CHAPTER 2

Van’s world seemed to crumble. He knew this moment would come, and this moment was what he feared the most. Cris Pastor was also a graduate of PDA. Inside the academy, she had been romantically linked to Sen- a relationship Cris decided to pursue outside. Sen being the gentleman that he is, also felt something somewhat for Cris so he decided to give it a go anyway. They were now dating for a year and a half.

“Are you okay?” Sen asked as he noticed Van turn pale.

“Do I look okay?” Van snapped. “I told you to be careful. You never heed my advice.” He felt an overwhelming heat rising inside him.

Sen kept quiet, not looking at Van. His hand were drawing figure eights on the picnic table.

“When did this happen?” Van asked.

“You ask like you’re my girlfriend.” Sen laughed.

“Look moron, this is not the time to joke.” Van stood up and shoved Sen. The older man, almost lost his balance. He stood up and pushed Van.

“ I never intended for this to happen, dickhead” Sen raised his voice for the first time. “It just happened. And now that it’s here…” Sen shrugged.

“Now that it’s here, what?”

Sen sat down. He had thought about this moment for a long time. He knew breaking the news to Van would be the most difficult thing he would do. His family accepted the news right away. So did Cris’ family. This was the final hurdle.

“Please sit down.” Van immediately sat down.

“We’re going to get married.” Van slumped on the table. No matter how he tried to hold it back, he knew it was a losing battle. The tears were now falling. Sen knew this would come. He stood up and went to Van. Gently, he placed his hand on Van’s back.

Van sat up, the tears were still in his eyes. There was no other thing to do now, but to accept it. It was a losing battle, no matter how he wanted to keep his bro, he has to go.

“Do you remember that night? The final expulsion?” Van asked, his voice breaking.

“Yes” Sen replied.

“Remember the song?”

Sen goes to sing:

We might find our place in this world someday, but at least for now, I got to go my own way.

Van closed his eyes as his hand held on to Sen’s hand on his shoulder:
What about us? What about everything we’ve been through?

The tears somehow made their way to Sen’s eyes. He knew his bro was hurt. They have, after all, shared a speical bond-one that transcends friendship.

“It does not have to be this way…” Sen tried to reason out.

“It has to… for your good.” Van said with finality.

“Gotta go my own way.” He forced a smile.

Van stood up and faced Sen. He spread his arms and hugged his friend. So tightly, that he felt the warmth of Sen’s breath. He wished they could stay like this forever, but reality calls. Reluctantly he pulled away and turned. He walked slowly, each step heavier than the last. As he went farther, tears were again falling.

Sen remained glued to where he was, remembering the moment, thinking that this could be the last time he would be with Van. Then, he cried.