The Last on the List [completed]

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Instead na magpatuloy kami sa Mt. Ugo, Dylan decided it's better for us to go home. Naikikilos ko na ang na-injured na binti kaya nakatulong ako sa pagbabaklas ng tent. Ako na rin naglaga ng kamote – pang-agahan. Hindi na namin hinintay ang lima, dahil pupunuin pa raw nila ang mga phone gallery ng kanilang pagmumukha.

Nakauwi kami pasado alas tres. Hindi naman sa hindi ako nakatulog kagabi (what, with that kiss?) it's just that, sa sobrang haba ng hike pabalik, ng biyahe at bigat ng bag, na-break even din ang pahinga. Kaya pagdating sa apartment, agad akong natulog. Nagising ako ng eight ng gabi pero para lang magtimpla ng oatmeal, and then I hit the bed again, reliving that kiss and wishing it was longer. Like we're making out.

I'd be lying if I said hindi sumagi sa isip ko ang carnal na bagay na 'yan. After all, malakas ang sex appeal ni Dylan. I remembered how every girls and gays screamed til their voiceless seeing Dylan walking on the stage during the swimwear portion ng pageant. He and Cathy represented the Business Administration. Gusto kong kumuha ng photo at i-zoom 'yon kay Dylan pero katabi ko mga kaklase kong babae. I'd be teased if they learned I had a thing for him.

I already accepted the fact that with that great body comes with great sex opportunities and I heard him boast about his encounters a couple of times. Not intentionally, of course. Sometimes, I'd pretend I didn't hear a thing but at the back of my mind I wondered kung may naka-sex na siya sa same sex. And if yes, the next question I'd ask would be, 'Sino ang una niya?' Because I knew I'd be forever jealous.

The next morning, I made another brave attempt to call Dylan's number. Sinagot niya. And for me, para na 'yong milestone. A cause for celebration. Until he said, "Eloi, let's take a break for today."

"Uhm, busy ka?" I couldn't make my voice jolly.

"Kung nalaman ng Lolo mo nangyari sa'yo the other day, ito rin ang ia-advice niya sa'yo, along with, 'Tigilan mo na pagsama mo diyan kay Dylan, ha?'"

"Pero Dylan, okay na 'ko. Saka hindi ganyan mag-isip ang Lolo. Hindi 'yon naninisi."

"Just, just take a rest for now, alright?"

"Sandali, 'wag mo munang ibaba," sabi ko, because I was sensing he would. "Magpapahinga ako. Pero can I at least know the ninth item?"

"You better not. I want to do it privately."

"Dylan, you made me accountable, 'di ba? How could I do my job properly kung 'di mo sa'kin idi-disclose?" I could only hear Dylan's breathing on the other line. "Pupunta ako –"

"I want to try a gay sex."

When I heard that, I instantly recalled what Karen Carpenters sang about the angels deciding to create one's dream come true. Because I felt like mine was about to. "Y-You want –"

"Yup."

"K-Kanino?" I'd be lying if I didn't wish he'd say my name.

"I don't know. Kahit sino, I guess. I'd been looking in the internet for a local gay bar. Okay, ito. Found one. Malapit lang sa'min."

"Dylan, sandali lang. You can't be serious."

"This is why I wanted to do it privately."

"But why? Why is this your ninth item? Why is this deserving of a place in your bucket list?"

"Kailangan ko ba talaga sabihin lahat ng rason sa'yo?"

I was taken aback. Literally. Why was he this so snappy? Dahil ba sa nakulitan siya sa'kin? After all, he wanted me to rest but I insisted to know the next item. And now that I knew, why did I want to know the rationale? Was it because natatakot akong magkaro'n siya ng STD, HIV or AIDS? If yes, then I wasn't doing the rainbow community good and also downplaying Dylan's intellect for implying na hindi niya maiisipang protektahan ang sarili. Or baka surface level lang 'yon na rason. And that what I really wanted was, sa akin niya 'yon gawin instead na sa random stranger. Yet I was too chicken to volunteer.