The Architecture (Batchelor Series #1)

18

Manuel lay sprawled on his bed, his phone buzzing on the pillow beside him. A message from Edcel flashed on the screen.

Edcel Recto: Aamin si bro Manuel namin. Mag-ayos ka.

Manuel blinked at the screen, feeling a rush of confusion. Ano daw? Before he could process it, another message came in.

Edcel Recto: Ay sorry bro wrong send. Sa asawa ko pala dapat yan. Syensya na.

Before Manuel could react, the message vanished as Edcel unsent it. He groaned, shaking his head. Mga loko talaga 'tong mga tropa ko.He tossed his phone aside and sat up, scratching his head. His mind was already in overdrive, but now it was racing even faster.

He got up and headed to his older brother Drakon’s room, where the familiar click-clack of keys signaled another intense gaming session. Drakon was glued to his screen, deep into a round of League of Legends. Manuel leaned against the doorframe, silently watching.

"Wait lang Renz, back ka mamaya," Drakon said into his headset, logging out as soon as he noticed Manuel lingering by the door. He knew his younger brother well—Manuel wouldn’t come to him for no reason. Manuel shifted uneasily, hands shoved in his pockets, before blurting out.

"Kuya, kahit bakla ako, kapatid pa rin turing mo sakin?"

The room fell silent. Drakon's brows shot up in surprise, but there was no hesitation when he responded. "Kahit ano ka pa, kapatid pa rin kita, bunso. Kahit alien ka pa, wala akong paki."

Manuel chuckled nervously but continued, unsure of what reaction he’d get. "Kahit… in love ako sa lalaki, kuya?"

Drakon leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, studying his brother's face. "Bakit? Masama ba yun? May tinapakan ka bang tao dahil nagmahal ka?"

Manuel swallowed hard. "Wala naman, kuya. Pero parang... nagalit ako sa isip ko. Selos kasi."

Drakon grinned, seeing a glimpse of the younger, more innocent Manuel. "Selos? Tabi-tabi na kayo ni crush mo, ha? Sino ba ‘to, bunso? Spill."

Manuel hesitated before the name slipped from his lips. "Si Baltazar, kuya."

The grin on Drakon’s face widened. "Knew it! Lagi ka nga asar sa kanya, akala ko lang kasi inggit ka. ‘Yung nerd na lagi mong tinutukso? Hindi ko alam, may balak ka pala sa kanya. Haha!"

Manuel scratched the back of his neck, feeling the heat creep up his cheeks. "Di ko nga alam paano nangyari, kuya. Dati kasi, naiinis ako sa kanya, ang yaman, ang talino—lahat na. Tapos noong naging tutor ko siya, lagi na kami magkasama. Hatid-sundo pa ako, pero syempre hindi ko pinapahalatang ganun. Naguguluhan ako noong una. Tapos… birthday ni John, nagkaagawan sa atensyon ni Baltazar. Dun ko lang narealize, gusto ko siya. Gusto ko ako lang ang gusto niya."

Drakon laughed. "Grabe ka, ting-ting. Possessive pala? So, anong balak mo ngayon? Alam mo na feelings mo eh."

"Liligawan ko siya, kuya. Pero gusto ko, bago ko manligaw, boyfriend ko na siya."

Drakon gave him an amused look. "Paano nangyaring manliligaw ka tapos kayo na agad? Manuel, kakaiba yan ha. Saan mo nakuha yang style?"

"Wala ka na roon, kuya. Basta, dapat mauna kaming maging mag-boyfriend. Then liligawan ko siya para ako lang yung mahal niya."

Drakon was shaking his head, still laughing. "Lakas ng loob mo, bunso. Pero sige, I'll support you. Baka gusto niya rin yan, hindi mo alam. Ano ba gusto niya? May clue ka?"

"Di ko masyado alam eh. Pero sabi niya, ako daw yung standard niya. Ano ibig sabihin nun, kuya?"

"Standard? Edi ambaba ng standard niya!" Drakon teased, laughing again. "Pero seriously, if ikaw ang standard niya, ibig sabihin kahit anong galing sayo, tatanggapin niya. Basta genuine. Pero wag mo ibigay sarili mo agad. Bata ka pa. Pero, kung magpoprotect kayo, condom ha! Hahaha!"

Manuel groaned. "Kuya! Di naman katawan habol ko, siya mismo. Lahat sa kanya, gusto ko—yung mindset niya, effort niya, lahat."

Drakon smirked. "Okay na loverboy, gets ko na. Ganda naman ng plano mo. Sige, gawin mo na. Good luck!" He patted Manuel on the shoulder before pulling out his phone. "By the way, tingnan mo to. Naka-save pa sa gallery ko."

He showed Manuel a picture of himself, half-asleep and clinging to Baltazar’s arm like a child clutching a stuffed toy. "Look at you! Feeling baby ka talaga sa kanya. Ikaw ata ang submissive dito. Haha!"

Manuel turned red, half-laughing, half-annoyed. "Kuya! Ang kulit mo!" He gave Drakon a playful punch before walking out of the room.

"Thanks, kuya," Manuel muttered, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. "I knew I could count on you."

"Anytime, ting-ting. At pag may problema ka sa love life, ako ang lapitan mo!"

"Sure, kuya. Basta wag mong agawin si Baltazar!" Manuel shot back with a grin.

"Haha, di naman ako ganun ka-wild, ting-ting!" Drakon laughed heartily as Manuel left the room.

Later that evening, Manuel stood in front of the mirror, wearing a light-blue sweater that fit him perfectly, highlighting his broad shoulders. Dark gray sweatpants completed his casual look. He gave himself a once-over before grabbing his cologne and spritzing a woody scent with a touch of citrus onto his neck.

His heart raced, thinking about what he was about to do. Tama ba to? He thought, biting his lip nervously. Baka isipin niya corny ako.

Manuel knew he had to make his move. He had planned something simple but meaningful: buying flowers for Baltazar. He had read somewhere that a lot of guys never received flowers, and he wanted to be the first to give Baltazar one.

Tangina, pag hindi pa ako sinagot nito, move on na lang siguro, Manuel thought with a nervous chuckle. But deep down, he knew it wasn’t that simple. There was too much at stake.

As he made his way to the flower shop, anticipation built up inside him. This was it—the moment of truth.