Love Calculation

Problem 19 : When the truth is revealed

Nakangiti ngunit bakas sa mukha ni Dok James ang pag-aalala habang nakatitig siya kay Aegis na nakaupo sa kabilang banda ng table niya.

"So when do you plan to get treated?" tanong nito.

"If I get treated now then I need to be quarantined right?" tumango si Dok James.

"Everything will be monitored. It's best if you'll be quarantined here. The radioiodine treatment makes you a living radioactive man. Everything needs to be seperated, everything you use will be for your own use only. You know the sacrifices right?"

Pinilit ngumiti ni Aegis nang mapansin niya ang family portrait ni Dok James na nakasabit sa puting dingding.

"Why did you kept this a secret to your parents?" tanong ni Dok James.

"Nah. I'll just tell them when I'm well."

"Now you be honest to me,"

"Go on."

"Are you delaying the treatment because of the girl that you like?" ngumisi si Dok James.

Kumindat naman si Aegis. "You are really my Godfather. She's a rare case." tsaka bahagyang natawa si Aegis.

"You want to spend more time with her right?" nahihiyang tumango si Aegis. "Okay but I will only give you one more day and after that even if it takes me to drag you here by force then I will do it. This is for your own good tsaka your parents will somehow learn about what's happening if we delay it further."

"I know Dok. They are the most clingy and obsess parents out there. I think they love me so much that's why I can't imagine the extent of their efforts once they found out about me."

"Kaya nga, so let's get this done as fast as we can okay?" nakangiting tumango si Aegis.

***

Pagbalik ni Aegis sa tahanan nila Hale ay nadatnan nito si Winter na nasa sala at kasalukuyang nanonood ng tv.

"How was your day?" sumalampak sa tabi ni Winter si Aegis tsaka dumukot sa kinakain na mixed fruits nito. Inirapan lang ni Winter ang binata.

Saglit na pinagmasdan ni Aegis ang dalaga bago napabuntong hininga.

"About the other day-"

Mabilis na pinulot ni Winter ang remote at dali-daling linakasan ang volume ng pinapanood.

"Won't you hear me out?" linakasan rin in Aegis ang boses.

"I can't hear you."

"You just replied." sa inis ay pinatay na ni Winter ang tv at tatayo na sana nang hinatak ni Aegis ang dalaga pabalik sa upuan. Mabilis nitong hinawakan sa magkabilang balikat si Winter at iniharap sa kanya. "I need you to listen to me."

"Okay go on." blangkong tumingin si Winter kay Aegis.

"I lied."

"Alam ko na yun. Huwag mo ng ulitin-" nagulat na lang si Winter nang hinalikan ulit siya ni Aegis. Saglit na nawala sa tamang pag-iisip si Winter hanggang sa kumalas na si Aegis at seryosong nakatingin sa kanya.

"I like you like Hell!" malakas na deklara ni Aegis.

Hindi nagawang sumagot ni Winter kundi ay napatingin siya kung saan nang sunod na hinawakan ni Aegis ang mukha niya at pilit pinaharap sa kanya.

"I can't explain everything right now but I will be gone for a few weeks and when I'm back, I-I will be honest in everything just-just wait for me." pinatid ni Winter ang pagkakahawak ni Aegis at tsaka malakas na sinampal ito.