Mr. Homophobe Fell In Love With A Guy

Chapter 26.1 | Victory Party

L A U R E N C E

The cold and indifferent gaze of everyone in the room that pierces sharper than a knife. My Mommy's cries and screams of help ringing in my ears. The sight of my Dad, clutching his chest, barely even breathing but his eyes remained determined.

My frozen limbs, my dried throat, and my wide-opened eyes as I slowly watch the man in front of me close his eyes―that fire of determination slowly fading into the darkness.

It's my fault. Everything's my fault.

I tried to get away but no matter how fast and far I run, I could never escape. Every time, I always stumble upon a dead end wherein the look in my Dad's eyes that day stops me from escaping.

I'm sorry. It's me who have failed you.

In my subconscious, I know I'm having a nightmare. Gising na gising ang diwa ko pero hindi ko maimulat ang mga mata ko.

*Bztt *Bztt

The sudden vibrations on my hand prompted me to open my eyes. I wake up to the sound of my heart loudly thumping. My body is so tensed as if I'm carrying the whole weight of the world. My forehead is oozing cold sweat but I still breathe a sigh of relief upon seeing the familiar ceiling.

Tapos na ang lahat ng iyon. Lumayo na kami ni Mommy. Magsisimula na kami ulit.

Unti-unting bumalik sa huwisyo ang utak ko. Nagbabasa ako ng textbooks kaninang hapon nang biglang umulan nang malakas kaya nakatulog ako.

*Bztt *Bztt

Bumangon ako kahit parang umiikot ang paningin ko, at inangat ang kaliwang kamay ko. Did I just sleep while holding my phone?

Epal Calling...

The eff? What's up with him?

I'm in no mood to talk right now, but maybe because of my groggy head, I answered the call absentmindedly. Huli na ang lahat nang ma-realize ko kung ano ang ginawa ko, at isang pamilyar na boses ang narinig ko mula sa receiver.

"Laurence?"

Unbeknownst to me, my heart started beating faster. Why is he calling at this time? Ano'ng sasabihin ko? Should I just end the call?

"Laurence, nandiyan ka ba?"

Are you effing crazy?! Kung wala ako rito, sinong sasagot ng tawag? I badly want to say that but I remained tight-lipped. I feel like my voice would shake the moment I open my mouth to speak.

"Nasa... nasa labas ako ng bahay niyo."

My fingers that were about to end the call suddenly paused. The eff?

I dropped my phone in frenzy, and then I came running towards the closed windows of my room.

Pagkahawi ko ng kurtina, nagtingin-tingin ako sa labas. Madilim na ang paligid pero dahil sa streetlight sa gilid ng kalsada, namataan ko pa rin iyong asul na kotse na nakaparada sa labas ng bakod ng bahay namin. Unti-unting bumukas ang pinto nito, at lumabas si Epal na hawak pa rin ang phone niya. Hindi ko masyadong maaninagan ang mukha niya, but I have this feeling that he's smiling at me.

What the eff is he doing here? Sa pagkakaalala ko, ganito rin ang nangyari noong birthday niya at pumunta siya rito. Everything should be the same except the atmosphere and the obvious change in my attitude.

I vaguely noticed him speak on his phone. Sinubukan ko munang basahin ang sinasabi niya pero hindi nagtagal ay natampal ko ang noo ko. What the eff am I doing?!