Broken Strings
Chapter 18

WRIGHT AGONCILLO

“Wright, that’s enough.” Racky took the tequila from my hand.

I looked at her sharply. Behind her, there is Fier and Leon who were also quietly watching. “Give it back to me!”

I stood up and towered her. I looked at her menacingly. She backs away but still doesn’t give me the glass.

“What the heck, Wright! You have to stop. You’re ruining your life because of that flirtatious woman!” She cried out despite the fear.

I gripped her jaw, she winced. I looked at her hard. She also dropped the glass and grabbed my hand on her jaw. “W-Wright.”

“Don’t you ever cuss at my girl, Racky! I’ll hurt you!” I lost all my control. My surroundings have turned red.

Fier quickly approached us and removed my hand from Racky’s jaw. He pushed me away and put Racky behind him. I saw how Racky cried and hugged Leon. Damn, I made the woman cry again.

“Enough, Wright! Enough! Don’t turn your wrath on us! We’re not your enemy.”

I sat down on the sofa behind me. I put my elbow on top of my knee. I pulled myself together because, at any moment, I could hurt someone. So, this is hell.

I’m a jerk for leaving her when she needed me the most! Damn it! I didn’t know I was capable to feel this. I’m slowly breaking inside. Piece by piece.

“You want her back? And just one click she’ll be right next to you, huh? Do you think that’s easy? F*****g no!” My jaw clenched at what Fier said. He’s right but he doesn’t need to rub it in my face! “Look at you now! Instead of doing anything so she can forgive you, here, you are, killing yourself!”

“Stop pushing him to his limit, Fier!” Leon g*****d but Fier didn’t seem to hear anything.

“Really! Melissa doesn’t deserve an a-ss like you!” He pointed his finger at me.

My vision has darkened. I stood up and quickly punched him. Racky screamed as Fier collapsed on the floor. He wiped the b***d off the side of the l*p and gave me a sharp look. I was breathing fast while also looking sharply at Fier.

I’ve been like this for five days. I feel wasted. I thought after I explained to Melissa, it would be easier for her to come back into my life.

“You piece of shit. Are you happy now?! Have you poured out all your anger on me?! How does it feel, is it light?!” He still challenges me while standing up.

“That’s enough, Fier!” Leon shouted.

I felt dizzy. Fier took the opportunity and released his fist. I didn’t immediately block it and hit my cheek. The last I heard was Racky screaming.

When I opened my eyes, I was in a soft bed. I didn’t move as I observe my surroundings. I winced when I felt the pain in my head and jaw. Damn!

I lay down and freely surveyed the entire room. I wish I didn’t take home a woman last night, because I will kill myself.

I looked at the clothes I was wearing, who dress me up? I’m only wearing a shirt and black boxer shorts now.

Who the hell undressed me?!

I stopped when I smelled the fragrant coming from outside the room. Even though my head hurt I still went to it to find out who brought me here. I slowly opened the door and went to the kitchen.

I’m screwed, this is a condominium! Tell me, I didn’t screw anyone.

I found in the kitchen the woman in a white dress and short boxer briefs. She’s humming and slightly moving her h**s while mincing something. She looks and sounds like, Melissa.

I couldn’t help myself anymore and I hugged her back. I closed my eyes and smelled her hair. Strawberry? “Melissa.”

I let go of her when she shouted with great force and turned to face me and pushed me.

“What the hell!” I looked back and Fier was there. He just wakes up. His gaze shifted to me and the woman beside me. His forehead furrowed. “F**k, man, you touched my girl?!”

He walked fast and pulled the woman behind him. I have never seen Fier like this. This is new. He’s too overprotective.

“I… I thought she’s Melissa!” Rule number 1. Never, ever, touch your best friend’s girl.

“It’s alright, Fier. He just back hugs me.”

“What?! He freaking back hug you ?!” I swallowed when he looked at me sharply. “Man! Don’t you know that her back is my favourite part?!” He grinned mischievously. “Because of her a-ss.”

“Fier!”

We laughed together. He never changed! We held hands like we were wrestling, like the old times.

His grip tightened on my hand. I also tightened my grip. We both smiled but there was a streak of annoyance at that. “But you still back hug her, a*****e. You don’t touch my girl.”

“I said, I mistaken her for someone else, p***y whipped!”

“You’re both p***y whipped.” We once looked at the woman who was now standing on our side.

“Heck, no!” We said at the same time.

“Really?” Her eyebrows rose. She folds her arms in her chest. “And you,” She turned to me. “You kept on calling ‘Melissa’ while Fier’s undressing you. You even hugged him and kissed him on the cheek, such a nightmare!”

“I did what?!”

I looked at Fier. He put his arms around his girl. “You know what’s worse? I undressed a man! I never dreamed of doing that to a man! And you kissed my cheek! Do you know how many sanitisers I used just to get rid of the smell of your breath! You owe me big time, bro! You stole my innocence.”

“Disgusting, man!” Maybe I lost myself last night. “But, thanks, bro. Do you want revenge? Come here, Sweetie.” I’m about to puke, but I want to bully him more.

“You’re disgusting. The next time you got drunk, I swear, I’ll leave you anywhere.” Well, Fier is Fier. But he’s one damn true friend.

“Oh my gosh! You have a bruise! Wait, I’ll get some ice.” The woman said in a panic. She would have come closer to me if only Fier hadn’t pulled her back.

“Hey, hey, why are you panicking? When you cut me the garlic last night and I cut my finger, you didn’t even look at it.” He showed the index finger with the band-aid. “You even said, it’s far from ‘the zone’. You don’t care even if I bled to death.”

They started arguing.

I cleared my throat and the two of them looked at me. “I’m going home. You’re an eyesore when you jealous, dude. Quit making that face, it makes me want to throw that knife at your freaking face.”

Fier frowned when the woman next to him laughed out loud. They looked really happy. How I wished I didn’t f****d up with Melissa, maybe we both lived happier than them.

I went into the bedroom and put on my clothes last night. I need a cold shower. Damn! I was about to leave their unit when Fier called me.

“Yow, fucker!” He throws something and I immediately caught it. “Learn from your mistakes, jerk. Because I’ve already learned mine. “

He kissed the woman on the forehead. I saw how she blushed. I nodded to them and exited the unit. Fortunately, there were no paparazzi outside so I got in my car right away.

I drove home and took a shower. I knew Melissa’s schedule at school, so I was sure she was there. That’s where I’ll start. I bought three white roses and drove to their school. I put on my Ray-Ban and got out of the car.

I immediately heard a few whispers from the people I passed by. Other co-teachers were also surprised by my sudden visit to their school.

“Wright!” I face the woman blocking my way to their faculty.

“Uh,” I swallowed. “Is Miss Quizon here?”

The woman frowned as she looked at the roses I had brought. “She’s absent now. It’s her Grandmother’s death anniversary.”

Grandma Sedes? I felt sad, Grandma is dead? Damn, I did know.

I took a deep breath. “Do you know the location where her grandmother is buried?”

“At XXXX Cementery in Valenzuela.” She still doubted me but she said it as well. I was about to turn around when she grabbed my arm. “Wait! What do you need my friend?”

I smiled. She blushed. I gently stroked her chin and brought my face closer. I heard a lot of screaming. “I love your friend.”

“W-Wha—”

Even before she could say it out loud, I immediately covered her lips with my finger.

“Sssh.” She nodded. “Wait. Can you give me a map?”

“Uh, y-yeah!”.

When I arrived at the said cemetery, I followed the map until I reached the tomb with the words.

In loving memories of:

MERCEDES CORDOVA

January xxxxx – November xxxxx

I looked around and didn’t saw anyone. I put the white rose that should have given to Melissa. I also lit the candle I bought at a store nearby. I crouched down in front of his grave. I also removed some of the grass that covered her tomb.

“It’s been a long time, Granny,” I said while reminiscing the memories I had with Grandma Sedes and Melissa.

Her warmth when she hugged me like a teddy bear. The way she smiled not minding if she already lost some of her teeth. “Maybe, you’re very angry now because you saw the person who hurt your dearest granddaughter.” The wind blew. “I fuc— I messed up everything.”

I sat down on the grass and continued talking to her. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t by Melissa’s side when you disappeared. I left her and after that, you also did. I don’t know the amount of she felt.”

“I fooled her, used her, abandoned her, hurt her. Damn, I’m the biggest idiot for doing those things she doesn’t deserve.” I added. I caressed the name painted on the tomb and smiled wryly. “But I love her, Granny. Maybe I’m too late to realize my real feelings but I hope I’m not yet late to prove it.”

Silence reigned after I said that. I remained to stare at the pale tomb.

“W-What are you doing here?”

I turned when I heard that cold voice. There I saw a woman who is continuously running in my mind, is now in front of me.

Melissa.

I slowly stood in front of her. I know her system is debating whether she will run away or stay in her place. I also didn’t know the first thing I would say so she wouldn’t go away. Then, the world stopped moving when a child clung to her thigh.

“Mommy!”