RIVALRY [ heesun ]

twenty eight.

"Where did you go? Matagal na kitang hinahanap.."

I went near Eloy and I brushed off the dirt from his shirt. Some parts of his shorts is covered in charcoal. I tried to removed it using my hands but it won't go away.

Eloy then held my hand, stopping me from what I'm doing. I kneeled down para mapantayan ang height niya.

"Matagal na po 'yang mantsa na 'yan, Kuya. Hayaan niyo na po.."

I just gave him a faint smile.

Nalulungkot ako na makita siyang ganito. Although he seems good than the first time I saw him, hindi ko pa rin maiwasang mag aalala sa kanya.

"Oh right.." I remembered my plans for later. Dadaan ako ng drug store to buy meds for my wounds and also to restock my vitamins. If I have some time pa, I want to buy him clothes.

"My class will end later at 3 pm. Samahan mo 'ko sa mall para bumili ng damit?"

Nakakamot agad siya sa ulo, "Nako, kuya.. Ayos na po na natulungan niyo 'ko noong nakaraan. Nakakahiya po.."

"No no, it's not a big deal. Gusto kitang bilhan ng bagong damit para you are comfortable. I'll buy you new pair of slippers din.."

"Pero po-" Eloy stopped talking when he heard Aracosa cleared his throat.

I totally forgot that he is there!

Eloy squinted his eyes while staring at the guy. Minamata niya ito, as if he is an investigator and Aracosa's a suspect.

"Inaaway po ba niya kayo?" Turo niya kay Aracosa. He looks so innocent yet dangerous. Based on his voice and gaze, he is ready to throw hands.

This precious boy.

"Ah, n-no! Nag-uusap lang kami, right, Aracosa?" Tumingin ako sa kanya and I met his eyes. He just nodded and looked at Eloy.

"Kaibigan ako ng Kuya Aryse mo. Tawagin mo na lang akong Kuya Keilo." This time, Aracosa kneeled down. Pantay-pantay na ang height naming tatlo.

Wait, kaibigan?

When did we become friends!?

"Talaga po? Hindi po kayo nagbibiro?"

Eloy has trust issues like me. Aracosa laugh at the kid's innocence and ruffled his hair.

"Pag may kailangan ka, lapitan mo lang ako. Nandito rin si Kuya para sayo."

I can't help but smile knowing that other than me, Eloy met another person who is willing to lend a hand. May isa pang mabait na taong gustong maging maganda ang buhay niya.

So you're saying that Aracosa is kind? Your enemy?

Bulong ng isip ko.

After all he did last night, I realized that he really is sincere.

From making me hatid to Simone's condo, showing his concern about what happened to me, and the words he spat out that made a huge impact on my perspective..

He is a kind person, and he is not faking it.

Pero sa kabila noon, hindi ko pa rin magawang magtiwala.

I dismissed those thoughts and stood up. Naalala kong sabay nga pala kaming mag lu-lunch nina Wayne. When I turned to those two, they were already enjoying the conversation.

"Matagal ko na ring idol si Spiderman pero wala pa po ako no'ng mga laruan, mahal po kasi eh."

"Ganoon ba.. Sige, ibibigay ko na lang sayo 'yung akin."