Ace's POV
This rocker slash aggressive dude, I don't know him but hinihila niya ako papunta sa counter to purchase the March 2020/1 books. Halfway pa lang kami papunta sa counter, I Immediately removed my arms from his grip while he's unguarded, so we stopped for a while.
"Sino ka ba?" I exclaimed.
He looked at me and said, "I'm Seph. I'm so sorry, hindi na ako nakapagpakilala, masyado akong naging comfortable."
I sighed and said, "Well, sobrang comfortable lang and hindi naman tayo magkakilala."
"I just wanted to be friends with you kasi you're very interesting and I wanted to try something new like reading this book."
"Bakit 'di mo agad sinabi? Hindi 'yung bigla mo na lang akong hahablutin na parang iho-hostage mo ko!"
"I'm really so sorry, pero as my apology, allow me to treat you. I'll buy this book for you, is that okay?"
How can I say no if gipit na ako sa allowance ko for this week? Hahaha! Nahihiya ako, but then, hindi siya nahiya sa ginawa niya sa akin so patas lang, right?
"Okay, ikaw ang may gusto niyan. Basta hindi kita pinilit for the record." I said but deep inside I feel like I won something.
We went to the counter and this time, 'yung babaeng nag scan ng barcode ng "The Titan's Bride", the first yaoi manga I bought here, ang nandoon. Papalapit pa lang kami ni Seph sa counter but she was already smiling like she was already judging me sa utak niya. The nerve of this cashier girl!
As soon as we got to the counter, nilapag ni Seph ang 2 books ng March 2020/1 and while the cashier girl was scanning the books, she said, "Sir, boyfriend mo?" and giggled.
Biglang nanlaki ang mga mata ko and I looked at the cashier girl and I was astonished!
"No po! He doesn't even know my name, Miss..." I shouted and I tried reading her name tag na nakapin sa left side of her chest, "Ngayon nga lang kami nagkakilala, Miss Patrice."
"Hala! Kilala kaya kita!" Seph interrupted.
"So what's my name?" I asked while looking at him seriously with one of my eyebrows raising.
"Ikaw si..." Seph said while the cashier girl and I was waiting for him to say my name. Even si Patrice, the cashier, was also intrigued!
"Ikaw si 'Master'" He said and innocently smiled at me!
Patrice giggled while I gave Seph a very sharp look and what the heck! May isa pang tumatawag sa akin ng "Master". For the record, tatlo na sila! Si Jeffrey, si Lucas, and now... him! 'Yung totoo, nag-meeting ba sila para tawagin akong "Master"? This is ridiculous!
Patrice just finished packing the 2 books and habang inaabot niya sa amin ito, she said, "I wish you two goodluck! Bet ko kayong dalawa! Hihi! Ang cute niyo tingnan."
"I don't even like guys, Patrice! I'm not gay as well!" I said.
"Okay, 'Master'." Patrice said and giggled.
"My name's not 'Master'!" I exclaimed.
"Sige na, tara na nga, papakalmahin ko muna siya, Patrice." Seph said and grabbed the books na binili niya para sa amin.
He grabbed my left hand and we walked out of the manga library slash bookstore. At pagkalabas namin, natauhan ako bigla as to why he's holding my hand!
"Teka lang! Bakit mo ba ko hinahawakan? Kaya ko maglakad, marunong ako maglakad and isa pa, alam ko pupuntahan ko!" I shouted.
"Baka kasi takasan mo ako." He said then laughed, "Up for a drink? My treat ulit."
"Ayoko!" I Immediately said.
"Please, Master?" he begged.
"No, and please, stop calling me 'Master'!" I said.
"Kung ayaw mo sumama, then luluhod ako at magmamakaawa." he said.
"Go, I won't stop you." I said.
Lumuhod nga siya and niyakap niya ang right leg ko and he was begging me to come with him. Tinitingnan na kami ng mga dumadaan and there were girls that were taking pictures of us. Dahil doon, nahiya na ako since nagiging center of attraction na kami.
"Oo na! Tumayo ka na nga! Nakakahiya! Pinagtitinginan na nila tayo!" I whispered.
Seph smirked and tumayo na ulit siya ng maayos, "Tara, let's go sa favorite kong cafeteria."
I agreed even without knowing him. Baka mamaya budol-budol 'tong tao na 'to. But maybe he's not that bad. I mean, he's quite a funny guy, 'yun ang nakikita ko and no dull moments sa kanya since he's too aggressive, so I guess having a new friend is okay. Plus, gusto niya maging isang Fudanshi, and I don't know if he's straight or not, so I'll ask him later.
Nang makapunta na kami sa favorite niyang cafeteria, umupo na kami sa isang table near sa glass wall. While waiting for our order, he gave me the March 2020/1 na book and I grabbed it as soon as I can since baka bawiin niya pa agad at kung ano-ano na naman gawin niya!
"So bakit mo naisip na maging 'Fudanshi' bigla?" I asked.
"I just wanted to try out something new. Isa pa, isa 'to sa mga trends today, right?" He said.
Medyo nagpintig ang ears ko and I looked at him with squinting eyes.
"No, hindi porket ito 'yung trend, makikigaya ka na. It's not like that. Isa pa, reading this kind of stuff requires passion, dedication and understanding! Hindi 'yung gusto mo magbasa kasi nakiki-uso ka." I said.
"Ah, hindi ba gano'n 'yun?" he asked.
"No it's not! Kung babasahin mo lang 'yung book just for the sake of the trend, ibalik mo na lang 'yan sa bookstore. Masasayang lang ang copy sa'yo." I said.
"I'm sorry. Don't worry, babasahin ko 'to wholeheartedly and dahil natututo ako sa'yo, I want to be just like you... a straight guy na isang 'Fudanshi'." He said and smiled.
"Okay, kapag 'yan hindi mo binasa, I'll curse you!" I whispered.
"Paano mo naman malalaman if binasa ko talaga 'to?" he asked.
"Mmm... I guess bibigyan kita ng quiz just to see if binasa mo nga talaga!" I said.
"Great!" he smiled, "So does it mean na this won't be the last time na magkikita tayo?"
Napaisip ako bigla and tama nga siya. I don't know if gusto ko pa siyang makita dahil makulit siya, but having another friend like him that I can turn into a "straight fudanshi" wouldn't be so bad. I guess it's fine... maybe?
"Yes! Dahil may quiz pa tayo sa book ng March 2020/1!" I said.
"Per chapter?" he asked while smiling at me.
"Yes!" I immediately said.
Binuksan ni Seph ang book and tiningnan kung ilang chapters meron ang book.
"So, mayroon 'tong 36 chapters. Mukhang we'll see each other a lot." he said while he's smiling like sobrang tuwang-tuwa siya.
"Well, if that's the case, I have no choice kung 36 chapters 'yan." I said.
Dumating na ang order namin, and we continued our conversation.
"So, paano tayo magkikita next time." he asked.
"I don't know. Maybe kung kailan tayo ipagtatagpo ng tadhana ulit." I said then tinikman ko 'yung inorder ko, "This is good!"
"Can I get your number?" he asked.
"No!" I said and smirked.
"Eh paano tayo magkikita. Paano mo ako bibigyan ng quiz." he asked while he was scratching his head... the upper part of the head.
"Sabi ko nga, kung kailan tayo ipagtatagpo ng tadhana." I said.
"Alam mo, you're really one of a kind. You're very interesting and I like you." he said and smiled at me.
Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya, so while umiinom ako, nabalik ko sa cup 'yung iniinom ko na nasa bibig ko na, which is by the way so gross.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I mean natutuwa ako sa'yo." he said.
"Don't be. First of all, I'm not a clown or a comedian para pasayahin ka, second, I'm not that funny and you don't even know the half of me, or better yet, 'yung buong pagkatao ko." I said.
"Then kikilalanin kita, don't worry." he said then may kinuha siya sa bag niya and inabot niya sa akin ang isang ticket, "By the way, may live show kami and we're doing a concert for a cause sa school. In case na gusto mo kami mapanood, you can use this ticket."
Kinuha ko ang ticket and I checked what's in it and I saw that this was a concert for a cause for a charity. Well, siguro, I was too judgemental and I didn't know na sumasali siya sa mga concert for a cause to help those who are in need.
I kept the ticket sa wallet ko and I started talking, "0908143..."
"Wait... anong sinasabi mo?" he interrupted.
"I thought gusto mo malaman number ko?"
"Teka!" he said and grabbed his phone from his pocket, "game!"
"...0221." I continued the last 4 digit and I bet na hindi niya nakuha 'yung first 7 digits. Haha!
"Thanks!" he said and smiled. Afterwards, tinago na niya ang phone niya ulit.
"Wait, nakuha mo lahat?" I asked since there's a tendency na hindi niya nakuha 'yung first 7 digits dahil bigla kong sinabi ng walang kamalay-malay.
"Nakuha ko, 09081430221, am I right?" he said.
"Amazing." I said and I was stunned sa kung paano niya nakuha and namemorize agad ang number ko, "Paano mo nagawa 'yun?"
"I guess kapag gusto ko talaga 'yung isang bagay, sobrang attentive ko. Haha!" he said and laughed.
Well, this dude is really different. He has this amazing memorization and focusing skills. I'll give that to him.
"So punta ka if my time ka sa concert namin ah?" he asked.
"May band ka pala. So ano ka doon?" I asked.
"I'm the vocalist." he said.
"Nice! Sige, pupunta ako. Can I bring my friends?" I asked.
"Sure! The more the merrier! Hintayin kita ah? May surprise akong gagawin. Hehe!" he said with an evil smile like may plano siyang gawin, but di ko na lang inalam. I'm too overwhelmed sa bilis ng mga pinag-uusapan namin.
After namin sa cafeteria, Seph and I went on our separate ways dahil may class pa siya, so I went back to our dorm instead to read the book, March 2020/1, that he bought for me.
I texted Jeffrey before I started reading his book.
"Jeffrey, I'm reading your work 'March 2020/1'. Nag eexpect ako na maganda 'to ah? Haha!"
After 10 seconds, nag reply agad si Jeffrey.
"Nice! Nasa dorm niyo ako ngayon. Hehe!"
What? Jeffrey is here? How did he? Why did he? Arrggh!
Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakahiga ko sa bed and nagmadali ako na lumabas sa room. As soon as I opened the door, Jeffrey was already there standing between Chester and Harry!
"Ace, bisita mo daw." Harry said.
"Pangalawa mong manliligaw, Ace?" Chester added.
"Anong manliligaw? Baliw!" I exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, Ace, sobrang sudden ng pagpunta ko dito. Gusto ko lang kasi pag-usapan 'yung about sa novel na ginagawa ko. 'Yung about being you as the main lead." Jeffrey said.
"Ahh... I see. Okay, do you want to go outside? Medyo magulo kasi dito sa room namin." I asked.
I looked at Chester and Harry and they were looking at Jeffrey and umiiling sila and sumesnyas ng "No."
"Bakit kayo umiiling ha? Chester? Harry? May plano na naman kayo?" I said.
"Wala kaming plano! Tara na Kuya Jeffrey pumasok ka na!" Chester said and tinulak niya papasok si Jeffrey.
I guess wala na kaming choice but to stay here in our filthy room.
"You can sit on my bed, Jeffrey." I said.
"Okay, master." Jeffrey said.
I looked at Chester and Harry again and I hear them murmiring something.
"Ano na naman 'yang pinag-uusapan niyo!" I shouted.
"Wala! Ang benta mo kasi! Andami mo ng alagad ah? Nakakadalawa ka na." Chester whispered.
"Baliw ka talaga! Hindi ko naman gusto!" I replied.
"Do you want us to go somewhere else, Ace? Baka makaistorbo lang kami ni Chester." Harry asked.
"No! Stay here! 'Wag na 'wag kayong aalis dalawa!" I whispered.
Naglakad ako papunta sa bed ko and I sat on the floor while nakaharap ako kay Jeffrey that's sitting on my bed. After a while, Chester and Harry stood beside me.
"Oh, bakit kayo nandito dalawa?" I asked.
"Eh 'di ba sabi mo 'wag kaming aalis dalawa?" Chester said.
"Oo nga naman." Harry said, "Go, mag-usap na kayo. Kami ang witness."
These two... kung hindi ko lang talaga sila mga bestfriends, matagal ko na silang tinakwil sa buhay ko! Haha!
"Naalala mo, 'yung may explicit scenes sa novel na gagawin ko?" Jeffrey asked.
"Ah, yes. What about it?" I asked.
"Umm, medyo hardcore na kasi sa una. I mean, you, as the main character, nakakulong ka sa isang room and you're being used as a sex slave for older guys." Jeffrey said while napansin ko na medyo nahihiya siya. Well, dapat lang siya mahiya!
"What the! Totoo ba 'yan? You're kidding, right?" I asked.
"Totoo ba 'to, Ace? Ikaw 'yung main character sa novel?" Chester asked.
"At 'di lang 'yun, sa isang hardcore na BL novel?" Harry added.
I think hindi sila matutuwa sa plot ni Jeffrey, since as their friend, ayaw nila na naagrabyado ako and ayaw nila na nababastos ako and...
"Cool! Astig! Gusto ko 'yang plot mo, Kuya Jeffrey! Pahirapan mo si Ace!" Chester said and laughed.
"I agree! Maganda ang simula!" Harry added.
"Mga kaibigan ko ba talaga kayo? How could you? Grabe kayo! Pinagkalulo niyo ako!" I said and looked at them with glaring eyes.
Jeffrey laughed and said, "Just kidding, Ace. I know you won't like it."
I sighed and felt relieved dahil akala ako magiging sex slave na ako sa alternative world na binubuo ni Jeffrey para sa akin.
"But, nandito talaga ako for another reason. Gusto ko lang ikaw iinvite for a dinner since nahiya ako noong hinatid mo ako sa bahay instead na ako ang gumawa noon for you." Jeffrey said.
"Kasama ba kami d'yan sa dinner?" Chester asked with an evil smile while looking at me and Harry.
"Sure, pwede kayong sumama, both Harry and Chester." Jeffrey said while giving us the brightest smile that he has to offer.
"Good. Kasi, kung may balak kang manligaw kay Ace, kailangan tatlo kaming liligawan mo! Haha!" Chester added.
I looked at Chester and I'm ready to throw a chair... no, a bed sa kanya! I'm ready to throw all the things na mahahawakan ng kamay ko!
"Chester!" I whispered.
"Yeah, you have to go through us first. Then if okay ka sa amin, you have our blessing." Harry added.
"Harry!"
After a while, someone knocked on the door.
"Ako na magbubukas!" Chester said naglakad siya papunta sa door ng room namin.
Tiningnan naming lahat kung sino 'yung kumakatok. And when Chester opened the door, a guy was standing outside our room and said, "Ako? Pwede din ba ako sumama sa inyo? Hehe!" Lucas asked while smiling.
What the! Ano ba 'to!
End of Chapter 10