Unsettled Past
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–Rayver's House–
Rayver's POV:
As soon as I entered the house, I quickly went straight to my room to take a shower and finally get some rest. I laid my bag on my bed, grabbed a boxer brief and a towel so I could bathe right away. I was drenched in sweat, and my clothes were already filthy.
After I finished showering, I sat on my bed, still drying my hair with the towel.
I couldn't get out of my head everything that had happened earlier. I couldn't stop worrying about him. I couldn't understand why I failed to approach him or even just acknowledge him back then.
I still don't know how to talk to him now—or how to tell him the things I've been wanting to say. It's as if there's always a wall standing between us, and I don't know how to break that wall just to be able to talk to him and get close again, the way we used to be when we were kids, when we were inseparable.
I ended up lying down on my bed, overthinking about how and where I should begin.
I picked up my bag and took out my cellphone. I thought of checking in on Andrei.
I immediately opened my Instagram to see if I could reach him, but when I looked—
**USER NOT FOUND.**
Still "User not found"! Day after day, night after night, that's all that shows. Nothing has changed.
Years have already passed, yet it's still the same. Even if I wanted to talk to him back then, I couldn't do anything, because this was always what appeared. Maybe it's already a deleted account, or maybe he's just using a different one now.
"Hays!" I let out a deep sigh and threw my phone onto the bed.
After a few seconds, suddenly a notification came in.
Thinking it might be Andrei, I quickly grabbed my phone and even sat up from lying down.
But—
The smile on my face immediately vanished when I saw it was Bianca who messaged me, not Andrei.
"Have you packed your things yet?" she asked in the chat.
That's when I started thinking that maybe I really should just move into the dorm, instead of things always being like this. Besides, the university is really far, so staying in a dorm is almost necessary. At first, I didn't want to, but Bianca insisted. Still, there are advantages to dorm life—you don't need to commute anymore, and you don't have to wake up so early.
I just replied with a quick "yes" even though, truthfully, I hadn't packed a thing.
I told myself I'd just do it tomorrow—pack my belongings and clothes. I was too tired to move, so I lay back down instead, closed my eyes, and tried to rest. My whole body was aching, and I was utterly exhausted from everything that happened earlier.
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–Andrei's House–
Andrei's POV:
When I arrived home, I saw Mama sitting on the sofa, holding her cellphone, clearly full of worry.
The moment she saw me come in, she rushed toward me and embraced me tightly—so tight—as tears streamed down her face while she held me close.
"Sorry, Ma! I made you worry!" I told her while still wrapped in her embrace, her hand resting on my head.
"What happened to you, and why do you have bruises on your face?" Mama asked me, her voice trembling, on the verge of tears.
"I'm okay now, it wasn't too bad. Please don't worry anymore, Ma," I reassured her.
Mama didn't answer; she just hugged me again. "It's a good thing it wasn't too serious," she whispered while still holding me tightly.
"Come, sit down here," Mama said as she walked back to the sofa, and I followed.
Once we sat, she asked again, "What exactly happened that left you with those bruises?" Her voice was calm but firm.
"Our practice ended late, and it was already really dark. I got lost, and then two men followed me. They tried to grab my bag. Since I refused to hand it over, one of them suddenly punched me in the face. Luckily, someone came and helped me," I explained.
She hugged me again. "Thank goodness you're safe, anak!" she said while stroking my back and hair.
"That's why you should just stay in a dorm, so this won't happen again. What if those two men come after you a second time? They might do something worse to you!" Mama said anxiously, her hand gripping my shoulder.
"Yes, Ma. I already found a dorm. I'll start packing tonight so I'll be ready tomorrow," I answered.
"That's good, anak. It's safer for you, especially with so many troublemakers out there like the ones you encountered!" Mama said with a tone laced with anger.
"Yes, Ma," I replied shortly.
"But who was it that helped you? What's his name?" she asked, looking me straight in the eyes.
"Ah, it was Rayver," I said softly, my eyes drifting away.
"Rayver? That means he's back from Canada?" she asked, surprised.
"Uhm, y—"
I was about to answer, but she cut me off.
"That's wonderful! You should invite him here so I can thank him personally. I miss him so much too!" she said, standing up with excitement.
"Mama…" I muttered, also getting up.
"Please, anak," she said, holding my hand as if begging.
"I really miss him, it's been so long since I last saw him," Mama added, almost pleading.
"Fine," I finally said.
I didn't really have a choice. I don't know what's with Mama.
"Tell me right away so I can prepare food for him!" she insisted.
I couldn't help but wonder who her real child was—she seemed more excited about him than about me.
I didn't respond anymore; I just nodded and went upstairs to shower and rest.
"Wait," Mama called after me, stopping me mid-step.
"Have you eaten yet? There's food on the table, in case you're hungry," she said.
"I've already eaten, Ma," I replied, and continued upstairs.
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.
.
.
"I kept looking for him in the same place he left — maybe hoping time would bring him back."
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