A Miserable Romance [BL]

Chapter 9 - Gift

Ofius led his friends towards the main park where there the fireworks competitions can be viewed close and clear, all people gathered up in this place and as the event got close, the more discomfort Ofius felt.

"Babalik lang ako mamaya—"

But Kyle and his friends held him, "Oh, teka. S'an ka pupunta? Alam mo bang intense effort ang ginawa namin para mainvite lang dito sina Stacy?" Jin whispered. "At iiwan mo lang?!"

Ofius was in a dilemma, "Babalik ako."

"Oh bala ka, magkaka bad impression sayo si Stacy." Kyle stated.

And with their taunting, Ofius stayed. Among any priorities in life, Stacy was his first during this phase and he couldn't let her impression of him go down.

He felt a hand tap on his shoulder, "Ofius? May problema ba?" Stacy asked.

Ofius forced a smile, "'Yung plates ko kasi, 'di pa tapos." he reasoned out.

Stacy giggled and even snuggled close. "Kailangan 'rin ng break paminsan-minsan. Remember, yung mental health."

Ofius just smiled and stared at the distant sky while enduring the discomfort.

"Ofius! Tingnan mo oh! Diba meron ka nito dati?" Kyle called him and when he turned, he saw them playing with a toy fish, na may lights as it flapped at may tunog pa.

"Sabi mo pa nga dadalhin mo sa aquarium mo?" Kyle laughed

Ofius made a gesture to him telling him to piss off and Stacy just giggled, "I heard that my father invited your Father to have dinner at home."

Ofius nodded, "Yeah, dad told me via call since he also wanted me to come along."

Stacy smiled, "Pupunta ka ba?"

Stacy's father was the mayor of this City. He planned on focusing on urban infrastructure and coordinated with Ofius's family firm since the quality of their work was internationally praised. And by that, their family started to get to know each other. Ofius was pleasantly happy about it since at least, his pursue to Stacy would be a bit quite easier.

"Syempre naman." he answered, "'Di pwedeng mawala ako 'dun."

Stacy giggled hearing his words, "Okay." hiding her blush in the shadows.

"5 minutes before magstart raw!" sigaw ni Kyle. And everyone started to pile up in that place, anticipating the fireworks.

But as everyone smiled and laughed along with others, Ofius suddenly remembered the faint smiles that Chase made during the games they played. The way he seriously played and the way he bitterly got silent when he kept on losing, glaring at him as he laughed and that made Ofius smile without him knowing.

And seeing the happy crowd in front of him, he should have invited Chase despite knowing that the man might refuse!

"Teka lang, may kukunin lang ako," Ofius said to them and left without waiting for their reply.
"Ofius?!" Stacy was surprised when he ran out of her side.

His friends looked at his back until he disappeared in the crowd.

"Luh, ba't parang naging busy?" Jin commented.

Ofius ran against the crowd as he went towards the place where he left Chase and the discomfort he was feeling was actually the guilt he had when he left Chase on that table alone. He should have known better! He was already his friend!

He was already panting when he arrived on the stall and saw that Chase was nowhere to be found, the table was all clean. He went towards the crew who was cleaning and asked, "'Yung kasama ko dito? Yung umuupo dito? Sa'n po siya pumunta?"