The Bunny of the Moon

Chapter 7: Without Ken+ SJ

As I watch him there every 12PM by the window, looking at the busy streets of Cavite, observing the way to Ken's house just gives me a little hope na tama nga si Stell nung gabi na iyon.

I hope he's wrong but by the looks of it he seems to be completely right.

"Sejun." Nagulantang ako sa biglang pasok niya sa shop ko.

"That's Pablo to you." Sabi ko at pinakain na ulit si Gira, 'yung aso na ihinabilin dito. "Bakit ka nandito?"

"Gusto ko lang sabihin na alam ko na ang totoo." Malakas na loob na sabi niya.

"Anong totoo?" I asked, looking at him."

"Na si Josh at Joshie ay iisa." Sagot nito. "Narito ako para sabihin na ingatan mo ang kaibigan mo laban sa kamandag ni Ken."

"He won't fall for Ken, I know him."

"Maniwala ka sa akin, Pablo." He said as he grabbed my arms. "That man would be in pieces without Ken."

Mabilis kong inilayo ang sarili ko, shet sina Ken ang pinaguusapan namin pero bakit may kakaibang elektrisidad sa katawan ko.

"Alam mo, Stell umalis ka na lang. Hindi ka nakakatulong eh." I did all I can to avoid him...it still hurts me to do so.

"I'm doing this para hindi masaktan ang kahit na sino sa mga kaibigan natin. You know that, Pablo. You know that so well." His words just struck me difficultly. "Ang sakit mong intindihin. Hanggang ngayon hindi mo pa ako pinapaniwalaan."

I turned to him, frustrated and tired. "Tama na, Stell...you begged more times before. Nakakapagod din na makita kang nasasaktan."

But that night is not the night about us. Baka tama si Stell, Josh is a motionless slug when he is apart from Ken.

"Josh...go to him."

Mabilis akong nilingon ni Josh at umiling. He went to his room and stayed there until he turned into a bunny. Actually mahirap pilitin si Josh sa mga bagay lalo na kung walang kasiguraduhan ang mga ito. I think takot lang siya... it's impossible to see him this way.

Naaawa ako.

Nang namamahinga kami sa sofa ay nagulat ako na biglang bumukas ang pinto ko, iniluwa nito si Stell, Ken at Justin. The two were pulling Stell away but he was stronger. He looked tired, frustrated and drunk.

"Stell, tama na." Jah pleaded.

Stell wasn't speaking, tinitignan niya lang ako. I sighed then got the courage to speak.

"Hayaan niyo, I'll talk to him in my room." Mabilis na bumitaw ang dalawa kaya muntik nang matumba si Stell. "Hey, not like that!"

I helped him into my room and saw Joshie hiding under the table. He needs to talk to Ken already.

"Ken, nasa ilalim siya ng lamesa." I said then saw Joshie's angry face. Cute.

When I shut the door, Stell is on the floor and crying again. This felt so familiar. Us in the bedroom, him crying and drunk...only Josh knew about us.

Umupo ako sa kama at inintay na may sabihin siya.

"Hanggang ngayon ba hindi mo pa ako kayang kausapin?" He asked without looking at me. "Kaya mo pa akong tiisin ng ganito?"

"Gusto kong ikaw ang mauna...ayaw kong umimik dahil baka hindi mo gustong marining ang sasabihin ko." I answered him.

"Wala na ba talaga tayo?" Walang umiimik sa amin so he looked at me. "Hindi na ba ako ang liwanag sa madilim mong mundo?"

He is...he was and he always will be.

"Stell iniintay ako ni Jana...hindi ko siya pwedeng talikuran." Sagot ko.

"Kahit harap-harapan ka niyang niloloko?" He said. "Pau...9 years na pero sariwa pa rin. Sana pinatay mo na lang ako...kasi what you're doing now is hurting me so much."

He got up then left kahit nahihilo pa siya.

I hate myself. Valid ang rason ni Stell para kamuhian ako...I want us to be back again pero this time is not our time yet. Sana kung maayos na, pwede pa.