Act 20: Nerves

Wow!  I thought as we entered Gian’s house.

There were three cars parked in the garage and there’s a spacious garden right in front. I didn’t know that Gian is this rich. He just told me stories about his family but never did I imagine that his family’s this wealthy.

Anyway, I contacted Gian a few days ago and asked if we could stay at his house to do an overnight for our thesis. Fortunately, he agreed as long as his parents would meet us personally. I was so thrilled that time and I immediately told my groupmates about it. Because of my excitement, it never sank in to me the last part of his statement or the single most important condition that we need to do so that we would be totally allowed to stay.

The house was the perfect place for an all-nighter. I’m glad that everyone agreed to do an all-nighter in my boyfriend’s house. Well, none of them knew that Gian was my partner. All they knew was that he’s my best friend. Well, apparently, it’s true; it’s just that it’s not the whole picture.

“Thanks Gian for letting us stay in your house. It really means a lot to us!“ Charm said as she put down her backpack near the sofa.

“Oh, it’s ok! I’m glad Marky called me regarding this. I’d rather let you guys stay here than in a public café. At least here, I know you are safe and you have everything you need.” Gian said with a smile.

I looked at him and tapped his back. I would’ve wanted to hug him right then and there but I managed to control myself. I just smiled back at him.

“By the way, your rooms are upstairs. Danny and Charm, both of you can stay in one room, unless you want to be in separate rooms, it’s ok with me.”

“We’ll just share a room Gian. We don’t want to bother you with cleaning more than enough rooms.” Charm said.

Danny had been unusually quiet all throughout the trip until we arrived in Gian’s house. Even if she was responding to conversation, I felt something different about her. I don’t know if it’s negative or positive but I knew she’s still wondering who Gian really was.

Before we went to Gian’s house, we all decided to just meet at McDonald’s just outside the campus. That was where Gian would fetch us so he could accompany us to his house.

Since it was still early, I thought I was the first one to arrive. But as I entered the store, I immediately saw Danny sitting a few tables away from where I was standing. She was reading this book written by her favorite author, Haruki Murakami.

I approached her and said “Hi!” as I tried to put down my bag on the empty chair in front of me. She just looked up at me and responded with the same greeting and went back to reading.

“Hey, you seemed so engrossed with that book you’re reading.” I said jokingly.

“Well, you know too well how I loved Murakami’s works. This is his newest book. It was given to me by Vic as a monthsary present.” Danny’s stern expression suddenly shifted to a lighter, much happier one at the mention of her girlfriend’s name.

“Oh, I see. Cool. How long have you been together again? We haven’t really talked about you two ever since you introduced me to her.” I said teasingly.

“We’ve been together for two months now. We just celebrated our second monthsary last week.” Danny said, blushing.

“Hmmm, so it’s been more than a month already. Why didn’t you tell me? I thought you were my close friend? Shouldn’t I be the first one to know that?” I said, pouting.

Danny’s expression turned serious again and she went back to reading her book.

“You didn’t ask…. And, what is it for you anyway? I thought you stopped caring for me the day you broke me. And who are you to say that. As far as I’m concerned, you are the one who’s not telling me about this guy. What was his name again?” Danny said with his eyebrow raised.

“Gian... His name is Gian…. Okay, okay. Sorry. I didn’t tell you because apparently, you shut me out of your life since that fateful day. I hardly even see you in our college. You are not even replying to my messages. What can I do?”

“It’s not my fault. I was hurt. But let’s not change the subject. Who’s Gian? Your boyfriend?”

I was a little caught off-guard with what she said. Does she know? Nah, how could she?

“Haha, very funny. Gian was my best friend.”

“Best friend? So you already replaced me just because I didn’t talk to you for days?”

“Replace? What do you mean? You are my closest friend in this college, no, make that this whole university. Of course, no one would ever replace you. But Gian is my best friend. You know, my buddy! There really are certain things that only two guys can talk about, if you know what I mean.”

“Yeah sure, guy thing. Fine. But, when and where did you meet him? How long have you been best friends?” Danny asked me a lot of questions as if she’s an investigator trying to solve a heinous crime.

I was about to answer her when Gian finally arrived. He smiled to us and I smiled back. Danny was just staring at him as if she had seen a ghost.

“Well, Danny, this is Gian. Gian, this is Danny.”

“Hi Danny! I’m glad to have finally met you! I’ve heard a lot of things about you from Marky!” Gian extended his right hand to Danny for a shake.

Danny looked at me frowning. I just smiled and winked at her. She then shook Gian’s hand as she smiled back at him. Then eventually, the others arrived and after the never-ending introductions, we left the place and we head straight to Gian’s crib.

“How about Marky? Where would he sleep?” Danny asked all of a sudden. I didn’t know whether she is really concerned about me or if she’s just trying to confirm something. Well, unlike me, Danny in a way has the gaydar. She can sense whenever someone is gay or bi. I don’t know if that’s because of the fact that she is bi, but how about me? I’m bi and I don’t even know whether a person is queer or not.

“Well, Marky can sleep in my room. We’re both guys anyway. Unless he would want to stay in a different room.” Gian looked at me and smiled. I saw Danny looked at me through the corner of my eye.

“I’ll just stay with Gian. Like what he said, we’re both guys anyway, so no problem.” I winked at Danny again, and she just smirked at me.

I saw Gian blushed when he heard that I wanted to sleep with him. He probably is expecting that I wouldn’t ditch him in front of my friends and would say something like I want to have my own room. Actually, it was my plan all along. The whole setup was in a way staged by me. Of course, it wouldn’t have happened without the agreement of my friends but I made sure that they won’t have a choice. They should agree to do an all-nighter at Gian’s house.

After all was set, it suddenly dawned on me; I'll be meeting his parents. My palms became cold and sweaty, and I felt a little uncomfortable. It will be my first time to meet Gian’s parents. I can’t deny it. I was nervous.

After bringing Charm, Danny and Rina to their room, we left them so they could unpack and Gian led me to his room.

After closing the door, Gian immediately hugged me and I hugged him back.

“I missed you…” Gian whispered to my ears.

“Aww, I missed you to beshie!” Beshie was another one of our endearments which we derived obviously from the word bes (or bessy for some).

“My parents are still not home, but they’ll be here later. I’m so excited for you to finally meet them!” Gian looked at me while holding my hands.

“Uhm, Gian, I’m nervous. What if they don’t like me? What if I don’t live up to their expectations? What if they get irritated or annoyed at me? What if…”

I wasn’t able to finish my statement. Gian just hugged me and whispered.

“Shhh… Relax. They would like you. No need to worry. It’s not like you’re going to ask them for my hand in marriage.” We both chuckled at the thought of it.

“Besides, I already did mention you to them even before. I’m pretty sure that they already have a good image of you in their minds.”

“Aww Gian, thank you very much!” We again hugged each other tightly.

“So, are you ready to change now?” Gian asked.

“Huh? Change what?”

“C’mon! You don’t plan on wearing these for the rest of your life, are you?” He said as he lightly yanked the shirt I was wearing.

“Oh, haha. Sure, let’s change! I feel a little icky anyways.”

“Haha, for someone who perspired a lot on the trip, you still smell really good!”

I blushed at Gian’s comment.

“Haha, thanks! I really thought I already smell bad after being exposed to all those dust and smoke. Unlike you, you look so haggard!”

“A ganun! After I praised you, you’ll bring me down? Patay ka sa ‘kin!” Gian grinned as he slowly approached me.

“Waaah, I was just kidding!”

My cry for mercy didn’t do anything for Gian was already all over me and tickling every inch of my body.

“Stop! Stop! Haha! Please stop!” I begged him but he continued what he was doing.

“No! Haggard pala ha! This is what you get for taunting me! Hah!

My eyes were already tearing up as I tried to fight him back but he was such a strong guy. With all the stunts and workout they do during cheer-leading practices, I’m no match for him.

We were both sweating and laughing at the same time when he finally decided to stop. I was panting. Gian stayed on top of me and he bent over so that our face would be parallel to each other.

He looked at me in the eyes and he smiled. God, he was handsome. He placed his right hand on my cheek as he used his right thumb to wipe away the sweat below my eyes and on top of my lips.

“I love you very much beshie!” Gian said in his very sexy, manly voice.

“I love you too!”

Then again, we kissed. Slowly. Passionately. We planted gentle kisses on each other’s lips. Then, all of a sudden, I felt Gian’s tongue in action.

I looked at Gian and I saw his eyes closed. He was feeling every bit of sensation coursing through his body.

We were wildly kissing while on the floor, his body on top of mine.

Gian started to caress my chest as we continued kissing each other. I, on the other hand started rubbing his back.

We were intimately sharing each other’s company when someone suddenly knocked on the door.

By impulse, I immediately pushed Gian away and tried to straighten up. I was afraid someone might catch us red-handed.

“Relax. You’re too jumpy. Remember, the door’s locked. No one would see us!” Gian said as he held my shaking hands. I really got nervous when I heard the knock on the door. My heart was still pounding. Gian noticed my distressed breathing so he rubbed my chest so I would calm down. He looked at me and smiled and mouthed “It’s ok.” I smiled back and took a deep breath.

“Gian? Are you home already?” The voice called out from outside the door. It was a woman’s voice.

“Mom!” Gian suddenly blurted out.

Again, my heart began to beat faster. It’s time! I thought to myself. I’ve never been this nervous before. But I’ve got to face it. I’m finally meeting the woman who gave birth to the guy I’ve been in love with all this time.