Alejandro's Hombre

Ch.36: The Approval

nobody spoke as they sit in circles on the living room of the vacation house. Xander keeps his head bowed, biting his nails, while Gabriel holding his other hand. He's getting anxious by the minute as the atmosphere gets quiet intense. then Gabriel's uncle cleared his throat, getting their attention.

"sinabi na sa amin ni Rigor ang lahat. ngayon, gusto kong marinig ang side nyo, Gabriel at Xander." Gabriel's uncle said. "kailan pa nagsimula ang ugnayan nyong yan?"

Gabriel sighed.

"just recently, Tito. and I'm sorry if we kept this hidden to all of you." Gabriel said. "we we're just finding the right time."

"the right time?" Rigor said. "that's bull, Gabe. kung hindi pa namin kayo nakita, wala kayong plano na umamin. what if we didn't caught you red handed on doing that thing? eh 'di itatago nyong kayo na, hindi ba?"

"I'm really sorry. we're... we're just starting out. You must understand na hindi naman madaling umamin sa ganitong sitwasyon." Gabriel said. "I know I am at fault here. I'll own up the blame. but I'm not leaving Xander, regardless if matanggap nyo kami o hindi. I'll respect your views and beliefs, but I'll stay by Xander's side."

there's a long silence after what Gabriel said. Xander wanted to say something, to defend Gabriel too---but Gift beat him to it.

" Kuya, Doc Xander--- I won't judge you. I'll never do that. tanggap ko kayo, dahil wala namang pinipilang kasarian ang pag-ibig, eh. You fall in love with the person, not the gender. so for me, I'm okay with the two of you being together. You being with another man doesn't make you less of the person I know, Kuya. you're still my brother, that won't ever change."

Gabriel hug his sister tightly and kiss her forehead. Xander teared up at the sight, somehow relieved to have lessened the heavy burden in his heart.

but the problem now is with Gabriel's other family members---and his friends.

"we also had the same sentiments. hindi rin namin kayo huhusgahan, sapagkat buhay nyo yan at kayo ang magde-desisyon kung pa'no nyo ito patatakbuhin. You're already grown men, you knew what you're doing. and as your second parent, Gabriel, I only wish what's the best for you. If Xander makes you happy, then I'll be happy for you both."

Gabriel's aunt said, holding Gabriel and Xander's hand and squeeze it lightly before letting it go.

"I also wish you the same thing, Gabriel. and you too, Xander. the kind of relationship you have is not a rare thing in this modern times, and we're not shallow minded people to detest whatever the two of you have. you love the person for who they are and not for what they're made of. I made a vow at your parent's grave that I'll take care for the both of you, and treat you as my own children. and as a father, I also want nothing but the best for you. I wish you well, hijo."

"I agree with Mama and Papa. Your life, your choices. hindi ko na rin itatanong kung paanong naging kayo, dahil privacy nyo yun. nire-respeto ko rin kung anumang meron sa inyong dalawa." wika ni Rigor na nakangiti na ngayon sa kanila, hindi tulad kanina na ang talim ng mga mata nito. for that moment, Rigor mirrors Gabriel's bad boy persona with that intense stare. "ang sa 'kin lang, I'm just upset that you hid it from us. we're your family and friends, Gabe. alam mo na hindi ka namin kailanman huhusgahan. but, you know---andyan na yan, eh. and the way the two of you kiss that time, halatang in love nga kayo sa isa't-isa."

Rigor gave Gabriel a brotherly hug and pat the latter's back, and so with Xander.

"well, I also share the same sentiments. I was just taken aback, but I'm not surprised. we're in the modern era now, and the kind of love you two have is not a strange thing. at hindi nyo naman kasalanan na nagkaroon kayo ng feelings sa isa't-isa, hindi naman nadidiktahan ang puso ng tao kung sinuman ang mamahalin nito. hetero and homo relationships are just the same, hindi naman nagkaka-layo yun. Love is love ika nga, 'di ba?"