Chapter 18

Hearing how Bryce would be suspended for his very last game  made me feel satisfied because it won't make him get the satisfaction of playing the game for the last time. That's just the price of the game he plays with us and it's going to hurt him so much.

Many people aren't still over it and created many speculations about it. I've also been invited to a private Facebook group where most of Bryce's victims shared their nasty experiences with him. A lot of people are reading and sharing their posts and leaving comments about disgusting Bryce is.

Maraming naglakas ng loob sabihin ang mga kwento nila and we're happy that they did. I know it will take a lot for them to do it and speak up about it, so I'm proud of them. This matter shouldn't be left in the dark when in fact the culprit is having fun around misbehaving at his own will.

I'm not even sad for Bryce. I think he deserves it. Knowing what he had done past four years ago at hindi pa rin siya nagbabago, bagay lang sa kanya 'yon. He begged me for something that will benefit himself. Tama nga ako ro'n. He made me believe he changed, but I was just fascinated how he weave those words right in front of my face.

I still can't believe I fell for it—well, worse, I sucked him.

But if people would ask me how does he taste—very average. Walang special. That's all I could say.

"Alam mo, hindi ko kinakaya 'yong mga nababasa ko sa group na 'yon," kwento ni Ruth. "May isa pa ro'ng comment na nabasa ko na mukhang pinatawag na raw si Bryce sa disciplinary office for his misconduct against the university's policies."

"Well, good for them na umaaksyon agad sila," sagot ko. "But they should've done that a long time ago. May favoritism lang sila dahil football star player ng school si Bryce and they don't want to put him on a bad light."

"Pero sa mga member ng LGBTQ community, okay lang sa kanila? Gosh."

"Mukhang gano'n na nga... kaya ngayon kaya feeling ko pinatawag na 'yan si Bryce because they don't want the university's image to be bad dahil kapag ang issue ay nanggaling sa LGBTQ community, it really creates chaos. Alam mo 'yan."

"True... but I still doubt they will apprehend him for something."

"But at least they are suspending him to play sa football game."

"Totoo! So, tutuloy na tayo ro'n? Wala na naman si Bryce, e. We can watch it without feeling bothered or anything. Hindi ko pa naman nabebenta 'yong ticket because I know you'll change  your mind."

I smirked. "Sige na nga. Let's go with it."

Para namang nagwagi sa tuwa si Ruth. She didn't really find someone else to sell the tickets. Nasasayangan kasi siya kaya ngayon dahil wala na naman akong iisipin na ibang bagay ro'n, I can watch it without thinking of Bryce. Ayoko lang naman talaga manood because of him. Nakakairita lang.

"At ano nga palang balita sa parents mo? Nakausap mo na ba sila?"

Umiling ako. "Hindi pa... I'm still dreading about the thought of it. Tatawagan ko na sana sila kanina, but I'm hesitating."

"Go na," sabi ni Ruth. "Put in on speaker."

Huminga ako nang malalim. "Do you really think it's time for them to know?"

Ruth smiled and nodded. "I'm sure it's time, it should have been a long time ago rin, Augy. All those people have found the courage to speak up because of what you did, now it's time to find your own voice and let the world know what your heart truly desires."

"Where did you get that?"

"Ano 'yon?"

"'Yong mga sinasabi mo sa akin ngayon?"

She giggled. "Hindi ko rin alam. Maybe, I was just carried away. Pero sige na, go na. 'Wag ka na kabahan. Take your time..."

When she said that, I didn't waste any second. Humugot lang ako nang malalim na hininga saka ko tinawagan si mama. My hand was shaking while I was holding the phone and waiting for the call to be answered.

It also didn't take a little longer when the call has been answered.

"Hello, 'nak?" bungad nito sa akin. "Kumusta, 'nak?"

"Okay lang naman po ako," pagbati ko. "Nandiyan po ba si papa? Pwede ko po ba kayo makausap nang sabay?"

"Saglit lang at tatawagin ko... para saan ba ito, ha?" usisa ni mama. 

"Basta, tawagin mo muna si papa."

Nagkatinginan pa kaming dalawa ni Ruth nang matahimik ang kabilang linya hangga't sa marinig namin si mama na sumigaw at tinatawag si papa. Natawa na lamang kami hangga't sa makausap ko silang dalawa sa telepono.

"Ma... pa... I just wanted to say something and I'm not sure how this would go, but I know you'll me love whatever happens..." At this point, I know they've been getting for what this call is all about. "Ma... pa... I think this is the time for me to let you know that... I'm gay..."

Tumahimik ang kabilang linya matapos kong sabihin 'yon. Muli kaming nagkatinginan ni Ruth and she could saw right in my face that I could regret this moment over and over again, but then it changed when I've heard my mom sobbing at the end of the line.

"Ma... pa?"

"August..." boses ni papa. "You know we love you and we support you to whatever you do in life. And we're proud of you, you should know that."

"Tama si papa mo, 'nak... we love you and very proud of you..." I can hear the sobbing in my mom's tone and that meant so much to me. "We'll be seeing you soon..."

"Yes po. I'll be seeing you guys soon... thank you and I love you, too..."

When I hang up, I couldn't help but be emotional about it. Ruth and I just hugged it out and the outcome of that made me feel better. But I know this journey will take a lot of time, courage, and bravery in the coming days so I'm ready for them.

I'm gonna stand on my feet and be proud of who I am. I'm out... so it's time for the world to know now.