BrightWin: The Arrangement

XVIII

Xavier

I knew that I don't stand a chance against Keiran's dad. I can see in his eyes that if he had the chance, he'd kill me. He'd kill us.

He's clearly a homophobe, it doesn't take a genius to notice that. Nagtataka lang ako na pumayag siyang ikasal kami kahit pareho kaming lalaki, siguro nga, that's what money does.

I don't have the courage to face him just yet, but I'm getting my Keiran back. I don't care how long it gets, we'll get back together.

It's been a month since Keiran's been taken away from me, pero pakiramdam ko parang isang taon na mahigit. Hindi pa rin ako sanay gumising na wala siya dyan para sa akin, without his cute smile looking at me every morning or his delicious cooking para baunin ko everyday. Mahirap masanay na nandyan siya and suddenly he's been forcefully taken away from me.

Hindi rin ako makatulog nang maayos. I can't sleep and when I do, siya lang ang napapanaginipan ko. That's the only thing that keeps me sane, na kahit sa pag tulog, makasama ko man lang siya.

I went to school on a regular basis, we both did, nagkikita kami, oo. Pero even looking at each other seemed like a sin considering he had bodyguards all around school. Pakiramdam ko isa akong fugitive na bawal lumapit sa mahal na prinsipe.

Nagmahal lang naman ako, I don't see anything wrong with that. E ano kung pareho kaming lalaki? That doesn't change the fact that it's still love and it's just as pure as any other relationship.

Today should've marked our first month together as a real couple, not as "gusto kita" couple at ngayong araw, I plan on talking to him.

Even with the stupid bodyguards around, even if his father comes rushing from wherever country he's in, nothing is stopping me from speaking to my boy.

I rushed to school, nae-excite at kinakabahan ako sa gagawin ko. Alam kong mali ang gagawin ko sa mata ng iba pero puso ko na mismo nagsasabi na kausapin ko siya. Corny.

I've never felt this way before, not for anyone. Keiran must be very special for me to be head over heels over him. Mahal na mahal ko si Keiran and this feeling is very new to me.

Nang makarating ako sa school, I hurriedly parked my car and tried to find my boy.

Nakailang ikot din ako sa corridor ng school, iba't ibang tao na rin ang nabangga ko but I'm in a rush and they didn't matter. Keiran mattered, only him.

I finally saw him down the hall, katabi pa ng C.R speaking to someone with the biggest smile plastered on his face. Napangiti ako sa nakita ko, his smile, nakakahawa ng sobra. I finally built up the courage to walk up to him nang harangin ako ng lalaking maskulado na nakasuit na itim.

"Hindi pwede." He says, umiinit ang tenga ko dahil gusto ko lang naman siya makausap.

"Just let me talk to him." Ani ko naman. He let out a sarcastic laugh. "We're still arranged." I lied. I wish we're still arranged.

"Step aside, sir Xavier." He practically begs. Para siyang nagmamakaawa na umalis ako, "I have a job to keep and three kids to feed. Pag nalaman ni sir Elias na hinayaan kitang makalapit, mawawalan ako ng trabaho."

Ah, so he has children to feed pala.

"Ano gusto mo?" I started, "You feed your children or you don't have children to feed?"

He gave me a confused look. Of course, hindi ako seryoso sa sinasabi ko but I am also being desperate of seeing my boy. I just want to talk to him, gaano ba kahirap ibigay 'yon?

"Hindi mo pwedeng gawin 'yon, sir. Hindi niyo kaya." Aba hinahamon niya ako. Pero rinig ang kaba sa boses niya.

"Don't believe me? Fine, tatawagan ko lang sila daddy, ipapaligpit natin ang pamilya mo."

"Oo na! Sige! Pero magtago kayo." Pinagpapawisan na rin siya sa kaba. I let out a smile of victory at bigla ko na lang hinatak si Keiran sa banyo, siguro naman hindi malalaman ni tito Elias 'to.

"Ano ba, Xavier!" He exclaims, "Makikita ng bodyguards ko!"

"I already took care of one and siya na rin ang bahala sa iba. I just want to talk." Ani ko naman. Irritation is visible sa mukha niya. Does he not want to speak to me gaya ng pagkakagusto kong makausap siya?

I took a good look at his face, he seems flushed. Hindi niya ba ako gustong makita?

"Mahal mo pa ba ako?" I asked. Matapang ako, kahit anong maging sagot niya, tatanggapin ko. "Keiran, answer me."

He slowly shook his head, nakatingin lang siya sa sahig ng C.R. Hindi niya ako matignan sa mata. "Hindi na, Xavier."

I was confused, I wanted to cry but I managed to keep my composure. Masyadong mabilis na hindi na niya ako mahal, it's only been a month.

"Narinig mo ba ako?" He asked, finally looking at me. "Hindi na kita mahal. Can I go now?"

Dahan dahan akong tumango at umalis na siya, even glaring at me as he reaches the door.

I was left dumbfounded sa C.R. Para akong tanga na naluluha rito. Hindi na niya ako mahal? Ganun kabilis?

Gusto kong manapak ng kung sino o kung ano. Matapos ng lahat, basta na lang niya akong hindi mahal? It's only been a month!

Naghilamos ako at lumabas na ng C.R, I rushed to my classes dahil late na ako.

In a month ang dami na ring nangyari. Keiran finally earned his presidency dahil binisto nila si Claire who is now suspended for two months. Enrico now has multiple projects, bigla siyang naging in demand sa industry, his ratings are sky high and apparently, he and Keiran's friend, Devon are now dating. Who would've thought?

At ito na nga ang dumagdag sa mga pangyayari, Keiran doesn't love me anymore.

I want to win him back, I will win him back. Pero paano?

Mukhang desidido na siyang huwag akong mahalin, desidido na siyang iwan ang nararamdaman niya para sakin.

And so am I, desidido akong mapunta siya sa akin muli.

I will get my Keiran back.