"Why isn't he replying yet?"

I tapped on my study table, staring at my laptop's screen, hoping for his reply. Usually, it only takes him seconds before he replied.

It's been minutes!

Oh god, am I being clingy? An over reacting bastard?

"Relax, Asher. Maybe he's just doing something." I took off my glasses first before standing.

I go to the kitchen and check if there are still milk on my fridge. I poured my glass and sip on it, calming myself.

Lucas don't like clingy people, so stop acting immature. I keep on telling myself that.

There is no way I will let him dislike me.

I go back to my laptop and my face immediately flashed a smile when I saw his name on my notification. I put the glass beside my table and read his chats, which is of course, very long.

I don't know how he manage to keep sending long messages. And how can he type so fast?

Since I can't catch up to him with chat, I requested a video call, which thankfully, he didn't declined. I wore my glass again and answered his call.

"I can't see your face. Bakit madilim?" I squinted my eyes while frowning.

"Isa na akong invisible human, hindi mo na ako makikita." Day won't be complete without his not-so-funny jokes.

"Wow, good."

"Ano? Kapal mo, ha." I chuckled when he suddenly showed his face while snorting. Nakatago pala siya sa loob ng blanket kaya madilim. "Nakakatuwa pala na mag-disappear ako, ha."

He then turned his camera off.

Great. I tilted my head and stared at the black screen, waiting for him to bring back his camera on.

"Come on, Lucas, turn on your camera. I want to see your face." But he didn't! "Lucas."

"Tingnan mo, isa na akong asteroid na palutang-lutang sa kalawakan." He then showed up... on the space.

I frowned with the scenery. He honestly look stupid doing faces while pretending like he's really outside the world.

"Alam mo minsan, iniisip ko na sana isa lang akong alikabok sa kalawakan. Walang modules, walang research, walang math. Palutang-lutang lang tapos magh-hello sa bawat planeta hanggang masunog sa araw."

Oh God, guide me. I love this man so much, I don't want to get tired of him. Give me more patience.

I just smiled and nodded at him. Hinayaan ko siyang paglaruan ang filters do'n.

"Tingnan mo, nasa bulwagan na ako ng langit. Told you, hindi pa ako gan'on kasama."

"Oops, naging patatas na ako. What if patatas na ako bukas? Makikilala mo pa ba ako?"

"Lemon na ako. Mahal mo pa rin ba ako kahit lemon na ako? Siyempre dapat ang sagot mo oo para naman masaya akong matulog."

"Huwag mo muna akong istorbohin, nasa jeep ako. Tingnan mo 'ko, Asher, nasa jeep ako. Hala epal, wala na, finish na."

Yeah, whatever.

"Late na. Matulog ka na."

"Late na pala tapos tumawag ka pa! Alam mo namang ini-insomnia ako kapag kausap ka."

"Dapat ba akong kiligin diyan?"

"Kapag sinabi ko bang oo, kikiligin ka?"

"No."

"Siyempre hindi! Ako lang naman 'to, I'm nobody lang naman, 'di ba? Hindi ko nga alam kung paano natatagalan ng kaibigan ko na kausapin ako kasi hindi naman ako masaya kausap. Lagi ka ngang nakasimangot kapag kausap ako kasi hindi naman ako nakakatuwa at nakakakilig, 'di ba? Sana—,"

"I love you."

"I love you, hehehe."

Napailing na lang ako sa kakulitan niya. If we're going to meet personally, will he be that loud too?

When am I going to meet him, anyways? I cannot ask him about that, though. I don't want to pressure him.

"Sleep. I'll watch you."

"Lah, pinapanood na nga ako ng FBI matulog, pati ba naman ikaw. Ano 'yan? Sama-sama kayo pati ng mga ninuno ko na manood habang natutulog ako?" Him and his weird response.

I can't believe he still thinks FBI is watching him. This guy, really.

"Saka iinit 'yong cellphone ko, wala akong pambili ng bago. Ongoing 'yong call magdamag?"

"Pero siyempre mas takot akong uminit ang ulo mo kaysa uminit ang cellphone ko kaya ito na, matutulog na." He probably read my face, the reason why he changed his mind.

Binitbit niya ang kaniyang cellphone sa higaan saka 'yon nilagay sa tabi niya. I bring out my papers too. I almost forgot I have something to pass tomorrow.

I tend to forget everything when he's around.

"Goodnight, my sugarplum."

Naramdaman ko ang pagtaas ng balahibo ko dahil sa tinawag niya sa'kin. Of all names, Lucas. Of all names.

"Joke lang!" I rolled my eyes when he guffawed. Mabilis akong tatanda kapag kasama ko siya. "Ito na, seryoso na. Goodnight, Ash!"

"Goodnight..." I stared at his face while smiling. "...babe."

The next morning, I woke up earlier than him. Gulo-gulo na ang camera niya kaya wala na akong makita. I had no choice but to end the call.

Longganisa Seller
Hey, I ended the call already.
Might be busy today so I can't
chat you. Don't ditch your
class, okay? Breakfast is important too.
Don't miss me too much. I love you.

Damn, when is he going to change my nickname? Everytime he's pissed, he'll change my nickname.

Could you imagine how I sounded when I told him I love him while my name is "longganisa seller"?

I chuckled while shaking my head. Kinuha ko ang duffel bag ko saka lumabas ng unit. I have classes. But, next month will be semestral break so it's okay.

Mentioning about semestral break, I thought of going on Lucas' town that time. Birthday niya din sa araw na 'yon kaya naisipan kong i-surprise siya.

I made a mental reminder to myself to check his address which was on my note. Everything about him is in my phone's note. I don't want to miss a single detail.

When I got home early on that afternoon, I immediately checked our inbox. I smiled when he spammed me again with messages.

Pati pagkagat ng langgam sa kaniya, sinasabi niya sa'kin. Kailan ba ako masasanay sa kakulitan niya? His name follows tackiness.

Still, I am able to reply before I go to the bathroom and clean myself. Baka magalit siya kapag hindi ko siya ni-reply-an.

The last time he got mad, he unfriended me. I don't want him to get mad.

Our conversation continued again for more weeks until our semestral break. I've never been this happy and excited about vacation.

Three days from now is Lucas' birthday. I already prepared everything. I'll just travel by land. It'll just took me hours, anyways. Five hours.

Nag-alangan pa ako no'ng una dahil magkalapit lang sila ng bayan ng ex ko.

I sighed. I don't know if I am already prepared to see him. We already had our closure, but still, it's a little awkward to see him in person.

Hindi naman siguro kami magkikita, 'di ba? I mean, he lives on the town next to my lover's town. And knowing Tyler, he doesn't like going out.

Pet
hoi nasaan ka naaaa
hndi ka na nman nagrereply
busy ka ba? akala q ba sembreak
niyo naaaa? sana ol sembreak
HAHAHAHAHA

I checked my phone when the messenger's chat head popped. Originally, I want to ignore him as part of surprise, but I can't! Pagkalabas pa lang ng chat head, bubuksan ko na agad. Fuck.

last chat ka HAHAHA
Calm down.
I am not going to leave you.
I am just doing something.

I decided to just talk to him the whole time. Mabuti na lang at maingay siya kaya hindi din ako na-bored buong biyahe.

Natigil lang ang pag-uusap namin no'ng sinabi kong magpapahinga muna ako. I have to rest myself because the travel will tire me. I don't want to face Lucas with exhausted aura.

I woke up when the bus finally stopped. I watched how people rushed down. I wanted to be the last one stepping out of the vehicle for convenience.

Nang makababa, kaagad akong naghanap ng landmark para malaman ko kung nasaan na ako. I smiled when I noticed that I am in the right place.

Sumakay lang ako ng tricycle at sinabi ang eksaktong lugar kung nasaan nakatira si Lucas. I just hope my timing is right.

He mentioned before that his family weren't in good condition, but he also said that it's doing better now.

Saka lang ako nakaramdam ng hiya nang makababa na ako ng tricycle. Isang duffel bag lang ang bitbit ko, which contains my clothes, cash, and some important IDs and papers.

Magkakatabi ang bahay dito kaya nalito pa ako kung nasaan ang kina Lucas. What the fuck, I think I'm lost.

"Hi, excuse me." I approached a woman who happens to walk beside me. Tiningnan niya naman ako saka binigyan ng nagtatanong na mata. "Do you know where Lucas Perez is living?"

"Anong kailangan niyo sa batang 'yon?" I pursed my lips with her question. Ano bang kailangan ko sa batang 'yon? I can't tell her that I am his boyfriend, though.

"I'm... I'm his friend. I just visited him." Fuck friend. Of all reasons.

She eyed me from head to toe, squinting her eyes a little. She looks like she's not believing me.

"Do'n sa may pulang gate at puting bakod katabi ng sari-sari store." I smiled and nod my head. She immediately dismissed herself and didn't let me thank her.

I held my bag tightly before sighing. This is it. I'm about to meet him. Please, I am so nervous.

I started walking to the spot where the woman pointed. Ang init. It's already noon, that's why. Ang aga kasi magsimula ng biyahe kaya tanghali na ako nakarating.

"T-Tao po!" I tried knocking to their gate. Ganito ba magtawag? Shit.

I waited for response but when there's none, I tried calling and knocking again. People are staring at me because, probably, I'm new to their eyes. They are not even ashamed of how nosy they are.

"Ta---!"

"Sino ka?"

I faced the one who talked. I even step back once because I think I am blocking his way. He's staring at me curiously while opening the gate.

"Anong kailangan mo dito? Kung hinahanap mo sila Mama, wala sila dito." Wow, rude.

"I'm actually looking for Lucas." I saw him halted his way when he heard my lover's name. He stared at me more, which made me frown.

"Anong kailangan mo sa kapatid ko?"

"I'm his friend."

"Wala siyang kaibigan na lalaki, 'wag mo 'kong pinaglololoko." He even pointed his pointing finger to me. "Ay, mali, meron na pala, pero sigurado akong hindi ikaw 'yon."

How the hell should I introduce myself aside from being his friend?

"Hindi ko ipapakita sa'yo ang kapatid ko hangga't hindi mo sinasabi kung sino ka, akala mo ha." I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh, starting to get annoyed. "Kaya sabihin mo na kung sino ka."

"Why don't you let your brother tell you who am I?" Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin.

"'Wag mo 'kong idaan sa English-speaking mo, ha." I stopped him when he was about to close the gate.

Now, everyone's staring at us.

"I told you, I'm his friend."

"Hoy, Kuya, naubos na namin 'yong coke dito 'yong tinapay wala pa! What's not clicking, brother."

We both look at his back when someone shouted. Lumabas ang binata na noon ay wala pang suot na tsinelas saka tumatakbong lumapit sa kuya niya.

"Tagal-tagal, akala mo sa Batanes pa kumuha ng tinapay, grabe 'yon." Nagtama ang paningin namin. "Oh, nandito ka pala Ash. Pasok."

"Kilala mo 'yan?" Nagtatakang tanong ng kuya niya.

"Oo naman! Si Ash!----Hala sandali!" I chuckled when his eyes went wide while staring at me. He then slowly walk towards me before examining my presence. "Gago, si Ash."

"Hi."

"Ahh! Potangina mo Kuya!" My smile disappeared when he suddenly screamed and ran inside their house.

"Anong nangyari do'n?" Yeah, what the fuck happened. His brother looked at me, still frowning. "Nakita ka lang ng kapatid ko, nagsinigaw-sigaw na. Siguro masamang tao ka. Bawal kang pumasok dito."

"For Pete's sake, I and your brother knew each other. Isn't that enough for you to trust me?"

"Magkakilala din kami no'ng taong ninakawan ako ng pagkain."

"Hoy, Kuya, papasukin mo! Hindi 'yan sanay sa arawan! Kapag hinimatay 'yan, humanda ka sa'kin!" Lucas shouted.

I heard him tsk-ed before letting me in. Pinauna niya na ako dahil nagsarado pa siya ng gate. Nilibot ko pa ang paningin ko sa paligid kaya naabutan niya din ako.

Nang makapasok sa loob, nakita ko si Lucas na nakapagpalit na ng damit at nakapag-ayos na ng sarili habang nakatingin sa'kin.

"Hehehe, hello!" I smiled before walking towards him.

"Hoy, saan ka pupunta? Diyan ka lang. Dito ang upuan mo." I stopped and made a mental note not to roll my eyes.

"Kuya!"

"Anong kuya-kuya, diyan ka lang, Lucas, ha. Nasa pamamahay kita." Sinimangutan siya ng kapatid niya saka mahigpit na niyakap ang unan. "Nasaan si Tyler?"

Tyler?

"Ewan ko. Baka nasa CR." Saktong pagkasabi ni Lucas no'n, lumabas ang isang lalaki mula sa CR.

"Hi, babes!" Tiningnan ko ang taong tinawag ng Kuya niya at nagulat pa ako nang makitang si Tyler nga talaga 'yon.

What the fuck! I didn't know Tyler is related to Lucas.

"Tagal mo." Naiwan akong nakatingin sa kanilang dalawa nang yakapin ng kuya ni Lucas si Tyler. "Mainit, Luis."

"Miss mo 'ko 'no?"

"Kuya, kadiri ka naman!"

"Whatever floats your boat." Lumipat ang tingin sa'kin ni Tyler at pareho kami ng reaksyon. Who would've thought we'll meet here?

After 2 years, I finally meet him in person.

I smiled a little before waving my hands on him. Mabuti na lang at nagkaroon na kami ng closure bago pa mangyari 'to. It'll be less awkward.

"You have a... visitor."

"Bisita ni Lucas." Muli na namang bumaling ang tingin sa'kin ng Kuya niya. "Kaibigan daw."

"Wow, maka-'daw' parang hindi ka naniniwala, ah. Grabe talaga 'yang boyfriend mo, Tyler. Bakit mo ba nagustuhan 'yan?"

"Hoy!"

"Are you sure he's just a friend, Lucas?" Tyler threw a teasing stare at my boyfriend. "I bet not."

"Anong I bet not? Bawal pa sa ganiyan si Lucas. Bata pa siya."

"Pero ikaw, puwede?"

"Matanda na ako."

"Pero si Tyler, hindi!"

"Ano namang kinalaman niya dito?"

"Siyempre, magka-edad lang kami, so bawal pa din siya mag-jowa!"

"Basta, bawal ka pa sa ganiyan."

"Late ka na."

"Ano?!"

"Oops, na-spill."

I was smiling while watching how Lucas and Luis tease each other. So, this is the feeling of having a brother. Their house probably is noisy everyday.

"They are really like that. Masanay ka na." I looked at Tyler who sat next to me, chuckling as he watch the two fight. "How are you? You're better in person, huh."

I accepted the glass he offered with a smile on my face. "I'm great. I just came here because of Lucas. I wanted to surprise him."

"Which you successfully did." He laughed before sipping on his glass. "Nagulat pa ako no'ng pumasok siya at nagsisigaw-sigaw. I thought something happened."

I just smiled, not taking off my eyes with my man. He looks adorable while laughing at his brother.

"You really did your promise, huh." Saka ko lang nilingon si Tyler. Nakangiti din siyang pinapanood si Luis na noon ay pikon na. Lumingon din siya sa'kin nang mapansing nakatingin ako. "You showed yourself to him fearless."

"Of course, I don't want us to end up like how ours ended. Lucas is so special to me." He smiled wryly before looking at Lucas. "I don't want to disappoint him in any ways so I'll do what I can for him."

"You're cheesy." We both laughed.

Natigil din 'yon nang lumingon sa'min si Luis. Sinamaan niya na naman ako ng tingin saka hinawakan si Tyler sa kamay at pinalipat ng upuan sa tabi niya.

Jeez, I'm not even touching your man. I have my own. And I love him enough to even dare.

We spent the whole day talking about each other. Luis, I think, is naturally protective and possessive. He didn't let Lucas come near me! Even Tyler.

But, I understand him. I'll have the same response if I have a younger sibling, though.

"Hindi mo sinabi na pupunta ka." I was sitting on the balcony when Lucas approached me. Tyler went home already. Hinatid siya ni Luis.

"It won't be a surprise anymore." I chuckled and stared at him. "Aren't you happy to see me?"

"Hindi naman sa gan'on. Hindi lang ako prepared. 'E di sana hindi ako nagmukhang engot kanina." I chuckled.

"What's wrong about that? I found it cute."

"Corny mo talaga, beh." I was stunned when he put his head on my shoulder. Hindi ko na rin inangalan at hinayaan na lang siya.

"I missed you." His chuckle vibrated.

"Parati naman. Ako lang 'to, ano ka ba." I just smiled. "Pero na-miss din kita. Akala ko hindi mo na ako kakausapin. Alam mo bang panay ang overthink ko kanina?"

"Don't overthink too much. I won't leave you." Inalis niya ang ulo niya sa balikat ko.

"Gusto kitang yakapin nang mahigpit."

"You can't." I laughed. "Your brother won't like it." I pinched his cheeks when he snorted.

"Pero siya wagas maka-yakap kay Tyler!"

I raffled his hair, trying to calm him down. Muli niyang binalik sa pagkakapatong ang ulo niya sa balikat ko.

"Let's just stay like this for a while."

"Pa'nong stay?"

I held his hand. It was warm. Hinigpitan niya ang kapit do'n kaya lumawak ang ngiti ko.

"Stay in love, but with boundaries."

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