Wonderstruck

CHAPTER 24

Misery

Mysterious Instagram Man Crashed The Wedding

          The wedding of the century turned into the wedding of truth. Everyone's shocked to hear about the story behind the wedding. The thought and idea of binding two people with love on a very special day turned out to be confiding in what's real behind the track. Maximo's mysterious IG posts of a man last week happened to be his secret lover back in Brick Lane, and it was proved today on their very own wedding day. There were rumors before about the relationship status of these two men, but now the truth has been said.

***

Kasalukuyang nakaupo si Sebastian sa couch habang binabasa ang article na kaniyang nakita sa cell phone.

William shouldn't have seen these stupid articles posted online.

Hindi na niya tinapos pa ang article na 'yon nang bigla na lang magising si William mula sa ilang oras na pagkakatulog. Napabalikwas naman si Sebastian at dali-daling pumunta kay William. He suddenly grabbed his hand and kissed the back of it.

"How are you feeling?" may pag-aalalang tanong nito habang paulit-ulit na hinahalikan ang kamay nito.

Tumango lang si William bilang sagot habang bakas pa rin ang panghihina ng kaniyang katawan. He needs time to fully recover. Nakatingin lang si William sa kaliwang bahagi ng kuwartong kinalalagyan nila habang si Sebastian naman ay nakapuwesto sa kanang bahagi. Sebastian's grip on William's hand gradually loosened up as he saw his man releasing tears from his beautiful eyes.

"Wala na..." William said under his low and cracking voice.

Napabuntong-hininga naman si Sebastian sa kaniyang nakita at narinig. Kahit na gusto niyang itakas si William sa lahat ng tao ay gugustuhin at pipiliin niya pa ring marinig ang panig ng kaniyang kaibigan.

His thoughts really matter to me.

"What do you want to do next?" malungkot na pagkakatanong ni Sebastian. He's expecting his friend to ask him to take him to Maximo and he sees it coming.

Bibitiwan niya na sana ang kamay ng kaibigan nang bigla na lang higpitan ni William 'yon at saka tumingin sa kaniya.

William paused for a couple of seconds until a heavy and tearful tears fell from his eyes, which began him to sob. "Lumayo na tayo, Seb... pakiusap, lumayo na t-tayo," sabi niya sa mababang boses.

Naramdaman naman ni Sebastian ang panginginig ng mga kamay ni William tanda na sobra ang emosyon nito.

"A-are you sure? No turning back?" Hindi rin makapaniwala si Sebastian sa kaniyang narinig mula sa kaibigan. Tumango lang si William sa kaniya bago niya ito niyakap nang mahigpit.

Seb kissed the top of his head. "Sige, kung 'yon ang gusto mo, lalayo na tayo sa kanila." William was just hugging his best friend and let himself cry.

I cannot foresee what's awaiting ahead of us, but for now? I am really glad because William is the one who initiated to go away from this real shit. I really want to be with my best friend until my last breath and I will use this opportunity to achieve it.

Alam kong masyado akong mabilis sa gagawin ko pero hinding-hindi ko sasayangin ang pagkakataon na ito para gawin ang mga bagay na makapagpapasaya sa aming dalawa.