Los Caballeros Series: Rucio Arcenal

Kabanata 13

Kabanata 13

The morning breeze felt something when Rucio woke up. It was different from the past few days. Maybe it was because of the man sleeping beside him. A smile formed on his lips as he carefully watched his gentle face. Watching him sleep so closely brings a strange feeling, a feeling that made his heart beat faster. Unwillingly, he landed a hand on his face. He caressed his cheek gently with the back of his fingers. That brought a strange sensation. The person next to him moved slightly. Maybe he felt the caress but he continued what he was doing. Until the man beside him gradually opened his eyes. His brow furrowed in surprise. He only smiled more at the man's reaction because something inside him seemed to be tickling.

"Good morning." He greeted happily.

The person next to him smiled and simply stretched. He took a deep breath before facing her again. Their eyes met. He felt the various emotions passing through his eyes.

"Anong iniisip mo?" Rucio asked here. He felt that the man wanted to tell him something.

He just shook his head at him. He slowly got up from the bed. Rucio wanted to pull him back but he couldn't. He couldn't help but worry for him.

Nang makapag-ayos na si Ish ay dumeretso na siya sa kusina upang magluto ng almusal nilang dalawa. Pilit niyang binabalewala ang kanyang nararamdam. Mabuti na lang at hindi sumunod sa kanya s kuya Rucio dahil talagang bibigay na siya. Hindi naman niya ito makumprota dahil sa kalagayan nito. Alam niyang hindi pa ito naki-clear ni Doc Thomas.

Sa gitna ng kanyang pagluluto ay nakita niyang lumabas na ang lalaki sa kwarto nito. Alam niyang mag-aalala ito kaya sinikap niyang kumilos ng normal.

"Gutom ka na ba?" Masiglang tanong niya rito. "Matatapos na din tong niluluto ko."

Naramdaman niyang lumapit ito sa kanya. Nagkunyari siyang hindi napansin iyon at nilagay ang atensyon sa niluluto. Napapikit na lang siya nang maramdaman niya na mula sa likod ay niyakap siya nito sabay patong ng baba nito sa isang balikat nito.

"Paano ako matatapos dito?" Sambit ni Ish habang patuloy pa din sa niluluto.

"Five minutes, Ish. Five munites pa, please." Napabuntong hininga na lamang siya. Nag-aalangan man ay hindi siya kumilos.

He falls into the rabbit hole he once escaped. Now he's falling again and he doesn't know if he'll be able to escape again. He does not know what to do. He was confused. He was tired of pretending not to be hurt.

Cat was right. He had so many feelings for this man that he didn't think about the outcome. He allowed himself to rely on a mistake. His feelings are not wrong, but is the person he loves right? He needs to stop. But the question is how?

"Lalamig na ang pagkain, oy!" Tinapik niya ang kamay na kumukulong sa kanya. Kusa naman iyong bumitaw sa pagkakayakap. Hinarap niya ang lalaki at sinalubong ang nangungusap na mata nito. "Kain na muna tayo."

Ish act as normal as possible. Nag-uusap silang dalawa na parang walang pag-aalalang nararamdaman. Nagpapasalamat siyang nakakaya niyang tumagal na kaharap ang lalaki na parang walang problema. Kinamusta nito ang lagay niya at sinagot naman ng lalaki. Maging ang pag-stay nito dito ay napag-usapan din nila. Apparently, ikalawang araw na pala nito sa condo. Ayaw pa sana daw ng lola nito pumayag pero nagpumilit siya.

"Do you know where's, Lucio?" Tanong niya dito. Masyado nanaman siyang nawawala sa sarili.

Hindi nagsalita ang lalaki. Halatang may tinatago. "Nag-away ba sila?" Tanong niya sa sarili.

"So, where have you been?" Tanong naman nito sa kanya. Halatang ayaw pag-usapan ang kapatid.

"D'yan lang. Gusto ko lang magpahangiun ng konte." Sagot niya. Ayaw niyang sabihing nag-Batangas siya dahil iyon ang safe space niya sa tuwing kailangan niyang mag-isip.