Chapter 6

/ DAL LUBOMIR /

I saw familiarity in his eyes. A heaviness filled in my chest, thinking he might remember who I was. Ilang segundo lang kaming nagkatitigan bago siya muling nagsalita.

"You're that famous photographer, right?" Tanong niya.

For a second, I was planning how to respond in case he recognized me as the guy he kissed in the bar. But hearing what he asked, nawala kaagad ang kabang nararamdaman ko.

But how could he not remember?

Whatever! If he didn't remember, then let's just pretend I didn't remember as well.

"Dal Lubomir," pakilala ko sa sarili saka inilahad ang isang kamay. He didn't think twice about shaking hands with me. "You probably heard my issues if you knew me," kaswal kong sabi saka ngumiti.

His hand was warm and soft, and his fingers were longer than mine. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang maalala kung paano niya kinabig ang batok ko noong gabing 'yon.

Easy, Dal. This guy doesn't even know what he did to you!

"So are you."

Err... How could I not know when I was that guy. Hindi ko rin naman alam na may paparazzi pala sa paligid. It was a good thing na hindi kita ang mukha ko, and it was also obvious that the person behind it was targeting this man.

Should I be glad that only his face was revealed?

I heaved a sigh.

"Issues," bulong ko sa hangin sabay tawa ng bahagya. People really love issues, especially when they're downgrading someone else's reputation. "Tsk!"

"Was it true? You don't look like you could harm a woman."

I slowly looked in his direction. He no longer examines me; he's now looking at the breathtaking view in front, and his side profile met my gaze.

"You.." I really don't know what to say. I was drowned by how handsome he looked. I could even see the reflection of the sea in his eyes. "Woah!" I blurted out, dahilan para tumingin siya sa gawi ko.

"So?"

Without thinking further, I blurted out some random compliments that came across my mind. "You're really handsome."

Pareho kaming natahimik, at huli na para bawiin ko pa ang sinabi ko. Sa totoo lang, matagal ko na gustong kuhanan ng litrato si Leox, but his schedule was always full, and whenever I had the opportunity, my confidence would always backfire. Now, I'm staring at a perfect masterpiece, but I can't do anything about it. What a shame.

He's really handsome.

"Salamat. I've seen your works, Mister Lubomir, and I could say that you really are talented," he complimented me back.

Sanay na yata siya sa papuri, bakit pa ba ako magtataka eh isa siya sa mga bigating artista. He has everything. Wala nga yata siyang kapintasan sa pisikal na kaanyuan.

"Salamat," tugon ko.

Itinigil ko na ang pagtitig sa kanya at tinignan ang paligid. Pareho kaming dalawa na may eskandalo at kung may makakita man sa amin dito, talagang magiging headline na naman ito sa balita.

"It's nice meeting you here in Lindenvale, Mister Solace. But you know it's not a good idea if people see us together, so I have to go. Bye!"

I'm just being careful. What if people saw us two here? Baka sila pa ang makapag-isip na ako ang lalaking kasama niya sa bar.

But damn! I hope he's staying here in Lindenvale for good. I wanted to have a deeper talk with this guy, but we're in an open area and people might see us. Talking about opportunity and the situation... Tsk!

When I was about to turn around and leave, Acheron stopped me midway. His warmth immediately enveloped my wrist and when he let go, the warm feeling lingered in that area.

"Sorry, I startled you. We're actually at the back of my house. Would you mind having breakfast inside?" I could feel reluctance in his eyes. Na para bang mahihiya siya kapag humindi ako sa kanya.

I already had coffee and toast this morning, dahil maagang umalis si Leum. Ito lang din ang nakasanayan kong agahan dahil palagi akong kapos sa oras. Whenever I feel like eating, I just order food from the restaurant or buy some instant food at a nearest convenience store.

But I ended up accepting his request. Who am I to say no? It's Leox Acheron Solace! It's actually an opportunity!

"Wow! Hindi ako makapaniwala. Lumabas ka lang saglit at pagbalik mo may dala kang lalaki."

"Hindi lang basta lalaki ang dala niya, Bobby."

"He's the famous photographer."

"Tsk! Manahimik nga kayong tatlo. Akala ko ba babalik kayo agad? What took you all so long to leave my house?"

There wasn't any hint of irritation in his voice. He's even calmer than I expected. Nang pumasok kami sa bahay niya, bumungad sa akin ang tatlong tao na pare-pareho ang naging reaksyon nang makita ako—gulat at pagtataka.

It turns out that they are Acheron's crew. Akala ko mahihirapan akong kausapin sila, but the three of them are just like him. Seems like it's true that good people attract good people. They were so chatty while I was eating. It's a good thing na hindi ko tinanggihan ang alok na breakfast ni Acheron. I already wasted a lot of opportunities back then; I can't afford wasting another this time.

Acheron and I had breakfast in his house. At first, it was too awkward for me because all of this were too sudden. Meeting him unexpectedly, having a talk, and having a breakfast with him happened in just one day.

Then afternoon came. Nakaalis na ang crew nito kanina at naiwan kaming dalawa. Sa totoo lang, wala akong balak bumalik sa bahay ko. There's nothing there, and besides, Acheron's house is so warm that I wanted to stay longer.

"Have some beer," alok nito sabay lahad ng beer in a can. "You're older than me, right?"

Uhh, hindi ako updated sa edad niya, but yeah, I'm older than him.

"It's just a beer," sabi ko na lang at binuksan ang hawak at uminom.

Nandito kami sa veranda ng bahay niya, nagpapahangin. Kaharap namin ang malawak na karagatan na ngayo'y payapa na. Sa 'di kalayuan, tanaw mo ang ilang puno ng niyog at mga Roma.

"How are you coping with the issue?" Marahan ang boses nito at para bang sinadya niya akong hindi biglain sa naging tanong niya. He's being considerate knowing that we only met this morning. "Yours is more serious than mine that is why I am asking."

I ran my fingers through my hair out of anxiousness. I didn't expect him to ask me about that topic and I don't have plan on telling him my situation. There is no use in knowing what's going on in my life.

I wanted to laugh. Acheron is so handsome, and I only have his attention now. Unfortunately, nothing lasts long with me. This warmth feeling will fade away by tomorrow.

"Unwinding," pag-ak na tugon ko sabay lagok ng beer. "How about you?"

Naramdaman ko ang lingon nito sa gawi ko. "I forgot the person I was with that night and I am having a hard time remembering him. But one thing I am sure about is that his eyes were so beautiful and captivating."

Wow! He's making me feel overwhelmed here. I can even feel my ears heating up.

"His eyes were captivating, but I sensed something behind those beauty... it's the lack of joy."

This guy is really something. I acted like I wasn't affected by how he described my precious eyes. Above anything else, it was my orbs that he couldn't forget.

"So, are you looking for him? I mean, he's part of this whole scandal thing," I leaned on the wooden railing. Hands on my cheek, I stared at the masterpiece beside me.

As far as I remember, he hates hard drinks. Kaya ba beer ang iniinom namin ngayon? Jeezz. Will there be a second time with that kiss?

Fuck! I'm going nuts here while the other person is oblivious.

"Nagulat din ako sa balita mo. You've been known as the holy prince of Crown Entertainment, and then this issue happened. People were criticizing you to the core and then you're worried about the guy's sadness in his eyes? I mean, aren't you afraid that your reputation might be ruined?"

Kasi gano'n naman talaga dapat eh! His image is the priority here. What if hindi na siya makabalik sa industry? Mapupunta lang sa wala ang pinaghirapan niya.

"Maybe it's time to tell people that I am not holy as they think I am. I'm merely a human being."

I think the drink takes its toll in his system. Namumula na ang mukha nito at mapupungay na rin ang mga mata. Turns out that he has a low tolerance for alcohol.

"Pfft. You know what, Acheron? You're actually a kind person and it's making me feel sick even more," bulong ko sa hangin.

Muli akong tumingin sa harapan at saka doon ko lang napansin na magtatakip-silim na. Grabi, ang bilis ng oras. Parang kaunti pa lang ang napag-uusapan namin. Kaya rin siguro nalasing itong kasama ko.

"Time flies so fast. It's starting to get dark, and it's time for me to leave. Thank you for the warm welcome in your house, Acheron."

Tumayo ako at akmang aalis na but I heard him whispering. I wanted to pretend I didn't hear it, but I don't want to be rude.

"What?" I asked him, and because his head was bowed down a little, I came close to him so that I could hear what he said. "Ano?"

I've been wearing a mask all along and I can say that it's a very tricky move to talk to a person like Acheron while pretending.

He suddenly raised his head, and it made my heart pound so fast.

"Dal, by any chance... do you like men?"

- B M -