DBS#3: Mending the Scars

CHAPTER 9: Effects

BRYLE’S POV

I honestly don’t even know what time I fell asleep last night because I couldn’t stop thinking about my conversation with Top. He’s aware that he’s capable of liking men, and he doesn’t want us to develop feelings for each other. He didn’t even give a reason for himself—he said it was for my sake, so I wouldn’t get distracted.

That’s when I realized how open-minded he actually is. I’ve never met someone like him before, especially at his age and with his state of mind. He’s playful and loves trouble, and I never really thought he was capable of using his brain sometimes.

But how about me? Is it even possible for me to like men?

“Nakakainis talaga iyang tatay mo, Pancake! Nagkaroon lang tuloy ako ng isipin tuwing gabi.”

Marahas kong ginulo ang buhok ko bago ibinabad na lang ang sarili sa pag-a-advance study para sa clinical namin at sa iba pang subjects. I scanned the pages of my modules, opened five tabs of research articles, and reread the terms over and over until they all started looking like hieroglyphics. My highlighter was already drying out from overuse, and my notes were beginning to look like a chaotic rainbow. Even the steady hum of the aircon felt louder than usual, like it’s reminding me how long I’d been glued to my seat.

Hindi ko na namalayang limang oras na pala akong nakatitig sa screen, kaya halos matumba na ako nang tumayo ako para kumuha ng gatas ni Pancake. Muntik ko pang makalimutan na hindi lang pala ako ang nandito. Kung dati ay kaya kong magbabad sa pag-aaral nang halos maghapon, ngayon kailangan ko nang maglaan ng break para kay Pancake. He can’t feed himself yet, so it’s my responsibility to make sure he’s well-fed before I go back to my own business.

Habang nasa kusina, saka ko lang unti-unting naramdaman ang pagod. I brushed it off and focused on preparing Pancake’s milk. After making sure everything was just right, I went straight to his tiny bed and watched him slowly walk, his steps still a little wobbly. At least now, I can see the progress. Hindi na siya mukhang mahina kumpara noong unang araw na dinala ko siya sa vet.

Though it’s still not guaranteed that he’s going to survive without the care of a mother, but I really hope he does.

“Feeding time!” I announced happily as I picked him up from his bed. I placed him gently on my lap, making sure he was comfortable before giving him his milk.

Today, I want to distract myself from thinking about what happened last night and from distancing myself a bit. Not that I like him already, but to be sure, I have to. I should focus more on things that are more important than falling in love. Walang maidudulot na maganda sa akin ang pag-ibig na iyan. Siguro ay hindi pa ito para sa akin sa ngayon.

Buong araw lang sana akong tatambay sa condo para mag-aral at mag-alaga kay Pancake nang biglang umingay ang phone ko. Sunod-sunod na messages galing sa D’Beasts dahil sa biglaan nilang plano. Linggo naman daw kaya ayos lang mag-hangout. As usual, sa Triple 8 ulit para maka-attract ng maraming customers bilang tulong na rin kay Seven. Halos kakatayo pa lang kasi ng bar na iyon at hindi pa gaanong nadi-discover ng ilan. College students palang usually ang mga regular customers.

Akiro Gomez
Pumunta ka, ah. Mababaliw ka riyan kakaaral, Einstein!

As if I could say no to their invitation. I mean, technically I could, but I’d rather not. Baka mamaya ay dito pa nila maisipang dumayo kung tanggihan ko sila. I can’t accommodate that many people, and I don’t want my place to end up as loud as a bar.