Chapter 4. Brotherhood

Biglang tumikhim si Rafael. “Ahem. Ok, kidding aside, Raine we want you to make our painting here’s the picture and also we want you to sing for our sixth brotherhood anniversary next week. Kaya mo ba?”

Dahil sa sinabi ni Rafael ay napalingon ang lahat sa kaniya at maging si Raine. His heart thumped hearing those words. Wait...Why is he nervous? Hindi pa ba siya naka move on!

"No! I've already moved on. Don’t even think about him Raine!" Sigaw ni Raine sa isip niya.

“Hey Prince! Earth to Raine! Hoy!” Sigaw ni Rafael na nagpabalik sa kaniya sa reyalidad.

“Ano ba kuya! Ba’t ka ba naninigaw?!” Sabi niya sabay tampal sa balikat nito.

“Tsk you were thinking so deep. Wait are you-” he cut him off because of his devilish smile and the way he said it.

“Don’t, just don’t even think about saying those words ever again Rafael. Ang anghel anghel ng pangalan pero mukhang hudas ka na ngayon sa paningin ko. And I’m in, gimme that pic.” Sabay kuha niya sa larawan na ibinigay ni Rafa at umakyat na sa taas.

Pinandilatan si Rafael ng kaniyang mga magulang habang tatawa tawa naman si Samuel.

“Tsk. He’s too defensive. Fuck! It ooks like he’s still fucking inlove with Travis.” Sabi ni Rafael sa kanila sabay gulo sa kaniyang buhok.

He’s frustrated and at the same time worried. They are all. Is he gonna hurt his heart all over again?

Samantalang sa silid ni Raine ay kaniyang isinara ang pinto at nagpadausdos dito. Nag-walling kumbaga. Napahawak siya sa kaniyang dibdib dahil ito’y parang sumikip at ang mga luhang kanina pa niya pinipigilan ay isa-isang nagsipatakan.

“Why does it still hurt? Why can’t it just go away? Why?” he whispered to the air and cried silently.

******

Tonight, beneath the warm glow of chandeliers and the hum of laughter long overdue, the Bachelors of Greek Village gather to celebrate their 6th Brotherhood Anniversary. The grand halls of Montemayor Resort have been reserved for the occasion as its exclusive party hall transformed into a sanctuary of memories, triumphs, and unbreakable bonds.

It is the twins’ turn to host, and true to form, they have spared no detail. The air carries the scent of polished wood and celebration, of nostalgia wrapped in fine suits and familiar grins. Six years of brotherhood, of reckless youth, shared dreams, silent promises, and victories hard-won, now shimmer beneath crystal lights and raised glasses.

And at the heart of it all stands Raine. No longer just the quiet dreamer they once knew, but a celebrated and accomplished painter in his own right. Chosen by his brothers to immortalize the night. Also dahil naalibadbaran na daw ang magkakaibigan sa pagpapainting ni Alexandrios.

Painting their faces on this occassion is their tradition.

Raine's heart is thumping like crazy. The 20 friends are all here and his brothers are gonna reveal the painting together with him singing a song.

Wait, why is he even nervous? Kagabi pa to ha! Raine focus. He has a girlfriend and she's here with him and your also self-partnered so just get him out of your mind. He said to himself or more like deluding himself to calm down.

"And now, mga aderfos behold our painting. Hindi ka na namin kinuhang painter Alexandrios kasi naaalibadbaran na kami sa pagmumukha mo." Samuel announced and was seconded by Rafael.

"Mga gago! Dapat mas naalibadbaran kayo sa pagmumukha niyo!" Sigaw naman ni Alexandrios habang ang iba nilang kaibigan ay natawa na lang.

"Ahem. Ok so ito na siya. Ahem our mystery painter with his song and the painting."

The curtain opened revealing Raine.

"Woooh! Nakauwi na pala ang prinsipe ng Montemayor! The Queen of Hearts!" Biglang sigaw ni Lance sabay lamon ng cake.

"Wow buti updated ka na Lance. Akala ko naman puro pagkain lang yang nasa utak mo hindi ka naman tumataba" Singit ni Klauss dito sa tonong pang-aasar

"Tsk gago. Yang utang mo na lang kay Harumi ang atupagin mo!" Balik sagot ni Lance.

"Gago lahat tayo may utang sa mandurugas na yun! Pasintabi sayo Harumi." Balik rin na sagot ni Klauss

"Mga tang-ina! Tumigil na kayo kakanta na ang kapatid ko. Tsk." Singit ni Samuel

Napailing na ngumiti na lang si Raine.

"Hey assholes, shut up and let this lord sing and can you please fucking refrain from calling me the Queen of hearts, King of hearts or lord sounds more befitting. I'm a man you motherfuckers!"

At nagsimula na siyang kumanta sabay tanggal sa takip ng painting

Everyone was astounded because he changed, but not in bad way. Raine never cussed as far as they knew. Nagkatinginan ang lahat but they were soon was swayed by his singing. A high pitched tenor voice. So vibrant and melodious. He really deserve to be called the "Queen of Hearts" because when he sings he pulls you to his world, his emotions.

The most astonished was Travis. Raine is a man now. A handsome and beautiful man, if that was even possible. And he's not the naive and mahinhin na binatang nakilala niya noon. And somewhat his heart ached.

BROTHERLY LOVE

Verse 1:

Every path we take

Every step we make

We have our loses

We have our wins

We have each other

Brothers forever

Chorus:

Whatever may come

Whatever may pass

We have a shoulder to cry on

A shoulder to lean on

A brotherly love

Verse 2:

Though there's waves on the sea

We've always sailed together

We found comfort in each other

A loyalty like no other

Chorus:

Whatever may come

Whatever may pass

We have a shoulder to cry on

A shoulder to lean on

A brotherly love

Bridge:

Through the risks that we take.

Through the fights that we shared

Through the battles we've won

We were together

A testament of our brotherhood

Chorus:

Whatever may come

Whatever may pass

We have a shoulder to cry on

A shoulder to lean on

A brotherly love