Meeting you in the City

chapter 51

Yoru’s POV

Hmm, I'm famished. How much time do I have to endure until I eat urgh! Hmmm?

I suppose I should eat now since the nurse said I could, but there are still a few minutes to wait; ugh, this is such a pain.

*(Tick-tock-tick-tock)*

I listen to the tick-tocking clock informing me that the time is slowly moving as the boredom strikes me.

“HaAhhahhh” I yawned at the sound of the clock that dragged my eye to feel drowsy as I steadily waited for my mealtime, but the feeling of impatience and hunger led me to be irked.

“tsk,” I decided to look for the clock in my room which is not hard to find since it’s just hanging on the wall beside me. Hmm, how come I didn’t notice stupid me

I looked at the clock that was ticking. The gradually moving of its hands ticked me off, ugh!!!

Hahahaha, get it? TICKed me off?

“.....”

I visualized face-palming myself and started to think.

“where did I go wrong?”

“What is life?”

“had I made terrible life choices?

Of course, you had!

Oh yeah, of course, I have.

Stop with your sarcasm and jokes; numskull, it isn’t funny anymore.

I’m going back to the clock

Ahhh!

Ahhhhh!

Ahhhhhhhh!

Screaming internally, why must I suffer.

“Damn this rotten hospital!”

“Is this how they treat their patients here!”

“I’m like a prisoner.”

“Yoru, don’t be so dramatic,(snorts),” Nubes mumbled as he went back to sleep.

Yeah, easy for you to say you’re not the one who’s dying of hunger here!

You just ate a chicken in front of me earlier, you imbecile

“Darn clock,” I whispered

Move already, dipshit!

I hug my pillow, hardly clasping it with my fingers as I go mad waiting for the thing I longed for

“Stupid clock”

“Stupid time; all I wanted was to eat.”

“ZzzZzZZzhmm” *(Velo snorting)*

“ARGHHHH!” I yelled and quickly settled down, realizing Astra was also asleep. It may be the first time Astra has slept in a week since that incident. I should let them rest

I keep staring at the clock

*(Velo loudly snoring)* damn, this pig really sounded like a pig when he snores just sleeping and living his life, leaving me hungry here, tsk!

“Chicken”

“Chickennn”

“Chickeeennn” chicken that word keeps repeating in my mind like a ghost haunting me. I’m going insane, and it’s because of a chicken I can’t eat! Stupid Velo! Stupid Velo bringing chicken and not letting me feast on it then tortures me with its smell. If I go nuts, I’ll devour him.

*(7minutes pass)* ah! It is already near just 1 minute more!

Arghhh, why is it so slow!

Damn fvcking sloth!

Yes! It’s only 10 seconds left!

“1”, oh wait, I started too early

“1”

“2”,

“3”,

“4”,

“5”, arghhhh haya! So slow arghkskdsk

“6”, I’m losing my mind!

“7”, come on, come on!!

“888!”,

9, andddddd…..

“NOOOOOOOOW!” WHOOHOOO! Shouting from the top of my lungs as the hand of the clock finally reaches 9:00 a.m. I felt like dancing. I think it’s time for me to get some food.

“AHHHH!!.....AHHH!!!” Velo screamed, springing awake from his very soundly nap

“DON’T!..DO!.. THAT!... YORUUUUU!” The boy scolded me, still half asleep and agitated from what had happened

“Hmmm...” I uttered a slight whine as I displayed a pleading look

“Veloooo, Can I eat now, hmm?”I plead

“No!-o-o-o-oh wait, it’s already nine yup you can eat now,” the boy agreed, looking at his watch.

“Okay, thank you, Velo,” I replied happily.

“I’m going to fetch your food, Yoru. I’ll be back shortly” Velo was about to leave when the door broke open.

“What the Fvc-” My sentence was cut short. An energetic voice was heard from the outside of the room as a small boy popped behind the door.

“Hey, look who brought you food!” suddenly, Nubes came in with a tray and foods in his hands.

“What?!” what is he doing here?

“What are you doing here, Nubes?”

“How do you even know I’m awake?” I asked right away since the three of us only knew that I was already conscious, well that one nurse as well, but she just left and hayst, never mind. There’s no need to dwell on this anymore. There’s nothing wrong with him staying here. He won’t be making any trouble.

But Nubes didn’t answer me. Instead, he had his focus on somewhere else, or should I say someone, it was Astra who was returning the same enraged look that the red-haired boy was giving.

“What is he doing here,” The ginger boy asked, pointing his finger at the tall and slender pale curly-haired boy determining that it was, after all, Astra that he was talking about like he was irritated to see him.

“What do you mean what is boss doing here?” I questioned cause it appeared like he didn’t even want to be in the same room with Astra

“I’m just visiting my friend and my men, isn’t that obvious” just like before, Astra will always answer calmly, but his body language doesn’t seem like he is. They both seem irked at something, or again should I say to each other.

“I didn’t know certain people like you even treat us, commoners…. a friend.” that pause was to ridicule Astra, isn’t it? Agh, I spoke too soon again. Why do I have to jinx myself every time?! What does he even want from Astra?

“Or you’re just simply stupid enough to realize,” Astra affirmed, causing Nubes forehead to crease, but he just went back on, affronting Astra.

“Why are you even here? I thought the high and mighty Astra wouldn’t care; why don’t you just go back to the mansion your living in” the boy asserted with a fierce attitude. What happened between these two? For some reason, I want to know before I talk, but Nubes has already crossed the line. He does not know what kind of hell is in that mansion, and Astra experiences it all.

“Nubes, if you come here just to start fights with Astra, you could leave,” Velo interfered.

“What no, let him leave!” The boy opposed

“Just be quiet, all of you! I just want to rest. All you do is fight!” I yelled at them, causing them to stop

“But-but..bu-” The ginger cried.

“No buts! If you’ll just here to pick fight leave” I commanded

“Ok fine!” The boy grudgingly agrees

“I came here to talk with Yoru, so if you’ll excuse us,” Astra stated as he turned to me.

“Can I talk with Yoru privately?” Astra promptly requested, wanting to have privacy. This must be something important for him I was going to agree with, but Nubes objected.

“If you’re going to tell Yoru something, let us in on it too. We’re your team to isn’t that right?” Astra shut his body language and became distant and cold

“And why is that so?” Astra sternly questioned as he shot him an unpleasant look

“Cause I thought we are your ha….team” Nubes has that smirked on his face like he was trying to mock or provoke Astra but compared to him, Astra’s expression has nothing but just a blank, expressionless face that even pissed Nubes off.

“What’s with the smug emotionless face, you jerk” Nubes barked at Astra, but Astra didn’t care as his silent gas up Nubes burning flame.

“Damn you troubled emotionless piece of s**t!”

“COULD YOU JUST STOP NUBES!” Velo shouted, stopping this troublesome rage causing a fight

“Astra, if you don’t mind, could they listen as well?” Astra looked at me and then nodded

“Only if none of you don’t OBSTRUCT at what I wish to say,” Astra said, staring directly at Nubes like he the one he is pertaining in what he was instructing about

“Grr” Nubes was pissed off, looking like a dog ready to bite as I gazed at him, and he forfends his head away.

“Okay, jerk, get on with it,” Nubes bitterly cried

“NUBES! I’ll drag you out just one more time” Velo again scold Nubes

“Do you mind?” Astra asked, indicating the boy to stop since Astra is still his boss after all

“Yeah, yeah, just go ahead already,” Nubes pestered. Astra then walked closer to my bed, dragging a chair with him. His face was alarmingly serious. I could feel that this was something important and not like the last time I would listen. He placed the chair with the backrest facing against him. then sat and spread his legs on each side as he rested his arms on top of the backrest

“Yoru, I know you just woke up, and I know that you won’t be happy to hear this.”

“But I already made my decision” decision did he really…I wanted to just be angry at him, but I wouldn’t know why is the reason precisely behind this if I do

“I...just want to ask why?” I asked and why? Why now is this really the best time? Can’t this wait?

“Wait, what is this decision, and why don’t we know about it” Velo acted, feeling left out from the things he should have known, but then I glanced at him and shook my head, begging him to don’t interfere or question more but just listen. As the fake blond note and let Astra speak again.

“It’s just better this way, don’t you think?” as he hid his gaze from me, abstaining me to read his eyes, his eyes were hiding something, something he doesn’t want us to. He may be is just good at hiding his own feelings, but your state reveals what you feel.

“I don’t want that answer. Tell me something valid Astra or I...” I know; I just know that this is not how you feel. This is not what you wanted.

“I won’t forgive you.”

“But I already accepted the way all of you will look at me.” he just replied, just like that to me? Are our feeling even valid to him, so what’s this even about if he already accepted everything?!

“Just tell me, Astra, stop with this bullshit already.”

“Why is this bullshit then, Yoru aren’t you the one who told me to stay away from Salvy.”

“What Yoru you told him that?” Velo commented

“What is this about Salvy?”

“Why did you tell him that?” Velo asked

“It was a test, okay!” I retorted

“I want to know how much Salvy means to him” up until now, I believe what I saw, and how could you just let go of him so quickly, Astra?

“Just when I thought he means so much, Astra, prove me wrong,” I exclaimed, but did...did you really prove me wrong?

“What does Yoru mean, boss?” Velo looked at Astra, who couldn’t look back at him

“Boss”

“Astra…” tell him

“Yeah, Astra, just tell us already,” Nubes puckishly said with a smirk

“What’s this? even Nubes knows? Am I the last one to know?” Velo asked, obviously upset by the fact what we were talking about was a secret to him

“You already know Velo,” Astra answered

“What? What do I know?”

“I don’t know anything anymore. You have been dragging me to ride this game of yours.”

“You’re just confusing me!”

“But that’s enough, That’s enough, Astra. I want to know the truth.”

“The truth you said, will you really accept the truth you wanted to hear?” Astra softly asked

“Just tell me, Astra,” Velo begged, but who could have known what was waiting for him? I did, but it’s not my place to interfere.

“I’m going to leave Salvy alone, Velo”.....

A dreadful silence and shock filled the room

there’s no better way to say this. I’m sure Velo was also confused at his words, and we just want to understand why he will do that.

“HAHAHAHA see?! didn’t I tell you your boss is a fvcking a-hole!” Nubes declared aggravating Astra

“Stop that Nubes,” Velo said

“I know that this is his decision, and even if that makes him a complete... A-hole!”

“You don’t need to speak those words.”

“Huh, Astra! Why unless you have a valid explanation for us.”

“I thought that before….before Yoru wakes up that was just something you just….”

“Just something you said to annoy me, but you hurt Yoru and Chico, and now what?! You’ll really leave Salvy just like that?!”

“We only cared for you, so tell me, is that not enough for you?!”

“Let me understand, Astra, I beg you.”

“Tell me why, huh Astra, or I’ll...I”

“I will not hesitate to wreck that beautiful face of yours!” Velo was already aiming for Astra. The confusion has got him as well the first time I heard this, but he’s different. He can control his temper better than mine.

“What did I say? He’s just really full of crap,” Nubes added

“Nubes, Velo, stop that! And Velo, Calm down, let him speak,” I said, suppressing the intense atmosphere that was surrounding us

“Why...why boss, is this the reason why he couldn’t touch him again.”

“The reason you told me,” Velo expressed as his hands were clenching onto his shirt, repressing the anger he was feeling

“Velo...just calm down,” I told him, but those emotions couldn’t be held, I know...I felt that just a while ago.

“NO WHYYY! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO YOURSELF AGAIN, ASTRA”

“HAVEN’T YOU HAD ENOUGH HAVEN’T YOU LOST EVERYTHING TO JUST GIVE SOMETHING PRECIOUS AWAY”

“WHAT, WHY DON’T YOU SPEAK, HA ASTRA!”

“How could someone I just met be precious to me? He means nothing to me!” no-nothing to you?

“No…

“No-othing”

“Nothing to you?”

“Nothing to you, huh?!”

“I just know, I just really know he meant a lot to you you cared about him.”

“This is what you do!”

“Lie to yourself!”

“Why must you keep torturing yourself!”

“Haven’t I told you before I don’t feel anything anymore!” Astra retorted

“BULLSHIT, BULLSHIT, ARGGGGHHHH!”

“STOP F*CKING WITH US ASTRA TELL ME NOW THAT YOU DON’T REALLY WANT TO DO THIS” Velo looks at his eyes, trying to find the Answer he would have wanted, but his eyes are empty and cold as ice. There’s no darkness or light, just empty his face expressionless he cannot find the answer he wants, and that’s why we keep yearning to know.

“I thought that you were ready for the truth you were longing for,” Astra stated coldly. No, nothing just...just empty, isn’t it, Velo?

“I TOLD YOU HE DOESN’T CARE; HE DOESN’T GIVE A FVCK AND HE’S A COWARD FOR FVCK SAKE!”

“WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP FOR A MINUTE AND LET ME HANDLE THIS!” Velo snapped back at Nubes

“Tsk such a show-off,” the boy uttered

“I thought you changed Astra….”

“But you’re still that boy who is caged by his own weakness.”

“How much more do you need to suffer.”

“or sacrifice something.”

“Enough Velo,” Astra requested

“You’re not his prisoner anymore.”

“I said enough”

“You tried so hard to get away, but you, you still wouldn’t let yourself be free.”

“I’m not free; I’ll never be free. I can’t be free Velo” Astra...

“You’re not in his control. How much longer do you choose to stay this way!”

“ENOUGH! I SAID ENOUGH!” Astra demanded

“I’m not the one running away from the truth, Astra, isn’t that right?”

“Velo, stop that,” I said, observing Astra

his eyes were lost, his body trembling. I’m sure he knows; if there’s one who truly knows, it’s only him himself but hearing it is painful, isn’t it, Astra? How many times does this thought pass through your mind, Astra? How many times does this truth haunt you? Did it even cross your mind, or did you choose to run away from the agonizing truth?

“Astra, give me a reason, or I will still,” Velo demanded, but he didn’t wait for Astra anymore Velo’s fist came straight forward to Astra’s face causing Astra to fall off the chair and his lips to pop, bleeding.

“So..you didn’t even stop me? you’re...you’re really determined at this decision, Astra?” there were only two answers to that punch if he fights back, this wouldn’t stop, and if he didn’t, he wants us to see that Astra understand and want us to accept the decision he made

“It’s better to end this connection with him early, Velo. I can’t let this continue any further,” Astra talked.

“You have said I lost everything, I did, and I made it alone.”

“Why wouldn’t I again.”

“He’ll be a burden for me. My feelings are a burden for the both of us.”

“It will not do any good it’ll end up hurting us both”

“You’re a coward! A fvcking coward Astra!”

“YES, I AM NUBES; MAYBE I AM BECAUSE YOU DON’T KNOW!”

“You’re not the one who saw Salvy lying on the ground of a dark room breathing heavily.”

“Fighting for his life.”

“He was so cold...so cold I couldn’t find the warmth that welcomes me.”

“His eyes were full of pain. His scream of anguish, those screams, haunts me that I couldn’t sleep!”

“What will you do if you see the one you cared about running out of time.”

“Do you even know that feeling, Nubes?”

“Have you ever been stuck in a loop of an hourglass?