ROSES AND CURTAINS [A BOY LOVE NOVEL]

XXIII.

There were two warriors. Akihiro, wearing a gladiator suit, riding a golden stallion, holding a holy lance. It is pointed towards a charging enemy, Benedict, he rides a boar holding a knife made from human skeletons. They clash and when they hit each other they evaporate into thin air. Defying the laws of physics, they transform into petals of roses, filling Tantan's surroundings.

It was indeed a vivid dream.

Maalinsangan ang palengke. Tantan misses the bakery. Dito kasi ay pawis na pawis siya. It kinda reminds him of his house, everyone's shouting. "Te Vanessa pansit pa-refill!" "Boy yung lugaw kanina pa kami nag-aantay dito oh!"

"Tantan initin mo muna yung pansit!! Malalaglag na matres ko dito!!"

Ang daming utos! Magdadabog na siya! Anak ng teteng! Kaninang alas singko pa siya ng umaga nandito! Sana ibalik na lang yung bakery!

Tatabi ang nanay niya sa kaniya "Bilis-bilisan mo ang kilos na bata ka" Tatango lang si Tantan. But deep-down gusto niya ibuhos ang mga pansit at lugaw sa mga di magkamayaw na nag-a-almusal"

"Tantan tatlong pansit!"

"Saglit kasi!!" This gets on his nerves. It was Benedict, ordering pala. He realizes. "Shet! Sorry! Sorry!"

Inagaw ni Tantan yung tatlong pansit na naka-balot, na dapat sana ay para sa isang customer. "Hoy teka akin yan..." He doesn't mind him at agad binigay kay Ben.

"Busy?" Tatango si Tantan. "Punta kang simbahan? Hinahanap ka ni Padre, paborito ka ata."

"Gagawa kami ng props eh. Try ko ha."

Ben just smiles at inabot ang bayad then left.

"Hoy wag ka nang tumitig titig dyang bata ka! Asikasuhin mo tong mga customer!!"

Hindi naman sa nag-a-assume si Tantan, pero he has a feeling a sinusundan siya ni Ben. How did he find out na nasa palengke siya? Of all the places naman na pwedeng bumili ito ng almusal talagang sa palengke pa? He can already hear Justine's voice na feelingera at garampingat siya!

Still with his sleepy eyes, Tantan patiently waits at the playground for Paloma for their scheduled props making. The day started early for Tantan and the least he can expect is for his friend to come early, but here he goes again with the waiting game. He hates waiting! He's always on time!

He looks up the sky, it's a clear and sunny day. Trees try to block the sunlight from touching his face. Halos walang tao sa playground, just a few college students doing their morning routine. He checks his cellphone again.

11 am!! Two hours already passed. That's it! He rises from the bench. Burdened by the materials, from giant cartons, a bag full of painting materials and others, iika-ika niyang pinuntahan ang malapit na tindahan para magpa-load. This is the only way to alleviate his suffering. But before crossing the street he trips over. His things fall. Muttering words of disappointment, he gathers the materials in his tiny arms. Another arm swings beside him revealing himself as he picks up some of the things scattered on the ground. It's Ben.

"Sinusundan mo ba ako?" Tantan surprisingly asks.

"Ikaw nga dapat kong tanungin niyan. Kung nasaan ako nandun ka din"

"Baliw ka ba? Gagawa kami ng props ngayon."

"Asan classmates mo?"

Tantan realizes na hindi siya pwedeng mahuli ni Ben. He doesn't know na magkaka-ibigan sila nina Paloma o ni Justine. He will be in a lot of trouble.

"Ah..ehh. Wala. Okay na. Bilis. Alis ka na kaya ko na'to!"

"Tutulungan na kita, bumili lang din ako gamot ni Padre. Saan ka ba pupunta? Hatid na kita."