"UWU" (StellJun x JoKen AU)

A Heartbreaking Reality

Sa wakas ay bumalik na si Teacher Jah mula sa classroom nila, dala dala ang phone nya. Excited pa naman syang picturan ang mga bata. His smile dropped as he immediately felt the heaviness in the air.

"Oh, Mr. Bawalan..." Teacher Jah greeted. "Ang aga nyo ho ata?"

"Aba mabuti nga't maaga ako para sunduin ang anak ko. Baka mahawa pa siya sa mga kalaro niya!"

Teacher Justin was surprised by his aggressive tone. "Sandali lang naman po, sir. What do you mean? The kids are just playing a harmless game," he explained calmly.

Mr. Bawalan scoffed. "This isn't just a game, Mr. De Dios," he spat. "They're playing gay marriage. And my son is a part of it."

Teacher Justin felt a pang of anger in his chest at the man's words. "Wala naman pong mali sa laro nila sir." he said firmly. "The kids are just being creative and having fun."

"Well, ayokong nakikipaglaro ang anak ko sa mga... mga batang katulad niyan." Mr. Bawalan said, gesturing towards Teytey and Paupau in disgust, as if na may nakakahawa silang sakit.

Justin couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Excuse me?" he said, his voice rising.

"You heard me," Mr. Bawalan said, glaring at the two boys. "I don't want my son associating with them."

The other children had stopped playing and were looking on, confused and scared.

"Mga anak, pasok muna kayo sa room ha? Nandun sila Teacher Max." Teacher Jah quickly ushered them towards the classroom so they wouldn't have to hear the man's harsh words.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Bawalan," he said, keeping his voice level. "With all due respect po, but I can't let you talk about the kids like that. Mga bata pa po sila, lalo na hindi nila deserve na mahusgahan nang ganito."

The father crossed his arms over his chest. "I don't care," he said stubbornly. "I'm transferring my son to a different daycare. Yung walang gurong katulad mo na tinotolerate yang ganyang kaimoralan!"

Justin felt a sense of sadness wash over him. Nico was such a sweet and kind child, and he cannot help but feel a sense of disappointment, not just in the father's behaviour, but in the fact that Nico would have to go home to a parent with such narrow-minded views.

"I'm sorry to hear that," he said softly. "But please remember po na that these kids are innocent, and they don't deserve to be judged based on who they are."

With that, the father stormed off, dragging Nico along with him, leaving Teacher Justin feeling both angry and heartbroken.

Justin turned to go back inside, hoping to distract the kids from the ugly scene they had just witnessed.

Mas lalong kumirot ang puso ni Justin nang makita ang mga batang kanina lang ay puno ng ngiti sa mukha na ngayon ay bahid na ng takot at kalungkutan. He immediately hugged and comforted the weeping boys, Paupau and Teytey, who got affected the most.

He couldn't help but wonder what kind of world these children were growing up in, and what kind of challenges they would face because of their identities. But for now, all he could do was continue to be a safe and supportive presence for them, and to advocate for their right to be themselves, no matter what.