4: Campus Scandal

The boys and I had snacks at a local deli after picking them up in school. I showed them this local joint where I used to eat way back when I was still in high school. They loved the sandwiches that they even asked for another serving as take-away which they will eat while doing their homework.

After eating, we headed back home. While cruising on a busy intersection, Casper received something from his phone and opened it. When he opened the file, I can hear moaning sounds from a couple. It is most likely a video (I can't see it because I'm driving and Casper is at the back passenger seat).

"Bro, is this the video you and Ico were talking about?" Casper asked his older brother.
"Lemme see," Tristan said as he reached his hand to get Casper's phone and looked at the video. I can see Tristan beside me looking disappointed as he watched the video.
"What are you guys looking at?" I asked. "You seem distressed at what you have seen."
"It's a video of my teammate, Yola, and his girlfriend, Rina," Tristan anxiously answered. 
"Yola?" I followed up.
"Yola is our nickname for Alex Loyola. Aside from being our teammate, he's also the best friend of Ico. He did not show up in school today after hearing news that a video of him is currently circulating on social media and the campus social network. We are worried about him," Tristan explained. 
"How many has seen that video? How sensitive is that video that he opted not to go to school?" I asked again. 
"It showed Yola and Rina having intimate moments in her car. This is really disturbing because aside from being posted online, some of our schoolmates and faculty members have seen the video. I'm really worried that this might compromise his scholarship," Tristan expounded followed by deep sighs. 
"Your friend is in a grave situation. How did that video even leaked in the first place?" I inquired further. 
"We have no idea where that came from. He never mentioned of ever doing such a thing, knowing how he treats Rina with such respect. He's such a gentleman to her when they are together in our gatherings," Tristan responded. "Ico will try to drop by his place to check on him since he is not answering our calls." 
"But why have that kind of intimate video if he treats her with respect? If you are truly a gentleman, you would never do such things that might compromise yourselves in the future, especially documenting that in video," I berated. "You know, I don't mind if you plan to do that with someone you consider special. It's normal to be intimate, especially at your age. But please, have the decency of not documenting that. I don't want to hear that one of my boys has a sex scandal circulating online."

Upon hearing that, the boys blushed with embarrassment.

"Papa, you know us well that we won't do that. We look highly of you as you have been treating Mama with the utmost respect, and we would also do that when we find our special someone. We will never let you down, Papa," Tristan confidently assured me as he pats my shoulder. 
"Brother's right, Papa. We will never let you down. If ever we do that, we will just keep it all in our head. We inherited your photographic memory, so there's no need for us to record that on video to refresh those moments," Casper heartily joked and he tried to contain his laughter after saying that. 
"You mean Eidetic memory, wisecracker. Like I said, baby boy, right words at the right time. You know how to make me smile at such heated moments like this," I jovially replied. 
"By the way, Papa, who was your first time?" Casper spontaneously asked, which suddenly left an air of awkwardness in the car. 
Tristan tried to hit Casper at the back while saying, "What kind of question was that?! I think that's too personal for Papa to answer!" 
"Well, I just want to know. I'm the ever curious witling, hehe," chaffed the younger son with his eyes wide open and a smile reaching from one ear to another. 
It took me a moment to reflect on my words and I calmly answered, "I first did it to the one I loved."

At that moment, the boys were giggling upon hearing my answer.

"You are truly romantic, Papa," Tristan remarked with a simple smile on his face. 
"OMG! I knew it. That's how much he loves Mama!" Casper chuckled as he was giggling so much that he was like squirming like a worm in his seat.

Actually I recalled a very familiar voice when my younger boy asked that question.

---

I remembered the sweet yet deep masculine voice of someone dear to me in high school when we did it the first time...

"You made me feel complete and loved. I found my true happiness in you. I love you so much, Ken..."

---

"So when did you guys do it, Papa?" Casper wittingly asked.
This time, Tristan started to rub his forehead in annoyance and said, "Can you stop asking such stupid questions! I could have smacked you right there if I was just beside you!"

It was fun having such conversations with them while driving. These are moments that I cherish which I wasn't able to do before.

When we arrived at home, Casper went ahead of us and I asked Tristan to stay for a bit.

"Tristan, yesterday I heard what you said during breakfast that you always fight and had skirmishes in school to protect your brother. I would like to thank you for doing that. You told me before that you will take care of him no matter what happens, and you are true to your word," I commended my firstborn. 
"Don't worry about that, Papa. We are a family, and that's what family members do. They protect each other and guide them to do what is right," Tristan said while looking happily at me. 
"You always make me proud, son. I'm sorry again about pushing you to swim. I should have given you the support that you truly deserve. You have my back," I proudly said while rubbing playfully with his hair. 
"Papa, not the hair. You know that you can mess anything, except the hair. It takes time to achieve this look," Tristan slightly protested while playing around with him. 
"What look? That messy, out-of-bed look? You can easily do that by tossing and turning on your bed. Hehe. Let's get inside before your brother makes another witty remark," I cheerfully quipped as we entered our house.

At dinner time, Yola and his campus scandal was still the hot topic. I can see Casper sneakingly viewing on his cellphone to check on that video.

"Casper, can you please stop looking on your phone while eating? It's not proper to do that during family time," Lolit reprimanded. 
"Can't help it, Mama. I feel sorry for Yola and Rina. After their sex video went online, I'm wondering what they will do next. I don't know if they can endure the stares and sharp gazes from the students and the faculty of Montrose," Casper responded worriedly. 
"What's wrong with today's kids? Why are they so aggressive that they venture into such risky acts?" Lolit seemed puzzled while reflecting on that point. 
"They are not only aggressive, Dove. They are also stupid. Why can't they just try to wait? Or if they can't wait, try to be discreet about it," I opined. "Good thing we don't have any problems with our boys." 
"I totally agree with you, Love. They make us very proud with their best behavior," my wife concurred as she held on my hand firmly and looked sweetly in my eyes. "Except at this point where Casper used his phone during dinner. You can only check your phone if it's an emergency."

After Lolit said that, my phone began to ring. It's a phone call from Enrique Elizalde, one of my prominent clients at the PR firm. I wonder why he is calling at an odd time like this? So I have to excuse myself out of the dining room and answer his call.

"Good evening, Ric. How are you? I was having dinner with my family," I said.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Ken. However, I'm currently in an awkward situation which might compromise my hopes for public office. Is it possible to meet you at the PR firm tonight? This is very urgent," Mr. Elizalde said in a very tense tone. 
"From your tone, this seems to be very distressing. Okay, I will contact my staff, Cindy, and will meet you there in one hour. I will quickly finish my meal and hurry at the firm," I calmly answered back. 
"Thank you for that assurance, Ken. See you at the firm in an hour," Mr. Elizalde replied followed by a huge sigh of relief.

After which, he hanged the phone and I headed back to my dinner.

"I'm sorry, but I have to finish dinner early. I need to head back to the firm immediately for a client urgently needs my help," I explained to my family. 
"Which client? Ric Elizalde?" Lolit asked. 
"How did you know?!" I shockingly replied because I was talking to him outside the dining room. 
"I have seen his name on your phone's caller ID. I would definitely assume it's him. What would be the matter this time?" Lolit clarified. 
"Maybe it's got something to do with the scandal," Tristan awkwardly answered. 
"What made you say so?" I confusingly asked back. 
"That's because Yola is the boyfriend of Rina Elizalde. I'm sure that your client is her father. I've seen him in school when he picks up Rina," Tristan disclosed. 
"That might be the case. Anyway, let's finish dinner so that I can go to the firm as soon as possible," I said to my family.

After dinner, I hurried to freshen up and give my boys a goodnight kiss. Then I uncharacteristically given my wife a kiss in the cheek, which also surprised her as I always kiss her hand instead of her cheeks and lips.

As I was leaving the house, I again heard these murmurs. This time, it sounded like this...

"Whiiiissh...grhoonsshhht..."