Chapter 24: Love Square

Harry's POV

"For the nth time, kayo na nga ba talaga since you two are doing it?" Ace asked.

I looked at Chester's eyes... he looks unsure.

He hesitated to answer.

I was about to say "Yes", but then naalala ko, we didn't have any label.

Maybe I was too greedy? Maybe I was too aggressive? Baka ako lang nag iisip na Chester also loved me since he's doing it with me.

"So? Ano na status niyo?" Ace asked again.

"Haha! Baliw ka, Ace. Wala, pampalipas oras ko lang si Harry. 'Di ba, Harry?" Chester answered.

"Hala, eh ano 'yang ginagawa niyo? FuBu kayo?" Ace asked.

"Oo, walang commitment, wala lang. Lust lang, ganoon. Pagnagiinit, papalabas lang." Chester answered again.

I don't know why but ang sakit. I thought sasabihin niya na may something na sa aming dalawa.

"Wala ka pang 10K, Ace. Sorry, sabi mo 'di ba pag kami na ni Chester? Hindi naman na kapag ginagawa lang namin 'yun or nag s*x na eh panalo ka na Sorry! Bye 10k ka muna. Haha! The deal is still on." I said even thought it pains me to say it.

"Kayong dalawa! Maybe you're just saying this para hindi kayo magbayad!" Ace exclaimed.

"Totoo, hindi kami ni Harry. Maniwala ka, Ace. Wala lang kami niyan. Pag tropa, tropa lang." Chester said. "Isa pa, pang training ko lang si Harry sa s*x. 'Di ba, Harry?"

I was smiling outside and laughing with them like it's nothing, pero deep down inside, ang sakit pala? I don't know if joke lang 'yun, but to hear that from him kung kailan binigay ko 'yung buo kong pagkatao at katawan... funny, I was the only one who's into it.

"Yah, I let Chester use me. May bayad eh, 'di ba? Hoy, Chester, babayaran mo ko mamaya!" I said.

"Ano ka, Harry, 'gay-for-pay'?" Ace asked.

"Sort of? I need money! Paubos na budget ko!" I jokingly said.

"Hoy, Harry, don't you dare be a "gay-for-pay". Mamaya kung anong makuha mo if you are doing it with somebody. Doing it with Chester is fine, since may consent niyo naman sigurong dalawa and you both know each other. But, please, Harry, just don't." Ace said.

"Adik ka ba, Ace? Of course not. Isa pa, magkasakit pa ako if kung sino sino na lang ang gawan ko ng ganoon." I answered.

"Pero last question, wala talaga namamagitan sa inyo? Bye 10K muna ako for now?" Ace asked.

"Yes, Ace! Wala ka munang 10k!" I shouted.

"Tara na nga, lumabas na nga tayo." Chester said and we went out of the C.R.

Pagkalabas namin sa C.R. we bumped into Joker who's looking around and when he saw us...

"Andyan pala kayo! Kanina ko pa kayo hinahanap! Lalo na kayong dalawa, Chester, Harry! Hindi kayo nalista sa attendance!" Joker said.

"Nasa C.R. lang sila, cause Harry's tummy is not feeling well. And medyo may headache siya so he went to the C.R. first." Ace said and covered for us.

Then, nilapitan ako ni Joker and he touched my head, "Okay ka na?" he asked me.

I smiled and I said "Yes."

"Good." Joker said and smiled at me.

I looked at Chester and tiningnan ko if magkakaroon siya ng reaction while Joker is touching my head dahil sabi niya, sa kanya lang ang katawan ko and nobody should dare touch me, but parang wala lang sa kanya. Tumalikod na siya and inakbayan niya na si Ace and nagsimula na sila maglakad.

I was looking at Chester's back and thinking that maybe he wasn't really into me? Maybe I'm just a playtoy? Baka ganoon nga lang ako? I thought na I can be with him and he will love me back if I gave up myself but hindi pala ganoon.

Joker was still touching my head, but then, I had this idea. Why don't I use Joker para pagselosin si Chester and see if it will work and if may feelings nga ba talaga siya sa akin or libog lang siya.

"Ano, Harry, hindi na masakit 'yung tiyan mo? Just tell me if hindi mo kayang sumali sa first activity. Ipapaalam na lang kita kila Lucas." he asked me.

Hindi ko pa siya sinasagot since iniisip ko ang plano ko to bait Chester. If I'll use Joker, maniniwala kaya siya? Since Joker has a girlfriend, and that's Ate Alaiza, our Student Council President, magseselos kaya siya if I use Joker? Hmmm.

"Medyo kumikirot ng kaunti, pero I think I can manage." I said and smiled.

"You want me to be with you for the rest of the first activity just in case? Maglilinis kasi tayo as part of the first activity. And kapag sumakit na naman tyan mo, I can bring you to the clinic right away." he insisted.

Maybe, Joker is the best option for now, to see if magkakaroon ng reaction si Chester.

"Okay po, Kuya Joker. But I think kaya ko naman. Don't worry." I said and smiled.

"Ahhh, 'wag na makulit." he said and messed up my hair.

"Don't do that! Ang tagal ko inayos 'yung buhok ko tapos guguluhin mo lang!" I exclaimed.

"Wala! Ang cute mo kasi!" Joker said and laughed, "Tara na nga. I'll be with you for the rest of the day instead." he said and inakbayan niya na ako.

To be honest, I feel so unsure about using Joker as a bait, dahil mamaya, this may turn out to be bad, but I think, I'll do my best to minimize any issues as possible. Lalo na I'm dealing with the student council president's boyfriend. And isang maling galaw ko lang, ako naman ang hahataw sa school news feed after Ace's incident with Kuya Seph!

Nagsimula na kami maglakad ni Joker and he didn't say any word. We were just walking habang nakaabay siya sa akin. Actually, this was the first time that I had a close encounter with him since hindi naman kami ganoon ka close.

As soon as we got to the open field, I saw Ace and Chester being with the other girls and he was laughing with them. The usual, being him as a flirt, and I guess he's now back to his normal old self. Baka nga talaga he's just using me to let his urges be out.

But kailangan ko pa rin talaga masigurado if magkakaroon siya ng reaction, and if in Chester's eyes, kung mahal niya ba ako o hindi.

As soon as nakalapit na kami ni Joker kila Chester, hindi niya ako pinansin. I was like a nobody para sa kanya. But I'll still push with my plan.

We are now with our first activity and that's the general cleaning. We were divided into groups. Me, Ace and Chester are still on the same group and together with Joker since he insisted to be with me for the rest of the day. Good thing dahil pasok 'yun sa plano ko.

I was trying to get near Chester but then hindi niya pa rin ako pinapansin. He's giving short smiles and the usual tango but he's not chatting with me like we do everyday.

Is Chester giving me the cold shoulder?

Then, one girl from our group shouted dahil nasugatan siya while cleaning... such a clumsy girl!

Pero, bigla siyang nilapitan ni Chester and he was so damn worried. Sobra siyang alalang alala doon sa girl na ka group namin eh nagasgas lang naman sa tuhod. Akala mo napano na, but the girl, she was too extra. Akala mo baldado na. Tss.

I was looking at them and mocking the way Chester was trying to comfort the girl.

Arte niya lang, kala mo naman talaga napano.

I was too hard on sweeping the ground dahil sa inis, and hindi ko na namalayan na natusok na ako ng stick ng walis tingting.

"Harry! 'Yung daliri mo!" Joker shouted at me and when I looked at my fingers, it was bleeding!

Bigla kong nabitawan ang walis since I'm a hemophobic person, or a person who has a fear of blood!

Sobra akong nanginig dahil the blood is flowing through my fingers! I got so scared and I really don't know what to do! Nandoon na ako sa stage na malapit na ako mag hysterical since I'm afraid of blood!

Chester saw me bleeding but he didn't give a sh*t and was still focus on the girl na may gasgas lang sa tuhod.

I was about to cry since I don't want to see my own blood flowing through my fingers and that's when someone closed my eyes.

Naramdaman ko 'yung mainit na kamay na dumampi sa mga mata ko and I don't know who it was. But closing my eyes help me panicked a little less.

"Kalma ka lang, Harry, I got you." Joker whispered, "Wag mo isipin na may tumutulong dugo sa daliri mo. Think of somebody else or anything."

He said that I need to think of somebody else or anything... and ang unang pumapasok sa utak ko is si Chester. But then, kapag naiisip ko si Chester, nagiging malungkot ako because of the way he's treating me right now.

"Hemophobic ka ba, Harry?" Joker asked me.

"Y-Yes." I said while stuttering.

He removed his hands from my eyes and nakita ko na lang na may bandage na ang mga daliri ko.

"Ayan, wala na 'yung dugo. Hindi ka na matatakot." Joker said and he gave me a warm smile, "Buti na lang nagpaalam ako na sayo muna ako sasama. Kung hindi, baka nagkaroon na ng casualty."

"Thank you, Kuya Joker." I said.

"Wala lang, yun. Tsaka, kalma ka lang sa pagwawalis. Haha!" he said.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

After our first activity, dumiretso na kami sa second activity for the day and that's helping the villagers with their tree planting.

As usual, we're still on the same group, pero hindi pa rin talaga ako kinakausap ni Chester. Iniiwasan niya na rin ang mga tingin ko. I wonder why, but maybe nandidiri na siya sa akin? If that's what I think it is.

Right now, kapartner ni Chester 'yung si girl gasgas sa tree planting, and si Ace naman with the 3 daddies and I'm with Joker.

I tried to make it obvious that I'm being sweet with Joker while checking Chester's reaction, but he still doesn't give any sh*t.

But I still won't give up. I'll still proceed with my plan to make Chester be jealous of Joker.

Nagbubungkal lang ako ng lupa while looking at Chester and gasgas girl. Naiirita ako sa kanila at sa kung paano makipag-usap si Chester. Hayst!

Then, napatigil ako because Joker touched my head again and hinarap niya ang ulo ko sa kanya.

"Harry, ang lalim na ng nabungkal mong lupa." he said.

Napatingin ako sa lupang binubungkal ko and it was too deep!

"I'm sorry, Kuya Joker. Saglit, ibabalik ko 'yung lupa." I said while I was so embarassed.

Joker then laughed and I got mesmerized. Hindi ko kasi tinitingnan si Joker since we're not that close and hindi naman kami gaanong nagkikita.

But being near with him, and being too close to him right now and seeing his face... I can say that Joker is really handsome.

He has this bully look and sleepy eyes na kulay light brown, thick eyebrows and wavy black hair, and has ear piercings sa magkabilang ears.

Hindi ko naman siya tinitingnan noon since hindi naman ako interesado sa kanya. Yes, he's also considered a heartthrob second to Kuya Seph, but may features si Joker which makes him outstanding once you look at him.

While looking at him, I'm seeing dots in my eyes... but I think mga lupa 'yun na napunta sa eyeglasses ko. I was about to remove my eyeglasses when Joker suddenly removed my eyeglasses for me very gently.

Nilinis niya ang eyeglasses ko and then sinuot niya sa akin pabalik.

"Ayan, mas makakakita ka na ngayon. Puro lupa na 'yung nasa lenses ng salamin mo." He said while smiling at me and his face became clearer since wala na 'yung mga dumi sa eye glasses ko.

"You know what, Harry, mas cute ka pala kapag hindi naka eyeglasses. Why don't you try using contact lenses? Isa pa, hindi ka na mahihirapan." he said.

I don't use contact lenses kahit I always have it on my bag since sinabi sa akin ni Chester that I looked cuter with my glasses on. But then, Joker said that I look cuter without my glasses. Sino kaya paniniwalaan ko?

Magkakaiba talaga taste ng mga tao... 'yun lang ang masasabi ko.

I'm about to place the tree sprout sa lupa na binungkal namin and nang inilagay ko na ang tree sprout sa lupa, bigla na lang binuhos ni Joker ang lupa sa mga kamay ko while I was still holding the tree sprout doon sa hole na ginawa namin.

"Baliw ka, Kuya Joker! Pati 'yung kamay ko ano itatanim mo na rin? Haha!" I said and laughed.

Joker, then, looked at me and smiled again without saying anything.

"Bakit ka nakatingin sa akin? May dumi pa sa mukha ko?" I asked.

"Ayan, I was just waiting for you to smile and laugh. Kanina ka pa kasi nakasimangot na parang pasan mo 'yung buong mundo." Joker said and made my heart fluttered a bit.

He really knows how to flirt, that's why marami akong nababalitaan na marami nagkakagusto sa kanya. Siguro, kaya din nafall sa kanya si Ate Alaiza even though that girl is so picky when it comes to guys, but hey, Joker isn't that bad. He's a good catch, I'd say. If only nauna ko lang nakilala si Joker, I'd say na magugustuhan ko siya.

I looked at Chester again for a while to see how he was doing. He's still chatting with gasgas girl and I'd say na he's enjoying too much.

After our tree planting, Lucas decided to start a lunch break and the villagers set us up for a boodle fight! Hell yeah!

So ayun na nga, we're on our spots for the boodle fight and nakatayo na kami.

Joker is on my leftside, while katabi niya si Ate Alaiza. On my right side would be Ace and his 3 daddies na hindi na talaga siya iniwanan ever since we got here sa Gabaldon. Poor Ace, hindi na nakaroon ng peaceful time. Haha! But then, sa harap ko, si Chester together with gasgas girl. Ugghh.

We started eating and still walang pansinang nagaganap sa amin ni Chester and we were just minding our own businesses. On the other hand, busog na busog si Ace, dahil pagkatapos ipasubo ni Kuya Jeffrey ang isang ulam, si Kuya Lucas naman ang may ipapatikim, and afterwards, si Kuya Seph naman ang may ipapakain kay Ace. Maybe after this boodle fight, sobrang busog na busog na si Ace. Haha!

"Harry!" Joker shouted and I looked at him, "Tikman mo 'to."

He was showing me a piece of buttered shirmp that he peeled and bigla niya inisubo sa akin. I wasn't able to stop him since nahihiya ako na subuan niya, isa pa, Ate Alaiza was just beside him and baka kung anong isipin sa aming dalawa.

"Sarap no?" Joker asked while smiling at me and he's trying to peel another shrimp.

I looked at Chester and he was staring at us and then he looked at gasgas girl again and nagkwentuhan sila. Maybe, he really doesn't care about me? Maybe hindi naman talaga siya nagseselos? But then, I still needed to continue my plan.

"Harry, say Ahhh." Joker said again and sinubuan niya na naman ako ng shrimp na binalatan niya para sa akin.

But suddently, I did the most embarrasing thing! Pagkasubo ni Joker ng shrimp sa akin, It was not intentional but then his index finger... nasubo din sa akin so nakagat ko 'yung kamay niya ng hindi sinasandya!

"Aray!" Joker shouted.

"Aw! Sorry, hindi ko sinasadya, Kuya Joker! Ikaw kasi!" I said and laughed.

"'Di, okay lang. Hindi naman naman masakit. Malapit lang naman matanggal 'yung daliri ko sa kamay ko. Haha!" Joker replied.

"Oopss, baka may magselos. Hinay hinay lang sa pagsubo, Harry." Someone whispered to my right ear, and it was Ace! "It's Payback time. Haha!" he said while giving me an evil smile with squinting eyes.

I know now how Ace feels kapag binubulungan namin siya at inaasar. Haha! What goes around comes back around.

After the boodle fight, sobrang busog since halos naubos namin ang food, and siempre, si Ace ang pinaka maraming na contribute sa mga kumain. Paano ba naman, non stop siyang sinusubuan ng 3 daddies... kaya ayun, na empacho! Haha! He's resting now, and siempre, nakabantay pa rin sa kanya 'yung tatlo at aligagang aligaga at nagaaway pa. Silang tatlo din naman may kasalanan...pakain sila ng pakain kay Ace ng food. Poor Ace. Hahaha!

While I'm sitting under a tree and nagpapababa ng kinain, Joker sat beside me.

"Ano, hindi naman na sumasakit 'yung tyan mo or hindi ka naman na nahihilo na?" he asked.

"Hindi na, Kuya Joker. Thank you pala." I said and smiled at him.

"Wala 'yun. It's okay. Oo nga pala, baka mamaya nakukulitan ka sa akin since sunod ako ng sunod sayo. Do you want me to disappear? Haha!" Joker asked.

I paused for a moment... and I said "No. Please stay."

I don't know why I said to Joker na I'd like him to stay. But maybe, I don't want to feel all alone. That keeping him as my company will make me feel less lonely. But ayoko lang ng feeling ng mag isa talaga right now. Ace isn't with me since he's got another company. Chester doesn't want me either, and I'm all alone by myself now. And being with Joker makes me more comfortable for the time being.

"Okay, I'll stay with you hangga't gusto mo. But if nakukulitan ka na sa akin and medyo nasasakal, sabihin mo lang. Haha! Don't be shy, Harry, pwede ka maging pranka sa akin, and that's fine." Joker said and sumandal siya sa puno and closed his eyes.

I stared at him while he's sleeping, and he looks so damn good while resting peacefully, as If I want to kiss him, but then I can't.

Sumandal na rin ako sa puno and closed my eyes. After a while, I felt a heaviness on my left shoulder and when I opened my eyes, it was Joker who accidentally fell asleep.

Hinayaan ko na lang siya to lay his head on my shoulders, since it's my way of saying thank you for treating me so nice. But then, napaisip ko kung bakit he was so nice to me, I mean too nice, I should say.

I looked around to see if Chester will see me and Joker being sweet, and yes, he's there in front of me, but he's playing and not giving a damn sh*t on me again. I felt so hopeless na maybe wala na talaga. Baka Chester already changed his mind that fast...

Maybe I'll be all alone on my own again. Maybe iiwanan na naman ako. Maybe loving someone isn't really my thing.

I tried to be more sensual sa kanya, but then, in just a snap, wala na lang sa kanya. He's the 3rd one that I've been in love with na isa na namang failure. I guess hindi ako kamahal mahal talaga and I'm just a playtoy for everybody na naghahanap ng sarap sa katawan. That maybe is my purpose. Should I really give up loving Chester?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

It's now around 10 p.m. and I can't sleep. My mind doesn't let me sleep. Sobrang dami ng iniisip ko and I really don't know what to do now.

Lumabas muna ako sa tent namin nina Chester and Ace and I've decided to watch the moon and the stars.

Naglakad muna ako to find the perfect spot for stargazing and while looking, I saw a person that's sitting on a patch of grass while looking at the sky.

Nilapitan ko ang taong iyon, and to my suprise, it was Joker.

"Oh, Ikaw pala 'yan, Harry. Can't sleep?" Joker asked me.

"Sort of. Namamahay siguro ako. Haha!" I said then I sat near him.

Hindi kami nagsalita and we're just looking at the sky. Mayamaya, humiga si Joker sa patch of grass, and as I looked at him and stared, napatingin ako sa mukha niya dahil nasisinagan ng ilaw ng buwan and his face... it was so beautiful, like a nice piece of art.

He saw me staring at him so he smiled at me and he said, "Nakalimutan mo ba 'yung eye glasses mo? Hindi ka nakasalamin eh."

Then, I answered him, "No, I'm wearing contact lenses." and I didn't said why I chose to wear it, but Joker said that I looked good wearing contact lenses and maybe, mas naniniwala ako sa kanya than what Chester said about me being cuter with my eyeglasses.

"Good, mas nakikita ko 'yung mukha mo ng mas malinaw. It's looks good on you, Harry." Joker said and smiled.

I felt confused as to why I felt happy when he said that. Maybe, umaasa na naman siguro ako? I'm only using Joker as my bait for Chester but I don't know why I'm starting to feel something different about him.

Nagdecide ako na humiga sa tabi ni Joker since I also want to lay down and watch the beautiful night sky.

But, as soon as I laid my head down, I felt something hard but soft na something I don't know since I was focused staring at the sky. And when I looked down doon sa matigas na malambot na natamaan ko, it was Joker's left arm na naka open wide.

"You can lay rest on my arms. It's okay." he said and smiled.

Humiga ako and I felt the warmth of Joker's arms on my head. I don't know what it is but I felt something. Something na masakit sa puso, but it was so comforting at the same time.

It's like my heart is pounding for someone else and it seems that this pounding maybe is for Joker already... but I can't, since he's taken.

If ever na ma-fall ako kay Joker, I'll just give myself a hard time. Why can't I love someone that'll love me back without any issues?

Then, after a while, I felt something heavy on my Chest while I'm looking at the nightsky.

Sinubukan kong hawakan kung ano ang mabigat na nakapatong sa chest ko. It was warm and tender... and nang tiningnan ko, it was Joker's right arm that's almost hugging me and he's already asleep.

I was about to cry while looking at the night sky...

Why do guys make it so hard for me...

WHY!

Papahirapan ko din ba ang sarili ko? Umaasa pa nga ako kay Chester... Aasa din ba ako kay Joker?

End of Chapter 24