decoding the boys ✔️

40 - umiwas ka

Lhyle is my bestfriend since kindergarten. Beside Ahron, sa kanya ako nagsasabi ng lahat ng nararamdaman ko. Lalo na nung mga panahon na hindi ko kasundo ang mga kuya ko. We were very close. Kung tutuusin nga ay para na rin siyang De Villa. He could understand me very well and sinusuportahan niya lahat ng kalokohan ko.

Seeing him this angry at me hurt tremendously. Ang mas masakit pa, it was my damn fault. Alam ko namang mangyayari 'to pero ginawa ko pa rin.

Kasi attached na rin ako kay Racel.

As soon as Lhyle decked Racel onto the floor, hinatak niya ako papuntang parking lot. His iron grip on my wrist was painful pero wala akong maramdaman kundi kaba. Nakasunod sa amin si Racel at hinahabol kami.

"Fuentez, stop, you're hurting her," Racel called out to my bestfriend.

"Fuck off," matalim na sagot ni Lhyle.

Ang bilis ng paglalakad namin. Halos mamanhid na ang kamay ko. From his hand alone, I could feel his fury. Natatakot ako sa mangyayari. Sa posible niyang gawin.

What if magsabi siya kay Kuya? What if hindi na niya ako maintindihan? His cold, unreadable face was scaring me.

We finally reached the parking lot. Racel caught up and tried to take me from Lhyle but my bestfriend didn't let go. He placed me beside the car before he stalked toward Racel. In swift strides, tinulak niya si Racel palayo using both hands.

Sa sobrang lakas no'n, Racel almost tripped back.

"Gago ka din, pare. 'Di ka na nahiya. I told you to butt off. Sabi ko 'wag mo siyang idadamay kahit anong mangyari. Tangina naman, Gutierez," inis na sabi ni Lhyle. Namumula na ang pisngi niya sa galit pero kita kong medyo nagpipigil pa siya.

"It's not like that. Just hear us out," Racel said in frustration.

"O talaga? E ano 'to? Putangina naman," Lhyle exclaimed, snapping already. "Kung may problema ka kay Jacob, 'wag mo nang idamay si Javee. Kahit respeto naman sa 'kin. Ano? Talo-talo na? Putangina talaga!"

"Lhyle, bes, hindi kami gano'n. Hindi 'to gano'n. Let us explain," I said, positioning myself between them.

Hindi ako tiningnan ni Lhyle. Matalim pa rin ang tingin niya kay Racel.

"Umalis ka d'yan, Javee."

"No, please, listen to me!" I cried.

"Alis d'yan!" He grabbed my arm and pulled me so that I'd be right behind him.

Hindi nagustuhan ni Racel 'yon. His jaw clenched as he turned to me in worry.

Umiling ako.

Don't. Please, 'wag mong patulan.

He seemed to understand din kasi kahit halata na ang frustration niya, he kept his composure.

"Tangina mo, Gutierez. Lumayo ka na kay Javee! Makita lang kita ulit, makikita mo!"

"Stop," Racel said with a sigh. "You're making a scene," sabi niya, referring sa iilang guards na pinapanood na kami kung sakaling mauuwi sa gulo.

"Lhyle, tama na," sabi ko naman, hinahatak na ang braso niya.

He flicked his cold eyes back to me. "Siya ba? Itong gago bang 'to ang reason bakit lagi ka na lang wala? Bakit bigla kang nag-iba? I thought you're smart, Javee. Alam mong niloloko ka nito."

"He's not like that! Magkaibigan kayo. Dapat alam mong hindi siya gano'n."

"Magkaibigan kami kaya alam ko kung ano ang kaya niyang gawin. This fucker hates your brother so much. Lahat kaya niyang gawin just to spite him."