On the following day, a heartwarming sight unfolded as Theron and Syd walked arm in arm, their love evident in the way Theron's shoulder provided a comforting support for Syd. Together, they strolled along the bustling pier, immersing themselves in the lively atmosphere that surrounded them. Their arrival had been eagerly anticipated by their companions, who stood there, poised and ready, awaiting their presence. Among them were Sense, Bae, the inseparable twins Nial and Nell, Maude, and Irvin. However, one integral member seemed to be conspicuously absent from the gathering – Kith.
Syd's reluctant participation in the outing stemmed from a larger objective – to inflict an emotional blow upon Kith upon their anticipated encounter. Theron was certain that Kith would find himself enticed to join them, thus presenting the opportune moment to execute his plan. As they reached the pier, Theron's eyes scanned the surroundings in search of his elusive target, only to find an empty space where Kith should have been.
"Oh, the early bird," Sense smirked, interrupting Theron's sentence with a playful jab.
"You, after--"
"Hold up," Sense interjected with a smug grin. "That's just a glass of beer."
Curiosity sparked in Nial's eyes as he stared at Syd, awaiting an introduction. "So, who is he?"
Sense swiftly responded, "His name is Syd, a student in the Medical faculty."
Theron acknowledged his lack of knowledge with a shrug. "Ah, you know him better than I do then."
Sense chuckled. "Only someone as clueless as you wouldn't know about his boyfriend."
"Boyfriend?" The shock rippled through the group.
Theron nodded, noticing the range of reactions. Irvin, being close friends with Kith, remained nonchalant, possibly already aware of Kith's feelings for Theron.
"That's our generation," Nial commented with a hint of contemplation. "Who knows? Maybe in the future, I'll be dating a guy too."
"And would you introduce him to Mama?" Nell playfully teased.
Nial responded confidently, "Why not? Our parents aren't homophobic."
Maude playfully hugged Bae, creating a playful atmosphere. "Maybe we should be a couple, huh?"
Bae reacted with a mix of surprise and amusement, causing laughter to ripple through the group.
Sense raised his hand to silence the banter. "Alright, enough of that. Let's focus on the present. The boat is ready, and Rhea is waiting for us."
"Let's go," Theron declared, holding Syd's hand tightly.
The sun was sinking, signaling the approaching end of the day, yet Kith was still nowhere to be found. Theron had been discreetly searching and anxiously waiting for Kith since earlier. Frustrated, he decided to step outside. In the meantime, Syd sought solace in their temporary room at Rhea's house on the island. Theron walked alone, his mind tangled in a web of confusion.
The absence of Kith's presence left a void in Theron's heart; he deeply missed his best friend. Where could Kith possibly be? And why hadn't he joined them? Theron couldn't help but blame himself for allowing Kith to depart that night, burdened with a heavy heart.
As Theron came to a halt, he let out a sigh, his eyes fixed on the crashing waves. He had no clue where to begin searching for Kith, as he wasn't at his own apartment. Spotting Irvin approaching him, Theron couldn't help but release yet another heavy sigh, a mixture of relief and uncertainty.
Theron noticed the profound sadness that had etched itself onto Irvin's face. Knowing that Irvin was close to Kith, he wanted to inquire about Kith's whereabouts, but he felt a sense of hesitation.
"I know you've been searching for Kith," Irvin finally spoke, letting out a long, heartfelt sigh. "Healing a wounded heart is never an easy journey." He offered a bittersweet smile.
"Are you suggesting that you know..." Theron's voice trailed off, unable to finish his question.
"Before Kith left, he shared everything with me," Irvin quickly interrupted. "I witnessed the extent of Kith's pain and how much he was hurting. He shed tears, a lot of them. But ultimately, Kith made the decision to leave."
"Leave?" Theron felt his heart skip a beat.
"Yes, Kith is no longer in the Philippines at the moment," Irvin responded directly.
Theron's heart raced, pounding faster and faster. "Is there something about Kith's true self that you wish to reveal?"
"My knowledge about Kith's life is limited. All I know is that he is a mixed-race individual, a mestizo. His mother is Japanese, and his father is Filipino-American. And did you know..." Irvin hesitated, refraining from continuing his statement.
Theron nodded, a glimmer of understanding starting to emerge. So that's why Kith would occasionally speak in Japanese. But now, with his former best friend, someone he always protected, no longer around, would Kith ever return? Endless questions danced through Theron's mind, causing a whirlwind of uncertainty.
"He loves you, Theron," Irvin proclaimed, his head bobbing up and down in affirmation.
"I know, and..." Theron began to respond, seeking the right words to convey his complicated feelings.
"But I know you have no intentions of reciprocating his love," Irvin interjected, cutting Theron off.
"You're right. That's something Kith needs to understand. His feelings cannot be the sole determining factor. I must also take my own emotions into consideration. It hurts me too," Theron expressed, feeling the weight of his conflicted heart.
He let out a deep sigh, releasing the burdens that weighed heavily on his soul, and left Irvin behind. With each step he took, a mixture of anguish and sorrow accompanied him, manifesting in the form of a few tearful droplets that trickled down his cheeks. It was a bleak realization that their once cherished friendship would never be rekindled. He had not only lost his best friend but also his treasured companion who shared countless dinners with him, creating memories that now seemed distant and unattainable.
"Ther?"
The voice that called out his name resonated with familiarity. He had assumed that Syd was fatigued and had succumbed to slumber. A heavy sigh escaped his lips, laden with the weight of unresolved emotions.
"I cannot allow myself to find happiness in solitude while..." Syd paused, his voice trembling as he struggled to express the tumultuous thoughts that consumed him. "While he continues to suffer."
Theron turned his back to Syd, shielding himself from the emotions welling up within him. "You mean-"
"Yes, I am aware. I know that he loves you. I understand why Kith was unable to unveil his true feelings. If I were in Kith's position, I would have chosen to conceal them as well, shrouding them in secrecy. I would have done the same." Syd slowly pivoted away from Theron, their separation palpable. "And if fate brings you and Kith together once more, I hope that in that pivotal moment, you will discover the capacity to reciprocate his love."
"Syd..."
Silently, Syd walked away, leaving Theron to grapple with the profound implications of their conversation.
Overwhelmed by emotions, he found himself sinking down to his knees, his trembling hands reaching up to gingerly dab at his damp cheeks. His resolve faltered as he remained steadfast in that position, refusing to yield even as the rain poured down with a ferocious intensity, its torrential streams mingling with his own tears.
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Thank you for giving this chapter a shot.