Win knew he was going to find Bright at the rooftop of the latter's condo. It was one of their safe sanctuaries that they go to whenever they wanted to get away from the world.
They have been sitting quietly there for a couple of hours now. Win did not dare speak first for he knew Bright might just explode. So he just watched Bright stare blankly at the city and the horizon in front of them, his eyes glassy from the tears he had silently cried.
"Ano kayang meron yung hayop na yun para mas piliin siya ni Anne?" Bright finally broke his silence.
Win patted his shoulder. "Vachichi."
Bright gave out bitter laugh. "Ay putang ina Soriano nga pala. Yayamanin."
It turned out that Anne's fiancé belonged to one of the richest families in the country. Yes, that Soriano.
"Ang gago lang kasi. I may not be filthy rich but I have enough to provide for her and the children we'll have. Nakapag-down na ako sa bahay na titirhan namin. I run my own fucking studio, may kotse ako, may insurance," Bright was practically yelling. "At mas putang ina, di hamak na mas gwapo ako sa gunggong na yon."
"Pero mas pinili na niya yung gunggong na yun," Win quietly said.
Bright scowled at him. "Wow. Salamat sa paalala ha." He said sarcastically.
Win returned his glare. "Oo pinapaalala ko talaga sa'yo. I mean what the hell Bright? I thought you were over this, over her?!"
"I am!" Bright exclaimed. "Pero putang ina naman Metawin, sobra naman yata akong na-gago dito. Pagbigyan mo naman na magalit at masaktan ako kasi minahal ko si Anne."
"Minahal or minamahal pa?" Win retorted.
Bright's eyes furrowed. "Where the hell are you coming from Metawin?"
"I'm for real, Metawin," Win said. "Does that ring a bell for you Vachirawit?"
Bright fell silent and took a deep sigh. He was so caught up with himself and his ego with this Anne drama that he was inadvertently hurting Win.
Win looked down and shook his head when he didn't hear Bright say anything. Tears started rolling down his cheeks.
"I knew this was going to happen," he said with bitterness.
"Tawinwin," was all Bright could say as he sat in front of Win, taking both his hands.
"I just wish that you hadn't told me that you liked me, that you were for real." Win tried to smile through his tears. "Okay na ako Bright eh. I was fine being your friend, your best friend. I was fine seeing you so happy with her. Masaya at kontento ako na andiyan ka lang kasama ko, at minamahal ka ng tahimik. I was so ready to love you in silence for all my life, or at least hanggang mapagod na ang puso ko."
Win quietly sobbed, gently squeezing Bright's hands. "I know you were hurt, and probably still hurting. But what you're doing to me, it's fucking killing me inside."
Bright felt his tears roll down his cheeks when he saw the hurt and pain in Win's eyes, hurt and pain that he had caused.
Bright leaned his forehead against Win's. "I'm so sorry Metawin," he whispered.
Win closed his eyes and just kept on crying. He could literally feel the walls of his heart closing in, and it was just too much for him.
He squeezed Bright's hand, stood up, and walked away without looking back.
Bright was on his knees, crying helplessly, and feeling absolutely defeated.
Ang gago mo Bright. Napakalaki mo'ng gago.
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