DUCANI LEGACY SERIES 11: Kali

Kabanata 16

"YOU'RE early, son," puna ng ama ni Kali sa kanya nang makita siyang bihis na bihis.

His Dad, the renowned painter Kalyl Herrera was pouring a nicely steamed milk to two cups of coffee. Nakapantulog pa ito. Nakahanda rin sa isang food tray ang pagkain para sa dalawang tao na tiyak niyang para rito at sa kanilang ina.

Kali couldn't help but smile as he went to the espresso machine. "I'm picking up Eldritch at his apartment. We're gonna do an on-sight visit. Kuya wanna make sure Noa's Krusty Krab will be ready a weak before Noa's birthday."

He saw his dad's lips curved for a meaningful smirk. Inilapag nito ang stainless mug saka nito isinangkal ang mga palad sa island counter habang nakatitig sa kanya.

"Eldritch seems to be a very reserved person, don't you think?" his dad asked.

"He's not really reserved. He's just . . ." Nilingon niya ang kanyang ama. "He's kind'a shy around people he doesn't spend a lot of times with."

"And you guys spend a lot of time together, hmm?"

He scoffed. "Of course, Dad. We're friends and he's working under my department. Where are these questions heading."

"Should it head to something, son?" makahulugang tanong ng kanyang ama.

"Nope," he answered as if he wanted to convince his dad . . . and himself.

"Huh." Ngumiti ang kanyang ama. "Wanna hear something cool from your old man, Kali?"

"Sure." Sumandal siya sa kitchen counter habang hawak ang tasa ng kape. "What is it, Dad?"

Sumingkit ang mga mata nito dahil sa paglawak ng kurba sa mga labi. "You know when your mom was pregnant with your brother, I found out about her pregnancy even before she had taken the test."

"And how did you do that?"

"By observing." Inilagay nito ang dalawang tasa ng kape sa tray. "I am . . . quite good at it."

He lifted his cup as if he's asking for a toast with his dad. Nang makaalis ito ng kusina ay bumuntonghininga si Kali. Why did it feel like his dad was hinting him something?

Peke siyang ngumiti. "By the way, Dad. Have you heard about kuya's doings lately?"

"About him squeezing himself in your department? Of course." Ngumisi ito. "Just let him do what he wants to do. It might help him realize a lot of things about himself and what he feels. Ganoon naman dapat. You should . . . get to know yourselves better." Kinindatan siya nito. "I'm gonna bring these upstairs and wake your mom up."

Sumimsim siya sa kanyang kape. Maya-maya ay dumapo sa vase na nasa island counter ang kanyang tingin. May mga pulang rosas doon na siguradong binili ng kanyang ama para kapag bumaba sa kusina ang kanyang ina ay makikita nito iyon kaagad.

Kali couldn't help but smile. His parents have been married for nearly three decades already but the love they have for each other still mirrors brightly in their eyes. Yes, there were times that his parents get into a disagreement but they never let themselves become each other's enemies. It is always them against the problem.

He wants that, too. Iyong tipong kahit hindi nagkakasundo sa lahat ng bagay ay kakampi pa rin niya ang taong mahal niya.

Biglang pumasok sa kanyang isip si Eldritch. He suddenly remembered their simple moments whenever they're sharing a drink or when they're having dinner at the break room. Kung bakit niya iyon naisip ay hindi niya rin alam.

Oh, baka sadyang hindi pa lamang talaga niya kayang aminin sa kanyang sarili ang tunay na dahilan.

Muli siyang napabuntonghininga. "These feelings better not put our friendship at stake . . ."

EDLRITCH was still wrapping a towel around his waist when he heard a couple of knocks on the door. Napalabas siya ng banyo at nagmamadaling nagtungo sa pinto kahit na ayaw niyang nagpapatuloy ng kahit sino nang ganoon ang itsura niya.

Droplets of water were still dripping from his damp hair. Kumikislap din ang hindi napunasang bahagi ng katawan niya dahil sa tubig.

He unlocked the door and opened it. Nang magtama ang tingin nila ni Kali ay bigla siyang tinamaan ng hiya. His cheeks burned . . . while Kali seemed to have forgotten that he's a straight guy with a big appetite for p*****s. Paano ba naman ay tila nahipnotismo itong pasadahan ng tingin ang hubad niyang katawan. He even saw Kali's lips slightly parted as his gaze lowered down to his defined v-line.

Nalunok ni Eldritch ang sarili niyang laway. "S-Sorry. Kagagaling ko ng banyo." Mas ibinukas niya ang pinto. "P-Pasok ka muna. Magbibihis lang ako."

"Uhuh," tila wala sa sariling sagot ni Kali.

Napakunot ng noo si Eldritch. "Uh, ayos ka lang?" He clicked his fingers. "Kali?"

"Hmm?" Tila bigla itong natauhan. Napahugot din ng hininga at ang pisngi ay biglang namula habang hindi makatingin ng diretso sa kanya. "Uhm, yeah. Yeah, of course I'm . . ." Tumikhim ito. "I'm fine . . ."

Tumangu-tango na lamang si Eldritch kahit na medyo nawirduhan siya sa kaibigan. He took a step back and waited for Kali to get inside before he finally shut the door.

"Magbibihis lang ako," paalam niya.

Tumango na lamang ito saka nagmamadaling pumunta sa kusina. Nakita pa niya itong dumampot ng baso na tila may balak itong uminom ng tubig. Nalukot tuloy lalo ang noo ni Eldritch. Ano ba ang nangyari roon?

Hindi na lamang niya ito inintindi. He went to his room and wore his work attire. Dahil ayaw naman niyang paghintayin nang matagal si Kali ay binitbit na lamang niya ang wax at suklay.

His hair was still disheveled when he went out of the room. The front part covered his forehead and the tips nearly reached his lashes.

Kali turned to face him. Nakatayo ito sa harap ng pader kung saan naka-display ang isa sa mga artworks niya. Nakapamulsa pa ito. Nang makita siya ay napansin niyang natulala na naman ito sa kanya. Kali seemed mesmerized with how he looks. Ayaw niya naman iyong bigyan ng ibang kahulugan dahil alam naman nilang pareho na hindi ito gaya niya.

He tried to smile. "Kakasabit ko lang niyan kagabi. Nakita ko sa mga gamit ko."

Kali inhaled a sharp breath then tried to focus on the artwork again. "We should paint on Sunday."

"Hindi ako gaanong marunong pagdating sa pagpipinta."

"I'll teach you," presinta nito.

He was about to answer Kali when his phone vibrated. Dinukot niya iyon sa kanyang bulsa saka niya sinagot ang tawag ng kanyang daddy.

"Dad?" alanganin niyang bungad. Kapapadala lamang niya ng pera. Ano na naman kaya ang problema?

Narinig niya ang pagsinghot nito sa kabilang linya. "Eldritch, ang mommy mo."

Bigla siyang ginapangan ng kaba sa dibdib. "B-Bakit po? Anong nangyari kay mommy?"

"Inatake ang mommy mo, Eldritch. Gusto niyang makita kayong lahat dahil pakiramdam niya ay hindi na siya magtatagal."

Napalunok siya't tumingin kay Kali na tila ba rito siya makakukuha ng lakas. "L-Lahat kami, Dad? P-Pati si . . . Pati si Isa?"

Suminghot ulit ang kanyang ama. "Oo, kahit na labag sa loob kong makita ang pagmumukha ng walang kwentang batang iyon."

Napapikit si Eldritch. "When will you forgive her, Dad?"

"Hinding-hindi ko siya mapapatawad! Nagdala siya ng kahihiyan sa pamilyang ito, Eldritch. Kung hindi lamang dahil sa pakiusap ng mommy mo ay hinding-hindi ko patatapakin sa tahanang ito si Eloisa!"

Eldritch pursed his lips as his chest tightened. Nabuntis pa lang ang kapatid niya pero ganito na ang galit ng daddy niya rito. Paano pa sa kanya oras na malaman nitong hindi siya tunay na lalake?

"Eldritch," tawag ng kanyang ama nang hindi siya kumibo.

Humugot siya ng hininga. "P-Po?"

"Kung sana ay kasing tino mo ang kapatid mo. Salamat sa pag-aalaga mo sa reputasyon ko," anang kanyang ama na lalong nagpakirot sa kanyang puso.

He opened his gloomy eyes and looked at Kali. As if Kali understood what he was feeling, Kali tapped his back and gave him a small smile.

Pinilit na lamang niyang ngumiti pabalik. His dad must never find out that he's gay . . . no matter how much he wants to be accepted and understood . . .