Conquering Territories: Completed

26

I'm sorry," I suddenly blurted out. Jacob looked at me which a question plastered on his face.

"Don't be sorry for what I felt," he answered, thinking that I pity him.

"No." I looked at him. "I'm sorry for stealing everything from you. Gusto mo na ikaw ang piliin sa competition para kay Vale, 'di ba? I'm sorry that I messed your plan for her."

One of the major prizes of the event is a sure spot inside a well-known newspaper. I guess that was one of his main goal. His main goal that I instantly stole from him.

Jacob' s face went shock. He wasn't expecting those lines from me. Seconds passed by until he plastered a small smile on his lips.

"It's okay," he said. "If it wasn't for us, then it wasn't for us."

Ilang oras pa ang lumipas bago kami natapos. Vale was now sound asleep on Jacob's arms. Ravin immediately excused himself since he do have some emergency, leaving me with Jacob.

"Mauuna na rin ako," I said as we went to their house. "Masyado na rin malalim ang gabi kaya mauuna na ako."

Jacob put Vale on the bed before he turned on my direction. His face looked exhausted but, he looked happy. It looks like some of his burden was now gone. He looked free.

"I know this is quite awkward but, if you need something, I'm just a call away. You can depend on me."

I thought Jacob would be angry but, he wasn't. He just smiled at me before offering me a fist bump.

"I know. And thank you."

"So, paano ka makakauwi?"

I mentally face-palmed myself after hearing Jacob's voice. After our short talk, I decided to go home but, it was too dark outside. Hindi ko man lang naisip kanina na nasa kabilang dulo pala kami ng isla ngayon.

"Sana pala ay sumabay na ako kay Vin kanina," I said while fixing my things.

Jacob helped me pick my things up. After our talk, the awkwardness between the two of us vanished. Maybe because we're now comfortable with each other. There wasn't a single anger nor envy. Just plain brotherhood.

"Gusto mo bang ipahatid na lang kita?" Jacob offered. I looked at him and noticed he was genuine about that. Hindi ko sana siya tatanggihan pero, nakakahiya naman sa kanya.

"Wag na, salamat," I said. Masyado na rin madilim at nahihirapan lang siya kapag nakiusap pa siya sa iba na ihatid ako.

"May matatawagan ka ba ngayon para sunduin ka? Or you could just stay here for a night."

I was about to answer his question but, my phone rang. Marahan akong nagpaalam kay Jacob na sasagutin ko muna ang tawag. He just smiled at me before motioning me take it.

A small smile was formed on my lips after I saw the registered caller. Nawala sa isip ko na palagi nga palang tumatawag ang lalaking ito kapag hindi kami magkasama.

"So, what's the tea?" I jokingly asked Irvin as I picked up the call.

"Don't 'what's the tea' me, Zon Khaydel. Where are you?" Irvin asked immediately. Something's with his voice, which made me curious.

"So, why'd you asked?" I tried not to sound like something but, I guess Irvin concluded something. Mas lalo lang akong naguluhan dahil sa sinabi niya.

"I- I don't mean those words. Are you an-"

"Sabog ka ba, ha?" I cut him off since he wasn't making any sense. Alam kong maguguluhan lang siya dahil hindi naman siya nakakaintindi ng Tagalog pero, bahala na.

"Huh?"

"Hatdog." I chuckled. "Are you free tonight?" Since Irvin called, maybe it was a sign from the heavens. Sigurado naman ako na walang ginagawa ang lalaking ito. And by the way he asked a while ago, it looks like he was looking for me.

"I am. That's why I was looking for you. I bumped with your friends a while ago but, you are not with them," Irvin explained. Sabi ko na nga ba. From the past days and weeks we've been together, I noticed that he was a kind of clingy person. Parang panda lang kung kumapit." So, where are you right now?"

"I'm with Jacob, the one you saw with me at the park" I shortly answered. Akala ko ay naputol ang tawag dahil biglang tumahimik. Seconds passed by until Irvin answered.

"Where?" His voice was firm and kind of weird, which caused me to sense something. Sigurado ako na naiinis na siya dahil alam ko ay may ikinuwento ako sa kanya tungkol kay Jacob. I bet he thinks that I'm in trouble with him.

"I'll just text you the address," I said before ending the call. Napangiti na lang ako habang ipinapadala sa kanya ang address nila Jacob. I bet he was now overthinking.

A smile was formed on my lips as I entered Jacob's house once again. Sa labas ko kasi napiling sagutin ang tawag para hindi ako makagulo sa loob. Jacob welcomed me with a question plastered on his face.