Huling Segundo

Chapter 5 - Twenty-One

August 16, 2020, Sunday

The birds on the telephone wires above chirped to their hearts' content. Their songs spread the news of the good weather that was upon the small town of Atimonan.

The sweepers and garbage pickers began their work on G. Orda street. An assortment of newly-bloomed flowers attracted the attention of a rabble of butterflies in various colors. It looked like the heavens had blessed Ken with the perfect day to celebrate the moment when he was brought to the world.

The familiar sounds of the ear-piercing rings of an old telephone reverberated inside his room. Ken, who was hugging Teejay, jolted. His sudden movement woke him up as well.

"Uh.." Teejay, who was naked inside the deep-blue blanket, turned over. "Holy shit, Mako. Can you.. turn it off?"

The alarm finally stopped. It took them a few moments to realize what day it was.. and that they were still bare underneath the sheets.

It was clear from Ken's face that whatever took place in the bathroom last night was amazing. And that at least for now, everything was alright.

"It's my birthday.." Ken whispered to his ear but Teejay seemed to have fallen asleep again. "It's my birthday, Dy!" He shouted as loud as he could.

"Oo, narinig kita. Eh ano naman ngayon?" Ken couldn't see him smiling but Teejay was clearly playing with him.

"Ah, ganon ah?" He put his hands under the blanket and grabbed Teejay by his private part.

"Joke lang! Grabe naman to may pagpisil pa!" He sat on the bed with this weird grin on his face.

Ken grabbed the bath towel from the headboard of the bed. He placed it around his waist and jumped in front of the wardrobe. He threw a set of fresh clothes towards his boyfriend.

"Sa inyo ka na mag toothbrush, Dy. Susunod ako." But before he entered the bathroom, he stopped by the door and gave Teejay a flying-kiss. He twitched his eyebrows thrice seductively.

"Gwapo!" He stood up and started putting on the clothes.

Teejay was quick on his feet, he sprinted to the door and opened it.

"S'ya nga pala Mako." he said just before his feet went over the doorway. "Maybe it's time to tell them. But.. it's your call s'yempre."

"What are you talking about, Dy?" he said with a toothbrush in his mouth. He was barely understandable.

"You know.." he gestured, "us."

He gave him a slow nod.

Teejay smiled then zoomed his way down the staircase.

"Tita, I'm sorry I'm in a hurry." he said when he stumbled upon the cheerful lady with an apron around her waist.

"Let me guess.. May surprise ka para sa anak kong gwapito?" she pointed at him with a spatula. A variety of vegetables and meats were on the table.

"Ah.." he scratched his scruff and gave a hasty nod.

"Sige. On your way!" she winked then started stirring the orange liquid in the casserole.

Teejay shut the door and made his way to his house across the street.

Ken heard the door shut. He'd just finished brushing his teeth. The light from the ceiling gleamed at his necklace-it emitted a soft light.

He touched it and carefully turned it over and around.

"Papa. I hope you can see me." he whispered as he was looking at his reflection in the mirror in front of him. "It's my birthday."