Chapter Text
It all started somewhere before morning comes, where people barely occupy the streets and are most likely in their deep slumber; where Justine Louis Yohann Lustre, Julyo, was on the verge of breaking down as he looked upon the papers scattered atop the table.
A fourth-year student in Decelis Academy, currently taking up Civil Engineering, was close to crying somewhere in the corner of his go-to coffee shop.
This has never happened to him before: crashing out just because of an uneven letter he wrote on his A3 paper, which is, unfortunately, due today at 9 AM, and it’s already 3:45 AM.
Justine Louis Yohann, Julyo, was always composed. He doesn’t crash out over small inconveniences; he knows better than wasting his time over nonsense like that.
“Gaga ka talaga, Julyo!” Inis na banggit ni Julyo sa sarili habang dahan-dahang binubura ang maling bahagi ng gawa niya.
Habang abala sa pagbubura ng mga letrang hindi mo mawari kung V ba o U ay mayroong parang hanging biglang sumagi sa kaniyang mga kamay, kusa itong dumulas sa kaniyang papel dahilan para mapunit ang kaniyang gawa.
“Shit!” Nanlaki ang mga mata ng binata nang makita ang nangyari sa kaniyang A3 paper na due at 9 AM para sa isa sa kaniyang major subject.
Let’s be honest. That wasn’t just the ‘wind’ that did this to him; it was rather a person who came rushing inside the coffee shop. It comes in the form of a silver-haired guy with a sharp jawline—it needs to be said—and an untied necktie, with sleeves rolled up just above his elbows.
There goes Julio Dy, who studies at the same academy as Julyo, and is a part-time worker at this very coffee shop.
“I’m sorry, Mister.” Gulat na banggit ni Julio. Worried written all over his face. Ang kaniyang manipis na labi ay tila nanginginig sa takot at gulat ng kaniyang kagagawan dahil lang sa pagmamadali at pag-aalala na baka late na siya sa kaniyang shift.
Agad namang tumingala si Julyo sa lalaking nasa harap niya ngayon. He was ready to cry right here, right now, his mind was already making up words to say to the man in front of him, cursing the shit out of the guy or just completely lashing out, yet he didn’t. The moment he took a glance at the man’s facial features, his annoyance and worries went down the drain.
“Ang pogi mo...” is what left Julyo’s mouth. Fuck, why did I say that?
Patay malisya naman ang isa na para b’ang wala man lang narinig at sabay bumaling ang atensyon sa papel na ngayon ay punit na. “I-I'm very sorry...I can buy you a new paper if you want?”
Naturally, Julyo will decline the offer; it’s just in his nature to never accept any help from anyone—I guess you could say that he doesn’t want to bother people only to meet his needs. He can do it himself, anyway.
But this time is different; this very moment is what Julyo has been praying for. Iyong may poging kusang lalapit at mag-aalok ng tulong sa kaniya. This is what Julyo’s been talking about for years to Sunoo—his ever-charming best friend.
“A-ah...alam mo ba kung saan bumibili ng ganito?” Kunwaring nahihiyang tanong ni Julyo, habang inaayos ang buhok upang hindi nito itago ang kaniyang magandang mukha.
“There’s a Stationery Store down the street, I can buy it from there.” Sagot ni Julio, his face still and expressionless, yet his voice is laced with concern.
Agad namang kinuha ni Julyo ang kaniyang satchel bag at sabay na tumayo, causing Julio to step back a little. “Tara! Samahan na kita, para alam mo kung ano’ng brand ang ginagamit ko.” Malaking ngiti ang bumalot sa mukha ni Julyo.
Despite his flustered face, Julio managed to shrug it off. He followed Julyo like an obedient dog, as if he hadn’t just met the guy not even an hour ago.
“Lakarin na lang natin?” Nilingon siya ni Julyo sabay taas ng kilay. “Malapit lang naman eh!”
Truth to be told, Julio is still kinda processing whatever it is that is happening right now. Kanina lang ay nagmamadali siyang magsuot ng kaniyang work uniform, hence the untied necktie, habang tumatakbo papunta sa coffee shop kung nasa’n siya, sila, kanina. Ngayon, naglalakad na siya kasama ang isang estrangherong ngayon niya lamang nakita.
Kung ano-ano na lang talaga ang nangyayari sa buhay ko. Julio thought, trailing behind the short guy, whose name he didn't know yet.
“You really don’t have to buy me one, you know?” sabat ni Julyo, pagpuputol sa katahimikang bumabalot sa pagitan nila. “Pero dahil mabait ako, paggagastusin kita para sa isang papel!” Natatawa nitong banggit.
Hindi ba parang masama pa nga ‘yon kaysa mabait?
Julio breathed out, “It’s the least I could do for ruining your plates.”
Julyo nodded with enthusiasm. Hindi naman halatang nag-e-enjoy siya kung ano man ang nangyayari ngayon. Iba talaga ang na gagawa ng pogi sa isang Justine Louis Yohann Lustre.
Nang makarating na sila ay agad naman lumakad sa harapan ni Julyo si Julio at sabay pinagbuksan ng pinto ang binata. Lalo namang lumaki ang ngiti ni Julyo sa ginawa ng lalaki. “Thanks!”
Julio just smiled shyly as he, too, entered the place. Buti na lamang at mayroong pa’ng bukas na bilihan ng school supplies kahit alas tres pa lamang ng madaling araw.
He let Julyo lead the way, mas maalam ito kaysa sa kaniya at ito rin naman ang may kailangan. He’s just here to pay for whatever Julyo’s going to buy.
“Found it!” Julyo beamed, looking at the stack of what seemed to be A3 papers. “Kahit isang piraso lang, p’wede naman yatang tingi.” Lumingon siya kay Julio na ngayon ay abalang tumitingin-tingin sa mga sticky notes sa kabilang shelf.
Julyo smiled, unknowingly, as if he was head over heels for the guy. “Pogi!” Tawag ni Julyo. Agad namang lumingon si Julio, which earned a soft giggle from Julyo.
Tinuro ni Julyo ang mga papel, “Nakita ko na.”
Nilapitan naman siya nito at sabay na tumango. “Great, how much do you need?”
Julio’s mouth went agape. He’s now thinking of the possibility that this guy might be rich, he wouldn’t have asked that and just buy him a sheet. “K-kahit isa lang...” Nahihiyang banggit ni Julyo.
The guy looked around before looking back at Julyo, “Do they allow tingi? Para kasing naka-plastic na eh.”
Julyo avoided the man’s gaze. “P’wede naman nating itanong...?” Julio looked at him, then smiled. “It’s okay. Kunin mo na lang ‘yan lahat, I can pay for it naman.”
Wow. Nagyayabang ba ‘to o ano? Edi ako na ang pulubi sa ‘ting dalawa. Julyo thinks.
Julyo then tries to calm himself. Hindi, Julyo, magpasalamat ka na lang dahil pang isang buwan mo na ‘yan. ‘Tsaka pogi naman si kuya.
He was then sent back to reality when Julio snapped his fingers in front of him. “You okay? I’ll carry this at the counter.” Sabay kuha ng mga papel sa shelf at inunahan na sa paglalakad si Julyo.
Wala ng nagawa si Julyo kung hindi ang sumunod sa binata.
Walang kahirap-hirap na nilapag ni Julio ang papel sa harap ng counter at binati ang cashier ng isang nakakatunaw na ngiti. “Hi, magkano po ‘to?” Tanong nito.
“Wait, Sir, check ko lang po,” sagot ng babaeng nasa counter. Tumango ang binata habang dumukot sa kaniyang bulsa. It was his wallet.
When Julyo observed the guy, he noticed how there was only a little cash left in his wallet. Now, Julyo feels bad. Na-realize niya na kaya pala nagmamadali ang binata dahil isa siya sa mga worker doon, pansin niya rin ito dahil sa suot ng lalaki.
It was the same uniform as the other baristas.
What if working student pala ‘to tapos pinerahan ko pa? Bobo talaga, Julyo!
Habang napupuno ng pag-aalala ang isip ni Julyo, hindi na niya namalayan na nakatitig na pala sa kaniya si Mr. Pogi, hawak-hawak ang kaniyang A3.
“Let’s go?” Ngiti ng binata. Agad na tumango si Julyo at lumabas sila nang sabay sa tindahan. Once again, Julio held the door for him.
Julyo cleared his throat the moment they got out of the store. “Ako na ang magdadala.” He held out his hands, reaching for his papers, but Julio only drag it farther away from him. “It’s fine.” Giit pa nito.
And of course, who is Julyo to argue with the face card like that? Hindi natin alam baka nanghihina na ang mga tuhod niya as we speak.
Julyo didn’t insist any further and just let the other do whatever he wanted. “What’s your name, by the way?” Julyo’s attempt to start a small conversation between him and the guy.
“Julio Dy,” he answered immediately, as if it were rehearsed.
Napaangat naman ang kaliwang kilay ni Julyo.
Julio.
Julyo.
It literally sounds the same! Wow. Meant to be!
“D what?” Julyo asked. Hindi naman niya inaasahang matawa nang bahagya ang lalaki sa kaniyang tanong. “It’s Dy , D-Y.”
Realization hit Julyo, his face then turned red as a tomato the moment he realized his kabobohan . He was ready to shut up and not say a word when he thought of something silly.
Come on, is it really Justine Louis Yohann if he’s not thinking in the silliest way possible.
“Ahh...akala ko kasi D...” he trailed off. “D mapapasakin.”
Julio stopped himself from walking and let out a big chuckle. His face turned to Julyo. “That’s a good one. What makes you think that?”
“Think of what?” Julyo’s eyes blinked in confusion. “That I’ll never be yours.”
Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ni Julyo sa tanong ng binata. Nothing could ever prepare him for that question, usually kasi kapag nag-jo-joke siya ng mga ganito ay tinatawanan lang ng iba. No one ever really tried biting back, so how is he supposed to respond now?
“A-ah...” Julyo stammered, his mind went blank. Kalandian mo kasi, Lustre! He cursed at himself.
Nang natagalan siya bago sumagot ay ‘tsaka naman bumoses si Julio sa tabi niya. “What’s your name?”
And Julyo swore to the heavens that he could kiss Julio right here, right now, just for changing the topic which saved him from embarrassment.
“Justine Louis Yohann Lustre, love for short.” Bungisngis ng binata.
Julio shot up a brow. “Love?”
“Yes, Love?” Agad namang namula ang mukha ni Julio na siyang ikinatawa ng isa.
Parang kanina lang ay siya ang sobrang namumula.
Julyo’s eyes start forming tears as he laughs uncontrollably, his stomach gradually starts to hurt. “J-joke lang!”
When Julyo finally calmed down, he let out a last giggle before wiping off his tears and standing straight to face Julio, who was still as red as a tomato. “Julyo, you can call me Julyo. J-U-L-Y-O,” he spelled it out like he’s talking to a kindergarten student. Something which Julio found endearing.
Julio then smiled. “Nice to meet you, Julyo.”