Four Gangsters and Me (BoyxBoy)

Chapter 4

Would it be fine if I said yes? Kasi aaminin ko, hindi mahirap magustuhan si Hero. He's always there for me. He's there when I need a friend. He's protective, caring, and everything about him is so positive. Actually, he is every woman's ideal guy.

But no. I know that it is not right for me to like him. I know that it is not right for me to fall for him because clearly, he's just supposed to be my friend.

"The pool is just 5 feet but you're drowning yourself." doon ko lang napansin na katabi ko na pala si Hoven.

"Anong sinasabi mo?" I asked. I'm not even swimming. Nakatayo lang ako dito sa gilid so why am I drowning myself? "And why are you here? Sumama ka sa kanila. Drink with them." 

"Ang lalim ng iniisip mo. We're supposed to be enjoying kaya tayo nagpunta dito but you're there, alone, as if you have all the problems in the world." he explained. "Mind sharing it with me? Baka makatulong ako." he added.

No. He shouldn't know that I am having those thoughts. Everyone shouldn't know that I'm questioning my feelings for Hero.

"What are you talking about? Wala akong problema. I'm just enjoying the water." I lied. I hope he believed me because it's so hard for me to tell him what my problem is.

"If you say so." 

After that, parehas na kaming natahimik. We're both looking somewhere listening to all our classmates' laugh and talks. Nag-iinuman na rin ang iba ngayon.

"Ivan, aahon na kami." paalam sa akin ni Zia.

"Sure." sagot ko naman dito at umahon na sila to join our other classmates. 

Kami na lang ni Hoven ang nasa pool ngayon. Parehas tahimik, walang gustong magsalita. And actually, I'm loving it that way. At this point in time, parang gusto ko muna ng space away from everyone to enjoy myself. 

"Ivan, Hoven, join us here! Kayong dalawa na lang 'yung nasa pool." sigaw ni Tanya. Halos lahat, nakatingin na sa amin kaya wala na akong nagawa kundi umahon.

Sakto namang pagkaahon namin ay ang pag-ihip ng malakas na hangin kaya nakaramdam ako ng ginaw.

"Wait for me." utos ni Hoven kaya hindi muna ako umalis sa pwesto ko. Maya-maya lang ay bumalik rin siya dala ang isang tuwalya at ipinatong iyon sa balikat ko.

"Uy! I'm fine. Baka giniginaw ka rin so sa 'yo na lang." pagtanggi ko dito.

"I insist. Okay lang ako. Use it." tuloy-tuloy na sabi nito. Alam ko namang wala akong magagawa kahit pilitin ko pa siya kaya pumayag na ako.

"Thank you." he smiled as an answer.

Sabay kaming lumapit sa mga kaklase namin at umupo na.

"Ivan, have some drink." nagulat ako nang kakaupo ko pa lang ay inabutan na kaagad ako ni Tanya ng alak.

"I don't drink." sagot ko naman dito.

"Minsan lang naman eh. Besides, we're here to have fun." pagpupumilit nito. Kita naman ang pagsang-ayon ng iba pa naming mga kasama. "Go Ivan. You can do it."

"'Wag niyo na siyang pilitin. Ako na lang iinom niyan." nagulat kami nang biglang akuin ni Hero ang binibigay sa akin.