Chapter Text
Hindi na alam ni Jayjay paano pa sya nakarating sa bahay ni Brino in a short period of time. Basta alam nya lang na when Chandi, Brino’s bestest friend, will not be available for him or if that bestest friend is the reason why he is crying right now, then that’s where he came in.
“Hoy, Brino. Tama na. Sinisinok ka na eh”. Suway ni Jayjay sabay abot ng bottled water sa kaibigan.
Since dumating sya wala nang tigil sa pag-iyak ang kaibigan kaya wala na syang ibang ginawa kundi yakapin at aluhin ang kaibigan.
“G-gago ka-kasi bakit ang s-sakit naman nito……” Iyak-singhal ni Brino sa kaibigan nya.
Totoo naman kasi eh. Bakit sobrang sakit naman nung sinabi ni Chandi sa kanya kanina? Bakit naman kasi may boyfriend na sya? Bakit naiwan sya?
“S-sabi niyo halata kami? Sabi niyo le-label na lang k-kulang samin? Sabi mo need ko lang umamin! Pero bakit ganun?! Bakit hindi naman ako gusto nya eh!” Dabog ni Brino sabay hagulgol ulit.
Akala rin naman ni Jayjay eh. Akala nila endgame na yung dalawa eh. Kita ng lahat kahit mga taong di naman sila kilala ang mga puso sa mga mata nila tuwing magkasama. If he ever tells anyone about this baka magulat rin. Sayang ang panahon na magkasama sila kung hindi naman pala mahal or gusto man lang ni Chandi ang kaibigan nya.
Pero hindi nya talaga magets. If Chandi doesn’t like his friend then what’s the reason for their last night's conversations?
“Teka nga lang Babie—”
“Stop calling me Babie! Wala na si Babie! A-ayoko nang maging si Babie.” Hagulgol pa ni Brino at nasasaktan na talaga si Jayjay. Kaya tinulak nya ang kaibigan para umupo ng tuwid sa harap nya at hinawakan ang mukha mula sa magkabilang pisngi. Mukhang batang kawawa si Brino na puros luha at uhog na pero wala yun kay Jayjay. Alam nyang nasasaktan ang kaibigan nya pero at the same time kailangan maliwanagan sila sa sitwasyon nito.
“Brino, listen to me.” Sabi nito. Napatingin sa kanya si Brino with his naniningkit na mga mata dahil sa kakaiyak. Gago talaga to si Chandi.
“Hindi ko sure if ginagago tayo parehas ni Chandi pero parang hindi naman ganun pagkakasabi nya sakin when he asked for a favor. Pero ito panghawakan mo.” Patuloy ni Jayjay habang pinupunasan ang mga luha ni Brino.
“Ikaw ang nauna at ikaw lang dapat hanggang dulo. We know Chandi likes you since then, fuck I am not supposed to say that pero please believe me. Chandi will not change his feelings just because he met someone in Japan. We have to know his reason. We have to understand him okay. And we are his friend kaya dapat…….” He holds Baekhyun’s hands and puts their hands in Baekhyun’s chest where his heart is aching.
“Kahit masakit, susuportahan natin sya. Sa ngayon, dahil tutulungan kitang bawiin si Chandi! SI TABIE AT BABIE LANG ANG PARA SA ISA’T-ISA!”
That made Baekhyun laugh. Tama si Jayjay. Ayaw nya namang manira ang relasyon pero babawiin nya lang ang kanya. He will make sure Chandi will look at him the same again.
“What do you mean na may boyfriend ka na? At hindi si Babie?” Tanong ng Mama ni Chandi sa kanya when he opened the topic to them everyone including yung mga katulong sa bahay ay napahinto sa sinabi nya.
“He’s residing in Japan and would spend time with me bago ako maging teacher. I will be bringing Brino and our friends with me since nagyaya si Kiyong magbeach.” Chandi nonchantly said while munching in his chicken alfredo.
“BALIW KA BA?!” Sigaw ni Yoora sa kapatid nya. Nanlalaki ang mata nitong galit na galit sa kapatid.
“What?” Asked Chanyeol. Napalingon sya sa mga kasama. Ang mama nya halos maluha na nakatingin sa kanya, while his dad was shaking his head drinking his wine. Ang mga yaya nya naman kita ang lungkot sa mga mukha. Napakunot ang noo ni Chandi trying to understand what is going on.
“You are so stupid Chandi. You think it is a good idea to have Brino join that trip? Ano sadista ka ba? Do you want Brino to be tortured?” Yoora exclaimed.
“Yoora let him —” Pagtutol ng tatay nila pero binawi nya to nang tignan sya ng masama ng dalawang babae.
“Chandi, sigurado ka na ba dyan sa plano mo?” Tanong ng Mama nito na may lungkot sa boses. Kumirot ang puso ni Chandi sa naririnig nya.
“Ma, ayaw niyo ba makilala si Kiyong? He’s a good man naman.” He heard a scoff from his ate’s direction pero di nya na muna pinansin.
“If he’s really a good man for you anak, we can’t be against that. Ikaw naman ang magiging karelasyon nya.” Singit ng tatay nila.
“Dad! Paano si Babie?!”
“Babie is just a friend, Ate. Tumigil na kayo sa gusto niyong mangyari. Hanggan dun lang kami ni Babie and we know that.” Chanyeol exclaimed looking down at his food. Ang sakit pala sabihin nun.
Yoora scoffed and angrily threw her napkin on her almost empty plate. She stood up and was about to go but she left words na nagpakaba kay Chandi.
“Tama ka. Kaibigan ka lang ni Chandi. Okay lang naman sayo if ireto ko sya sa mga kakilala kong mas deserving of his love, right? After all, kaibigan ka lang naman ni Babie.”
It was nearing the day that Kiyong will be meeting his family pero wala pa ring nangyayaring tama sa plano nya. Until now his Ate Yoora is still not talking to him. Kung makikipag-usap ito pero sarcastic remark lang about him hurting people’s hearts. His mom was civil at him but he can sense na disappointed rin ito while his dad, sya lang nakakausap ni Chandi ng maayos. That’s why here they are, they are talking over their glasses of light rum. Initially, they are talking about Chadi’s life and how he’s feeling right now, especially since he has passed the licensure exam after all the hiccups. Kinamusta nya rin pabalik ang tatay nya about sa business nila and to properly asked also kung anong nangyari sa ate nya.
“Yoora just has some expectations of you. It involves you dating Babie. I honestly am looking forward to that too but it’s your life after all, Chandi.” His dad sipped his own glass.
Chandi fidget on his hands. He knows naman na hindi sya ganun ka subtle sa galawan nya with Brino. He likes him a lot. Simula pagkabata wala na talagang apple of the eye si Chandi kundi si Brino lang. Si Brino ang nagturo sa kanya magmahal. Si Brino ang nagturo sa kanya matakot na mawala yung importanteng tao sayo. Si Brino rin nagturo sa kanya na hindi lahat ng gusto mo, para sayo. He just knows that Brino is not for him. He doesn't deserve him.
Nakontento kasi si Chandi sa kung anong meron sila. Naging kompiyansa sya na Brino will always be there for him no matter what. Kaya when Jayjay told him to confess to Brino kasi baka maunahan pa sya ng iba, he realized something. All this time, he’s been giving mixed signals to his bestfriend pero hindi pa rin sila nagkakalabel. He hogged Brino all to himself na hindi na naranasan nito magkaroon ng relasyon outside of them. He was not even brave enough to confess to him and asked him to be official pero natakot sya na baka magbago ang ihip ng hangin at matapos ang meron sila. Natakot syang mawala si Brino.
Kaya sya ang unang kumawala.
He didn’t intend to entertain Kiyong during his short trip in Japan but they just clicked. They have a common friend na naging tulay for them to meet multiple times nung nasa Japan sya that lead to Kiyong asking to court him. Aaminin ni Chandi na medjo nailang sya ng una dahil si Kiyong pa ang nanligaw samantalang sya ang laging gumagawa ng paraan to show his love to Brino. Marahil isa rin yun sa dahilan why Chandi then put an end to his decades long crush and to Kiyong’s courtship.
Almost a month na sila ni Kiyong this time and walang nabago sa pakikitungo ni Kiyong sa kanya. In fact, the man himself became even sweeter na parang Disney Princess na ang peg ni Chandi and that is a whole new world for him and he likes it.
He cannot answer his dad directly. He knows it was his fault to have their hopes up. He probably hurt everyone else, including Babie and he doesn't know how to make things right this time.
“Chandi, alam kong iniisip mo na kasalanan mo lahat and that you have to apologize to everyone but no son.” His dad started. He looked at him and he smiled.
“The only person who needs your apology is Brino. Everyone knows that you two fell for each other way before. Kahit hindi kayo he needs closure. He needs to understand why you let him go.”
Chandi knows. He hurt Brino more than he is hurting right now. Sya kasi may Kiyong na malamang sasalo sa kanya but Brino? Aside from Jayjay, sya lang ang nasasabihan nito. Ngayon magbabago na yun.At yun ang greatest fear nya.
“What if Brino hates me so much Dad? Paano if after I explained to him lumayo sya at ayaw nya na akong makita?” He asked kahit alam nya naman na ang sagot.
“Eh di hayaan mo sya lumayo.” That’s it. His dad confirmed what he’s thinking.
Yun naman talaga ang gusto nyang mangyari sa una palang. To make sure Brino will have his own life at hindi laging nasa puder sya ni Chandi. He wanted Brino to have a life without Chandi once and for all.
“That’s for the better I guess. At least he can live his life to the fullest. Hindi yung nakulong na lang sya sa space ko.” Chandi smiled bitterly. Masakit pero para kay Brino, gagawin nya. Lahat naman para kay Brino.
The day when Chandi’s boyfriend’s arrival will be soon and Brino can’t help but feel anxious. May plano na kasi sila ni Jayjay on how he will win back Chandi. He accepted his invitation in Batangas but he hasn’t talked to him even if he is trying to contact him. Wala pa sa plano nila na kakausapin nya ang kaibigan. Bilin nga ni Jayjay, “Bakla may pamiss ka kasi,” and that’s what he is doing now.
He heard another message sent to him and of course it was from Chandi. He was outside looking for clothes na gagamitin nya when he started teaching na. He sighed. Plano kasi nila na dapat dalawa sila magsha-shopping pero things happened. Ayaw nya rin naman maiiyak in the middle of choosing the right slacks for him. He just busied himself with work kahit magaan naman na yung trabaho nila now. As of the moment kasi na nagwait na lang sila sa monthly data ng project nila. Double checking lang at managing ng marketing page ng company na hawak nya. He has all the time in the world para magmuni-muni which is in his term scrolling to his gallery and checking all his and Chandi’s photos.Until his phone rings showing Ate Yoora’s contact name.
“He—”
“Tito Bwinoooooo!!!” A crying Yuan greeted him. His heart broke when the camera opened for the caller and he saw how messed up the child was.
“Hala! What’s wrong Yuyu ko? Anong nangyari? Where’s Tito Chandi or Mami?” He asked the kid, a tear almost slipping in his eyes. Saktong pasok naman ni Jayjay sa cubicle nya dahil narinig ang palahaw na iyak ng pamangkin ni Chandi. He mouthed “anyare?” and Brino shrugged kasi hindi nya naman talaga alam what really happened.
“I hate Tito Chanchan!” Sigaw ng bata. Nadudurog na talaga ang puso ni Brino while looking at this kid. Kamukhang-kamukha rin kasi ni Chandi ito kaya parang si Chandi nung bata pa sila. Nung inaasar siya ng ibang mga bata.
“Why hate mo Tito Chanchan?” Pag-alo niya sa bata. Suminghot-singhot ang bata then dropped the bomb to Brino.
“He-he said boyfriend n-nya yung Tito T-tangkad sa labas.”
Rinig ni Jayjay ang sinabi ng bata kaya tumakbo ito sa tabi ni Brino.
“H-ha?” Takang tanong niya.
“HINDI NYA NAMAN BOYFWIEND YON KASI TITO BWINO BOYFWIEND NYA!!” Iyak na may kasamang dabog ng bata. They saw how he cried again as he was looking up. Then Chandi was on the camera frame.
Biglang nanlamig si Brino. He hasn’t seen Chandi yet for days now.
“Yuyu naman tinawagan mo na naman si Tito Brino mo. Sorry Babie.” Hindi napigilan ni Chandi ang sarili. Brino was taken aback a little bit but was brought back by the loud cry from Yuan.
“AYAW KO SAYO TITO CHANCHAN! YOU LIAWR! TITO BWINO BOYFWIEND MO HINDI TITO TANGKAD!”
Yuan is now throwing a tantrum and even Chandi can’t calm him down. Brino was not in his head space to even look away from Chandi. Pinaprocess niya pa kung sino si Tito Tangkad at anong boyfriend? Sinong boyfriend? Sya?
Jayjay was the one who tried to calm the kid down.
“Hello Yuyu! Ninong Jayjay here!” He smiled and waved enthusiastically to his inaanak. Yuan looked at the screen and calmed down little by little.
“He-hewwow Nongnong.” He was hicupping now.
“Chandi, bigyan mo tubig yung bata at baka madehydrate.” Sabi ni Jayjay but instead of standing up Chandi just looked up at someone.
“Love, pakuha ako tubig sa kitchen pasabi kay Yaya palagay sa bottle ni Yuyu.”
He saw how his friend tensed on that. Nagkatinginan sila ni Brino and he can see that his friend is starting to break again. May 3 hours pa sila sa office.
“Andyan na boyfriend mo?” Tanong ni Jayjay. Umalis na sa camera frame si Brino kasi anytime iiyak na sya. Kaya Jayjay took the liberty to talk to Chandi and Yuan.
“Ahm… Yes… He’s here na kanina lang.”
“And you still have the nerve to call Brino, Babie? Is he okay with that?” Jayjay sarcastically asked. Chandi saw beyond those words. He’s been receiving it through his Ate so he was immune. He looked at the phone screen to check if Brino was in there but he could only see Jayjay.
“Stop looking for him, he’s here beside me.” Jayjay said. He heard footsteps running towards them and a shadow over Chandi.
“Mind introducing him to us?” Jayjay asked. He looked up and asked a silent question and smiled afterwards. Jayjay saw it unfold before his eyes and he can see no sparks at Chandi’s eyes the way he did with Brino. Jayjay smirked looking at his friend who was now wiping his eyes. He leaned towards Brino.
“Kapit bakla, may laban ka.” Brino was confused for a moment until they were called out.
“Brino? Jayjay?” Chandi called out.
“Ay sorry may sinabi lang ako kay Brino.” They went back in frame and they saw the handsome man beside Chandi.
“Hi!” The man said, looking at Chandi asking for courage. Their friend mouthed a simple ‘go ahead’.
“I’m Kiyong, Chandi’s boyfriend. I can’t wait to meet you guys.” Kiyong introduced himself.
“Hi I’m Jayjay and this is Brino, Chandi’s Babie.”
“Jayjay!” Brino whispered to his friend who just smiled towards the camera.
“Hi Brino! I heard so much about you.” Kiyong said, smiling towards them. He seems nice. Or not.
“I already asked Chandi to stop calling you Babie kasi ang awkward lang di ba?” He laughed looking at Chandi who just gave his boyfriend a small smile.
Nagpintig yung tenga nya dun. Since then there’s Tabie and Babie. Always. Walang boyfriend-girlfriend, Tabie and Babie will always be Tabie and Babie.
Mas nainis si Brino sa ngiti ni Chandi. Yun na yun? Hahayaan nyang bastusin sya ng taong yun infront of him? Aba Chandi sinuswerte ka naman yata. Ready nang magrebat si Brino maski si Jayjay na nagtiim bagang na sa galit ng naunahan na sila ni Yuan.
“No, Tito Bwino is Tito Chanchan’s Babie. Tito Chanchan is Tito Bwino’s Tabie. So please wag mo sila utusan.” Sabi ni Yuan tapos sabay tapik sa kamay ni Chandi at lumabas papunta sa Mama nya. Hindi naman napigilan ni Jayjay na matawa.
“Hay naku, manang-mana talaga kay Ate Yoora yang pamangkin mo. Matapobre sa mga hindi nila tipo.” walang prenong sabi ni Jayjay. Brino wanted to pacefalm himself pero deep inside bet na bet nya tong tabil ng dila ni Jayjay.
“I’m sorry sa sinabi ni Yuan.” Panimula ni Brino looking at the two on the other line. He saw how Kiyong smiled.
“I will also be apologizing in advance kung hindi ko mapipigil ang sarili ko to call Chandi by my nickname for him. It will took me time to grow out of it. Sana kayo pa pag nangyari yun.” He smiled sweetly.
Jayjay can’t believe what he is hearing right now. Brino just fought back and he cannot be any more proud.
“We’ll look forward to that Brino.”
The call ended out of nowhere and it was Jayjay. He looked back at his friend with his mouth opened in disbelief.
“What the hell was that?” He asked. Brino just shrugged.
“Pak! The game is on!”
Napuno ang tawanan ang cubicle ni Brino. Wala namang paki ang iba dahil they are done with their job na. Patuloy sa pagkukwentuhan ang magkaibigan at inaayos na rin nila ang plano.
“Pero sa totoo lang sis nu. Anong rason ni Chandi to entertain someone else? Like did he fall out of love? Ilang araw ko na yang iniisip eh.” Jayjay said after sipping his 2nd coffee for today. Busy naman magsagot ng email si Brino.
“Yan rin tanong ko. And I kept on remembering everything I can think that might have tipped him off.” He said as he typed his last sentence. As he finished he locked his pc and looked at his friend.
“What if nagayuma sya?” Jayjay suggested. Nailing na lang si Brino.
“Or maybe….” Jayjay trailed. He looked at Brino who looked at him back with a frown.
“Maybe he is doing something stupid now for you.”