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Our family went upside down since my grandfather's birthday. Umalis si Lolo sa bahay at tumuloy muna sa family mansion namin. It was also located at Marble Village, but few streets away from our house.
I was still in great surprise after Dad and Lolo argued in front of our whole family. The source of their emotions was still not clear to me. Isa lang ang malinaw sa'kin, si Lolo ang dahilan kung bakit nagtangka si Ringo na layuan ako.
"So it's my lolo and not my dad," I spoke. "Siya ang dahilan kaya ka biglang nagbago at umiwas noon?"
"Oo," sagot ni Ringo. We're in our house at Pine Village, particularly at the balcony.
"Kasama niya si Dad noong kinausap ka niya?" tanong ko.
"Oo," muli niyang sagot habang nakayuko.
"Aside from what Lolo told you, did my dad say anything to you?" I asked as if I was interrogating him.
"Wala naman. Tahimik lang siyang nakikinig habang kausap ako ng lolo mo."
I clenched my jaw. "So it's Lolo's fault all along?"
"Yes. It was unexpected because your lolo treated me nicely the first time we met. Isa pa ay ikaw na ang nagsabi na mabuti siyang tao, kaya hindi ako makapaniwala nang inutusan niya akong layuan ka."
"Bakit kasi hindi mo sinabi sa'kin agad?" inis kong tanong.
He pierced me a look. "Because I know how much you love your lolo. Ayaw kong mag-iba ang tingin mo sa kanya dahil sa'kin. He's the only person in your family that treated you with care and love."
"Kahit na, Ringo. What he did to you is so wrong. Kung hindi pa nangyari ang gulo sa birthday party ni Lolo ay hindi ko pa malalaman na wala palang kinalaman si Dad sa conflict nating dalawa."
"Chill," someone spoke, it was Ashwin. He was carrying a tray of tea. "At least now we know that the real homophobic is not your dad but our grandfather."
I turned my eyes to him. "You think he's the reason why Dad kicked out every LGBTQ community members in King Arthur University?"
"Yes," Ashwin responded and handed me a cup of tea. "Isa pa ay hindi ko pa narinig ang Dad mo na nagsalita ng masasakit na bagay tungkol sa'kin. Well, I hate him at first because I thought he's the one who kicked out those students, but yeah, he never criticized me or what."
Napaisip ako sa sinabi niya. He's right, Dad never said anything bad towards LGBTQ community. He was being misunderstood and the true responsible with all the homophobic issues at King Arthur University was my grandfather.
"Actually," Ringo began. "It's also the reason why I was forced to avoid you. Alam ng lolo mo ang balak kong pagpasok sa King Arthur Uiversity. Kapag hindi daw kita nilayuan ay gagawin niya ang lahat para hindi ako makapasok doon. Natakot rin ako na baka dahil sa kanya ay hindi ako makapasok sa scholarship program. He also threatened me to destroy my family."
I saw a tiny sparkle at the corner of his eyes. His face displayed a mixture of sadness and anxiety. Dahan-dahan kong inabot ang kanyang kamay at hinaplos ito.
"I'm sorry about this, Ringo," I voiced.
He forced a smile and stared at me. "I'm sorry too. Dahil sa'kin ay nagkakagulo kayo ngayon ng pamilya mo."
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.
