DUCANI LEGACY SERIES 11: Kali

Kabanata 24

KALI knows his parents could already feel the difference in him since he and Eldritch started dating secretly. Madalas siyang batuhin ng makahulugang tingin ng kanyang mga magulang. It was as if they're always waiting for him to confirm their observations about him being in love. Sabi nga ng kanyang lolo, people could feel when a person is in love from miles away. Hindi niya pa lamang magawang aminin sa mga ito ang katotohanan dahil sa pakiusap ni Eldritch na itago ang relasyon nila.

He isn't scared for people to find out that he's queer. Probably because he didn't grow up insecure and doesn't feel the need to wear a mask in order to be accepted. However, that's not the case for Eldritch. At doon siya pinakanalulungkot para sa nobyo. Napakabait nitong tao. Kaya nga nahulog ang loob niya rito.

His phone vibrated as soon as he parked his car in the basement. Hindi sila nakapagsabay ngayon ni Eldritch sa pagpasok sa opisina kaya in-inform siya nitong nakarating na rin ang taxi nito sa harap ng building.

He went out carrying his stuff. Pagpasok sa elevator ay sumandal siya pader at binati ang ilang empleyadong sumakay. Bumukas naman ang elevator nang tumigil sa lobby. He immediately saw his boyfriend. Nagpigil ito ng ngiti at nakayukong pumasok hanggang sa nakatindig ito sa tabi niya.

"Good morning, Engr. Leondez," he greeted.

Humugot ito ng hininga. "Good morning, Sir."

Kali watched more people get inside the elevator. Pabor naman sa kanya ang siksikan dahil pasikreto niyang nahawakan ang kamay ni Eldritch. Their fingers intertwined, making Eldritch bow his head to hide his reddened face.

Tumikhim si Kali. "Let's check the site later. Kuya wants an update about Noa's Krusty Krab."

Tumango ito. "Ano pala ang balak n'yo sa infra kapag natapos ang birthday ni Noa?"

Nagkibit-balikat siya. "He'd probably turn it into a real resto." He smirked. "I'm sure he'd put the income that place will generate, into a time deposit account for Noa."

Natatawang umiling si Eldritch. "Your brother is really something."

"Ganap na ganap," he joked before they went out of the elevator. "Uh, Engr. Leondez? Can I have a word in my office?"

Eldritch looked at the other employees before he nodded. Nagpamulsa naman si Kali saka siya naunang naglakad patungo sa kanyang opisina. He then leaned on his desk and watched Eldritch get in.

"Yes, Sir?" ani Eldritch nang makapasok ito.

He jerked his head. "Lock the door."

He saw how Eldritch pursed his lips, trying to suppress a smirk. Nang mai-lock ang pinto ay naglakad ito palapit sa kanya. Nang makatindig ito sa kanyang harap ay hinawakan niya ang necktie nito saka niya inilapit ang kanynag mukha upang halikan ito sa mga labi. God, he's addicted to his lips. If only he could kiss it all the time . . .

Eldritch shut his eyes and answered Kali's kisses. Nang maghiwalay ang kanilang mga labi ay bumuntonghininga si Kali.

"Can't wait to kiss you out in the open . . ." he uttered under his breath.

He saw how worry flickered in Eldritch's eyes even when he tried to smile at him. Medyo nakaramdam ng lungkot si Kali dahil doon. Para kasing kahit na handa niyang ipangalandakan ang relasyon nila, si Eldritch mismo ang nahihiya.

Gusto niyang sabihin sa sariling ayos lang. Na kaya niya naman kahit itago na lang nila ang nararamdaman nila. After all, they do not need other people's validation, right? But on the back of his mind, he wanted a lowkey relationship, not a secret one. Ayaw lamang niyang sabihin iyon kay Eldritch dahil baka isipin nitong hindi niya naiintindihan ang dahilan nito kung bakit nito nais na itago ang relasyon nila.

"Pupunta na ko sa office. Tawagin mo na lang ako kapag pupunta na tayo sa site," ani Eldritch.

Marahan siyang tumango. "I have an hour and a half meeting. Let's check the site after."

"Okay." Eldritch leaned to kiss him. "See you later, Sir."

Kali smirked before he watched his boyfriend leave the room. Nang makalabas ito ay saka siya naglakad patungo sa kanyang swivel chair. He opened his laptop and was about to see the reports when his phone rang. Nang makita ang pangalan ni Astra sa screen ay sinagot niya ang tawag nito.

"Hey," he greeted.

"Kali, can I come to your office?"

"Uhm . . ." He thought about Eldritch. "Why?"

This is why he hates hiding his relationship with Eldritch. Hindi niya masabing may magseselos kapag may mga ganitong pagkakataon.

Astra sniffed. "I need to talk to someone before I lose my mind."

Napakunot siya ng noo. "Why? What's going on?"

Narinig niya ang muli nitong pagsinghot. "I didn't get into NASA."

Napahilamos ng palad sa mukha si Kali. He knows Astra's ultimate dream is to get into NASA as a space engineer. She's been preparing for it since they were young. Her obsession with astronomy has been her source of motivation that's why he knows this rejection definitely broke her heart.

Torn between what Eldritch would feel and Astra's wellbeing, Kali ended up choosing to let Astra visit him. Nag-chat na lamang siya kay Eldritch para ipaalam dito ang sitwasyon, umaasang maiintindihan siya nito.

"Kali," bungad ni Astra nang makapasok ito ng opisina niya. Pagtanggal pa lamang ng suot nitong shades ay binati siya kaagad ng namamaga nitong mga mata.

He stood up and approached her. Yumakap naman ito sa kanya saka ito nagsimulang humagulgol. Wala naman siyang nagawa kun'di ang i-comfort ito. He knows how important her NASA application is. Kaya sigurado siyang sobrang hirap para rito na tanggaping rejection ang application nito.

"It's gonna be okay, Astra. You can try again next year," he said, trying to comfort her while he rubs her back.

Lalo itong humagulgol. "I feel so lost. Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko. I don't wanna believe it, but the more I reject the idea, the more it hurts, Kali." She sobbed. "I feel like a total loser."

He cupped her cheeks and wiped her tears. "Hey, you are not a loser, okay? You're one of the smartest people I know. This rejection will never define you."

Her eyes swelled with more tears. Hinawakan nito ang isang kamay niyang nakalapat sa pisngi nito. "P-Pwede bang sa atin muna 'to? I don't want my family to know that I didn't get into NASA."

He sighed before he nodded. "Okay."

"T-Thank you." She hugged him again, this time, her arms anchored on his neck as she cried. "I don't know what I'd do with my life anymore . . ."

Kali was supposed to say something when the door opened. Pumasok ang kapatid niya habang nakabuntot dito si Eldritch. Halatang nagulat ang dalawa nang makita sila ni Astra. Eldritch's eyes then turned cold as he dodged Kali's gaze.

Kahel's forehead creased. "Nagkabalikan na kayo? Is that why Kali looks in love again?"

Kali almost grunted. Seriously? Ito na yata ang pinakamanhid sa pamilya nila!

Worry flickered in his eyes when he saw Eldritch clench his jaw. Akmang sasagutin niya na ang tanong ng kapatid niya nang magsalita ito.

"Sir Kahel, mauna na ho ako sa baba. Hintayin ko na lang ho kayo."

His brows furrowed. "Why? Where are you going?"

"We'll check the site," sagot ng kapatid niya.

"But we're gonna go there together, right E?" he asked but Eldritch just gave him the side eye.

"Kami na. You can't just leave Astra. Mukhang seryoso ang pinag-uusapan." Makahulugan itong ngumisi. "Come on, Eldritch. Let's not interrupt these love birds anymore."

"Oh God, we're not--"

Napakurap na lamang si Kali nang lumabas ang dalawa at isinara ng kapatid niya ang pinto. Kahel and his inability to sense things!

He sighed. Looks like he's in big trouble again . . .