XVIII.

Tantan, obsessed about the 15-point lead of Aki can't think of anything but made-up images in his head. Scenarios he never expected he'll think of. Aki packing lunch for Benedict, the two sharing their food as they talk about the moon and stars, touching hands, Aki's head resting in Benidict's shoulder!

What if there's more than these scenarios?!?!

No!

What is this feeling?

He remembers one of his many drinking sessions with Justine, Paloma at ilang mga byukonerang bakla sa bahay ni Mama Cherry. Nagpakalasing si Justine dahil nakita niya si Kevin noon na may kasamang ibang bakla. Iyak ito ng iyak. He recalls Kevin coming to their place that somber night, saying sorry, kneeling in front of his friend with a bouquet of flowers and a teddy bear. The night ends as if the two got engaged, everyone was shouting ''Happy couple na ulit!! Momol! Momol! Momol!''

Seloso kasi si Justine. Bulong ni Paloma habang magkayakap si Kevin at Justine. ''Alam mo chingu-yah. Yang selos kabaliktaran ng kilig. Parang pag binabangungot ka. Hindi ka maka-galaw, tapos pagpapawisan ka at mata-tae ka''

A damp of cloth touches the forehead of Tantan. It was Paloma's handkerchief, pinupunasan ang pawis niya as they walk away from their meeting place, pauwi. Bitbit ni Tantan ang isang malaking canvas with a box of painting materials. Justine is not with them dahil may pinuntahan. ''Pawis na pawis ka''

Tantan is in his head. Thinking if that was jealousy he felt. It can't be! What an unpleasant feeling!

''Thank you bhe. Ang init kasi! Pagod na din ako. Ako lang tumapos nung mural kanina. Nag-DOTA kasi sina Argel saka si Catanghal.''

''Isumbong mo kasi kay Sir Mameng! Nagpa-api ka diyan sa mga yan eh. Gusto mo ako magsumbong chingu-yah?''

''Wag na bhe. Baka balikan ako nung mga yun. Di'ba sabi ni Argel tau-gamma daw siya. Tsaka kaaway ng ex mo yun si Argel. Baka makipag-sabunutan ka naman sa covered court para sa'kin.''

''Okay sabi mo. Libre kita ng RC.''

As the two drops their bags and stuff infront of a sari-sari store. Isang payat na lalaki na punong-puno ng tattoo ang lalapit sa kanila. Mukhang adik at naka-batak.

Inabutan ng bulaklak si Paloma, saka 20 pesos, may note pa which the girl accepts without anyhesitation but with a puzzled face.

The note says ''Hi Paloma. Ako ulit to. Ito na ang ipambili niyo ng RC ni Tantan --- Ben Zayb''

Aagawin ni Tantan ang note kay Paloma and looks at the man. ''Itong adik na'to ang secret admirer mo?!'' bulalas ni Tantan. He is in shock.

''May gusto ka sakin? Yuuuuck!! 30 years old ka na Putol!!'' Paloma, in shock hindi alam kung ibabato ang bulaklak.

May pandidiri sa mukha ni Putol. ''Tang ina niyo pina-abot lang sakin yan kapalit ng pang-yosi. Putang ina niyo pala eh!'' He walks out.

''Putang ina mo din!!'' sigaw ni Paloma.

''Bhe bibig mo!''

''Gago kasi yun eh''

''Bhe ang bobo mo. Hindi mo tinanong sino nagpa-abot!''

''Ay shit! Potahamnida! Gidalida!! Wait! Wait!'' Paloma tries to run after him pero sumakay na ng tricycle si Putol.

Pagbalik ni Paloma, ibinili na ni Tantan ng RC ang tweny pesos may biskwit pa!

''Bukas bhe pagtapos ng last subject balikan natin si Putol. Tanungin natin sino yan!''

Paloma agrees. As he takes a sip of the drink. Tantan thinks...what if he uses this as a strategy.

''Bhe pag nahanap ko sino si Ben Zayb, pwedeng hindi ka na sumali dun sa pa-challenge kay Benedict? Akin na lang yung 500.''

Paloma gives her the look as if it made sense to her. ''Paano? Eh torpe ka. Paano ka mananalo dun sa challenge?''

''Hindi ko din alam''

''Kailangan ko yung 500. Pero, hmm sige pag nahanap mo si Ben Zayb aatras ako. Dalawang linggo lang ibibigay ko sa'yo! Pagtapos nun wala pa. Akin yang 500 na'yan.''

''Okay deal!''

''Deal! Goodluck chingu-yah!''

A pinky promise stamps the agreement.

Dawn came early for Tantan. He's in the bakery replacing her mother na sinamahan ang Kuya Sander niya na mag-sorry kay Jennifer para umuwi na siya sa bahay, habang naka-subsob sa schoolworks. Kung si Tantan lang masusunod ayaw na niyang pauwiin ang babae, pero nagiging pabigat na ang pag-aalaga kay Julius. Kung di lang nambabae ang Kuya Sander niya. Kung di lang sana ito tamad din, baka mas magaan ang buhay nila.

His attention is scattered. May mga Segundo na nagsasagot siya ng workbook. May mga oras na bumabalik ang mga made up images in his head ni Aki at Benedict. Isama mo pa ang dagdag na isipin kung paano hahanapin si Ben Zayb.

He glances in front of the church from time to time, trying to reconcile if his actions are still his. It is no longer pulsating in his vision. The structure is not alive, baka siyesta ito.

There's no sign of the boy too, although Tantan wants to come there, since it's been days since he last saw him. Isa pa, he's been losing the game. But the 500 pesos is the least of his concern.

He goes back to his school works.

''Pabili po''

He raises his head. Tantan drops his pen. He's here.