Parcel | StellJun

Chapter 41 - Silence

VESTER couldn't go out and it affected his job hunting too. Though he's always anxious and distracted, he keeps on talking to his family every now and then just to make him feel better. Somehow, it helps him.

He's thankful that he's away from his socials too because he feels safe in his tight space without reading harmful messages and updates online.

He made himself his favorite purple tea and plotted himself into his warm couch. He's just planning on watching some Teleseryes when a news flash just in time. His eyes went wide.

"Ang bagong collaboration sa pagitan ng rising Diva na si Lyla Quitales at ng award winning na OPM icon at actor na si Seri Bagnas ay umani ng samo't-saring mga magagandang komento mula sa netizens. Narito ang report..."

"Anong Lyla? Bakit si Lyla? I thought it was Pavlo?" He blinked, not believing his ears. He toned down the TV's volume and grabbed his phone. "Keir? Hello?"

"Vest? Hi, napatawag ka?" Keir greeted as soon as he picked up the phone. "Okay ka lang ba? May kailangan ka bang ipabili?"

"Uhm, I'm fine. Nagpasuyo na rin ako ng grocery kay Josh, don't worry. Ah... Keir, nakaka-istorbo ba ako?" he asked timidly.

The man chuckles from the other line. "Ano ka ba, hindi 'no! Actually, nag-p-prito lang ako ng ulam. Kararating ko lang din kasi. Galing ako sa bahay ng boypren mo. Mukhang malala na iyon. Parang baliw. Nakangiti lagi habang tinititigan ang picture mo."

This made him smile a little. "Baliw na nga siya."

"Hala siya? Hoy! Anong ginawa mo sa kaibigan ko? I-reverse mo ang kulam uy!" Keir whines.

"Sira ka! Wala akong alam sa sorcery, tangek!" he jokes around.

"Joke lang. Oo nga pala, ang daldal ko na," Keir laughs, clearing his throat. "Bakit ka nga pala napatawag?"

Vester swallowed. "Keir? Can I ask you something?"

"Sure. Basta kaya kong sagutin. Pero kapag tatanungin mo ako kung ilang grams meron ang MomentGram, mukhang dehado tayo riyan. Wala rin akong alam diyan eh," Keir then giggles.

"Corny mo. Pero seryoso kasi..." He nibbles his lips. "I just saw the news about Seri's new song."

The other man hums, "Yeah. Kalalabas lang. Napakinggan mo na? Ang ganda, 'di ba?"

Vester smiles forcibly, "O-Oo, ang ganda. Magaling talaga siya pero hindi kasi iyan. I've heard she has a collaboration with Lyla. I thought... I thought kay Pao? What happened, Keir?"

There was a very long silence engulfed from the other line. If not only for Keir's movement around the kitchen, Vester might think the call has ended. "Keir? Are you still there?"

"Yes. I'm sorry." He heard a deep sigh.

"Keir, please..." he pleads, his voice too faint.

"About that... wala ako sa posisyon para sabihin ito but since you are his boyfriend and you are my friend—uhm... bahala na nga! Pero kasi ano eh, Seri may have or may not have pulled out her contract with Pao."

Vester's mouth gaped. "W-What? Pero bakit?"

"I don't know what exactly the cause is, Vest." He heard him sigh again. "Iyon lang ang alam ko."

"I-Is that because of... me?" he asked, voice breaking.

"Of course not! Baka ano, may personal na dahilan? Just don't think about it, okay?" Vester could feel that Keir smiled despite him not seeing him. "You have nothing to do with it. Nakuha mo ba?"