"I'm Kalen."
"Damon was my friend."
The same words kept repeating in Leo's head. "Why is he here anyway?" His mind couldn't rest, the same questions linger and he wants answers. He stroked his furrowed brows and rested his head on the car seat cushion then folded his hands together on his lap and heaved a sigh. A sprinkle of rain began to scatter on the windshield soon became a downpour, and the road automatically went out of sight, and only a loud, rushing noise of the water was all that can be heard. Leo closed his eyes for a brief moment, his ears hurt and are irritated by the sound of the liquid spattering at the window.
Felix kept glancing at his brother who seemed to be a bit perplexed, and couldn't hide anymore the worry he was feeling.
"Good thing we got out of there before the rain came. Are you okay?" The older couldn't hold the question any longer. Something is up but Leo just gave a slight nod. "Do you mind telling me what's been bothering you? You're at it again. You're here but your mind is somewhere else." Felix insisted while trying to focus on the road.
"Headache. And, the weather is terrible. I hate it. Can you drop me off at the drug store instead?" Leo didn't want another lecture from his brother so he quickly tried to distract him with another topic. But, Felix didn't believe him. He truly wanted to know what was wrong and so tried to squeeze answers from the other.
"What's up with that guy and you?" Who's he?" He insisted with a demanding voice trying to get something out of the dreary man.
"He's Kalen," Leo responded sarcastically. Felix looked at Leo in disbelief with furrowed brows. "Did he just mock me?" He thought. Without answering, Felix let out a light sigh in dismay and decided to just let it go for he didn't want the discussion to go to upset Leo again.
On the other hand, Leo still couldn't get the man out of his head. Not because he's attracted to him or anything like that, but because he sensed something different about the guy. He is fascinating, but, he doesn't know if it's a positive or negative thing yet. It is also what he wants to identify.
"He is Damon." He mumbled.
After a moment of silence between the brothers, and Leo's mind being occupied with Damon's presence, the younger finally falls into a deep sleep.
EARLIER AT THE CEMETERY.
The three stood perfectly still in awkward silence. Only the cold air invaded their space until finally, Felix decided it was time to get going.
"Leo, I think we have to go. The rain will come soon. Let Mr. Kalen have his alone time with his friend." Felix looked at his brother in persuasion which Leo understood and nodded to. Felix glanced back at the man who was just listening and staring at them, calm and patient.
"Please excuse us, Mr. Kalen. We will just collect our things and will go ahead." Felix said.
"Please take your time Mr. Felix. I got plenty." The man explained with a playful giggle.
Leo made a face whenever he hears the man's voice. The stern demeanor of him standing behind them was quite irritating for him. Kalen remained standing there, still looking at the two, particularly at Leo. He was not expecting he'd finally meet the man his best friend told him about years ago. What a coincidence he thought, of all places. After the two finished clearing up, they turned around to say goodbye to the man, however, Leo chose not to even lay his eyes on him. He feels hostility toward the mysterious man's mystifying aura and he just wanted to get going.
"Well Mr. Kalen, it was nice meeting you again. I'm sorry we can't stay for a chat. We will go ahead. Leo? Let's go." Felix politely said but with a demanding tone. He gave a quick smile at the man staring at them and was the first to walk away. Kalen smiled back and bowed his head a little before piercing his eyes again on Leo. And, as Leo starts to follow his brother, he thought he heard a faint voice say something to him. The wind muffled some of the words so he didn't properly hear all of them.
"It is nice to finally meet you, Mr. Leo; were the words that were spoken by the stranger. "See you when I see you," he added.
Leo turned his head back at Kalen and glared at him no reaction was seen except for a cold eye. His half-smile infuriated Leo even more and the scene was like in a movie where their surroundings started to halt for a moment. Both feet were nailed to the ground as they fought with their eyes immensely as if wanting to claim something worth of gold. And, Leo didn't back down.
The humming of the withered leaves playfully dancing along with the calm breeze passes through their ears, embracing their still bodies. Their hair moved slightly across their eyes and Kalen was the first to break the gaze, not because they were downgraded, but because he felt that it was nonsense. His almond eyes slowly drifted away from Leo leaving the man bewildered and was enough to daunt him.
Leo was insulted in a way. The way Kalen looked at him made him uncomfortable as if he knows something he does not.
Leo snapped back to his senses when his brother suddenly called him from afar. He glared at the stranger frowning as he pays his respect to the lifeless one, lighting the incense. Leo left with no choice, walked away, and didn't dare to look back at the visitor again. Felix was confused about what was happening but kept quiet and curiously eyed Leo who was walking in heavy steps towards him, stomping like a child. Leo walked past his brother without saying anything and got inside the car, closing the door with full force, and the older immediately followed.
"What happened? You look like you could kill someone." He asked, surprised by his brother's sudden attitude.
"Nothing. Can we please go now?" Leo replied coldly. His brother nodded and drove off.
As the car slowly make its way, he glanced at the side mirror where he saw the man still kneeling and seemed to be talking to himself. He rolled his eyes and looked away, then the car started to drive away and before he knew it, they were on the highway going back to the City.
What's up with me today? What does he want? Why is he here? He thought, looking up and staring blankly at the dark sky preparing to pour its tears away.
BACK AT THE CAR.
"Leo wake up. We're near the drug store. Wake up." Felix gently shook his brother's shoulder who was sleeping comfortably like a baby.
Leo slowly opened his eyes and gave out a wide yawn. His brows met, confused about where they are. He sat up straight, stretched his tired neck from side to side, and pressed his back again on the car seat, still feeling a bit sleepy.
"Where are we now?" He asked Felix giving out another yawn and eyes a little blurry.
"Drug store, Leo. You said to drop you here. Do you want me to go in instead? Then I'll drop you back at your apartment. It's raining quite hard." The worried brother strikes again.
"Nope, I'm good Felix. I'll just get off here. Thanks. And, I have an umbrella. I'll take a cab." Leo casually told his brother, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Alright then, don't forget the food. Don't waste it and call me when you get home. Okay?" Felix reminded his brother.
"I will. Thanks for today." Leo unbuckled his seat belt, reached his hand at the backseat, and opened the door. He put up his umbrella, scowled, and faked a smile at his brother, then the two said their goodbyes.
"You're welcome. Visit Uncle when you have time. Come home safe." The older smiled back and waited for Leo to get out of the car.
The rain didn't stop for even a second. It kept pouring making Leo more irritated. He waited until his brother's car was gone and went inside the drug store. After buying what he needed, he got out and waited for a cab.
When he saw one, he extended his arm making a walk forward as the cab slowly makes its way in front of him.
It was 11 am when he finally got home. He immediately called his big brother to inform him that he got home safe and sound. He did it or else his brother will be the one who'll keep calling him.
He unwraps the food they took earlier at the cemetery and put it in the fridge. He didn't have an appetite so he went upstairs instead and changed his clothes to a more comfortable ones. He forgot to close his bedroom window earlier so it was a bit chilly inside.
He sat near his nightstand and greeted the photo once again then smiled at it and muttered;
"I'm home. Your friend showed up today. What's up with that?" He asked hoping someone would answer him.
He put the photo back after kissing it and took his medicine. He got into his bed and curled up at his pillow. He was still a bit exasperated by what happened at the cemetery and he still didn't understand why honestly. It was not a direct argument but what else could it be.
Leo remembered how Damon used to tell him about his "best friend" Kalen. He hated whenever his dead lover would talk about another man to him, but for some reason, Damon was different whenever he would talk about that best friend of his. Not that kind of talk where someone is attracted to a certain person, but the kind of talk that has brotherly aspects to it. And, not once did Damon talk something bad about Kalen, but still, he kind of felt jealous.
And now that he thinks about it, he asked himself, jealous of what exactly? He knew Damon was his, but, there was something about that Kalen triggering his overprotective side. And, what is it that he wants? Why is he suddenly back? He kept asking, hugging his pillow tight and finally dozing off to sleep again.
TO BE CONTINUED.