Quietly, he stole a glance at Heo, who was in the driver's seat. And as he looked at him, Tret remembered Owen's words. He didn't know what Owen meant by those words. But even in the days before he received those words, he felt that Heo was hiding something.
Even from the corner of his eye, Tret could see a hint of sadness in Heo's eyes. His best friend always seemed lost in thought; that's what Tret always noticed. Whenever he saw the sorrow on Heo's face, he felt compelled to ask if Heo was alright. However, the words never seemed to come out. Perhaps Owen was right—what did he truly know about Heo's life? Besides trivial matters like exes, Heo's antics, and his likes and dislikes, Tret realized he knew very little about Heo's personal life, health, or the deeper thoughts that occupied his mind.
At one point, Owen was correct: true friendship relies on honesty, and deceit undermines the foundation of a strong bond. Tret observed some friendships crumbling due to various reasons, including taking each other for granted, deceit, lack of appreciation, and hidden agendas. He glanced at Heo, noticing a noticeable shift from his previous enthusiasm to a current lack of energy and zest for life.
But what could he do? If Heo was hiding something from him, there was nothing he could do about it. He let out a deep sigh and turned his gaze out the window. They were nearing General Santos City. Three days prior, he and Heo had discussed revisiting the place he had taken Heo to two years ago. Tret couldn't refuse that request, as he also wanted to spend time with Heo. Perhaps he thought it would be the perfect opportunity to talk to Heo and get him to be honest about everything that had been bothering Tret since the day he witnessed Heo's nose bleeding.
He checked his wristwatch; it was almost five in the afternoon, and hunger gnawed at his stomach. It had been a long journey, and they hadn't bought any snacks or food when they left Davao City. He wanted to suggest stopping for a meal, but hesitated, keeping his thoughts to himself. When they arrived in Alabel earlier, both of them fell into silence. The only sound that filled the air was the music from Heo's car stereo.
Tret released a deep sigh as they entered Gensan. He missed the place; he looked at Heo, who glanced back at him. But when Heo noticed that Tret didn't return his gaze, he broke the silence, turned off the music, and asked him why. "Are you hungry?" Instead of answering Heo's question, Tret returned it.
Heo smiled, "Are you suggesting we pull over, take a break, and grab some food?" Heo guessed.
Tret nodded timidly, like a child. "Yes, yes, yes. I've been wanting to tell you since we passed Alabel..." Tret's voice trailed off, and he bit his lower lip.
"Okay," he responded coolly. "Where do you want to eat?"
"Jollibee and KCC. I also want to check out some books at Veranza," Tret explained.
"Okay, okay, good place," Heo acquiesced.
Heo turned the car and headed towards KCC Mall of Gensan. As they drove, Tret gazed out the window, taking in the bustling world outside. He felt a thrill of anticipation. The idea of revisiting the place he and Heo had been to a year ago sparked excitement. This time, he hoped, the memories would be even sweeter. He remembered the warmth of being embraced for the first time by someone he loved and being carried back home. His hypermnesia kicked in again, but this time, he resisted it. He only wanted to recall the joyful moments with Heo, not the nights spent in tears or the pain of heartbreak. Yet, for Heo, he was willing to endure it all.
"Sir, Tret, we're here at the KCC parking lot," Heo announced, nudging Tret's shoulder gently. He noticed that Tret seemed to be out of sorts, lost in thought as he stared out the window, seemingly unaware that they had reached the parking lot. "Who could my best friend be thinking about now?" Heo teased, trying to draw him back to the present.
"Tret, are you okay? Are you falling in love again, huh? I thought I was the only one you were in love with, Tret," Heo continued to joke. However, met with silence from Tret, Heo decided to step out of the car and opened the passenger door slowly. "Hey, Tret, we're here!" he exclaimed with a laugh, noticing Tret's distant expression.
"Ah... we're here already. I'm sorry. I didn't realize we had arrived," Tret replied apologetically, his mind clearly elsewhere.
As Heo unbuckled his seatbelt and gestured for Tret to join him outside, Tret's expression remained somber, devoid of the usual smile. Just before stepping out, Tret checked his messenger once more and viewed a photo someone had sent him. He shrugged indifferently, his thoughts clearly preoccupied.
Heo took charge, queuing up to order their food while Tret settled into their seating area. There were a lot of people at that time, and the lines at each counter were long and crowded. As Tret sat waiting for Heo, he didn't even think about checking the photo that had been sent to him. It was clear the sender was just playing around. Still, he felt a pang of longing in his chest, unsure if he could give his feelings freedom. He had told himself just three days ago, that night, that he would let go of his feelings, but it wasn't easy. He shook his head and scolded himself for entertaining such thoughts, knowing they would only lead to disappointment.
After a few minutes, Tret spotted Heo approaching his seat, carrying their ordered food. As Heo laid the food on the table, they began to eat, both quiet and hungry. When Tret saw the grease and a few pieces of chicken scattered on his lower lip, he wiped them away with a tissue, a gesture that felt familiar and comforting. He didn't know why the person next to them glanced at them. Tret thought perhaps such a gesture, or one man caring for another, was not right. Tret just shrugged.
"Join me on the second floor after this," Tret whispered, sipping his Pepsi with a float.
"Drop your favorite books, Tret, I'll buy them!" Heo suggested.
Tret's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? You're willing to splurge on my favorite books?"
Heo chuckled. "Why not? I know you can afford them; I know you're a spender. But this time, it's on me. So, drop your favorite books, and I'll buy them." Heo insisted.
"Wohooo-hoo, my best friend is buying me books," Tret exclaimed, before realizing he was being too loud and quickly covering his mouth. "What are my favorite books again? I have so many favorite books; maybe you can't afford them all," he joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"How about I make some suggestions?" Heo proposed, a smile playing on his lips.
Tret smiled back. "Good idea, since you're the one buying."
After they finished eating, Heo accompanied Tret to Veranza. The inviting scent of books filled the air as they stepped into the national bookstore. Heo grabbed a basket for the books he would choose, and based on their discussion, Heo would select the books for him. Tret followed Heo as he searched for books on the shelves. Heo's hand paused momentarily over "The Fault in Our Stars," and after a moment of contemplation, he added it to their basket. Curious about Heo's choices, Tret couldn't help but inquire.
"You're picking 'The Fault in Our Stars'? I've heard it's quite emotional," Tret remarked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
Heo nodded. "Yes, it is beautiful but heartbreaking. I think you'll appreciate it."
As Heo continued his search, Tret noticed a pattern in his selections. "The Light We Lost," "The Last Goodbye," and other tragic books. Tret's confusion grew, and he couldn't resist questioning Heo's choices.
"Why does it seem like all the books you've picked are sad?" Tret asked, intrigued by Heo's selections. "Seriously, are you trying to make me cry?" he joked.
Heo forced a smile. "Trust me, Tret, reading tragic books can be beautiful. These books resonate with me, and..."
"Why?" he quickly interjected.
"Oh, nothing, Tret. Let's go, let's pick more."
As they perused the shelves further, Heo's eyes fell upon "A Gentle Reminder," a book known for its comforting advice and empowering messages. Heo picked it up, adding it to their basket. "I think this one might offer some guidance and comfort," Heo remarked, noticing Tret's contemplative gaze.
"Good choice."
"And this one too," Heo said softly, grabbing the book "The Strength in Our Scars." "I think you'll find it meaningful."
Tret lost count of how many books Heo had selected for him. But he estimated it to be around twenty to twenty-five books.
"Is this enough, or should I add more?" he asked, turning to Tret.
Tret smiled. "That's more than enough. You might go broke if you add more!"
Heo laughed as he went to the counter to pay for the books. Tret followed him and remained silent, his mind consumed by thoughts of love, loss, and suffering. He couldn't help but wonder why Heo had chosen these particular books for him.