My Boyfriend is a Freak (Published under Pop Fiction)

72: Vren

I was grinning like crazy when we got out of Blue Cavern. Mira, meanwhile, was in a state of trance. It took a few moments for her to notice that we already arrived at the bar's parking lot.

"Vren!" my girlfriend finally exclaimed after she regained her wits. "Pagdating talaga sa upakan, ayos ka, 'no? Teka, bakit ngiting-ngiti ka riyan?"

"What kind of question is that?" I was chuckling as I massaged my knuckles. "It feels good to get even, that's why. Did you see Ervic's reaction after I punched him? Priceless."

Mira stared at me, puzzled. "Minsan talaga, hindi kita maintindihan. Shouldn't you still be furious? Ervic just admitted na may nangyari sa kanila ni Ate Bella."

"Still furious?" This time, I laughed. "That would be an overreaction, babe. I would be mad as hell kung may nararamdaman pa ako para kay Bella. But as I've told you a hundred times already, I am over it. I am over her."

"Hindi ko pa rin gets," she admitted. "So bakit mo pa kinailangang gantihan si Ervic?

"I just wanted to even the score with that fucktard. I hate the fact that of all people, siya pa mismong kaibigan ko ang tatarantado sa akin," I explained. "I was angry, not because Bella got involved with another man, but because one of my best friends betrayed me. In my book, those are two different circumstances. The first was something I've already let go when I forgave Bella. The second, well... I've let go of it, too, when I punched Ervic."

"So, okay ka na?"

"Yeah. I think I'm good."

"Ready to close this chapter once and for all?"

I rolled my eyes comically. "I couldn't be readier. Frankly, this whole thing had been exhausting. Finding out that my ex-girlfriend was terminally ill, then learning that we have a son, which turned out to be a false alarm... God forbid something else of this magnitude happens to me. I'd go insane."

Tumawa naman si Mira. "Pero at least, dumating si Zac sa buhay natin."

"I know." I grinned. "He's precious. And he's your family, so he's as good as mine, too."

"Speaking of Zac, paano natin sasabihin sa kanya na hindi talaga ikaw ang tatay niya? Wala akong maisip na magandang linya, 'yong tipong hindi papalahaw ng iyak ang pamangkin ko."

"Babe, Zac won't throw a crying fit when we tell him the truth. He's a smart kid. As young as he is, I'm sure he'll understand. And speaking of telling him the truth..."

I got my phone out of my pocket, typed a message, and showed it to Mira after I sent it.

To: Ervic Buenviejo

Tomorrow, 8 PM, dela Merced residence. Come over if you want to meet your son.

****

Just as we planned, Mira and I drove again to the dela Merced residence once our shift in Medialink had ended. My mind was already set on telling Zac about his real father.

Nang itigil ko ang aking kotse sa harap ng mansyon ay nakaabang na si Ervic sa amin. My girlfriend and I got out of the car and approached him.

"Vren, about your message last night..." he began, looking anxious. It was as if he's anticipating another punch from me. "Are you really serious about..."

"What, introducing you to your son?" I asked, deadpan. "Of course, I am. We owe him the truth. I mean, his real dad turned out to be this jerk, but..."

"I'm sorry, bro." To his credit, Ervic looked really remorseful. "Believe me —"

"Save it." I smirked. "Pasalamat ka, kaibigan kita. But don't you dare be a shitty dad to Zac, dahil hindi lang suntok ang aabutin mo sa akin."