The Coño Boy 4: Jake

Special Chapter 34: Fragile

Alexandra Towers
Ortigas
5:48 am

Taylor: So, you okay na?

He asks.

Goz: Yeah... Thanks.

A shy reply. Goz slouches onto the couch, still in his Halloween costume.

Taylor: Lemme just book a car.

Taylor takes out his phone.

A hand grabs his left forearm, stopping him from swiping.

Goz: Well, no— Huwag muna, please...

Taylor looks at Goz.

Taylor: Why?

He asks.

Goz: Can you stay?

His voice is soft, like his grip on Taylor's arm.

Taylor: Huh?

He looks at him with a puzzled expression on his face.

Goz: Ah— I'll do anything. Basta huwag mo muna ako iwan now.

Goz's tone suddenly sounds desperate.

Taylor: Sorry, what?

Taylor almost lets out a laugh.

Goz: I just need someone to be here —until okay na ako.

Taylor just looks at him.

Goz: Oo, until okay na ako.

Taylor: Is there something the matter, Goz? May problema ka ba?

Taylor puts down his fone and shifts his position facing Goz.

Goz turns to meet him face to face as they're now seated almost at the edge of the couch.

Goz: Please. You can do anything you want to me, just don't leave me alone muna.

Taylor laughs.

Taylor: Lasing ka lang, Goz. If you're hearing yourself right now, you're sounding pretty craz—

Goz: I'm not crazy, okay!?!

Goz raises his voice. Taylor is a bit shaken.

Goz: Shit! Why do people always have to—

Taylor: No, no, no —I didn't mean it that way— Sorry.

Taylor sighs.

Goz: People never mean anything.

Goz goes back to slouching onto the couch.

Taylor: Goz, we were just at a party, you've had a few drinks and so did I. You just propositioned me. You did proposition me, right? Or na-imagine ko lang. If we were totally sober— kung hindi tayo naka-inom this would totally be the ultimate fantasy right now.

Taylor is rambling on.

Taylor: Did I just say that? Oh my gahd, I just said that.

Taylor stops, he can't bring himself to look at Goz.

Goz: Hindi ko ininom yung gamot ko. Kasi alam kong if I take my meds and consume alcohol, I'd zoom like a rocket to the emergency room.

Taylor: What meds?

Goz: Anti-Depressants.

Silence.

Taylor: What do you need anti-depressants for?

Confused.

Goz: Because if I don't, the other voice in my head— Tang-ina, right?

Goz buries his face under a throw pillow.