Caleb, furious, turned to the man with his back against the headboard and said, "Euthanasia? Really, Han?"
"Wala nang other option, Cal. Mag-isa na ako sa buhay, mabubulag pa ako?" Han replied, unwilling to face his friend in the eye.
Suppressing his tears, Caleb shot out, "Anong tawag mo sakin? Hangin?" Looking at Han's widening eyes, he said, "Si Silver din, you both have us."
"Ikakasal ka, si Silver naman mukhang pumapag-ibig na rin," Han sighed. And he said, "Ayokong maging pabigat sa inyo."
Although Caleb was disappointed, he couldn't hold it against Han because he still didn't know who Silver really loved. He replied, "I know, ikakasal lang ako pero walang magbabago. I'd still be here, Han."
Caleb was taken aback by Han's statement, "I'd rather die if I'm blind and the last thing I see is you marrying someone else."
Caleb assured Han with tremendous conviction, "You won't be blind. I'd make sure you'd see the beauty of life. You will see colors again."
Han wanted to believe him. He grinned, trusting everything Caleb had to say. With his pinky finger outstretched, he gestured to Caleb, saying, "Just promise me to be there to watch my final game. Alam kong tapos na 'yong deal natin by that time pero gusto kong andon ka, Cal."
Caleb wanted to be there. In actuality, he has no intention of missing that momentous occasion in Han's life. "Listen to how I scream your name from the crowd," he said, extending his finger as well, which caused them to both giggle as they gave each other a hug.
Crimson arrived later that day to pick them up and drop them to Han's house. "Bespal, Ssob! Sorry hindi na ako nakahabol kanina sa hospital, ayaw ako paalisin ng prof," Silver remarked as he welcomed them into the car. "Samahan ko na lang kayo sa bahay ni Hate," he continued.
"Nako, bespal, kaya ko na ang sarili ko. Wag ka na magalala," Han shot back, desiring to turn down Silver's suggestion in order to have more alone time with Caleb.
Silver responded, "Hindi naman ako sayo nagaalala; kay ssob ako worried. Alagain ka kasi masyado, nakakahiya."
Biting his bottom lip, Caleb forced himself not to chuckle. To everyone's amazement, Crimson asked, "Can I join the sleepover?" to Silver.
Han had no other option but to greet his guests, saying, "Gagi, Crimson, anong trip 'to? Maliit lang bahay ko, dalawang kwarto lang meron. Tig-isa na lang kayo ni Caleb. Sa sofa na ako, si Silver sanay 'yan siya sa sahig."
"Tanga! Ako sa sofa," Silver angrily said as he prodded him.
Caleb responded to Han, "No, you're not feeling well. Tabi na tayo para mabantayan kita." They all shot a malicious glance at him, so he went on, "And as for Silver, I think sharing a room with Crimson is more comfortable."
With a timid "Okay, hon," Han answered. He added, "Sa bagay, kasya kahit tatlo sa bed diyan sa kabilang room. Tawagin ko na rin si Gold."
"No!" the three exclaimed in chorus.
Perplexed, Han replied, "Ba't ang sama niyo kay Gold? May problema rin 'yong tao, kailangan niya ng kaibigan."
Caleb said, "Fine, I'll call him," knowing that Austin, with his one true love, was also hurting over the engagement. He felt bad and wanted to see how his brother was doing.
They all waited for Gold to come, and Silver was getting nervous. Crimson smiled consolingly and slowly took his hand. In response, the latter stated, "It's okay. We will all be fine."
Gold showed up at the door a few minutes later, unsure about whether to go inside or simply head back home. "Andito lang kami ni Caleb," Han said as he let him in.
As Gold came, Crimson went to give him a hug. "How are you holding up?"
"Good," was Austin's icy response. Without waiting to speak to Silver, he inquired his brother, "Kuya Cal, where can I stay?"
Caleb heard Han murmur at him, "Kayo na sa kwarto, makikisiksik na lang ako kila Silver."
When Caleb answered, "Austin, take the other room. We'll be sharing it with Han," Han scratched his nape.
Gold got comfortable on the bed right away, doing what his brother had instructed. "You mean, this bed will be shared by three people?" he questioned, trying to move places. "Come on! You know magulo ako matulog. Ask Han."
Han quickly defended himself, making Gold laugh. "Huy! Linawin mong nagkatabi lang tayo matulog more than once pero walang nangyari."
"Okay fine! Sa lakas nito uminom ng hindi naman niya kaya, wala talagang mangyayari dahil bagsak agad sa bed 'yan siya," Gold replied with a chuckle. He went on, "Kaya favorite kitang kasama eh, you make me laugh no matter how bad my day is."
The thought occurred to Caleb, "Maybe the Hue you need is Gold all along," as he observed how at ease and close they were to one another. This made him lean further toward accepting his engagement to someone else.
While Austin, on his right, had already fallen asleep deeply, Caleb was still having trouble falling asleep in the middle of the night. He raised his head slightly to see if Han was still asleep, but when he looked directly into Han's eyes, he was taken aback. In a whisper, Han asked, "Cal, ba't gising ka pa?"
Austin, positioned between them, abruptly extended his legs forcefully, causing the two men to fall. "Austin!" Caleb cried out in a whisper, but his brother remained asleep.
"Hayaan mo na 'yan siya. Kape?" Han stated.
While sipping their warm coffee, Han said, "Sorry, baka 'di ka sanay matulog nang may ilaw. Wala kasi akong makita pag naka-off eh."
"No worries. May iniisip lang ako," Caleb said while taking another swig of coffee. Han shot a curious glance. After that, Caleb said, "Just about the engagement."
Gradually nodding, Han remarked, "Wag mo na masyado isipin. Gagawan natin ng paraan 'yan para 'di matuloy. Ako na bahala."
Caleb said, "I was actually thinking of just letting it be, Han," which astonished Han.
"Teka!" Han was so stunned by Caleb's choice that he was unable to say anything else.
Caleb smiled, but tears were starting to form in his eyes. "Kaya, I wanna enjoy my last month of freedom. Would you help me? I'll court you and be your boyfriend," he said.
Han furrowed and thought, "May chance pang mabago 'yang isip mo, Cal." He replied, "Wag na tayo magsayang ng oras. Wag mo na akong ligawan. Pumapayag naman na ako eh."
Han continued, "Iyo ako."
"Iyo lang, noon pa," he added, murmuring.
"I don't need any other hue but you."
To be continued...
ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ Author's notes:
Hoping that everyone enjoyed the last leg of PAGTATAG!
How was your PAGTATAG! Finale experience?
Let's not forget to cast our votes for our Mahalima on Nylon's Favorite P-Pop Group.
