The Redamancy of Shade and Art (BOOK 2)

Chapter 10

"Doza, relax," Angelo complained as Art yelled at him.

"I've been so worried. Let's go and see him."

"Doza, it's Sunday—"

"And so—?"

"It's Church day for me!"

"Then I'll go alone!"

"You haven't been to his house."

"I'll find it!"

"They won't let you inside!"

Agonized, Art yelled while Angelo whined.

"We shouldn't. We really shouldn't, Doza. What if Tita Sharron is still home? Or Tito Dave?"

"I don't think they are! I have a feeling—"

"We can't base it off your feelings—"

"I'm sure about this," Art snapped. "We should see him. Or else—" Art couldn't say it.

"Or else?"

"Or else something bad might happen, okay? Wala—tang ina—feeling ko lang talaga. I know this, Angelo. You have to trust me."

Angelo sighed.

"We haven't seen him in two fucking weeks." Their heart was shattered, and their chest hurt and they were losing sleep over Shay. Over worrying day and night for his mental health, for his wellbeing, because he stayed in an abusive fucking household and the last time they saw each other they fought. "More than two weeks, actually! No texts, no tweets, no calls, no updates—"

"Pare, we have to give him time—"

"We've given him enough fucking time!"

Angelo paused.

Art waited.

Art's new chihuahua—Georgie Maxine—ran around Art's feet as the silence stretched for an unbearable amount of time. And after some point, Georgie joined in with his shrill little BARK BARK BARK BARK—

"Fine," Angelo muttered. "See you at two, alright? There's a Jollibee near his house. It's easy enough to spot."

"Thank you, Angelito." Art sat down and put their head in their hands. They were so tired. So tired. But the need to see Shay was so, so, so much stronger. "I owe you big time."

"I'm not doing anything today," Angelo muttered. "And I... have been worried..."

"See? Win-win situation." Even though Art stopped panicking, Georgie was still barking at Art with a destroyed chew toy in his mouth. "We'll have to bring Georgie, though. Mom is mad at him. I don't think it's a good idea to leave him here."

Right on cue, Art heard Mom's booming voice. "BAKIT KA BUMILI NG ASO?" (("WHY DID YOU BUY A DOG?"))

With Mama's resounding argument, "We didn't buy him! We saved him from a shelter!"

"He destroyed all our curtains! Our furniture! He pissed on my drawings!"

"He's a dog! What did you expect?"

"WHY DID YOU RESCUE A CHIHUAHUA?"

Angelo sighed again. Heavier. "See you there."

Gratefully, Art said, "I owe you."

"I know."

~

They stood outside Shay's house.