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I pressed my head as I stood slowly, trying to recall what had happened and how I ended up sleeping at the seashore with Ringo. Maya-maya ay idinilat na rin niya ang kanyang mga mata at lumingon sa'kin.
"Gising ka na pala," sambit nito. He rubbed his eyes, still sitting at the picnic blanket.
"Anong nangyari?" tanong ko.
"Hindi mo na maalala?" Mabilis siyang tumayo sa kanyang pwesto. "Lasing na lasing ka kagabi at hindi kita kayang buhatin, kaya naman dito na tayo natulog."
Hindi na ako nagtaka kung bakit hindi niya ako nabuhat. I had an average height of 6'2", and he was shorter like 5'6" or 5'7". Beyond his short height, his overall appearance showed as delicate and graceful, which far from most men I had encountered.
Even his movements were gentle and soft, devoided of any rough gesture. The blend of feminine and masculine in his appearance gave him an intriguing charm.
"How about the other guy last night?" I asked.
"Umuwi siya," sagot nito. "Iniwan niya tayo nang mawalan ka ng malay."
I thumbed my forehead, trying to remember last night's details. Naalala ko na nakaakbay ang isang lalaki kay Ringo, dahilan para lapitan ko sila.
"Sino 'yon?" tanong ko. I had no disposition on digging about someone's personal life, so I was surprised when I asked that question.
He tilted his head and looked at me. "He's my brother's friend. Why?"
I quickly shook my head and said, "Nothing."
Gaddammit! A searing pain ran through my head. Sanay akong uminom ng alak, ngunit hindi maganda ang tama sa'kin ng ininom kong brandy.
Ringo pouted his lips, and my eyes widened when he tiptoed to reach my forehead. "Are you okay now?" he asked, touching my head, as if he was checking if I had a fever. I distinguished a hint of concern in his eyes.
Wala pang ilang segundo ay napaatras na ako sa kanyang ginawa. It's not that I felt disgusted about the idea of skinship, but I wasn't used to being touched by other people. Even Mom never touched my forehead whenever I had a fever.
"What's wrong?" he asked, looking confused by my abrupt movement.
I didn't answer him and just avoided his stares. Fidgetting, I tried thinking of something to say so he wouldn't think I was weird. Mabuti na lamang ay tumunog ang aking cellphone, kaya mabilis ko itong kinuha sa aking bulsa.
When I checked it, the screen flashed with 8AM alarm clock.
"Fuck!" I spat. "I have to go!"
Without looking at Ringo, I ran going back to the hotel. Narinig kong nagpaalam siya sa'kin, ngunit hindi ko na siya nilingon pa. I was more concerned about what might happen once I reached the hotel. Kapag nalaman ni Dad na wala ako sa suite buong gabi ay siguradong sa'kin niya ibabaling ang init ng ulo niya kay Austin.
When I reached the hotel, I fixed my hair and my clothes. I reeked in alcohol, so I planned to keep a safe distance from my Dad once I faced him. Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang pintuan at tumambad sa'kin ang mukha ni Dad.
"Winston," he said while fixing his necktie. "Bakit wala ka sa breakfast kanina?" tanong niya, dahilan para kumabog ng mabilis ang aking puso.
"Ahm... Dad..." I uttered, trying to make a reason that won't make him roar in fury.
"Baka maaga siyang umalis," sabi ni Mom nang makalabas siya sa kanilang kwarto. "He told you he's going to surf today, right?"
I forced a smile to support my mom's cover up. "Yes, that's right. Early morning is the best time for surfing," I mumbled.
BINABASA MO ANG
WINSTON AND RINGO (Montana Series 3 | BXB)
RomanceTagalog-English BL - Winston never spoke to anyone about his struggles and feelings, but when Ringo came into picture, everything changed. He thought Ringo was helping him to overcome his misfortune, but little did he know, it's the other way around.
