He uncapped the plastic bottle, squeezed it, and then placed a small amount of hair-styling gel on his left palm. He rubbed his palms awhile and thoroughly applied the “greasy thing” on his hair which was trimmed a week before the Valentine’s Day. His hand searched for his small, camouflage comb and found it at the back of his pant’s seam. Stylishly, he stroked the comb against his hair to form spikes and waves. He bent to reach for the mirror he fortunately found at the abandoned repair shop nearby.
“Wow!” Lito blurted out in adoration. He looked too good which made him proud and delighted. His girlfriend Maggie called earlier that morning. “Babe,” she said softly, “my parents are out for a business trip.” Maggie sighed heavily before she continued, “Would you please come home?”
Startled by the unexpected call, Lito still managed to say, “Sure Babe, I’ll come.” It has been a month, he thought. There was something wrong. He noticed the coldness of her voice, or at least, it seemed so to him. He immediately threw the idea away when something tickled his broad imagination.Her parents are out and she’s… alone! A current of excitement ran through him and his lips curved into a smile.
Lito put the plastic bottle in the wooden drawer and kept the comb inside his pocket. His face was as bright as the azure sky when he descended the three-step bamboo ladder. Before getting any further, an old, husky voice of his father chased him. “Be here before dusk. Your mother will need you.” I will, he said to himself in an almost programmed manner. I can’t do otherwise, he added exactly when a rusty maroon tricycle approached him.
Manuelito was a junior Civil Engineering student in a local university. His parents strived day and night just to support their seven children – especially his studies. Being the eldest, much was expected of him. “Focus on your studies, Lito,” his strict, belligerent father would always remind him. Everyone was counting on him. Sometimes he had to gasp deeply to release the pressure he felt. He did well in class and aimed what his parents hoped him to be. In fact, his classmates teased him a “geek”. A Math geek, to be exact. There were no problems in either Algebra or Calculus impossible for him to solve. He was determined to be a Civil Engineer.
Though determined, Lito was also a young man. He was naturally insecure of everything: his bag, shoes, girlfriend and even his real name! “Manuelito” had been his irritation because it sounds like “little Manuel” so as Carlito, Juanito, Predrito and etcetera as long as it ends in I-T-O. He saved money to buy what everyone had. He was always on the trend despite of financial insufficiency. Iphone…converse shoes…signature clothes…astig! No doubt Maggie, a prominent Nursing coed, became his girlfriend ever since they were freshman in college.
The unexpected brake of the tricycle awakened him. He fell asleep in his trip en route to San Jose. He didn’t notice the sudden change of the weather. A storm was coming. Lito handed his fare to the driver and headed towards Maggie’s house at the far end of the subdivision. True to her words, no one was around. He got excited. His heart pounded rapidly. He presumed that her girlfriend wanted another round! Maggie uneasily opened the door and led him to the living room. Hesitantly, she said, “It has been a month, Lito.” Lito smiled and made a few nods in agreement. He blushed.
It has been a month since they had first intimate intercourse. It was Valentine’s Day when he surprised her with a chocolate cake he had been saving for. They were happy together, totally unaware of the perils of privacy. He purposely coaxed her which Maggie, to his great surprise, accepted voluntarily. Her parents were out…
Lito noticed that there was no sign of her energy to chit-chat as she used to. Maggie sobbed and burst out with tears. “I’m afraid I’m pregnant, Lito!” His mouth dropped open in disbelief. It was not part of his plans – yet. Not this time! Exasperated, he led her to the bathroom to do the pregnancy test. They needed to be sure. He got panicked outside while Maggie carefully examined the result. Her eyes widened…two lines…positive! Her knees trembled…
Lito found her lying on the floor. He once and for all searched for the tube and looked at the result. His eyes widened. He knew it! Two lines…positive! There had a great recapitulation in his broad imagination. He could not just throw the idea away! It now gripped him rather than tickled! Focus on your studies Lito… you are our hope son… I’m afraid I’m pregnant Lito… my father will kill us…
He was fazed! His knees trembled terribly… Soon after, they were both found lying on the floor.
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