ETB #1: Lost in Blank Stares

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Trigger Warning: Homophobic slurs.

A few weeks after our trip to Palawan, my days went back to normal—wala namang bago doon, bukod sa mas naging malapit sa grupo namin si Stefano at ang biglaang pang-aasar niya sa akin, na halos masipa ko na dahil feeling ko ginagago niya ako minsan.

The four-day stay in Palawan made us closer, mas nagiging comfortable na rin kami sa isa't isa. We talked about a lot of things during our stay there. He also shared stories about his sisters na nasa med school na. His sister even graduated magna cum laude nung pre-med course pa—they're both intelligent, ang galing nga eh. Though I noticed that when it comes to his parents, ang ilap niya.

I shook my head and returned to reality as I wiped the sweat from my brow after our training. Stefano clapped his hands, signaling for a break. I jogged over to my things to get some water. Carlo and the other boys weren't here since they had basketball training, and the girls were also absent. Wala akong idea kung saan nagpunta ang mga babae.

While I was drinking from my flask, I noticed Stefano approaching, brows furrowed. I put down my flask and raised an eyebrow at him.

"Your arm," he said, holding something purple in his hand.

"Huh?"

Imbes na mag-explain, lumapit nalang siya sa 'kin. Kunot-noo kong tiningnan ang ginagawa niya, and only then did I notice the small cut on my arm and realize the purple object he held was a band-aid.

How did he even notice that? I thought he wasn't looking at me, he was so focused on teaching, and there were so many of us.

Parang estatwa ko siyang tiningnan habang nilalagay niya iyon. He applied the band-aid so gently and focused, like he was handling something precious. I couldn’t help but feel a warm flutter in my chest as I watched him. His concentration was evident, and it made me realize how much he genuinely cared.

"Para ka talagang bata," saad niya ng matapos.

Ngumisi ako. "Like a baby?" I emphasized the baby part and rolled my eyes, kasi lagi niya 'kong tinatawag na ganon.

He smirked, amused. "Baby damulag."

Napawi ang ngiti ko. Gago talaga 'to. He laughed and sat beside me.

Tiningnan ko naman ang nilagay niyang band-aid at marahan itong hinawi. I smiled, ang cute.

My attention diverted when he spoke. "Gusto mo, solo kita i-train para hindi ka masugatan?"

"Bakit naman? Aksidente lang naman 'yung nangyari, it's not like sinadya 'yun ni Ced." Si Cedrik kasi yung naka-sparring ko kanina, so maybe I got this from him.

He scoffed, nagtataka kung bakit tinawag ko sa palayaw. "Ced? Close kayo nun?"

"Siguro? Nakakasalubong ko 'yun sa library e."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Edi mas dapat kitang i-train ng solo."

Umiling ako. Tumayo din siya, at ilang minuto pa ang lumipas bago niya ipagpatuloy ang training. We worked on advanced techniques, kasi itinuturo na sa amin ang basics. He demonstrated combinations and counters important for real-life sparring situations. As I tried to follow the movements, I gradually began to think of scenarios where I could use these techniques.

"Kahit sino, sisipagin basta ganyan ka gwapo 'yung nagtuturo e."

"Diba? Ang sarap sa mata, kahit mamayang alas dose na tayo umuwi, ayaw ko pa ring umuwi."

"Hindi lang siya sa mata masarap."

"Hoy!"

Ngumuso ako. Lintek, talaga, ang dami kong kaagaw sa lalaking 'to. Buti na lang, mailap ang lalaki sa mga babae. Kung mala-Angelo ito, baka maiyak na 'ko sa selos.