The Ties that Beyond Us

Prologue

Prologue

Is it wrong to fall in love with my best friend?
A love so strong, I want it to never end.

But sadly, he’s not a boy or a girl,
He’s a gay, his heart a tender pearl.

He likes my kuya, I know it’s true,
While I admire him from a distant view.

It hurts, but I know it’s my fate,
To love him silently and hope it’s not too late.

"Uy, ano bang iniisip mo?" he said,
Snapping me out of the thoughts in my head.

"Ha? Wala, iniisip ko lang..."
I paused, my words stuck in a nervous pang.

"Bakit ka nga ba ganyan?" I tried to joke,
But my voice cracked as the words I spoke.

He laughed, his smile lighting the day,
"Ang gwapo ko kasi, 'di ba? Kaya iniisip mo ako."

I stared at his face, so perfectly fine,
Why is he gay? Why can’t he be mine?

His voice so deep, yet soft with care,
His laugh so bright, it fills the air.

But I know his secret—his father disapproves,
So he hides himself, his real self removed.

And I? I stand by, his secret to keep,
Even as my love cuts me down deep.

I rolled my eyes, pretending to be annoyed. "Ang kapal ng mukha mo. Kahit kailan, talaga."

"Bakit? Totoo naman, 'di ba? Aminin mo na," he teased, leaning closer, his face only inches from mine.

My heart raced, but I quickly turned away. "Tumigil ka nga, baka kung ano ang isipin ng iba."

He laughed again, carefree and unbothered. "Sino bang mag-iisip? Eh alam naman nilang ikaw ang bespren ko."

"Oo nga," I mumbled, forcing a smile. Just a best friend, I reminded myself. Nothing more, nothing less.

"Alam mo," he said, leaning back and crossing his arms, "minsan feeling ko may tinatago ka sa akin."

That caught me off guard. I glanced at him, trying to act normal. "Ha? Anong tinatago? Sa gwapo mong ‘yan, anong kailangan kong itago?"

He raised an eyebrow, studying me for a moment. "Ewan. Basta parang may something ka na ‘di sinasabi."

I laughed nervously, shrugging it off. "Baliw. Wala akong tinatago, no."

"Okay," he said, smirking. "Pero kung meron man, sabihin mo ha? Alam mo namang hindi kita huhusgahan."

His words were meant to reassure me, but instead, they tightened the knot in my chest. I forced another smile. "Siyempre. Ikaw pa."

But could I really tell him?

He smiled, that easy, boyish grin that always made my heart ache. "Good. Kaya nga tayo mag-best friends, 'di ba?"

I swallowed hard, nodding. "Oo naman."

"Pero hindi eh, parang may mali talaga sa'yo. May problema ka ba, tell me the truth?" he asked again, his voice softer this time. "Minsan kasi parang malayo isip mo. May iniisip ka ba tungkol sa kuya mo?"

Napakunot-noo ako, surprised by his question. "Ha? Bakit naman si kuya?"

He shrugged, but I could see the faintest blush on his cheeks. "Wala lang. Alam mo namang crush ko siya, pero feel ko parang naiilang ka."

Ilang? I thought. Of course, I was—pero hindi dahil sa kuya ko. It was because of him. "Hindi, no. Bakit naman ako maiilang?"

"Eh kasi parang tahimik ka lagi kapag kasama natin si kuya mo," he teased, flashing a knowing grin. "O baka naman ikaw may crush sa kuya mo?"