Much Has Been Settled

Two Saturdays ago, my mobile phone rang while I was busy at work. It was Rey.

"Tol, nahanap na namin yung blog mo," he said, in a singsong voice.

I was shocked. I didn't expect that he would find it that quickly.

"Shit..." I said, trying to hide my surprise, "What do you mean by 'namin'?"

"Si Theo yung nakahanap, binalita ko lang sa'yo," he said coolly.

I lost, so I just did the next thing I know I could do.

"Tol, please don't read it," I pleaded.

He asked mockingly, "At bakit naman hindi?"

Thinking of all the things I shared here, I was starting to get panicky, and I didn't mind hiding it when I answered, "Kasi if gusto kong mabasa ninyo ang mga nakasulat doon, eh di sana matagal ko nang binigay yung URL. Hindi para sa mga mata ninyo ang blog ko. Please lang tol."

"Eh sorry ka, nakita na namin eh," he said, still teasing me.

My best friend knows exactly if I'm already stressed. I made my voice serious.

"Di ako nagbibiro," I threatened.

"Kanina pa kaya nagbabasa si Theo," he said, brushing me off.

"Sabihin mo tumigil siya! Stay away from it pakiusap lang!" I said, raising my voice.

From playful, his voice turned sour as he answered, "Ano bang problema mo tol? Hindi ko pa nakikita yung blog mo, wala pa rin naman kasi akong time magbasa!"

"Basta! Sabihin mo diyan sa boyfriend mo na tantanan niya ang blog ko!" I hissed.

I dropped the call, sighing deeply. Why are you so upset? It's Rey, your best friend. Whatever he discovers there, for sure he won't judge you easily; without doubt, he'll understand, albeit nonetheless perplexed. Theo's the same. They are very open-minded. What's with the panicking?

I found myself staring into space when the answer struck me. Because if they can easily find your blog, then it means other people you personally know won't have a hard time too... You are not unrecognizable as much as you think you are...

I sighed again. The solution was right in front of me. I was overwhelmed with regret as it began to sink in. You have to close down your blog. Now.

***

After that rather stressful phone call, the couple was silent for a week. I used the time to cool my head off. I knew I have to talk to them personally, so I dropped by their printing shop last Sunday afternoon.

"Hey, musta na?" I greeted them.

They were warm and friendly, as usual, as if nothing ever happened a week ago. After some small talk, I told them the main purpose of my visit.

"So... Paano niyo nahanap yung blog ko?" I asked, smiling.

I could tell that the topic made them uncomfortable. They became silent, measuring up my mood. Theo held my gaze, while Rey turned away. After several seconds, I saw Theo nudged Rey using his elbow.

"Anong blog tol? Meron ka pala nun?" Rey said, feigning ignorance. I couldn't tell if he's joking or not.

After looking at Rey and pausing shortly, Theo was the one who provided the answer, "Nahanap namin thru yung Wickedmouth website."

"Oh? Paano?" I asked, genuinely puzzled.

"You gave us a copy of his book di ba? And nakwento mo dati na palagi kang nagbabasa dun. So we checked his latest post, then inisa-isa namin yung mga nag-comment. Until, ayun, we stumbled upon your page. Banner pa lang, alam ko na agad na ikaw," Theo explained.

"Eh kasi naman tol, gagamit ka na lang ng screen name, yung obvious pa," Rey added, finally meeting my eyes.

I don't know exactly why, but I snickered. I found the story somehow amusing.

"Pero pagtingin namin, naka-private na agad eh... Madaya ka," Rey said, upon seeing my reaction.

"Sorry naman, nag-panic ako eh. O siya, io-open ko na ulit. Basta ipangako niyo na walang makakalabas sa inyo. Please?" I asked, "And kung ano man mga mababasa niyo doon, please keep an open mind."

"Lalo tuloy ako na-curious," Theo said, beaming.

Meanwhile, I saw Rey frowning, so I quizzed him, "Bakit? Ano pa problema?"

"Naalala ko lang, bakit 'Rey' ang name ko dun? Ang panget! Buti pa yung kay Theo, maganda pakinggan. Ang dami naman iba, bakit yun pa binigay mo sa akin?" he complained.

"Eh anong gusto mo itawag ko sa'yo? 'Rhiannon'?" I said, laughing.

"Di mo man lang ginawang 'Ashton' o kaya 'Claude'..." Rey sulked.

"Sorry ka, mas bagay sa'yo ang 'Rey' eh," Theo answered, winking at me.

***

P.S. Rey and Theo, before I forget, I hope you can forgive me for featuring your love story here without your consent. I wasn't able to ask you before because I was keeping this blog a secret. Just tell me if you want it removed. But for the love of God, please don't. Anyway, expect the unexpected here, and enjoy reading!