Rhapsody in Bloom (BL)

Chapter 30

We were sitting in one of the lounge chairs, his head resting on my shoulder as we silently gazed at the dark view below. The silence between us was comforting. I wanted to make sure he didn't feel alone in this moment. I stayed silent, but my presence was a promise—I was here for him... right beside him.

The stillness wrapped around us like a warm blanket, and I hoped he could feel my support, even without words.

The stars twinkled faintly above, a silent reminder that even in the darkest times, there is light. Mahina kong pinisa ang kamay niya na kanina ko pa hawak. Hindi ko ito binitawan mula nang makababa kami ng kotse, hanggang sa tuluyang makaakyat dito.

Nakatanggap ako ng ilang messages mula sa mga kaibigan namin, tinatanong kung kamusta na si Riley. Sinabihan ko lang sila na ako na ang bahala, at sila na muna ang mag-asikaso sa party ko.

Hindi ko alam kung gaano kami nanatili sa ganoong posisyon. Unti-unti naman nang bumababaw ang mga hikbi niya.

Hanggang sa tuluyan na niyang binasag ang katahimikan.

"He's my ex," namamaos na bungad niya, mukhang handa na magkwento. Pero nanatiling tikom ang bibig ko at diresto ang tingin. Hinayaan ko lang siyang magsalita. "He's the son of my previous private tutor."

I gently rubbed my thumbs against his, a silent reassurance that I was fully present and listening to every word he said.

Huminga muna siya ng malalim bago nagpatuloy. "We knew each other since we were kids because Ms. Santos usually brought him along to our tutoring sessions, but we never really talked. Nagkausap lang kami nung tumuntong na ako ng highschool. He was only two years older than me, so I quickly felt comfortable around him."

Muli kaming binalot ng panandaliang katahimikan. Tahimik lang ako. Hinayaan ko lang siyang magsalita.

"His mom would scold him for always teasing and bothering me during my break time. But over time, his playful antics brought us closer. I was deprived of social interaction, so even his simple gestures meant the world to me. I was too gullible and ended up confessing my feelings to him. Back then, I had never experienced liking someone before. Ngayon, pag naiisip ko... hindi ko nga alam kung talaga bang nagustuhan ko siya, o sadyang kulang lang ako sa atensyon... at bukod sa pamilya ko, siya lang ang nagbigay non."

"Until one day, he confessed that he wanted to pursue me, and so he did. We became together. Both our parents knew about our relationship and supported it. I was happy. I thought we were happy. He made me experience a lot of things. He was my first in almost everything. I gave everything to him."

Mas humigpit ang hawak ko sa kamay niya nang marinig ko ang pait sa tono niya. Mas lalo lang tumindi ang galit ko sa lalaking 'yon matapos marinig ang lahat ng 'to.

"We were together for four years... until after I graduated from senior high school. I caught him cheating... with another girl. He was already in college by then. I had visited him at the condo I bought for him before he started college."

Napapikit ako. Fuck! He bought him a condo unit?

Binigay niya ang lahat sa kaniya at nagawa pang mag-cheat ng gago na 'yon?! Kung hindi ba naman talaga makapal ang mukha niya.

"Binisita ko siya... kasi kailangan ko siya nung araw na 'yon," muling nabasag ang boses niya. Nanikip na naman tuloy ang dibdib ko. "I needed his warmth and comfort, but instead, he treated me so coldly."

"He treated me like a crap in front of that girl... while both of them were still naked. Pinagsabihan niya ako nang kung ano-ano nang kwestyunin ko siya. Hindi ko magawang magalit, kasi nung time na 'yon, sobrang basag na basag na ako... bago pa man ako magpunta sa kaniya."