he's really a good man, he's like my best friend ever since kid.

"I know." wait! He knows that he'll be arriving? "You didn't tell me!"

"Sorry, man. But it has to be that way."

"Alright, alright. I'll buy that. But could you please at least tell me why the heaven he's here?" If curiosity can kill, I'm already dying. No, wait. I am.

"That's why he's here right. I don't have the right words."

"No. You do! In fact, I know it's from you. I'm not that dense for pete's sake!"

"Stop being so stubborn. I'm going out for a while."

"Yeah right. Nice segue, man. Whatever. Go wherever you want."

***

"YAAAAHHH! I hate my life!" I shouted as I threw the biggest rock I found at the seaside.

Yes, I'm here at the seaside. I can't help but to run away after hearing the bad news from Max.

And the most awful thing about it is that I cannot do something to avoid such infamy. I'll not use euphemism since everything's gone wild. Ugh. I'm going to miss things I used to do here.

I grabbed my phone and started texting.

"Are you free this Sunday, tomorrow?" then I send it to Kathy.

After less than three minutes, she replied.

Kathy <3 

Going to Church tomorrow with Fam. Why?

I wish I could come with you next time. (_ _)

Me 

Nah. Nevermind. How about next Saturday? ;)

Please, please!

Kathy <3 

I'm not sure. Why? Answer!

Me 

Please please be with me this Saturday?

Gah! I'm desperate.

Kathy <3 

Uhm, I'll try.

Please don't try. Be with me, it's not that hard, or is it?

Me 

Thanks. Can't wait. ;D

I really can't.

***

***Next Saturday;

I'm so excited. I'll have my full day with Kathy. So I asked Max for a help with this one, since he felt sorry for my state right now. I really appreciate him this time.

"Are you sure everything's set, man?" I asked him, excitedly.

"Could you please pacify just a little bit? It'll ruin the mood." It wasn't a sarcasm, but more of a joke. I chuckled.

"Alright, alright. Thanks dude."

"Glad I could help. I owe you one."

"Wait? You owe me? Can I please hear the prime word again?" he rarely admits bewilderment, so that's kind of a shock.

"Funny dude!" he tapped my back. "I gotta go. I'm on a mission to find that girl again."

"Who?" I asked curiously.

"I can't tell you yet."

"How come?"

"I... uh..." He ruffled his hair, kind of looking embarassed or something. "Don't know her name."

I laughed. "Woah! I guess some girl really can resist your charms, cousin. Bad luck for you."

"No. She's just playing hard to get like my other girls. She'll be mine sooner. So gotta go. Good luck bro, you're gonna need it."

"Thanks dude, but I guess you need good lucks more than I do." I laughed as he walked out. He's a joke.

It's already three PM, and still, she's not here. Where the heaven could she be? I tapped my pocket hysterically. My phone's not here! How could I text her? Tss. Maybe I should just wait.

I stared at the surroundings. The setting's here at the back garden where we first converse thoughtfully. The dusky sky complimented the fascinating background, where lights were shining and sparkling in harmonious way.

I waited.

"May tao pa ba rito?" someone asked.

I almost jumped. "Y-yeah. Someone's still here."

Then I saw Mr. Janitor. "Oh. Hijo, bakit nandito ka pa? Gabi na ah."

"I'm waiting for somebody." I smiled.

"Baka hindi na iyun makakarating, tingnan mo na lang kung ano oras na oh. Hijo baka ika'y mapahamak ha. Magiingat ka."

"Opo." I know that word of course, form of giving respect to elders. "You too po."

"Oh sige, magmamadaling araw na. Ako'y uuwi na muna't kailangan pa ako ng pamilya ko. Sige, magiingat ka."

"Take care Manong Janitor. Watch your steps."

I looked up at the sky, it's getting fully dark. Did she just ditch me?

Does she hate me this much that she didn't get here without any hints?

Twelve AM. My tears shed. It hurts right here, my chest. All my and Max's effort gone wasted. It's all for her, but why the hell didn't she show up? Despite all of that, there's still a part of me that cannot be mad at her.

I stood up and hurried back in the parking lot. I got inside my car and abruptly looked for my phone. I checked my messages and there's nothing from Kathy.

Okay, I'll stop this time even if this is not easy, it's my fault anyway.

Me 

Good bye, Katherine.

I sent the message. See you later.

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