Its not just your regular stories about brothers and family situations. Its totally about two people with huge differences. Almost strangers to each. Nope its not even the long lost brother thing story or discovering you had a brother story. Nope no...
That night Francis left their home, he is in full determination to head back to the Philippines. He plans to book his flight the next day. For him this isn't the life he wanted. He has nothing to do with the life here. Ben and Francis are in the patio having some drinks. Victoria has just gone off to sleep. Sitting next to each other:
"So how are you feeling now after you unleashed the beast in you?" Asked Ben and laughs.
"Well I feel have removed extra weight in my luggage, I finally have said what I wanted and now I'm more than excited in heading back home"
"That is quite a show you did there, no one saw that coming. Not eve me"
"Hey, tonight enough about me. You've seen enough. Let's talk about you"
"What's there is to talk about? I'm a pediatrician, single, living with my mom. Been in love once but got fooled, continued but really didn't work out. Since then I just lived quietly with mom. Work-home-work is my routine. Fitness. Seeing friend when I had the time to chill out or go out. Out of the dating scene for a while. So many out there but I dunno, not into it for a while"
"So after that you stopped having relationships? What happened by the way, why you got fooled?"
"Kinda like that. I don't want relationships for a while. Not unless I have known much about the person. I guess its better to be friends at first. Not falling in love so fast that I don't know much about the person. Like my last relationship, she turns out to be a he. But for me, it doesn't matter. Im bisexual. If I like you, I like you. Mom knows that. She's very supportive of me. Honesty is the best policy to me I guess"
"Yeah that's one thing I envy you. Having your mom beside you. I missed my mom. The first person ever accepted me for who I am. Never judged me. To her as long as I take care of my life well is all that matters. And she made sure of that to Papa that I will be in where I am now regardless of who I will be. Well being like this is not a choice. It's who I really am"
"You are right. It's not a choice. My mom, as I can see, likes you. She was not fond of my ex. Hehe. My ex was jealous most of the time. My mom is my priority more than anyone else in this world. But mom still supported me on that. You and mom get along so pretty well. She would ask me always when you will visit. She says she misses you if you were not able to come a few times. She bakes her special recipe for cookies only to the people she meant. She can be your mom too if you choose to stay" looks at Francis.
"Do you want me to stay?" Looks at Ben
Out of the blue. Just from this moment they looked at each other, their lips became as one. A kiss from two persons holding back their feelings of unsureness and fear of rejection. But now this kiss made it clear that there is more than just love of friendship and all fears and hesitation vanished.
"Yes, I want you to stay. I want you to stay Francis. I am happy when we're together. You make me laugh, your presence brightens up my day, you are good to my mom which is so important to me. Since I met you its like suddenly my quiet life became a brand new day. That night when Albert spilled beer on you, I looked at you. I was so affected. I don't want anybody hurt you. I want to protect you, be beside you. I fell in love with you on that very moment" Francis was silent. "Francis, please say something"
"I can't deny that sometimes I can't help admiring you. Your looks, your personality, everything about you. You are a perfect guy Ben. Your embrace was my escape to all my problems. Your arms and chest feels that I am loved. But I am not a woman Ben. I am not the one for you. You deserve someone better. Your mom deserves to have grand children. I cannot give her that. I am ready to go home. Home is where my heart is. Helping people is where my heart is. People without money that needs medical attention, sick abandoned kids, senior citizens that had no families, saving lives, is where my heart is. That's why I had never had time for just one person in particular. I am excited to be with them again Ben, because it is where my heart belongs"
"I understand. I respect that Francis. What matters is, I have said what I feel for you. Those people in your country need you. You have sacrificed and left them for your father and Albert. I don't want to ask you the same thing. I don't want to take that away from you. Loving someone is making the person you love happy. If it's where you will be happy then so be it"Ben kissed the hands of Francis and they hug each other.
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Behind them unknowingly is Albert and Victoria. Albert came struggling in crotchets to talk to Francis after Atty. Sam left. Victoria let him in when she was about to go upstairs. They heard what they are talking about so they decided not to bother them. Albert felt how good his brother is, so unselfish. Taking care of others is what makes him happy. He did the same thing to him. He took care of him despite of the hatred he is showing to him. He knew him now. He decided to leave quietly. Victoria went upstairs after he left. Albert came back home. Sandra was then asleep. That night Albert cried. He realized his mistakes. He knows the truths already. He asked forgiveness to his dad in prayer. He made a big decision in his life.
