Final Shot

Nineteenth Shot

Von parked his car in front of his best friend's house then he fished out his phone and dialed his number. He doesn't even know why he went here, the only thing that he knows is that he needs someone to talk to. Von is pretty sure that Kiefer is the best person to talk to right now.

"Hello bro?" Kiefer answered his call with a sleepy voice, "Why are you calling me at this hour?"
"Bro, open the gate. I'm outside your house." Von answered.
"WHAAAT?!" Kiefer replied in disbelief, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
"C'mon Kief... Stop with the inquiries, just open the gate." Von sounded a bit annoyed with Kief.
Kiefer hissed on the other line, "Ayos ah, ikaw na nangistorbo ikaw pa galit. You're unbelievable, Pessumal!"
Von did not mind Kiefer's comment, "I need someone to talk to, Kief. Just hurry up and open the gate."
"I know you're a prince but I am not your fucking slave, Pes. Makautos eh." Kiefer answered quickly, "I'll be there in a minute."

Von hang up the phone and patiently waited for his best friend to open the gate. It took Kiefer few minutes to open the door. Kiefer was shocked when he saw Von, he looks tired and wasted.

"What the fuck happened to you, Von?" Kiefer worriedly asked his best friend, "Saan napunta ang kapogian mo?"
Von glared at him, "I don't have time para makipagbiruan sa'yo ngayon, Ravena."

Kiefer opened the gate wider and let Von in then he led the way to the garden and they sat on the bench near the main door.

"What now, Pessumal?" Kiefer asked while staring intently at him, "What's your problem?"
"Nalilito na ko sa feelings ko, bro." Von said straightforwardly.
"Pucha naman, bro!" Kiefer blurted out, "I thought you were 200% sure of your feelings towards Kersh, anyare?"
Von bowed down his head, "Yeah, but why am I feeling that she doesn't want to be with me til we get old?"
Kiefer hissed, "I told you to take things slow, man. Try to understand her, I'm sure she wants to enjoy her life muna before she settles down. I know how much she loves you, Von."
"If she doesn't want to get married after graduation, I'm fine with engagement muna. I just want to have an assurance that we'll end up together." Von replied, "Lalo pa ngayon may nangyari na sa'min."
Kiefer's eye widened upon hearing Von's confession, "WHAAAT?! You never told me anything about that, bro!"
Von's brows furrowed, "It ain't a story to tell, man. I respect her so much, so why would I tell the world about what happened to us?"
"I know right! I ain't asking you about the whole detail, stupid!" Kiefer said while shaking his head, "What am I trying to say is that you never mentioned it to me like, man, we tell each other's secret since 6th grade. I mean, I just want to know when it happened."
"Just last night." Von answered, "Too bad, I was drunk." then he sighed.
Kiefer raised his eyebrow, "Baka naman ayun ang reason kung bakit gusto mo na magpakasal? Para ma araw araw mo."
Von bopped him on head, "I am not a pervert!"
Kiefer shook his head, "Von, I am not in the right position para pigilan kayo pero hinay hinay lang ha."
Von smiled, "Oo naman, I am not yet ready to be a father no."
"Can I ask you a question, Von?"
He nodded, "Sure, what is it?"
"Do you still love Kershia?"
"Of course!!" Von answered without any hesitation, "I love her so much."
Kiefer smirked at him, "Labo mo bro! I thought naguguluhan ka sa feelings mo? Eh bakit sigurado ka naman na mahal mo si Kershia?"
"I am sure of my feelings towards her." Von explained, "What I am not sure of is her feelings towards me."
Kiefer stood up from his seat and tapped his back, "Itulog mo nalang yan, Von. Magpahinga ka. Mahal na mahal ka nun ni Kershia, okay? Stop ovethingking things, it ruins your happiness."
Von stood up as well from his seat and gave Kiefer a brotherly hug, "Thanks, bro! You don't have the best words to comfort me but there's something in you that makes me stop overthinking things. You're really the best friend everyone could ever have."
"Of course!" Kiefer answered cooly with a smile on his face, "I'll see you tomorrow in school. Good night, Von! Drive safely."
"Yeah, good night!" then Kiefer walked with him then he waved his hand while watching him drove away.