Overcoming The Underestimated

3 weeks ago.

My phone rang, breaking the silence of my room. Its screen showed Ace's name. I hesitated before picking it up.

"Yep Ace?"

"Hi Sep, it's been a while. Naistorbo ba kita?"

"Hindi naman. Anong meron?"

"Si Will kasi, aalis na bukas pa-Dubai."

"Oo nga pala. Napag-usapan na namin yan sa Facebook. Di ko namalayan, bukas na pala flight niya."

"Lalabas kami tonight, padespedida sa kanya. Pwede ka ba? Sabi ni Will pilitin daw kita."

"Uhm... What do you think Ace?"

"Huh?"

"I mean, is it too soon? Good idea ba na magkita tayo considering what happened the last time?"

"Well... That was last month, and wala na tayong communication since then. Don't worry Sep, I'm loads better now. Do this for Will, not me. He'll be gone a long time, gusto niya nandun ka."

"Hmmm... Linggo ngayon no? Wala naman akong plans today, so okay sige."

"That's good. Sabihan ko sila."

"See you later Ace."

"Wait lang Sep..."

"Yep, meron pa?"

"How are you? Masaya ka naman ba?"

***

I met with Ace, Will, and Adam as agreed.


It was a lovely evening, unlike what took place at Lanie's. We joked around, laughed our hearts out, caught up with each other's lives, shared boy stories, and dined sumptuously in an authentic Korean restaurant somewhere near Tagaytay. I know they are well aware of what occurred recently between Ace and I. We talked about it more than once. They had a few questions; some were difficult to answer, but they didn't force us if we don't want to. They still kept the mood light and gay (pun intended).

This time, Ace was warm and friendly towards me. He constantly asked if I'm having a good time, he kept on glancing with a smile across his face, and he made sure that my plate is never empty. No returning of things happened and no tears were shed. It was only a night of boisterous laughter and good food.

On our way home, Ace and I had another conversation.

"Sep, thanks sa pagpunta ha. I missed this, alam mo yun, us just having fun."

"Wala yun. Nag-enjoy ako tonight."

"Kaya naman pala natin maging civil sa isa't-isa. This shows na we can still be friends."

"I guess so..."

"Nga pala, bibisitahin ulit ako nila Lanie, Rey, at Theo sa Tuesday. Pwede ka ba nun?"

"May pasok ako nun, nasa Manila ako. Anung meron?"

"Uhm, wala naman. Dinner lang sana. Then naisip namin na i-celebrate ang birthday mo. Baka pumunta rin pala si Mary Jane."

"Mary Jane? As in yung ex ko?"

"Yep. Kasama rin siya last time eh."

"Hmmm... Bakit hindi na lang sa susunod na Linggo? Available ako nun kasi day-off ko na and uuwi ulit ako dito sa Cavite. Para makasama ako."

"Hindi raw kasi pwede si Lanie at Mary Jane next weekend eh. Sa Tuesday lang kami pwede makumpleto."

"So you are telling me na ise-celebrate niyo ang birthday ko, with cake and all, and I am the last one to get invited, pero hindi importante na maka-attend ako as long as complete kayong mga guests?"

"Parang ganun na nga."

The idea made me burst out laughing, while Ace was grinning.

"Mga leche kayo. Ang sarap talaga maging best friend nila Lanie at Rey; nakakaisip sila ng unique ways para asarin ako."

"Well, ganun ka nila ka-love eh. So ano, kaya mo ba?"

"Titignan ko. Pang-umaga naman ang shift ko sa ngayon, so possible. Bahala na."

"It's settled then. Uhm, one more thing Sep. Oks lang ba na papuntahin ko rin si Giro?"

"Sinong Giro?"

"Uhm, new friend ko. Nakilala ko thru WeChat. 21 years old, HRM student, and ka-subdivision ko lang din."

"Lalaki mo? Ang hilig mo talaga sa bata Ace."

I chuckled. I don't know why, but it was an awkward one.

"We dated at first, yes, pero na-realize ko na we're better as friends, na tropa lang. Parang kid bro ko na siya. Halos araw-araw siya tumatambay sa bahay. Pinagseselosan na nga ako ng gf niya eh."

"Ah... Pamintang durog na binudbod sa tahong."

"Grabe ka naman Sep. Sabi niya bisexual siya."

"Sus, walang ganun. Either bakla ka or straight. Walang gray area when it comes to gender."

"Well, opinyon mo yan."

"Parang si Paul lang pala? Date na naging kaibigan lang."

"Uhm, oo. Oks siya kasama, don't worry. I'm sure matutuwa ka sa kanya. Madalas kitang ikwento dun, kaya naman looking forward siya na makilala ka sa personal."

"Hmmm..."

"If hindi ka komportable, it's alright... You can say no. Kilala kita."

I won't deny that I felt a tinge of jealousy at that moment. But I know better, so I pushed that notion deep down in my brain. I should not feel that way, I don't have the right to anymore. Besides, Giro is just a friend. There's no harm if he would be there right?

"Well, bahay mo naman yun Ace, so you can invite whoever you want to."

"Yes or no Sep?"

"Yes, okay lang."

"Are you sure?"

"Opo."

"Good,  thanks. I'll tell him."

At that point, a confusing thought suddenly struck me. I hesitated first.

"Ace..."

"Yes?"

I held his gaze.

"Why all this? Why bother?"

He smiled.

"Gusto ko masaya ka."

"But why?"

"Kasi kapag alam kong masaya ka, masaya na rin ako... Yun ang goal ko sa ngayon."

I wasn't able to answer. The words were stuck in my throat.

"So Sep, are you happy?"