WINSTON AND RINGO (Montana Series 3 | BXB)

27: Buttercup

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We visited an orphanage for the Christmas program organized by Ruby Wine Corporation. They brought so many gifts and prepared fun games for the children. Tulad ng sabi ni Dad ay dinala ko si Ringo. Si Austin naman ay nagsama rin ng mga kaibigan mula sa Southside High.

"Hindi ba 'yan mabigat?" tanong ko kay Ringo. We're helping Dad's staffs to bring out the gifts from the truck.

"Nope," said Ringo, carrying a box of toys.

As we entered the orphanage, we met Dad along the way. He was busy supervising his staff about the event. Napalingon siya sa'min at tumango naman kami bilang pagbati. When we walked past him, we stopped in our tracks.

"Ringo," called Dad, so we returned our gaze to him.

"Yes, Sir?" Ringo responded. I could see his nervousness in the way he looked at my dad, which cracked my nerves as well.

Dad displayed a blank face and said, "Thank you for coming."

Napataas ako ng kilay dahil sa sinabi niya. It made me sigh in relief. I also noticed Ringo lowered his shoulder in a relaxed way.

"Thank you rin po for inviting me, Sir," Ringo said, offering a smile.

Dad cleared his throat. "And don't call me Sir, just call me Tito."

Ringo flashed a perplexed look, but he drew a smile in the end. "Okay, Sir.... I mean, Tito."

Dad stared at me with his empty look and continued with his thing. His eyes held a sense of calmness, which dropped the tension between us that we had for so many years.

"Sabi ko sa'yo, may tinatago ring bait ang dad mo," sabi ni Ringo habang inaayos namin ang mga regalo sa tabi ng stage.

I smiled, but it faded quickly. "It's a shame I judged his silence, well in fact, I also have a hard time speaking my mind."

I felt Ringo's palm in my back. "Don't worry. You have plenty of time to know him more."

I smiled back at him as my response. Seconds dragged by, Austin and his friends came to our position.

"Hello, bro!" said Austin with his usual annoying look.

"What do you want?" I leered at him.

"I just want you to meet my friends," he responded. "This is Luigi and Red."

The two guys waved at me so I forced myself to smile.

Austin cleared his throat and said, "How about you? Hindi mo ba ipakikilala ang kasama mo?"

I paused for a moment, staring at Ringo. I knew Austin wanted to make a scene, but I forced myself not to play along with his game.

"Bakit? Nahihiya ka ba? Are you ashame to introduce that fag to my friends?" he asked, which ticked me off.

Mabilis na nagpalitan ng tingin sina Luigi at Red, at kita ko sa mga mata nila ang panghuhusga kay Ringo. I was about to punch Austin's face, but Ringo stopped me.

"Hayaan mo na siya," bulong niya sa'kin. After giving me a convincing look, he shifted his gaze to Luigi and Red. He drew a smile and said, "I'm Ringo Rodrigo, Winston's friend."

Inabot niya ang kamay niya upang makipag-kamayan, ngunit hindi ito inabot ng dalawa at nagpalitan lamang ulit ng tinginan.

Ringo giggled, which surprised me. "Don't worry, malinis ang kamay ko. Isa pa ay hindi naman nakakahawa ang pagiging bakla."

We were stunned with his statement, but I was more stunned on how he delivered it. Nakangiti siya at hinihintay pa rin na kamayan siya ng dalawa. After a moment, the two forced a smile and took Ringo's hand for a handshake.