Meeting you in the City

Chapter 25: Yellow Chrysanthemum

Chico’s POV

I’ve been thinking about this all night. I just can’t get the words I spoke to Astra and what he also said to me that day out of my head. It pains me, but I think I wound him too. When I snapped at him, I didn’t mean to...didn’t mean to say those troubling words to you, Astra. Now I can’t forget that look in your face that seemed to look distressed, shaken, upset, or I couldn’t really tell; is this how you feel at the moment? Thoughts and memories bother you. It’s really Salvy, isn’t it Astra? Or it’s just really the truth that I don’t want to accept. I just decided that it would be better if we stayed away from each other for a while. I feel like you’re mad at me, which upset me, and I also really wanted to visit our ball of sunshine. I wonder. I’m just wondering, Astra, if you wanted to see Salvy too and you just can’t, or you didn’t really care for him just like what you said to me.

“Shoo, begone!” go away, go away, thoughts.

I wonder how you are doing, Salvy and that dog. I haven’t seen him with Astra all week. Coco is always with Salvy.

“Haha,” I chuckled at how their relationship seemed to function. Coco really did have a liking to Salvy, tsk. That’s unfair. Why don’t I get a dog who likes me? Coco almost even bit me when he first saw me. Well, I can say that Salvy is really just not that hard to admire. Even animals love him.

*(After 20 minutes)*

We are now in the hospital building as we walk towards the hall until Velo and I bid our farewells to each other. I know he could handle Astra; I mean, I hope he can.

I parted with Velo, and soon I reached Salvy’s room, who then welcomed me with Salvy’s parents and Coco. I was shy at first, but I gave in when I saw their welcoming smiles.

“Arf arf!” Welcomed Coco

“Hey Coco,” I waved at her as I looked at the two people standing in front of me.

“Good day, maám and sir,” I greeted as I suddenly just bowed at them well...I panicked

“Ahm, is it o-okay to visit Salvy?”

“It’s always is unless you’re a bad guy” their faces suddenly became hostile and switched to a combative mode like wanting to hit me.

“Wha..what no, no, you’re wrong! I’m Salvy’s friend, I promise!” I took cover, preparing myself to fend off attacks that were coming my way. What is it with old people wanting to hit me? Do I look like a punching bag to you!

“Hahaha, what a silly kid. We know we just want to make sure.”

“You know how the situation is right now,” The lady explained

“Oh, so you must me Salvy’s parents?” An awkward silence was heard until the joyful lady broke it as she snapped her fingers like having an Idea

“Oh, I know you must be Chico” how did she know me or my name? Did Salvy tell his parents but how?

“My my such like our foolish Salvy.”

“Hey,” I was about to complain when It came to me that I should just behave.

“Oh, look honey, how sweet he also brought a flower for Salvy how thoughtful!” The lady exciting squeals as she comes to me, still uttering words per second to her husband

“Hehe? So loud, isn’t she?” The man tried to excuse the nature of his wife, trying to ease the awkward situation

I nodded at him smiling, and he smiled back as I focused my attention on the sweet lady hugging me.

“Ahmm maám, is there something wrong?” I asked, concerned as I pat her back

“No-nothing your al-so th-at swe-et” she responded quavering

“Are you crying, maám?! Oh no, I’m sorry, I’m sorry don’t you want me here?!” Did I make her cry? What kind of a man am I? I’m sorry, Salvy. I didn’t mean to make your mom cry. She withdrew from her hug and wiped her tears before facing me

“You Silly young man! I just missed Salvy, and your foolishness makes me remember him.”

“Now I can understand why he...he wanted to hang out with you guys.”

“Oh no, I should not talk about this anymore. Haha, silly me, I’m such a loudmouth my bad” she avoided speaking as she turned her attention to the flower I was holding.

“Look at that, it’s beautiful, don’t you think? Is this a yarrow? Our names are from flowers and plants, so This is a good choice of flower,” the jolly lady stated. I don’t really know what flower I pick means, but I’m glad it’s a good choice.

“Oh this well, this is not enough to thank him for everything. I’m sorry, maám, for what had happened. I’m really sorry,” Salvy, I’m sorry. I know I’m sensitive, and seeing Salvy’s parents care and cry for him hits me. I feel like It’s my fault there’s a heavy feeling inside me that I couldn’t help but wonder if Astra carries this feeling in him. This is one heavy feeling to have. I’m pretty sure he also holds the burden of guilt to himself...I should have just understood him a little longer.

“You know I’m really, really worried for that kid. He’s soft, and he grew up in the city. I know for him to be in a situation like this, you guys are doing, let’s say, not that good for him.” the lady expressed

“Honey!” The man tried to refrain his wife from speaking something inappropriate

“What I meant is I just want my Salvy to be safe. I’m also a parent, you know. Still, I already know when he chooses to help that boy that day and tell us how he really feels the urge to save him I just understand that you are good guys. He sees good in people. If I can help, then I will. I’ll be a guidance to you all” huh, why is there a river streaming in my eyes.

“Look at you. Why are you crying.” The lady asked as tears flowed like waterfalls in her eyes

“I’m not crying, maám. You are,” I denied, letting out a loud weep.

“No, you are.”

“No, you are.” How can she even deny this in front of me

“No, you”

“No-” I was going to reply when cut short

“Alright, Alright, that’s enough. If Salvy is awake, you three are a troublesome chaotic trio.”

“Hmmm, really?” we both faced him as tears were still flooding down our eyes.

“Tha-Thank you maám!”

“You’re welcome,” we each said as we continued to cry

“Really, honey?” The man just dug his face to his hand out of disappointment.

“WAAAHHHH HUHUH,” The lady bawled louder.

“Okay, I’m out of here. Call me when you’re both done” The man waltz his way out, leaving the two of us staring and crying at each other.

*(A few moments later)*

Everything had already settled down as I talked for a few more minutes with Salvy’s parents, even knowing their names. They are easy to get along with, just like their son. They are also jolly and cheerful now wonder Salvy is like that he has loving parents.

“Chico take care, okay?” Camille sweetly reminded as she started to carry their packed bags.

Camille and Reed asked me to look out for Salvy for a while. They’ll just get some fresh clothes and a little rest, and I happily accepted as I know how tired they must be

“Thank you, Chico, for also bringing flowers for Salvy. We appreciate it,” Reed said also? Again? I wondered if someone paid a visit to Salvy before me? Maybe Velo or just Camille and Reed that bring Salvy flowers too. Yeah, why did I even think of this? Oh, wait, that brings me to the subject I want to ask them.

“Hey, Camille, how did you already know my name? have Salvy spoken to you about us or me?” I questioned the busy lady

“Oh no, I haven’t heard anyone else from Salvy aside from that friend of his I can’t remember his name, oh well.” she looks up as if she was thinking.

“Uhuh? beats me, I guess?” I replied but still

“Then how did you know me?” I asked

“You’re friend talked about you to us,” Camille replied as she smiled and headed off.

“Velo?”

“Yeah, ahm, I think that’s his name. I’m not sure,” Camille answered as she walked to open the hospital door, distracted and in a hurry; I didn’t even get the chance to ask them where they live now or did they even move. What about Muerte’s men? What if they come back for them

“Who is that-”

“Bye, Chico, we’ll go on ahead. Will bring you food once we get back, and if you need us or something, just call on from the lobby since you don’t have a phone, okay?”

“Ahm, okay! Be well and be careful, guys” maybe Velo already visited Salvy and talked about me. That guy could be talkative at times. I just hope he tells pleasant stories about me.

“Arf arf,” Coco barked.

“Hey, girl, it’s been a long time. How have you been? Do you miss Salvy?”

“Hmmm...hmm” The dog gave a slight whine.

“Yeah, we miss him too, girl,” I replied as I kneeled to pat her head.

“Look who brought you a treat,” I said as I pulled a jerky out of my bag

“Woof! woof!” The dog happily howled as her tail wiggles from side to side

“Alright, give me a paw first,” I instructed as I reached my palm to her, and the dog instantly handed me her paws as I gave her, her treat

I stood up and looked around as I tried to remember the thing I was supposed to do

“Hmmm?” I murmur, trying to recall as I put my index finger and thumb on my chin and gently stroke my fingers

“What am I supposed to do again, Coco?” I asked the adorable as I continued to think about the task that I should do.

“Arf arf arf!” Coco barked as she tapped my foot

“Oh, what is it, girl? Do you have a clue?” the dog sneezed as a yes answer to my question, but I’m an airhead.

“What is it, girl? Do you have an allergy? Or something” the dog stops her wagging tail as she closes his mouth, a voice a tiny whine as she looks at me. I swear if this dog is just a human, he’ll be looking like Astra, and it scares me.

“Hehe?” I scratched my head as the dog continued to stare at me in dismay

“Come on, girl, help me out here. You know I’m stupid” the dog came closer to me and put her face through the flower I was holding

“Oh! That’s right, the flowers! Thanks, Coco!”

“Arf, arf!”

That’s right, I should put these flowers in a vase. I gazed around the room and looked for a vase in the room, which was just on Salvy’s table beside his bed.

“Oh, there are already flowers in the vase. Guess these flowers are from who’s Camille and Reed are talking about.”

“And it’s also yellow, ha. Maybe yellow is really a good sign!”

“Arf arf!” The dog agrees

“Oh, is that so then I must be right, Coco?”

“Woof”

“What kind of flower is this? They are pretty.” I stated as I observed the flower in the vase in hopes to identify what kind it is

“Oh, a chcysanthetum?

“Num?

“Mum?

“Chrysanthetumum?”

“Hmmm hmmm”

“Gosh darn it, why can’t I pronounce it right.”

“Well, I wonder what does this flower means.”

“It’s good, isn’t it?”

“Hmm hmmm” why do you keep on wailing? Come on, I think this is beautiful, and even if I’m wrong, I am still sure this flower means something good, right?”

“Well, watch over Salvy for a while, okay, girl?”

“Woof”

“I’m just going to ask for another vase. I can’t let these flowers go to waste.”

“Woof woof”

“Want something, Coco?”

“Arf arf!”

“Hmm, kay! Imma fetch you some bread.”

“Alright, I’ll go on ahead.”

*(Velo’s POV)*

That’s why, huh? All this Sleepless night and turbulent thoughts filled you again, Astra. You can’t find the courage to visit him because you can’t simply accept what happened to him wasn’t your fault. He’s the reason you stayed awake, I can see now Astra, just like before you’re self-destructing, but why it does not have to be like this, right? How did it end up like this? You don’t have to leave Salvy.

Yoru’s POV

“Every day, it hunts me if to think what will happen if I was too late. Yoru and Salvy could have died.”

“What if I didn’t...didn’t make it on time.”

“I will forever blame myself for what happened to him. It’s all my fault, all my fault! Only if the two of us haven’t met, if I just let him leave, if I just didn’t follow the thing I wanted to, then this would not happen to him he would not lay in that bed suffering he will not be in danger but because of me!” Astra, I can see he was already on the verge of breaking apart, or did it already happened

“I almost lost him”

“Astra…” I called

“We almost lost him too,” I said

“It’s not the same, Yoru...” maybe it’s really not

“How is it not the same”

“Because I was the one who could stop it.”

“I was the one who let this happen. I let my guard down, Yoru” his voice was coldly cracking up. There’s a lot to the sentence itself. He blames everything on himself.