Kabanata 19
MATAGAL na nakatitig sa larawan nila ni Ivler ang mga mata ni Linus. It's been months since he last saw him and there's no day that Linus didn't miss his presence. He feels so homeless in the past months that he's craving for his big baby, and if it wasn't for his current mission, Linus has probably flew straight to Ivler just to ease the emptiness he's feeling.
Nadama niya ang pagtapik ni Sandro sa kanyang balikat bago ito naupo sa kanyang tabi at kinandong ang baril nito. Nakaupo sila sa edge ng rooftop ng isa sa pinakamataas na building sa Dubai habang hinihintay ang go signal ng kanilang kasamahan. Nang balingan niya si Sandro ay nakatingala na ito sa kalangitan.
"I heard from a friend that someone is sabotaging Huskeez. Sinusulot ang karamihan sa players nila kaya siguradong namomroblema si Beckham ngayon." Ngumisi ito at tumingin sa kanya. "Stressed na naman sigurado ang lokong 'yon."
Napabuntong hininga siya sa narinig. If only he could come home to Ivler now and try to at least ease away his stress, he'd do it in a heartbeat.
Nalunok niya ang laway niya at ang kanyang malamlam na mga mata ay natutok muli sa larawan. "Paniguradong saksakan na naman ng sungit ang isang 'yon ngayon."
Umismid si Sandro. "That's for sure. Wala ka eh." Matipid itong ngumiti at sandaling natahimik. Mayamaya ay humugot ito ng hininga saka muling tumingin sa kabilang building. "Alam mo akala ko talaga pagkalipas ng isa o dalawang linggo na hindi kayo magkasama, maiisip niyo nang pareho na hindi talaga kayo seryoso. Don't get me wrong, mate I support the both of you. I just thought that maybe you'll still look for what you got used to."
Linus flashed a broken smile before he combed his hair towards the back.  "My feelings for Ivler is the purest, most genuine love I've ever felt, Sandro. Siguro kaya hindi ko rin kayang maging kagaya ninyo ni Linel dahil ang totoo, may ibang hinahanap ang puso ko at napakaswerte kong natagpuan ko 'yon kay Ivler. Kung si Micah napakawalan ko noon nang gano'n-gano'n na lang kahit anim na taong naging kami, baka kung si Ivler ang mawala... hindi ko alam, pre baka bumigay ang isip ko..."
Ngumisi ito at tinapik-tapik ang balikat niya. "Well you're lucky you found someone who's a hoe his whole life but became the most faithful partner I've ever seen the moment you came into his life. Sa rami ng mata ko sa Pilipinas, ni isa walang nagsabing nakitang nagloloko si Ivler kahit wala ka."
That's what makes Linus even more in love with Ivler. His reputation as a man before they met each other was really terrible. He's a walking red flag as most people call him, but because of their relationship, his faithful version came out. Linus feels so blessed to be the reason why Ivler chose to become the better version of himself, and he will always be proud of his Ivler for that.
He let out a heavy sigh then wore his helmet when he saw the blinking green light coming from the other building. "What can I say? I will always be the luckiest for having such a big baby." He smirked. "Let's do this."
Ngumisi ito at tuluyang hinagis ang tali kasabay niya saka sila sabay na nagpadulas pababa ng building para gawin ang kanilang misyon. Matapos lang ito, pwede siyang sumibat para makita si Ivler at makasama man lang ito kahit ilang araw lang.
He cannot wait to see his Ivler again...
NATUON kaagad ang mga mata ni Ivler kay Khalid Ducani nang dumating ito sa meeting place. Sinubukan niya itong i-chat para kumpirmahin kung mayroon ba itong nasabi kay Micah tungkol sa relasyon nila ni Linus pero dahil inactive si Khalid sa mga nakalipas na buwan dahil masyadong natutok sa on-going construction ng bagong Hotel Khallisa sa Armenia, ngayon lamang nito nagawang makipagkita.
Khalid stepped out of his car and went to him wearing a smirk. Nakipag-fist bump pa ito sa kanya saka sumandal din sa hood ng kanyang kotse.
"What's up, man? What's so important that you cannot tell it over the phone?" tanong nito sa kanya.
Sandaling tumikhim si Ivler at hindi na nagpaligoy-ligoy pa. "You're in Monte Costa right when we played the game the whole MCB arranged for me and Linus?"
"Yeah. What about it?"
"So you're aware that Linus and I have a relationship?" deretsahan niyang tanong.
Ngumisi ito. "Of course. It was too obvious that you like each other. Psychology was my oreparatory course anyway. I've read your actions."
Nagpakawala siya ng malalim na hininga. "Kung gano'n, ikaw ba ang nagsabi kay Micah Veneracion na may namamagitan sa'min ni Linus?"
Umismid ito at tinaasan siya ng kilay. "Mukha bang ako?"
His jaw clenched. "Yeah."
Mahinang natawa si Khalid saka ito umiiling na hinimas ang batok. "Bakit ba lagi na lang akong napagbibintangan, hmm?"
Napakunot siya ng noo. "What?"
Khalid rubbed his palms on his own thighs as he drew in some air. "Nope. It ain't me. When Micah went to the clubhouse to call me, she dropped by at Linel's cabin to say goodbye to Linus but she saw you. Palabas ka ng cabin at bago ka lumabas, nakita niyang humabol si Linus at humalik sayo so yeah. She didn't need anyone to tell her what's going on so how dare you accuse me when I was the one who convinced her to not tell the public about your relationship with Linus?"
Biglang tinamaan ng hiya si Ivler at napabuga ng hangin. "Sorry. Nasabi kasi ni Keison na may ayaw ka raw sabihin sa kanya pero sinabi mo kay Micah."
"Yeah. I told Micah that MCB is a solid brotherhood of crazy-ass dudes who look carefree on the outside but are loyal to each other. Na kung may babanggain siyang isa, babanggain niya na lahat pati na ako. You don't know me that much but I could flip tables easily when I want to."
"Apologies, man. I really thought you're a total asshole. Lalo na nababalita ngayon sa Monte Costa na sinubukan mong sulutin asawa ni Armani."
Khalid moistened his lower lip. "Kung tarantado lang ako, baka hindi ko na hinahatid si Reino De Alba sa cabin niya tuwing nalalasing sa dalampasigan nitong mga nakaraang buwan o kaya hindi ko na tinatawagan si De Vera para sunduin ang gagong 'yon nang maiuwi. I even have to pay large sums of money nang hindi makasuhan ang lintik na 'yon. I was his lowkey lawyer who keeps saving his goddamn ass so thanks for the insult, man. I really appreciate it," sarkastiko nitong sabi sa huli na kinangisi ni Ivler.
"Thanks for convincing Micah. I owe you a drink for that."
"Nah, no need to mention it. I know she's having a hard time accepting that her ex fell for a man, but it's not right to ruin you for Linus' choices. Para na lang mga gago 'yong mga ex na nagagalit sa bagong karelasyon ng ex nila. That's just crazy and pathetic. Sayang. Popormahan ko sana kaso nakaka-turn off ang ugali." Ngumisi ito sa kanya. "I'm free so I'll take advantage of that free drink."
Ivler smirked before he stood up. "Let's go. I know a place. Just don't think I'm into you, though. Pinapangunahan ko na. I'm faithful to Shault."
Mahina itong humalakhak. "Ah, you better be because I'm into someone, too already. Hindi nga lang pwedeng angkinin." Khalid sighed. "Let's go."
Nagtungo sila sa kanya-kanya nilang mga sasakyan at nagtungo sa exclusive bar ng isang kaibigan ni Ivler. They shared a few drinks and talked about Trunk's upcoming plans for Monte Costa. Nalaman niya rin ang dahilan ng pagsali ni Khalid sa MCB. Looks like eventhough he didn't admit it, Khalid fell for Francia Lindstrom but he chose to not fight for someone who's clearly in love with her baby dada.
Nang matapos mag-inuman ay nagpasya na silang umuwi. Dumiretso na rin si Ivler sa condo building niya sa BGC. When an ex-fuck buddy got inside the elevator with him, Ivler realized that he's really not interested to play in life anymore. Dahil kahit anong pilit nito ay hindi na talaga niya pinatos pa. He felt nothing, not even an ounce of heat even when the girl tried to touch his arm.
"Sorry, but I have someone already so I really don't wanna do that anymore. Nice seeing you," he politely said before getting off the elevator.
Napabuga na lang siya ng hangin at hinagod ang kanyang palad sa kanyang buhok habang naglalakad patungo sa condo unit niya. He opened the lights and was about to get himself some water when he noticed that the bedroom door is open.
Napakunot ng noo si Ivler saka dahan-dahan na naglakad papasok. He even grabbed his golf club and gripped it tightly before he went in. The dimlights are already switched on, so when he saw the man laying in the midde of his bed, resting his bare back against the headboard while swirling a handcuff on his middle index finger, Ivler's heart went crazy.
The golf club slipped from his hand and hit the floor as he stared at the man whose ab muscles flexed when he sat up while staring at him with so much longing.
Unti-unting umangat ang sulok ng mga labi nito bago tuluyang nagsalita sa malamyos na tinig.
"Hello, love..."
Lalong nagwala ang puso ni Ivler. "Linus..."