Author's Note: Hello, readers! Finally nakapag-update narin. Balak ko sana kaninang tangahali pero masyadong busy si ako, kaya ngayon nalang hehe. Don't forget to vote. Please leave some comments also.

***

Napasandal si Julien sa kaniyang upuan habang nakatingin sa nagkukumpulang papel sa kaniyang mesa. Iyon ang huling araw niya sa France at gusto niyang matapos lahat ng trabaho bago siya uuwi sa Pinas.

Ilang taon narin simula noong umalis siya sa bansang kinalakihan niya. At ilang taon narin siyang sabik na sabik na makita ang lalaking hinahanap-hanap niya sa araw-araw.

Si Hero, his best friend.

Ito ang kaniyang matalik na kaibigan simula noong grade one pa lamang siya hanggang sa huling taon nila sa Elementarya. Naputol lamang ang koneksyon nila dahil sa kaniyang pag-alis papuntang ibang bansa. Sa France. Kung saan pinanganak at lumaki ang kaniyang ama bago nito makilala ang ina sa Pinas.

Kagustuhan ng kaniyang ama na mag-aral siya sa ibang bansa. Hindi sang-ayon si Julien sa desisyon nito dahil ayaw niyang iwan ang kaibigan niyang si Hero. Pero noong sinabi ng kaniyang ama kung bakit kailangan niyang umalis sa bansa ay kaagad siyang sumang-ayon.

FLASHBACK

Kakatapos lang ng huling practice nila sa graduation. Parehong pagod si Julien at Hero dahil sa buong araw nilang practice. Nasa loob sila ng kanilang dormitoryo habang nagpapahinga.

"What's your plan for tonight, Hero?" tanong ni Julien sa kaibigan na abala sa kung ano man ang tinitingnan nito sa cellphone.

Iyon na ang kanilang huling practice para sa graduation pero hindi parin ito masyadong kumikibo sa kaniya. Julien was anxious, uncertain why Hero was acting that way.

"Susunduin ako ni mama dito, uuwi ako ngayon sa amin dahil sabi naman ni Teacher Ann na puwede na tayong uuwi sa bahay," sagot nito sa kaniya.

"You're going home and you didn't even bother to tell me?" Gusto niyang magalit sa kaibigan dahil sa hindi nito pagpaalam sa kaniya na uuwi pala ito sa kanila.

"Biglaan kasi akong pinauwi ni mama." Hindi parin ito makatingin sa kaniya. Busy parin ito sa pagpindot sa cellphone na binigay niya dito noong grade four pa lamang sila. Para bang wala lang dito na hindi sila magkikita for the meantime.

For Julien, being away from Hero was a big deal.

"But it's almost nighttime. Can't you tell your mom to go home tomorrow instead? Why leave now?"

"Kasi na miss ko na sila mama at gusto ko ng umuwi, bawal ba?" Sa wakas ay tinapunan siya nito ng tingin pero nakataas ang isang kilay nito.

Julien sighed. "Hindi naman."

Gusto niya itong sabihan na kung puwedeng ipagpabukas nalang ang pag-uwi dahil gusto niya itong makasama pero hindi niya magawa. Naiilang siyang sabihin iyon.

May pakiramdam si Julien na iyon na ang huli nilang pagkikita. Alam niyang makikita niya pa ito sa graduation pero may iba siyang nararamdaman.

"Are you going to bring all your stuff home tonight?" tanong niya dito. Gusto niyang maghanap ng magandang topic para makausap ito pero hindi siya makaisip ng bagay na puwedeng i-umpisa para mas lumalim ang kanilang pag-uusap.

"Hindi," sagot nito. "Saka na raw kukunin nila mama pagkatapos ng graduation."

"Will you be back before the graduation?" His voice was filled with hope.

"Hindi ko pa alam, Julien. Baka saka na ako babalik pag graduation na mismo."

Tumango nalang si Julien bilang sagot. Hindi niya nagawang itago ang pagkadismaya. Gusto niya sana itong makasama pero mukhang iyon na ang huling pagkikita nila.

Iyon ang ilan sa mga pagkakataong nalungkot si Julien. Kung sa iba ay wala siyang pakialam kung aalis o babalik man ang mga ito, pero pagdating kay Hero, everything matters. Ito lang ang kayang iparamdam sa kaniya ang mga emosyon na kailan man ay hindi niya naramdaman.

He didn't like being sad; it freaking hurt his heart.

Wanting to wipe away all the sadness he was feeling, Julien took the book he was reading and drowned all his attention in it.

It was a gay-themed book about best friends falling for each other. Julien loved reading it because what it contained was exactly what he was feeling for Hero. Even though he was young and probably wasn't capable of falling in love, Julien could tell how much he adored Hero more than just a friend.

But of course, he couldn't tell him that. That would just be foolish of him to do.

Nang makailang chapter na si Julien sa kaniyang binasa ay may narinig siyang katok. Of course, si Hero ang unang tumayo dahil ito naman palagi ang nagbubukas ng pinto kung may kumatok sa kwarto nila.

Pagkabukas ni Hero ng pinto ay nakita ni Julien ang ina nito, nakangiting sinalubong si Hero.

"Mama!" masayang saad nito sa ina at kaagad na yumakap.

"Hero, anak, namiss kita," sagot naman nito. Julien couldn't help but admire what he had seen. Hindi maiwasang maisip ni Julien ang kaniyang sariling ina.

Despite his very young age, Julien was fully aware of his dad's business, how it started, and what kind of people were involved.

At a very young age, his dad trained him in everything, including how to use different types of weapons.

He started training in martial arts when he was in grade 1. By 5th grade, he had begun training in the use of weapons. While other kids were playing and enjoying their childhood, Julien was exposed to a different world. Of course, his friend Hero didn't know about this. He didn't want to scare him away.

Hindi niya man gusto iyon ay napilitan si Julien na tanggapin ang reyalidad ng kanilang buhay.

Maraming kalaban ang kaniyang ama. Nag-aapoy ang mga mata ng mga taong nakapaligid sa kanila. They were one of the most influential families in the world, and with that title, they also had many enemies.

Julien's mom was the primary reason his dad entered the world of the mafia. Three months after Julien was born, his mom was shot in the head. This occurred after a rival company declared bankruptcy. The incident left his mom in a coma, and when she recovered, she was paralyzed due to damage to a major part of her brain.

Pero hindi lang iyon ang unang beses, marami pa silang natatanggap na death threats, halos araw-araw hanggang umabot sa punto na hindi na pagbabanta ang kanilang natatanggap. They were harmed every single day.

After that dark chapter of their lives, Julien's dad swore that it would not happen again. By that, he meant he would engage in the same dirty business their competitors had done to them. His dad entered the mafia world.

That's why seeing Hero being visited by his mom is something Julien can enjoy watching. He doesn't feel envy; he's happy that Hero didn't experience the same thing he had experienced.

"Hi, Julien," bati ng ina ni Hero sa kaniya pagpasok nito sa kanilang kwarto. Kaagad naman siyang bumaba sa kama at nilapitan ito saka yumakap dito.

"Hi, Tita Elma. Kumusta kayo ni tito?"

"Okay lang naman kami, kayo ba dito? Okay lang kayo?"

Hindi kaagad nakasagot si Julien. He looked at Hero, who was also looking at him.

"Yes, Tita Elma. We're good here."

"Mabuti naman," sagot nito. "Pumunta lang ako dito para kunin si Hero. Uuwi daw siya."

Tumango si Julien. "Nabanggit nga niya kanina, Tita."

Hindi mapigilang malungkot ni Julien nang maisip na matutulog siyang mag-isa sa kwarto. Hindi siya nagpasundo sa kaniyang ama dahil akala niya'y mananatili sila ni Hero sa dormitoryo. Huli na nang malaman niyang uuwi ito.

"Hindi ka ba uuwi?" muling tanong ng ina ni Hero kay Julien.

Umiling siya. "Bukas nalang ako uuwi, Tita. Medyo malayo ang bahay namin and I don't want to go home late at night."

"Sigurado ka, nak? Okay ka lang ba dito mag-isa?" nag-aalalang tanong nito.

"I'll be fine, tita. No worries."

Nag umpisang ayusin ni Hero ang gamit nito habang ang ina naman nito'y nilagay ang mga importanting gamit sa bag. Masasabi nga ni Julien na hindi kaagad babalik ang kaibigan dahil sa dami ng damit na nilagay nito sa bag.

"Mauna na kami, Julien," paalam ng ina ni Hero kalaunan.

"Sige, tita. Ingat po kayo."

"Ikaw din, Julien." Ngumiti ito. "Hero, say good bye na kay Julien," ingganyo nito sa anak na magpaalam sa kaniya.

Tumingin siya kay Hero na mukhang nagdadalawang isip na lapitan siya. So Julien moved closer to Hero and gave him a tight hug. Even though they were not on good terms, he couldn't deny the fact that he would miss his friend. He surely would.

"Bye, Hero," paalam niya dito. Pagkasabi noon ay ang pagtunog naman ng kaniyang telepono.

Pinaalis muna ni Julien ang mag-ina bago sinagot ang tawag galing sa kaniyang ama.

"Hey, dad," bati niya sa kabilang linya.

"How are you there, son?"

"I am great dad, bakit ka napatawag?"

"You have to come home tonight, son. We have important things to talk about," may bahid ng pag-aalala sa boses nito.

"Okay, dad," he agreed. Palaging ganito ang eksena nila ng kaniyang ama kung tatawag ito. Kung hindi siya nito kukumustahin ay may importante itong sasabihin. Kagaya ng sinabi nito ilang sigundo lang ang nakalipas.

"Ready yourself, I will send someone there." Pagkasabi noon ay pinatay na nito ang tawag.

Kaagad na sinunod ni Julien ang utos ng kaniyang ama. Tanging bag niya lang ang kaniyang kinuha at nilagay doon ang mga kailangan dalhin.

Sandaling tiningnan ni Julien ang puwesto ni Hero. He scanned the area until he saw the laundry basket right beside the bed. Nilapitan ni Julien iyon at bago siya umalis ay kumuha muna siya ng t-shirt ni Hero at nilagay iyon sa bag. At least he could still feel Hero's presence even though he was far away from him.

***

Julien came home very late at night. They lived in a village far from school, so it took a lot of time before he arrived.

Pagkarating sa tapat ng mansiyon ay kaagad siyang sinalubong ng dalawang tauhan ng kaniyang ama. Sanay na siyang may nakasunod sa kaniya palagi. Kahit nga sa paaralan ay may mga taong palihim na binabantayan siya. But only he knew about it. Even Hero didn't know.

"Sir, your dad is in the kitchen, hinihintay ka nila para hapunan," paalala ng isang lalaki sa kaniya.

"Okay, I'll go there." Julien took off his backpack and gave it to his bodyguard. "Put it in my room, but do not open it."

"Please," dugtong niya pa nang maalala ang sinabi ni Hero na dapat palaging nagpi-please.

Tumango agad ang lalaki. "Yes, sir."

Pumasok siya sa kabahayan at agad na naglakad papunta sa kusina. Mayroon silang dalawang kusina sa mansiyon, ang una ay ang family kitchen, kung saan sila nagbo-bonding ng kaniyang ama't ina. They usually used that kitchen whenever his dad decides to cook for him and his mom, usually during holidays. Ang pangalawa ay ang karinawang ginagamit nila. Dito sila kumain araw-araw at dito rin nagluluto ang kanilang dalawang chef para sa lahat. Including all the people in the mansion.

Pagpasok niya sa kusina ay kaagad siyang sinalubong ng nag-aalalang mga mata. Especially his mom. Sa tingin palang nito ay nasiguro na ni Julien na mayroon itong problema.

"Good evening, dad," bati niya sa ama at humalik sa pisngi nito. "Good evening, mom," bati niya rin sa ina na nakasakay sa motorized wheelchair.

"How was your last graduation practice?" tanong ng kaniyang ama pagkaupo niya sa upuan kaharap sa kaniyang ina.

His dad signaled to the two chefs to serve the food as they settled down at the dining table. It stretched long and wide, with over ten chairs set around it. Unlike their family kitchen, where meals were more intimate, this table accommodated not only the three of them but also their workers.

"It was just fine, dad," sagot niya.

"Fine-fine? Or just fine?" panigurado ng ama ni Julien.

"Just fine, dad," walang ganang sagot niya sa ama. Paanong maging maayos ang huling graduation practice niya kung hindi naman sila gaanong nagpapansinan ni Hero? That adorable guy even refused to talk to him, despite sitting next to each other during their practice.

And he didn't know why Hero was acting that way. Or maybe he did. He's aware that Hero's mad when he gives those shitty students what they deserve. Para sa kaniya ay walang masama sa kaniyang ginawa dahil iyon naman ang nakabubuti sa kaniyang kaibigan.

Alam ni Julien ang takbo ng mga utak ng kaniyang mga kaklase. They always find ways to make fun of Hero just because he doesn't have the same social status as them. Kaya sa tuwing may naririnig siyang hindi kaaya-aya against Hero, kaagad na nag-aalburuto ang kaniyang ulo.

"I see, is it because of Hero?"

Tumango siya sa ama. "He's been avoiding me, and I don't understand why he's acting that way."

Dumating ang dalawang chef dala ang maraming pagkain. Hindi mapigilan ni Julien na maisip ang kaibigan nang makita ang mga nakahain. God, he missed eating with Hero in their room together. He missed feeding him, and he even missed him trying to steal his food.

"I think it's better that way," sagot ng kaniyang ama. He didn't expect that. Nagustuhan ng daddy niya si Hero at alam nito kung gaano niya rin ito kagusto bilang kaibigan. That's why hearing his daddy agree that it's better if he stays like that with Hero was very unexpected.

"What do you mean, dad?"

"Sa tingin ko ay mas mabuti ngang hindi nalang muna kayo magkakaayos para hindi ito masaktan sa iyong pag-alis." May bahid na pag-aalala ang boses nito kaya mas lalo siyang nagtaka. Sa tanang buhay niya ay minsan lang ito nagpapakita ng ganoong emosiyon.

"What do you mean aalis ako, dad?" They never discussed about him leaving. Hindi nabanggit ng ama niya na aalis pala siya.

"You're going to France, Julien," he said, each word carrying weight. "I'm sending you to France," paglilinaw nito.

Hero looked at his dad, confused. "What do you mean you're sending me to France? For what?"

"You'll stay there. You will continue your studies in France because it's not safe for you to be here." Neither of them touched their food.

Tumingin siya sa kaniyang ina para humingi ng tulong pero umiling lang ito. Alam ni Julien na buo na ang desisyon nito kung ganoon.

"No, Dad," he protested. "We already talked about this matter, right? I will finish my studies here with Hero. You can't just send me to France because you want to. And I didn't even know you were making that decision." Minsan lang siyang sumagot sa butihing ama pero sa pagkakataong iyon ay hindi niya mapigilang magtaas ng boses. He can't leave Hero for a long time! Ang desisyon nito ay mahirap para sa kaniya na tanggapin.

Leaving his friend behind to go to France? That's even more heartbreaking than being ignored by Hero! Being shot in the head would hurt less than not seeing Hero for years!

"I have to, Julien. I have to send you to France for your own good. For the good of this family and for Hero." From being furious, Julien saw his dad's expression soften.

"That's very hard to accept, Dad."

"Listen, Julien. This place is no longer safe for you or for anybody. Yes, I can protect you and your mom. But I can't protect anyone else if they become involved here." His dad paused for a moment. "You know that a friend of mine died last week, right? And then another friend of mine died also. Today, my friend's son got shot in the head. They're all shot in the head, just like your mom. I suspect it's our enemy, Julien. They're trying to take us down by killing the we love."

He didn't react pero nakuha kaagad ni Julien ang gustong ipahiwatig ng kaniyang ama. Nakuha kaagad niyang kailangan niyang layuan si Hero para hindi ito madamay sa gulo.

"I fear they'll strike again next week, and I don't know who's next yet. I'm trying to stop it, Julien. But even I don't know what to do. I can't read their minds! I'm not saying they'll target Hero, but it's possible. That's why you have to fly away and leave everything here in this country. You'll go to France and cut all your ties here." Nalulungkot si Julien sa narinig. Sa totoo ay hindi niya alam kung kaya niyang layuan ang kaibigan. Kahit nga pinagtutulakan siya nito minsan ay hindi niya magawang magalit dito at lumayo e.

"So you have to send me to France so they will think that Hero has nothing to do with me?"

"Exactly, and not just for Hero, but for everyone's safety. You have to move to France, study there, and continue your training until you're capable of protecting Hero yourself." Pagkasabi niyon ay sumilay sa kaniyang isipan ang nakangiting si Hero.

Of course, he will come back to Hero. He always will. He will do it for Hero.

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IANNNXXX | 2024