If Only You Can Stay (BL/BXB)

VI

“Are you bitten or something? Are you okay?”

“I am okay.” I replied. My gaze went from his eyes towards the dogs that were now retreating. They were still roaming around the area and were chasing people who were passing by. Others who had seen the attacks were calling animal control on the animals. I escaped from his grasps as I took a quick good look at his face. His sky blue eyes, so vast I might drown if I ever let myself swim on that ocean for too long. His hair drenched with sweat and beads were forming on his forehead. I quickly evaded his burning gaze and tried to look at the dogs.

A few minutes had passed and they all got back to where they were doing and I stayed at the chair by the reception with a guy whose smile could brighten up any day. He also helped us during the attack and held the door for the other guy. He was doing his work on his computer. I was thinking maybe he was updating the list of clients who renewed their subscription or doing their inventory but I didn't really have much of an idea on what he was doing but he was busy typing things and I caught him casually looking at me. And before I knew it he asked something.

“I think I should go.” I told him. I stood up and took my bag from the floor. I had been sitting here for quite a while now and I felt quite embarrassed now more than fear of being bitten by the dog the more I stayed here and caused inconvenience.

“He won't let you.” He pointed his thumb at his back as if someone was behind him. He was shaking his head and was motioning for me to look behind hin in which I did but couldn’t find anyone.

“Did the dogs bite you? Scratched you? Or hurt you in any other way? Or something that injured you?” I was apologizing to the people behind him but he moved where my eyes were and blocked them with his wall of a body so that I could lift my eyes on him.

“Who?” I asked.

“The guy earlier.”

“Why? I mean we were all okay now.”

“He asked me to look after you and told me to not let you go since he had to attend to something. He wanted to have a quick talk but he was kind of busy until 7:30.”

“Hey. Hey. Wait. Give me your phone number  so I can give it to him.”

“No need. Just please tell him that I was thankful for his help.” I told the receptionist.

“Wait up here. I'll go tell him.” He motioned his hands towards me as if I was some glass figurine that anytime, without being cautious or just turning his head to the other side, I would break.

“Thank you.” I told him and he stood up quickly. He quickly turned around to look for someone, which I took advantage of. IIquickly left the gym. Chimes echoed through the lobby as I pulled the metal bar that served as the handle of the glass door. I swung it open and into the sidewalk I went.

I quickly took the turn on a familiar alley. I was in such a haste that the rabid dogs earlier would not catch up. I did not know whether seeing the same dogs frightened me or being in the same room with the guy I just crashed into.

When I found myself in front of the porch of my Auntie’s house, I felt quite relieved. I looked around hoping for the dogs to never come back barking up at me again, or the boy who was asking me to stay show up in the middle of nowhere, or worse, track me down and beat the hell out of me.

Goosebumps showered over me at the thought of having those beefy fists being thrown at me as if I was some punching bag they had hung on their gym that made them really proud when a punch made a mark on the pitiful bag.

I quickly went inside. The aroma of freshly cooked adobo welcomed me after I swung the door open. It turned out that Auntie was craving some dish from our country so she had to cook one for ourselves.

“That smells so good.” I called out.

“You're here.” She replied back.

“I was forced to.”

“What do you mean you were forced to.” she raised a brow as she made long strides 

“Aside from being chased by dogs,” I nervously told her, and gulped.

She put a hand on her waist and the other swinging with a large wooden spoon. Her expression was showing an I-told-you-to-be-careful look.

“I crashed into somebody.” I continued.

“Do you get hurt? Do those dogs bite you by any chance?” Question quickly spurted out from her mouth. She dropped the wooden spoon on the counter. I dropped my shoes by the rack near the door and walked towards her. She made a few strides to just like what she did earlier just to be in front of me. I stood straight, composed myself and tried to come up with words before I could even tell her that a guy from the gym put me on chokehold.

“No, I am okay.” I smiled nervously at her.

“I think you’re not.” She replied, raised and brow and examined my face.

“I am. I really am.” I tried to reassure you.

“So what's bothering you.”

I looked up at her. Her expressions changed from the earlier one to there’s-something-wrong-with-this-kid kind-of look.

“Tell me what it is?” She was persistent in knowing what really happened.

She didn't really need to know that I am the boy she never knew I was. Maybe this country was quite open to all possibilities that I might think that there's a chance of certainty she would not react the way my parents did. If I told her, would she try to kick me out of her house, or not talk to me for the rest of my stay?

Regardless, I should tell her the truth.

***

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