The Brains, and the Heart

Special: One.

Eight years have passed, at sa walong taon na 'yon, madami ang nagbago. Paul is back in the same playground where he and Chester shared their first kiss. It was bittersweet for him, in his return. While finishing his final requirements during his last year in Senior High School, things were just not working out between him and Chester. He remembered how he was making Chester sure that once everything is done, he will make time to catch up with Chester. Wala eh, mahal niya. Hanggang ngayon, mahal parin niya.

It's been four years. Kamusta ka na kaya? Masakit yung huling balita ko tungkol sa'yo. Pero ayos lang. Napagpatuloy ko yung pangarap ko, pumasa ako sa qualifying exam para magstay ako sa Architecture. Fourth Year na ako, isang taon nalang, gagraduate na. Tama ka sa asaran natin noon, consistent akong nasasali sa Dean's List. Although nahirapan ako nung First Year, pero understood 'yun, kasi hirap na hirap pa ako nun. Masakit pa pala kasi talaga 'nun. Alam ko naman na gustong gusto mong maging Lawyer, diba? Kaya mo pinursue 'yung Political Science. I'm sorry, nagkulang ako sa oras nung kinakailangan mo ako. Kaya ka siguro naghanap sa iba. Bulong ni Paul sa hangin. He found himself being comforted by this place. This place, one that was once was their place of love, now his safe place to be vulnerable.

It was four years ago, when Paul was trying to save their relationship by surprising Chester, after successfully presenting their presentation in the National Conference of the Humanitarians, na hindi niya napuntahan dahil may presentation din sila sa sinubmit nilang paper sa Tokyo, Japan. Akala ni Paul, Chester would understand why he can't be there in his Boyfriend's big day, but Chester didn't. He thought mamamasyal lang si Paul sa Japan,

Why the need to stay there for two weeks? May kinikita ka bang iba? Just tell it to me straight.

Iyon ang tanong na paulit-ulit naglalaro sa isipan ni Paul, hours before presenting their paper.

Bakit hindi niya ako naiintindihan? Akala ba niya madali lang din para sa akin 'yung ilang linggo ko siyang hindi makikita, o makakasama man lang?

Bulong sa isipan ni Paul habang hinahanda niya ang sarili niya.

He wasn't feeling himself, even days before leaving for Japan. Ilang beses na siyang kinausap ng mga kagrupo niya na just this week, wag muna niyang isipin ang boyfriend niya. This is about them presenting their paper and bringing pride to their school, anong hindi naiintindihan ni Chester doon?

Bumalik si Paul after two weeks, and after landing, dumerecho siya sa bahay ni Chester. Only for him to be surprised in seeing that Chester is holding someone else's hand. Hugging him, and being all cute and soft in him. He's handsome, tall, and does cute things. Naalala niya kung sino 'yun, his name is Leo. Looks like, the one he's always been scared of finally got his advantage over him. Napalapit lalo si Leo kay Chester, and it all came into full circle for Paul.

Iniiwan tayo ng mga taong mahal natin para sa mga taong mas malapit sa kanila. I had valid reasons why I was away. I was preparing for my future, the one where I can see myself still being with Chester. Pero mukhang ayaw na niya. I should go. Hindi pa nakakalayo si Paul nang biglang hawakan ni Chester ang braso ni Paul.

Andito ka na pala. Are these for me? Tanong ni Chester habang tinitignan ang ibinalik ni Paul na cake, stuffed toys, at dalawang box ng Chocolates.

Tinignan siya ni Paul nang pabiro, halatang galit sa nakita niya.

Putang ina, Chester? Seryoso ka ba sa sinasabi mo? Pagkatapos nung nakita ko, tingin mo magugustuhan ko pang ibigay 'to sa'yo? Chester, I was doing everything I could to save our relationship. I was messaging and video calling you every time I could. And what will I find out? Ayun, yung Leo na sinasabi mo sakin na "kaibigan" mo lang, kalandian mo na. Paul blurted out at Chester. As he say these words, his eyes start to water, and his face turns red.