decoding the boys ✔️

66 | closure

I missed Angelo. It worried me na even now, hindi niya pa rin ako kinikibo. December na. Christmas was in the air, pero ni isang text o paramdam coming from him, wala. Thinking he was in his man cave, I didn't force my way in. Iniisip ko na lang na hihintayin ko siyang i-sort out muna ang emotions niya bago siya kausapin ulit, though I did send a text to say I was sorry if I did anything to offend him, just to let him know I do care.

Napansin nga ni Kuya Andrei ang pagbabago daw sa mood ni Angelo. Kahapon nung kinamusta ko si Angelo, ang sabi niya he wasn't his obnoxious self daw. He was less cheerful and more sullen. Parang lagi daw may iniisip. When confronted about it, Angelo simply shrugged their inquiries off. Kuya thought baka daw may family problem kaya hindi na niya inusisa. He had no idea this cold behavior stemmed from our sembreak getaway.

Nag-aalala ako nang sobra. Actually, nakaka-paranoid din talaga. Si Angelo kasi 'yon, e. Super unpredictable na tao. Hinuhulaan ko pa lang kung ano ang nasa isip niya, kinakabahan na ako. Syempre, tumatak sa 'kin yung kakaibang request niya pero kasi naman. As much as he was important to me, Racel was on another level. I was in love with the guy. I couldn't just break up with him just like that. Kumbaga, hindi ko siya pinaglaban kina Kuya para lang mauwi sa wala ang lahat. I didn't go to hell for nothing.

And really, ang disorienting nung sinabi niya. It came from nowhere. As in, walang signs or preamble or anything that would explain why he acted that way. I was hella confused.

Nalulungkot tuloy ako. Angelo was a special part of my life. I really hoped he'd come around before Christmas.

#

The second week of December arrived with a bang for the boys. May sinalihan palang photography contest 'tong si Kuya Paul at lumabas na ang results last week. He didn't win the first place (isang film major from another school yung nanalo) but he came in second with additional special awards. Super tuwang tuwa sa kanya si Tito Matthew kaya binilhan ito ng yacht to celebrate his win.

The boys were eager to test it out kaya as soon as the yacht was available for use, nag-propose kaagad ng party 'tong si Kuya Paul. No drinking, though. Ayaw ni Tita Pauline but hey, a party with grilled steak was as good as any, according to them.

"I still can't believe you placed second, brah. Other than watching videos, may ibang talent ka pa pala," biro ni Kuya Jacob habang nag-iihaw ng ribs. Sa pagkakabanggit niya sa video, nagtawanan ang iba. No doubt he was pertaining to porn.

Kuya Paul flipped him the bird. "I didn't just win second, asshole. I won the heart of the people. Luto ang laban. Nanalo lang 'yon dahil may kapit."

"Bitter mo, gago. Be sport. 'Di lahat nadadaan sa backer. Maganda entry nung nanalo," sabi ni Kuya Onyx as he prepared the java rice. Nakasunod sa kanya si Gian na abala sa paglalagay ng baso sa table.

"I'm curious though." Lumingon ako kay Mathev. "Anong feeling?" May halong pambibiro ang tono ko habang tinuturo ko 'tong buong yacht.

Mathev glared at me while his brother placed an arm around his shoulders. Kuya Paul smirked. "This boy? He's been brooding since last week." Tumawa siya at tinapik ang ulo ng kapatid. "Better game up your grades if you wanna keep up, bro. What can I say? I'm just a fucking natural."

Sinuntok siya sa tagiliran ni Mathev at pinagmumura. Nakasimangot ito pero alam ko naman na nagbibiro lang 'yon. Mathev wouldn't really care if Kuya Paul got a yacht and he didn't. He could easily use this one without his brother knowing. In his words, hokage moves. And Kuya Paul wouldn't mind either way. They loved to share, kahit na dini-deny nila 'yon kapag tinatanong sila.

Sa kalagitnaan ng paglalaro nila ng poker, may dumating na text sa 'kin. It came from an unregistered number.

Hey, it's Maico. Rohann is returning to the States. He wants to see you before he does.