The following days after, Darylle's life went on as normal. Sure, he always had a busy shift in the pharmacy but thankfully it runs smoothly.
On the two occasions, Erik picked him up after his shift. Good thing he never showed up in the pharmacy. He spared him from the teasing he might get from his co-workers. Aside from that, Darylle works with his aunt in the same section. He haven't told his family yet about his growing friendship with Erik. Well, his uncle could have an idea.
And it was midnight already when he picked him up. He didn't even text him that he would be waiting outside. Darylle would just be surprised to see his silver gray car parked nearby whenever he got out from the hospital.
It was just a few days but Darylle got used to it, which seemed to be a bad idea for him. "What if he suddenly ignore me without a word?" He started talking to himself again aftwe blending the cheek tint on his face. "What if this is just temporary? What if he found a girl far better than me? Of course she would be better than me. She's a girl." He said calmly to himself.
The good thing about this habit of him was that it made him ready to expect for the worst. But it never stopped him from hoping for the best. "Expect for the worst. Hope for the best." He reminded himself as he check his face if the cheek tint was blended well.
It was his day-off today and they're finally going to visit Belle. He checked his phone as he was done preparing. Mich sent him message.
"Dar, we boarded the jeep already. And we are on our way now past Alburquerque."
He sighed and realized it took him too long because of make-up. But it didn't bother him going there alone. It was just half an hour going there.
He picked up his bag and went out of the house.
•••
It was a sunny day and there were only a few passengers inside the jeep that was bound for Darylle's destination. He climbed inside and sat on a vacant space between a plump lady with her groceries and an old man bringing a bayong with a cock inside.
They waited for a few more minutes before the jeep would set off when three more passengers arrived. They all climbed in and settled. One of them was a guy who sat in front of Darylle. And it was the nurse whom he met at Jollibee.
"Hi peach." He said, almost laughing. He was teasing him. Darylle felt shy upon hearing the word peach as it is commonly used to represent the female genetalia. But he quickly realized why the guy called him that. It was because of the peach mango pie.
"That's not my name." He told him in an audible whisper. "I know. But since I don't know you, I will call you peach for now." He teased. "Or I'd rather call you Mango?" He added, laughing.
The jeepney departed from the mall as the guy took a peach mango pie from his paper bag and hand it to him. "I think I owe you one." He said sincerely. Darylle was hesitant to take it, but when he did, the guy suddenly withdrew it away from him. "You can have it if you tell me your name." He said.
It was a bit awkward inside the jeepney. Darylle looked around and noticed all of the passengers were pretending they're not watching. Beside the guy was a vacant space so he transferred there.
"Darylle." He whispered. "Quillan." The guy replied handing him the food. He took it and put it inside his bag.
"So where are you going Darylle? Are you off from work today?" Quillan asked. He's being nice today. Must be because he had enough sleep. "I'm off to my friend's place. And yes, it's my off today." He replied.
There was a moment of silence as Quillan looked into his phone. Sitting beside him, Darylle couldn't help but looked at the screen and saw his background a picture of his character of a game that he also played. Dragon nest. He then wondered what server he's playing.
Quillan must've noticed him eavesdropping as he put his phone back into his bag. "Where are you off to?" He asked him. "To my friend as well." He replied.
They were already in Bacaya when the passengers started to get packed inside the jeepney. Darylle was not quite close to Quillan now. He could even smell him. He smelled vanilla and milk. Just like the light brown teddy he used to have.
Its name was Arthur. He left in the rest house of his lola, in an island called Manta, off the coast of Bacaya. When he came back, he could no longer find it there.
Darylle then realized he was leaning his head on Quillan's shoulder as he was thinking of Arthur. He straightened up and apologized to him. "Sorry." He muttered. "It's okay. Go on if you are sleepy." Quillan smiled at him. And it was then he noticed how handsome the guy is, with his pearly white teeth. Almost like a true prince charming.
Before he did anything that could embarrassed him further, Darylle looked away from him and tried his best not to blush. Good thing he was wearing a drunk blush make-up look, something that proved his faith on cosmetics. That at one point in your life, make-up could saved you.
In twenty minutes or so, Darylle would arrived at Belle's place. And it is the most confusing twenty minutes of his life. Because he wanted to arrive badly now in his destination, so that he can tell his friends about these guys he met this week. But at the same time, he didn't want this trip to end. Because truth to be told, he's enjoying it himself.