The Elixir Project [Gen L Society #4]

Chapter 7

André

"Tol, mukhang kailangan ng bagong gulong to ah," a guy with a white bandana over his head, mentioned as he inspected my motorbike.

"Oo nga, tol. Tingin ko rin. Pero may gulong ba tayo dito na parang ganyan?" Charleston mentioned, looking at his friend.

"Mukhang wala nga. Mamahalin to eh. May ibang gulong naman pero baka hindi rin magtatagal at masisira rin." The guy removed the gloves from his hands, now looking at Charleston.

"Pwede na yon. Basta makauwi lang siya ngayong gabi," Charleston stated, glancing at me for a good few seconds before turning back to the other guy.

"Sige. Pero bakit mo ba kasi siya dinala dito? Alam mo na ngang may mga loko-loko talaga dito minsan."

"Tingin mo ba dadalhin ko siya dito? Siya ang nagpumilit na ihatid ako," Charleston whispered, but I heard it loud and clear.

I faked a cough to catch their attention. Kanina pa silang nag-uusap na parang silang dalawa lang ang nandito. I was clearly standing next to them, but they were in their own world, making me feel non-existent.

"Oo na, aayusin ko na," the other guy whined when Charleston placed an arm around his shoulder.

"Ah, eh, umupo ka na muna dun sa gilid. Mabilis lang to," sabi pa ni Charleston sa akin.

I just shook my head, breathing in from my vape. "Okay lang ako. I don't mind standing."

Charleston stared at me. "Nag-ve-vape ka pala?"

"Why? Gusto mo?" I offered.

He shook his head, coughing a bit. "Ah, hindi. Masama pa rin 'yan sa baga eh." He then went back to helping the guy by giving him the tools he needed.

They were busy chatting and laughing with each other. Mukhang sobrang close nila. I suddenly wondered what their relationship was.

"So, why are you close with that guy?" I asked Charleston when he came to check on me. Tinago ko na rin ang vape ko when I noticed he kept on coughing.

"Kababata ko yang si Eko. Tsaka nagtatrabaho rin kasi ako dito. Breadwinner ako eh."

"I see," I answered, looking around the auto repair shop. It was smaller than most shops I knew.

After sometime, natapos rin nila ang pag-aayos ng motorbike ko. Nilabas ko ang wallet ko para ibigay ang bayad sa lalaki.

"Ayos na, boss. Wag na," the repair guy refused taking my payment.

"Bro, just take it. I don't like owing people," I told him, handing the blue bills from my hand.

"Eh boss naman kayo ni Cha kaya libre na. Tsaka isa pa, hindi rin naman mangyayari to pag di niyo siya hinatid dito," he continued to argue.

I exhaled a breath. "Okay then. Thanks."

"Ingat ka, Commander," sabi pa ni Charleston habang kumakaway sa akin habang nakalagay ang isang kamay sa balikat ng katabi niyang lalaki.

That night, hindi maalis sa isip ko ang mukha ni Charleston na masayang nakikipag-usap sa kaibigan niyang lalaki.

Kahit sinong makakita sa kanila, aakalaing magkarelasyon sila.

But, then, why the fuck do I even care?

The next day, naisipan ng mga fratmates ko na mag-organize ng party para sa mga recruits. Inutusan namin silang magdala ng kanilang dates para sa party sa Sabado.