Condo Boys (A Journey to Remember) [Boyxboy-Completed]

Chapter 38: The End Part 1 (Learning to Breathe)

Ken's birthday was beyond expectation. How ironic that he all wanted us to be happy but it turned out to be a tear-jerking experience. It's like a eulogy, a form of saying goodbye prematurely. The only good that I remembered is when I got the chance to say what's inside me. It's not my birthday but I was given a chance to say my unspoken words. It came out spontaneously. 

After that simple celebration, Ken promised me na he'll avoid being emotional again and winarningan pa kami na 'wag siyang pakikitaan ng anumang kalungkutan as if malapit na siyang mamatay.  Gusto niyang tratuhin namin siya na para lang normal na tao na walang iniindang sakit.

"Hoy Kambal! Gumising ka na diyan, nandito si Kentot pati with her Mom!" bigla akong naalarma nang tapik-tapikin ako ni Ate upang magising.

"Ha?!" agad akong napabangon sabay tingin kaagad sa relong ni-regalo sa 'kin ng Kentot ko kagabi. Mag aala-una na pala ng hapon. "Anong ginagawa nila?"

"Ewan ko, pero nasa labas pa sila at hindi pa pumapasok. Bilisan mong mag-ayos diyan and I'll inform Mommy na may bisita tayo okay?"

Hindi ko na sinagot si Ate at mabilis na lamang akong nag-ayos ng sarili. It only took me five minutes to finish my morning rituals.

I don't have any clue kung bakit naririto si Kentot kasama pa ang Mama niya. I have a gut feel but I don't trust it. Basta, I'm a bit confused and surprised  kung bakit sila naririto, sa Birthday pa mismo ng Kentot ko. Dali-dali akong lumabas ng kwarto at nakita ko kaagad sa aming Main Door ang aming panauhin na ini-entertain naman ng Mommy ko pati ni Ate.

"Oh Ken, I missed you so much my little boy," bati ni Mommy sa Kentot ko sabay yakap nang mahigpit. Gustong gusto ni Mommy talaga itong si Kentot lalo na nung magkaroon kami ng relasyon. It really broke her heart nang malaman rin niya ang kalagayan ng mahal ko. "My Good Lord please help our Ken na gumaling na. In the name of Jesus Christ. Ayos ka lang ba anak?" Mommy touched his cheeks after giving him a tight hug.

"Okay lang po ako Tita, salamat po. Namiss ko po kayo," pangiting sabi ni Ken. "Siya nga po pala, Mama ko po..."

I saw Tita Lian introduced herself to my Mom. "I'm Lian, nice meeting you."

"Oh, Ken didn't tell that he has a beautiful Mom. Nahiya tuloy ako." 

"Not that young. I'm in mid- 50's na," Tita Lian said.

"Same here pero losyang na," sambit ng Mommy ko na parang binababa pa ang sarili niya. Well, Mom, sa kanyang age is medyo may laman but not obese compared to Tita Lian na parang si Dina Bonevie lang ang hitsura at pigura ng pangangatawan.

"Not really, you still looked young...." Tita Liane told my Mom.

"Oh? Thank you for the compliment! I need that!" patawa muling sambit ng Mom ko.

Ate got into the way at niyakap sina Ken at Tita Lian bilang pagbati. Ako nama'y nandito pa rin sa second floor na parang nahihiyang bumaba at pasilip-silip na lang dito sa taas habang pinagmamasdan ang ginagawa nila.

"Where's Arjay?" asked Kentot.

"He's upstairs, waiting for you. Pababa na rin 'yun," Ate told him.

"Akyatin ko na lang siya ha?"- Ken.

"Sure!"- Ate.

"Sige Anak, bulabugin mo na 'run si Arman James. Matutuwa 'yun 'pag makita ka!" My Mom smiled. When I heard he'll go up, I immediately went back into my room to act like I didn't have a clue na nandito na sila. I closed the door at nagtago sa likod nito. Plano ko sanang gulatin si Kentot kaso mahirap na, baka kung anu pang mangyari kaya alalay lang ako, medyo i-susurprise ko lang siya.