In Love With My Rival

CHAPTER FOUR: away from me

           “Where have you been?” Xavier’s impatient tone was what greeted Zephyr when he walked into their apartment.

            “Park.” It was Zephyr’s simple answer as he plopped on the couch in their living room and closed their eyes. “Don’t talk too much. I’m going to sleep now.” He requested, closing his eyes and made himself comfortable on the couch. His long legs hanging from the armrest. Feeling bothered with his leather jacket and converse on, sat up to take them off and just discarded them on the floor.

            “Did you have dinner?” asked Xavier who was picking up his brother’s leather jacket and shoes. He had so many things that he wanted to say to his brother like how disorganized he was. He just shut up because he was aware that arguing with Zephyr Hernandez was pointless. “I baked lasagna.” He added, trying to make his brother get up from the mention of food.

But, Zephyr was too lazy to get up. Xavier sighed, giving up. He had waited for him, hoping he could have dinner with him together. But, he was too hungry and he couldn’t wait anymore so he just ate his dinner first. The two were so close to each other. Xavier was the younger, but he acted like the older one. He always made sure that his brother was healthy. He had always been the one to do the cleaning, the washing, and the cooking. It was only the two of them and they felt obligated of each other.

            “I’ll eat later. Don’t worry.” Zephyr assured his younger brother, eyes still closed.

            “Make sure you will. I’ll head upstairs now. Goodnight.”

            Zephyr was tired and he didn’t even do much during the day, but watch a football game on TV, eat and sleep. It was because he couldn’t find anything yet. It was frustrating for him to not find a lead. His life was starting to feel boring, he thought. The incident last week suddenly popped into his mind. It was what he did to the guy named Nate. He was satisfied. Xavier had let him know that he was not being bullied anymore by Nate. Their conversation when he came home that night with a bleeding hand was long because Xavier was worried. Not because his brother’s hand was hurt but because of what might happen to them if Nate would involve the police for what Zephyr had done to him.

            “What did you do?” Xavier’s eyes were wide as he watched his brother wrap a bandage around the wounded hand.

            “Nothing.” Zephyr simply replied.

            “Nothing. Then how did you get that?”

            “He did this with a f*****g pocket knife.”

            “Did-did you hurt him?” He asked, nervous as he waited for an answer.

            “What do you think?”

            “Zephyr come on. Please tell me you didn’t kill him.”

            Zephyr rolled his eyes at his brother’s accusation. “I didn’t. Just stop talking about it. What’s important is that I’m sure he wouldn’t get at you anymore. I’m sure of it.”

            “How? What did you say to him?”

            Biting the insides of his cheek, Zephyr blew out a breath and finished the bandaging. “It doesn’t matter, Xavier. Just tell me if he bullies you again.”

            “Jeez. You make me feel nervous.” Xavier couldn’t make himself calm.

            “Don’t be. You have me.”

            It was when Xavier went to classes again and he had observed that the mighty Nate kept a distance from him. He was never bothered by the quarterback anymore. The week passed smoothly. He thought he never had to be scared. Besides, he didn’t do anything and he trusted his brother’s words. He believed in him.

            So, anyway, Zephyr couldn’t fall asleep as he lay there on the couch. Giving up, he opened his eyes and put his hands under his head. He just stared at the beige-painted bare ceiling. The light bulb’s brightness was not that bright. He seemed to enjoy watching the moth flying around it. Feeling bored, he cast his eyes away from it and looked at his dirty faded blue worn-out jeans. What was he doing with his life? He couldn’t even wear nicer and cleaner apparel.

            Who was exactly Zephyr Hernandez? What did he do in his life?

            The sound of the phone ringing made Zephyr looked away from his jeans and sit up on the couch. He picked up his old iPhone on the coffee table and answered the call. “Captain.”

            “How is it going?”

            “Nothing. I couldn’t find a lead yet. Do you have more information?”

            “Nothing, unfortunately.”

            Zephyr massaged his temples, feeling hopeless at the answer. “Alright.”

            “Just try to get back here sooner. Boss needs you here.”

            “I will.” Zephyr threw his phone on the couch once the call ended and headed to the kitchen. He took out the lasagna from the turned-off the microwave and served himself a plate. He smiled when the cheesy flavor of the lasagna satisfied his taste buds. He was grateful enough that Xavier could cook because he just couldn’t trust himself in the kitchen. Once he was done eating, he washed the dishes and walked into his room which was adjacent to the living room. Their apartment was not that huge. The space was comfortable enough for two people. Zephyr was the one who paid for the rent every month.

            Feeling so untidy, Zephyr took a quick shower before getting ready for bed. He laid there on his bed, too lazy to get dressed. His white towel was wrapped dangerously low around his hips. His wet hair was wetting his white bed sheets but he couldn’t care less about it.

            “Why do you keep showing up?” What was he talking about?

“Beautiful.”

            Zephyr heard a very familiar voice. He turned his head to his right and there he saw the owner of that voice. The angel, he thought as he recognized the face of the woman. It was the face of the woman who bumped into him at the parking lot of the hospital. He couldn’t help but watch her. She was smiling brightly as she stared at something on her phone. The lamppost on the bridge was lighting on her face, letting him see how glowing it was.

            “Beautiful. Really beautiful.” He murmured as he stood there, watching the woman like a creep. He couldn’t help it. He was mesmerized by the beauty. That floral dress that reached her mid-thigh looked so cute on her. Cute. The word was too cheesy, he scolded himself. His eyes traveled up to her bare shoulders. Her collarbone was too sexy. Her boobs were—. Stop right there, Hernandez. He scolded himself, feeling uncomfortable with the undeniable pain beneath his jeans.

            Why was she wearing those thin straps? He wondered instead, trying to divert his attention from sinful images in his mind. The night was cod. He suddenly wanted to walk to her, take off his jacket, and put it around her shoulders. He scowled at himself. Why did he just think about it? What about his promise? Before the woman could even look up and see him watching her, Zephyr turned and walked away.

The woman wouldn’t leave his thoughts even after Zephyr had worn his boxers already and laid again on the couch. She kept running in his head like a challenging mission he wanted to take.

            “You’re not here for that useless matter.” He reminded himself again before closing his eyes. Unfortunately, even in his dreams, he could still see the angel.