Father and I were left in the chapel, what is this? Sermon again? Did Father know about us?
"Timothy, why are you acting like that? Are you worried about what I'm going to say?", I raised my head and saw in Father's eyes that there was another lesson -_-.
"What are you going to say Father?", He smiled and led me behind the altar and I saw Derick's locker. "Open his locker"
Opening the first thing I saw was the black box. I picked up the box and when I opened it I saw a black notebook with a quote; "Even if it is wrong in the eyes, it is right in my senses"
"Father what is this? Is this really Derick?", He nodded and took the notebook from my hand. "I gave him this notebook, to clear the thoughts in his mind. Open it and read it"
I opened the notebook, starting pages are pictures of when he was a sacristan in Bataan.
August 10, 2018
It was my birthday and I was very happy because that's why Father allowed me to be with my friends as well as Clarissa, I hope my girlfriend in my future family will be just as happy.
Then pictures of her friends and Clarissa. His birthday is coming up and we will have a birthday together, August 11 with me.
"Skip some pages, Timothy", I followed Father until I saw a picture of him with a man..who is this??
October 17, 2019
Matthew, I met him at a church-run camp and we were in a group. He is gentle, kind and easy to get along with. He was admired by almost the whole camp, over time our association deepened until every morning and night we talked. One night while we were talking, suddenly someone texted me..unknown number.
"Can you stay away from Mateo, stop talking and don't be together anymore, in short GO BACK TO BEING STRANGERS", that sounds like a threat, so I immediately told Mateo the text and right after that incident, we did go back to being strangers.
I remember what Kian told us back then. That's why he's homophobic or he doesn't want to see us, not because of what happened in his past but because of Derick. He is the reason why they broke up. Gosh, I have to tell Derick this.
I said goodbye to Father, it seems that he gets what I mean.
FAST FORWARD I HAVE COME HOME
I immediately went upstairs and the door was no longer locked and when I opened it he was talking on the phone. He seemed to be talking to Kian.
"KIAN I ALREADY TOLD YOU, I DON'T LOVE HIM?, who is he talking about?
"I LOVE THIS MINISTRY! BUT I'M TIRED BECAUSE IT' JUST KEPT ON REPEATING OVER AND OVER AGAIN", over and over? Is he tired of me?
"YOU KNOW I'M TIRED EH! I'M TIRED TO HIDE IT FROM HIM! THAT I DONT LOVE HIM", those words crush me into powder? I hope he is not referring to me. They ended their call and he fell on his bed and cried. I have to do something. So I get up, open the door, "Derick? The door is not locked so ..", he got up and run towards me and hug me.
"Sorry Tantan", those words between those tears, made me weak, anong sorry? Where is he sorry?
"It's okay, whatever that problem is, I'm sure we can give a solution", he hugs me tighter as if he doesn't want to let me go.
"I love you Tantan, I hope you know that. Even like this", I hush him and keep on hugging him, calming him down.