Play it Damn Straight

chapter 65 [tag/fil]

I know this is too late but are you still free?

Hey!

Sure!

No problem.

Tumae lang ako talaga.

HAHAHAHA

Let's meet?

Yes na yes for you!

Saan?

My place.

I'll send you the location.

HINDI ko na alam kung anong tumakbo sa isip ko kung bakit chinat pa si Lay-O kahit super late na ng gabi. It's almost midnight na at hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin mapakali ang sarili ko at ang isip ko hindi mapanatag. Hindi ko man aminin o itanggi ko man nang paulit-ulit pero, oo, apektado ako malala sa balitang kasal na si Leo.

I'm just wearing my tank top na white and then naisip ko magsuot ng spectacles dahil baka mahangin sa labas, aantukin 'yong mata ko. Sinuot ko na rin ang blue striped pajamas ko instead of itong gray na boxer briefs lang.

Tinapik-tapik ko sa ulo si Sarcy and si Smeagol, himala nag-stay lang sa bahay dahil siguro sa mga bagong libangan niya na sinet-up ni Johann. Nakababa na ako ng hagdan at nang makalabas sa main door ay nasa labas na rin sila paglingon ko para isara ang pinto.

"Damn, gusto niyo ring makita kung sinong ka-meet up ko?" Kumiskis lang silang dalawa sa magkabilang binti ko. "At 'pag hindi niyo nagustuhan? Kakagatin n'yo? More like taehan mo sa sapatos Smeagol, hmm, tara na nga." Binuhat ko si Smeagol at hinimas-himas.

They really wanted to guard me or be with me wherever I go, saka mas gising sila 'pag gabi, e, tulog sa morning. Kaya ang tawag ko sa kanila, e, nocturnal pets. "Loko kayong dalawa, iniwan niyo mag-isa si Sirius do'n, magseselos 'yon." Kinakausap ko lang sila hanggang sa nakalabas na kami ng gate, naisara ko na rin 'yon at malapit na kami sa epal na guard sa gate ng subdivision namin.

"Sa'n punta? Hatinggabi na, a?" tanong niya sa'kin in a masungit way na parang mga tatay na over protective sa anak nilang dalaga.

"Don't worry tinext ko kay Papa 'tong gagawin ko. Hindi mo na kailangan magsumbong. Alam ko namang he was paying you para isumbong mga pinaggagagawa ko." It was a lie. Hindi ko naman talaga sinabi kay Papa na lalabas ako now. Sinabi ko 'yon sa guard dahil naiinis ako sa pangingialam niya although I'm kind of thankful naman kasi he cared for me.

Enough of that supladuhan moments ko kay manong guard na bida-bida. I finally passed the guardhouse, the cool midnight air brushing against my skin. Sarsi still trotted beside me, her tail wagging with excitement, while Smeagol followed closely, ever curious and vigilant as if there's always a danger ahead of me. The world was silent, save for the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant hum of traffic. My heart pounded in my chest, halo-halong thoughts and what ifs na ang tumatakbo sa isipan ko and nerves as I distanced from the guardhouse at the entrance of the subdivision.

I was about to meet Lay-O, the mysterious guy from the dating app. Tonight was the night I'd finally discover if my suspicions were right or wrong. The messages we'd exchanged had been cryptic, his words both intriguing and familiar. Part of me feared this encounter, while another part longed for it, hoping to find the answers I sought. Sana lang hindi siya serial killer or what. Katapusan ko na kung gano'n.

As I stood here on the pavement, my eyes scanned the darkness, searching for any sign of movement. Sarsi sniffed around, occasionally glancing up at me with her big, trusting eyes. Smeagol rubbed against my leg, offering a comforting purr. The night seemed to stretch on forever, bawat segundong lumilipas parang hindi ko namamalayan na lalong lumalapit ang gabi sa bukang-liwayway.

Suddenly, headlights pierced through the darkness, illuminating the street ahead. I squinted against the blinding light, trying to make out the figure emerging from the car. The man walked toward me, his silhouette gradually becoming clearer. My breath caught in my throat as I shielded my eyes from the glare, struggling to see who it was.

The closer he got, the more familiar his presence felt. That scent – I knew it too well. It was a mix of cedarwood and something uniquely his. My heart raced as I dared to look up, my vision slowly adjusting to the harsh light. The blur faded, and there he was, standing right in front of me.

"Johann?" I whispered, barely able to believe my eyes.

He smiled, though I saw a hinged relief there but there's also a hint of nervousness in his expression. "Liam, it's me."

For a moment, everything else faded away. The mystery, the doubts, the fear – they all disappeared as I looked into his eyes. Johann, my friend, the one who had always been there for me. The realization hit me like a wave, and I struggled to find my voice.

"You... you're Lay-O?" I asked, my voice trembling. Medyo matagal siyang sumagot kaya naisip ko na baka nag-a-assume lang ako. "Sorry, nevermind. I'm just waiting for someone. I know it's crazy 'cause it's really late na. Ikaw anong ginagawa mo rito?"

Johann nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. "I am Lay-O. I didn't know how to tell you, so I used the app. I needed to see if... if you felt the same way. Like, yeah, call me desperate 'cause I really am."

"I can't believe it," I muttered, shaking my head in disbelief. "You can't be serious, Johann."

Johann took a step closer, his hand reaching out to gently touch mine. "Believe it, Liam. I've wanted to tell you for so long."

Sarsi barked softly, as if urging me to say something. Smeagol meowed, rubbing against Johann's leg, seemingly approving of the revelation. I looked at Johann, the weight of my feelings finally surfacing.

Dinaan ko na lang sa tawa dahil nagkamali ako sa hinala ko. Akala ko si Leo 'yong Lay-O na ka-chat ko sa Bumble, like all this time, he kept reminding me of him. He was the same and I don't know why till now.

"Baliw ka," sabi ko sabay hampas sa balikat niya hanggang sa mapansin kong napalitan na ng mga tawa rin 'yong nerbiyos na mayroon sa mukha niya kanina.