Lunch Dates

Part 7

"Dude, that was one time. I don't even remember what I said anymore. And I know it doesn't matter but Mark and I didn't even really talk to each other throughout high school. Surely you could have taken into consideration that you were already my best friend before I even learned what friendship really was."

"I don't know, Ohm. I was at a very dark place back in high school. My family was going through so many issues too. I was too confused and insecure to even have relationships. Everyone else was having a lot of fun, getting into their first romantic relationships. You even had several girlfriends in high school. Meanwhile, I was just a huge bag of confused hormones. The only positive side of my life back then was basketball and our friendship. So forgive me if I wanted to protect what little I had going for me."

Ohm began to understand what his friend was coming from. He put his arm around Nanon's shoulders.

"Damn. And here I was thinking I was a good friend to you all along. How did I miss all of that?"

"Like I said, your being there for me was more than enough. You were just a teenager too."

"Still, I think I would have done more if I only knew."

"It's fine, Ohm. I survived."

"But why did you tell Chimon first?" Ohm asked, still unhappy about the fact.

"Why is that a big deal? We were talking about homophobia in sports sometime late last year. I figured he was a nice person, and he lived in Cebu so it's not like we were gonna see each other again. Plus, we were not that close so if he reacted negatively and never talked to me again, it won't matter that much," Nanon explained.

Ohm's face brightened up. "So you mean to say, you told him first because it would be OK for you if you lost him. And you didn't tell me because you were afraid I would abandon you?"

"Uhuh," Nanon said dryly.

Ohm suddenly hugged Nanon again.

"Why are you so happy?" Nanon asked.

"Nothing," answered Ohm. "Let's have some pizza then we'll go to my condo."

Nanon did not share Ohm's excitement at that moment but deep inside, he was m happy that they were finally okay.

---

"Where are you? I was supposed to ask you to have dinner with me tonight but my parents are in town and asked me to sleep at their hotel." Chimon asked when he finally got hold of Nanon. It was already past nine in the evening.

"I'm at Ohm's condo." Nanon replied.

"What? What are you doing there?" Chimon was quite surprised.

"He called my mom, asked where I was and convinced her that it would be best for me to stay with him. Long story short, we talked and we're finally okay now."

"Oh. Well.. I'm happy for you," Chimon said with zero enthusiasm.

"Chi, you don't sound happy at all. What's the problem?"

"Nothing," answered Chimon. "I was just worried about you. So how are you feeling now?"

"I'm okay, I guess."

"Will you be coming to school tomorrow?"

"I think so, yeah. What the hell, I'm already out to everybody. No point in hiding now," Nanon said with newly found confidence.

"I'm proud of you, Non. Know what, why don't I pick you up tomorrow so we can go to school together?"

"Thanks Chi but no need. I'll be going with Ohm. But you still have to buy us lunch for the rest of the week, don't forget."