Men Behind Boys [Completed]

Chapter Twenty Five

AUTHOR'S NOTE

'One of the most important things that I've learned along the way is having the courage to stand by my convictions- those things that I know are right, those guiding principles that I know to stick with. It doesn't necessarily make the days any easier, but at least, I feel like I'm still heading in the right direction when the day is over and the next one is on its way'
- Chapter 4, Uncommon by Tony Dungy

Hi guys! I am reading the said book now. Actually, this book is particularly designed and written for men. Ipinahiram ng ka-officemate ko sa akin, sa hindi ko malamang dahilan. I noticed that the words written above somehow fit on this chapter. I'll try to post more from the said book on the succeeding chapters.

Maraming salamat kay Jay Pintucan (@seiry_seiton) for lending me the book. Thank you sa mga nagbasa, nag-comment at nag-vote ng previous chapter.

Sa phone ko ito ulit ginawa. Pasensya na sa mga typo at grammatical errors. I-edit pa itong buong story. Please feel free to call my attention kung may mga mali or inconsistensies.

I hope you will enjoy this chapter. Godbless!

Dedicated to @zhandyscord. Medyo bumibida si Rence dito. :)

-Fleurdelyz

JIRO'S POV

"Okay, class dismissed. Be sure to pass you requirements before our next meeting," Professor Esquerra announced.

"Hey, kamusta?" Rence tapped my shoulder and looked at my face, "Mukhang malala ang tama mo,"

Napahawak ako sa kaliwang panga habang nakatingin kay Rence. I winced when I felt a sudden pain on my jaw. Damn, Sander.

He laughed bago itinaas ang dalawang kamay at humakbang palayo. Hindi ako kumibo at mabilis na niligpit ang mga gamit.

"Pumasok ba si Charles?," I heard him asked.

"Hindi ko alam pero wala yata siyang klase sa last subject," sagot ko.

Natigilan ako sa paglalakad nang mapansin na hindi na s'ya nakasunod sa akin. He was exchanging some 'hi' and 'hellos' to a group of girls standing in the corridor.

"Hindi ka pumunta sa house party last time," the petite girl asked. She's obviously flirting with Rence.

"Just a little busy," he said and shrugged his shoulders.

Mabilis akong lumabas ng building at tumingin-tingin sa paligid.

"I have to go," narinig kong sabi n'ya sa mga babae, "Hey, I didn't notice that you left me with those girls," Rence tapped my shoulder.

"I thought you're enjoying the attention," I asked. Mabilis akong naglakad papunta sa canteen.

I heard him chuckled and followed me, "Not anymore," he grinned. Saglit siyang napatingin sa akin, "Hindi na talaga tama ito," he whispered.

I frowned and looked at him, "What are you talking about?"

"This non-sense. Namumula ang panga mo. Someone needs to punch Charles para matauhan" naiiling niyang sabi.

Natigilan ako sa paglalakad at tumingin sa paligid, "You mean, you want Charles to stop this?" takang tanong ko.

"Sino ba ang gusto ng gulo?" he asked and looked around, "Brod, kaibigan natin si Charles. You can say that we don't completely understand his situation, but this is not right"

Hindi ako umimik. I thought ako lang ang nakakaisip nito, "May mali din tayo. Hinayaan natin na maging ganito siya, wala tayong ginawa," he whispered, "I know na ganito rin ang iniisip ng iba ngayon, hindi natin napag-uusapan. We talked about everything but we never discussed this particular thing. Now, I don't know if it's too late to stop him," Rence added.