"I think I'm in love with you," Matthew says suddenly.

Mike's jaws tensed as he grips the steering wheel tighter. Still, he keeps his eyes on the road.

"It's a joke, right?" He does not look at him.

"I'm gay, Mike," Matthew continues, closing his eyes tightly. "And I think I've fallen for you. Ever since we'd met, I guess."

Mike suddenly stomps on the brakes. His car screeches to such a sudden halt that both of them lurch forward, their seatbelts straining to keep their bodies in their seats.

"Get out," Mike orders, his voice flat and freezing. Wordlessly, Matthew unstraps his seatbelt, opens the door and gets out on the sidewalk. As soon as he slams the door shut, Mike speeds off into the near-deserted avenue of Ayala, leaving Matthew standing on the sidewalk.

Matthew watches the car disappear into the night, shaking his head and whispering Mike's name.

He felt his chest tightening; a maddening pain is slowly blooming like a poisoned flower.

A tear rolls down his cheek.

- From Nelz Agustin's "Where Angels Fear..."