As the night falls, the clear blue sky is strewn with little uncountable stars. Like a gleaming boat, the moon sails through the deep blue sea of stars. Like Cade and Christian were being welcomed into its immense realm. The two sat next to each other, enjoying the evening tossing the Can of San Mig light. Christian experienced himself as being propelled by a wave's peak like a speeding bullet. He was with his best friend, Cade. The evening seemed to last forever with Christian. They could see the city of Koronadal beneath them, which was a lovely sight since they were atop a little mountain covered with piles of enormous rocks. Koronadal City was Christian hometown.
Christian seized the opportunity to gaze at Cade's flawless visage as Cade joyously hurled the can of San Mig light in the air. Cade's face was in perfect proportion to his eyes, which had the same striking clarity as a mountain stream. His figure always exuded vitality and panache.
Christian lips curved in a barely perceptible smile. At first, Christian found it challenging to interact with Cade, but as time goes on, the two became best friends. Perhaps it was because they frequently spend the evenings watching movies together and sharing a bedroom. When they were in their second-year college Christian had no idea he was in love with Cade, which was a surprising revelation about himself. His initial realization that he was attracted to Cade was tough for him to accept. Every day, being in Cade's proximity drives Christian nuts, especially when Cade's cologne draws a line from his nostrils to his heart. It was an odd love interest since loving a man who was oblivious to your feelings is both too foolish and painfully sad.
He wished he were too close to Cade that night because Cade's radiantly exquisite freesia scent was so tempting. Cade was close yet too far. In the star-studded sky, Cade peered. Christian's heart beat quicker and his stomach was churning with butterflies. If he's only a girl Christian would tell Cade his feelings, no matter the cost. Yet, he and Cade are He. Two men in love are perceived as a plague and impious because people and society are judgmental and portray love as being exclusive to men and women. He tormented himself more and more as he yearningly pursued a romantic relationship with Cade.
Cade turned to Christian and said, "It's the perfect place." Christian eyes were fixed on his face, and he didn't even bat an eye. Cade grinned. "I'd probably bring her here if I could ask someone to go out with me."
Never, I will never be that Her!
"We'll sleep together later, and you can't refuse it." Cade babbled and gulped the content of San Mig light.
Christian forced a swallow as he observed Cade's Adam's apple moving up and down. "I think we should head home."
"Okay." Cade agreed. "I have a morning class tomorrow, but I won't go home unless you carry me."
Christian grinned. "Humorless."
Cade smirked. "Or, Chris, do you want me to carry you home the way a husband carries his wife." Cade bit his lower lip and he moved close to Christian. His voice was deep and gruff. It sent butterflies to Christian.
"I could feel the booze flowing through my veins smoothly," Christian said changing the subject.
"I won't abandon you; even if you're drunk."
"My bad." He felt woozy all of a sudden, and it wasn't a pretense. When he stood up and shut his eyes, he noticed that everything around him was tilting and rotating. He then sat down again and slowly fell into Cade's lap.
Christian woke up the following morning. He found himself lying in his comfy bed. He was certain that it was Cade who brought him home last night. Cade wasn't in his bed, though. And where was he? Perhaps Cade was in the kitchen since, as was customary, Cade was in charge of preparing their breakfast. He went out of his room and went downstairs. He saw Cade frying sausages.
He approached Cade with a smile on his lips. His smile was like a bright ray of sunlight illuminating the room's deepest recesses. When Cade turned to face Christian, he sigh profoundly and reached out to dab at Cade's forehead. His nostrils compare the scent of Cade's sweat to floral.
He was unsure of what prompted him to wipe Cade's forehead. He failed to notice Cade's response or any discrepancies. Cade only fixed his eyes on Christian's. He lowered his eyes and gently withdrew his palm because he lacked the confidence to look Cade in the eye.
Cade exclaimed, "Thanks." However, he burst out laughing. "Last night moment, though, still lingers."
Christian creased his forehead and sat in the chair. "Did I say anything unfavorable?"
"You're just cute, that's all."
Cade poured milk into Christian glass, but when he noticed Christian grumpy expression, he pouted. Cade's hemmed nevertheless kept pouring milk into Christian glass."I didn't mean to broach about last night." He sat in the chair next to Christian after he carefully pushed a glass of milk close to Tret's plate.
Christian sighed, appearing to express through his breaths everything he had in his heart.
Cade grumbled as he glanced at Christian's plate, where Christian was playing with his fork and spoon with egg and sausage. "There was nothing wrong last night, you've just mentioned- Oh, I'm sorry, you should take your breakfast, Chris. I have to run because my morning class is about to start."
"Come on, Cade, did you make me intoxicated so I could tell you my secret? Was it solely about my feelings? that I'm into you? And I guess that wasn't the first time you were aware of my feelings; in reality, despite your constant pretense to the contrary, you have long been aware of them. I tried to tell you, but what will leave for me if I lost both you and the friendship?"
"You said you loved me last night. I understand. Rest certain that I won't let this affect our friendship. Nevertheless, accepting that you are bisexual is insufficient, Chris? And now you're going too far by telling me you love me." Cade gasped.
Christian felt a knife stabbed in his chest ten times, and he struggled to draw a breath. Cade was right though. He ought to have been happy with their friendship.
Cade smirked as he stood up. "What should I tell my parents? You know them well, Chris, and while they can't accept two men in love, I can't let my parents down because I'm the business's successor. I'm unico hijo."
"Chris, I don't mean to hurt you. I')'ve been cognizant of your feelings for a while, but ceasing that would be the best course of action. I have to go now, my class is starting soon." He added kissing Christian's head. "Let's talk about it later, and I'll buy you your favorite dessert." He left Christian in a demeaning silence.
Christian's eyes were filled with diamond-like tears as he sat still. He imagined himself suffocating in the vortex, and a wave of despair is like the deepest part of an ocean. He was accustomed to these situations, so this wasn't anything new. He instantly recalled how his best friends' cousins treated him poorly and disregarded him when they learned of his sexual orientation. It was just a different kind of anguish that will eventually turn into a scar. He got to his feet and rubbed his cheeks which were still wet because of his tears.
He went upstairs to his room. And as he turned to look at the floor, a significant amount of blood caught his eye. A crimson trail led to the restroom door. He checked Cade's blanket and it was blotted with blood. Is Cade injured? His thoughts made his heart beat rapidly. He tried to calm himself while heaving profoundly.
He felt as though he were strolling down a pitch-black, terrifying alley as he made his way to his study table and sat down. He needs to calm himself. However, he was agitated by the paper scraps strewn about his study table. He groaned and realized that he had no choice but to clean up the mess. He gathered up all of the scrapes and threw them in the trash, but he stopped short when he spotted bloodied tissues. In opposition to the tide of his worry, he was striving to keep himself afloat.
He skipped his class that day. He slept the entire day. And the sun slid through his fingers when he awoke. He began to cry once more, but he bit his lip to stop himself. Nonetheless, he was startled to feel his hands quickly dab his wet cheeks. Although his vision was fuzzy due to tears gathering in his eyes, the gentle touch that prompted him to slowly open his eyes allowed him to see Cade's countenance. Cade grinned, a lovely smile on his face. Christian was uncertain as to whether Cade had just arrived or had been keeping an eye on him for some time. His heart began to race.
"I'm sorry, Chris," he said in a voice shaking with emotions.
A hush descended. Christian's gasping breath was the only sound that filled the space between them.
"The beat of my heart, is it special for you?" Cade asked in his gentle voice.
Christian looked into Cade's eyes. They were gentle and sincere at that time. "You don't have to say you like me too, and things don't have to change."
Cade shook his head and bit his lower lip. Christian took a swallow and met Cade's eyes directly. The yearning in Cade's eyes was visible to him. Cade tentatively snatched Christian's lips. Cade gave a long, passionate kiss that was hot and deep. It wasn't just the kiss that made their night of romance; it was also the champagne glass on top of the table, the lampshade, and the classical music. Their love was burning flames. Christian had tens of thousands of thrills from Cade's blissful movement on top of him. The classic music volume increased, and he felt as if he was approaching the climax. His moan came in a mood of delight and satisfaction.
Unfortunately, Cade was no longer by his side the next morning. Only a small dot of blood was visible on the floor and a handwritten letter was next to him. His eyes were unable to complete the phrase. Christian sobbed uncontrollably and collapsed on the floor, barely breathing. Cade was shipped to America for his best medication because he battled urothelial cancer. That was the explanation for the blood he had seen yesterday.
It won't take long to wait five years. If I win my battle against cancer, I'll see you.
His new life had just begun for him. The fact that Hardin left him must be accepted. Nevertheless, he constantly felt a tremendous pain in his heart whenever he saw a picture of Cade. His invisible wound radiated excruciating anguish throughout his entire body. His heart was too deeply wounded by Cade's absence. After graduating from college, Christian decided to open his own cafe. However, there was never a moment when the thought of Cade's absence did not torment him. He had not been informed of Cade's state of affairs for two years. Cade's well-being was unknown to him. He ultimately appears accustomed to having no communication with Cade.
He wasn't sure if it was his fortunate day or not when he saw Mr. Felix Marcus, Cade's father, enter the café one afternoon; of course, his cafe was well-known in the town. And it was either a godsend or a curse to see Mr. Felix, a well-known wealthy businessman, visit his cafe. He nevertheless maintained his charming smile as he approached Mr. Marcus who looked depressed.
"We lost our unico hijo, a few weeks ago; since you were his best friend, you were the last person I told about it. Three years have passed since he battled his cancer but he lost the battle and he's now in a better place." Mr. Marcus heaved profoundly.
He was unsure of how to respond to Mr. Marcus. His eyes started to tear up, and his throat was becoming dry. Slowly and skewing against the sky, the trees started to move in a circle. He leaned against the wall. His head was whirling. Let everyone know how much Cade's death has broken his heart. Let the world know how agonizing this anguish was. His heart had stopped entirely. Christian started crying and screaming like a banshee that tore the air when Mr. Felix left the cafe. His mind yells indignantly. The news felt like a torture chamber.
Wherever Christian goes, he carries certain emotional scars despite his attempts to bury everything in oblivion. No matter how hard he tried to forget Cade, a small part of him always remained conscious of Cade's endearing smile. Even in the depths of his sleep, he could hear Cade laughing-a laugh that had once made him smile. For more than six years. Cade always animates all his thoughts. Christian visited the location where he and Cade spent the night together nine years ago when he got back to his hometown. He was astounded to see a man seated on an old chair beneath the old tree facing the lovely Koronadal City.
Cade Marcus? He whispered.
The guy grinned. Christian observed that tears were beginning to gather in his eyes. Six years ago, didn't Cade pass away? The guy's smile reminded Christian
"The breeze is cool, isn't it? it reminds me of something incredibly delicate like the wind darting from bough to bough the night we spent here."
"You're dead already-"
He groaned and said, "That's why I come back out of guilt. It was Dad who plot everything. He was aware that you are into me, and I have to admit that I once felt the same way about you. However, he set up my marriage to the daughter of his business associate."
"Am I not dreaming?"
Cade shook his head. "C'mon come closer and touch me."
When he got close to Cade, Christian stroked his cheek. Cade is still alive. No, he wasn't dreaming. Indeed, Cade is still alive. He embraced Cade. They gave each other bear hugs.
"I'm so sorry, Chris, I hurt you badly."
"You're here because you love me. You come back because of me." Christian cried.
"Chris, there's no us, there never was. It'll be the last moment we'll see each other. Our old friend was one of the things I loved most about you. I am a father now, Chris," Cade said as he wiped away the tears from his eyes.
Christian distanced himself from Cade. His tears incessantly dripping from his eyes. Cade cried and walked away. Yet he stopped for a while and turned to face Christian. Invoking goodbye, Cade waved his hands. The solemn song of a cicada disturbed the gloomy silence of the trees. Grey gravel-like darkness spreads across the sky. Huge cloud pillows were beginning to develop, covering up the sun's old-gold hue. On the leaves, the first drops of rain started to fall, and then it got heavier. Despite being inconsolable, Christian grinned widely because no one could see his tears through the rain, so he danced recklessly until he fell to the ground and cried heavily. Nevertheless, when peered at the blackest sky, he understood that he lives under a forgiving sky