The Wrangler Boys Club
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Travis POV
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The boys are still having fun. It's been a week and here we are still wasted. Oh, I forgot it's only me this time. I sigh deeply and leaned backwards against the Otto chair. I look up the sky, the only view that can calm and took away my heartache are the blue sky.
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"Bro, coffee," si Zalde. Nilapag niya ang kape sa maliit na mesa sa gilid ko.
"Thanks, bro." I took it and had my sip.
"Ugh, that's bitter, Zald. Hindi ba uso ang asukal sa buhay mo?"
"Sugar? Oh, come-on, man. I can only taste sugar if I lick someone," he smirked.
"Bastard!"
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I shook my head and drink my coffee. I think I need to start being bitter to make myself feels better.
Damn it! Ang tanga lang din Travis! Isip ko habang nakatitig sa langit.
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"How are you feeling, then?" tanong ulit niya.
"I'm better and okay. Don't worry, man. I'm tough," I smirked. "Para ka namang si Mama." I shook my head again.
"You know me, Travis. Kaya wala akong tiwala sa mga babae. They're the last thing on my priority list. My parents comes first, my buddies and myself."
"Damn it! You bat on the same team, man? Are you for real?"
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Ivan's voice came out from nowhere. I chuckled and almost spit my coffee when I heard him. I laugh when I saw that he's only wearing his boxer short on.
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"What the- Wear your damn pants, idiot!" Tumayo na si Zalde at binatukan si Ivan sa ulo
"f**k! That's harsh, bro," he itch his scalp and shook his head.
Mukhang tulog pa ang utak niya dahil nakapikit pa ang mga mata.
"This is the last day for everyone. All of you pack up! Except for Travis. You all need to go back!"
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Pamaywang ni Zalde at napailing na. Natawa na ako at nakita si Nicholas sa gilid na kayakap pa ang babae niya.
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"Yo! I've heard that. Noted!" senyas nang kamay ni Nicolas.
"Pahinge nang kape," si Ivan.
Ininom lang din ni Ivan ang kape ko at nabilaukan pa siya rito.
"What the hell? Is this even coffee? It taste like s**t, bro!" baluktot na mukha ni Ivan at pahid sa bibig nito.
"Speak nice to the owner of this Villa, Ivan. Siya ang gumawa sa kape. Baka ilampso ni Zalde ang mukha mo!" kantyaw na tawa ko.
"Good Morning, boys!" si Kaiser. "What a great mor--ning?" kunot-noo niya. Napatingin agad siya kay Nicholas sa bandang gilid, na ngayon ay kahalikan na ang babaeng kasama.
"Is that even breakfast, Nick? What a fuckboy!"
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Kaiser shook his head and face down. He's holding his phone, and I realized that the other boys are on the line.
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"By the way, Faust. Do you want to see the neglected pie groom?" si Kaiser kay Faust. Naka-video call ang dalawa at napailing na ako.
"Yeah, make fun of my misery, bro." I shook my head and laugh. Kaiser sat down beside me and lifted his phone. Faust is just laughing on the line. Kasama niya si Neron, at nasa Italy sila ngayon.
"Poor, mate. How are you feeling? Don't worry may regalo ako sa'yo kahit na hindi natuloy ang kasal mo," si Neron sa akin.
"I'm sure babae 'yan. Modello ba?" singit ni Ivan.
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Lahat sila lumapit na at tumayo na ako. Pinagkaguluhan nilang lahat at ginawang biro ang naudlot na kasal ko. Nicholas was still having his breakfast in the corner with- whoever? Kagabi ibang babae ang kasama niya at ngayon iba na naman. Lumapit na si Zalde sa akin at binigyan ulit ako ng kape.
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"May asukal na ba 'to?"
"Two sugars, bro," iling niya at naupo na siya sa tabi ko.
"So, what are you planning to do now?"
"Well... I just need to focus on work and the farm," I sighed heavily.
"I think that's the best thing you can do. If you need some help, the wrangler boys are here. We are here for you, bro." Sabay tipik niya sa balikat ko.
"If you need companion, Travis. You can count on me!" senyas ni Ivan at napailing na ako.
"f**k! Don't trust that bastard, Travis. Bakla 'yan!" si Neron at nagtawanan na silang lahat.
"I have two girlfriends, bro. Ang isa Italyana at ang isa Haponesa," pagmamayabang ni Ivan sa kanila.
"In your dreams!" Ginulo ni Zalde ang buhok ni Ivan at natawa na sila.
"Zald, pahiram ulit ng chopper mo ah. May susunduin lang ako," singit ni Nicholas.
"Bro? Babae? Mamumulubi ka na, bro," kantyaw ni Kaiser kay Nicholas.
"Pahiram na lang ng pera. Pang taxi ko pauwi," si Nicholas ulit at nakatitig siya kay Kaiser ngayon.
"Wala akong dalang pera, Nick. Kay Neron ka muna," sagot nito.
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Ibinigay ni Kaiser ang cellphone kay Nicholas. Nicholas face lit up like a puppy to Neron and Faust on the line.
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"How much do you want?" ang galanting boses ni Faust.
"Enough for me to go home, bro. Pinagtatabuyan na ako ni Zalde rito."
Sinapak agad ni Zalde ang ulo niya at natawa na ang lahat sa kanya.
"See that? Fifty thousand, Faust, please," paawa effect ni Nicholas.
"Ayaw ko na rito. Uwi na tayo. Iwan na natin ang fuckboy na 'to! Nauubos lang naman pera nito sa mga babae. Don't lend him, Faust. Di na niya 'yan babayaran!" Ivan shouted and Kaiser second the motion.
"I can wire half, Nick. Wala pa akong sweldo," si Faust sa kabilang linya.
"No one is allowed to use my chopper except for Travis!" si Zalde ulit at nagtawanan na sila. Nagkagulo pa. Tumayo na ako at tumingala sa kawalan.
"Ang gulo niyo! Pahinge ng kape," si Ivan at kinuha ang kape ko.
"This is coffee," inom ni Ivan nito.
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The boys are having fun talking s**t to each other. We gather like this unexpectedly. Ang iba wala rito dahil may pinagkakaabalahan sila, at ang iba naman ay nasa ibang bansa pa. We called our group 'The Wrangler Boys Club'.
Hindi ko alam kong anong pumasok sa utak nila at ito ang pingalan sa grupo namin. But after all, I'm happy that I belong to this so-called group mates. They're the best buddies around.
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After three weeks of contemplating I came up good. Ang akala ko mahihirapan ako sa proceseso nang pag-alis ni Emma, hindi naman pala. Nakatulong ang trabaho ko sa kompanya at ang mga baliw na kaibigan ko.
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Emma tried calling me a dozen times but I neglected her. I already send my response two weeks ago. I told her that we better go on our separate lives and be happy. Sapat na sa akin ang ganito. Sobra na ang sakit na ginawa niya.
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Yes, I'm a man, I look tough, dense and okay but deep inside me is crumbling. Mahina ang puso ko sa mga bagay na ganito. I thought she was the one for me, but then she's not...
Mas mabuting pagtuunan ng pansin ang iilang importanteng bagay kaysa sa puso ko.
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"Hijo, Travis?" si Mama sa kabilang linya.
"Yes, Ma?"
"When are you coming home, son? Tatlong buwan na, anak. Hindi ka pa rin nagpapakita. Nag-aalala na kami ng Papa mo."
"Soon, Ma. Inaayos ko lang ang iilang bagay sa kompanya. Faust will be back in two weeks from Italy, Ma. Hinihintay ko lang siya. Hindi ko pwedeng iwan ang kompanya kung wala siya rito."
"Okay... Gusto ng Papa mo na pagtuunan mo rin ng pansin ang Del Rio Farm."
"I will, Ma... Faust and Keiser bought a new piece of land closer to Del Rio Farm. And I will focus on the farm soon. Just give me time."
"Okay, anak. I love you, hijo. Mag-ingat ka."
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And that was the last conversation I had with Mama. Papa called me after a week. They're planning to go on a holiday in Europe for half a year. In short, ako na talaga ang mamahala sa buong farm. I am okay with that, and I'm ready to settle down the countryside. Mas tahimik ang buhay ko sa farm at malayo sa gulo.
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Papa finalized everything and send me the documents. Hindi talaga sila makapaghintay. I reviewed the Farm and it's ledger. I have managed this farm three years ago. Iniwan ko lang ito dahil sa kagustuhan ni Emma na manatili sa syudad. Ayaw kasi niyang maniharan sa farm. She was my world at that time and I was blinded by love.
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Heck, and look at me now? f*****g neglected!
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C.M. LOUDEN