Ludic Selcouth #4: Panacea

Chapter 31

I keep on fiddling with my phone while inside the car. Castriel isnʼt answering my calls and today is the day of mamaʼs arrival. I know that thereʼs just a 50/50 chance for him to go with us, but Iʼm still hoping.

“Heʼs still not answering?” Mace asked. Umiling ako at binitawan na ang cellphone.

“Iʼm not sure if he will make it.” Iʼm aware that Ludic Selcouthʼs schedule became tighter. Less than a couple of months from now and theyʼre going to leave for the world tour. The release of their latest album is also nearing thatʼs why they have a bunch of guestings right now. I should be getting more considerate about this matter but I really want him to go with us at the airport. Heʼs still not exactly in good terms with his family right now, gusto ko lang iparating sa kaniya na welcome siya sa sarili kong pamilya kahit ganoon.

“Hindi raw makakahabol si Castriel?” rinig kong tanong ni lolo kaya lumingon ako sa backseat.

“Hindi po ako sure, lo... Sobrang busy nila ngayon.” he nodded.

“Intindihin mo na lang. Bibihira nga pumunta ang batang 'yon sa sarili nilang family gathering at saka ikaw na mismo ang nagsabi, busy.” I saw lola nudged him but I just sighed. Hindi pa rin talaga ganoon kaganda ang image ni Castriel sa lolo ko. Alam kasi nila kung paanong patay na patay ako sa kaniya rati tapos pinagtabuyan niya lang ako. Nagsimula talaga ang lahat ng 'to noong 20th birthday niya. Castrielʼs family hated me for the stunt that I pulled while my lolo also disapproved of him because of how harsh he was to me. Itʼs messy, but weʼre working on it.

For all I know, parang si Mace pa ata ang gusto ni lolo na makatuluyan ko. He doesnʼt buy our platonic bond, heʼs been giving hints about us giving it a try. Kahit ngayon na alam nilang kami na ni Castriel.

Mace quickly gazed at me and gave me a knowing look. Umiling lang ako at nag-focus na lang sa unahan.

Nang makarating kami sa airport ay kita ko ang excitement sa mga mata nila lolo at lola. Theyʼre holding a cardboard with a welcome home, Naomi text on it, while the balloons are on Maceʼs hands. Patingin-tingin pa rin ako sa cellphone habang naghihintay kami kay mama.

“Kenzie,” I heard Mace called me. Tumingin naman agad ako sa kaniya at tinaasan siya ng kilay. Bumuntong hininga siya at inilagay ang braso sa balikat ko.

“You know Iʼm currently dating this certain guy, right?” I nodded and rested my head on his shoulder.

“We broke up yesterday.” nai-angat ko ang ulo at gulat na tumingin sa kaniya. He smiled sadly and make me lean on his shoulder again.

“I shouldnʼt be bringing this up today but I feel like Iʼm going to explode.” I can sense the sadness and... frustration on his voice. Mace has been failing on a lot of relationships recently. I know that itʼs already making him upset because he actually wants to be on a serious relationship with someone. Heʼs been dreaming to travel around the world with a lover, but heʼs still not finding the one.

Nakagat ko ang labi at ipinalibot ang braso sa likod niya. “You want to tell me what happened?” if itʼs not something serious, he wonʼt really waste our time talking about some unworthy asshole. Sinulyapan ko sina lola at nakitang nag-uusap lang din sila kaya ibinalik ko agad ang atensyon kay Mace.

“You know that weʼve been also dating since last year, but recently, I found something filthy about him. Heʼs doing illegal shits and I canʼt take it, he even tried to drag me with it one time.” I stiffened.

“Illegal?” ramdam ko ang pagtango niya at ang paghigpit ng hawak niya sa 'kin.

“It looks like heʼs part of an underground organization and theyʼre smuggling weapons, heck maybe even drugs. Fuck that asshole, he threatened me that if I wonʼt stay with him, heʼll hunt my loved ones. I didnʼt fall for his trap, I left him.” kumabog ang puso ko at kabadong tumingin sa kaniya. This is the first time that this happened. Iniwasan naming ma-involve sa mga ganitong bagay pagkatapos ng mga nasaksihan naming krimen na nangyayari sa mga fraternities sa rati naming universities. We donʼt want to be hooked in this kind of trouble but shit...