Bum at Bong (An LGBTQ+ Christmas Short Story Special)

SPECIAL CHAPTER: WYNTER'S BIRTHDAY

BUM AT BONG

SPECIAL CHAPTER: WYNTER'S BIRTHDAY

WYNTER

I just turned 25 today.

My day is special because I celebrated it back home. Back to where I was molded to be the man I am now. And it was extra special because I had my Bong with me marking twenty-five years.

When mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday, ang sabi ko I wanted to share. I wanted to give back. Right then, we planned on distributing hot meals and small groceries to families living on the street or someone from the streets who deserved to receive them. Kaya bago ang birthday ko, nag-grocery kami agad. Tita Maricar and Tito Ramon volunteered to cook the food packs of pansit bihon and slices of tasty bread. They were also bottled water to pair with.

Right after attending the last Simbang Gabi, we just had breakfast and started to prepare for distribution at lunchtime. My parents and I are packing groceries in an eco-bag in our living room. Mom was the one counting how many we had packed. She would also double-check 'yung laman no'ng bags baka may nakalimutan kami or something.

"Mare! Pare!" We heard Tita Maricar's voice coming into our garage.

Tumingin ako to see her with huge plastic bags with the food packs she made. Following her were Tito Ramon and Bong. Tumayo agad ako to help Tita Maricar.

"Let me help you na, tita." I told her nand kunin ko sa kanya ang plastic.Itinabi ko muna ito sa gilid.

Bong appeared from my side. "'Ito na rin 'yung mga bote ng tubig. 60 pieces lahat."

Ngumiti naman ako sa kanya nang makita ko ang dinala niya. I hope he knows how I wished hardly to have celebrated my birthdays with him again. And that making it come true today has gotten me overjoyed.

It was in that afternoon when Gladys and Cesar had to talk to their son Wynter about migrating. That it wasn't just a plan anymore but they are leaving the country as soon as possible.

"Ayoko pong umalis," Umiiyak na sambit ni Wynter.

Nasa salas sila habang nasa harapan ang anak. Umiiyak.

"But we have to, anak." Pagkalma ni Gladys. "Mom and Dad have a new work na sa Canada."

"I don't wanna leave my friends, mom. I don't wanna go."

Naiintindihan nila ang anak ngunit ayaw nilang sayangin ang magandang oportunidad na mayroon na sila sa ibang bansa. Pinili nilang matapos muna sa pag-aaral ang mga anak, at nasa gitna ng bakasyon, bago tuluyang umalis.

Hindi ito madali sa kanilang mga anak, lalo na kay Wynter. Sa mga unang araw matapos malaman ni Wynter ang kanilang pag-alis, parati itong naglalagi sa kwarto. Galit sa kanyang mga magulang. Sinubukan nila itong kausapin ngunit parati lamang sila inaaway. Tanging si Warren lamang ang nagpapakalma sa kanya at nakakaka-usap sa kanya ng maayos.

"Sandali lang naman daw kayo ro'n sabi ni Tita Gladys, Bum."

Sumimangot si Wynter. "Sinungaling sila. Hindi 'yan totoo. Doon na raw kami titira sabi ni Ate Hanna."

"Makakapag-usap pa naman tayo, eh. May kompyuter ka naman, 'di ba."

"Ayaw ko pa rin!"

Hanggang sa lumipas ang mga araw at linggo, dumating ang petsa ng pag-alis ng pamilya De Silva. Kasama sa mga naghatid ang mga Francisco. Sa bahay pa lamang ay umiiyak na si Wynter. Pinagtabi na ni Hanna sina Warren at Wynter sa loob ng van dahil nainis na ito sa pag-iyak ng kapatid.