"Mahal? Saan ka?"
Win could hear loud music in the background where ever Bright was. It was Pasta Wednesdays, and Win had prepared Bright's favorite creamy garlic pasta and had chilled some good white wine.
"Mahal wait let me go outside so I can hear you." Bright said. Win heard him go through probably a maze of people, greeting some of them along the way.
"Ayun. I'm at Poblacion Mahal. I'm treating Luke for his birthday," Bright explained, referring to one of his photographers in the studio. "I texted you Mahal."
Win looked at his phone but didn't find any message from Bright.
"Hmm wala po eh," Win told him.
Bright checked his phone. "Oh shit Mahal hindi ko pala na-send. I'm so sorry!"
Win heaved out a quiet sigh. Not again.
He tried to smile. "It's okay, Mahal. We can always reheat the food for tomorrow," he said.
"Shit sorry talaga Mahal. How about you come and join us? We just got here anyways," Bright offered.
"No it's fine, you guys have fun. Greet Luke a Happy Birthday for me."
"Sure?"
"Yes po. Enjoy kayo jan."
"Thanks Mahal. Oh and Tawinwin, I might just crash with one of the guys okay? Alam mo na baka magpa-morning-an," Bright told Win.
"Hoy Vachichi you have work tomorrow!"
"Holiday po bukas," Bright reminded him.
"Oh right," Win said, feeling even more deflated.
"Mahal, I'm sorry talaga. Bawi ako okay? I love you po."
Win sighed. "I love you, too. Mag-ingat please."
"Always."
Win sat quietly staring at the spread he had prepared for Bright. They have made Wednesday nights sacred for the last three years since they've been a couple, mainly because they wanted to get together in the middle of what has always been a busy week for the both of them.
But lately, Bright seems to always have an excuse to miss this tradition, and it was starting to bother Win.
"You are seriously ruining my diet badet, but you sure make a mean pasta," Julia said as she took a sip of her wine.
"Thanks." Win said quietly. He was glad that his friend was able to come to keep him company.
Julia reached out to tap her friend's shoulder. "What's his excuse this time?"
Win cackled. "Something about not being able to send the text."
Julia rolled her eyes. "How original."
Win looked at Julia sadly.
"Have you not talked about this at all?"
"What's there to talk about? It's not like he's done anything majorly wrong."
"Sure but to make excuses for something that you're so used to doing in the last three years a few times in a row? We're missing something here, Win." Julia pointed out.
Win sighed. He really didn't want to make a big deal out of it because he thought Bright might think he was just being petty. It wasn't like Bright to miss their moments, especially moments with him.
The last three years of their relationship may not have been the most perfect, but Win knew in his heart that it was the happiest for the both of them. They both had their share of nurturing their couplehood with so much love, respect and honesty.
But lately, Win felt that Bright's becoming too complacent, like he knew he could get away with anything.
Ikaw kasi, ibinigay mo lahat at mas pinaramdam mo na mas mahal mo siya. Ayan tuloy. Win was scolding himself. But what could he do? He's so in love with him it didn't matter if he was left with nothing. What was important to him was that he is able to give and show his all for the man he truly loves.
Win didn't realize that tears had already escaped his orbs.
"Hindi kaya nagsasawa na siya sa amin? Sa akin?" He asked his friend.
"You've been together for almost 10 years, Win. You won't come this far kung isa man sa inyo eh nagsawa."
"But that's the point, Jules. What if he's just staying in this relationship kasi nanghihinayang siya sa tagal ng pagkakaibigan namin? What if he really doesn't love me that way? What if naawa lang siya sa akin dahil ang tagal ko siyang minahal?"
The questions kept coming out of Win as fast as his tears flowed down his cheeks.
Julia was shaking her head as she soothed Win's back to calm him down.
"Win Metawin Ocampo, kalma. After all those years ngayon mo pa ba maiisip yan?" Jules said. "Look, I didn't mean to add salt to injury, but I don't think Bright's here with you just for the heck of it. You may not be both perfect but I saw how you both worked on what you have. Sana all relationship goals kaya!" She tried to humor him.
But Win was quietly sobbing. "Alam mo ba a girl's name kept popping in our conversations lately?"
Julia looked at Win questioningly.
"They met at one of his photography conventions in Japan last year. They hit it off so great they kept in touch. He's really fascinated with her and her work. He shows me her IG account every chance he gets. Sobrang amazed siya sa talent nung girl."
"Ikaw naman Win. Baka humahanga lang yung tao. It doesn't have to mean anything."
"The other night I heard him talking to her and when I saw him, he was beaming, you know? Like he was so happy talking with her. Then after they hung up and we had dinner, he was just normal. Not beaming, not radiating. Normal." Win looked sadly at his friend. "Sa akin lang siya ganun Jules eh. Sa akin lang."
Julia sighed. "Badet, you're overthinking this."
"What if he's back to liking girls, Jules?"
"Susko Win Metawin Ocampo I swear to God!"
"Julia, Bright's been straight all his life..."
"Until he met you!"
"What if na-challenge lang siya sa kin? See what it's like, and now he's done with me?"
Julia sighed once again in exasperation, then went to take Win in her arms.
"Utang na loob badet, naririnig mo ba sarili mo? Please come back dahil ang layo layo mo na!" She began saying. Then she looked at him straight in his eyes. "Win, you should know better that Bright's not like that. Would you have loved him for that long if you knew he was?"
Win slowly shook his head.
"I didn't think so."
Win was breathing heavily now, and was clearly panicking with everything that he thought of Bright.
"What am I going to do?" He asked his friend.
Julia reached out to dry Win's tears. "First, you should seriously talk to Bright about this. For all you know you're working yourself up for nothing. And you both deserve the honesty."
"Second, if you feel you're losing the spark, then please lang badet, rekindle the flame! Teka, nag-se-sex pa ba kayo?"
Win had to laugh out loud. This is why he loves Julia so much.
"Awkward question pero yes ang sagot ko. Actually that was never a problem," Win said with a naughty smile.
"Ay puta yan ang sana all!"
Win smiled at Julia and hugged her tight. "Jules, thank you ha? I'm sorry kung maraming eme badet mo."
Jules caressed Win's back. "Sus. Maliit na bagay."
"Jules. Sana mali lahat ng iniisip ko."
"Ang sabihin mo sana mag-usap kayo nang nasasagot ang mga tanong mo."
Win sighed. Hay Metawin.
---
