The Only Hope for Me is You

Chapter 30 : Brightest Star

M A X E N E

I approached the bar and got myself something to drink.

Nag-order ako ng punch. Hindi na ako nakipag-socialize, kanya-kanya din naman sila ng grupo.

I'm the odd ones out.

Nagulat na lang ako nang may tumabi sa akin.

"Hey there girl friend." He winks at me. It's Cyriel!

I hug him at nakipagbeso-beso din ako sa kanya.

"Kailan ka pa bumalik?" I couldn't contain my glee.

Si Cyriel ang halos naging partner ko growing-up sa modeling industry. He's a little older than me so kung tutuusin, kuya ko siya, pero ayaw niya mag patawag ng kuya.

Kung hindi ko kilala si Cyriel masasabi kong minsan na akong nagka-crush sa kanya, pero behind his almost prince charming face, he's gay. He is my first ever gay friend. But unlike other gays, he is that person who still wears men's clothing.

"A month ago." He answered as we clink each other's drinks.

"So, kamusta naman? Kwento." I poked him like a child. Napangiti naman siya doon. Hanggang ngayon napaka-timid pa rin talaga ni Cyriel.

"Masaya naman, ano pa nga ba?" Matipid niyang sagot.

"So, tell me, did you come out of the--"

"Alam mong mahirap iyan girl friend." He raised an eyebrow and shook his head.

"Oo nga e." Napabuntong hininga na lang ako. I know what Cyriel feels. "Pero si Simon, kamusta?" pabulong kong tanong, "Kayo pa ba?"

"Oo naman, though we have some ups and downs." He drinks, "Hindi naman mawawala iyon."

I roll my eyes, "Ugh, tell me about it."

"But every time we fight, we always remember why we fell in love in the first place," panimula niya, "We're not like the usual couple, as you know. So it's not that easy to keep our relationship intact."

"Well at least, matagal na kayo." kumento ko, "I mean, you know each other that much, ilang years din kayo Cy." I drink another shot again. Hindi katulad namin ni Travis na wala pang isang taon.

"It's not always the number of years Maxene," Pangaral niya sa akin, "It's how you value the person. It is always quality over quantity." He paused, "Yung iba nga, matagal na sa relasyon, tapos nag bebreak din, then along came this new person and you just know that he or she's the one."

"I'm talking about you and Simon." I told him, diverting my attention. Sabagay yung tatlong taon nga namin ni Kenzo, poof gone, happily never after.

"Alam mo naman na bago ko naging boyfriend si Simon, nagkaroon muna siya ng girlfriend." He smiled bitterly. "It wasn't easy at first, I should admit that, at least. Lalo na at alam mo naman kung ano ako. Ano ba namang laban ko sa isang babae, hindi ba?"

Inakbayan ko siya, "There's nothing wrong with who you are. People aren't just ready for--you know."

"Yeah, but what I'm saying is--" he looks at me, "The first year of being new in a relationship is a trial and error. It's never easy."

Trial and error, ganun ba talaga?

"What if it's scary?" I couldn't contain my thoughts. "It's scary because it's painful."

Ano bang laban ko sa ilang taon na minahal ni Travis si Monique?

Paano kung sinabi na ni Monique na mahal niya si Travis? Edi pwede na nilang ipagpapatuloy ang naudlot nilang kwento, hindi ba?