Stell hates the rain. And it's not just a mere dislike, he hates the rain to its core. Although he has been dubbed as The Sunshine Boy, it seems even he cannot make the gloomy weather disappear.
Stell shivers as the sound of the heavy rain falling outside his condo was followed by a loud crackling thunder. That's one more item to add to his growing list of things he hates about the rainy season.
Yes, he has a list- and on top of his list are the three major reasons why he hates the rain. First, it gets too cold that he feels the chill seeping through his bones even under 3 layers of clothing. Second, his outdoor activities of course get suspended and he can't help but stay at home and die from boredom. Third and most pathetically, during times like this, when he's feeling cold and alone, he can't seem to remove one person out of his mind.
Stell tossed and turned on his bed restlessly, frowning when he saw the glowing numbers on his desk clock.
1:05 A.M.
He's been laying on his bed for more than 3 hours already but it seems sleep doesn't want to grant his body the rest it needs.
Sighing, he sat up and reached under his pillow for his phone. There are no new notifications displayed but he still tapped his message icon open, his thumb hovering over a particular thread.
Giving in to his impulse, he tapped it open to reveal a message he received the previous day.
"Just got home Stell. Thank you for the strawberry cake, Mom said. It's cute haha! Anyway, enjoy the weekend!"
Stell smiled and bit his lower lip unconsciously. He had re-read the message a dozen times after receiving it but the fluttering in his stomach hasn't subsided even a bit.
Paulo- their group's moody but unnaturally clingy leader has gone home to Cavite to spend their day off with his family as it was his mom's birthday. Stell, knowing about Paulo's mom's birthday, baked a 10-inch strawberry shortcake complete with strawberry designed birthday toppers.
Stell drops the phone and sighs as he clutches his banana-designed pillow to his chest.
"Why is it that a simple Thank You from Paulo makes me so excited?"
Stell can't help but question his sanity.
A sudden strong gush of wind violently hitting his veranda's sliding doors broke Stell from his thoughts. He stood up to check the situation outside the building from his room. Stell's eyes widened when he drew the curtain and it revealed a terrible sight.
The rain, coupled by strong winds, is now pelting more heavily than it was before he went to bed. He watched as the flood gather around the storm drains beside the streets' sidewalks. Looking around, Stell also noticed the signange of the small convenience store infront of the condominium hanging dangerously sideways.
"Did Paulo go back to his unit?"
Stell can't help but worry. He knows their leader is supposed to return from Cavite immediately after his mom's birthday. But then, Paulo is the type to check for weather updates before traveling, Stell assures himself.
He stared at his phone again, debating with himself if he should call Paulo or not. He's really shy about calling, always the one to wait for the older man to call. This has been the situation eversince he realized he has feelings for their moody leader. It's not as if Stell doesn't want to hear Paulo's voice. It's more like he doesn't want to bother him or cause him any inconvenience seeing as he's always tired from their practices and engagements.
The internal battle he's having is suddenly cut off when he hears the doorbell ring.
Frowning, he grabbed a cardigan before going out of his room to check who could possibly be ringing his doorbell at this time and weather.
His eyes widened upon seeing the image of the person waiting infront of his door through the video intercom. Without a second thought, he dashed towards the main door to throw it open, revealing Paulo, shivering and soaked from his thick black hair to his white Fila sneakers.
"H-hi Stell..."
Stell stood by the door staring at the man in front of him, too stunned to react.
"Ummm, can I come in? I'm a little cold here..." Paulo tried to smile but his trembling mouth betrayed him.
Stell snapped out of his shock and pulled the other man inside, locking the door close immediately afterwards.
"Anyare? Bakit basang basa ka?" Stell helped Paulo remove his thin windbreaker which is completely soaked. His eyes widened when he realized that Paulo is only wearing a thin black shirt inside which is also totally soaked.
"Are you crazy?!" He couldn't help but feel angry at the older man. "Why are you wearing just this? And why are you out in this storm? Are you going to kill yourself or something?"
Paulo smiled sheepishly, scratching his head. "Sorry Stell. I should be going back to the condo, but the taxi I was taking broke down."
Stell exhaled heavily. "Where did you go wrong? Why didn't you call me?"
"A few kilometers away. My phone is dead so I can't call and then I remembered your unit is near."
Other times, Stell would've swooned hearing Paulo's crisp conyo accent but today he felt like his face is getting red due to anger.
"You walked all the way here?"
Paulo just hung his head low.
Stell grabbed him by his arms "Are you stupid?! What if something happened to you?"
"Take care-"
Stell let go of the other man's arms and furiously wiped his own face. He breathed heavily while glaring at Paulo, whose sight is plastered on the floor. "Come on, take a bath in hot water so you don't get sick." He said after calming himself.
"Stell, don't be angry-"
"We'll talk later." Stell exhaled sharply. He walked towards his room, with Paulo silently following him.
He instructed him to sit on the wooden chair beside his huge wardrobe before disappearing into the connecting bathroom to prepare the shower.
Paulo looked around the room silently. Last time he was here was when Stell asked for guitar lessons. They stayed up until wee hours in the morning, playing guitar, trying to compose a song and laughing at their own stupid ideas. He remembers falling asleep on the couch and waking up with Stell's head on his shoulder, which made the younger man blush to his ears.
Unfortunately, Stell has not invited him to his unit again since then and Paulo feels like an invisible wall suddenly grew between them.
Stell came out after a few minutes, his eyes still not directly looking at Paulo, a clear indication that he's still angry.
The older man smiled apprehensively.
"The shower is ready. Use the pajama set on the hanger." Stell's voice is colder than winter.
"Thanks..." biting his lip, Paulo entered the bathroom and sighed when the steam immediately warmed his skin up. He started taking off his shirt, earning a gasp from the younger man who immediately turned away.
"I-I'll just be outside if you need anything." With that, Stell dashed outside as fast as lightning- leaving a confused Paulo behind.
Stell is focused on stirring a huge mug of hot chocolate in the kitchen so he didn't notice when Paulo came out of his room.
"I'm sorry for coming here suddenly."
Stell jumped and turned at the other man. He was supposed to yell at him for scaring him but the words got lost when he saw Paulo wearing his own pajamas and drying his thick, long hair with a small towel.
Stell gulped and mentally berated himself. "I-I'm not mad about that. You know that. You should have just waited for another taxi or had the driver call you so I could pick you up."
"Sorry Stell. I guess, this is one of my tanga moments."
Stell sighed, "If something bad happened to you, I don't know what-"
Stell stopped himself after realizing what he was about to say. Paulo, on the other hand was looking at him intently, his deep eyes boring into Stell's without blinking.
Stell was the first one to look away. This is one of his weaknesses when it comes to Paulo. He will never be able to win a staring contest against him.
"Uhm, hot choco?" Stell remembered the big mug of hot chocolate that he made for the other man. He slid it on the counter carefully.
Paulo smiled that toothy smile that makes Stell's knees go weak before taking the mug and sipping from it.
"Uhhhh, that's delicious, Stella..."
Stell felt blood rush to his head from hearing Paulo's moan. This is going to be a very long night.