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CHAPTER TWENTY

AGAD NA bumalik si Denryl sa kaniyang cabin kung saan naroroon si Laurentius. Mabibigat ang kaniyang mga paa habang lumilikha siya ng hakbang palayo sa daongan kung nasaan ang dating kasintahan. It felt heavy inside him, too, but he knows he already made a decision.

He made it. He has fully let go of Jeimson. He chose Laurentius. And he hopes this isn't a wrong decision to make.

Tanaw na niya ang sariling cabin. Nakita niyang nakatayo roon si Laurentius sa labas, hinihintay ang kaniyang pagbabalik. His emotion was kinda down, pero it lit up nang maramdaman nito ang paparating na presensiya ni Denryl. Tinakbo na ni Denryl ang natitirang hakbang kay Laurentius na may ngiti sa labi. His eyes shown happiness even though the redness from crying is imminent on it.

"Denz."

"Law."

Denryl pounces and throws his weight on him. Sinalo na lang siya ni Laurentius ng walang kahirap-hirap. Agad na pinulupot ni Denryl ang kaniyang mga binti sa katawan ni Laurentius, at ang lalaki ay inalalayan siya baka mahulog.

"We look so cringe right now, pero wala na akong paki-alam," ang natatawang saad ni Denryl.

"What happened? Why're your eyes puffy and red? Did he hurt you, is that it?" ang maraming tanong sa kaniya ni Laurentius.

Laurentius careless smiles at him.

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Kinuha pabalik ni Denryl ang kaniyang kamay kay Jeimson. He bitterly smiled to him.

"Would that guarantee me a life without doubts? Buhay na hindi matatakot sa posibilidad na mangaliwa ka ulit? Because one thing I'm paranoid about; it is cheating. I got that trauma from you, thank you," salaysay ni Denryl doon. Nawala ang maliit na ngiti ni Jeimson dahil sa narinig.

"I still love you, Denryl. Nothing changed," Jeimson pathetically exclaimed.

That was full of bullshit. And Denryl would believe that?

"You indeed love me," panimula ni Denryl. "But you lack of loyalty. That loyalty enough can guarantee me a better future in our relationship, pero wala, eh. It is too much to ask for your loyalty?"

"May bago ka ba? Is it Altarejos, ano? Nakita ko pa siyang nakahubad ng pang-itaas. Siguro may milagro kayong ginawa, ano?" Jeimson continuesly asks him with a hint of anger in his voice. The nerve.

"That's not considered cheating since tinapos ko na ang mayroon sa atin bago pa may mangyari sa amin dito sa isla, Jeimson. Ano ang gusto mong ipahiwatig?"

"Sa kaniya handa kang bumukaka, pero sa akin? Marriage muna? Where's the fairness in that?" katanongan pa ni Jeimson.

"So ang makantot mo lang ako ang habol mo sa akin? Iyan ba ang gusto mong ipahiwatig?" Denryl was flabbergasted by it. "Tang-ina mo, fuck you!"

"Denryl, naman. You know it wasn't that," ani Jeimson.

"It seems like it."

Ang tahimik ng paligid. Silang dalawa lang ang bumabasag ng katahimikan ng paligid. Kung may makarinig man sa kanilang ibang turista, he doesn't care anymore. Lubog na lubog na siya sa sitwasyon upang problemahin pa iyon.

"We can work things naman, eh."

"You didn't read it loud and clear, don't you?" naghahamong tanong doon ni Denryl. He's giving hints na hindi na siya babalik sa relasyon with Jeimson. Hindi na niya kaya ang ganoong set-up. It is like a suicide mission to be one again. "Ayoko nang may namamagitan sa atin, Jeimson. Why can't you move on, and then find someone out there? There is always someone out there that can give love and a good fuck for you. And maybe, hindi mo na iisiping mangaliwa sa kaniya."

"So, naka-move on ka na? Kay Laurentius, ano? May namamagitan ba sa inyo? Do you love him?"

Jeimson always wanted answers. He doesn't want to let go of Denryl kung marami pa siyang tanong sa pagitan nilang dalawa. There's so many questions left unanswered.

"I don't know . . ." bulong na sagot ni Denryl at hindi makatingin kay Jeimson. Even he can't answer that question.

"You should know!" Jeimson exclaimed. "Ano ang sinisigaw ng puso mo? Pakiramdaman mo ang puso mo kung paano mo ginawa ang desisyon na hindi makipagbalikan sa akin. Ano ang sinisigaw nito?"

Denryl ponders for a moment. There's always that feeling whenever he and Laurentius interacts. His heart beats irregularly whenever the mention of Laurentius, even his scent, voice, presence or likeness. Is that the sign that he's in love with Laurentius?

"I think . . ."

"I think what?" tanong ni Jeimson doon.

"I think I do am in love with Laurentius," bulong ni Denryl sa hangin. Narinig naman ito ni Jeimson.

"That's unfair." Jeimson's voice sounds defeated. "But who am I upang pigilan ang nararamdaman mo sa kaniya?"

"Ano ang ibig mong sabihin?" Napa-angat ang tingin ni Denryl at sinalubong ang mga tingin ni Jeimson.

"It might be hard---no. It will be hard, ngunit I will try to let you go," nahihirapan na salita ni Jeimson, and tears started to cascade down on their cheeks again. Is this their final good-bye? "If he's your happiness now, why would I forbade you with it? Kung sa kaniya ka na masaya, go with him. But promise me one thing; you should cherish each other. Ibigin n'yo ang isa't-isa kahit may mga balakid sa relasyon n'yo. Huwag n'yong hayaan na masira ito dahil lang sa iba."

"I will," ang na-iiyak na sagot ni Denryl sa dating kasintahan. "Thank you, Jeimson. Now, I can totally let go of you. Dahil sa relasyon natin ay may ka-agapay ako sa mga nakaraang masalimuot na taon. Naramdaman ko ang pagmamahal at umibig pabalik dahil sa'yo. I wish things shouldn't have ended like this between us."

"Before you leave, can I get a last kiss?" biglang hinging pabor sa kaniya ni Jeimson.

Nagulat man sa request ng ex, he agreed on the end.

Both of them leaned to each other, until their lips met. Banayad lang ang halik nila, hanggang sa naging mapusok ngunit suwabe ito. Denryl can feel the emotions from Jeimson's kisses. Ramdam niyang todo bigay ito dahil huling halik na nila ito bago pakawalan ang isa't-isa. Jeimson deepened their kiss, at hinayaan n'ya lang ito.

Hindi tulad noon na may nararamdaman siya sa halik nila. Ngayon ay parang wala lang ang halik nila. There was no sparks anymore.

And at last, pinutol na nila ang halikan upang lumanghap ng hangin.

"Thank you again, Denryl. I will never forget you, and I'm glad that we met and became lovers," nasasaktan na sabi roon ni Jeimson, ngunit may genuine na ngiti sa mukha. Ngumiti rin si Denryl dito bago tumayo na.

"I hope you'll find the right person and live happily, Jeimson. You're not bad for a boyfriend, but that cheating needs to be gone kapag nagsimula ka ulit sa isang relasyon," Denryl said as he smiled again. "I'm gonna get my man now. Thank you again."

"Go get him."

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Ngumiti lang ng malaki si Denryl at hinalikan ng panandalian si Laurentius. "No, you idiot. Tinapos ko na ang namamagitan sa amin ni Jeimson. He can fuck anyone he wants, I can love you from this moment on," sagot niya dito.

"Really? What does that mean?" tanong pa ni Laurentius. Deep inside, he was praying that he can get the answer to his pries and hopes.

"I want to be your boyfriend. I want us to be officially boyfriends," Denryl announced with a biggest and brightest smiles he gave to Laurentius.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Laurentius, and just like that, nagkatagpo ulit ang mga labi nila. Nagsalo sila ng ma-init na halik na puno ng pag-ibig at pagnanasa na kahit sino ay hindi makakapigil. Natigil lang ang halik nila upang maghabol sila parehas ng hininga. Okay, maybe taking a breathe might stop them from sharing a heated kiss.

"Thank you, Denryl . . ." Laurentius said out of breath. "You made me so happy today, as being your boyfriend. I really promise, I will love you right, I will serve you right, I will give the best fuck you'll ever experience and the unconditional loyalty a man could give to their partner. I know a man like me don't deserve such an angel like you, but a man like me can give you the world an angel like you deserves."

"I'll take that," natatawang sabi ni Denryl. "And thank you. I hope hindi mo kakainin ang mga pinagsasabi mo. There will be awful consequences, Mister Altarejos. Makikita mo talaga."

"We are both full grown adults, Mister Alcanzare. I don't want to play and fool around anymore, and just settle down with you."

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ILANG ARAW na lang bago matapos ang two-week vacation ni Denryl sa Achilles Islands Resort. He'll surely miss this magnificent place.

Sa islang ito nabuo ang bagong pag-iibigan nila ni Laurentius. Itong Isla ang saksi kung paanong tuloyang lumaya ang puso niya kay Jeimson. Dito rin unang nagsalo ng unang halik sina Denryl at Laurentius. And of course, shared their first heat of the moment. An unexpected heat they didn't expect.

Sa huling araw ni Denryl sa isla ng Niu Nui island, bumili siya ng mga souvenirs para sa mga kaibigan niya back in the city. Gamit ang pera ng boss niya, binilhan n'ya rin ito ng palamuti na bagay sa office nito. Para siyang Tita galing abroad at bumibili ng kung anong pasalubong para sa mga kakilala nito at pamilya.

And of course, hindi niya makakalimutan na bilhan ng souvenirs ang best friend niyang si Kelly at ang pamilya nito na nagtayong ikalawang pamilya niya rin for the past years. Pati na iyong bunsong lalaki nito.

Laurentius helped him picked the most beautiful shell necklaces, bracelets and keychains for his office mates. Bumili rin sila ng pagkain na perfect for pasalubong.

Ang rami na nilang i-uuwi!

Both of them are looking forward for their lives as they go back to their home city. Kasama nilang haharapin ang mga sagabal o balakid ng pag-iibigan nilang dalawa. Tama nang ipinagkait ng galit at selos ni Laurentius ang magkaroon ng masayang relasyon kay Denryl, at sumaya na ng tuloyan.

Laurentius didn't expect to end up loving Denryl. Akala niya habang-buhay na niyang kakamuhian ang kasalukoyang kasintahan. Dala rin ng tulak ng kaibigan nitong si Paul, lalo niya pang kinamumuhian si Denryl at ang mala-perpektong relasyon nito kay Jeimson. Hindi niya rin inasahan na maghihiwalay ang dalawa dahil sa cheating scandal ni Jeimson.

Laurentius is a player, alright, but he would never cheat or double-time some women. Hindi siya ganoong lalaki.

Their last remaining days, sabay na nag-explore ang dalawa sa buong isla ng Niu Nui island and created a lot of memories together. Gusto sana ni Laurentius na dalhin si Denryl sa Desire island, kaso nga lang ang inosente nito para sa makasalanang islang iyon. Kahit ipakain mo pa raw ng ilang balde ng sili si Denryl, hinding-hindi siya pupunta roon. Too bad, kung nandito lang iyong matalik na kaibigan ni Denryl na si Kelly, baka roon na gusto nitong tumira. Eh, sa babae'ng Kantot-Kalimot nga ito. Bagay na bagay ito sa karatig isla ng resort.

Laurentius booked at the finest diner that the island could offer, and toke Denryl to a date there. Nagsalo sila ng gabing puno ng ngiti, tawa, maraming flustered faces at init ng laman sa ilalim ng kumot ni Denryl. It was a rollercoaster ride full of emotions.

Inamin din ni Laurentius na siya ang nagbigay ng vacation package at stolen photos niya kay Jeimson. He just did that before na hindi nag-iisip dahil gusto n'ya raw niyang i-sabutahe ang bakasyon ni Denryl. He thinks it would be fun to see Denryl and Jeimson at Achilles Islands Resort na nag-a-away lang, before. Alam n'yo na, nagbakasyon nga si Denryl upang iwasan muna ang buhay lungsod at ma-relax ang isip sa ex, tulak din ng boss niya.

He regretted that at humingi ng tawad kay Denryl. Akala nito magagalit si Denryl, ngunit his man assured him that it was alright. But he also said that it was really a dick move to do that. That was also a childish move for Laurentius to pull to Denryl.

Halos ayaw nang umalis ni Laurentius doon sa resort dahil gusto niyang manatili sa paraisong iyon kasama si Denryl. But both knew that they have jobs to make, and for Denryl to make money happen. CEO ng Atlas Corp. si Laurentius, habang secretary si Denryl sa CEO ng Millers' Trade Company.

Laurentius insisted that hindi na kailangang magtrabaho ni Denryl. He could give him money, supports him financially and just live in his own penthouse rent-free. Ayaw ni Denryl sa mga ganoon kahit pa noong freshmen pa sila sa college, kaya tumanggi siya sa alok ng lalaki. He likes it when he earned the salary or money itself, and not rely to someone.

Laurentius was left defeated, but that doesn't stops him. He's so gonna spoil Denryl every chance he could get with his money. His beautiful angel deserves everything he receives. Magmumukha mang sugar daddy, wala na itong paki. Heck, he is willing to be called sugar daddy para lang ibigay ang mga luho kay Denryl. That's how obsessed and has fallen in love he is to Denryl.

"Naka-impake ka na ba?" ang tanong ni Denryl kay Laurentius noong matapos i-lock ang cabin niya.

His cabin holds a lot of memory. It has witnessed how they've grown into each other and shared the hottest night of their life.

"Yup, and ready to go," ang sagot doon ni Laurentius na may malaking ngiti sa labi.

Lumapit si Denryl kay Laurentius and tip his toes a bit upang ma-abot ang lalaki bago hinalikan sa mga labi. They shared a brief kiss bago naghiwalay.

"I will definitely miss this paradise." He sighed in contentment.

Biglang inilapit siya ni Laurentius at pinulupot ang kamay nito sa kaniyang beywang. "We'll be back soon, don't be down," sabi roon ni Laurentius.

"We will."

"Should we go? We might miss our flight if tatagal pa tayo rito," pag-iba ng topiko ni Laurentius.

Damn. Mas sexy ang boses niya kapag nagta-Tagalog. "Oo nga. May flight pa tayong hahabolin."

Laurentius snaked his hands to Denryl's, and they held each other's hands as they walk. May mga curious na mata ang nakatingin sa direksyon nila, ngunit wala na silang paki. No one would die kung maghawak lang ang dalawang lalaki ng kamay. There's a lot more pressing matters in the world than homosexuality. Why don't we start with world hunger?

Binalik ni Denryl ang mga susi ng cabin at golf cart niya, bago sila naghintay sa daongan para sa Achilles Cruising. Marami-rami ang mga turistang uuwi ngayon na naghihintay kasama nila roon.

Hindi nagtagal, dumating na ang cruise ship na kanilang sasakyan pa-alis ng Achilles islands. Pinangako nila na babalik sila ulit dito. The resort was truly a perfect vacation spot to any locally or tourists. He'd rate it a 4.7 out of 5.

Dumaong ang cruise ship sa seaport ng Balingasag, at agad silang sumakay ng taxi paparoon sa Laguindingan Airport. And there, they waited for their plane to arrive papa-uwi sa kanila.

They hopped on the plane to their destination at umupo sa nakatalagang seats nila. Denryl scolded Laurentius noong gusto nito sa business class, kaya sa economy class lang sila. Laurentius hates economy class dahil pangit ang service, pero enjoyable naman ang flight nila dahil nasa tabi niya si Denryl. Tinutukso niya ito at todo naman ito ma-inis, kaya nagbabangayan silang parang mga bata sa eroplano.

xALPHA_SYRICx | SYRICH

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Na-fe-feel n'yo bang parang patapos na ang story nila Denryl at Laurentius? Mali! Dadalhin ko pa kasi kayo sa drama ng buhay ni Laurentius and his family. If you recalled, noong college days nila ay si Denryl ang palaging nasasabihan at nalalapitan ni Laurentius tungkol sa family issues niya, as mentioned sa flashbacks.

A little story time (kahit naman ma-i-include ito sa story flashbacks ni Luziano soon), he was kicked out by his parents nang malamang homosexual siya. Nang time na iyon, nasa pangalan na ni Luziano ang kompanya nila sa America, kaya hindi na nababawi ang kompanya ng Dad nila sa kaniya.

Bakit ba tini-threaten ng mga magulang sa stories ang mga anak nila na babawiin ang kompanya kung nasa kanilang pangalan na ang malaking persyento nito at CEO na sila ng minana nilang company? For pressure lang sa plot, gano'n? Nasa name na nila ang kompanya kaya wala nang magagawa ang mga magulang nilang dating may-ari nito, hoy. Charot AHAHAHAHAHHA.

So, iyon nga. HUHUHUHUHU. I can't focus na magsulat dito, dahil occupied ang isipan ko sa Wild Stampede Series ko, like, I started the series 1 no'ng Monday, and mayroon nang 5 chapters with 1.5k word counts each sa drafts ko. Nati-thrilled kasi ako kasi cowboy2x at sa Mindanao pa ang mismong lugar nila. Promotion to our province, Bukidnon! UwU.

Here's a sneak peak illustration ng bida sa first installment sa series, si Rusty Villarta. UwU.

Ang Wild Stampede Series akong sure na magkaka-self publish soon kasi pocket books sizes lang sila tapos short stories. UwU. Puros gay/MM/BxB/BL romance iyan sila na cowboy trope, ha!

Ang kuda ko na. Iyon na muna ang iku-kuda ko. Anygays, thank for being here up until now! Sobrang appreciate ko talaga y'all! Hindi ako magsasawang magsasabi na I really appreciate all of your reads, support, comments and follows, guys. Ingats kayo! Love y'all! Muahx!