Argent et Pouvoir

Chapter 4

Dareios De Galio live a different life from others. He grew up from a unique family. His Dad, the award winning Director Cloud De Galio was a discreet gay and his mother, Samantha Perez an actress is a bisexual. While Dareios grandfather, Ricardo, is a homophobic, hates same s*x relationships or anything that he considered as “not normal”, but no it wasn't just hate, Ricardo loathe them.

That's sad right?

Dareios didn't know the reason why, because his old man is secretive, but one's thing for sure. Doñ. Ricardo De Galio won't let his son and grandson to be part of that federation.

Dareios is fascinated in his parents love story. Her mother Samantha, would always tell him stories about their love story on bedtime when he was still a kid. His parents first met in an award show, his Dad is already a famous director at that time while his mother is a rising star. Samantha wants to work with Cloud but she was always rejected in every audition for Direk. De Galio's film.

Feeling so frustrated. Especially when her rival in stardom, Julianne Montez got the lead role for Direk. De Galio's current film. Samantha got drunk into her hearts content and make a scandalous scene at the event.

Sinukahan lang naman niya sa damit ang isang sikat na direktor na kilala sa pagiging masungit. Luckily no one in the media found out about that incident because Direk. De Galio's wrath alone was already too much to handle.

Samantha was scared. That incident can be a reason for her downfall. Kaya kahit natatakot man ay nag-makaawa siya para makabawi sa direktor. She became his alalay, his secretary, to his girlfriend and his wife. Maraming pinagdaanan ang mga magulang niya at ang pinakamalaking obstacle nila ay ang lolo niya. But they managed to survive because they kept their sexuality.

Now Dareios is already twenty. He's still awestruck in his parents story. It was still his favorite love story out of all the love story out there, especially when he discovered his s****l orientation. Dareios was in highschool when he first started questioning his gender. He like girls but he also get attracted to boys. It's pretty shocking and disturbing for a boy in highschool, he's confused.

And to make things worse, he met Brad. And he felt an unexplainable attraction towards him.

Brad is a the captain of basketball team in their school. Brad was tall and handsome, he has a heart shaped face and a chocolate brown eyes that twinkles everytime he smiles. Sikat ito sa mga babae sa school nila, he is smart and talented, gentleman din ito at mabait kaya hindi ito mahirap gustuhin.

Dareios first met Brad because of Azalea. Brad likes Azalea at gustong magpatulong ni Brad kay Dareios para mapalapit sa dalaga.

Dareios felt a pang on his heart. But at that time he doesn't understand why, ignoring what he felt Dareios agreed to help Brad. Dareios and Brad started to meet from time to time, Dareios would share stories about Azalea to Brad, and Dareios could be with Brad it was a happy moments for the both of them.

Pero hindi makontento si Brad sa simpleng mga kwento lang tungkol kay Azalea that's why he asked Dareios a favor.

"Dude, please help me. Introduce me to Azalea, I really like your friend." Nakangiting wika ni Brad habang naka-akbay kay Dareios.

The fifteen year old Dareios felt his heart stopped. Hindi siya makapagsalita, para siyang na estatwa sa kinatatayuan niya. He was so happy and contented about this whole situation with Brad that he forgot that Brad likes her best friend. He set aside the fact that in all those 'happy moments' with Brad they always talk about Azalea.

Gustong sumigaw at umiyak ni Dareios. He got his first heartbreak because of his best friend!

"Hey. Dareios, ano ipakilala mo ako ha?"

Dareios nodded. Napipilitan. He doesn't have any choice but to say yes! Dareios observe Brad, he must really like Azalea. He's been smiling like an idiot whenever he brought up Azalea's name.

Dareios thought that, that was the first time that he hated Azalea.

"Ayoko."

Dareios bit his inner cheek. He's trying to suppress his irritation. Sinusubukan niya kasing kumbinsihin si Azalea na makipag-kita kay Brad pero itong si Azalea mukhang ayaw.

"Bakit? gusto ka lang naman makilala nung tao."

Azalea frown. "Bakit gusto ko ba siyang makilala? atsaka bakit ba lagi mong kasama 'yong lalaki na 'yon? Saan mo ba 'yon nakilala?"

Dareios sigh.

Naguguluhan siya sa nararamdaman niya. He's starting to get annoyed at Azalea's presence na dapat ay hindi niya maramdaman. Dareios felt sorry for his friend. He's starting to get really scared, unti-unti siyang nagbabago hindi na niya kilala ang sarili niya.

He's been asking himself kung tama pa ba ito? Gusto na niyang bumalik sa dati. Ayaw na ni Dareios sa nararamdaman niya, gusto na niya ulit maging normal.

But it was not easy.

He can't back out, he can't go back. Hindi na niya alam kung paano. He started questioning himself.

'Ano ba ako?'

'Ano ba talaga 'yong totoong ako?'

'Ano ba ang mali sa'kin?'

'Bakit hindi ako normal? bakit ba hindi na lang ako naging normal?!'

It gives him anxiety. No one knows about the problem that he is facing. Natatakot siya, what if his parents got disappointed in him? What if his grandfather found out? What if pandirihan at iwasan siya ni Azalea?

Hindi niya alam, hindi niya alam kung ano ba talaga 'yong dapat niyang gawin. He tried to keep everything to himself, sinubukan niyang sarilinin 'yong problema niya pero hindi niya kaya pakiramdam niya sasabog siya...

That's why one rainy night he booked a cab and go to Azalea's house. He only has his wallet and phone, lumabas siya sa cab nang walang bitbit na payong letting himself to get soaked by the rain.

He feels so numb. Halo-halo 'yong emotions na nararamdaman niya, para siyang masusuka na ewan, he wants to back out and go home, keep everything to himself again but he also wants to tell everything to Azalea, gusto niyang magsumbong, gusto niyang umiyak at gusto niyang huminga. Dareios is so tired, he's vulnerable, he wants to let out everything.

Shivering, he dialed Azalea's number. Habang nag-riring 'yong phone paulit-ulit niyang iniisip kung anong sasabihin niya, paano niya ba uumpisahan, does he really need to do this? what if she won't accept him? Kinakain siya ng takot at kaba, he decided to come out and the first person that came out in his mind is Azalea.

Dareios knew that Azalea loves him and he loves her too, they're best friends. So he's been thinking, that if she really loves him she will accept him, he is hoping, Dareios hope that Azalea will comfort him, that she will tell her that everything's gonna be alright.

"Hey, Da! What's up?"

Once he heard her voice his eyes became teary. Dareios started sobbing kaya biglang nataranta si Azalea.

"Hey! What happened? Where are you?"

"Why are you asking pupuntahan mo ba ako?" Tanong ni Dareios habang humihikbi.

Hearing Azalea's voice makes him cry. Gustong-gusto niyang magsumbong sa dalaga, he wanted to tell all the things that he have been through.

"Oo naman. Kahit saan. Kahit nasaan ka pa pupuntahan kita, so please tell me where are you, you're making me worried, Da."

Dareios chuckled. Bakas kasi sa tono nang boses ni Azalea na naiiyak na din ito. She never changed, napakababaw pa din ng luha nito pagdating sakanya.

"Huwag mo akong tawanan! Tell me your location now!"

Dareios took a deep breath. "Labas ka sa balcony mo."

Dareios stares at Azalea's balcony. Agad na bumukas ang ilaw ng kwarto nito at malakas pagbukas ng sliding door.

"What the hell are you doing there?!" Sigaw ng dalaga sakanya.

Azalea's eyes grew in shock when she saw Dareios state. He looks like a wet chick, nanginginig ito sa lamig habang nakatingala kay Azalea.

"Pumasok ka dito sa loob! I'll gonna get you a towel."

Biglang bumukas ang gate ng bahay ni Azalea at iniluwa nito ang isang katulong na may bitbit na payong at towel.

"Naku sir, bakit naman ikaw nag-paulan Sir Dareios? Baka magkasakit ka niyan!" Nag-aalalang sabi ni Yaya Che.

Agad siyang pinayungan nang katulong at inalalayan maglakad papasok sa loob ng bahay.

"Thanks, Yaya Che." Tipid na sabi ni Dareios sa katulong.

Dareios heard a footsteps, someone's running and he saw Azalea running down the stairs may bitbit itong towel at nagmamadaling lumapit sakanya at agad na pinunasan ang buhok niya gamit ang towel na hawak nito.

"Oh my god. Anong pumasok sa kokote mo at nag-paulan ka sa labas nang ganitong oras? Its already ten in the evening! Paano na lang kung magkasakit ka? Mag-inga-"

He didn't let Azalea finish her sentence at agad niyang niyakap ang dalaga. Dareios felt her stiffened.

"W-What are you doing? B-Bitaw nga-"

"Please let me. I really need this right now, Lea."

Doon natigilan ang dalaga. 'Something's going on, may problema si Dareios.' That's what Azalea though.

He felt her nodded. Naramdaman niya ang marahang paghaplos ng dalaga sa likod niya.

"You'll gonna tell me everything?" Tanong ng dalaga sakanya. Dareios nodded without breaking their hug.

"Okay. That means we'll have a sleepover."

"Yaya, paki handa ng pampaligo sa kwarto ko and paki handa na din 'yong pampalit niya."

"Sige iha." Agad na umakyat sa taas si Yaya Che para gawin ang inuutos ni Azalea.

They stayed there in the living room hugging each other hanggang sa maihanda na lahat ni Yaya Che.

Paglabas ni Dareios sa banyo ay nakangiting inabutan siya ni Azalea ng Hot choco, pinaupo din siya nito sa harap ng vanity mirror nito at inumpisahang patuyuin ang kanyang buhok gamit ang blower.

Walang isa man sakanila ang nagsalita, mas lalong nakaramdam ng kaba si Dareios dahil hindi siya tinatanong nang kahit ano ng dalaga.

After drying his hair Azalea held Dareios hand at hinila siya ng dalaga papunta sa sofa dito sa loob ng kwarto niya at saka siya pinaupo.

"Are you hungry?" Agad na umiling si Dareios.

Hindi pa siya kumakain pero hindi siya makaramdam nang gutom dahil sa sobrang kaba na nararamdaman niya.

"Are you going to spill the tea right now?" Nakangiting tanong ni Azalea. Dareios know that Azalea is trying to light up the mood.

He stared at his fidgeting hands. He sighed and look at into her friend's eyes.

"Azalea."

"Hmm?"

"I-I'm... I-I think I'm bisexual."

He finally said it. Nakita niya ang naging reaksyon ni Azalea agad na nag-iwas nang tingin si Dareios. He's scared. Bakas sa mukha nang dalaga ang gulat at pagkalito.

She's not saying anything. Mas lalong tumindi ang kabang nararamdaman ni Dareios, he fears rejection. Natatakot siyang mareject nang mga taong mahal niya.

He felt Azalea reached his hands kaya agad siyang napatingin sa dalaga. Azalea is smiling, pero hindi ito umabot sa mga mata niya, its a sad smile.

"Siguro takot na takot ka no? kailan mo na discover? Bakit hindi ka nag sabi agad?" May himig nang pagtatampo sa boses ng dalaga.

Dareios tears started to fell. Naramdaman niya ang biglang paghatak sakanya ni Azalea upang siya ay mayakap.

"It's okay, It's okay to cry. Iiyak mo lang lahat nandito lang ako ha?"

Dareios started sobbing. Palakas ito nang palakas, yumuyugyog ang balikat niya sa sobrang lakas nang pag-iyak niya. He felt so damn relieved. Pakiramdam niya ngayon lang siya umiyak ng ganito kalakas.

"H-Hindi ko alam 'yong gagawin ko. Takot na takot ako, Lea."

"Hm? Saan ka naman natatakot?" Malumanay na tanong nang dalaga habang hinahaplos ang likod niya.

"S-Sa lahat. This is not normal. I'm not normal. I don't want to disappoint my parents, si Lolo, pati Ikaw. I don't want to disappoint all of you."

Azalea halt. Humiwalay siya kay Dareios at humarap sa binata.

"What? Who told you that? What makes you think that way?" Kunot-noong tanong ni Azalea sa kaibigan.

Honestly pinipigilan lang niyang maiyak kanina pa dahil gusto niyang maglabas nang sama ng loob si Dareios sakanya dahil once she starts crying paniguradong mas aalalahanin pa nito ang nararamdaman niya.

Dareios is a sweet and nice guy. Ito palagi ang nagpapalakas ng loob niya sa tuwing nahihirapan niya, he's always there to cheer her up kaya nga na lulungkot siya dahil ganito ang pinagdadaanan nito ngayon.

"Kasi ganon naman talaga eh. Let's face it Azalea, being bisexual and liking same s*x is a disappointment, you will disappoint everyone kahit wala ka namang ginagawang masama. I will disappoint all you simply because I just wanna be me."

Nagsimula nang manubig ang mga mata ni Azalea hanggang sa tuluyan na itong pumatak.

It's painful. Watching Dareios get hurt and cry is so painful for her to watch. Mas lalong lumakas ang hikbi niya, she doesn't know what to do sobrang sakit pakinggan ng mga sinasabi ni Dareios.

"N-No..." Umiiyak na saad ni Azalea.

Paulit-ulit siyang umiling, she cupped Dareios face at seryosong tumingin sa mata nang binata.

"You're not a disappointment. Y-You... just discovered your s****l orientation, it just another part of you, but you are still you. Ikaw pa rin 'yong Dareios na nakilala namin, Ikaw pa rin 'yong Dareios na best friend ko and you will never be a disappointment. Anyone's s****l orientation is not a disappointment. Ang nakaka disappoint eh 'yong mga tao na nanghuhusga dahil lang iniisip nila na naiiba ka sakanila."

Nakikinig lang si Dareios sakanya habang umiiyak.

"Walang taong pareho. We may have similarities to other people pero magkakaiba pa din tayo and being different is not bad, its normal. Being gay, bisexual or any gender you prefer is not a bad thing, hindi 'yon masama as long as wala kang nasasaktang ibang tao. Being yourself is not a bad thing, so don't cry, don't be sad, don't think na ma-ddisappoint mo kami we are the happiest when you're happy because we love you."

Dareios nodded while still sobbing. He felt so thankful that he talked with Azalea. Azalea never fails to support him.

"Kung na guguluhan ka pa rin try accept everything little by little, just take one step at a time, don't rush yourself nandito lang kami para sa'yo."

Azalea jokingly punch Dareios arm. "Alam mo next time kapag hindi mo agad sinabi sa'kin na may ganito kang problem I will really get mad at you. I'm serious, Dareios. Remember, we are best friends and you need your best friend kapag hindi mo na kaya, don't torture yourself alone I'm here share it to me."

After talking to Azalea, Dareios feel so refreshed. It gave him a little bit of confidence. Azalea was right, he just discovered something new about himself and it's not a bad thing, he's not doing anything wrong he is just being true to himself. After that caming out into his parents became easier, they had a crying session for an hour but it goes well.

His parents accept him. They understand him, and they will always support him. He also came out into his friends, pero siyempre, hindi niya sinabi agad sa Lolo niya, it will be a different story, his grandfather will kill him if he came out to him basta-basta.

Taking this path is never an easy task. It could be exhausting, emotionally, mentally, and even physically. But it became bearable thanks to the people around him.

When Dareios finally accept himself doon naman siya nag-umpisang magbago. His friends didn't know what happened, but one day Dareios started dating one person to another, he started partying a lot hooking up with different people, mapa-babae man o lalaki.

It's like he became a different person. Of course his friends are not happy with his change, Azalea and Dareios fought because of this pero wala rin nangyari.

°°°

Camari sigh. Patuloy pa rin kasi sa pag-inom si Dareios kahit lasing na lasing na ito. Honestly, this is the first time that Camari saw Dareios cried like this.

"L-Lea, save me a lot of times. We've been together since we're kids, a lot of people come and go in my life and she's the only one who stayed with me kahit pa ang gago ko, kahit pa deserve ko naman talagang iwan."

Dareios look into Camari, he gave her a sad smile.

"I-I... I'm scared, Sola. W-What if I lose Lea? I-I... can't. I can't be in love with her, I'm a failure. I failed all of my relationships, so I can't be in love with Lea, I will just lose her. I'll die without her."

Parang may kung anong bumara sa lalamunan ni Camari. She felt like she confirmed something and its making her head ache.

She covered her mouth with her hand, agad siyang umiwas nang tingin kay Dareios and she met Daiki's serious gaze.