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CHAPTER NINETEEN

THE HEAVENS are the fortress in some lores and myths. The home to some deities that they can find comfort to. And last night, Denryl and Laurentius found comfort in each other's arms. They found a fortress under the sheets. They found shelter.

They both woke up with a new, fresh start. A new beginning to their journey. All of that because of the sudden urge. An unexpected heat that led them into the same sheets of Denryl's cabin.

Forda punit na naman ang sedula ni Denryl kagabi. I say, desurbbbbb.

Denryl first woke up, and had a time admiring and staring at the peaceful, sleeping state of Laurentius. He looks calm and cute when sleeping. How he wished na ganito ang personalidad nitong lalaki kapag gising. He lingers the feeling of their naked body pressed together. No malicious intended, it feels warm and fuzzy. He likes it.

Nang nagsawa na siya, he shook Laurentius from his sleep. "Gising na, nagugutom na ako," he spoke softly, as if Laurentius would throw punches in berserk if he would speak barbaric and loud.

Laurentius groaned, but smiles up when he concentrates his sight kay Denryl. Now, he's also fully awake.

"Good morning, darling," he greets with such enthusiasm in the morning. "How's your sleep? Oh, I'm sure you have a wonderful sleep since I made your whole body tired because of our love-making last night."

Because of his cheeky remark, nakatanggap siya ng kurot kay Denryl. Napadaing naman si Laurentius with a huge smirk on his face.

"Putanginamo. Bastos."

Denryl heard Laurentius chuckled, and he just pouted.

A sudden knock cuts them off, kaya napabaling ang tingin nila sa labas ng kuwarto. Who could it be? And what time is it already?

"Stay right there. Ako na ang titingin kung sino ang kumatok," Denryl instructed to Laurentius nang may kumatok sa cabin niya.

It's a sudden na mayroong kumakatok sa kaniyang cabin. Even the girls seldomly visits his cabin kasi medyo malayo ito sa mga establishemento. Tsaka si Laurentius ang halos bumibisita sa kaniyang cabin---which is nasa room niya---still hazy from sleep from last night's rendezvous. Who could the unexpected guest be?

Narinig niya ulit ang katok nito sa labas, kaya sinigawan niya ito ng, "Teka lang, bubuksan na nga!"

Agad niyang pinulot ang naglakat niyang mga damit sa sahig at sinuot muna ito panandalian. Magbibihis siya mamaya ng bagong damit para mas presentable siyang tignan. Sa sobrang excited kasi ni Laurentius kahapon, kung saang sulok ng silid nitong pinagtatapon ang mga saplot nila. Wala na siyang nagawa, ang atat naman kasi ni Laurentius, eh.

He clutched the door's knob with something's off inside him. It is like his mind and emotions became haywire. Something's not right.

Nonetheless, he still opened the door. And then, the person in front of him left a big shock to him. He just couldn't predict that this person would come and find him here.

It couldn't be! No freaking way!

"Hi, Babe!" the guy just shamelessly greets him with a small smile tug on his lips. The audacity!

"A-ano ang ginagawa mo rito?" ang nagtatakang tanong doon ni Denryl. Nasa pintoan siya at binosisi ang kabuohan ng lalaking kumatok.

The guy obviously just arrived on the island and went straight at his cabin. May mga malalaki pa itong mga bags na naglalaman ng mga damit nito---for vacation purposes. He wore simple white shorts, an open polo shirt with a plain sky blue shirt underneath. May sumbrero rin itong suot kaya natatakpan ng anino ang i-taas na parte ng kaniyang mukha.

It was indeed his cheater ex. Jeimson Descalzota.

But why? How did he know he was here? What is the meaning of all this? The fuck?

"I received a free full-experience package of this island with I don't know whom from," Jeimson rumbles on, not noticing a slight discomfort with Denryl's whole being. But he continues rumbling, "Kaya I toke the opportunity and flew here---na walang katiting na perang nagasto. Also, may letter din iyong kasama na nagsasabing nasa resort ka, with your pictures secretly taken. Hindi ko nga alam kung sino kumuha no'n or with consent ba. Tapos I've always wanted to reach you out, nandito ka lang pala sa magandang isla na ito."

Nakikinig siya sa pinagsasabi nito at hindi makapaniwala. That was something an asshole would plan just to make him suffer from their break-up. "And may karapatan ka nang magpakita sa harapan ko?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong doon ni Denryl, pinipigilan na huwag tumulo ang luha niya. "For fuck's sake, I've ended things with you kaya wala nang dapat pang pag-usapan, Jeimson."

"I know, but just listen to me---"

Jeimson tries to grab him, ngunit inilayo niya ang sarili rito out of instinct.

"What is going on here?"

Laurentius.

Napatingin si Jeimson sa nagsalita, at laking gulat sa nasilayan. He never imagined that Denryl and this guy would be in a same room without fighting each other. Lalo pa siyang nagulohan nang lumapit si Laurentius kay Denryl at inakbayan ito in a protective manner with an irked expression on his grudgy face directed toward him. And he just noticed, topless ito at nakabalandera ang magandang katawan.

"Fucking Altarejos," Jeimson spat like the guy's name is bitter.

"The asshole Descalzota," balik na asik doon ni Laurentius.

What the fudge is he doing here? Bakit siya nandirito? May nangyari ba sa pagitan nilang dalawa? Oh, fudge . . .

"You should leave. You're not needed here," na-iinis na asik doon ni Laurentius. He regretted it now. Jeez.

"And who are you upang pa-alisin ako rito?" hamon doon ni Jeimson. "Nalinga lang ako, ikaw na ang sumutsot kay Denryl. For heaven's sake, mas hinayupak ka pa kaysa sa akin dahil sa mga pinaggagawa mo sa buhay. You were an ass and homophobe to us, and now this? Are you toying with him? Is that your plan? Are you really that pathetic upang humantong sa ganoon?" mahaba pang salaysay ni Jeimson doon. He got a point there.

"Oh, fuck you. At least I wasn't the one who cheated," Laurentius smugly rebutted. Look who's talkin'. "You don't deserve Denryl, yourself, for fuck's sake. The day you decided to cheat and slept with another women was the day you have lost the rights to Denryl. Are you really that desperate?"

Bago pa nagsuntokan ang dalawa sa harapan at sa cabin ni Denryl, agad na siyang nagsalita at pumagitna roon.

"Magsitigil nga kayo," inis na sigaw ni Denryl. This was too much he could handle, ghod.

Laurentius and Jeimson in the same room is a total disaster. It's a bad idea kapag magkatagpo sila.

Binalingan niya si Jeimson. "Let's settle some things, Jeimson. This is your last chance to explain things with me." Tinanggal niya ang pagka-akbay sa kaniya ni Laurentius, and faced the guy. "Ikaw naman, wait for me. Don't do any stupid things while I'm away. Isang pagkakamali mo lang, hindi ko na alam kung anong gagawin sa 'yo."

"But what if something happens? What if this asshole's gonna hurt you? I wouldn't risk that," tolero'ng pahayag ni Laurentius sa kaniya roon.

"Just trust me on this, okay?"

Jeimson watched them. They looked so close with each other. Para silang magkasintahan. And he stood there, like a stranger on Denryl's life. A nuisance. What did he missed with Denryl's life? How did things became this fucked up? Can things still be amend between them? He didn't know anymore.

Laurentius sighed and gave up. Denryl can stand on his own feet. He can do things on his own since he lost both of his parents. "Alright."

The way Denryl looked at Laurentius, parang gusto nitong hahalikan ito to assure him he's coming back to his arms. Jeimson wasn't pleased with that sight.

"Tara na?" baling ni Denryl sa kay Jeimson.

Agad na napunta ang tingin nito kay Denryl. He nodded.

Umalis sila sa cabin ni Denryl at pumaroon sa maliit na pier or dock malapit lang doon. Firstly, Jeimson left his things temporarily sa front porch ng cabin ni Denryl. Sa maliit na daongan pala unang nagpalit ng mga ma-iinit na bugso ng laman sina Denryl at Laurentius. Dito rin umamin si Laurentius sa kaniyang nararamdaman kay Denryl. This dock holds nice, tingling memories for Denryl that made him smile right now.

Unang umupo si Denryl at ang kaniyang paa ay nilalaro ang tubig sa ilalim. Mahihina lang ang mga alon, kaya ang gandang pagmasdan ng paligid. Napangiti siyang lalo dahil sa pakiramdam ng tubig at alon sa kaniyang mga paa, panandaliang nakalimutan ang lalaking kasama niya. It was nice.

Naramdaman na lang niyang umupo na sa tabi niya si Jeimson. Hinarap niya ito at agad nawala ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi. Right. Nandito pala siya upang pag-usapan nila ang nangyari sa pagitan nila.

"Parang gustong-gusto mo ang isla, ah?" nakangiting tanong ni Jeimson sa kaniya. "You look like you enjoyed and contented by it. That's great."

Was that a double meaning? Was it about the island or Laurentius?

"Yeah. It's beautiful," Denryl dreamily said as he sighed.

"So . . ." Jeimson started, pero he's reluctant to bring up the topic. Hindi niya gustong maging awkward ang atmosphere sa paligid nila.

"Hm?" Denryl hummed.

"Saan ba ako magsisimula? Shit." Tumawa si Jeimson sa kaniyang sarili. Tumitig lang si Denryl sa kaniya at hinihintay ang sasabihin nito. "Iyon na nga. Firstly, gusto kong humingi ng tawad. After more than ten years of our relationship, pinutol ko lang iyon dahil sa cheating. Ang tanga-tanga kong lalaki dahil lang sa ginawa ko iyon sa'yo. Pina-iral ko kasi ang libog ko kaysa sa pag-ibig ko sa iyo, eh. Sobrang sising-sisi ako sa ginawa ko, kung alam mo lang, Denryl.

"Ang gago kong tao. Hindi naman ako pinalaki ni mama nang gano'n, eh. She raised me as a respectful person, to be a dearing person to his partner in life, palaging pinapa-alala na magmahal ng tapat sa taong tapat sa akin. And what did I did? I did the exact opposite. I am a fucking cheater now.

"I was looking forward for our wedding in the future. I had it planned already. I worked hard to earn for our expenses on our wedding day. Nasa plano ko nang papakasalan kita at sasamahan hanggang pagtanda, eh. Pero ano ang ginawa ko? Pina-iral ko lang naman itong tite ko, pinatolan ang ka-trabaho kasi iyon ang malapit, nagpahulog sa bangin ng kalibogan, ilang beses kang pinagtaksilan habang nakatalikod ka sa akin, pinili ang libog kaysa sa pag-ibig ko sa'yo," mahabang salaysay ni Jeimson doon habang nakayuko at basag ang boses. It's hurting him more than anything.

Nakikinig si Denryl, at parang madudurog din ang kaniyang puso sa mga naririnig na salita galing kay Jeimson. Deep in his heart, he knows he still has feelings for this guy. But is that enough upang balikan at patawarin ito?

"I am a pathetic excuse of a perfect son and boyfriend. Tang-ina, kung ako lang din ang nasa posisyon mo, I wouldn't forgive myself for doing that. Ilang taon tayong nagsama, tapos bigla na lang akong nangaliwa kasi hindi ka pa handang punan ang sex life ko? Ang gago kong tao, ‘di ba? Apaka gago ko talaga, tang-ina." Jeimson is pulling his hair as frustration and guilty are consuming him. He couldn't help but succumb to the pit of guilt beside Denryl.

Sa nasaksihan ni Denryl, agad niyang hinagod ang likod nito to calm him down. It also hurts him, seeing Jeimson like that. It seems that Jeimson really regretted cheating with him, at sobrang pinagsisihan ang ginawa.

"You're a great person, Jeimson," ang sabi ni Denryl in a soothing way. His voice feels like lulling him into sleep and worry less. "You're the greatest and understanding boyfriend I could ever have. You cared so much for me, kaya nawala ang pangungulila ko ng isang pamilya. You stood by my side, and that's a nicest thing a guy could do to their lonely partner. I won't sugarcoat your mistake, but that's the only downside in you. Really? Hindi ka ba talaga makahintay bago ako maging handa na i-suko ko sa'yo ang pagkabirhen ko? At sa babae ka pa talaga lumapit?"

Nilabas ni Denryl ang kaniyang saloobin. He's been carrying it since that fateful day.

He sighed and continued. "Though, it wouldn't make any difference kung kanino ka naki-apid. But still, it made me less than a great partner. Parang sobrang kulang ako, at sa isang babae mo lang mahahanp iyong pagku-kulang ko. Wala akong puke, wala ring matres, kaya hindi mo ako masisisi sa mga insecurities ko tungkol sa mga babae. It made me less of a partner---a lowly worth partner for a guy."

Tumulo na ang mga pinipigilang luha ni Denryl sa mga sinabi. Dahil din sa narinig ni Jeimson, it was his breaking point. He cried silently and sorrowfully.

"I really loved you, Jeimson," Denryl said while his tears uncontrollably falling. Ang sakit. Sobrang sakit. "I was ready to stay with you. Forever. But we came to the point that you fractured our relationship by cheating. You ended our fruitful years of relationship just like that, eh."

"I know. I was sorry. I dreaded and regretted it now," agad na salita ni Jeimson, basag ang boses dahil din sa hindi mapigilang luha. Inangat niya ang tingin at sinalubong kay Denryl. Ang mga lumuluhang mga mata nila ngayon ay nagkatagpo. He reached for Denryl's hand, and held it there. "And I am hoping, sana hindi pa huli ang lahat. Sana maayos pa natin ang pagitan sa atin. I will accept everything you would do to me upang mapatawad mo lang, at magsimula tayong muli."

Parang kinurot ang kaloob-looban ni Denryl sa nasisilayan. Jeimson, his ex who cheated, begging and pleading him to make their relationship work again. He likes the idea, but then Laurentius came to his jumbled mind.

Oh, yeah. Laurentius Altarejos. Lately, Laurentius was there to patch his bleeding heart. He was there---although doubtful about his actions---working hard to earn his trust. The guy was always ready to give everything to him and waited for an opportunity.

Ang lito. Nalilito na siya sa sitwasyon niya ngayon. Tang-inang puso naman ito, oh. "What is there to go back and restore, Jeimson?"

"Marami!" Jeimson exclaimed with tears flowing on his flushed cheeks. "Magsimula tayo ng bago. Tayong dalawa, wala nang mga harang sa buhay natin. We could buy a new house and move there, maybe adopt a child and raise them right and morally, live happily as if that mistake of mine didn't happened, and then marry each other," Jeimson listed with a small smile on his face full of tears.

The idea is wonderful. But is that what he wants right now? Will he take Jeimson again? Does that even promise him to never experience a cheating scandal for the second time?

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ANO ANG mas matimbang, isang wasak na puso, dalawang wasak na puso o tatlong wasak na mga puso? Makakaya mo bang pumili? Are you willing lose them to find yourself? To hate them just to love yourself? To lost them to love yourself?

Would you catch a grenade for your certain someone?

Would you die for them?

Can you really love both at the same time just so no one will be left out?

Can you call that selfish?

Paano kung wala namang dapat na pagpilian?

Puwede bang silang dalawa na lang?

P-pero paano kung . . .

Paano kung . . .

Kung . . .

. . . ang Tadhana na ang gumawa ng paraan upang makapili ka na?

Would you be furious and glad at the same time?

Hindi naman sa pinag-o-overthink kita, pero paano nga kung ganoon?

Na may . . . mamamatay?

Is it the longtime boyfriend that became an ex, or the billionaire and unrequited lover?

What if hindi sa kanilang dalawa?

Paano kung ang bida mismo?

What if . . .

. . . demonyo lang talaga ako kaya gawa-gawa ako ng theories sa inyo upang mag-overthink kayo sa susunod na kabanata ng Unexpected Heat?

This is angst with happy ending, so reassured walang tragic na mangyayari. UwU.

Or is it?

xALPHA_SYRICx | SYRICH

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Thank you y'all for reading up until this chapter! It would be so much appreciated if you suggest or promote this story of Denryl and Laurentius to your reader friends.

As you see kasi, I don't usually promote kasi nahihiya ako at insecure pa about my stories.

Please vote, follow this account of mine, and promote this story of mine! Also, please comment about your thoughts about it. 🥺👉👈.

Also, thank you everyone sa pag add ng mga stories ko sa reading lists n'yo. UwU. Ginaganahan talaga akong magsulat ng updates kapag nakikita ko ang stories ko na nakalagay sa reading lists n'yo. HAHAHUHUHUHU.

Iyon lang muna ang kuda ko for this update. Thank you y'all! Love yah! Ingats kayo! Muahx!