Tres Ekis

Story 2-Episode 10: atteXo

He was fast asleep, facing side-ways to his right—facing me, when I started to look for the birthmark I saw he has in my dreams, but to my dismay, I found none.

"None." Bulong ko, habang hinahaplos ko ang birthmark ko sa dibdib ko.

Then I thought, my dreams aren't accurate after all. Well, it's safer that way than to think something's not right.

***

My days have never been the same since then. We meet in school, do our homeworks together in the library—good thing we both remained good students, and then we go somewhere to relax together, watch movies, stroll around malls, joy ride, and then stopping by wherever—to make out and make love.

"Baby." Malambing na bulong n'ya sa likuran ng tenga ko, habang nagsasauli ako ng mga librong kinuha ko sa shelf.

"What?"

"Can I ask you a favor?"

Humarap ako sa kanya, "What favor?"

"Look, I know you're busy for the finals tomorrow but..."

"But what?"

"Can you sleep over my pad tonight? I'll help you review, promise."

"Eric, alam mong hindi pwede. I still live with my parents, remember?"

Sure, we do "it" but we really haven't really slept together longer than 3 hours. No, certainly not overnight since I still live with my parents. Bagama't alam nila na may boyfriend na ako, they're not aware that we are actually doing "that".

"Can I stay in your house then?" Nakabungisngis s'ya.

Pinalo ko ito sa braso, "Lalo na 'yun. Ano na lang ang iisipin ng parents ko?"

Napabuntong-hininga siya. "I really need you tonight."

"What for?" Nakangisi ko.

"It's not what you think." Sagot n'ya.

"Di nga. Kasi kung ''yun' lang ang gusto mo, p'wede naman nating gawin kahit hindi ako matulog sa pad mo. Bakit ba? What's up with tonight?"

Natigilan s'ya sandali, "It's my twin brother's death anniversary."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko, "You have a twin brother?"

"Yes."

"R-really? Then what happened to him? I thought you're an only child."

"H-he...He had an accident when we were seventeen years old, that's three years ago."

"W-what kind of accident?"

"W-we went for a hike with some of our friends when..."

"When?"

"When he..."

"What?!"

"He slipped and fell into a ravine."