February 14, 2016
Koko
Hindi ka a-attend ng Valentine's Party? Ronnie asked.
"Nope," Koko answered and pushed another button to wrap up the game.
Naka-loose shirt lamang si Koko with matching boxer shorts. Walang balak na tumayo at magpalit para sa Valentine's Party.
Kaso...
Walang panama ang Valentine's party ng high school na pinapasukan nila Koko sa video game na ilang ulit na nilang nilalaro mula pa nung junior pa sila.
Mario Kart.
Why not? Ronnie asks, pushing a button as Wario's kart passes by another lane.
"Too many people, can't interact." Koko swooshes as his character, Mario, drifts. He's just behind Wario.
Wala ka pa rin bang kaibigan sa school? Ronnie looked at him, sideways. Almost glaring at Koko.
"Sure I have," Koko deadpans and focuses on the last lap, "There's..." he hums, "Monty?"
Oh yeah? Ronnie pushes, mocking.
What's his last name?
"Class representative." Koko muttered as he crossed the finish line.
"And... that's a wrap!" Koko hoots as he drops the console on the carpeted floor.
You're hopeless.
Koko shrugged.
Nailawan ng screen ang mukha niya as his grin widened. Koko - 4, Ronnie - 1.
Ronnie just glared at him.
"What?" Koko asked, innocently.
Ronnie just shook his head, hindi alam kung paano babaguhin ang desisyon ni Koko to attend the said party. It's their last chance to enjoy their final moments bago mag-graduate from 11th grade. Pinanlakihan ng mata ni Ronnie ang kapatid before offering the console to Koko. He's done for tonight.
Akala pa naman niya, mage-enjoy siya for tonight pero ang kaibigan niya, ipinanganak atang KJ at kinukulong na lang ang sarili sa kwarto niya.
"Dude, come on. One last round na, pramis!" Kanina pa niya binabanggit ang "last round" pero pan-limang beses na niyang naririnig 'yon kay Koko.
Kanina pa 'yang last round mo, tena. Ronnie balled his eyes. Hindi naman talaga siya nagseseryoso sa laro, mas prefer niya ngayon ang gumala at pumarty. Mas prefer niyang makipagkaibigan at uminom kesa sa mag-stay sa kwartong 'to.
Don't get me wrong. Pero 'yun ang hindi nila pagkakapareho sa isa't isa. Ronnie prefers to socialize, Koko prefers to be alone. Ronnie likes to go out and enjoy the sun, Koko likes to hide inside his room and just bore himself out with his books and games. Their age gap may be one of the reasons; Ronnie is two years older than Koko.
Pero sa pagkakatanda ni Ronnie, Koko is just more comfortable with himself than with others. Kahit pa noong nandoon pa sila, nag-iisa na talaga si Koko. He's used to it. Kaya nga overwhelmed si Koko nung naging magkaibigan sila. At first, hindi sanay si Koko and just listens to whatever Ronnie says. He's more of the listening type until Koko began talking and sharing stuff with him. Until he trusted Ronnie almost half of his life.
"Last na talaga," Koko whined. Ronnie shook his head, he's still a kid. He thought.
Umayos ng upo si Ronnie and cleared his throat. Let's make an agreement. He began.
"You've got to be kidding me." Koko interjects.
Alam na alam ni Koko kung saan patutungo ang agreement na gagawin ni Ronnie. They'd been doing these agreements since nang nagkita ulit sila nung 7th grade. Most of their agreements consult when they need help from one another or they just want to have fun(which is rare for the past months).
If I win this final round, we'll go to the party. He looked at Koko intently. He's mocking him.
"Yun lang pala, e. Easy peasy." Koko smirked.
They both grabbed their consoles and gripped on them.
Dude, I was just getting started. Ronnie smiled mischievously.
———
Pa'no ba 'yan? I won. Ronnie smirked as he brushed his disheveled hair. Taunting Koko, who by the way, looks like Lolo Ed's butler, grumpy Ricky.
Koko grunts.
"Fine. Bahala ka." Koko said, uninterested with what's going to happen next.
Ho! Yes naman! Ronnie punches through the air while chanting: Where going to the part-ey! repeatedly which made the frown on Koko's face deepened.
———
Seryoso na ba talaga? Koko asked, No changing of minds?
"Na-uh, a deal's a deal." Nakatingin si Ronnie sa salamin while Koko's right behind him.
Ronnie unbuttoned three tabs on his striped polo, revealing his toned chest. Okay, so maybe... Ronnie's a little bit of a lady's man. This is a perk he has that Koko doesn't. Downside 'yon para kay Koko since kailangan niyang makisabay sa trip ni Ronnie.
It's an eternal pact to keep their relationship intact.
Please, don't flirt with anyone. Koko's doing it again. To keep the beast leashed, under the agreement, there should be rules to follow.
"I know," Ronnie gave him a meaningful look.
No to alcoholic drinks, Koko added.
"Dude, relax. There won't be any alcohol tonight." Ronnie rolled his eyes. Alam niya ang resistance niya when it comes to alcohol consumption, he's better than Koko.
But what if there are? Alam ni Koko ang likaw ng bituka ni Ronnie. And according sa section meeting nila for the Valentine's Party, may after celeb pang ni-consider ni Lila. What the hell is she thinking anyway? Nadala siya sa majority ng class na pumuntang Garage to enjoy the whole night.
"I'll keep my sanity intact," Ronnie assured his friend, "I'll drink just enough. Trust me." Ronnie grinned.
Two shots. Koko deals.
"I said 'just enough', hindi tidbit." Ronnie laughs, enjoying the anxiety that creeps Koko tonight.
Stay out of trouble, you hear me?
"Yes, sir!" Ronnie made a mini salute.
Sasakit ata ulo ko bukas. Koko palms his forehead as he exited the bathroom.
Nang makalabas, he heard Ronnie chuckling and said, "Akong bahala sa'yo, dude. Don't worry."
Ronnie smiled at his reflection, "We'll gonna enjoy this night." His watch glints from the light from the bathroom.
Koko will surely regret this by sunrise.
———
[read]
