Dark Intramurals: Chronicles of the Magic Wielders (On-Going)

Prologue

YOUNG BOY'S POV

"Talaga bang... aalis ka na papuntang Europe?

Hindi ko mapigilang mahaluan ng hinanakit ang boses ko habang tinatanong ang batang lalaking nasa harap ko ngayon. He promised me that he'll never go away from me, that he will care for me and protect me from whatever will come my way.

The boy gave a narrow smile. "Kailangan, e. My Mom and Dad decided that it's best for us to settle down in Paris, especially after Lola died."

"Pero... p-paano naman ako?" I sounded stupid and selfish, but I don't give a damn. I love him, and I will do everything I can to make him stay with me.

"I'm sorry. My family's leaving. Hindi ko sila pwedeng iwan."

"Pero ako, pwede mo lang akong bastang iwan na lang, ha?" I retorted sharply.

Umiling-iling ang kaharap ko. "Please, don't make this harder than it already is."

"'Yon na nga, e!" hindi nakapagtimpi kong bulyaw. "Alam nating pareho na nasasaktan ako, and yet you're acting like it's something casual for us to part ways in an instant? What do you think of me, a disposable diaper that you can throw away after use?"

"It's not like what you think—"

"Then tell me how do you want me to think about this!"

The boy sighed, trying to keep his cool. Ako, I just burst out. Hindi ko na kayang pagtakpan pa ang emosyong nararamdaman ko ngayon. Ilang segundo din kaming walang kibuan, save for his heavy breathing and my suppressed weeping.

"My Dad told me to cut our relationship."

The news dropped like a bomb to my ears. "Alam na ni Tito?"

He nodded. "Alam mo naman ang stand ni Daddy pagdating sa mga... homosexuals." I saw his eyes avoid mine. "He was so angry, he almost hit me to death."

"I-I'm sorry. But I know may paraan pa, e. We can still save our—"

"Wala na ngang ibang paraan!" he snapped. "It's not just about Dad. You see, I'm so sick of everyday na tinutukso ako dahil sa'yo. Sawa na akong tawaging 'bakla', 'gay', 'faggot', at kung anu-ano pa. I'm sick of it, and honestly, I'm sick of you."

I got stunned. No, he couldn't have said those words... not him.

"And guess what? All these times I've been cheating on you, fag," he taunted with an evil grin. "Remember Angeline? We've been in a relationship way before we did. And know what else you should know? She's coming with me to France, at paglaki namin magpapakasal na kami. Ha!"

Umiling ako. No! Hindi totoo ang mga naririnig ko. This could only be a bad dream, a nightmare.

Nakakalokong ngumisi ang batang lalaki. "Nagulat ka ba? Talaga bang inisip mong mayroong isang lalaki ang seseryoso sa... Isang tulad mo? Pathetic. Bakla ka na nga, tanga ka pa!"

"Tama na!" I cried, tears slowly streaking upon my cheeks.

"Bakit, nasasaktan ka na?" he teased. "Kunsabagay, masakit talagang marinig ang katotohanan. Huwag ka nang umiyak-iyak 'diyan. Kasalanan mo naman ang nangyari kasi bakla ka! Hahaha!"

I closed my eyes. I felt that the perfect, peaceful, and happy life I've always believed was just an illusion, shattered right now at my front. Hindi ko lubos akalaing all this time, peke ang pagmamahal na ipinakita ng lalaking minahal ko, na ang tingin niya lang sa'kin ay isang ambisyosong bakla.

Iminulat ko ang mga mata ko, trying to make a smile kahit nanginginig sa sobrang sakit ang aking mga labi. "So, I guess this is g-goodbye."

"Baka 'Good Riddance' ang ibig mong sabihin. 'Wag mong sabihing gusto mo pa ng goodbye kiss, ha bakla? Ang landi-landi mo talaga! Kadiri ka!"