Hatin' Hue: A JOKEN AU

HH 3

"Ayos pormahan natin, Hate ha?" Silver said as he walked towards their seat.

"Ayos ba? Nakakapanibago siguro, pero bagay ba?" Han said, beaming at his new appearance, which consisted of an all-black attire from head to toe—something opposed to his normal outfits, which included a variety of hues.

Silver answered, "Akala ko masakit na sa mata 'yong pulang buhok mo at neon colored shirts, mas masakit pala sa mata 'tong ganito. Ang dilim!"

"Ano ka ba? Pula pa rin buhok ko, washable lang 'to," he said and messed his hair. "Uy! Dito ka," he blurted as soon as he saw the person he was expecting, pushing Silver aside and offering the seat next to him.

"Ay, oh, loko!" Silver remarked.

With their eyes communicating, Han motioned for Silver to simply look for another seat.

"Sylvester, right?" Caleb talked to him.

With a broad grin, Silver responded, "Yes, boss! I can't believe kilala mo 'ko!"

"Yeah, I heard a lot about you," Caleb said coldly. He went on, "Dito ka na sa tabi ko."

Everyone took a seat, with Han sitting close to the window, Caleb beside him, and Silver on Cal's left. Silver inquired, "Kaklase ka na ba namin?"

Caleb replied, "Yeah, I adjusted my schedule."

Again, Silver questioned, "Eh di tropa ka na rin namin?"

"No, but I'm also hiring you to be my bodyguard's bodyguard," Caleb responded.

After hearing it, Han began to recall what transpired yesterday after he got almost hit by a car and got scolded by a Hue.

"I can't see colors," Han told Caleb.

"Just as I thought," Caleb replied.

"Alam mo? Tapos pinabayaan mo 'ko sa kalsada? Hanep na 'yan!" Han responded irritatedly.

"Yun lang ba sasabihin mo? Your time is running," Caleb remarked, glancing at his watch.

Han spoke succinctly and without omitting any details. "Teka, teka! Hindi pa start! Maduga ka talaga! Gento nga kasi yun. Kasalanan mo ba't nawala ko si Gold. Kailangang kailangan ko siya."

Caleb responded, seeming not to give a fck about it, "Ano naman? Kailangan mo ng pera?"

"Hindi," Han answered. He was confused about how he immediately understood what he'd say next. He continued, "I mean, oo. Pota naman wala bang mas magandang term? Pero oo, ganon na nga, maraming maraming pera."

"At sakin ka lumalapit kasi kasalanan kong ayaw na sayo ni Austin?" Caleb asked nonchalantly.

"Alam mo, gago ka. Oo na, kasalanan ko rin, okay na? Basta tulungan mo na ako. Kailangan ko lang talaga. Ayaw ko pa mabulag," Han pleaded.

Han was back to the present when Silver tapped his shoulder, saying, "Tulala ka diyan. Ano g ba sa offer ni ssob?"

"G naman, ikaw bahala par," Han answered.

"Ano ba kailangan ko gawin?" Silver asked Caleb.

Caleb simply said, "Pag wala ako, bantayan mo lang si Hate. Report to me if something unusual happens."

"Ah madali lang pala, mas madali kaysa sa pinapagawa dati ni Gold," Silver smiled in response, causing Han to purse his brows.

Caleb said inquisitively, "Ano ba pinapagawa sayo?"

Silver said, dramatically, "Pinalalayo ako kay Han. Seloso kasi. Alam mo naman hindi 'to pwede mag-isa lang, lalo sa condition niya."

"Tell me about it," Caleb responded.

"Uy! Ano wag na, nakakahiya baka isipin mo nagpapaawa ako. Diba nga sabi ko sayo five years pa lang akong colorblind. Rare condition daw, ay mali, unique condition pala. Every year, dumidilim nang dumidilim paningin ko. Sabi ng doktor in few years complete blindness na pag di tumuloy sa treatment. Eh kaso sobrang mahal! Given na every month may tests na kailangan, gastos na naman 'yon. Kaya kawawa talaga ako lalo ngayon na wala na sakin si Gold. Malaking tulong din talaga siya, magpapanggap lang na boyfriend niya and makikihangout tapos shoulder na niya lahat ng treatment and tests ko. In three weeks nga dapat makukuha ko na 'yung special glasses na pinagawa niya eh kaso umatras nga siya. Diba? Kawawa talaga ako," Han spoke nonstop while feigning tears.

Caleb cast a quick glance at both him and Silver, who happened to be gesturing Han, to make it more believable and dramatic. Silver glanced over his shoulder and grinned, raising a peace sign as soon as he noticed Caleb gazing.

"Totoo nga, hindi nga nakakaawa," Caleb remarked.

"Totoo naman 'yon, inexplain ko na kahapon in depth 'tong unique condition ng mata ko diba?" Han retorted.

Caleb recalled their conversation and agreement yesterday.

"Your hue in exchange for what?" Caleb asked.

"Hangout? Unli-kisses and cuddles?" Han said.

"Gago!" Caleb exclaimed.

"Hala! Lugi ka pa ba don? Kapal mo naman! Ako na 'to oh, 'yong habulin na MVP," Han replied.

"I'm not Austin. Hindi ako magbebenefit diyan. Be my bodyguard," Caleb responded.

"Ha? Kapit-patalim lang dati ngayon buwis-buhay na? Paningin lang pwede mawala noon, ngayon buhay na," unimpressed Han mumbled.

"Then the deal is off," Caleb remarked.

"Saglit!" Han once more contemplated. "Halos araw-araw yata kayo may death threats eh. Ano bang nangyari sa bodyguards mo?"

"Exactly why I need a younger bodyguard. Besides, ayaw kong may palaging umaaligid. Pero pag ikaw, I can easily hide on you if I want to," Caleb answered.

"Potek! Sige okay na sakin. Basta sa campus lang. Uuwi pa rin ako sa amin," Han agreed.

"Yeah. Campus and to special events. I can't go without a bodyguard or else malalaman ni Mr. Hue and ipatatanggal ka," Caleb stated.

Han said, "Mr. Hue? Yung tatay mo?" To which Caleb simply nodded. "Bat hindi dad or daddy?" he continued.

"I don't wanna get involved with any of them," he responded.

Surprised, Han questioned, "Ayaw mong maging Hue?"

"Kaya bukas, I don't want you wearing those. I'll get you a whole new wardrobe. Ang pangit ng colors, I hate Hue," Caleb replied.

"If only blood could change and Hue could fade, I'd be for once witnessing a happy color."

To be continued...