STELLJUN Stories

Sleepovers (1)

They were inside Pablo's makeshift studio room to rehearse and record a new song. Two of the members are absent. Josh has a dental appointment. Ken was as usual late and may not even come at all. So it's only Jah, Stell, and Pablo who seemed to be in a bad mood.

Pablo is sitting in front of his mixing console, humming a song with his eyes closed. He was trying to calm himself. They are supposed to rehearse their new song but things are not going as planned. Ken always being late has been getting on his nerves lately. There will come a day he'll have to talk to him about it.

Jah was observing Pablo then turned to Stell who was busy on his phone.

"Psst...uwi nalang tayo...?"

Stell paused the video he was watching and looked up at Jah.

"Bakit?"

Jah pointed his lips to where Pablo is sitting.

"Parang wala sa mood yung isa, oh. And I don't think Ken will come."

Stell looked at his phone to check the time. It is six o'clock in the evening.

"I guess di na nga dadating yun. Cge, mag paalam ka muna."

"Ikaw na..."

"Bakit ako? Eh ikaw 'tong gusto na umuwi."

"So di ka uuwi?"

"Uuwi naman, but I'm not in a hurry."

"Eh nakapikit eh, parang tulog na ata. Yoko istorbuhin."

"Hindi, gising yan. Pau...?"

Pablo did not respond. Stell stood up and walked over to where Pablo is sitting. He lightly tapped Pablo's shoulder.

Pablo felt a hand on his shoulder. He knew instantly that it was Stell even without opening his eyes. He knows his smell.

"Pau..."

"Mm?"

"Uwi na raw si Jah."

Pablo just nodded. Stell turned to look at Jah and shrugged his shoulders.

"Okay, aalis na ako ha..."

Jah gathered his things and got ready to leave.

"Bye Jah. Drive safe. Message us when you get home."

"Sure. Text ko rin si Ken. Awayin ko."

"Haha...wag mo naman awayin, pagsabihan mo lang."

Jah just smiled and waved good bye then head out of the studio room.

Stell turned his attention back to Pablo who was still just sitting there with eyes closed. He placed both hands on Pablo's shoulder and started rubbing gently.

"Are you okay?"

"Mm...yep. Just tired."

Stell knows this, they're all tired. They had a very hectic week, from the BITZ concert to MYX awards performance to Acer Day to promoting BAZINGA. But luckily they were given a few days break. Since they had the rest of the week off, they decided to rehearse on a new song but things didn't go as planned. He himself is irritated that Ken caused another delay but this time it wasn't only him but Josh as well. He sighed.

"You want me to go? Para makapag pahinga ka."

Pablo shook his head.

"No, stay. You know I like your massages."

Stell smiled and put more pressure on Pablo's shoulder.

"Baka kasi makatulog ka. It'd be better kung dun ka na sa kwarto."

Pablo just hummed then asked, "You want to sleepover?"

"Mm...ano muna ulam nyo?"

"Di ko alam."

"Punta muna ako kitchen ask ko kay Tita."

Pablo grabbed the hand on his shoulder.

"Wag na. Pwd naman tayo magpa deliver if you don't like the ulam eh."

Stell shrugged and continue massaging Pablo's shoulders. He smiled when he remembered the last time they had a sleepover. It was Pablo who slept over at his place.

"Di mo na pala sinuli ung t-shirt and pants ko."

Pablo opened his eyes and looked up to see Stell looking down at him smiling.

"Akin nalang yun."

"Oy paborito ko kaya yun."

Pablo blinked and closed his eyes again. Recently, he find it hard to have a staring contest with Stell. He couldn't last looking into those eyes. He didn't had this problem before. He usually stare at Stell and the other would look away first. But these days, he kept losing these staring contest between them. What he does instead, is stare at Stell when the other isn't looking.

"Kaya nga akin nalang kasi paborito mo."

Stell laughed.

"Iba ka rin noh. May kapalit dapat."

Pablo smirked.

"Oh cge, kung ano mapili mo mamaya, sa'yo na."

"Are you sure?"

Pablo just nodded. Stell's massage was doing wonders lulling him into a near doze.

Stell tap him lightly. "Pau, tulog ka na ata. Doon ka na sa room."

Pablo sighed. He didn't want to get up but he knows he'd be able to rest well in bed. He got up slowly, stretched and started walking towards the door.

"Uy teka, wala manlang thank you?"

"Aren't you coming with me?"

"Mamaya na. Tambay muna ako kitchen nyo, baka palinisin mo lang ako sa kalat ng kwarto mo noh."

"Haha. No, may naglinis na yesterday."

Stell chuckled and run towards the door.

"Common, race you!"

Stell head out of the studio room and run up the stairs to Pablo's bedroom. Pablo sighed and had no choice but to ran after Stell.

to be continued...