Joaquin: Sean, Happy Valentines.
*Okay, I did not expect that all. But can I just say: Kyyyyyyaaaaaaaaa!!!*
I've been too preoccupied with everything about the play that I actually forgot about Valentines Day. Sir Ricky's been pointing that out for weeks that we open on Valentines Day! Arghhh!!!
*Am I a horrible person kasi kahit man lang anong treat or gift wala akong nakuha for Joaquin?*
I can't really do anything but look at him.
He leans over, my eyes are fixed on his face. I have stared at his face so many times, that I don't know any other face that I could at look at the way I look at him now. I don't know if it's the cold air in my room, the hot chocolate, the way Joaquin is dressed, or the faint yellow light hitting his face just right, I'm too mesmerized.
I feel his lips touch mine.
I close my eyes. I'm totally losing any control I have left in me.
I respond as if my very lips are trying to memorize his.
Every little movement from Joaquin's lips at this moment will be ingrained in my very soul.
I don't know when we exactly stopped and settled with our foreheads touching.
I'm trying to catch my breath still unable to believe what just happened. Meanwhile, the guy who just kissed me is just being quiet while our heads are lightly swaying.
*Yeah, if you backtrack a bit, we pretty much did a lot in terms of being intimate. While some people start from an innocent kiss. Joaquin and I didn't start off so innocently. But this just made up for it. Call it a romantic reboot.*
_ _ _
"Sean, Dude, I can't stay here tonight ha. I have an early day later. But the guys and I will watch you tomorrow, ha?"
"Ay, don't give me that look naman, Dude. I'll be there tomorrow."
"If I don't wake up early, lagot ako."
"Sige na nga, I'll stay here until you get to sleep."
_ _ _
Joaquin set his alarm for 5:30am.
I felt him stir, and the way this is going, he probably hit the snooze button because he has yet to get up.
Please don't think of me as selfish if I keep pretending to be asleep. My efforts in convincing Joaquin to stay the night needs to be rewarded to the fullest. He did try to leave, but if makatulog na ako, no one will lock up after him. The compromise was he'd just leave really early.
He's just in his underwear now. But it's not what you would have expected us do, nothing naughty came about last night. I wanna make sulit every moment of this though... my cheeks upon the soft skin on his chest and arms are all I needed for the night. I know, I know... It seems like I'm too spoiled the way Joaquin treats me, but can I at least just have this moment for now? And it's Valentines Day.
*I used to think Valentines was so contrived and parang pilit lang. Yeah, jaded na kung jaded. Ever since high school naman kasi natatawa ako when all of a sudden for a day all the guys are walking around with bouquets and teddy bears; while some girls pinaninindigan nila ang magmukhang flower pot sa dami ng roses na dala nila. I take it all back, Gay Bathalas. Eheheheh!*
Joaquin's alarm goes snooze.
I feel him slowly get up from the bed. I kind of loosed my embrace on him when his alarm rang. He proceeds to the bathroom, probably to freshen up. I could hear the water from the sink running for a while before he steps out to get back to me.
I know he's going to wake me up because someone has to lock up behind him.
Joaquin: Dude, I gotta go. Wake up na.
I pretend not to notice him waking me up.
He brushes his fingers through my hair.
Joaquin: Sean, wake up, please —
I make like a kid who doesn't wanna get up.
He kisses me on the cheek.
Joaquin: Sige na, Dude. Get up na. I know gising ka na.
*Huli si Sean! Might as well.*
I open my eyes and look at the guy who is every inch a dream come true by himself. He smiles at me. Hindi pa siya nagbibihis.
Joaquin: I gotta go na, ha.
Me: Ganyan ka lang?
*Siyempre namimilosopo tayo ng very very light.*
Joaquin: That's why I woke you up nga eh.
I know what he means.
I get up and reach for his slacks na sinampay niya sa chair when he took them off last night. May naiwan siyang shirt dito a week ago na napa-laundry ko na so I head to the closet to take it out. The light from outside is still a bit grey and it's creeping through the window blinds by now.
I sit on the bed and gesture to my tall companion to come nearer. I take one pants leg and guide him as he slipped one of his legs through; then the other. I zip him up and button his slacks.
I take the shirt and unfold it, and get it ready for him to wear. Joaquin's taller than me so he crouches a little to let his arms and his head through. He straightens up and I bring the shirt sheath down to cover his torso.
Every now and then, I'd meet Joaquin's gaze habang pinapanood niya akong bihisan siya. I have a feeling that he's still not used to it and the fact na inaasikaso ko siya still feels novel to him. I take my chance and give him such a tight hug after I'm done dressing him up.
Joaquin: Ang tight ah, baka I won't be able to leave na niyan.
He reciprocates, hugs me back while playing with my hair.
Me: Huwag ka na kasi umalis.
Joaquin: Sean, I gotta go now para I'll be able to watch you perform later. You know how it is naman, di ba?
Me: No, I don't know.
I think I know what he's getting at.
Joaquin: Don't be like that, please.
He lets go of my embrace and places both his hands on my cheeks to lift my face up so I can look him in the eye.
Joaquin: I have to take someone out to breakfast so I can be with you after the play tonight. You and me, after the show. Okay?
Me: Yes.
*And there it is. There's a bit of a sting I feel inside me. I usually get it when someone else else around. Kilala niyo naman kung sino siya, di ba? If I'm reading into what he says, it's her turn this morning.*
Joaquin: You have to get enough rest or sleep for the play later, okay?
Me: Uh-huh.
Joaquin: Basta tonight, you and me na ha.
_ _ _
I set my alarm for 10:00am. I get back to my bed to catch a few more hours of sleep.
Phone vibrates.
Text message.
Joaquin:
Dude, you were calling my name in your sleep last night. You made me smile, you know.
Typing reply.
Sean:
Made you smile how?
Reply sent.
Phone vibrates.
Text message.
Joaquin:
It's because I knew right there and then na even in your dreams, it's my name you're calling. 😊
Typing reply.
Sean:
No dream is better than waking up to someone who makes dreams I have yet to dream of come true.
Happy Valentines Day to my First.
*Last night I thought I was dreaming when he was at the gate calling me. I'm about to sleep and yet this is better than dreaming.*
[ Author's Note: We've gone this far. I can't believe I was able to stretch a 5 or 6 part story into 40 parts with special chapters in-between. This marks the end of book one for The Coño Boy, and the proceeding chapters will be considered book two, yet will still be continued here. Hopefully 40 more chapters.
You'll have to be patient with me. The voices of these characters aren't always as clear in my head and the story isn't always easy enough to put into words. My fault partly, I like complications -that's how I see the world. Thanks for coming with me and sharing my fondness for Sean and Joaquin.
In a world like ours, where even the simplest and purest love tend to fall prey to the bitter consequences of reality, we ought to be reminded that we need to hang on to the bits and pieces of love that is given us. Because sometimes, that is all some of us can have. We'll see you later in Book 2! ]