Hale is so very disappointed. He is upset to the silent embarrassed to himself. He thought this would be a good day, but he was wrong. So very wrong, what he had imagined came the other way around.
He is looking for a deep and reasonable explanation. He will just depart the province with no answers to his questions. He freaking hate that way.
After breakfast, he settled his things and put on his bag. He bid goodbyes to the people here in this house and just exited. He didn't mind Armando coming to him, he just walked away so fast.
As expected, Armando followed him. "Hale, just wait for me."
"I have to go home. I feel sick."
"Hey, wait for me. Let me assist you with your departure. We have climbed mountains yesterday, right? This time, that would be different and more complicated."
"I can do it myself. I studied very well the way."
"I don't know why are you acting like this. What did I do wrong with you?"
Hale stopped walking and deeply sighed. "So you do not know, don't you? You do not have any single idea what you have done and why I am acting like this. How absurd! I am so upset. I get confused myself."
"Then tell me. Speak to me. Be frank to me, that would be fine."
"Fine! Let me tell you this, no regrets about spilling what comes to my mind. I AM SO VERY FUCKING DISAPPOINTED TO YOU! I H-A-T-E Y-O-U! You lied to me! I thought... I thought you would introduce me to your parents, to your whole family that I am your girlfriend."
"So that is the reason, huh? Well, let me explain."
"Be sure that you will explain. I don't need your greasy excuses just to protect your ego. I can see that you are just afraid because of what happened to your past girlfriend. You think that it will happen again. Armando, I am not that kind of person!"
"I am so very sorry. Yeah, I am a coward. I thought that my decision was final."
"You have just wasted my time. HOW DARE YOU! FUCK YOU!"
"Sorry! I am really sorry! Will you forgive me?"
"I don't know. From the time you failed me, I don't have trust in you. Will you just leave me alone?"
He hugged me so that I could feel his fast heartbeat. We both catch our breath with intense feelings.
"Again, I am so sorry. Promise, I will introduce you to my family. Just give me time, just give me another chance."
"I will think about that..."
~~~
Hale just went home. His phone was on silent so he didn't look at it since morning. He changed his clothes and brushed his teeth. After setting something, he went to his room while holding his phone.
When he tapped the screen, a message coming from Xander popped out on the notification.
"Xander misses me so much. I didn't meet him for a day, he sent me a long message."
However, the content of the message he expected didn't happen. When he read the first paragraph, his tears began to fall. He felt so sad, Xander would be out of the country for six months.
He can't wait for half a year to come with Xander. His work immersion is approaching, he could not meet him. His dreams will be unattainable. His wish will not be granted anymore.
He contacted him but the phone of Xander is silently ringing. He really needed to talk to him, he wanted to meet him to hug for the last time. Before goodbyes, he is hoping he can kiss him. At least, he can have a memorable day before the departure.
He didn't stop calling Xander. He is expecting that Xander will mind looking at his phone to check the time. It happened, Xander really picked up his phone and turned off the Do Not Disturb mode. Unluckily, he didn't see a missed call notification from Hale, and the phone passed out, the battery had gone low.
For another attempt, Hale contacted Xander again. How upsetting, he never heard a ring. He is overthinking today what happened to Xander. Did he just be rejected? Is he not interested in him?
He had a doubt, about why Xander silenced his phone. If he is busy, he must turn the phone into Vibration mode. He is wondering now. He thought that Xander was having a hard time being rejected. Hale assumed that Xander faked his statements during the night they dated.
He had gone crazy. He splashed his phone. How lucky the phone is original and has strong durability. He burst into tears and yelled so loud.
"Xander! Why? Why did you ignore me? What the hell you turned off your phone when I was calling you! Why! Just fucking freaking why! Xander!"
His phone has just rang. He calmed himself and checked his phone. Armando is calling him. He called at the right time. Hale needed a companion in this kind of situation. He is so very lonely, heartbroken, and insane.
"Hale, are you crying?"
"I am fine."
"No, you are not. Why are you crying?"
"He just left me! He bid goodbye and never waited for me."
"Who is he? Maybe I can help."
"Xander is going to New York today, he will be gone for six months. He promised he would be my boss during my work immersion. I am afraid that will not happen. Armando, I think you can help me. He is your boss, right?"
"He is right next to me. We are still far from the airport. I will you the address of our destination."
I can't explain what I am feeling right now. Armando saved my life. I was suicidal and had no reason to live. Thanks to him he cared to call and provided a piece of information to reach Xander.
I changed again my clothes. I rushed to wear some makeup. I ran and called a taxi.
"Kuya, please bring me to the airport. I am in a rush. Please make the drive faster."
Hale acted so aggressively. He badly needs to meet as soon as possible Xander. This was his second chance, he hoped that he would succeed.
He focuses praying while on traveling. He never mind the reaction of the driver.
Armando called him again. "Hale, where are you? We have just arrived. I told Xander you are looking to him. He said he will wait for you."
Hale smiled so big and deeply sighed. He felt nervous and his hands were trembling and so cold. He can see the airplanes on the front. He immediately paid the fare and rushed to get out of the taxi.
"Xaanndeerr!"
He felt the world was spinning and the time slowed down. He ran so fast to reach him and finally hug him.
"H-Hale... You came. You made it. I missed you so much."
They hugged each other and Xander kissed the forehead of Hale. Armando's fists clenched. The jealousy is freaking tight. He controlled himself. He didn't want to ruin the last moment of the two.
"I am so very happy, so very glad I reached you. I read your message so late, so I rushed to get a ride."
"I am very sorry, I didn't bid you a formal goodbye. You got tired because of me."
"It's alright. The important is we finally met. I have a question, why do you need to be gone for so long? It's half a year, I will miss you so bad."
"The truth is... my parents called me yesterday. They offered me a grand training for e-commerce. You know, if the business is business, they will pick me because they trust me so much."
"Then why did you silence your phone? Then you turned it off. Don't you know that I cried so much?"
"Oh sorry you felt that way. I do silence my phone if I am too very busy. In addition to that, I have a business to do. So, I need a focus and avoid distraction. Just to be clear, you are not a distraction to me."
"Can I kiss you? I want this moment to be memorable."
And they really do French kiss. Their tongue played and they sipped each other's air. While they are being romantic, Armando's eyes turn to a demonic stare.
"Damn you, Hale! You betrayed me! How could you do this to me? I made right the decision, it's right I didn't introduce you as my girlfriend to my family. You are not one of a kind, you are freaking a bad girlfriend! Why Xander!"
Armando squeezes the bottle he is handling. He is really angry, his ears are spicely smoking.
"Sooner or later, Xander will not meet Hale again. Hale is mine. Just mine!"
Hale and Xander finally parted ways. As the airplane flies, Hale cannot stop crying. There is something sorrowful melody ringing in his ears, it makes him more sad and depressed.
Armando had a chance to get him solo. He went to him and hugged his back so tight. Hale still staring at the plane, focused on looking at it to follow how Xander left him.
Not until there is chaos happened...
"A-Armando, what happened to the plane?" he repeatedly patted Armando's arm to call attention.
"What's the matter? Is there any problem? Why do you look so pale? What is worrying you?"