When Stars Collide With Hate

Chapter 28

I was lying on my bed waiting for my doom... simula noong kumalat 'yung issue namin ni Raphael ay isang linggo na rin akong hindi pumapasok sa school. I know that would make me look guilty but I don't want to risk it. Still, I'm thankful dahil lahat ng handouts at kailangan sa school ay dinadala niya sa akin para hindi ako bumagsak.

"Hey, Julian," Raphael called saka inabot niya sa akin ang mga handouts. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya. Halata sa kanyang mga mata na lagi siyang puyat. I feel guilty. I'm the reason he's being scrutinize sa school tapos ako 'tong hindi pumapasok. Gusto ko lang magpalamig... para humupa 'yung issue pero lalo lang akong masisiraan ng utak habang naghihintay.

"Okay ka lang ba?" I asked him without averting my gaze. Sobrang nag-aalala ako sa kanya. Alam kong mahirap ang sitwasyon naming dalawa at wala man lang akong magawa para sa amin.

He smiled at me. Kahit nakangiti siya at bakas 'yung pagod sa mukha niya.  "Yeah, I'm fine," sabi niya at hinawakan ang kamay ko. "Makita lang kita, nawawala na ang pagod ko."

"Raphael, seryoso ako." I said, glaring at him. Alam kong sweet siya pero hindi ito 'yung oras para magpaka-sweet siya. He seriously needs to rest.

He held my chin and made me look at him. "I'm serious," he said. "Listen Julian, I don't care what everyone says. You're all that matters."

I smiled. "Thanks... pero magpahinga ka rin. Tignan mo mukha mo—ang laki laki na ng eyebags mo," sabi ko. I just want him to get some rest. Napapabayaan niya na 'yung sarili niya. Mas inuuna niya pa ako palagi. I'm thankful for that pero ayokong magkasakit siya o mapahamak ng dahil sa akin.

I heard him chuckle. Bwiset talaga 'tong gagong 'to. "So, what would you like for dinner?" he asked.

"Ako na," sagot ko. "Pagod ka na. Ako na lang magluluto ng dinner."

"Really?"

"Bakit wala ka bang tiwala sa akin?"

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Meron—"

"'Wag kang magreklamo. Hotdog at itlog lang naman ang lulutuin ko," I cut him off.

Tumawa naman si Raphael. I gave him a middle finger. Tarantadong lalaki 'to. Is he insulting my cooking skills? Well, pinagluto ko siya ng lugaw before and I admitted na hindi naman talaga ako magaling magluto. Pero 'yung basic na prito ay kaya ko naman, noh.

Nagpunta ako sa kusina at binuksan ang ref. Dati puro coke at mga junk food lang naman ng ref ko, ngayon may mga frozen foods na at gulay din. Sabi ni Raphael ay I should try to live a healthy lifestyle kung gusto ko daw mabuhay ng mahaba at makasama pa siya ng mahabang panahon.

I put some oil on the pan and began frying the hotdogs. I was about to flip it when I felt a hug enveloping me from the back.

"Isa! Raphael ha, pag ako natalsikan ng mantika."

"I will be your shield."

"Ulol. Ang corny mo."

"That's why you like me."

"Fuck you—"

I almost fell when he grabbed me close and started kissing me. My eyes widened and I could feel his hands cupping my face. All I knew was that I started kissing him back and getting carried away by the sensation.

"Gago 'yung niluluto ko," I said between our kisses. "Thanks for opening your mouth," he said as I felt his tongue touching mine. "Fifteen seconds more, Julian. Fifteen seconds more."

"Aray," napatigil siya ng paghalik sa akin at napahawak naman ako sa braso ko. "Tignan mo! Natalsikan na ako ng mantika."

He quickly grabbed my shoulder and examined it. "Shit. I'm sorry, Julian."