THE PROMISE

Chapter 1: Until We Meet Again

Feeling both flustered and irritated, Charles Tan sat up from the white, sterile bed of the school's clinic. Beside him, Dr. Gerald Zarate, his boyfriend, lay sluggishly and not an ounce of apologetic attitude.

"Really? Is that how it would always go between us? Our relationship isolated to this four-walled sterile room?" Charles complained.  This is the fifth time of this month that he had asked his boyfriend to go out with him.  And as usual, his request was declined--rather deliciously if he might add.

Dr. Zarate, decided to sit up too and slather Charles with his sweet embrace.  It was the only thing he could do to lessen his boyfriend's fuming attitude.  

"Y'know I can't, right? I always have a jampacked schedule.  Besides, I like it like this." He kissed Charles's neck. "Y'know.  Just the two of us."  He kissed Charles's chin.  "Secluded from the world."  He kissed Charles's lips.  "Away from the judging eyes of the world."  He started to go down and---

Charles suddenly stood up and distanced himself  from the rather kinky doctor.  

"You can't do that!" Charles declared.  For he was tired.  Tired of their set-up.  Tired of his excuses.  And he is already at the edge where he would get tired of him.

"I just want us to be together.  Not like this together." 

Sensing Charles's tone, Dr. Zarate straightened his shirt and walked towards him.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I want you to be proud of me.  Proud of us." Charles answered.

"I am proud of us."

"Are you now? Then why won't you grant me what I have been asking you? It's just a date." 

Dr. Zarate smiled, knowing what to do but unsure of himself and the situation he has gotten himself into. 

"Okay, tonight.  8 PM.  Wait for me at the rooftop and we'll catch a midnight premiere."

With those words, Charles brightened up.  His boyish features surfacing.

"Really?"

"Yep."

Charles hugged Dr. Zarate, his boyfriend, and gave him a quick peck on the lips.  

"Gotta go.  I still have class. See you at 8."

As Charles left the clinic, Dr. Zarate slumped in his chair and stared at a particular e-mail on his computer.

"You're back, huh." he muttered then typed the words "Can't see you at the airport today.  Have to OT."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thirty minutes before 8, Charles was already at the rooftop.  Sitting on the rusty bench and enjoying the calming breeze of the night.  The air is much cooler now because of the coming holiday season.  Even the city itself seems to take a quiet slumber from his point of view.  This is one of those nights when he felt at ease and confident.  Could he be happy tonight? He asked himself.  The past few years have been difficult for him.  It still is but meeting the doctor had put his episodes at bay.

Footsteps were heard from behind him.  Ah. Speak of the devil.

He faced him, wide smile plastered on his face, and---

Who is the guy standing before him?

Charles sheepishly removed his smile and turned his back, pretending nothing awkward happened, hoping to God that nothing awkward had happened.  Well, not much really had happened.  It was just an awkward encounter, if he could truly call it an 'encounter'.

The stranger was wearing dirty-white T-shirt beneath his leather jacket and faded blue jeans.  He looked ragged but he was pulling it off with his chiseled jaw, prominent nose, full lips, and seductive hazelnut eyes, Charles thought.  Then scolded himself for thinking so.

Charles checked his watch. 7:32 PM.  He couldn't believe that it had only been two minutes since their awkward encounter.  He tried focusing his attention on the night sky but his peripheral vision deceived him--he could still see the beautiful stranger.

"You're him."

He looked at the guy.  Confused of what he had just uttered.

Was he talking to me? Charles asked himself.

"You're him." The guy repeated, this time, staring at Charles while walking towards him.  Meanwhile, Charles is panicking because of the strange guy's sudden strange movements.  

He stopped, inches apart from Charles.

"Charles Phillip Tan, right?"

Confusion swarmed over Charles's mind.  How did the stranger know his name?

"Y-yes. T-that's me. Who are you?" Charles asked, voice trembling slightly.

The strange guy extended his right hand and said, "It's me.  Gavin.  Gavin De Guzman." while smiling at him.

Charles hesitantly shook his hand and asked, "Uhm, should I know you?"

Lightning struck within the depths of Gavin's heart as the words sank into his awareness.  He doesn't remember me.