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CHAPTER THIRTEEN

"HEY, CAN I also see the photos you've captured with your camera?" biglaang salita roon ni Laurentius kay Denryl na abalang tinitignan ang mga kuha niya sa kamera. Agad siyang napabaling sa lalaki na may ngiti pa rin sa labi at nanlaki ng kaunti ang mga mata. Laurentius slides closer to him, at itinuro ang hawak-hawak niyang kamera.

"Oh," Denryl started. "Sure, teka lang. Kunin ko lang ang laptop ko para roon natin matignan ang mga larawan. Wait . . ." Agad na tumayo roon si Denryl at pumasok sa kaniyang cabin.

Laurentius has another mischievous plan to execute right now. Ini-isip niya pa lang, napapangisi na siya. What more fun could it be if you see someone's artworks or hard works drained in the waste? Their face of terror and despair would be pleasing to him, for sure.

Yes. He planned on deleting all of Denryl's taken photos accidentally kuno. There's no harm in doing that, right?

Ilang segundo lang ay bumalik na si Denryl dala ang laptop at connector para nga i-salin ang photos galing sa kamera patungong laptop nito, upang doon panoorin kasi nga wide ang screen nito. Agad na siyang tumabi sa lalaki bago binuhay ang gadget. He connected his camera to his laptop at agad na pinuntahan ng file nito. It loads the photos, bago pinindot niya ang unang photo sa file.

He turned to Laurentius na nakatitig lang sa screen. "This was on the Achilles Cruising," he explains to his companion.

Tumango roon si Laurentius at taimtim na nakikinig. Agad na pinindot ni Denryl ang next pic hanggang sa bumungad sa kaniya ang litrato ni Denryl at ang isang binata. Ito iyong si Leon na nakilala ni Denryl sa cruise patungong Achilles Islands. Sa sobrang kulit nito, pinagtiisan itong kina-usap ni Denryl tungkol sa mga online games at Playstation games.

"Who's that?" Why the fuck does this kid's arm around him? Are they close?

"Oh, that's Leon," sabi niya roon na may malaking ngiti. "He's an annoying guy, pero masarap namang kausap. Although hindi ko na siya nakita rito sa isla, it would be fun kapag nakita ko ulit siya," dagdag pa niya.

Laurentius' brows furrowed as he heard Denryl talked nicely about the guy. He didn't noticed it, but every time Denryl talks or gives anyone but him an attention or nice gestures, he had this scratching feeling inside him.

"Is he a better company than Jeimson?" tanong ni Laurentius doon.

Denryl pursed his lips from the mention of his jerk ex. Tuwing binabanggit ni Laurentius ang pangalan nito, bigla na lang siyang napapatahimik at nagiging awkward. The reminders of him are really agonizingly painful and awkward. Ang sakit pa rin kasi, eh.

Nang hindi ito sumagot sa tanong niya, he turned his head toward him and bumungad sa kaniya ang blanko mukha ngunit namamasang mata ni Denryl. He looks like holding back his tears. He hit him right on the spot. Should he push him more into crying in agony and despair?

"Are you . . . alright?" timid at concern kuno niyang tanong kay Denryl habang hinawakan nito ang balikat.

Agad na ngumiti ng pilit si Denryl sa kaniya na hindi abot sa kaniyang mata, at ibinaling ang tingin sa laptop nito. "No, I'm alright. Haha," pagsisinungaling niya roon with awkward laugh. "Ipagpatuloy na lang natin na tignan itong mga kuha ko. Marami akong kuhang magagandang litrato. Kelly loves them, at sobra niyang inggit. LOL."

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"THAT'S WHAT I ate for dinner the other day with you. I purposely toke a photo to it since you also takes photos of your food. I don't know whether it is for aesthetic something or for bragging," salaysay roon ni Laurentius habang isa-isang pinapakita ni Laurentius ang mga litrato sa camera roll niya, since Denryl asked na ipakita rin niya ang kaniyang mga kuha sa isla.

"Gaya-gaya, ha?" Denryl teased him.

He chuckled and swipe his phone for another taken photo. "And this is my mirror selfie. I sent this to you after you asked if I'm already in my hotel room, right? I was brushing my teeth while chatting you at that time."

"Yeah, you did. How sweet of you to reply habang nagsisipilyo ng iyong ngipin." Tumawa ng mahina si Denryl.

"And . . ." Natigilan silang dalawa nang makita itong partekyular na litrato ni Laurentius sa camera roll.

Nanlaki ang mata ni Denryl at namumulang iniwas ang tingin sa phone ni Laurentius for discretion. Laurentius also awkwardly cleared his throat and swiftly swiped to the next photos like he didn't exposed his throbbing dick to Denryl.

Yes! After his mirror selfie, sumunod ang kuha niyang larawan habang hawak ang maugat, mataba at tigas na tigas nitong pagkalalaki. He forgot that he toke a photo of that and was thinking he should send it to Denryl as a tease.

Sobrang pula ang mukha roon ni Denryl at parang wala nang mukhang ikaharap matapos makita ang ari ng kasama. He had seen and watched porns, but it is so awkward seeing your kakilala's manhood and seeing them everyday. Parang scenario na may kaklase kang may alter Twitter account tapos bigla mong na-discover ang mga pinaggagawa nito roon, pagkabukas hindi mo na siya kayang diritso na matignan at sobrang awkward na siyang kausap knowing nakita mo ang kaniyang pribadong parte. Parang gano'n.

"You were not meant to see that. Let's move on," cool na sabi ni Laurentius, but inside, he was screaming from awkwardness and embarrassment.

Denryl, on the other hand, couldn't remove the mental image of Laurentius' gigantic cock on his mind. Its head was pinkish with a fat body full of bulging veins and a well-trimmed girth. That was huge and would wreck you, if he's being honest.

"So, this is me---hey." Napatigil doon sa pag salita si Laurentius nang makita niyang hindi nakabaling si Denryl sa kaniya. Medyo nakayuko ito roon at medyo nakatalikod sa kaniya.

Tang-ina naman, oh, tarantang isip ni Denryl habang namumula pa rin.

"Are you alright? Is something wrong?" Laurentius checked on him, but he kept on avoiding the guy's curious eyes.

"W-Wala. Parang napuwing lang yata ako," palusot ni Denryl doon na uma-aktong napuwing ang mata. He heard Laurentius scoffed because of how ridiculous his excuse was.

Napuwing ang mata is such an overrated excuse.

"Don't be such a virgin," sabi roon ni Laurentius.

"But I am a virgin," bulong na mahina ni Denryl, at buti hindi narinig ni Laurentius. He doesn't want anyone to know that he's unexperienced about sex.

Nowadays, brags are about body counts and how many dicks they've stuck or penetrated. He's not slut-shaming, but it isn't his cup of tea. Like he said, he'll wait for his wedding for the right man. And then he'll offer his femininity to him wholely.

"What's that?" May narinig si Laurentius na binulong ni Denryl, ngunit hindi niya mawari kung ano iyon. Ang hina kasi ng sinabi ni Denryl.

"Wala. Sabi ko guwapo ka nga, kaso bingi."

Napangisi si Laurentius dahil dito. "So, you think I'm handsome? You find me attractive, is that it?"

Kung posible, lalong namula ang mukha ni Denryl at napa-iwas pa ng tingin kay Laurentius. He did not just said that he's attracted to this straight guy.

"Oh," Laurentius suddenly teases Denryl as he poked his sides. "Let me see your blushing face. I bet you look even cuter."

Fuck. That was the gayest thing to say to your friend---slash enemy.

"Ayoko, stop." Tinago na ni Denryl ang kaniyang mukha sa pagitan ng kaniyang braso at paa.

"Come on, I won't laugh, I promise," tukso pa ni Laurentius while prying Denryl's arms off to see his obviously flushing face.

"Ayoko nga, hindi ako namumula."

"I know you don't, so lemme see your cute face."

Medyo umurong ang pamumula ni Denryl nang marinig ang sinabi ng katabi. Did he just call him cute, really?

"You also think I'm cute, tama ba ang rinig ko?" sabi niya roong nakayuko pa rin.

Fuck, I unconsciously said that? "I, uh, when did I said that? Guys don't find their fellow peers cute," he explained himself and added an awkward chuckles.

That's a typical phrase that any straight and hetero men would say. It sounds meaty and sus.

Umangat ang tingin doon ni Denryl kahit medyo namumula pa ang mukha nito. May nanunukso rin itong tingin na pinupukol kay Laurentius. "Exactly. Only homos compliments their same sex like that," punto roon ni Denryl sabay itinaas-baba ang mga kilay. It irked Laurentius and made his face flushed a little.

Denryl can be such a tease.

"I'm not gay, and you know that," Laurentius stood his point.

"Send proof."

"What?" Nanlaki ang mata ni Laurentius sa narinig.

"Charot lang. Ikaw naman, parang ang seryoso sa buhay. Makaligo na nga lang sa dalampasigan." Biglang tumayo roon si Denryl at dali-daling pumasok sa cabin niya. Nakatungo naman doon si Laurentius at hindi ma-proseso ang nangyari kani-kanina lang.

Did he really teased Denryl like he's liking the fact that the guy is blushing because of him?

His face grimaced but inside, he does love how Denryl reacts to it. Denryl was like a shy teen boy reacting when his crush teases him. Damn, he is cute.

Lalong lumalim ang ekspresyon sa kaniyang mukha at hindi na gusto ang mga pinag-iisip. He's supposed to hate the guy, not find him amusing and cute. Not have fun and quality time with him. Not laugh along with him when the guy tells a funny and corny jokes. Not joke back and tease him back. Not love any moment when he's either around him or when the guy intrudes his thoughts.

Fuck. He now realizes it. Before, if Denryl suddenly popped into his mind, he would despised and curse the fuck out of Denryl's name. He hated it when the guy came into his mind and would repeat like a broken cassette tape. He still hates Denryl---especially how he felt played when he discovered Denryl already had a boyfriend. That's his biggest reason why he should hate Denryl. It's a barrier or a wall to keep him reminded that Denryl was not gonna be his, and will never be his. He had Jeimson.

He's so fucked up. He's so, so fucked it up. Damn.

Is he . . . falling again? But he can't. He shouldn't. It won't happen to him again. He's a dick to Denryl, and would always be a dick. Enemies could not love each other. Let alone have a one-sided love. That's just---that's just pure bullshit.

He humourless laughs to himself. "I'm fucked," sabi niya sa sarili. "This is seriously not happening to me. Again."

But Denryl is available and single now. Yeah, that's right! The reason why Denryl is here was because he's trying to move on from Jeimson. He wanted to forget the remnants of his long-term relationship with Jeimson who just got drained in the waste because the guy cheated on him.

If I were him, I wouldn't cheat on him, isip niya roon. If I were him . . .

Fuck. No, he shouldn't. He can't take risks. They're becoming friends now. Baka biglang masira na nang tuloyan ang koneksyon nila sa isa't-isa kapag bigla silang papasok sa isang relasyon. And it is obvious that Denryl doesn't like him romantically. He sees him as a friend. A reconnected or reconciled friend.

"Maliligo ka rin ba?" Naputol ang kaniyang ini-isip nang biglang lumabas si Denryl sa cabin nito.

Inangat niya ang tingin at bumungad sa kaniya ang maamong mukha ng lalaki. He's wearing a simple black with royal blue sleeves rush guard swimwear and a simple pair of white shorts, and he easily pulled off a cute yet sexy look to his eyes. He even look cute without even trying.

[Balik ko lang kasi tinatamad pa rin akong kulayan siya. DO NOT STEAL! Pangit na nga artworks ko, baka nakawin niyo pa. Pero puwede niyo namang i-save or take a screenshot of it. UwU.]

Denryl looks so gorgeous in his eyes now that he can decipher what his cold heart's been keeping all those years. He was known as a playboy bachelor whose not ready for settling down. But maybe it will change soon. Hopefully, it will lasts until many generations.

"Hoy! Okay ka lang?" Denryl snaps in front of his face, kaya nabalik ang kaniyang wisyo at napatigtig ulit sa lalaki sa kaniyang harapan. "Bigla kang napatulala. Siguro mukha akong diyosa sa paningin mo, ano? UwU. Tama ba ako?"

"W-What?" utal niyang tanong dito. He playfully eyes Denryl with a judging stare. "Ambisyosa, yes. That's the right word."

Natawa naman doon si Denryl sa sinabi niya. "Gago ka talaga. Ilusyunada lang yata," natatawang sabi ni Denryl sabay hampas sa kaniyang braso ng dala nitong tuwalya. Napatawa na rin siya ng mahina roon.

No, you really looked like a goddess of feminity . . .

He stood there at tinitigan si Denryl. The guy kinda looks short beside him, but he's sure they'll look good together.

"You said maliligo ka sa dagat? Can I join in?" aniya rito.

Hinampas siya ni Denryl sa kaniyang dibdib ng mahina. "Dapat lang 'no. Para naman akong ano kapag ako lang nag-iisang naliligo habang nanonood ka lang sa unahan."

"Great. Let's go." Unconsciously, he threw his arm around Denryl's shoulder at agad silang pumanhik sa unahan na may mga beach cottages. Denryl on the other hand, is kinda uncomfortable since ngayon lang ulit uma-akbay itong lalaki sa kaniya for the past years. He's not used to this. Ang lapit naman kasi ng katawan nila!

Naglalakad silang dalawa habang prenti lang na naka-akbay si Laurentius kay Denryl. Hinayaan na lang ito ni Denryl kalaunan since mukhang magwa-warm up na talaga sa kaniya ang dating kaibigan. He love these simple gestures.

They headed straight sa malapit na pier ng dalampasigan. Denryl didn't bring a lot of things kaya inilatag lang niya sa ibabaw ng kahoy na daongan ang mga dalang gamit. It was just his glasses, phone, cabin keys at isang libro.

"Do you want me to put a sunscreen on you? I can do it for you, if you want," biglaang alok doon ni Laurentius at itinanggal ang akbay sa kasama.

"Wala akong sunscreen na dala." Denryl just shrugged and said in determined voice, "I say fuck it. Sunburn na kung sunburn, basta palatandaan iyan na nag-enjoy ako sa bakasyon 'kong ito."

"You're not afraid to be tanned and get sunburns?" manghang tanong niya sa kaharap. Most of the tourists wouldn't like getting sunburns and all, and this particular guy is different. He finds sunburns as souvenirs to this vacation of his. Interesting.

"Bakit naman? Mawawala naman ng ilang araw, eh. Tsaka tan is always a sexy skin tone to Americans and other countries," Denryl confidently said.

"So, technically speaking, you wouldn't mind getting hickeys around your neck and all over your body since it will be gone after days? Am I right?" Laurentius tests the waters. He doesn't know, maybe Denryl likes to be flirted. Like that asshole Romero did.

"I mean, hickey is another reminder that you enjoyed your partner in bed. To some. To some, ha, kasi hindi ko nilalahat," paliwanag sa kaniya ng kasama.

"So, if I were to put hickeys on you and leave a mark on you, you wouldn't mind?"

xALPHA_SYRICx | SYRICH

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Sorry, delayed and update ng iaang araw. Kasi naman, nilalagnat ako at dapat daw dalawang updates. HUHU. Rest assured na dalawang chapters ang i-a-update ko this week. Para naman makabawi ako sa inyo. UwU.

Sa susunod na kabanata, mukhang the tables will turns. Coldness will turn into heat. Friendship will turn into something more. Lips will be molded perfectly. Basta. WAHAHABAHAHA.

Mukhang mabilis ang pangyayari, pero ang dami ko rin naman kasing time skip churvalo something. Tapos goal ko talaga ay until chapter 23 langs tas epilogue na. UwU.

Anygays, iyon langs. I hope you like this update. UwU. Kung hindi, sorreh nilalagnat ako habang sinusulat ito. Pero kinilig naman akers habang nagsusulat, lalo na sa next chapter. UwU. Ingats kayo! Love yah! Muahx!