Love is a Two-Way Process

[ BRYAN ]

I walked straight ahead from Becca's house to Gina's apartment.

My heart keeps throbbing as I walk passed different streets on the way to her block. I don't know but I am feeling so much alive now after days inside the precinct. Like what I always say, I cannot stop thinking about Becca. I have to express it or else I'll regret not doing so. I really want to see her right now.

I'm walking in crescendo as my thought about Becca progresses. After minutes, I started running into pathways. Somehow I need to get to her faster or else I would--

"Ouch" A woman groaned as I bumped into her. I held on her as she stumbled into the ground. She was wearing a shoal, covering half of her face as she walks towards me. I did not see her coming for my mind is clouded with thoughts. I was out of focus.

"I'm so sorry! Let me help you." I offered.

The old woman carried into my arms and got up, now facing me. She's blonde, with her eyes astonishing and shiny . Half of her face is scarred as though it got recovered from a third degree burn.

"Are you okay ma'am? I'm really sorry." I added.

The woman stopped for a moment and stared at me like I was a ghost. She lifted her right hand up and touched my face, as though she knew me. It felt weird because this is the first time I've seen this woman, yet she's acting careful of me.

"Are you - are you hurt, son?" She asked.

I suddenly felt a pinch in my heart like I have known her somewhere. This woman in front of me feels delicate, like a protective relative or anything closer in my bloodline.. She reminds me of my dad, but more gentle and thoughtful.

"Uh.. sure, sure. I am, ma'am. I am okay." I replied.

The next thing that happened, I saw a tear coming down of her face but uncannily, she's smiling. I almost thought of her as a weirdo but she's not acting tough, so there's no need for me to push her away.

"Is this real? You-- you're close to me.." Tears came falling down from her eyes. I don't know what to feel about the situation but she's getting emotional. "Can I hug you?" she asked another time.

I felt a sense of longing in her gesture. I know for sure I reminded her of somebody. She even called me son so I bet that's that.

"Su-sure ma'am why not?"

Saying those as a permission made me feel vulnerable of her next actions; she wrapped her hands around my body and the warmth of her just.. made me feel something.. like home; like a welcoming.

She cried and cried on me. I have no idea what to do so I did what my dad does every time things are becoming absurd - I held her head at its back and sang a song my dad used to sing to me when I was little:

Rock-a-bye baby

On the tree tops,

When the wind blows

The cradle will rock.

When the bough breaks

The cradle will fall,

And down will come baby

Cradle and all.

-

I never felt something as this to a stranger even before. My chest is feeling full in a presence of someone I only met once. But, somehow, I was just clinging to a mother figure. I was just too thirsty for a mother's love.

She lifted her head and smiled at me, with tears still coming down her face. "Thank you, son."

"You're fine, ma'am. Most welcome."

"I hope I can see you soon, can we? Like, coffee or.. or anything you want?" Her eyes were talking to me with love and kindness. Wow, it almost felt like I am connected to this woman somehow. I never felt anything as genuine as this.

"Yeah. We can do that sometime." I uttered

"Oh God, thank you. I -" The woman exhaled as she stammered. "Just.. Take care. Okay?"

"You too, ma'am. Please be healthy."

As I said those, she wiped her eyes with her shoal and started waving me goodbye. I waved back and then, she walked away heading south. I looked at her as she was walking away and I saw how she's stealing a glance on me. Who is that lady? She seemed really loving and caring. Like.. a mother.

I sighed heavily.

I wish I could have a mom like her.

***

[ BRANDON ]

I am now walking on my way home after a few takes on my agenda. I have to make things clean and clear, or else, everything will be trashed out. I was not very comfortable of dealing with these because I left my phone in my room as I paced in a hurry.

I was now walking towards the apartment. I opened the door ajar and entered the it wholly. "Steph, I'm home!" I shouted, taking my shoes off my feet.

As I placed my footwear on the rack, I heard footsteps coming from my room. Like a march, or some sort of running steps. Is Steph inside my room right now? FUCK.

I went to my room and immediately opened the door. "Steph?" I uttered as I saw her standing beside my bed, holding my phone on her hand. "What are you doing here?" I asked, tone sounding defensive.

"Uhh sorry it was ringing so I thought-"

"YOU THOUGHT WHAT? HUH?" Her face went shocked as I paced. "How many times did I tell you, Steph, my things are off limits!" She is now looking down on the ground.

"I'm sorry, okay? What the heck Brandon I just answered a call don't overreact!" She sounded agitated.

"Then, give me that phone back!"

She immediately gave me my phone right after. She went out of my room, looking angry and confused about the sudden rage of my emotions.

As I took a quick glance on my phone's status bar, I saw an icon of a phone. I scrolled down, revealing what I missed, and it showed a call history from Hayley, lasting 20 seconds.

***

[ BRYAN ]

I did not bother knocking at Gina's apartment. The only thing I was thinking: I'm home. It kind of made me feel excited as I tried to yank the door open.

It was not locked. Well,

I let myself feel at home with a huge smile on my face. I wanted to surprise both of them. I am sure they will be happy now that I'm out of the precinct. God, it was torment.

I tread steps on her Sala, down to her dining area. No one was there. Where could both of them be? At the bedroom? Maybe.

With that thought in mind, I headed there. I hope they are doing just fine. I hope they are feeling great right now. Jeez. The past days aren't nice for each and every one of us. Yet still, at the end of the day, no matter how bruised we are -- we can still rest on each other. As to me, Becca and Gina is all I've got.

I yanked the door open to her bedroom and- WHAT I SAW MADE MY EYES GREW LARGER.

"BECCA? GINA?" I uttered in shock. They were now in front of me, on bed, kissing. "WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?"

As they felt my presence, they tilted their heads towards me in unison. I was frozen while standing on the bedroom door. I saw it clearly with both my eyes. I couldn't be wrong about it. Their lips are touching each other.

My excitement downgraded in seconds.

"BRYAN? OH MY GOD, BRYAN-" Becca got off the bed as she saw me standing in front of them. She's turning red, while Gina is stuck on the side of the bed, staring at me with a crease on her forehead.

I felt chills running down my body. Everything came back in flashes: The way she dumped me at The Parfait, the humiliation, the embarrassment.. And now, this.

"BECCA.. Is this the reason why you broke up with me?" The question came out of my mouth involuntarily.

Becca slowly took steps towards me with her gestures trying to make me feel easy. "No, Bryan, please, I can explain. I can exp-"

"Becca, you are a lesbian?"

She shook her head fast, like she's in denial "No, no I am not."

"Then, Gina, why are you kissing? Why are you-"

I stammered in disbelief. They looked at each other, making expressions of worry, shock, and confusion. There was a thing between them and I'm kind of getting it. They were in love, and they were hiding it for a very long time to me. This concludes everything. From that incident inside the Parfait, to how Becca is treating me for the last couple of days.

"Bryan, please. Listen to Becca she can exp-"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP, GINA!"

I interrupted her, screaming my lungs out. I don't know what to say to them, to be honest. I am not against what they're up to, but what bleeds and hurts is the fact that they had to hide things and lie to me. If Becca could have said she's not into guys, I would have understood.

"Bryan, you're not seeing things clearly." Becca broke my rage all of a sudden.

"NOT seeing things clearly, Becca? To be honest, this is the clearest thing you've shown me. Do you remember that time when you broke up with me at The Parfait? I asked you, Becca. I FUCKING ASKED YOU WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS! and you said you don't know. But this? This is a better explanation! Now, what's not clear, huh?"

They zipped their mouths as I ravaged. They were both silent.

"You know what, forget it. You can continue what you're doing. I'm sorry for interrupting you."

As I said those, I walked out of that place. Feeling all the shame, again.