Luca (BoyxBoy)

1

The phone rang several times bago nasagot ni Luca yung tuwag. He checked the time and it was still 4PM. Rest day niya ngayon at gusto niya sanang matulog lang hanggang umaga para makabawi sa pagod at stress sa trabaho.

"Hello. Sino to?" tanong ni Luca. Hindi na niya na-check yong caller sa antok.

"Luca, party tonight?"

Tiningnan ni Luca kung sino yong kausap niya. "Gio, pagod ako. OT ako straight last week. Ayoko muna gumala ngayon."

"Hay naku. Tatanda ka lalo nyan!" patawang tukso ni Gio.

"I'll update you later, okay?"

"Ayan na naman yang update-update mo, hindi ka rin naman pupunta. Give me your confirmation now."

"Okay sige na."

"Cool! See you at 9PM."

Binaba ni Luca ang cellphone at tumitig sa kesame for a few seconds. He closed his eyes pero parang hindi na yata siya makatulog ulit. Dumapa siya sa higaan at sinubsob niya ang mukha sa unan. Makailang minuto, napahilik ulit siya.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

Biglang nagising si Luca sa ingay ng cellphone niya. He grabbed his phone and saw 20 missed calls from Gio. He called him back quickly.

"Gio, sorry. Napahimbing tulog ko. Saan ka na ba ngayon?"

"Luca, I'm getting ready na. Tumayo ka na diyan at magbihis. Anong oras na."

Luca checked the time. It was 8:45PM. "Gio, parang late na. I still have to prepare. It will just take time. Ayaw kitang pag-antayin."

"Wow! First time?" Gio laughed sarcastically. "It's fine. I can wait. Besides, I will be with Jovan and Chris."

"Sila na naman? Nahihiya talaga ako sa kanila. Alam mo namang naiilang ako with them."

"Exactly. That's why you should come and join. Get to know them more. They're okay."

"Okay. Pero 'wag kang tawag ng tawag asking where I am at na ha? Just give me 30 to an hour."

"Grabe ka naman makapagprepare."

"Basta 'wag mo ako madaliin. I will catch up nalang with you guys. Same place."

"Okay then. See you."

"Manong, para po," sabi ni Luca sa Grab driver. "Keep the change na lang po." Bumaba agad siya pagkatapos inabot 'yong pamasahe. He checked his watch and it was already half past 10. He sighed. He was thinking it was going again to be an awkward night out with Gio, Jovan and Chris.

Matagal ng magkaibigan sina Luca and Gio. He was introduced by Devon, Luca's workmate. Devon and Gio used to be buddies in partying. After all, nagkakilala rin naman sila sa club. At first, silang tatlo 'yong magkakasama. Usually, Luca only went out with them for dinner, coffee or light drinks in a bar. Hindi mahilig si Luca sa maiingay na lugar kaya whenever Gio and Devon decided to move to a club after, Luca would just go home and call it a night.

Hanggang nagka-boyfriend si Devon and stopped going out and partying. Since then, sina Luca and Gio nalang palage magkakasama in hanging out. Pero gaya pa rin ng dati, hindi sumasabay si Luca kay Gio if he decided to move to a club. Alam naman ni Luca na may marami pang friends si Gio. Gio was popular in the party scene. Mahilig siya pumunta ng clubs and events. No wonder, malaki rin ang circle of friends niya. Kabilang na doon sina Jovan and Chris.

Nakasabay na ni Luca sina Jovan and Chris a few times sa inuman. Just like Gio, sikat din silang dalawa at may maraming kakilala sa bi/gay community. Luca was openly gay but because always busy sa work at hobby niya na cycling, hindi siya ganoon ka expose sa community. He really felt awkward to be with them because they had really big and extroverted personality. He found it hard na makipagsabayan sa kanila. Hindi naman siya mahiyain, pero hindi lang talaga niya hilig ang ganitong klaseng hangout.