Alejandro's Hombre

Ch. 23: where there's smoke, there is fire

"okay, Chandler Dave Irizari. we've been here for thirty minutes now and all we did is drink coffee for god knows how many cups already." Chandler scratch his head, his ears buzzing with this tiny person's rantings the moment he get here at SB. He looked like a furious bee ready to sting him anytime.

"fine, I'm sorry. I'm just... I mean, I really don't know how to say these things properly without you freaking out." he reasoned out. Khairie shot one raised eyebrow at him.

"well, I'm nearly freaking out of boredom sitting here across you, with my third venti cup of Frappuccino. and I'll freak out even more if I have my fourth cup, and you ain't saying anything at all." Khairie said, rolling his eyes and huffed. "now, I know you had the tea, Chan. just spill whatever that is so we could talk about it, don't you think?"

Chandler nodded and sighed, gesturing his hand to the counter staff for another cup of his favorite latte. The store now is quite with only a few customers since it's Monday, and in the afternoon. The staff bring in his latte, and Chandler started to talk.

"alam naman nating matagal na sina Xander at Amy, hindi ba? that they've been together since their pre-med days at HGU. and that... they're adored by many, even the public with how strong their relationship is...."

"will you just get straight to the point, Irizari? ako yung nagugulohan sa mga sinasabi mo, eh. diretsahin mo na lang, pwede?"

Chandler didn't answered, he instead pick up his smartphone and opened it. he did some quick taps and handed the gadget to Khairie. nagugulohan man sa mga sinasabi nito, Khairie accepted Chandler's phone and look at it.

and he's shocked.

no, not just that.

He was petrified.

His hands are shaking with what he's seeing as he scrolls on the things in this folder in Chandler's phone. He refuses to believe it and gave the gadget back to its owner.

the two of them are silent for a long while. Khairie could not even name exactly what he really feels at the moment. and Chandler is not even looking at him.

"d-does Xander... does he already know about these things? did you tell him?"

Chandler shook his head. Khairie leaned on the table, covering his face with his palms. He's the one feeling so ashamed and disgusted with what he just saw. He then took his palms from covering his face and combed his hair away form his face. Chandler just look down on his coffee silently.

"I'm sorry, Chandler. I apologize on her behalf, for Xander. I....I never would've thought, not even once that she could do this to him. She was... She was always so prim and proper, so demure... She was raised to be a dignified lady..." Khairie sighed heavily and momentarily close his eyes. hindi nya magawang tingnan si Chandler na hindi tinatablan ng hiya. pinsan nito ang longtime boyfriend at Fiancé ni Amethyst---ang pinsan din nyang nasa loob pala ang kulo. He can't help but feel revolted. may pinagmanahan nga ito. and all these times he thought that the cousin of his is entirely different from her imbecile brother and immoral parents.

"there's nothing for you to apologize, Khai. wala ka namang kinalaman sa kalandian ng pinsan mo." Chandler said acidly. He then cleared his throat as he realized that he's her cousin as well. "pardon me for saying such things. I'm just...naaawa lang talaga ako kay Xander. alam kong may mga pagdududa na sya pero mas pinili nyang wag maniwala. He loves her. and that's the worst of it."

"you don't have to apologize. ako itong dapat mahiya sa inyo ni Xander. It's me and my family who should ask for forgiveness, dahil kadugo ko ang... ang nanloko sa pinsan mo, Chandler. sorry. I really am."