CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“Eros! Hey Eros Magdayo!”

“Hey Eros, Eris is outside. She’s calling you. Should I let her in? She look and sounds irritated. Did you do something wrong?”

Eros was lying on his bed when his Ate Risa knocked on his door.

“I heard her shout Ate, don’t let her in. I will go out.” Eros stood up, scratched his head, wore a pair of slippers, and went down the house. “What does that annoying angel need?”

“Oh, are you looking for Eros? Why don’t you go inside the house?”

“No need Mr. Magdayo.” When Eros arrived he saw that Eris was talking to ‘the guy who adopted him,’ who just came home from work.

“Oh, is that it Eros? Why? Let her in, I brought roasted chickens.” He said while holding the plastic bag up. “Invite her to have dinner with us.”

“No need. We’re  going out.” Eros grabbed Eris’s hand and hurriedly went away.

“Eros, wait! What time will you return? Where are you going to eat?” The man shouted at him, but he did not take notice of it. He just continued walking and pulling Eris.

“Uy, I want to eat dinner with your family! Wait! Let’s go back to your house!” Eris said while Eros pulled her not knowing where they were headed.

“You are really a patay-gutom1!” Eros stopped and irritatingly faced Eris.

“Yup! I’m dead and I’m hungry that equals to patay-gutom! Yehey!” She clapped.

“Argh! Why did you come to my house? You shouted loudly, there’s a doorbell!”

“Earlier, was it your dad?”

“Do not answer my question with a question.”

“Why do you call him Mr. Magdayo? It’s too formal; shouldn’t you have called him ‘dad’ or ‘papa’?”

“He’s not my dad, they just adopted me. I answered your question, now answer my question.”

“Ah… What was your question again?”

“Argghhh!” Eros raised his hand and was going to smack Eris but stopped himself, he palmed his face. “What do you need? Why did you go to my house?”

Eris sat on the sidewalk, Eros followed suit. “You’re in trouble.”

“Ha? Why am I in trouble? What are you saying?”

“Yohanne seems angry at you.”

“Ha? What did I do? “

“He thinks you snatched Gazelle away from him.”

“What?”

“You were always with Gazelle and then earlier you left us and he saw you walking out of the school gate with Gazelle. What entered in your mind? Hmmm.” She gave him a suspicious look.

“Woah, woah. About earlier? That’s nothing! That’s just part of my plan!”

“Eh? Plan? What plan? Leche plan2?”

Eros picked a small rock on the ground and pretended to throw it at Eris. “How about I’ll throw this to you? A plan for them to get close! Gazelle told me her birthday is near, it’s the day after tomorrow! So I went with her to chat, I asked her what she likes so that I’ll know what kind of gift she wants! And I even got an invitation for the three of us to go to her birthday party at her house!”

“Really? But why didn’t you inform us? Yohanne even thought badly about it.”

“Eh, that plan suddenly entered my mind when Gazelle and I talked earlier. What is Yohanne thinking, just because we were together? Tsk. Is it even right to suspect me?” Eros scratched his head.

“It’s because… Gazelle has a crush on you.”

“What?!”

Eros stepped back because of what Eris said.

“I told you, Gazelle has a crush on you. She even told Yohanne herself, that’s why he jumped to conclusions whenever he sees you’re together.

“Tsk. It’s normal that Gazelle will have a crush on me.”

“Eh?”

“I’m handsome, all girls will have a crush on me. There is nothing new.”

“How arrogant!” She pushed his shoulder.

“Why? It’s true! I am really handsome, very handsome.” His placed his hand under his chin making a pogi-pose.3

Eris kept on pushing him and was in the verge of laughing as well. “You’re so arrogant.”

“But Ero-ero, talk to Yohanne tomorrow. He seems mad at you because he thinks that you snatched Gazelle from him.”

“But I didn’t…”

“Yes, you did not, but he doesn’t know it until you clarify it to him. It would be a waste Eros. Don’t allow the opportunity to be wasted.”

“Opportunity?”

“Yohanne said, he thought you were his friend. He treats you as his friend. You now have a friend in your classroom, so I hope you wouldn’t waste that friendship. Talk to him tomorrow, okay? Please?”

“Come what may.”

“Why come what may?”

“Basta4, go home already.” Eros stood up and turned his back to Eris.

“Hey, as long as you talk to him tomorrow.”

“Come what may” Eros said, his hands was in his pockets while walking back home. “Go home.”

“Hey, you promised” Eris added.

Eros didn’t look back, he just lifted his hand to wave. “Yes, go home.”

* * * * * *

As Eros instructed her, she went back to the club. She was a little tired; her head ached because of the events that happened today. She wished that the misunderstanding between Eros and Yohanne will be clarified. She took a drink from the refrigerator, after drinking, she leaned her head on the wall. “Hay, what a day.”

“You’re back.”

“Ay, a gay ghost!” Eris was surprised when Memo suddenly popped at her side.

“Hahaha! I’m not a gay ghost.” He walked towards the refrigerator to get a drink.

“Ah… I’m sorry. I was surprised.”

“Where have you been? Eros’ house?”

“Eh?” She was startled because she did not often talk to Memo and they were not close, but now Memo is suddenly talking to her. “Ah yes…”

“I think you’re the first woman I’ve seen with Eros? I mean, there were also many women he was with but were mostly just for entertainment when he’s on the street at night. But you know, now I don’t see him hanging on the street at night, in fact it seems like he’s always going home early. And more than that, it looks like he’s not fighting or intentionally hurting someone? He seems to have been tamed since you came. What are you to him? Who are you?”

“Eh? I’m Eris… his friend.”

“Eris? Eris Jane Trinidad, right?”

“Ha? Yes.”

“Who is Eris Jane Trinidad?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll tell you a secret.” Memo came closer to her, very close that she almost retreated and leaned on the wall. The distance they had was just the glass on her front. “I play a game and it’s called human chess.”

“H-human chess?” Eris felt nervous, she did not know what to do and she feels trapped.

“Yes, it’s like a normal chess, though my pieces are humans. I manipulate my pieces and I enjoy it very much. And you’re one of my pieces Eris. The thing is, I can’t find anything about you that I can manipulate. You’re more mysterious than I thought; I did some research about you but found none. No one seems to know you, and that’s very weird. I told you my secret, so why don’t you tell me yours? Who are you really Eris Jane Trinidad? “

Eris weakly pushed Memo to get away from him a little bit.

“Why should I tell you who I am? Then you would just play with me? Eros and me? Gazelle and Yohanne too?”

Memo was astounded at Eris’ statement.

“Wait, how did you know that they are included—”

Eris immediately cut-off Memo. “That Gazelle and Yohanne are included for you to toy and manipulate with? Simple, I dreamt of you. I know what you want to do.”

Eris’ dream was just a vision that God gave her to be careful of Memo. She saw in her dream everything Memo wanted to do in their lives, from then on she started to avoid him and she was very careful for him not to know her as an angel.

“How did you know?”

“Unlike you, I do not share my secrets with people I do not know.” Eris laid the glass on the sink and went straight to the second floor to sleep, but she stopped and turned to Memo.

“Why are you playing a human chess game? As far as I know, a chess game is played by two people. Who are you playing with? Memo Clarkson, be careful. You do not know but maybe ‘life’ is already your opponent in this human chess game and always remember: life is unfair. It might make a move that will bring all your pieces down and you as well. “

“I do not know the reason why you’re playing something like that; but, before you regret it, stop it already. It’s a reminder Memo, do not play with the lives of others or else, there may come a time that you will be the one who will be played with.”

Eris turned her back and went up towards her room.

* * * * * *

The next day at their school, Yohanne ignored Eros which made Eros irritated. That’s why when lunch came, he pulled Yohanne’s sleeves and dragged him to the rooftop.

“Oy let go of me!” Even though Yohanne kept shouting and protesting, Eros only released him when they reached the rooftop.

Yohanne was almost out-balanced when Eros suddenly let go and pushed him.

“Hey, what the hell?”

“Hey, what the hell too? You’re like a kid, are you ignoring me? Tss!”

“What do you need, why did you drag me?” Yohanne said as he adjusted his shirt’s sleeve that got wrinkled because Eros pulled him.

“Tell me, what do you think of me? A bad person?”

Yohanne stopped, he didn’t expect that, he bowed his head and spoke.

“Yes, you’re bad. You don’t know anything aside from hurting people. Useless, wastrel, heartless, unmerciful, selfish, arrogant, bully, annoying, stupid, bastard.”

“That’s what I thought.” Eros turned away because he heard what he knew he would hear.

“I’m not finished yet, you’re rude.”

Eros halted.

“Yes, you’re bad. I thought how others thought of you. That’s what I assumed but since we got to know each other more, and as I talked with you and Eris, my belief changed. You were unlike what we thought, you were not that bad. And you worked hard for that ninety-eight score you got in Earth Science. You know how to strive hard. My view towards you really changed, I started believing in you. I treated you as a friend… but… why did you even take Gazelle? Are you fucking with me? Why not punch me instead of taking her away…”

Eros faced him suddenly. Eros ran towards him and punched his face. He fell down. He touched the side of his swollen bleeding lips.

“Ahhhh! I miss punching someone, it has been a while.” Eros said while stretching his hands.

“W-what—?!”

Eros seriously looked at Yohanne and offered his hand. “Stand up.”

“H-ha?” Yohanne stared at Eros’ offered hand. He was confused and curious as to why he would help him after he punched him.

“I hit you to shake your brain; you already know that I don’t have any intention of taking Gazelle from you. Eris said she has a crush on me but it’s just natural, who won’t have a crush on a handsome man like me?” He began boasting. “But you don’t need to worry; even though she’s cute and kind, I don’t have any interest in her. She only reminds me of my elder sister Risa.”

“So why did I see you together yesterday?”

“That one? I just asked her things that can be useful to you. I also asked her what she thinks of you.”

“Ha? What she thinks about me?”

His chat with Gazelle yesterday flashed back to his mind.

“What do you think about Yohanne?” 

“Eh? About Yohanne?” Gazelle placed her hand below her chin and thought. “Hmm… Yohanne is… he’s cute, he has a cool genius looking aura. I noticed he doesn’t smile often, he looks so serious; it’s a waste he looks like he’s quite cute. He also looks very kind. All in all, he’s a delightful person.”

“What if he likes you? Are you willing to be courted by him? “

“Eh? That’s impossible! Why are you asking that?”

“But what if? Hypothetically speaking, what would you do? “

“Hmm… okay. Hypothetically speaking, I think I’m okay with it. I will give him time to prove his love and make me fall in love with him. And of course in the process of courtship, I want us to get to know each other more. Oh Eros, what kind of question is that? It’s extremely random! Ahaha!”

“Is that what she really said?” Yohanne asked after Eros told him his conversation with Gazelle.

“Yes! And do you know that it’s her birthday tomorrow?”

“Yes… I know…”

“Oh, you already know, then, have you bought a gift?”

“Why would I buy one, we’re not close. I’m not even invited to her birthday party.”

“Tsk! That’s why I was with her yesterday! I got an invitation! “

“EH?!”

“Eros! Yohanne!” Eris finally caught up to both of them. When she saw that Eros dragged Yohanne, she has no idea what Eros would do so she followed them. And now they are in front of her, she’s curious as to why Yohanne was sitting on the ground and was sporting blood on the side of his lips. She was going to go in between them when she heard Eros speaking to Yohanne that’s why she stopped to listen in their conversation.

“Tomorrow we’ll go to her house after class. There is a party until evening, so if I were you, man up already! Stop being hesitant, just confess! You’re like a turtle; maybe someone will have her first! She will not wait for you if you don’t tell her anything, remember that!”

“B-but we’re not close yet. I’m not ready…”

“So what? Confess to her! You will court her, right? You have all the time to get to know each other while you’re courting her!”

“What if… she rejects me? What if she’ll avoid me? Now that I get to talk to her, I don’t want her to avoid me…”

Eros took Yohanne’s arm and stood him forcibly.

“Yohanne, I’ve been rejected and avoided by people countless times in my life. In life, its normal to be rejected and avoided by people because of what we have done and will do but it is not a sufficient reason for you to fear. If you get rejected, so what? At least you tried, that is what is important. As long as you don’t give up and you make an effort, that rejection will someday be an acceptance.”

“Eros…” Yohanne was taken a back at what Eros said, as if he was woken up with those words. “Thank you for the punch… it feels like I’m back to myself.”

“Really? Do you want me to punch you again?”

“H-ha? Of course not! That’s enough! It hurts you know!”

“Tsk. It feels good to punch something.”

“O-oooyyyy! What are you doing! Ooy!” Eros was astonished when Yohanne suddenly embraced him. “Are you gay? Oy, don’t hug me! Yuck! Oy! Do you really like Gazelle or  do you like me? Oy, I told you to release me!”

“Thank you Eros. I’ll confess tomorrow. “

“Okay, okay! Just release me!” Eros turned and saw Eris laughing at them. “Hey annoying! Please help me here, remove this gay from my person! Oy don’t just laugh there! Oyyy!”

* * * * * *

As thanks, Yohanne tutored math to Eros since there is an upcoming quiz and Eris is not an expert in that subject for her to teach Eros. They stayed in the club to study.

They finished at about nine o’clock and Yohanne already went home. He said for the last time to them that he will do his best in his confession tomorrow. Before they went to the club, they bought Yohanne’s gift for Gazelle. He even went to the barber and bought new clothing. He prepared well.

“Haay, my head hurts because of that math shit! Who invented it? I want to smack him a thousand times!” Eros uttered as he laid down on the small lawn of the club. They accompanied Yohanne to the gate for them to say goodbye and he was lazy to go back inside. He just laid down the grass since he was also going home shortly.

“Well, the one who invented that is already dead.” Eris laid beside him.

“You died already, right? Did you see him in heaven? Or maybe he’s in hell… what a torture in life. What does heaven look like? Does it have gold gates? Is Saint Peter holding a chicken?”

“I’m not allowed to tell you anything about heaven and the things I saw after I died Eros.”

“Eh? Why?”

“Because the balance of life will be ruined. You should wait for your life to be finished here before you can know what’s in the afterlife.”

“Then why are you allowed? You’ve died and you’ve lived again, it doesn’t seem right. “

“If I live again, all my memories before I died will be erased.”

“Ahh.”

“Hey Eros, you’re awesome… Do you know that the heart is already eighty percent?”

“Ehhh?”

“Everything you did for Yohanne, it added more. You are gradually changing. I’m happy for you. When I heard what you you said to Yohanne, I didn’t think that words like that would come out from your mouth. It looks like it’s from your experience. You looked like an expert in the field of love. I couldn’t believe it! Seriously!”

“You can’t believe it? Tsk! You think I didn’t have a lovelife? Tsss.”

“Wait, what?! You did?”

Eros just looked at the star-filled sky. “I did have a girlfriend before.”

“Woah…. really?”

“Yes. I’m going home now!” Eros stood up and he was about to leave but Eris blocked him so that he couldn’t go.

“Wait, she’s not your girlfriend anymore?”

“Maybe. Get out of my way, I’m going home.”

“Wait, last question, did you love her?”

“Yes. Move, I told you I’m already going home.” He pushed Eris weakly so that she’ll get out of his way.

He opened the gate and went away. He was walking home, his hands on his pockets while gazing at the stars in the sky.

“Yes, I loved her… and I still love her. She was my light. The light that faded away because of me.”