Yearning to vanquish the haunting memories of that night, he struggled in vain to eradicate the indelible impressions etched upon his consciousness. In his frustration, he longed to disrupt and obliterate their ephemeral connection, as if it were naught but a fragile glass—squeezing it relentlessly until it shattered irreparably. Unconcerned about the repercussions or the pain it might inflict, he sought a release from the suffocating grip of his tangled emotions.
Theron let out a heavy sigh, frustration evident in his expression. He raised the shot glass filled with whiskey, tilting it back until the last drop had been consumed. Despite downing several glasses of whiskey, it seemed to have little effect on him. He remained trapped in the same emotional state, the alcohol offering no solace.
The impulse to reach out to Syd, his composed and capable medical student—the caused why did their friendship ended like nothing. Syd, crossed Theron's mind. Yet, he made the conscious decision not to burden Syd with his own troubles. He couldn't bear to disrupt Syd's equilibrium with his own tangled emotions.
It felt far too early for Kith to have fallen in love with Theron, but Theron couldn't reciprocate those feelings either, as it felt too late for him to do so. A nagging part of his mind wondered about Kith's current whereabouts. He had attempted to contact Kith earlier in the week, but all his attempts went unanswered. Kith seemed to be unreachable, adding to Theron's mounting frustration and confusion.
Theron let out a deep sigh, the weight of his emotions evident in his expression, as he raised the glass to his lips once more, savoring the burn of the liquid as it flowed down his throat. Amidst the pulsating beats of the dance floor, a familiar figure caught his eye, waving in his direction. It was Sense, a friend he hadn't seen in a while. Sense made his way through the gyrating crowd, his steps purposeful as he approached Theron.
"Alone tonight?" Sense asked, his voice barely audible over the thumping bass, as he reached out to tap Theron's shoulder before motioning to the bartender. "A glass of beer, please," he requested, sliding onto the stool beside Theron. "Make it a liter, if you will," he jested, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Theron couldn't help but shake his head, an exasperated smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Sense, oh Sense, your name may imply wisdom, but it seems you lack common sense at times. Just take a look around," he gestured to the swirling mass of bodies, his frustration lingering just beneath the surface.
Sense, undeterred by Theron's gentle rebuke, shrugged it off with a carefree grin. He accepted the glass of beer, the golden liquid cascading into the vessel, before turning his attention to scan the room. His eyes flitted from one face to another, searching for something, or rather, someone who could satiate his insatiable desires. Theron couldn't help but notice Sense's carnal intentions, the lustfulness in his gaze apparent as he sought to find his own kind of companionship amidst the pulsating rhythms of the night.
"Take a look," Sense said, readjusting his seat. "From the way you're speaking, it seems like there's something bothering you."
"Oh, for heaven's sake. Even if I do have a problem, does it really have any impact on the world? It's as if I might as well detonate a nuclear bomb," Theron said, frustration lacing his words.
"You always have to be so philosophical. Look over there."
He turned his gaze towards the dance floor. Amidst the vibrant atmosphere, there was a strikingly beautiful woman, moving with an infectious energy. Her graceful and sensual dance moves captivated those around her. Her alluring eyes locked with Theron for a brief moment.
"That's it, she's someone who deserves attention," Sense smirked. "So confident in her twerking, she's sure to leave someone breathless. Perhaps she's after a well-endowed companion," Sense added with a lingering gaze towards the dance floor. "But the way she looks at you, filled with desire. Go on, my friend, make your move."
She wasn't his type, though. Despite the image of a "bad boy" associated with him, Theron was never interested in such a woman.
"Thanks, but s*x isn't the center of my world. I prefer the carefully prepared dishes served in a restaurant," he replied, dismissing the notion of pursuing a one-night fling.
Sense let out a hearty laugh, although there was a hint of seriousness in the way he stared back at Theron, leaving his expression somewhat enigmatic. Intrigued, Theron couldn't resist asking for an explanation.
"By the way, where's Kith?" Sense inquired, his voice laced with curiosity.
Kith never quite fit into this particular environment. He abstained from drinking and had no discernible vices. He was the epitome of a dutiful and upright individual, raised by a mysterious father figure. Kith's primary penchant lay in the collection of books, immersing himself in the boundless wisdom and stories that inked their pages. But alas, his one vice lay in harboring intense feelings of love for someone who couldn't reciprocate his affections. A true conundrum indeed.
"Kith?" Theron asked once more, his tone infused with a tinge of frustration.
"Why, pray tell, are you asking about him? And specifically approaching me with this question?" Theron's annoyance began to manifest, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Why not? After all, he was your best friend," Sense replied, taking a deliberate sip of his beer. "I, too, haven't seen him around lately."
Sense's observation was accurate. Theron hadn't encountered Kith this week. Perhaps Kith had chosen to withdraw from the tumultuous currents of existence, seeking solace from the melancholic tapestry of his own life. Kith had also become mysteriously absent from his usual online haunts, leaving a void in the virtual world. Despite the complexities of their relationship, Theron yearned to catch a glimpse of Kith once again, to engage him in a conversation that could potentially alter their fates or transform Kith's own path.
"Me either," Theron uttered, his voice tinged with exhaustion, as he lit a stick of cigarette.
"Hey, man, are you planning to join us tomorrow?" Sense asked, the weariness in his words seemingly dissipating for a moment.
"Absolutely," Theron replied with conviction. "Tomorrow would be a dreadfully monotonous day if I don't venture with you all to Isla Tagumpay in General Santos City. My mind has been mired in the ceaseless processing of countless thoughts, weighing heavily on my mental faculties. Thus, a change of scenery is desperately needed, a place where I can engross myself in the allure of my surroundings."
"By the way," Sense interjected, his tone a mix of concern and anticipation, "I implore you to keep an attentive eye out for Kith as well."
Theron let out an exasperated grunt, clearly irritated by the request. "For heaven's sake, could you spare me the trouble? Don't you think I have enough on my plate?"
"Can you just entertain the notion, even for a moment?" Sense shot back, a slight edge creeping into his voice.
A mischievous smirk formed on Theron's lips as he reveled in the verbal sparring. "Who am I to deny you the pleasure of my company? But a friendly piece of advice - if you want a brawl, let's settle it in a proper arena. We don't want any collateral damage now, do we?"
Theron's fingers clenched tightly on his lap, his knuckles turning white. The room reverberated with the unspoken tension between the two friends.
"Calm down, my friend," Sense interjected, his tone laced with a hint of amusement. "Today is not the day for a battle. We need a designated arena, where our rivalry can be properly contained and celebrated."
"You're nothing but a persistent irritant," Theron muttered under his breath, his words partly drowned by the sounds of their surroundings.
"Sense my ass," Sense quipped, swiftly retreating from the scene. "You can cover my expenses on your own this time."
A mixture of frustration and amusement danced across Theron's features as he watched Sense make a hasty departure.
"Go to hell and kiss my ass," Theron called after him.
Sense waved nonchalantly, disappearing into the night. Left alone, Theron resumed his solitary indulgence in drink and contemplation, his mind carried away by the ebb and flow of emotions.