ROSES AND CURTAINS [A BOY LOVE NOVEL]

XIII.

An abandoned lot with broken buildings na kinakain na ng mga damo at ligaw na halaman. Debris are scattered everywhere and markings of all sorts from students vandalizing the area are prominent. A few chirping birds can be heard, making the place a perfect spot for conspiracy meetings.

This is where Tantan and Justine went. He is still combing his hair when he stops at his current sight. It's Aki running towards him, a huge smile written across his face. His lanky arms opens-up for a hug and like a predator catches him.

''I missed you'' gigil nitong yakap. Aki looks good in his uniform. He is dashing and formal. Tantan prefers him dressing up this way. Paloma still with her eyes half shut catches up to them.

''I wanted to surprise you sana so I texted Justine to meet me here. But apparently, he found you and I also found Paloma. I think this is destiny. Teka, you're late ha, that's new. Did something happen?'' He puts his arms on Tantan's shoulder. Surprisingly, he didn't feel any sting which made him feel more comfortable with Aki. This is better, no weird feelings attached.

''Wala naman, late lang. Anong bang meron bat nandito tayo lahat?'' Tantan lets out a nervous laughter not sure what's up with all of them.

''Dapat kasi bakla i-aabot lang ni Aki yung pasalubong niya para sating lahat, sakin, kasi nga ayaw mo ng tumatanggap di ba? Sige na Aki bigay mo na sa'min.'' Aki turns over a plastic bag full of chocolates and snacks. Tantan accepts his gift whole heartedly. ''Salamat Aki.''

The boy doesn't drop that smile, his complete set of teeth is also a sight to behold. Justine coughs. ''Titig na titig ka teh ah. Crush mo ba si Aki?''

''Baliw'' Tantan exclaims as the other one laughs. Manhid na siguro siya sa mga pang-aasar ni Justine. Paloma sits on a stone and rests her head on her backpack after receiving her package.

''So mga bakla since nandito na tayo. Iniisip ko kung pag-usapan na natin yung 500. Di'ba dapat magkikita-kita pa tayo para pag-isipan anong gagawin natin? I believe ito na ang tamang panahon. Gaya nga ng sabi ni Aki destiny na nagkita-kita tayong apat.'' Justine steps on another stone just beside Paloma and takes the 500 peso bill out of his wallet. ''Charaaaan''

''I want us to play a dare game like what I suggested last year. So I can have a reason to still meet you guys. Also, I'm buying a new UMD for my PSP since my parents are not giving me enough money now. What do you think?'' Aki joins Justine on the stone. Hihilahin naman ni Justine ang buhok ni Paloma para gisingin ito.

''Aniyo. Kurae?''

''Tang ina. Puyat na naman ang gaga. Paloma ikaw okay lang sayo ang dare? Ako okay lang sakin dahil bibili ako ng regalo para sa golden anniversary ni lolo at lola.''

Hinila ulit ni Justine ang buhok niya noong sinubukan nitong i-sandal ang ulo sa backpack. Paloma stands up, irritated. Itatali niya ang magulong buhok. ''Oo nga. Potahamnida naman hila ng hila ng buhok eh! Bibili ako ng mini album ng Girls and Girls, 500 yun.''

The three of them looked at Tantan's direction.

''Ayaw niyo paghatian na lang?'' Iiling ang tatlo ng sabay-sabay.

''Don't you want to buy anything?'' Aki asks.

He's cornered, also, worried baka pag-awayan nila ito, but majority wins. ''Meron naman. Sige kayong bahala. Ano bang gagawin?''

Justine claps. ''Okay bongga. Anong naiisip niyong dare?''

''Uhm mag drawing tayo?'' Tantan bit his lip, he's not in the mood to discuss.

''Gago ka ba? Tite lang sa blackboard kaya kong i-drawing teh. Garampingat. Oh ano pa? Wag ka na mag-suggest Tantan. Di ka nakakatawa. Isip dali mga bakla.''

''Unang magka-dyowa.'' Paloma suggests as she puts some lip-tint, puckering her lips on a pocket mirror. Tantan saw that Aki and Justine's faces looked at each other slowly tapos nag-apir sila. An affirmative reaction, they began blabbering things na hindi na maunawaan ni Tantan out of excitement.

Unang pumasok sa isip niya ay 'paano niya ito gagawin'. Halata namang dehado na siya sa dare na'to.

''Eh di panalo na kayo? Si Aki nasa all boys school. Si Paloma may secret admirer tapos ikaw Justine pwede mong balikan si Kevin o humanap ng iba.''

The floor went silent.

''I agree with Tantan though.''

''O sige na nga. Diyos ko. Bakla ka ng taon. Isip pa dali? Any suggestions?''

Paloma puts baby powder on her face. ''Eh pano kung sa isang tao lang? At least yun pantay tayong lahat. Parang yung ginawa nina Amiel sakin dati di'ba? Yung naging kami nung taga section 1 na editor in chief ng Salamin tas dare lang pala isang buwan. Kung baga paunahan ma-dyowa ang isang tao. Ah jinjja, naalala ko na naman.''

''Eh kanino ba? May kilala ka? Wag naman taga school natin sana. Ang du-dugyot ng mga lalaki dito sa Mabini, yuck.''

''Ganito mga chingu-yah. May kilala ako. Kahapon kausap ko si Mary Rose taga section-5 yung ka-frat ko dati. May crush sila pinagkaguluhan yung picture sa facebook. Peram ako ipad mo Aki, pa-search.''

Aki gives it to Paloma. They huddle then watched Paloma click on a profile of her friend. They found it. She clicks on an image of a boy. As soon as Tantan saw the person on it, his heart drops on the ground. May binatang bumibili ng tinapay sa isang panaderya. He is wearing a black fitted shirt with the number 60 in front.