13th Kiss

I'm at this park now. Not sure which one, just saw it from the taxi and felt drawn. Happy sounds fill the air - talks, kids laughing, far-off dogs bark. The sun paints everything golden, but inside, I'm gloomy. The breeze brings the smell of fresh grass and blooming flowers, a reminder of nature's hug.

There are a lot of people here, but the park has this feeling that makes you comfortable. Families picnic, friends chat, couples share quiet moments. Chaos turns into a sweet symphony of people. My vision returned a bit ago. Comes and goes. The doctors said that's the deal. It comes back and then, one day, it won't eventually come.

Oh, Joseph... What he said was true. I get why he's mad. Can't blame him. What bugs me is it feels like he's blaming me for everything. Don't I get to choose what I think is right? It's annoying! He's annoying! Why's it only his feelings matter? I got hurt too, and I still hurt now!

"AH!!!" I shouted, kicking a stone nearby. I get his side, but I'm frustrated. "ANNOYING! FRUSTRATING!!"

Someone stops in front of me, on a skateboard. Looks at me like he knows me. I raise an eyebrow. Don't know this guy.

"Tsk! Tsk! Your life is really that sad, huh?" he says, sits beside me like we're old friends. I looked at him and thought that he sounded so familiar, but I just can’t remember where I saw him.

"Excuse me!?" I retorted, a bit annoyed. He was being too casual with me. It was like we were friends for a long time, but I really cannot remember where I met him.

"For your first question, you have the right. That's why you separated, right? You're hurting. So, you think you can't handle it. That's why you chose to get a divorce because you think it's the right thing to do," he said with a sly grin.

"Wait, how did you—"

"And for your last question, because he's selfish. As simple as that," he said, tapping my shoulder.

"Who are you!?" I asked, getting more irritated. How did he know all this? Is he a mind-reader?

He looked at me, eyes carrying a knowing sadness. "I'm just someone who knows a thing or two about heartache," he says, sharing his own hurt.

I scoffed, "Well, aren't you Mr. Mysterious and Emotionally Wise over here?"

He chuckled. "And I'm not a mind reader. I just have strong hearing because you whisper out loud," he said. I probably turned crimson with embarrassment. I wasn't aware I was whispering my thoughts.

"So, who are you? I don't talk to strangers," I said grumpily.

"Well, you just did," he said. Suddenly, he covered my eyes with his hands.

"What are you doing!? What do you think you're doing?" I said.

"Tsk! Don't you recognize me? They're right, you're dense and stupid," he says. It clicks. His voice is familiar. He's the one...

"You're the one who helped me? Chito's brother, right?" I asked.

"Yes, Kevin at your service," he said while playfully saluting at me.

"Ah! Thank you. How did you see me that night?" I asked.

"With my eyes?" he sarcastically replied.

"Ha-ha-ha," I said, rolling my eyes. "Are you joking? Should I laugh now?"

"Tsk!" he said. "I was just walking back somewhere. When I saw you, you looked weak even from a distance. Tsk! At first, I would not have minded you, but then you collapsed. You even called Joseph, right? He's your doctor, isn't he?"

"Wait, what?"

"Huh?" he asked like he don’t get my confusion.

"I called Joseph?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes, fortunately, you called him. No taxi was passing by at that moment. So, I waited for him. He instructed me on what to do. I thought you were going to die. You were having a nosebleed," he explained. "The car must have been speeding because in less than 20 minutes, he was there."

I fell silent. Why didn't Joseph tell me? Was that why he's mad? I thought I called Chito that night.

"Oh, why are you quiet? Did you realize he's not that bad after all?" he said.

"What's it to you?" I said sounding so defensive.

"He cares for you," he said. "The way he was that night, I immediately knew you were important to him."

"Are we really having this talk? I don't even know you," I said.

"You already know me. I'm Kevin. Chito's talented and handsome brother," he says. Wait, aren't they on good terms? Chito never mentioned that he has a brother.

"I don't know about you guys," he said as if scolding a child. "You two are both insensitive. You're not even that pretty."

"You're rude!" I exclaimed, crossing my arms, and glaring at him. "And why do you care about that?"

"Just trying to lighten up the mood, my dear Arianne," he said with a mischievous grin. "You should smile more. It suits you better than that grumpy face."

I rolled my eyes at him, and he just laughed like my irritation is his happiness. Jerk!

"Don't you get my point?" he asked. I shook my head.

"My point is there's nothing special about you for guys to go crazy about. But then he still cares, which says a lot. Tsk! I don't know what Chito sees in you," he said.

"Can you stop?" I said, I felt myself blushing. Although, I knew how Chito felt about me, no one dared to mention it boldly like this.

"Geez! Stop pretending you don't know what I'm talking about," he said.

"You talk too much for a guy," I told him. He suddenly hops on his skateboard.

"Wait! If you are Chito's brother, why didn't Chito tell me he has a younger brother?" I asked. I looked at him suspiciously. He just shrugged but had a big smile on his face.

"I knew it. I'm more handsome than Chito," he said. I cringed. This guy is too conceited.

"Come on. Just answer my question. Stop showing off," I said rolling my eyes at him.

"Hmp! I don't know, but you're wrong about one thing," he said.

"What's that?" I asked, puzzled.

"I'm Chito's older brother. He's my younger sibling," he said. I was left wide-eyed by what I learned. What? He's the older one among them. He looks so... immature. Well, anyway, looks can always be deceiving.

I looked at him as he smoothly rides on his skateboard, acting like an expert.

"Hey! Where are you going?" He didn’t answer me. I followed him, and he ` off his skills in doing tricks. Psh! Too much of a show-off.

I stopped when we reached a place where many were skateboarding. Another guy approached him, and they exchanged fist bumps. His friend noticed me and gestured towards me.

"Who's that?"

"Oh! My brother's friend," he said. He approached me.

"Why'd you follow me?" he asked, looking confused. "Got a crush on me?"

I chuckled at his comment. Quite full of himself!

"You're quite the egoist!" I remarked. Honestly, I was tempted to say he's not easy on the eyes. But that'd be a lie– he's handsome. Messy hair, that bad boy vibe, and those eyes and smile are showstoppers. They can dazzle anyone, except me, of course.

"Why did you follow me?" he questioned once more.

"I wanted to invite you for a meal. Also, to say thanks," I replied. He raised an eyebrow.

"Hmm? I see where this is headed," he said. Pointed at me, signaling to come closer. I did. He leaned in and whispered, "You'll fall for me."

"Hey! Have some shame. How bold," I said, playfully hitting his arm.

"Your call. Just don't cry when you fall for me, okay? And don't blame me if you don't heed my warning when the time comes," he warned.

"Quite the character. I'm genuinely impressed," I said, clapping my hands with his confidence and audacity.