Chapter 39: Unexpected Event

Ace's POV

"Ace?"

I think someones calling my name... It's voice of a guy... sino 'to?

"Ace..."

He called my name again. I slowly opened my eyes since the light from the room is burning my eyesight.

"Kamusta ka na?"

It was Jeffrey who's seating next to my bed and gently holding my head.

"Ano nangyari? Just a little headache but I think I'm fine." I said.

"Good. 2 days ka nakatulog so baka manakit 'yung katawan mo kaya dahan dahan ka na muna gumalaw." Jeffrey said.

"Where's Lucas? How's he? Is he alive?" I asked Jeffrey.

"Yes... he's fine. He's resting at the next room." Jeffrey answered.

"Pwede ba natin siya puntahan?" I asked since I want to see if Lucas is still alive and breathing and I want to tell him that I would like to choose him and to be with him for the rest of my life.

Yes... I'll be choosing Lucas and I have decided as he already saved my life twice which no money can return and I owe it all to him.

"Jeffrey, pwede mo ba ko samahan pumunta sa room ni Lucas? Is Seph also there?" I asked him.

"Yes... nandoon si Seph and siya ang nagbabantay kay Lucas." Jeffrey answered.

I think this is the right time para sabihin na sa kanilang tatlo. I'm so sorry, Seph and Jeffrey, but I'll go with Lucas.

I was about to stand up when the door at my room suddenly opened and it was Tara, Chester and Harry and it seems that they are really shocked at may gusto silang sabihin.

"Ace! Gising ka na!" Tara shouted.

"Wag ka muna aalis sa pwesto mo." Chester also added.

Tumungo sila papunta sa akin and Tara asked Jeffrey, "Kuya Jeff, pwede mo ba kami iwanan muna? We just need to talk to Ace... privately."

"Okay. I'll be outside if you need my help." Jeffrey said and went outside.

Harry made sure that the door was locked and lumapit ulit siya sa akin.

"Guys... I have something to tell you." I said to the three of them.

"Kami din, Ace, may sasabihin kami pero mauna ka na." Tara said.

"I think... and I know... and especially, I admit that I'm not straight." I said with a very serious tone. But these three... they were playing that they were really shocked but I know na matagal naman na nila ako pinagdidiskitahan.

"Hala, Ace! Akala ko straight ka noon pa lang! Nakakagulat!" Chester sarcastically said.

"Haha! Nakakatawa!" I answered, "But to be honest, guys... I've already chosen."

"Sino, Ace? Sinong napili mo?" Chester asked.

"I'll give the five thousand to you paguwi ko sa bahay... Harry." I said and the three got shocked again.

"Ace! No!" Tara shouted.

"Why not?" I asked.

"Hindi ko matatanggap 'yung 5K, Ace. Let's cut off the deal again." Harry said.

"Anong nangyari?" I asked with a lot of confusion going inside my head.

"May natuklasan kami, Ace, and hindi namin inaasahan." Tara whispered.

"Basta, kung ako sayo, Ace, pag-isipan mo muna." Chester added.

"Ano ba? Hindi ko kayo maintindihan?" I exclaimed.

"Ace... Kuya Lucas and Kuya Seph had an affair before. They were secret lovers and they had sex with each other! Narinig namin lahat! Bago kami umalis..." Tara explained while her pitch is getting higher.

I paused for a moment since hindi ko na-absorb ka-agad ang sinabi ni Tara that Seph and Lucas were lovers before.

"Isa pa, Ace... ikaw ang naging dahilan kung bakit sila nagkahiwalayan." Chester added.

After he said that... I got stunned. I thought that they were just fighting over me... but in reality, ako pala ang sumira sa relasyon nilang dalawa and I didn't know.

I'm a horrible person... I didn't want that to happen.

"No... hindi ako third party and I never intended to break them up!" I exclaimed.

"Yes, we know, Ace. We heard it all. Kuya Lucas fell in love with you while they were still in a relationship. So, Ace, anong plano mo. Would you still choose Kuya Lucas?" Harry asked.

I smiled at them three... and I don't know why but my tears started to fall down.

Nasaktan ako since I was ready to give my heart already. Andoon na ko, I'm willing to sacrifice myself... only to find out that I destroyed someone else's relationship without me knowing.

Ayoko na...

I was about to confess my love for Lucas but magmumukha lang pala akong pathetic once na sinabi ko na kina Lucas, Seph and Jeffrey ang totoo.

"Am I bad person? Am I bad friend?" I asked them while my tears continued to fall.

"Hindi, Ace... Hindi mo naman sinasadya. Isa pa, you didn't know na may something sa kanilang dalawa before." Tara said.

"I was about to confess to the three of them na si Lucas ang pipiliin ko. I guess, I was wrong then. Kung sasabihin ko sa kanila ng harapan... sa harap ni Seph, I'm stupid... I'm an idiot." I continued. "Sa totoo lang, hindi ko na din talaga alam kung anong gagawin ko. Once we go back to manila... Can I still go back to my normal life? Yung hindi na ako mahihirapan? Yung wala na rin akong masasaktan?"

The three didn't answer since they also didn't know what to do.

"I guess... I have to give it back to them... To Lucas and Seph, for the love that they deserved. For the love that I mistakenly took away from them." I said to them.

The three gave me little smiles which means that they respected my decision.

"Can you please bring back Jeffrey here?" I asked them.

"Why, Ace. Are you going to choose him now? Ganoon lang kadali?" Tara asked.

"Nope... I just wanted to say something to him." I answered, "Please, bring Jeffrey over here and I'll talk to him privately."

The three went out and that's when Jeffrey came in and nilapitan ako.

"Ace, what do you want?" Jeffrey asked.

"Jeffrey... I have a favor to ask. 'Di ba, master mo ko?" I asked him.

"Yes, why?" he asked and smiled at me.

I'm thinking if I should say that I want Jeffrey to disappear or if I want him to stay in my life...

I looked at him while he waits for me to say something.

Hindi pa rin ako makapag isip and I wanted to be sure before I say it...

But not now, I guess. Pag-iisipan ko muna.

"Let's go back to Manila." I said to Jeffrey.

"Sure, I'll pack your things and ako na makikipag-usap kay Lucille. Just rest for a while and tatawagin na lang kita once na pwede ka na lumabas. But sure ka na kaya mo na?" Jeffrey asked me while smiling at me and caressing my hair.

"Yes... I can manage... I think." I answered.

"But I think, Lucas may need to stay here for a few more days since hindi pa kakayanin ng katawan niya. Kung gano'n, baka si Seph muna ang sasama sa kanya for the meantime." Jeffrey said.

"Yes, I think it's the best for everybody." I answered.

"Okay, tatanungin ko muna sila sa next room. Do you still want to come with me?" Jeffrey asked.

"No, I'm fine. Thank you." I said and that's when Jeffrey left me.

After a while, someone knocked on my door...

"Wifey? Gising ka na?"

"Pasok."

"Kamusta ka na?" Zeus said and humiga siya sa tabi ko so I moved a little para makahiga siya ng mas maayos.

"I'm okay physically, but not mentally." I answered.

"Hala... gusto mo sa mental hospital na kita dalhin sa susunod?" Zeus jokingly said.

"Baliw ka! Gusto mo iturok ko sa mata mo 'yung dextrose ko?" I exclaimed.

"Game! Tusok mo sa mata ko." he said and laughed since he knows na I really can't do it.

"So anong plano mo? Babalik ka na daw sa Manila sabi ni bait eh." Zeus asked.

"Yes... Doon na muna ako ulit." I answered.

"Sige, next school year doon na din ako mag transfer." Zeus said.

"Bahala ka. I won't stop you." I said.

"Hindi mo talaga ako mapipigilan. Kasi nagpaalam na ko kina papa tsaka mama and pumayag na sila." Zeus said, "Kaya wala ng makakalapit sayo next year. Haha!"

"Seryoso? Pumayag na si tito Leo? What did he say when he saw us last time hugging and nagtutukaan daw?" I asked him.

"Wala na nagawa si papa. Bahala na din daw ako sa gusto ko. Kung sino daw talaga mahal ko, wala na daw siyang magagawa. Basta ako daw 'yung lalake sa atin. Haha!" Zeus jokingly said.

"Manang mana ka talaga sa tatay mo. But seriously, I'll wait for you once makapunta ka ng manila. Tsaka saan ka mag dodorm? 3 beds lang ang room namin!" I exclaimed.

"Edi sa'yo ako tatabi! Sus! Ano ba naman to si Ace." Zeus said.

I was thinking... why can't it be Zeus all along? Bakit ba hindi na lang siya since he's the person that I can be the most comfortable with. But then, biglang papasok sa isip ko na I really don't want to lose this guy over a stupid love. It sucks right? You can keep only one... either staying as friends and be with him for the rest of my life or be my lover and lose him at one point?

"Zeus..." I asked him.

"Yes, wifey?" he asked while smiling.

"Can you give me a hug?" I asked.

"Yun lang pala eh. Wait lang ah?" He said and stood up.

He went to the door to ensure na sarado na this time. This Zeus... haha!

Then, bumalik na siya ulit sa hospital bed and humiga sa tabi ko and he gave me a hug.

"Gaano katagal gusto mo, wifey?" he asked.

"As long as I need." I answered.

"Sabi ko sa'yo... ako na lang kasi. Nakaready na lahat, legal na tayo both sides... ikaw na lang hinihintay ko. Naghahanap ka pa ng iba. Tsk!" he whispered.

I wish ganoon lang nga kadali talaga, Zeus. But I need to think it through if ipupush ko nga ba ang sarili ko to be with you or to be with Jeffrey...

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

We're now back at Manila while naiwan sina Seph sa Antique until Lucas' wound has healed. But I guess the wound in their hearts... 'yun ang mas matagal na mag heal so might as will give them both their time that they need to reflect. I think this is the best way... I need to give way... Yes.

It's now just between Jeffrey and Zeus for now and kailangan ko magdecide.

Harry, Chester and I are now back at the dorm and inaayos na namin 'yung mga gamit namin ulit. It's been a long week and I never thought na magiging super tiring ang pagbalik ko sa Antique.

"Ace, next school year dito na pala si Zeus mag-aaral. Saan siya? Maghahanap tayo ng bagong dorm na kasya apat?" Chester asked while he's arranging his clothes in his cabinet.

"Sabi niya kay Ace na lang daw siya tatabi eh." Harry answered.

"Eh siempre hindi naman sila makakatulog ng maayos." Chester said.

"Bahala na muna. Wala pa naman si Zeus. Tsaka na lang natin pag-isipan kapag nandyan na siya." I said.

"Ace... Okay lang naman sayo na nandito si Zeus?" Chester asked.

"Oo naman. Bakit naman magiging hindi?" I answered.

"What's the score between you and Zeus? Childhood friends pa rin nga ba? Hindi 'yun ang tingin sa'yo ni Zeus and we all know that." Harry asked.

"Sa totoo lang, hindi ko alam. Walang pumapasok sa utak ko. Pwede ba wag muna natin pag-usapan. Magpapahinga muna ako." I said and I went to my bed.

While I'm scrolling the twitter news feed, I accidentally liked @ImyourStar's recent tweet, the one that I've chatted with a few days ago, and that person just sent me a DM.

@ImyourStar Ano? Kamusta ang date? Hehe!

@MartinAce4u It was okay. ☺️

@ImyourStar So sinagot mo na ba siya? 😱

@MartinAce4u Nope. I don't deserve his love. Better luck next time siguro.

@ImyourStar Awts. Saklap naman. But eventually you'll get there. You just have to be patient.

@MartinAce4u Well, I still have two to choose from so hindi pa tapos kalbaryo ko. Haha! 🤣

@ImyourStar Wow! Grabe andami mo pala manliligaw! Lakas naman po! Haha 😱

@MartinAce4u Well, it's a curse! BTW are you a guy or a girl?

@ImyourStar Alien 👽👽

@MartinAce4u Okay alien Magpapahinga muna ako. Just got back from Antique.

@ImyourStar Olryt! Talk to you soon! Rest well! 👽😱🤣

After talking to the Alien Guy @ImyourStar, I closed my Twitter app and have decided to sleep since antok na antok na ako. But then my phone rang and was coming from an unknown number so hindi ko sinagot since I hate calls from unknown numbers and hinayaan ko na lang.

Pagkatapos mag ring ng phone ko, the number texted me.

"Hi Ace, si Jeffrey 'to. Nasira 'yung sim ko that's why I bought a new one. You can save my new number. Also, can you come tonight? I'll ping you the address. I have something to talk to you privately—Jeffrey"

"Okay. What's the address? Can't it be on a phone call? —Ace"

"It can't. Much better kapag personal. I'll be waiting for you later.—Jeffrey"

Then after a while, Jeffrey sent me the address. It looks like a five star hotel so I guess kailangan ko magsuot ng medyo formal at hindi 'yung casual kong damit.

But what does Jeffrey want? If he wants to have s*x with me in that hotel... I swear I'll cut his dick into four! But Jeffrey's not that kind of person so baka sobrang personal and private nitong pag-uusapan namin and maybe sa ginagawa niyang novel where I'm the lead.

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

As soon as I got to the hotel that Jeffrey wants me to go to, I asked the receptionist and they guided me sa room ni Jeffrey.

As I stand in front of the door, I texted Jeffrey first.

"Jeffrey, I'm here now. In front of room 15-A3 —Ace"

"Good. Come in, the door is open.—Jeffrey"

Since sinabi ni Jeffrey na nakabukas ang pinto, I barged in already but no one was inside the living room since 'yun ang pinaka-unang bubungad pagpasok sa unit.

I tried to check the whole unit but no one was there. Pero I wasn't able to check the bedroom since it was locked so I texted Jeffrey again.

"Where are you? I'm at the living room RN—Ace"

While waiting for a reply, Jeffrey sent another text message but from his old number. Akala ko sira sim niya?

"Ace? Where are you? I went to your dorm and sabi nila Chester and Harry you went out?—Jeffrey"

What the hell? Pinaprank ba ako ni Jeffrey?

"You texted me earlier and you said na pumunta ako sa hotel. —Ace"

"What hotel? I haven't texted you yet. Ngayon lang.—Jeffrey"

I sent Jeffrey the address of the hotel and the number that he sent me using his "New" number and waited for his reply.

"No. I didn't sent that address. Also, that's not my number. Wait, I'll go to that address. If possible, don't come in. —Jeffrey"

I was about to say "too late" to Jeffrey when I heard a voice in front of me while I'm focused on texting Jeffrey. That's when I heard the door being locked...

Since nakayuko ako, I saw the hairy feet and legs of the person that's infront of me and when I looked who it was...

"Hi, Ace. Long time no see."

It was Rence, the creator of the S.G.F.C. or the Straight Guys Fudanshi Club, and he's giving me a sinister smile which I really don't like and is scaring the hell out of me... and he's half naked!

What does he want?

Is he up to something?

Bakit niya ako pinapunta dito? Don't tell me...

End of Chapter 39