Chapter Forty-Five
Grey's POV
I sat down and sighed as I dropped to the ground under the tree. I look around and sip water from the bottle I've bought. Drinking the water makes me relax and less tired and tensed as well. The stress of the surroundings and too many people are giving me a hard time.
We just finished performing, and I was able to change my clothes into comfortable ones. I look around, watching as people walk by or the players.
I have nothing to do now. JC, who is a bit like my friend, is now playing volleyball. Then no other. I don't have any friends. I actually would rather not have many friends than be with a lot of people who I treat as my friends but who talk sh*t about me when I face my back at them.
I tapped my foot on the ground. What should I do now? Wait? Until the day ends, I can go home.
I feel so bored!
I looked down and sighed.
But my brows furrowed when I saw a small basketball roll over my foot. I look up to see a little boy running towards me to grab his toy.
"Sorry po kuya," he said while holding the ball cutely. His big, doe-eyed eyes dominate his face's appearance.
"Okay, lang," I said, giving him a small smile.
"Jino! Ano ba naman 'yan! Diba sabi ko 'wag kang malikot?!" A lady who assumed to be the little boy's mom came rushing in our direction.
She kneeled down as level as the little boy and wiped his sweats.
"Mama naman kasi eh! Ayaw ko naman sa faculty lang. Wala ka pati doon," the little boy said. I can't really see his expression, but I can tell that he is pouting right now.
"Diba sabi ko, busy si mama. Sa faculty ka nalang muna," the mom replied.
"But I want to play!" The little boy whined, stomping his feet on the ground. The mom looked so pissed, but when she looked at me, she smiled at her son.
"What if... makipag-play ka nalang kay kuya?" My eyes widened a bit when the mother pointed at me. The little boy slowly looked at me and nodded.
"Yes, mama! Gusto ko!" The little boy replied, making me freeze at my spot.
The mom stood up, reaching for something in her pocket-it was a phone.
"Taga saang school ka, hijo?" the mom asked me, my lips parted. I am not prepared for an interview with a parent today.
I gulped, "University of Saint Villa po..." I replied, tensed up.
"Anong year mo na?" she asked once again.
"Third year po," I replied, then pursed my lips a little.
"Pwede bang ikaw muna ang magbantay kay Jino? Busy kasi ako, coach ako ng girl's basketball. Hindi ko siya mababantay," she asked. I looked at the little boy, who was innocently looking at me. As if he is begging me to agree using his puppy eyes.
I pursed my lips and nodded. "Sure, maam, I'll take care of him," I replied. The mother's face lit up, and I pulled her phone out.
"Ano bang pangalan mo hijo? Cellphone number mo na rin para madali ko kayong mahanap?" She asked.
I pulled out my phone and showed her my number.
"Rarfael Grey Chua po," I said while she was getting my phone number.
But she stopped and looked at me. "Chua ka? Anak ng may ari ng malaking kumpanya dito sa Pilipinas? Yung kumpanya ng sasakyan?" I am actually amused because she knows about that.
I nodded. "Yes, ma'am, is there a problem?" I was anxious for a bit.
She looked at her son, then back at me.
"Sigurado ka ba na okay lang? Baka hindi ka sanay sa bata? Baka mahirapan ka? Hindi ka ba player?" she continuously asked. I chuckled and shook my head.
"No, ma'am, I'm not a player. And I think I can handle a kid. Hindi naman po mukhang makulit si Jino, eh?" I said, smiling while looking at the little boy.
"Oh sige, salamat Rafael. Tatawagan nalang kita kapag hindi na ako busy. Iniilagay ko na rin ang cellphone number ko d'yan in case na may kailangan si Jino," she said, and I nodded as she handed back my phone.
She once again kneeled down to level her son.
"Be a good boy, ha? Huwag makulit kay kuya," she said, kissing her son's forehead. She stood up and thanked me before leaving us and her son.
I watch as she leaves before looking down at the little boy. I sighed, fixing my pants and pulling them up so I could squat down to the little boy's level.
"Hello," I said, and the little boy just looked at me and blinked his eyes.
I scolded myself for not being good at socializing. Ang awkward tuloy namin ng bata.
"I'm Kuya Grey; I'll be the one to take care of you today," I said, and the little boy nodded.
"Ako naman po si Jino, ang aalagaan niyo ngayon," he replied, making me smile. I ruffled his hair and stood up.
I was about to ask him a question when someone suddenly called him.
"Grey!" I look up to see Code running in our direction. As he arrived in front of me, he started panting.
It took him a minute to regain his normal breathing. He looked up and wiped his sweat.
"Ang ganda ng sayaw niyo kanin," he said and I chuckled, nodding.
"Maganda rin kanta niyo kaninalt" I said, throwing back the compliment.
"Alam ko, andun ako eh," he cockily said, and I rolled my eyes.
"Anong balak mo? Hindi ka naman player. Tara sa banyo, mabilis lang." Agad napakunot ang noo ko,
"Banyo? Bakit?" Taka kong tanong,
Napatawa siya nang pagak, "Grey naman, parang hindi alam kung ano ang gagawin natin." As he was about to drag me away, I immediately pulled my hands.
"No! Can't you see na may bata?!" Agad kong itinuro si Jino. Nagbaling siya ng tingin sa bata at agad nanlaki ang mata niya.
"Sino 'yang batang 'yan?! Anak mo!?" Agad akong napa-irap habang si Jino naman ay humahagikhik sa tabi ko.
"Grey, ha! Hindi pa ako handa sa ganiyan! Papanagutan naman kita, 'wag kang mag-alala. Pero hindi pa ako handa, eh?" he said, hugging himself. I rolled my eyes and hit him on the shoulders.
"Sira! Pinabantayan lang siya sa akin ng isang coach. Hindi ko siya anak! At lalong hindi natin siya anak." I said, emphasizing the word 'natin'. Napa-ismid si Code at nagpameywang.
"So ano? Anong balak natin? Kasi hindi naman ako player. I have nothing to do. And I'm hoping you too." He said, and for the third and not last time, I rolled my eyes.
"Edi tulungan mo ako alagaan si Jino. Simple as that. Babantayan natin siya." I said, he looked down at Jino before pushing his hair back.
"Fine, I like kids naman," he said, squatting down and smiling at Jino.
"Hi, little boy, what's your name?" he asked, caressing the little boy's hair. But Jino bit his lower lip and hid behind my legs. I can clearly see how confused Code is.
"Mama said don't talk to strangers," he said. I chuckled a bit before moving Jino out of my leg's back.
"If Kuya Code introduces himself, is he not a stranger anymore?" I asked, Jino looked at me with puppy eyes, then looked at Code.
He nodded. "Then let me introduce myself," Code said, and he stand up.
"Hi Jino, I am kuya Nicodemus Ace Costa, at your service." Code jokingly said as if he is like a knight in a palace. He reach his hand forward hoping Jino will accept it.
"Jino Cedric Santos," Jino shyly said and reach for Code's hand. A smile immediately formed at Code's lips while shaking hands with Jino.
"Yey! Hindi na ako stranger!" Code said like a little kid making Jino chuckle. I smiled a bit before. looking away.
"Ano bang gusto gawin ni Jino?" Code asked, squatting once again.
"I want to play ball!" Jino excitedly said,
"What kind of ball? I have balls too." My eyes widened and immediately looked at Code. I immediately hit him on the shoulders.
"Aray Grey! May dala talaga akong bola ng basketball! Pinagadala ako ni Lukas in case lang naman." he said, I glared at him and rolled my eyes.
"Kuya Grey, bakit niyo po hinahampas si Kuya Code?" Jino asked, I looked down at him and shake my head.
"Because he's bad, Jino." I said and carry him on my arms.
"Wow! Kuya Grey kaya niyo ako buhatin? Si mama hindi niya kaya." he said looking around, amused on how tall he is right now.
"Kuya Code! Mas matangkad na ako sa inyo!" He happily said while reaching for Code's hair. Code steps closer to us so Jino can play with his hair. I'm happily looking at Jino when mine and Code's eyes meet.
I didn't realize that our faces were inches apart. I pursued my lips and looked away as I felt my face heat up.
"Kuya, I want to play basketball." Jino said, pointing sa mga players ng basketball.
"Pero gamit pa nila ang court, eh." Code said, looking in the same direction.
"Pero may alam po akong isa pang court." Jino said, and me and Code looked at him, confused.
"Doon po!" he said, pointing at a huge building, his lips forming a cute pout for saying 'doon'.
"A building?" I confusedly asked,
Umiling si Jino, "Hindi po kuya, sa likod niyan." he said, and I nodded.
"Doon mo gusto maglaro?" Code ask and Jino nodded.
"Then let's go!" Code said. With Jino on my arms, we started walking towards the building na sinabi ni Jino.
"Dito?" Code confusedly asked as we arrived at the back of the building.
Jino squirmed at my arms so I put him down. He started running so me and Code just chased him.
"Here, oh!" he said, showing us a small ring.
It is indeed a court, but a small one. Para talagang pangbata lang.
"Do you know how to play kuya?" he asked. Code and I looked at each other.
Code nodded, "Of course, ako pa," he said proudly.
Then I remembered where it all started. The first time me and Code played together. The first time we talked, we got together. It had been years, but I can still remember that day. A small smile formed on my lips as I remembered the day we first had a conversation and a bet. I may sound a little girly or whatever, but it's actually a great memory of us.
"Grey?! Sasali ka ba?" I snapped out of my thought as I looked at Code and Jino who were near the ring.
"Kayo nalang dalawa. I'll be the scorer." I said sitting down to a big rock.
"Okay!" Code said, shrugging before starting to dribble the ball that Jino had in the first place.
I smile as I watch them play. Nandadaya pa si Code at ginagamit ang tangkad niya. Natatawa kami parehas sa tuwing magtatampo si Jino at sinusuntok ang binti ni Code.
"Kuya!! Ang daya! Ang tangkad mo eh!" Jino whined. pouting and stomping his feet on the ground.
"Don't worry, Jino, tatangkad ka rin." Code said, ruffling Jino's hair.
Jino pouted, "Kuya Grey! Ikaw po mag-play for me." I wasn't able to process immediately what Jino said. He walked towards me and grabbed my hand to drag me towards Code.
"Kuya Grey, ikaw po mag-play for me. Dinadaya po kasi ako ni Kuya Code," he said and pouted. I sigh, glaring at Code.
I nodded, "Sure, go sit over there. Cheer for Kuya Grey, okay?" I said, and he nodded, smiling. He skipped towards the rock and sat down there.
I looked at Code and sighed before he started to dribble the ball.
"Woah! Hindi na ako nakakatira," Code said as he got the ball from my current shoot.
"The last time we played, you lost. Saan mo nakuha 'yang skills mo?" he asked, surprised.
I shrugged, "I don't know, all I know is that I'm really good at basketball. Pero wala lang ako sa mood that time." I replied, panting a bit.
"Ang galing mo kuya Grey!" Jino said, giving me a thumbs up. I smiled and walked towards him.
"Talaga?" I asked and he nodded cutely.
"Ibig sabihin nun kuya, panalo ako! Yehey!" He cheered, standing up from the rock and starting to jump.
I just stood there, smiling, while watching the little boy celebrate his victory. Code walked towards us, wiping his sweat with his handkerchief.
He stopped in front of me, looking at Jino, who was dancing his own victory dance.
"Uy!" I was startled when Code suddenly wipe my forehead with his handkerchief
"Pinupunasan lang kita ng pawis. Wala akong ginagawa sayo, ha," he said, wiping my cheeks gently.
"Ang galing mo mag-basketball. Bakit hindi ka sumali sa team?" tanong niya nang matapos na punasan ang mukha ko. He folded the piece of cloth and put it at his back pocket.
"Ayaw ko lang." I simply replied and he nodded.
Jino stopped dancing and started to sweat. I immediately reach at his small backpack to find a towel.
I found one and started to wipe his face with it. "Ikaw talaga, pinawisan ka tuloy," I said while wiping his neck down to his arms.
"Talikod," I said, and he obeyed.
I wipe his back just like my mom did when I was his age. And just like what parents do, I put the towel on his back.
"Ayan, para hindi ka matuyuan ng pawis sa likod," I said, fixing his hair. I was smiling while looking at him when I locked eyes with Code.
"Pwede ka ng maging daddy," he said, and I rolled my eyes, laughing bitterly.
"Kuya, I'm hungry," Jino said, and I nodded. I held his hands and looked back at Code. "Not in my plans," I said before starting to walk.
Code is just following us from behind. I looked at my phone to check the time, only to see it's already 11am.
We stopped walking and looked at Code. "Lunch na kaya sa quarters natin?" I asked, and he looked at his wrist watch and nodded.
"Probably past 11 na eh," he replied, "Saan natin papakainin si Jino?" I asked.
"His mom hasn't called or texted me, kung saan ko siya papakainin," I added. Both of us started thinking and became silent for a moment.
"What if... what if sumalo nalang siya sa ating dalawa? Kasi I'm sure bilang lang ang pagkain para sa atin. So pwede na susubuan nalang natin siya?" he said. A realization hit me, and I realized that it was actually a good idea.
"Ikaw ang maunang kumuha ng pagkain mo. Then after you grab yours, you'll look over Jino while I get mine," I said, and he nodded.
We went near our quarter. We saw that there were already a lot of people and players inside. While carrying Jino in my arms, I sat down on a cement chair under a tree. Waiting for Code to come back.
In a few moments, Code returns with food tupperware on his hands.
"You look over him," I said as I put Jino down and ran inside the quarter. It's actually a bit crowded inside, but I manage to grab one fast.
I run outside towards Jino and Code. I sat beside Jino, making him sit between me and Code.
"Adobo rin sayo kuya Grey?" He cutely asks as he peeks at my tupperware.
Tumango ako, "Yes, lahat naman adobo, eh?" I said and opened mine. I put a small amount of rice and a small piece of meat on the plastic spoon before blowing it, para hindi na mainit.
"Say ahhh," I said, mocking what parents usually do to feed their children.
Jino giggled and took the spoonful of food. I take another one for myself.
Salitan kami ni Code sa pagpapakain kay Jino. Pero dahil bata pa siya at maliit pa ang tiyan niya ay mabilis siya nabusog.
So me and Code were now able to eat on our own. Tahimik lang kami; even Jino is not even speaking. Just there, while swaying his feet in the air because they couldn't reach the ground,.
I was the first one to finish. I left them both to go back inside the quarters and get us some water. I sneakily grabbed three bottles for us.
I ran to exit the room so no one could notice I grabbed three. When I arrived back at the spot,. Code has finished his food too. So while I'm helping Jino drink, he puts his tupperware back inside.
"What would you like to do next?" I ask him, but I notice that he's a little down now.
"Okay, ka lang ba Jino?" I nervously ask while shaking his shoulders a bit.
"Kuya," he called, and I hummed in response.
"Inaantok ako," he said, and I smiled a bit. What a relief knowing he's just tired of maybe playing and cheering for us and that he's not sick or anything.
"Anong nangyari kay Jino?" Code asked when he came back from the quarters.
"Inaantok," I replied. I pulled Jino closer to me and rested his head on my chest while slowly caressing his head.
"Papatulugin mo na agad? Eh, bagong kain yun bata," Code asked. His voice sounded pissed but concerned.
"Eh, sa inaantok yung bata." I talked back, and I heard him groan a bit.
"Akin na muna si Jino, ibibili ko ng ice cream," he said. I sigh and slowly lift up a sleepy Jino and hand him to Code.
I watch as Code lifts the now a bit awoken little boy, squirming on his arms.
"Saan tayo pupunta kuya?" Jino asks, rubbing his eyes.
"Gusto mo bumili tayo ng ice cream?" Code asked. Jino's expression brightened, and he nodded.
They were about to leave when I stopped them. "Sama ako," I suddenly said. Code looked back at me, even Jino, then nodded. I stand up, dusting my black pants, and walk with them.
Mabuti nalang at may mga branded na ice cream sa canteen. Ayaw kasi naming ibili si Jino ng hindi branded na ice cream dahil takot kami parehas na baka masamaan si Jino at magkasakit pa.
He bought cookies and cream for Jino, and I pay for my own Rocky Road, while Code has dark chocolate. We walk towards a bench, and he puts Jino on the table.
"Are you sleepy, Jino?" Code asked, and Jino nodded.
"Where do you want to sleep?" Code asked, and Jino looked at both of us with big doe eyes.
Then he patted his legs. "On your legs?" Code confusedly asked.
Jino shook his head and said, "Sa inyo kuya, sa ganito niyo ni Kuya Grey." He patted his legs once again.
I understood what he meant, and I just nodded. "After you finish your ice cream, we'll let you sleep," Code said, and Jino nodded.
I notice some ice cream smudges on the side of Jino's lips. So I search inside his small back pack for a new towel, and gladly, he still has spare towels.
I wipe his lips like a parent would do. He even smiled while I wiped his hands, which are now sticky because of the ice cream.
"After you eat, go wash your hands, okay?" I said, and he nodded.
Me and Code finished our ice cream almost at the same time. Jino finished a few minutes later. Code is the one who helped him wash his hands while I was at the bench, waiting for them to return.
As they returned, I was surprised to see Jino already in Code's arms.
"Nakatulog na siya?" Tanong ko at umiling si Code. Biglang bangon ng ulo ni Jino mula sa balikat ni Code. "I want to sleep, na kuya," he said with a pout.
Code sat down next to me before slowly laying Jino down on our legs. Jino's upper body on my legs and his lower ay Code's.
I started stroking his hair while looking around. I don't actually feel uncomfortable. It's a bit... relaxing actually. Even though there are some people looking at us, I still feel okay with it.
"Grey, wake up. Huy!" I opened my eyes, rubbing them a bit. I realized I was actually pillowing something. But I remember I didn't use any pillows or anything else to sleep on.
I didn't even realize I had fallen asleep. I look up only to meet Code's eyes.
My eyes widened, and I immediately removed my head from his shoulder.
"Anong oras na?" I asked. Looking around, I also realized that Jino was already up.
"3:30pm, your phone beeped, so baka mama ni Jino," he said. I grabbed my phone from my pocket and checked to see if there was a message, and there was.
It was a message from Jino's mom saying that she's not busy anymore at pwede na naming ibalik si Jino.
"Tara na, hindi na busy ang mama ni Jino. Let's give him back," I said, and Code nodded. Siya naman ngayon ang may karga kay Jino.
We walked towards the faculty room,, where Jino's mom texted me to take him. As we entered, there were other faculty members inside, which actually made me nervous.
"Ayan na pala kayo, oh, kaibigan mo Rafael? Hindi ba't Costa ang batang ito? Naku! Nakikita ko siya minsan sa mga diaryo?" The mother asked while pointing at Code, who has Jino in his arms.
"Y-Yes, ma'am," I stuttered, anxious about the surrounding.
"Salamat sa inyo ha," she said while getting Jino out of Code's arms.
"Paano ko ba kayo mababayaran? Alam ko naman na wala lang sa inyo ang pera dahil mayayaman naman kayo. Ano bang gusto niyo?" she asked, looking at us with a smile on her face.
"A-Ah, wala po, ayos lang, masaya naman pong kasama si Jino eh. Good boy nga po siya." Nahihiya kong turan,
"Ah, Hindi!" she exclaimed, then walked towards her table, I assume. She put Jino on the swivel chair and grabbed something from an eco bag.
"Oh ito, sarili kong gawa ito. Masarap 'yan!" she handed me and Code a tupperware containing leche flan that I guess is supposed for her business.
"Salamat ulit sa inyong dalawa, ha! At pasensya na sa abala," she said, and I shook my head.
"No ma'am, hindi po si Jino nakaka-abala. Ang totoo nga po ay kung wala si Jino ay boring ang buong maghapon ko. Salamat po ulit dito," I said, and we bid goodbye. I took a last glance at Jino before exiting the faculty room.
Tahimik kaming naglalakad ni Code pabalik ng quarters. Sinisipa-sipa ko ang mga batong nadadaanan ko.
"Friend pala, ha? Friend lang?" Pang-aasar niya at humarang pa sa unahan ko. Napa-irap at nilagpasan lang siya.
Pero siya itong makulit na hinabol ako at hinarang ulit. "Wait lang, inis ka nanaman eh. May regla ka ba?" I blew a large amount of air. I was about to walk past him again when he grabbed my wrist, annoying and irritating me even more.
"Ano ba?! Bakit ang kulit mo ngayon Code?!" I snapped, and I can clearly see how shocked he is.
He let go of my hand. "Sorry, ikaw? Bakit ang sungit mo ngayon?" he asked. I took a deep breath and looked at him.
"Honestly, hindi ko rin alam." I sigh, sniffing a bit before wiping my eyes.
And then it hit me, I'm crying.
My eyes widened as I looked at my hands, which had smudges of my tears.
"Naiyak ka? Uy! Grey, bakit?" Code came rushing to me. Agad niyang nahawakan ang kamay ko sa pag-aakalang may mali.
"Sandali nga, tara sa tabi." Hinigit niya ako papunta sa isang gilid na medyo tago.
Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko at tuluyan nang naiyak.
Nakita ko ang pagkataranta ni Code, "Huy! Bakit? May problema ba? May masama ba akong sinabi? Uy sorry," he apologized, and I started shaking my head.
"No, walang problema. It's just, si Jino kasi. I'll miss him. It feels like na-attach agad ako sa kaniya." I sobbed. I felt him pull me closer to his chest and start caressing my head.
"Ssh~ don't worry, I'm sure in the future mag kaka-anak ka rin ng sa iyo," he said, and it suddenly hit me.
I gulped and moved away from his chest.
"And if that happens... meaning we parted ways," I said, and I saw how his expression dropped.
"Yes, technically, that's true. Because we are both--"
"Men. We are both men. And I don't have the womb that can provide you a child," I said, cutting him off. His eyebrows dropped, and his expression saddened.
He reached for my hand. "Grey... 'wag muna nating isipin yun. Please, pwede naman tayong mag ampon kung gusto mo. Or we can have a surrogate mother. Maraming paraan Grey," he said while caressing my hand.
I heard him sigh, "We're just 21. I know walang mali na isipin ang future, but I'm telling you, once na we are at the proper age and you want to adopt, then we'll adopt. Kapag may trabaho na tayo, kakayanin na nating bumuo ng pamilya natin, diba?" Malumanay niyang turan sa malambing na boses.
He slightly pulled me away from his chest so our eyes would meet. "We will have our own family, Grey, not now. But in the future, kapag stable na ang lahat. Not now, but when everything is stable," he said, giving me a smile. I reached for his hand that was on my cheeks and caressed it as well.
"Not now, but when everything is stable."
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a/n: I remember when I was just writing this years ago, this was a favorite part. Sana nagustuhan niyo hehe, mention the errors ulitt
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