#SquadGoals

Chapter 39 - Kasabwat

25 October 2015

"Kasabwat ka! Kasabwat ka!" Alden turned to Jerald Napoles the moment their segment ended. "Talagang loko-loko ka no?"

Jerald burst into laughter. "Sorry, Paps! Napag-utusan lang. Saka hindi ka ba natuwa sa surprise namin? Pigil na pigil talaga ang kilig ko sa inyo!"

"Para kang ano eh," Alden glared at him half-heartedly. "Kaya pala nung tinanong kita dun sa bagong notes sa script, oo ka lang ng oo."

"Syempre, todo effort kami para matupad ang surprise na ito! Hindi naman pwedeng bumigay agad ako!"

"Susmaryosep. Sana man lang inorient niyo ako! Para akong ewan kanina!"

Jerald smirked. "Sus, hindi ka naman mukhang ewan."

"Weh? Mukhang tanga lang? Ayan ka na naman eh."

Jerald grinned and put his hands on Alden's shoulder. "Nako, hindi nga. Mukha ka lang in love!"

Alden shrugged his hands off his shoulders and looked at him crossly. "In love agad? Nililigawan ko pa lang siya uy! Saka kailan lang kami nagkita ng personal!"

"Wala naman iyun sa tagal ng pagkakakilala eh. Nasa puso iyun! Nasa puso niyong dalawa, Papi Alden."

"Ewan ko sa iyo. Kung anu-ano na naman sinasabi mo!"

"Alam mo, in denial ka lang eh!" Jerald said. "Okay lang iyan, Papi Alden. Aamin ka rin sa tamang panahon."

"Mukha mo! Tara na nga. Balik na tayo sa dressing room. Mamaya pa segment natin," Alden told him before walking off.

Jerald just shook his head and followed him. Once they reached their shared dressing room, Alden stepped into the room.

Tingnan mo ito. Dumiretso agad sa loob. Bakit ba siya nagmamadali? Jerald thought to himself. He then glanced around at the almost empty room before going inside and shutting the door behind him.

Alden sighed and flopped down on the couch, taking out his phone to call Mama Ten.

"Ma, nasa dressing room na ako. Asan kayo?"

Jerald took the seat opposite Alden, watching him talk to Mama Ten. Hmm. Biglang nagbago ang mood ni Paps. Bakit kaya? Dahil kaya kay Maine? Syempre, kung tanungin ko siya, aawayin na naman niya ako. Hayy.

Silence suddenly filled the room when Alden ended the call. Jerald opened his mouth to speak but stopped when Mama Ten entered the room.

"Nak, Bakit? Okay ka lang ba? May kailangan ka?"

Alden shook his head before lifting his hand and rubbing his forehead. "Wala lang ito, 'Ma. Halos lagi na naman itong nangyayari. Ay, tumawag pala si Maine kanina."

Jerald's ears immediately perked up. Teka lang. May sakit ba ito si Papi Alden? Ano bang meron?

Mama Ten's brow furrowed. "Sure ka ba? Kasi pwedeng kausapin natin sina Direk kung sakali..."

"Hindi na, 'Ma," Alden answered. "Dahil lang ito sa stress siguro o kung ano man."

"Hay nako! Kung anu-ano na naman iniisip mo no?" Mama Ten asked infuriated. "Walang masama sa mga nangyayari, 'Nak. 'Wag mong problemahin ang hindi problema."

Jerald bit the inside of his cheek and stayed quiet. Hala siya. Paki-orient naman ako! I'm still here. Hello?

"Hindi iyun ganun kadali, 'Ma," Alden responded, his voice low. "Ang alam ko talaga, hindi ko maipaliwanag kung bakit ganito pakiramdam ko."