BCJ 14 • closer

***

"Of all courses, why education?"

Kao slowly lifted his head and looked at Pete who was munching on an apple while lazily scrolling through his phone.

They were currently at Pete's unit. Different instructional materials were scattered on the floor as he was preparing for his demonstration teaching for their final exams. He initially wanted to ask for Pete's help but he figured he would just do more damage than good so he just let him lay around. He was supposed to be doing it with Third but the latter said that he was going somewhere that day.

"Why civil engineering?" he asked back. His question earned a frown from Pete.

"Why not? My dad is an engineer so I guess I have to be one"

"But is it something that you actually want?"

Pete paused. The expressions on his face showed the answer Kao was looking for.

"I chose education because it's something that I want."

"Psh. Nobody gets rich by being a teacher."

"Did I say I want to get rich?"

"Doesn't everyone want to? I mean, money makes everything possible. It can even buy happiness."

"That's not the case for everyone, Pete. In my case, I want to help children build their dreams. My ultimate goal is to build my own school so I could help those who have no means of getting education."

"All hail Saint Kao."

"Pssh. I least I have something I want to achieve in life. What about you? Aside from getting women to crawl into your bed, what else do you want to do in life?"

"Excuse me? Since when did I want women crawling into my bed?"

Kao shrugged.

"And where did you even hear that? Okay, I may look like a jerk ---"

"You are."

"Fine! You may think I am a jerk but never did I once bring a girl to my bed."

Kao suspiciously looked back at Pete who had a serious look on his face. And for a while, Pete might have convinced him.

"Because I bring them to hotels, not my bedroom!" Pete cackled before throwing himself into the couch.

"Jerk," Kao muttered as he shook his head.

He had seen Pete with different women at school so it was no shocker that he actually brought them to bed.

"Is that what you really think of me?" Pete asked in a low voice after a moment of silence.

"Well... I have heard stories of you jumping from one woman to another."

"They're the ones who get close to me Kao, not the other way around. And besides, who am I to reject them, right? Being the gentleman that I am, I need to entertain them. But I swear, never did I have sex with any of them."

Kao cocked a brow at Pete's statement. "Ooooohhh, really?" he taunted, not that he wanted to know about it but he was still a little bit curious about the authenticity of the rumors he heard around the campus.

"What? Do you think I am lying to you right now? Come on. They're the ones who come to me.  And besides, I don't wanna be baby-trapped. Yes, contraceptives and condoms exist but they still have chances of failing! Like hell no! I'd rather be imprisoned than be taking care of a baby."

"So what about those girls claiming that you had relationships with them?"

"Pssh. Those are false claims. And besides, relationship? More of relationshit. I don't wanna end up like my dad," Pete scoffed.

"Your dad? What about him? He just fell in love, Pete. That's it."

"Love? That's bullshit. Love is not leaving someone behind when things get worse, Kao. Love is staying no matter the circumstance. And I don't wanna be in a situation where I'm the one left behind. I don't wanna be left behind anymore, Kao."

***

"What's with the long face?" Third asked as he dumped all his instructional materials in front of Kao who was leaning on the table, seemingly lost in thoughts.

"Nothing. I'm just thinking if I should extend my babysitting contract."

"Why? Is Pete growing on you, now?"

"No!"

"You sound defensive."

"I mean, it's just, I'm gonna need the money for the graduating fees that we have to pay, but..."

"But?"

"But, I'm afraid, he's indeed growing on me."

"Give me the signs."

"Signs?"

"Signs! Indicators that you're starting to like him."

Kao sighed before leaning back on his chair and shuffling his hair out of frustration.

"I don't know?"

"What do you mean I don't know? Of course you have to know, Kao."

"I... I easily get worried about him.. and I think he's not that much of a jerk as I thought he was."

Third cocked a brow as he crossed his arms and legs, eyeing Kao suspiciously.

"I mean, yes, he's a jerk but the more I spend time with him and get to know him, I finally understand why he was acting that way. He's not a jerk just because he wants to. He's acting that way because of what he'd been through."

Third was silent for a while. Third's expression remained skeptical as they simply gazed at each another in silence.

"What's your plan, then? Extend the contract or leave him for good?"

The idea of him leaving Pete somehow left a lump in his throat.

"I can't. I can't leave him. Not now, Third. Not now."

***

"Your brows are gonna merge into one if you don't stop frowning," he teased Pete as he placed the groceries he bought along the way.

It was supposed to be his last day as Pete's babysitter but he contacted Pete's father the other night and told him of his plans of extending the contract.

"I'm starting to hate him."

"Who?"

"My dad."

"What happened?"

"He ditched me for his little girlfriend last night. We were supposed to have dinner but then his girl called saying she was sick and being the superhero my dad is, he immediately left the restaurant."

"He's just in love, Pete. He just wants to take care of the woman he loves."

"Does he love her that much for him to neglect his own son? He hasn't even visited me here for weeks because he was busy being with her!"

"Just give him time, Pete. He just wants to find the happiness the way your mother did."

"Yeah, they're so busy chasing their own happiness that they forgot they still have a son."

Kao didn't say anything as he didn't want to invalidate his feelings. He just let him sulk on the couch while he prepared lunch.

"Pete, lunch is ready," he called out as he finished setting up the table but he heard no response.

He then saw Pete soundly sleeping with his mouth slightly open. He didn't want to disturb his sleep but it was already past 1 pm.

"Pete, come on. The food's gonna get cold," he said as he gently shook his arm.

Pete gently opened his eyes as if he just got out of a daze. He just allowed Kao to drag him towards the table and served him some food.

"I'm just so happy to have you taking care of me. I hope you're not gonna disappear out of the blue just like how you came into my life," Pete muttered out of nowhere.

"Pssh. How am I gonna disappear if you make me worry about you all the time?"

"Really? You're worried about me?"

"Yes, I'm worried that you might something that will endanger others that's why I have to keep you in my sight. Come on, dig in already."

"Pssh. What am I? A threat?" Pete grumbled.

Kao suppressed a smile as he looked at Pete who was happily munching on the food he prepared.

Maybe, babysitting him was not a bad thing after all.

I hope so.

***