That Gay is My Boyfriend

Episode 2: Finding Sebastian

Stella's POV

Kinabukasan ay inspired akong pumasok sa university. The first thing I will do is I will find out which department Sevi is in. Wait? I don't know his last name.

"Excuse me. May kilala ka bang student dito na Sevi ang pangalan?"

Bumaling ang isang babae sa akin.

"Sevi? Si Sebastian, as in yung bakla?"

Her judgmental eyes were severe and there was a hint of disgust in the tone of her voice. Umayos ako ng tayo.

"Miss, why are you looking for him? If you're one of the women chasing that gay, I advise you to stop. Wala nga siyang interes sa akin at sigurado ako na lalo na sayo."

Pigilan niyo ako. Titirisin ko ito.

"Ah! So you were rejected by him. Obviously, that's why you're insulting him now because you can't accept that he doesn't like you." ani ko.

"How dare you-" tinaasan niya ako ng kilay.

"Sa iba na lang ako magtatanong kaysa isang katulad mong desperadang naninira ng iba just because you were once or many times rejected by the same guy."

"You w*tch!" Nanggagalaiti niyang sigaw.

"Hep!"

I raised my hand to stop her.

"If you try to hurt me right now, it's as if you're proving that everything I said before is true. Go on." I stepped closer to her.

"Try me." I stared blankly in her eyes.

Napaatras naman siya. Nilingon niya ang mga estudyanteng nakatingin sa amin. With those glaring eyes, she slightly pushed my shoulder using her index finger.

"I hate you." She whispered to me and left immediately.

Taas-noo naman akong naglakad sa kabilang direksyon. Ang taray ng kilay niya akala naman niya ikinaganda niya iyon.

"So may isang babae na namang nabihag ang damdamin sa isang Sebastian Fuentes..."

Napalingon ako sa nagsalita. She's a bit taller than me. Nakaponytail ang buhok niya at ngumunguya ng gum. Sumabay siya sakin sa paglalakad. She's actualy pretty.

"Who are you then?" Tanong ko sa kaniya.

"Ako? Ako lang naman ang nakakaalam kung nasan ang hinahanap mo."

"You know Sevi? Where can I find him? Are you his classmate? Ex ka ba niya?"

"Isa-isa lang, miss. Hinay-hinay lang." Natatawa niyang sabi.

Kakatapos lang ng dalawang classes ko at break time namin ngayon. The woman I talked to earlier said that we would meet in the cafeteria when it was breaktime.

"So? What's up?" tanong ko sa kaniya at umayos ako ng upo.

"Seryoso ka ba? Iyan talaga ang uunahin mo kaysa kumain muna?" Kumagat siya sa sandwich na hawak niya.

"Sandali nga. Bakit ba ako nagpapauto sayo wherein the first place I don't even know you? I'm wasting my time here. I'm leaving."

I was about to leave but I stopped when she spoke.

"Sebastian Fuentes, better known by the nickname Sevi. He's 20 years old and 2nd year college student. BS in Business Management. Anti-social. So called 'gay' but still admired by many ladies. Except me, of course."

Napaayos ako ng upo at tinitigan siya.

"How do you-"

"First of all, I'm Hazel Samonte. And no, I'm not Sevi's stalker. I just know all of this because it's all over the university. I really don't know why you don't know everything of it." Patuloy pa rin siya sa pagnguya sa pagkain niya.

"Stella Revihera. Future girlfriend ni Sevi."

Muntik niyang maibuga ang pagkain niya. I narrowed my eyes at her.

"What?" gulat niyang ani.

"May gusto ka ba kay Sevi?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

She immediately shook her head.

"Wala akong gusto sa kaniya."

"Ex ka niya?"

"No. I'll never like him."

"Why? Dahil bakla siya?" ani ko.

She shook her head and gulped straight down a glass of juice she was holding.

"No, it's not because he's a gay. Hindi ko lang siya type."

"Wow!" Natatawa kong saad.

She stood up and wiped her mouth.

"Hindi dahil hindi ko siya type ay nagmamaganda na ako. After all, we have different standards with a man. Yours happened to be that gay." tipid siyang ngumiti.

"Aba't-"

"I'm not against with it. But my only advice when you're having a hard time, give up while it's still early. Good luck."

She tapped my shoulder and left the cafeteria first. That woman is weird. I really thought she was also my rival to Sevi. But maybe that's her strategy para tigilan ko si Sevi at mapasakanya ito. Kailangan ko na talagang makita si Sevi.

"GO SEVI!!!"

Mabilis pa sa alas kwatro akong napalingon sa pinaggalingan ng tilian. Mukhang sa open ground. I went out and saw the group of women.

I turned in the direction in which they were focused. I saw Sevi stretching. Anong meron? Marathon? Training?

Nasa malayo lang ako at nakamasid sa kanila.

"Grabe kahit bakla si Sevi. Napamahal na talaga ako sa kanya."

"Wala kang pag-asa dun. Lalaki nga ang hanap niya."

"Wow, who among us made the effort to carry a banner for Sevi?"

"Shh! Tahimik nga."

Naghilahan pa ng mga buhok ang mga babaeng katabi ko. Ganito ba kahaba ang pila kay Sevi? He is still gay but a lot of people like him. How about when he decides to become a man?

Napalingon si Sevi sa gawi ko at panandaliang magtama ang paningin namin sa isa't isa. He's a bit shocked so I waved at him.

"Hello Sevi! Good luck."

Napailing lang siya at muling itinuon ang tingin niya sa harapan.

"Luh? Feeling close yan?"

"Akala niya talaga siguro siya yung nilingon ni Sevi."

Binaba ko ang dalawang kamay ko. Mga inggitera! I just ignored them and just focused on cheering Sevi.

I didn’t know he was sporty. In fact I just met him. But if he is so famous why did I only notice him now?

Pagkatapos ng laro niya ay nagsilapitan na ang mga babae sa kanya. Each provided a bimpo, snacks and bottled water. He no longer needed to bury money. Food has just been solved by the amount given to him.

"Hoy!" I called the two women next to me earlier.

"What?"

"I thought you didn't like Sevi because he's gay. Why are so many still chasing him now?" Tanong ko.

"Wala kaming pakialam doon. Kasi kahit bakla siya mamahalin niya pa rin ako at deserve niya ako!"

She flipped her hair at tumalikod na silang dalawa sakin. Deserve raw siya ni Sevi? She just seems to go along with the crowd to like Sevi because that’s the trend.

I found Sevi. It was hard for me to get in and leave him alone with the amount of people around him.

"I told you to give up."

"Ay! Ano ka ba? Bakit bigla ka nalang sumusulpot?" inis kong saad kay Hazel.

She crossed her arms and she was looking at the women gathering at Sevi.

"Hazel, bakit hindi ka nagkakagusto kay Sevi?"

"I already told you. Hindi ko siya type."

Tinitigan ko lang siya habang ngumunguya siya sa gum niya.

"What?" asik niya.

"You think Sevi will like me—"

"TABI!!!"

I stopped what I was going to say and turned in front of me. Sevi who was running fast in my direction. I smiled. So he remembered me.

"Aray ko!" daing ko.

He pushed me to the side so I fell to the ground.

Ang sakit ng pwet ko. Gusto kong tumayo agad pero napapangiwi ako sa sakit ng pagkakadapa ko. Hazel immediately approached me.

"Hala! Are you alright, Stella?"

"Oo ayos lang—"

"What the heck?! Sinabi ko namang tumabi ka." bulyaw sa akin ni Sevi.

"YOU!"

Lumapit siya sa gawi ko at dinuro ako.

"Hi Sevi!" sabay ngumiti ako ng malapad sa kanya.

"You are really st*pid. You hurt? "He asked worriedly.

"Did someone fall down without being hurt? "Hazel answered philosophically and she rolled her eyes.

Sevi glared at her. Siniko ko naman si Hazel sa tagiliran at pinandilatan ng mga mata.

"What?" bulong niya.

Bahagya namang yumuko si Sevi at hinawi ang braso ko.

"Aray naman!" Reklamo ko.

"Just make sure you're not acting." Masama ang tingin niya sa akin.

Then he diverted his attention to the women who were chasing him earlier.

"Look what you all have done. Responsable ko pang dalhin sa clinic ang babaeng ito." inis niyang sabi.

"Sevi, it's her fault."

"Oo nga!"

"Huwag mo na siyang tulongan! Nagdradrama lang iyan para mapansin mo!"

"Aba! Wow! Do I look as desperate as you na ilalagay sa alanganin ang sarili ko para lang magpapansin? Okay na. Kaya kong mag-isa. Move aside." May diin sa huling salita na binitawan ko.

I stood up as Hazel supported me.

My eyes were glaring in annoyance now at Sevi. He really thought I was just acting out here.

"Hoy! Put me down. Ano ba, Sevi?"

He quickly put me on his back. Piggy ride.

"Oh my gosh!"

"Sevi, don't do that!"

"I hate that flirty girl!"

Sevi just passed them and continued walking.

"Put Stella down! We can do this without your help!"

Hazel, who followed behind us, was furious. We will only get to know each other today but I immediately feel better about her. I thought she's rude at first but ended up treating me like I'm her family that's been severely hurt. She was even more panicked than I was.

"Stop shouting will you?!" inis na sabi ni Sevi.

"Stella, sabihin mo lang kung gusto mong bumaba. Hindi ako magdadalawang-isip na saktan itong bakla na ito."

"Huwag na, Hazel. Can you please do me a favor na lang? Mauna ka na sa clinic at sabihin mo kailangan ko ng tubig."

"But–"

"Please...don't worry, I'll be fine."

He nodded and ran ahead to the clinic.

"Sevi, take me down because it's embarrassing. Pinagtitinginan tayo." bulong ko sa kanya.

"Do you think I like it? Napilitan lang ako. And stop acting like ikaw pa itong nahihiyang kasama ako!"

"Ayoko lang na pag-usapan ka pa nila dito."

"Will you just shut up?! Ang dami mong dada. Huwag ka na lang maarte."

There was nothing I could do and just keep quiet. I sniffed his hair. Smells good. Medyo inamoy ko rin ang damit niya. Mabango talaga kahit pawisan.

"Stop sniffing me. Aso ka ba?!"

Napasimangot ako. Ang sungit naman niya.

We had already arrived at the clinic so he immediately lowered me to an empty bed. Hazel quickly handed me the water which I immediately swallowed.

"Nurse, can you please check her wounds?"

The school nurse approached me and treated my wounds.

"You just have to apply this remedy ointment at home, Ms. Revihera. Walk slowly for now. You're good to go."

Tumango naman ako at inikot-ikot ang kanang paa ko.

"Excuse me! Do you have extra bottled water here, nurse?" tanong ni Sevi.

"I think that's the last one na binigay ko kay Ms. Revihera. Gusto ko sanang isuggest na sa cafeteria na lang kaso sa kabilang building pa pala iyon."

"Sa kabilang building din yung room ko." he complained.

"Gusto mo?"

I offered mine. May kalahati pa namang natira.

"What makes you think na tatanggapin ko yan?" Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay.

Kung makatingin naman siya parang diring-diri sa inooffer kong tubig. Wala naman akong nakakahawang sakit.

"Arte mo. Akin nalang Stella–"

Hazel was about to take it but Sevi quickly took the water from my hand. I thought he would immediately swallow it straight from the bottle but he took a glass then poured it there and then drank it quickly.

"Hey!" Tawag niya sa akin.

"Ako?" tinuro ko sarili ko.

"Quits na tayo dahil hinatid kita rito. Hindi ka naman daw napurohan na. Next time, don't block my path! I'm outta here!"

"Thank you, Sevi!" I shouted but he left.

Binaling ko ang tingin ko kay Hazel.

"Thank you din..." ngumiti ako.

"Ibang klase kang mainlove, Stella. I thought you were mad at Sevi before tapos ngayon may pangiti-ngiti ka na sa kanya. Ang rupok mo." napapailing niyang sabi.

"It's also my fault that I was so stunned by his closeness earlier. But he took me here to the clinic and he carried me on his back."

Inihatid ako ni Hazel sa classroom ko. What surprised me even more was that I found out that Sevi and I were in the same class. Ang swerte niya.

Transferee ako rito at 2nd year din ako. Taking BS in Architecture. Kailan kung dumoble kayod para kay Mama at kay Roy, bunsong kapatid ko na lalaki. And because my father left this world early, I had to work hard for the three of us.

"Stella Revihera, right?"

"Yes?"

"So ikaw yung babaeng epal kay Sevi."

Everywhere I really have a rival with Sevi. Can I knock them down one by one? Just kidding.