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“Totoo? Wala kang planong mag-anak?” Ken asked as soon as the podcast was over and he caught up with Stell on their way to their van.
Stell looked at him and smirked. “Weno naman sa ‘yo? Hindi naman kita jowa.”
“Also, hindi talaga kayo magkakaanak. Pareho kayong lalaki,” interjected Josh, who, Ken didn’t notice, was right behind him.
Ken ignored Josh. “Sayang naman.”
“Ang alin?” Pablo asked who had caught up with them.
“Yung semilya ni Stell,” Josh answered.
“Ano ‘yung semilya?” Justin asked. Everyone else looked at him and rolled their eyes. Justin pouted.
“Ba’t ano’ng nangyari sa semilya ni Stell?” Pablo asked.
“Pinanghihinayangan ni Ken,” Josh interjected.
“Huy!” Ken smacked Josh upside on the head. “Tinatanong ko lang kung totoong ayaw magkaanak ni Stell.”
“Malakas kasi ‘yung ilong ni Tita My,” Justin blurted them immediately cupped his hand over his mouth, eyes wide.
Stell didn’t dare say it out loud – not with Pablo standing right there – but mouthed a curse at Justin. Josh guffawed, Pablo side-eyed Justin. Ken...Ken didn’t know what to say.
It had always baffled him why Stell was being bashed for his “before” looks. He had always liked how Stell looked. He liked how Stell’s big mouth endlessly spewed his wit not to mention Stell’s power voice. He liked how Stell’s eyes shone bright with mirth and, on occasions, with unshed tears when something pricked Stell’s tender heart.
Each and every one of them had always loved touching Stell – poking, pinching, hugging – because, well, because Stell was Stell. One couldn’t help but be touchy with him. That Stell had grown from the lanky boy back when they were starting to a hunky guy currently only meant there was more of Stell to grope. So why didn’t Stell want more of himself?
It bugged the hell out of Ken.
STELL: Hangkulet!
It was much later that night, might have been early morning. Ken wasn’t sure but he just upped and DM’ed Stell, reiterating his earlier query.
KEN: d ka naman sumagot
STELL: nu ba sabi ko?
KEN: ayaw mo magkaanak
STELL: 👍
KEN: bakit?
Ken saw the dots appear and disappear. He waited but then it stopped. Ken was about to give up and try to sleep when his phone pinged.
STELL: di ko alam
STELL: parang nakakapagod
STELL: maging responsable
Ken understood. If only he could reach through the phone and hug Stell. Ken knew how Stell took seriously his role as the eldest child. It had always been Stell’s dream, rather, mission in life. To make a better life for his parents and his siblings. Stell would do anything for his family.
Once he had asked Stell about the “bashing” for his “enhancement.” He was worried it would take toll on Stell’s otherwise sunshine personality. But Stell just shrugged it off.
“Trabaho ko ‘to. Kabuhayan ng pamilya ko. Kahit sino gagawin ang lahat para maging mahusay sa trabaho, ‘di ba? Para lumaki ang kita,” was Stell’s answer.
When Ken just stared at him, Stell smiled and added, “Tas ang gorjus ko pa.” He winked then blurted a laugh.
It was the hard truth. They were in an entertainment industry where visual mattered a lot. They all had “refinements” done but Stell’s was more pronounced because of the nose job. Justin did have a point. Ken chuckled and made a silent apology to Tita Mylene, who he loved dearly.
Ken’s rumination over the Ajeros’ nose was interrupted when his phone pinged again.
STELL: ano? oks na?
STELL: pwede na matulog?
No, Ken wanted to say, let’s keep chatting. He wanted to convince Stell how the world will be a better place where there are more Stell. That if ever he have kids, he wanted them to be friends with Stell’s kids and replicate his and Stell’s friendship. Because their friendship was precious and Ken wanted his kids to have that.
But he knew Stell was tired. They all were what with the preparation for the concert and all. Just one last though.
KEN: ako na lang mag-aanak 😉
STELL:gue
STELL: godfather na lang ako 😎
Ken’s smile grew wider.
KEN: other father sana 👨👨👧
KEN: #kentell 🤭
STELL: HAHAHAHA
STELL: baliw!
STELL: tulog ka na!
KEN: goodnight 😊
STELL: ‘nyt, ken 💖
- The End -