how to make an alpha male fall in love? (How-To Series #2)

epilogue

It still feels like it happened yesterday. The scars that it left in their hearts specially Jared's was undeniably deep. There's no day that passed he wouldn't think about it. The part where he thinks went wrong. The things he could have done to save Xiu.

He was still blaming himself on Xiu's unfortunate fate but Ian was by his side always to comfort him and tell him that his feelings are valid.

Since that dark day has happened, Ian tried to make Jared happy which he always did successfully.

"I should have done something." Nanggagalaiti pa ring sabi ni Jared. Tila kinakausap nito ang sarili. Ngunit nasa tabi lang naman niya si Ian na pinapayungan siya mula sa tirik na sikat ng araw. Binisita nila ang puntod ni Xiu na eksaktong isang taon na ang nakalipas simula nang mamatay ito.

Hinimas agad ni Ian ang likod ni Jared. Hindi ito nagsalita. Hinayaan niya lang si Jared na sabihin ang mga nararamdaman nito. Ang mga hinanakit. Dahil sa isa pang taon na lumipas na magkasama sila, mas natutunan niyang makinig kay Jared sa tuwing nalukungkot ito.

Ian's a changed man. That- Jared can confirm. He was not the Ian Wade Vicedo who he used to know. He's not that playboy varsity player that did not want to admit his feelings. He's not the same self-centered prick who Jared puts all his attention on. It is a mutual understanding now. They understand who needs more attention from time to time. They understand who should comfort and who should be comforted.

Napapakagat si Jared sa labi na naalala na naman ang araw ng kamatayan ni Xiu. Pinipigilan nito ang kaniyang mga luha na tumulo. As much as he wants, he wants to remember only the good memories he made with Xiu.

"I'm sorry." Nahinto sila sa kanilang tagpo ng makarinig sila parehas ng boses mula sa kanilang likuran. Patuloy naman itong lumapit at tumabi sa kanila. Tiningnan nilang dalawa iyon at nalamang ito ang ina ni Xiu- si Nenita.

Hindi sumagot si Jared.

"Noong araw na ipinakilala ka ng anak ko bilang nobyo niya, alam ko na karapat-dapat ka sa kaniya." Hinawakan ni Nenita ang kamay ni Jared at pinisil ito ng marahan. "Naging duwag lang akong tanggapin ang uri ng relasyon niyo dahil sa mga paniniwala ko."

Napatungo si Jared at napangiti. Naging hindi naman kumportable ang sitwasyon nila ngayon para kay Ian.

"Love knows no gender. I believe." Nag-angat ng tingin ang ina ni Xiu at hinaplos ang pisngi ni Jared, "But you also have to know that love has consequences." Tiningnan pa nito si Ian na nasa kaliwa ni Jared. "And you have to be prepared for the consequences."

Tumango si Jared. Tinapik ng marahan ni Nenita ang pisngi ni Jared at nginitian ng pagkatamis-tamis.

"Salamat sa pagiging parte ng buhay ng anak ko. You made him happy. You made his life worth living." Sa sinabing iyon ni Nenita ay tila dinalirot muli ang puso niya. At ang pinipigilang luha kanina ay tuluyan na ngang tumulo.

Napatanong siya sa sarili kung naging dahilan nga ba siya ng kasiyahan ni Xiu o ng kamatayan nito. That's why he stills beats himself up until today about the tragedy.

Umalis na si Nenita.

Dahan-dahan namang hinawakan ni Ian ang kamay ni Jared. Lumakas ang kabog ng puso niya habang hinahawakan niya ang malambot na kamay ni Jared. He can't explain but just my mere touching, his heart is already in a mess and his stomach was filled with butterflies. He looked at Jared in disbelief. Curious of the way the guy beside him makes him feel all the feelings he never knew he would find, of all people, to a guy.

Unti-unti nang umalis ang pamilya ni Xiu hanggang sa sila Jared at Ian na lang ang natira. Naghahanda na rin si Ian para sa pag-uwi habang si Jared naman ay nakatayo pa rin sa harap ng lapida ni Xiu. Pinagmamasdan ang litrato nito.