One Last Smile (EDITING)

Chapter 14- Unacceptance

60th day of Grade Nine.

Lenn remembered today was the day when he'd confess that he was gay to his mom and his sister. If Magnus' family accepted him, Lenn's family would too, right? He wanted Magnus to be there with him; he felt like he could do anything as long as Magnus was there with him. But as of the moment, he wasn't.

Lenn rose up, and went out of his room. He noticed it was 9:30 before he left his room; he slept rather late last night, that's why he couldn't wake up earlier. He saw his mom on the couch, watching television. She was in the ABS-CBN channel. Lenn had no idea what she was watching. It looked like drama. Lenn, nonetheless, sat down with his mom.

His mom noticed him, and greeted, "Morning, anak."

Lenn replied, "Morning, mommy."

Lenn noticed Abby's absence. "Si Abby? (Where's Abby?)"

"Gumigimik sama ng mga kaibigan niya. (Hanging out with her friends.)"

"Ah. Sige po."

It went awkward from that point on. Was Lenn really going to confess to his mom about his sexuality? It would ruin the family bond they had, possibly even his relationship with Magnus. Perhaps Lenn should just keep it to himself.

Lenn's mom said, "Lenton."

"Mi?"

"Yung kaibigan mo, si Magnus, mabait na bata 'yun. (Your friend, Magnus, he seems like a nice boy.)"

"Opo. Mabait nga po. (Yeah. He is nice.)" Lenn said as he recalled his first kiss with Magnus. He smiled like an idiot in front of his mom.

"Lenton? Okay ka lang? (Lenton? Are you okay?)"

Lenn shook his head. "Opo! Opo."

Lenn prepared himself. He took a deep breath. Lenn needed to tell his mom. He just has to. It was now or never, Lenn supposed.

"Mi..." Lenn said.

"Bakit, anak? (What is it, Lenn?)"

"Anak mo po ako, 'di ba po? (I'm your son, right?)

Lenn's mom tilted her head. "Siyempre naman. (Of course.)" She took hold of the remote, then turned off the TV.

"At mahal mo po ako? (And you love me?)"

"Lenton! Mahal na mahal kita. (Lenton! I love you so much.)"

Lenn paused, thinking of all the possibilities if he told his mom. She could get mad; she could disown him; she could never see Lenn the same. Lenn should've kept silent.

But then again, there was a glimmer of hope that shimmered into Lenn's mind. There was a chance that his mom could accept him as he was. Lenn has to tell her, or she might hear it from other people. The thought of Lenn's mom being informed of Lenn's sexuality frightened Lenn, whether it was from him or not. Lenn has to do it, it was too late to go back.

Lenn stammered, "A-ako...b-bak... (I-I...g-ga...)"

Lenn's mom assured, "Lenton, sabihin mo. Ano ba 'yun? (Lenton, say it. What is it?)"

Lenn closed his eyes. Lenn inhaled hard, as if trying to put out the swelling lumps in his throat with oxygen. Lenn just kept stuttering to say the words.

But, alas, Lenn managed to find the words. "BAKLA AKO! (I'M GAY!)"

"Ano?! (What?!)"