Soulmates (Pinoy Boyxboy story)[COMPLETE]

CHAPTER 32

LIAM:


It’s been months since nakita ko sina Tita Nelia at Mang Kadyo and it has been a long time for me to change that much nung last time pumunta ako dito. Ok I know you guys are wondering, uy nagtatagalog na si Liam, syempre ako pa, since magaling na ako magtagalog pati point of view ko e taglish na rin o diba cool mga brad?

Yeah so here I am in Naga with my relatives na namiss ko naman talaga ng husto. 

“Liam halika na at kakain na tayo,” my tita called.

Tinutulungan ko kasi si Mang Kadyo magsibak ng kahoy para gawing firewood just in case they needed it later on. I know simple lang buhay nila sa probinsya but I cherished it anyway. Sobrang laki ng pinagkaiba ng buhay ko sa states. It’s a breathe of fresh air as they say.

So here I am mga brad nagpapalipas ng sem break kasama sina tita instead of Derick and Gerald. Actually I wanted to go pero I know that vacation means a lot to Gerald and Derick kaya nagpaubaya na ako. Ewan di ko nga maintindihan sarili ko, I think I’m a masochist. It hurts yeah but knowing Derick is happy with Gerald makes me happy too. Ganun nalang siguro. 

Dont get me wrong mga brad I still do get the hots for women, most especially the sister of Gerald hehe pero iba lang talaga ang dating ni Derick for me. If it’s any other guy, I’d definitely puke but if it’s Derick, I kinda feel different towards him. I guess I’m Dericksexual lol.

“Eto na po,” I answered back when Tita Nelia called me again.

“Aba iho ang husay husay mo na managalog ah,” she exclaimed.

“Salamat, my bestfriends taught me in a short span of time,” which is true naman.

“Kuya Liam,” tawag sakin ni Rosing, yung pinakabatang bibo as they say.

“Yea?”

“Umm nasan mga kaibigan mo?” she asked. 

“Ah wala sila nasa Cebu ngayon may inaayos lang na importanteng bagay,” I explained to the most adorable little girl I’ve ever met.

“Ganun po ba? Sana next time isama mo ulit sila ha, miss ko na sila e,”

“I will next time promise, tara kain na tayo para lumaki kang maganda at matalino,”

I saw her blush and smiled at me.

She just nodded and sat on one of the chairs with the rest of the family where Jose and tita Nelia is beside me while Mang Kadyo and Rosing is across the table.

Ang sarap talaga ng mga luto ni Tita Nelia, I’ll always treasure this moment eating with a family in peace.

“San ka naman pupunta mamaya iho? Balak mo ba mamasyal habang bakasyon mo?” tanong ni Mang Kadyo.

“Ah yea, pupunta po ako sa town may bibisitahin lang since andito ako,” I told them.

“Ah ok sige basta huwag ka magpapagabi, tisoy ka at dayo lang baka mapagtripan ka ng mga lasenggo dito,” he warned me.

I just nodded, I mean I understand their concerns but I can pretty much take care of myself. I’m 6 feet taller than the average pinoy here in this town.

“Gusto mo ba sumama sa tropa ko kuya Liam? Ipapasyal kita,” Jose offerred enthusiastically.

“Sure pero next time, I have to meet someone today kasi,” I declined.

“aaaw sige basta promise yan ah, gusto ko ipagmayabang sa tropa ko may pinsan akong kano na kasing pogi ko,” I just chuckled at that thought and messed up his hair, what a dork.

We ate our breakfast without a dull moment as Rosing continues to be a lively little kid and Mang Kadyo as well as Tita Nelia continuously bombarded me with questions about my school life and everything. I guess it makes me feel like I’m part of the family and I sighed contently.


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Narating ko ang isang familiar na old style office na may hagdan papunta sa 2nd floor. I saw the name tag hangged outside. 

DR. SANDY S. CINCO, MD

I went up through the stairs to where her apartment was supposed to be and stopped at the door. Parang I hesitated a moment if I will knock or not. A little bit later after much hard battle against myself I finally knocked.

Narinig ko may naglakad papunta sa door and it opened. I saw her got shocked at first then when he recognized me she opened the door wide.

“Liam?” Sandy asked.

“Yeah ako nga, can I come in?” 

“Ah e sure, pasok ka,” I saw her fidgeted but let me enter, “ano ginagawa mo dito?”

“Sem break kasi namin kaya I decided to visit my relatives here and since nandito ka lang naman binisita na rin kita,” i gave her a warm smile. 

She just nodded and smiled also. She is beautiful I give her that but I dont know why? How come it feels like though I’m attracted to her, that’s all it’ll ever be. It’s like my heart already belonged to someone. 

Then Derick came flashing into my mind. His cute smile, his blushes, his very unique and snobbish personality. I sighed. 

Nakita pala ni Sandy yun which made her look at me with a weird arch on her eyebrow.

“Upo ka Liam, gusto mo ba ng juice?” and before even answering her she just went inside the kitchen and fixed me one, whats the point asking? I smirked at her.

Nilagay niya yung juice sa mesa while she drank one for herself.

“So napabisita ka? Kamusta kapatid ko? pasaway ba siya?” she asked me, typical of her to ask for her brother.

“He’s fine, he’s behaving himself,” I don’t want to tell her about him and Derick, it’s not in my place to tell, I’ll leave that to them.

“Ah mabuti naman,” 

“yeah,”

and there it is, the awkward silence that could suffocate a cow. I’m not the talkative type anyway so I can’t help it.

Nakita ko nalang natawa si Sandy, huh? what’s so funny?

“Bakit anong nakakatawa?” I asked.

“Wala sorry, natawa lang ako sayo,” then she tries to settle herself down.

“Bakit?”

“you seem so awkward, relax I’m your friend huwag kang mailang sa akin,” she smiled at me.

Wow did I just got friendzoned?

Again?

Life sure s*cks for me. I sighed and relaxed a little bit. Tama naman siya I was a bit awkward and besides di naman sa feeling na I was rejected by her that dissapointed me but the feeling of being rejected twice tsk. May mali ba sa itsura ko? hahays.

“Oh bakit ka ganyan?”

“What do you mean?” pagtataka ko.

“Parang ang lalim ng iniisip mo ah?”

“It’s nothing,” I tried to change the subject but knowing Gerald’s sister, she can be very bossy and nosy.

“Sige na sabihin mo na sakin, sometimes it’s best to let things out in the open para gumaan yang dinadala mo. I can see it on your face madami kang iniisip.”

And she’s right, it’s amazing how she can be so perceptive, I guess that comes with being a doctor.

“Wala madami lang nangyayari,”

Tumahimik siya and just looked at me, waiting for me to continue and I sighed.

“You know I like you right?” 

Nagulat siya sa sinabi ko and then she stared at me intently like she’s observing something from me, studying me?

“But you don’t like me that much,” bigla niyang sabi which caught me off guard.

“What do you mean?”

“Even if u say you like me, pero your face says something different, it’s like you have an expression of a man in love with someone else but broken hearted am I on a ballpark or something?” 

I made a face on that statement. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” syempre di ko aaminin, she could be bluffing.

“C’mon Liam, hindi magsasabi ang isang tao na gusto niya ang ang isang tao pero mukang broken hearted ang mukha niya,”

“It’s possible kaya, what if nireject siya ng kanyang pinagsabihan nun,” I challenged her theory.

“But i never said NO to you, so why do you still have that face of a broken hearted man?” tumaas kilay niya sakin.

Ok she got me on that one. I averted my eyes away from her. She knows she won the arguement, tsk.

“I guess I’m right,” she spoke again when I literally became quiet, “look Liam alam ko naman na you like me since sa simula pa lang but like is different from love and I know that look of yours, it’s love but not for me.”

“I can love you,” mahina kong sabi.

“Oh please, I know you can sa ganda kong to, joke lang hehe,” on her teasing self again, that made me smile at her, she does have a lovely personality.

I saw her stood up from her sit and sat beside me, which oddly I didn’t felt uncomfortable with. She patted my back which made me sigh with relief a little bit, it’s like she’s comforting me.

“Alam mo Liam, I may not be one of your close friends, pero bilang kapatid ni Gerald, one of your bestfriends, I want to help you, kaibigan ko lahat ng kaibigan ng kapatid ko, so you can trust me ok?”

Her words are comforting enough for me to relax. Truth be told ang dami dami ko nang baggage na dinadala. I am strong, I learned to be stong kasi at an early age I’ve learned that there is no happy ending in life. My parents got divorced and they had a family on their own. Ako bilang anak nila get tossed around from one side of the family to another without truly knowing where I belong. 

I never really had a complete family. Yes my parents love me but iba pa rin ang hindi kumpleto ang pamilya. When I was kid I saw how divorce ruined my childhood. It made me realize how love can easily be shattered even if you’re married. That’s one reason why nagpaubaya nalang ako sa nararamdaman ko kay Derick and never act on it because in my mind I know I can never have that “LOVE”. I’m tainted to the very core that my perception of love is not forever and not for me. 

Maybe sa iba they can be lucky and maybe Derick can be happy with Gerald which makes me happy even if it’s not with me. 

I’m not a sensitive guy that would cry over stuff anymore, I’m no longer that kid, years of emotional turmoil will make you emotionally stoic but things changed when Derick came into my life. 

I can still remember those days when we were in Detroit, our highschool days, such fun memories. I think minahal ko na siya noon pa, he was the only person that stayed with me even if my parents couldn’t. Yes my parents gave me everything I wanted but they were still distant that I grew accustomed with. Pero iba si Derick, school then made me feel home. “HE” made me feel home. He is my happiness. Di ko namalayan may isang luha na dumaloy sa pisngi ko. 

“Liam ok ka lang ba?” Sandy spoke with concern filled her voice.

I immediately wipe my eyes and act as if nothing happened. 

“I’m in love with Derick,” i finally confessed to her.

At first I thought she will be surprised about it but I was wrong. She just looked at me with concern in her eyes and full of understanding. 

“Nasasaktan ka,” she managed to speak after some awkward silence.

“That’s an understatement,” I laughed bitterly.

“Bakit di mo sabihin sa kanya?”

“I can’t he loves someone else and to be honest I want him to be happy even if not with me,” sinabi ko lang ang totoo and I smiled at her genuinely.

“Hay nako Liam, you’re such a nice guy, you definitely deserve to be happy,” and niyakap niya ako. I felt her comforting me which I gladly accepted. I realized now why I like her. 

It’s not the “like” of how a guy wants to bang her but it was the so called “LIKE” of having her like a sister. She is very comforting for me and I like it a lot. I never really had a sister. Granted I have loads of stepsiblings but they weren’t filial to me. I think the feeling of having a family or as close to it was when I was with Derick and no I don’t see him as a brother coz I love him more than that. 

Now I know why I wanted to visit Sandy, it’s because I feel comfortable with her.

“Swerte ni Derick para may magmahal sa kanya na katulad mo,” Sandy broke her hug and faced me eye to eye.

“I’m lucky to have him in my life, matagal na ako sumuko sa buhay if it weren’t for him, siya ang nagpasaya sakin kaya I can’t ask more from him,” i smiled at her. 

It’s true, I can never ask more from him kasi his presence is enough. He really makes me happy. Ang totoo niyan, the moment I heard that Derick was going to the Philippines and naiwan ako sa states, I felt alone kaya sinundan ko siya here. It is because of him why I am here. So I’m contented being his bestfriend at least I can be with him no matter what. 

“Well wala din naman sasay kung sabihin ko na maghanap ka ng iba at ibaling ang pagmamahal mo sa ibang tao since I can see it on your eyes that won’t happen. Kapag nagmahal ka di mo naman yun pinipili at parang switch lang e matuturn off at on lang so ang mapapayo ko lang sayo, Liam,” she paused, “be happy ok?” 

She smiled at me like she understood me. I smiled back at her, she really is an awesome sister to have. I can’t help but feel envious of Gerald. He has such an amazing sister and he has Derick but I’m happy for him, I know he deserved it. 

“Gusto mo ba kumain Liam tara libre ko,” Sandy offered.

“Sige ba,” since andto naman din ako why not take the offer, I have nothing else to do, plus I get to hang out with Sandy. I smiled at that.



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END of sembreak

Kababalik ko lang sa condo ko after two weeks long vacation with my relatives and Sandy in Naga. It was awesome of course and I felt happy. I miss someone though. I miss my Derick. I just want to spend time with him again. I miss my my bestfriend but I can be contented with whatever time he gives me since alam ko naman may quality time sina Gerald and Derick.

Nasa school na ako and I haven’t actually seen those two yet, I occupied myself with lots of school work kasi. Daming projects and assignments na pinagawa samin noong bakasyon and I crammed myself to the very last minute. Plus may basketball practice kami everyday because of the upcoming interschool competition. UAAP ba yun, I don’t know. Hey don’t judge me, I’m new ok? I haven’t been here in this country for a year. 

Papunta na ako ng library to finish my stuff when I saw a familiar face.

Evan was there on the back of the library where he usually sits and he seems busy. Madami siyang dala na papel and books on his table. He didn’t noticed me entering the library. I was gunna ignore him and get the needed books for my projects but I had this nagging feeling that I need to talk to him. 

I mean, it’s obvious he is avoiding me and I don’t know if he hates me or not. I know I shouldn’t be bothered about it pero I think he is a nice guy. He never actually bothered Derick and Gerald anymore. Gerald even explained to us that it was Evan who helped him so he and Derick could get together in the expense of us hating him. 

Ginawa niya yun even though alam niyang kakainisan namin siya? That alone made me curious about him. Plus the fact that he confessed that he likes me and yet now he act as if he doesn’t know me. I’m not a douche, I don’t want to get his hopes up coz I love Derick but I’m not that bad to judge him. He might actually be a pretty nice guy.

So nang makuha lahat ng stuff na need ko, I head straight to his table and he still hasn’t noticed me so I placed my books with a thud on the table. Nagulat naman siya at napatingin sa akin which made his eyes go wide in shock again. 

“Hey sup?” I greeted him and sat down in front of him.

He looked like he was fidgeting in his seat and debating if wants to leave or not. I didn’t give him that option so I made a conversation for him to stay. 

“Don’t leave, I just wanted to talk,” 

Tiningnan niya ako na para bang he couldn’t believe I’m actually talking to him. Well neither can I but who cares.

“Bakit?” he was baffled.

I just smiled, it’s as if he’s expecting I’d hit him or something rather than talk lol.

“Wala lang kala ko ba you’re full confidence bro bakit parang you’re so timid for the past weeks?” im genuinely curious.

Tumahimik siya muna and didn’t looked at me. He just stared at the papers on his desk but I waited.

“I’m not that person Liam, I uhmm ...” he stuttered.

Di pa rin ako nagsalita, gusto ko marinig kung ano sasabihin niya.

“Matagal na kitang gusto,” he confessed with a voice so low I barely even heard it, “aaminin ko mali ang ginawa ko, I actually used Gerald to get into your circle of friends, alam ko naman kasi wala ka ibang kaibigan kundi sa dalawang yun, I always see you here in the library and kung wala ka dito nasa basketball court.”

Hmm I don’t know if I should feel awkward at his confessions, not to mention his stalker like persona but I still continued to listen. What the heck.

“I like Gerald, he’s a nice guy actually, talaga namang pogi siya pero wala akong nararamdaman para sa kanya. Nagawa ko lang naman yun para uhhm... mapalapit pa sayo.”

He lowered his head avoiding my stare. I think he is blushing. That’s cute lol. Hey I’m not into him ok so shut up geez. 

“Pero bakit parang iniiwasan mo ko?” Napatingin siya sa akin, I guess he was shocked to even say that.

“I uhmm kasi... naisip ko lang na alam kong you guys hate me, I’m not really not a jack@ss para ipagpilitan ko sarili ko, masaya na ako sa ganito,” I can see that he became saddened by the thought of it. 

Bakit kaya parang I empathize with him. It feels like pareho kami ng pinagdadaanan. I sighed.

I ran my fingers through my hair and looked at him.

“We can be friends,” nagulat siya nang sinabi ko yun, “just friends, actually you’re right I love Derick and I don’t think it’ll change soon so friendship is all i can give besides I sure need more friends now that those two are dating.”

Nakita ko yung hurt sa mata ni Evan but he eventually held those emotions down and smiled at me. 

“Why?”

I looked at him baffled by his question.

“What do you mean why?”

“Bakit gusto mo ko maging kaibigan? What if ayoko maging kaibigan ka, what if gusto ko kalimutan tong nararamdaman ko sayo sa pamamagitan ng pagiwas ko sayo? You’re selfish you know that?”

I was stunned but I stared at him.

“I wanted to be friends with you kasi I can relate with what you’re going through and who knows I might learn to like you or not at all, I can’t promise you that, alam mo naman mahirap kalimutan kung sino talaga ang mahal mo pero truth is, I just wanted to have friends that’s all. I guess I’m insensitive asking you such things, sorry bro.”

He ramained quiet and thought of it seriously. I guess he is considering my offer to be friends with him. I’m not using him to get rid of my feelings for Derick coz I swear to my neighbor’s grave it’s not. I just don’t like him feeling crappy because of me plus I really do need more friends, my life is getting boring now that Derick and Gerald are spending more time with each other. I would hang out with Sandy but she’s a girl, I need a guy to hang out with and play sports or do some crazy sh*ts. Well Erick and the gang is cool too but the more the merrier right? Besides I don’t like Evan suffering because of me, maybe we can turn this thing between us as platonic and everything will be just fine. God I’m such a goody toe shoes kind of guy, I need to punch some dude to get my manliness back LOL.


“Ok,” voice so low i barely heard it.

“Ok?” just to clarify it.

“Ok gusto kita maging kaibigan,” he said shyly.

“Awesome, c’mon let’s eat lunch together, I think Derick and Gerald will be joining us by the cafeteria,” I offered.

I saw the fear in his eyes, I guess he doesn’t want to meet Derick just yet, I know he is in good terms with Gerald. They are teammates and Gerald even said so himself that Evan is a nice guy. 

“Err...” nagaalangan siya but I stood firm on my invitation.

“You’re coming to lunch with me and you’re not saying no, don’t worry bro kaibigan kita and Derick will understand that, sure he’s pissed at you for stealing his boyfriend,” i joked lol, “ but he’s pretty much cool with you now.”

I saw him cringed at what I’ve said, ok my bad but seriously he needs to let go of what happened between the four of us and start on a new leaf. Make world peace, lol. F*ckin gay reference, I laughed at my thoughts. 

“Tara na!” pinilit ko siya and he complied, phew I thought he’s gunna make me work harder on convincing him lol.



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“The hell?” Derick spoke somewhat annoyed. 

I stared at him full of disapproving look. I’m letting him know that he’s not this kind of guy that harbors ill feelings toward other people. The Derick I know is forgiving and caring and he catch on with what’s in my mind quickly that he sighed.

I saw Evan quite uncomfortable beside me in the table while we were eating our lunch. Wala lang naman kay Gerald, he seems ok with Evan.

“Tol may practice ba tayo mamaya sa soccer?” Gerald asked Evan while taking a bite out of his sandwich.

“Ah e oo pinapainform sa lahat ng players na mamayang hapon yung practice,” sagot ni Evan still uncomfortable with Derick.

“Ok cool then, buti naman naisipan mo samahan kami kumain, lagi ka kasi naglalagi sa library, nerd na ata labas mo e,”

Napatawa naman si Evan and brush his comment as a joke.

“yeah nakita ko nga siya kanina sa library kaya naisipan ko imbitahin kumain with us,” I told them both which made Evan stayed quiet.

“Magkaibigan kayo?” Derick asked.

“Oo why not? He’s pretty cool,” 

Nagulat kami nang nagsalita si Evan towards Derick.

“I’m sorry Derick, ummm sa mga nagawa ko,” I saw him lowered down his head. 

Derick sighed and looked at him now with softened gaze. 

“Ano ka ba tol, wala yun, I’m sorry din sa mga inaasal ko, friends?” he reached out his hand so he can give him a handshake which Evan gladly took after some momentary signs of shock on his face.

“Ayus ngayon pwede na tayo magdouble date!” Gerald shouted, what a dork lol.

I saw Evan blushed beside me and spoke something unexpected.

“Walang double date, magkaibigan lang kami ni Liam, yun lang wala nang iba,” 

I saw a confused look on Gerald and shocked face of Derick but I wasn’t that much affected, I did tell Evan that friendship is all I can offer and I guess this is a start on building our platonic relationship. He understood me and I want to help him move on by starting off as friends. 

“Ok sabi mo e, at least nadagdagan na tropa natin ayus,” Gerald on his hyper self, I just smiled at him. 

Derick accidentally shoved his bottled water causing it to fall and spill on the ground. I saw his hands tremble and grimaced in pain. 

“Derick are you ok?” concerned etched on my face.

With that instant he quickly put on a mask which I know so well like he’s hiding something. He smiled and laughed as if he was a clutz but I know something’s up.

“Ah yea sorry napakaclumsy ko,” he faked a laugh. Gerald didn’t notice and neither did Evan.


And because of that, something keeps nagging me at the back of my mind that something’s wrong.


To be continued...