Chapter 17: Torned between two

Ace's POV

"Arrghhh!" sigaw ko habang nakahiga ako sa kama ko sa room and tumayo ko bigla and shouted again, "Noooo! Hindi pwede 'to!"

"Hoy, Ace, ano nangyayari sa'yo? Baliw ka na?" Chester said while he's playing ML with Harry and sitting on the floor at magkaharapan silang dalawa.

"Bakit may pasigaw ka d'yan? Ano na naman nangyari sa'yo?" Harry asked.

Tumayo ako sa gitna nila and said, "Masama ba akong tao?"

"Hindi ka masama... masakit ka lang magsalita." Chester said.

"Tsaka matalim ang dila." Harry added.

"Kaibigan ko ba talaga kayo?" I asked but then I know that they were joking, "But kidding aside, pakiramdam ko ang sama kong tao!"

"Bakit mo naman narealize na masama kang tao? Bakit ngayon mo lang narealize 'yan, Ace! Sana matagal na!" Chester said and laughed.

"Masama talaga 'yan, pagsabayin ba naman 'yung tatlong lalaki eh." Harry added and laughed as well.

Wala talaga, hindi matino kausap 'tong mga tropa ko. Wala kaming patutunguhan nito. I walked out of our dorm and bago ko sinara 'yung pinto, I shouted, "Harry, lagyan mo ng 1 point each sina Lucas and Seph. Mabango hininga nila!" then I slammed the door. Ayoko na marinig sasabihin nila dahil alam ko hindi ako matutuwa sa mga pang aasar nila sa akin!

I went to the rooftoop sa dorm namin since may mini gazeebo doon and the view is really astonishing lalo na pag sunset na parang gusto mong matulog na lang doon. Sana nga lang, walang tao para solo ko.

As soon as I got to the rooftop, good thing dahil walang katao-tao! Makakapag senti din ako sa wakas from all these horrific moments na na-encounter ko the past few days!

Nakaupo lang ako sa isang malambot na chair sa mini gazeebo and I was just appreciating the beauty of the sunset. And while I'm having my moment, may biglang nagsalita and said, "Cool ng sunset dito no, cutie boy?" and from that alone, I knew it was Joker kahit hindi ko na tingnan kung sino ang taong ito.

"Can I sit with you?" Joker asked.

"Ayoko, para sa isang tao lang 'to!" I said even though for 4 ang seat sa mini gazeebo.

"Grabe ka naman talaga cutie boy." he said then went on ahead. Umupo din naman siya sa tabi ko and he sighed. "Nakakamiss dito. Ngayon na lang ako ulit napaupo dito." Joker said while staring at the sunset.

Napatingin ako sa kanya and wondered. So I asked him what's bothering him.

"Ano naman 'yang dinadrama mo? Joker pangalan mo pero ang drama mo masyado. Alam mo 'yun?" I said.

"Alam mo, nagtataka ako kina Seph at Lucas kung bakit o paano ka nila nagustuhan. Haha! Eh mapanakit ka kaya magsalita." Joker teased mo.

"Ganoon lang ako magsalita, but it doesn't mean na galit ako. I may have a sharp tongue, but maniwala ka sa akin, I'm not that bad as I sound." I explained.

Joker paused for a while then huminga siya ng malalim and said to me, "Alam mo, Ace, nagalit ako sayo."

Biglang nanlaki 'yung mga mata ko sa sinabi ni Joker na parang sinabi niya lang casually na galit siya sa akin. I never got the chance to ask why pero siya na din ang nag explain.

"Nagalit ako kasi dahil sayo nasira 'yung pagkakaibigan naming tatlo." he said then I was left speechless. "Pero kung tutuusin, wala ka naman kasalanan, Ace. Hindi mo naman intensyon and isa pa, hindi mo kilala sina Lucas and Seph at pakiwari ko, para silang tigyawat na bigla na lang sumulpot sa buhay mo no? Haha!" Then he bursted out of laughter.

Tatawa din ba ako? I don't know if dapat akong tumawa and I don't know if kaya ko sakyan 'yung joke niya since friendship lang naman nilang tatlo ang nasira ko... unintentionally!

"Magkakasama kami laging tatlo and nasa iisang room lang kami dito sa dorm noon. Doon kami sa room kung nasaan si Lucas nakastay, sa 4th floor. But then noong hindi na maganda 'yung pagsasama nina Lucas and Seph, kinailangan nilang maglayo kasi baka mabasag lahat ng gamit sa room namin. Tsaka wala din namang pipigil sa kanilang dalawa kundi ako lang, nag decide ako na maghiwa-hiwalay na lang kami. Si Seph ang sinamahan ko since bandmates kami, and naintindihan naman 'yun ni Lucas kaya ayos lang sa kanya. Hindi kami magkagalit ni Lucas, pero silang dalawa lang talaga ni Seph ang nagbabangayan." Biglang kinwento ni Joker.

"May I ask bakit sila naging cold sa isa't isa? I mean I don't know what happened. Isa pa, lately ko lang sila nakilala so I really doubt na ako ang dahilan. Except for Lucas, nabanggit niya sa akin na matagal niya na daw ako nakikita." I said.

"Ah, si Seph, matagal ka na rin niya nakikita. Wala lang siyang lakas ng loob na iintroduce 'yung sarili niya sa'yo since alam mo naman si Seph, madalas pinapakita niya 'yung seryoso niyang mukha sa lahat. Kahit sa amin nina Lucas kahit magkakasama pa kami, bihira lang ngumiti si Seph. Hindi ko natanong kung paano ka niya nakilala, pero isang araw, naguusap 'yung dalawa about this 'cute guy' na nameet daw nila. Sobrang stubborn daw ng tao na 'to but then he was so kind and lighthearted at the same time. 'Yun ang narinig ko sa kanila... only to find out na iisang tao lang ang tinutukoy nila... and ikaw pala 'yun." Joker said.

"Ibig sabihin... matagal na nila ako minamanmanan?" I asked.

"Hmmm. I would say yes. Mind you, sina Seph and Lucas sobrang mapili nila pagdating sa taong gusto nila. I mean may mga naging girlfriends na sila pareho, pero ang hindi ko talaga maintindihan... sa isang lalaki sila nag away. Hindi 'to alam ng lahat. Ang alam nila, may matinding competition lang ang nagaganap sa kanilang dalawa, pero ang hindi alam ng lahat... ikaw ang pinaglalabanan ng dalawa." Joker said and then laughed.

Hindi ako natatawa sa kwento ni Joker! Kinakabahan ako, but at the same time, ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko knowing na Seph and Lucas really admires me a lot.

"Seryoso ka sa kwento mo, Joker? Hindi ka nagbibiro?" I asked him, then kinurot ko ang pisngi ko to check if I'm not dreaming.

"Gusto mo kurutin ko 'yang singit mo, Ace, para malaman mong hindi ka nananaginip? 'Wag mo na kurutin 'yang sarili mo!" Joker said.

"But then, gusto ko lang sabihin, Joker, na wala akong intention na sirain 'yung friendship niyong tatlo. I mean, I barely know them that much, but I'm sorry." I said and I was so embarassed.

"Sabi ko sayo, 'wag ka magsorry sa akin kasi hindi mo naman kasalanan. Tsaka, aaminin ko sayo, I did a background check on 'you. Haha!" Joker said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Siempre, na-curious ako as to why pinagaawayan ka ng dalawa kong tropa. I would say, cute ka, kaya nga cutie boy ang tawag ko sa'yo eh. Haha!" Joker said.

"I'm not cute! Astig ako and cool!" I answered.

"Tsaka, you're fun to be with, Ace. 'Yun ang nakita ko kina Seph and Lucas kapag kasama ka nila. Nag spy nga ko hindi lang nila alam. Haha! There was a moment na akala ko nga baka magkakagusto rin ako sayo kaka spy ko sayo! Haha!" Joker revealed.

"What!" I shouted.

"Pero don't worry, Ace. Wala akong intensyon na makipagagawan kina Lucas and Seph. But for the record, I did have a crush on you. Sobrang charming mo kasi and you're fun to be with. Sobrang straight to the point mo kasi magsalita and that's what cute about you." Joker said.

"So clear tayo at wala kang gusto sa akin? Am I right?" I asked for confirmation.

"Yup, may malaking wall sa pagitan nating dalawa. At sa sobrang laki noon, walang way for me to reach you heart. Haha!" Joker answered, "But if you want me to find a way, I'll break that wall for you."

"What! The! Hell!" I shouted.

Joker, then, bursted out of laughter, "Joke lang, Ace. Hindi ka naman mabiro. Basta, ang sa akin lang, kung sino ang magustuhan mo sa dalawa kong kaibigan, please take care of their hearts. If si Seph ang nagustuhan mo, please be delicate dahil matindi ang pinagdaanan ng tao na 'yun at kung mabasag ang puso noon, pakiramdam ko anytime magsusucuide 'yun. If si Lucas naman ang napili mo, please don't leave him hanging. Wala ng pamilya si Lucas that's why he's searching for a love na alam niyang magiging kumpleto ang buhay niya. So, Ace, good luck! Sa'yo nakasalalay ang buhay nilang dalawa. Haha!" Joker said and he stood up.

I felt like I was standing at the edge of a cliff! 'Yung tipong isang hakbang ko na lang, malalaglag na ako. Bakit parang ako pa ang may kasalanan ng kabiguan nilang dalawa?

"Paano kung wala akong napili sa kanilang dalawa? In fact, I'm straight so why would I?" I asked Joker.

He then gave me a sly smile na para bang I was wrong.

"Wala ng straight-straight kina Lucas at Seph. Kapag gusto ka nila, gusto ka nila. Kaya bantayan mo maigi ang likod mo, Ace. Hahaha!" Joker said and laughed again.

"Haha! Nakakatawa sobra!" I said sarcastically.

"Pababa na ako, Ace, you want to come with me?" Joker asked.

"Nope. Mauna ka na. I'll be staying here for a few more hours. Gusto ko lang ng katahimikan since pag bumaba na ako, magulo na naman ang buhay ko. Haha!" I said and Joker left afterwards.

I felt sorry and guilty for Joker. Sa totoo lang, parang binigay niya na sa akin 'yung responsibility of taking care sa mga kaibigan niya. Ano ako, daycare center? Taga alaga ng mga bata? Haist! But then again, I never imagined na ang isang tulad ko, makakasira ng pagkakaibigan. I'm really trapped inside a BL world already! Is there a way out?

I just wanted to lay down here at the gazeebo. Gusto ko lang panoorin ang mga stars and the moon na dahan dahang umaakyat sa langit. I want to have my peaceful life back again.

While watching the moon and the stars my phone suddenly rang. I checked who it was, and it was my mom, Lucille, that's calling me.

"Ano, Lucille, buti napatawag ka!" pabungad ko kay mom, but she knows that this is a joke.

"Mamaya may makarinig sa'yo niyan, Ace! Sabihin hindi kita pinapalaki ng tama!" mom replied.

"Wala naman, mom. Ako lang magisa and nasa rooftop ako. How are you there?" I asked.

"Ito, nakakapagod maglinis ng bahay. Nakakasawa din manood at mag Netflix and chill." mom said.

"Wow! Ang sarap ng buhay ni Lucille!" I jokingly said.

"Tigil tigilan mo nga ko sa kaka Lucille mo! Ibabalik kita sa matres ko eh!" my mom answered.

"Hindi naman mabiro, mom." I said and smiled.

"So, what's the problem? I have a mother's instinct kaya ako tumawag. Nag vibrate 'yung Ace-is-having-a-problem instinct ko. So, 'wag ka na magkaila. I can feel it, lalo na sa tono ng pananalita mo." mom asked.

"Seriously? Paano mo nalalaman if I have a problem? Siguro may spy ka dito 'no?" I asked.

"Sabi ko nga sayo, because I'm your mom. Alam ko kung may bumabagabag sayo. Baka galing ka sa matres ko at nakikibituka ka lang no! Kung hindi lang kita love, kinulong na kita sa bahay bata ko o kaya ifa-flush na lang kita sa toilet! Haha!" mom said and laughed.

I also laughed since I really missed her. It's been months since umuwi ako sa amin.

"Wala mom, I just had a long day. Magiging okay din ako." I said since I didn't want to make her worried. Isa pa, I can't just say na 'ma, may nanliligaw sa akin... mga guys'.

"Let me guess, Ace, this is about love?" my mom asked.

What the? She really is a psychic?

"No, mom. It isn't. Assignments and projects tambak. Pagod lang ako." I said.

"If you need someone to talk to, about love. You can call me, or better yet, umuwi ka dito sa atin! Malapit na birthday mo!" my mom shouted.

"Alam mo naman na I don't have a thing for love. Isa pa, don't lecture me about love! It's not like sobra kang experienced sa love after dad left us all alone." I answered.

"Nako, 'wag mo nga mababanggit 'yang hinayupak na dad mo! He's just a stranger to us! Basta, Ace, umuwi ka dito sa birthday mo. Bring Chester and Harry. You can also bring someone over. Hihi!" my mom uttered and parang kinikilig pa siya.

"I'd rather bring myself only!" I shouted since kapag dinala ko sina Chester and Harry sa bahay, malamang ibubuko nila ako kay mom.

"No, Ace. Bring them, and maginvite ka pa. Maghahanda ako ng maraming food, so ayokong masayang 'yung ihahanda ko!" mom said.

"Okay." I said since wala naman akong magagawa. Isa pa, Chester and Harry really loves my mom's cooking so I guess I don't have any choice since mag eeffort si mom na magluto.

"Basta, Ace, if you're ready to talk about it, nasa bahay lang ako. Sabihin mo lang and I'll give the plane ticket budget. And if magsasama ka ng manliligaw mo, that's fine." mom said but what caught my attention is the word 'manliligaw'

"Mom! I don't have any suitors! I'm the one who's courting! Ano ako, babae para magkaroon ng mga manliligaw?" I exclaimed.

"Okay, as you say so, Ace. But nothing to worry about dahil I'll always love you no matter what." mom said.

"Well, you should cause I'm your son!" I jokingly said.

"Oh sige na, ibababa ko na ang phone. I just wanted to check up on you, Ace. Take care! Remember, Lucille loves you very much!" mom said na para bang ginagawa niya akong baby habang sinasabi niya 'to.

"Yeah, mom! Hindi na ako bata! Don't treat me like a kid! I'm a teenager!" I said.

"Okay, Mr. Ace sungit. Be more friendly, mawawalan ka ng manliligaw niyan, ay este, mga liligawan. Hihi! Bye!" mom said then she hung up.

Seriously, I think my mom's a psychic or baka may nagsusumbong? There's no other person or people in my mind but... Harry and Chester! Those two!

As soon as I went back to my room, I closed the door and I Immediately shouted and said, "Hoy, kayong dalawa! Sinumbong niyo ko kay mom no?"

"Ha? Hindi pa nga namin nakakausap si tita." Chester said.

"Mother's instinct lang 'yan, Ace. Ganyan din si mama sa akin." Harry replied.

Then someone knocked on door and pagkabukas ko, it was Seph that's standing outside our room.

"Finally, the right room. Lahat ng rooms kinatok ko, dito pala kayo sa room 319. I was trying to contact you but your phone was busy." Seph said while giving me a smile.

Napatingin lang ako kay Seph since he's not wearing his usual outfit. Nakasando lang siya and shorts... and when I mean by shorts, boxer shorts! Ano 'to? At home sa dorm?

But ang hindi ko napigilan, I was looking at his bulge... unintentionally! Sadyang 'yun agad ang pumukaw sa mata ko since it was distrubing... it was too huge! Good thing na this dorm is for guys only dahil kung may mga babae dito, malamang, kalat na ang pics ni Seph na naka boxer short and makita nila na bumabakat 'yung... i don't want to say that word. Mygahd!

"Umm, Ace? Are you okay? It seem that parang malalim ata ang iniisip mo?" Seph asked me and bigla aking natauhan.

"Yes, I'm fine. May naalala lang ako." I said.

Then Chester stood behind me and may binulong siya, "Ang laki ba? Kalmahan mo lang, Ace. Baka di mo kayanin 'yan. Haha!"

I looked at Chester and gave him the squinting eyes that he deserves! Sasapakin ko na sana siya when he immediately went inside the C.R.

"So, Ace, would you like to have some dinner? My treat. But hindi malapit dito. We'll need to use my car. Okay lang sayo?" Seph asked.

I looked at Harry who's resting at his bed and giving me a signal to go with Seph.

Tumingin rin ako sa banyo and I was about to ask Chester but he immediately shouted, "Hinay hinay lang, Ace!" Seriously? How did he know that I was about to ask him? Psychic din ata 'to.

"Wait lang, Seph. Kakain tayo sa labas ng naka boxers ka lang?" I asked.

"No, magpapalit ako. Babalik ako sa room. I forgot to wear my pants." Seph answered.

"Okay, kita na lang tayo sa lobby." I said then Seph went up again to his room.

Sinara ko agad ang pinto and bigla ako naghanap ng susuotin since baka maghintay si Seph sa akin ng matagal.

While looking for clothes to wear, Chester then handed me a sachet, "Oh, baka kailangan niyo."

I checked the sachet that he gave me... and it's a freakin condom!

"Anong gagawin ko dito sa condom! Baliw ka, Chester!"

"L size 'yan. Kita mo naman kanina 'di ba? Malaki. Haha!" Chester said.

Binato ko sa kanya ang isang sachet ng condom since I won't need that!

"Gusto sana namin sumama, kaso, nahihiya kami kay Kuya Seph. Haha!" Chester added.

"Good luck, Ace! Sabihin mo kapag hindi ka makalakad ng maayos. Kuha kami ng wheel chair sa clinic bukas." Harry interrupted.

"Kayong dalawa... You're dead pagbalik ko!" I shouted.

Then, someone knocked on our door again. I thought na magkikita na lang kami ni Seph sa lobby? Pero baka siguro natagalan siya sa akin so umakyat na siya.

I opened the door and I was expecting Seph.

But, iba ang nasa labas ng room namin.

It was Lucas.

"Hi, Ace. Free ka ba tonight? Gusto mo sumama sa akin mag dinner?" Lucas asked.

Biglang nanlaki ang mga mata ko like what the F!

I slowly looked at Harry and Chester and nanlaki din ang mga mata nila since hindi namin inexpect na yayayain din ako ni Lucas ng dinner! What the!

Phone beeping

"Master Ace, I'm here at the lobby. I'll wait for you. —Seph"

Oh, ayun lang, Sabog sabog na. Seph texted me and he's already waiting.

Sinong sasamahan ko sa kanilang dalawa? F this sh*t!

End of Chapter 17