The Coño Boy 6: Ten Lifetimes With You

Chapter Four: Chocolate Tablea

Burol
Barrio Pinagbayanan
San Angel
20 May 2019
10:42 am

Drake: Mmmhhhhmmmm —urgh—

Drake slowly opens his eyes as he regains his consciousness. The clouds slightly covering the sun gives a welcome shade over the hill. He finds himself seated on the big rock under the Narra tree. The wind coming from the lake causing the petals of its bright yellow flowers to fall on them like yellow confetti. 

Migz: Uy! Buti naman nagka-malay ka na... Kinabahan ako sa 'yo— Ang hina mo pala sa init. Saglit ka lang ma-bilad sa araw, hinimatay ka na!

He finds himself leaning on Migz shoulder.

Drake: What happened?

He asks Migz as he slowly shifts away from his companion's right shoulder.

Migz: Nagulat lang nga rin ako. Nagkukuha ka ng mga picture tapos tumayo ka na lang bigla, tumingin ka sa 'kin at napa-kapit ka doon sa sina-unang poste tapos bigla ka na lang na-himatay.

Migz: Inom ka muna.

He hands Drake a small insulated water bottle.

Drake: Thanks.

Drake accepts it. He unscrews the cap. He takes a sip. The feeling of the ice cold water in his mouth trailing down his throat in contrast to the heat and humidity his skin is feeling, slowly brings him back to his usual self.

Migz: Kumusta na pakiramdam mo? Nahi-hilo ka ba? Wala namang na-sakit sa katawan mo?

Migz fires three questions one after another.

Drake: I'm a bit disoriented lang —I think— Not really nahi-hilo—

He squints his eyes and catches sight of the three wooden posts at the middle of the clearing. He does not remember how he got from there to where he is now seated under the Narra tree.

Migz: Eh yung pag-hinga mo? Okay ba breathing mo?

More questions from Migz.

Drake: I'm breathing okay naman.

He drinks from the canister again. A light breeze comes in from behind him, the falling bright yellow petals seem to dance ever so trippingly to its movement.

Migz: Kaya mo na ba umangkas sa likod ng motor? Kailangan mo maka-balik sa bahay—

Drake turns to look at Migz, the look on his face is unguarded, genuine; unlike what he's seen from him since last night when they first met.

Drake: Give me like 5 minutes?

_ _ _

Bahay Arrastia
Poblacion
San Angel
11:21 am

Don Vicente is writing something while seated on his escritorio [writing desk] situated at the corner of the sala mayor [main living room] when Migz and Drake enter the house through the huge main door.

Lolo Cente: You boys are back? Ka-bilis niyo naman.

He asks them as he puts down his pen.

Migz: Si Drake po kasi, baka sadyang maselan. Wala pang isang oras sa labas, hindi yata kinaya ang init at na-himatay doon sa burol sa may Pinag-Bayanan.

He explains.

Don Vicente takes off his horn-rimmed glasses and takes a closer look at Drake.

Lolo Cente: How are you feeling now, Drake?

Don Vicente asks.

Drake: I'm good naman po, Don Vicente.

He says with a smile. Looking more embarrassed than anything else for having fainted at the hill where Migz took him.