Between the Rainbow (Strawberries and Cigarettes Series #1)

Epilogue

Thank you for reading Between the Rainbow! This is the first BL story I've been thinking about since years ago—hoping I could write themes like this. And finally, motivated to push this through, my first BL story is already complete! May this story be an eye-opener to all of us who aren't fully educated about LGBTQ. I am not trying to stop those who aren't fans of BL stories, but I hope that if it doesn't fit into your own liking of romance, just don't read it.

The timeline of this story will continue in SAC Series #2. May playlist din si Brent at ang SAC series sa Spotify account ko. Just search Julienne Mari! See you in my next BL story!

Trigger Warning: self-harm, suicide ideations, sexual harassment, mention of death, offensive words, and homophobia.
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Family

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise—so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."

Bumaling si Mama sa akin at ngumiti. Hinaplos niya ang ulo ko. She meant the verse mentioned while we were listening to the mass in the church.

"Importante na makinig lagi sa magulang, Shiloh. Kasi sila ang gagabay sa'yo sa tama," my mother whispered.

Ngumiti ako at tumango. Bata pa lamang, relihiyoso na ang parents ko. My father died early, so no one needs to look after me except for my mom.

My mother always wants a son. Ipinagdasal niya iyon. Swerte daw kasi sa mga instik ang lalake lalo na't may lahing chinese si Mama. Ching siya.

Hindi ko tanda ang mga memorya ko kay Papa. Pero palakwento si Lola, ang ina ni Papa, lalo na't madalas akong bumisita sa farm nila tuwing summer.

Pagkauwi galing simbahan, nakasalubong namin sa daan si Cardi. She is a sophisticated woman who always smiles at me, so I would smile at her back.

"Hello, Shiloh," she greeted softly.

"Hello po," bati ko pabalik.

She looked at my mom and bowed a bit to show respect, to which my mom smiled a little before she dragged me to continue walking.

Nilingon ko si Cardi habang suot pa rin ang ngiti ko.

"Mga bakla ngayon mas babae pa sa babae. Di na nakontento sa kung anong bigay ng Diyos sa kanila," I heard my mother's disappointed whisper.

Bakla? Anong...bakla?

I brush it off because she seems mad about it. But as the days passed, I would hear the word continuously from the kids around me at the playground.

We were all squatting on the floor while surrounding the butterfly that seemed injured. Hindi makalipad kaya tahimik naming pinanood.

"Hi Cardi!" bati ng mga kaibigan kong batang babae.

Lumingon sa amin si Cardi at ngumiting kumaway. Her round and big cap would always amaze me, even the fancy clothes she wears with those heels. Siya ang masasabi kong isa sa mga magagandang tao rito sa amin dahil mabait din at palapansin.

"Bakla daw siya sabi ni Papa. Iwasan ko daw siya," bulong ni Ariel, ang lalake kong kaibigan na nasa walong taong gulang katulad ko.

"Anong bakla?" kuryoso kong tanong.

"Hindi mo alam anong bakla?" si Jossie, ang babae kong kaibigan.

I shook my head. I only heard it once from my mom when we passed at Cardi.

"Bakla...parang si Cardi. Bakla," si Ariel.

"Magandang babae? Parang gano'n?" I clarified.

"Masama daw ang mga bakla eh. Sabi ni Papa," si Ruther.