The Architecture (Batchelor Series #1)

31

“May martilyo, may pako, ano tunog? Gago.” I heard the ridiculous song right outside the door. They weren't even trying to be subtle, chanting the chorus as if the world was their stage.

I opened the door to see Edcel and John grinning at me like they just won the lottery. Aba, mga gago, ano bang ginagawa nila rito? I could already feel the headache coming on.

They strolled in, as if they owned the place. Baltazar, sitting quietly on the bed, didn’t even bother looking up. Great. These two better have a solid explanation for showing up uninvited.

"Ba’t kayo nandito?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at them. They exchanged glances, clearly scrambling for a believable excuse.

"Dapat kami ang nagtatanong n'yan, bro Manuel," Edcel shot back, a sly grin on his face. "Diba, John? Ba’t siya nandito?" Reverse psychology? Really, Edcel? He was always too quick with his mouth.

Edcel Levianne Recto, M.D. Doctor pa 'to, pero para siyang siraulo most days. He looked exactly like you'd expect—round face, thinning hair, glasses perched on his nose, and a belly that spoke of too many late-night food trips. Kidding, he's a hot doctor. Kahit sino ata papabalik-balik magpaturok lang.

"Hindi talaga kayo welcome, di ba hindi na kayo close ni Baltazar? As far as I know, unless binabackstab nyo ako," I said, crossing my arms.

John, the more serious-looking one, spoke up this time. "Need namin ng pera noon, bro. Akala nga namin cinut-off mo na kami ni Ed, muntik na kami mag-cry. Buti na lang cinomfort kami ni Baltazar, binilhan pa kami ng collector skin sa ML," he said, giving Edcel a playful elbow.

I shook my head. Of course. Mukhang pera talaga. John Matthew Dy, marine engineer, was built like a tank—tall, muscular, and ruggedly handsome, with those sharp blue eyes. But no amount of muscles could hide how ridiculous these guys were.

“Eto talaga si bro Manuel, akala mo main character sa telenovela,” Edcel joked, turning to Baltazar. "Hoy Baltazar, pre, anong ginagawa mo rito? Malalaman pa ng ibang tao na kaibigan kita. Mamamatay ka na lang dahil sa depression, nasira na career ko, sapak yon bilang doctor," he said, half-serious.

Baltazar chuckled from the bed, his eyes flicking toward me. Gago talaga 'to."Kung di ko pa ginawa ‘yon, di pa siguro ako papansinin," he muttered.

"Wait lang daw si Tita at yung Kuya mo, Manuel. Sinundo pa yung ibang kaibigan ni Baltazar," John said, his eyes on his phone, typing away.

Edcel snorted. "Aga naman magpakilala ni pre Baltazar ng future boyfriend niya, 'no?" He shifted his gaze to me, still grumpy. "Ikaw, Manuel, handa ka na bang makilala yung mga ibang kaibigan ng shota mo?"

I almost choked. "Okay lang sa akin kahit ipakilala niya pa yung kalaro niya sa Mobile Legends na Angela main," I muttered, hoping that would shut them up. The room erupted in laughter.

"Awit ka talaga, pre. Bakit may Angela main pa?!" John teased, shaking his head.

"Gusto kasi ni pre Manuel, siya lang papatong sa Ling ni kumpare Baltazar," Edcel added, smirking. "Di pa nga nag-unfollow sa ML ang mga yan, nagiging obvious na eh."

Before I could say anything, the door swung open, revealing Baltazar's mom and his older brother, Drakon. Behind them were three other guys, unfamiliar but radiating the same chaotic energy.

"Aba, anak! Nagsipunta pala ang mga yan. Di ko tinawagan, ha! Pero nalaman siguro kay Drakon." She looked at Baltazar and shook her head. "Shota mo pala si Renz, di ko kinaya. Pero okay na rin, mas maganda maging bakla kaysa mam-buntis dito sa Pilipinas. Taas ng bilihin." Tukoy ng mama ni Baltazar kay Kuya Drakon.

I glanced at Baltazar, who was grinning like the devil. Tangina, ginawa palang spy nito ang dalawang 'to. Bigla kong naalala 'yung recent myday ni John na may CapCut watermark, featuring that girl, Sophia.

"Bro, wala sa script natin ‘to, ha?" His friend muttered under his breath. "Tinakot mo ang barkada big time. Kung di pa nagsabi si Edcel, di ko pa malalaman."

Baltazar just laughed. “Wag mo na iwan 'tong kumpare namin, pre. Grabe 'yan umiyak, nagwawaldas ng pera.” But I was more focused on the fact that they had a group video call with Edcel? Biot din ba ‘tong mga 'to?

"How can I chat you guys from the hospital while waiting for affection, haha." Baltazar's ridiculous reply cut through my thoughts.

I turned to see who Edcel was talking to. Atty. Levi Syrus Alonzo—seriously, bakit andaming kilala ni Baltazar na mga ganito? Levi was like the poster boy for someone who worked out religiously—sharp cheekbones, styled hair, and a lean but fit build.

"If Drakon hadn’t messaged me, I wouldn’t have known how desperate you were. Muntik ka na mamatay, gago,” Levi said, shaking Baltazar head.

Gago talaga 'to. Baltazar cursed.

Renz Inigo Salarza, Drakon’s introduced fuck buddy, stood quietly nearby. He was built like a model—broad shoulders, square face, sharp eyes. Grabe, bakit ganito mga tropa ni Baltazar? Taas ng taste ni Kuya ko ha.

One of the other guys chimed in, "Kung gusto mo ng acting skill, sana nagsabi ka, gago!" He looked at me with a playful grin. "I'm Karl Jones, actor, model, the one your friend has been crying over. If you ever get tired of him, you know where to find me."

Tangina, dagdag sakit ng ulo 'to. Before I could respond, Baltazar snapped, "Not my man! Karl Borre, I can destroy your career faster than you, I can send your another dick pic to the group chat, dare me."

Karl, clearly done with all the drama, sighed. "Uwi na tayo, guys. Sobra na 'to. May label ba kayo? Di maka-take ng biro."

"Wala naman." The room unison. Even Baltazar mom interrupted.

"Balik mo nga 'yan Tita sa sinapupunan niyo,” Levi said.

Baltazar’s mom just laughed. "Kahit ibalik ko pa 'yan sa sinapupunan, sa burat ng tatay niyang duwag."

The whole room exploded with laughter, even as I stood there, watching the madness unfold. Manuel Da Vinci, architect, dragged into the chaos of one Baltazar’s life. Tangina, siguraduhin niya lang na in-unfollow niya na si Ryder, o masisiraan na talaga 'ko ng bait.