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As somebody whose parents were social butterflies who hosted parties all the time, Jeong Jaehyun isn't much of a crowd person. He'd much rather socialize with a few people, preferably ones he's acquainted with, or at least those in his own circle. It's not like he hates people, 'no. Minsan talaga, he just gets… uncomfortable because of the awkward air. He likes keeping to himself as much as possible, staying by the sidelines, watching.
He glances at his watch before turning to the entrance. People were starting to come in, slowly filling up the seats; chatting with one another, exchanging air kisses and hugs and hellos. Pretty soon, the event was about to begin and festivities were going to be in full swing. His mother wouldn't notice if he went out muna, right?
Bailing on your tita's 50th birthday wasn't exactly good nephew behavior, but he would much rather be somewhere else than here. And it wasn't like he's gonna leave leave! Maybe just stay at the patio for a while, pwede rin naman niya libutin yung venue. Pa'no ba kasi, yung mga ka-close niyang pinsan hindi makakadalo. Johnny has an important presentation for his new job and Mark had Saturday classes. Hahabol na lang daw sila if time permits, as they promised in the family group chat, so he's left to his devices today.
His mom was somewhere running off with her assistant as the event organizer, barking orders, making sure things were doing fine, and adding final touches. Surprise party kasi, and she was the one who planned everything. The rest of their relatives were yet to arrive, pero puro kasi mas bata na sa kanila yung mga sumunod nilang pinsan. Not that he doesn't like them, pero syempre, mas madali kasing makipaghalubilo sa halos kaedad mo lang.
Hindi rin naman mga pinsan niya iniisip niya, but his titos and titas. They were your typical Asian boomers: mausisi, matanong, at kailangang maraming sinasabi. Unsolicited advice and remarks are always quick to affect his mood pati. Inevitable sila, yes, but he'd rather not deal with them today. Or any day, really. He loves them, he really does! They just get too much sometimes, especially when their words become heavy and suffocating. He never really felt the pressure from his mom and dad. Supportive nga sila with him on everything, especially after he came out the day after his eighteenth birthday. Hindi rin sila strikto sa kanya when it comes to academics, not forcing onto him their wants and beliefs. Nakakainis nga lang na kung sino pa yung hindi naman talaga malapit sa kanya eh 'yun yung maraming mga sinasabi.
Napabuntong hininga siya when he hears someone tap on the mic, the loud feedback piercing the entire place. Ngumisi siya. The event was about to begin, and before he knows it, the table next to him is slowly becoming occupied. Hay nako.
It's going by pretty smoothly naman, in fairness. Syempre, he would have to give props to the organizers and his mom especially. His tita was ecstatic , almost bursting into tears as soon as she entered. Jaehyun smiled, a genuine one, as she sat on the center seat reserved just for her. Time's passing by pretty quickly and he was getting entertained naman by scrolling thru his Facebook feed. Etong si Mark, may klase, pero kung maka-share ng post para bang wala. Siya naman 'tong react nang react, kasi naaaliw rin siya.
The host calls for their attention na mag-prepare na raw for the buffet. Finally . He never really was a fan of breakfast at medyo nagsisisi na siya ngayon kung bakit di siya kumain kanina. His stomach rumbles, and he looks around, grateful na malakas yung sound system kasi nakakahiya. May picture taking daw muna, typical . At least makakakain na rin siya. His thumbs hover the keyboard sa group chat nilang magpipinsan, asking Mark kung ano oras tapos ng klase niya.
At the corner of his eye, Jaehyun sees na nags-set up na yung live band na magp-perform for the rest of the afternoon. He's a huge band fan, especially local acts. Over the summer, he'd gotten into a few local musicians and attended a few gigs. Hindi siya familiar sa mga 'to, though, except for the brown-haired vocalist with curly hair. Parang nakita na niya 'to before but he can't exactly pinpoint when and where. He's pretty, in a doll-like kind of way. He turns away quickly kasi baka mahuli siyang tumitingin, and that would be embarrassing . Buti na lang the host starts calling out table numbers for the photo op.
Jaehyun almost drops his plate then and there nung nagsimulang kumanta yung vocalist.
He isn't exaggerating. His younger cousin had to poke his side pa nga kasi natigilan siya habang nagsasandok ng kanin. It was like honey, having the feeling of being tipsy, and warm , all at once. Sigurado siyang kapag narinig niya yung boses na 'yun uli somewhere eh he would recognize it in a heartbeat, because it was that distinct. His voice was beautiful, so to say.
Gulping, nagmadali siya sa buffet para makaupo na to listen to him properly. It was an old song, something na maririnig kapag Sunday morning sa radyo. In their case, yung tugtugan kapag general cleaning day sa Jeong household, tapos masarap yung almusal na nakahain para daw ganahan silang lahat sa mga gawain. Jaehyun hurriedly grabs a small cup of buko pandan at bumalik sa upuan niya.
The song continues with the bassist harmonizing with the lead vocalist. They're great, all bias and the small crush he's harboring aside. He hopes they play an original kahit isang beses lang, to get a general feel of their music.
He faintly remembers the host mentioning their name kanina, racking his brain to remember it. Ilang taon pa lang siya pero ang lala ng pagiging makakalimutin niya. Fever , it suddenly registers in his head, and he's quick to search them up on Facebook. Baka sakali, right?
Sure enough, they have over a thousand likes. Napansin din ni Jaehyun na nakalike si Mark sa page, so he must know them, right? With newfound information, he switches over to their private chat.
Jaehyun
Mark
Kilala mo Fever?
The reply is quick, na parang walang klase sa kasalukuyan. Jaehyun wants to both flick his forehead and give him a hug.
Mark
yes kuya! they're the ones na hinire ni tita for today
band yan ng mga friends ko nung high school!
my best friend's the vocalist!! :D
Best friend. Patay. Ignoring his food na unti-unti nang nanlalamig, sumagot ito.
Jaehyun
Oh, so you're close with them?
Galing nila ah hahaha
Subtlety is key. Baka biglang umalis ng classroom 'yan si Mark at tumakbo from Espanya papunta rito pag nalaman niyang his cousin finds his best friend pretty . Cute naman kasi siya with his white turtleneck and oversized cardigan; like someone out of a K-drama. Sobrang plus points pa na maganda boses niya. This boy is his ideal type personified… somehow.
Mark
yes kuya!
tita asked me if i knew anyone who's interested in playing, so i referred them
gusto raw ni tita yung medyo bata bata eh para cool hahaha
they're good no? kakaproud :D
Hindi na siya sumagot, dahil napansin niyang nanlalamig na pagkain niya. Hindi na kaya masarap ang lechon pag hindi na crispy! The band transitions into the rest of their set, and Jaehyun cannot stop himself from smiling at how the boy's voice sounds, worming its way into his heart.
It turns out, Mark won't be able to habol na kasi may biglaang meeting sila. This deflates him a little, but if it means na he can admire this stranger's voice for a little bit longer eh who was he to tanggi? His conscience was eating him alive, though, parang may mali na he has the hots for his younger cousin's best friend. Puta.
It was time for the games segment, which meant the band had to stop playing muna. Jaehyun didn't want to participate anyway, so he figures now's the time to explore the place for a little bit. He'll be back soon, before his mother notices his absence. Iipon muna siya ng mental strength to face his very machika titas.
As quiet and unsuspicious as he can, he makes his way sa likod where the exit was, uttering an apology to the guests and leaves quickly. Once he was out, medyo napatigil siya kasi he did not think this through . It wasn't like him to just act on whatever impulse he had pero the air inside was suffocating, so he had to do it. He'll just tambay sa garden siguro, whatever.
It's peaceful there. Hindi naman mainit kasi may shade pa rin papaano yung place which makes it even better to stay at, tapos tahimik pa pati. No one else was around, and he could be alone with his thoughts for a little bit. He decides on a bench near a wall of flowers, and loads the reading he downloaded on his phone, para naman maging productive yung oras niya.
"Picturan mo ako d'on! Ay gago, may tao—" An all too well voice rings in his ears and he fails at the don't look up don't look up don't look up voice sa utak niya, and he sees the band from the event stepping foot in the garden, the lead vocalist—Donghyuck?—in front, holding what seems like a film camera in his hands. His eyes make contact with Jaehyun's, and his mouth gapes into an o. Ang cute. He doesn't think he'll be able to make it back at this point.
He says nothing, and goes back to his journal article, fingers quick to highlight important points he needs to remember so he can go over them again later. Hindi man halata eh mahilig siya mag-aral. At first glance, he looks more like the type to choose social events than his studies pero it's always the exact opposite. He's always defying people's impressions of him: Jaehyun always gets the mukhang hindi nagseseryoso one a lot but contrary to popular belief, he's really serious when it comes to a lot of things.
This stems from his independence, siguro. Growing up without siblings, he's learned to rely on himself a lot. His parents dote on him naman, but he doesn't want to be a bother. Besides, he's close with his cousins and he has a great set of friends. As much as possible nga ayaw niya nagbibigay ng sakit ng ulo sa magulang niya and aims to give back as soon as he can. They've done so much for him and it's time for him to do his part. He's on his last year of college in a major he actually chose for himself (like he said, there was never any pressure from them whatsoever, which he's extremely thankful for) in a field he's interested in. After graduating, magtatrabaho muna siya to save up for law school. His parents insist on paying, pero gusto niya na bawasan intindihin nila. Kaya naman na niya eh.
A few sentences later, napansin niyang parang may nakatingin sa kanya. This would be creepy if it weren't for the fact that he wasn't alone, so he finally looks up and at where the members of Fever are standing.
"Ayun! Magtanong na kayo!" one of them says in an attempt at a whisper, pushing Donghyuck to his direction. Jaehyun tries to hide a smile. He watches the small group bicker back and forth kung sino yung magtatanong, oddly reminding him nung elementary na 'ako na kakatok, ikaw na magtanong.'
"Ano… Pwede po ba magpa-picture?" Donghyuck finally asks, pointing at the wall with his small camera. His friends burst out laughing, then he quickly realizes what he says. "Kami po pipicturan, hindi po kami magpapaano—"
The boy who's a little smaller than him nudges him. "Kunwari ka pa eh," sabi nito. Jaehyun badly, badly fails at trying to hide his laugh at this point, so he goes over where they are. Donghyuck glares at him but it quickly turns into a beam when he approaches.
"Okay," he says, extending his palm out so Donghyuck can hand him the camera. "I'll take a photo."
The boys say their thank yous and start posing. Jaehyun counts 1, 2, 3, before clicking on the button. He peers at them afterwards, asking if they want another one. Nagtinginan ang mga ito bago tumango at inabot ang kanya-kanyang cellphone.
After the second phone, Jaehyun pauses. "Walang talent fee 'to ah," biro niya, to which the boys laugh at. Once they were done, sinoli niya mga telepono nila.
"By the way, galing niyo kanina," he says, offering a smile. "Can't wait to listen to more from you soon!" The boys blush and look away, bashful. Cute. "'Wag kayo mahiya, hey. I'm serious. You guys are amazing." Throwing a quick pointed look at Donghyuck.
They echo their thanks. Lalakasan na niya loob niya. Fever turn to their phones to review the photos, so he thinks it's okay for him to speak again. "Barkada kayo ni Mark?" he asks.
At the mention of his name, they immediately snap their heads up and nod fervently, responding with affirmations.
The tallest of the four of them quirks his head at Jaehyun. "Kaano-ano niyo po si Mark?" tanong niya.
"He's my cousin," he answers. Nang makasagot siya, the slightly awkward air seems to dissipate and they start talking, including him in their conversation. Surprisingly, he gets how Mark sounded so fond of them over Messenger kanina. The boys are just like him, mas maingay lang. It wasn't weird at all, and he's starting to feel a little comfortable, which shocks him a little. Any friend of Mark is a friend of his too, he decides. He was a good kid, and he had great friends. Talented, too, just like him. Makes him wonder why he wasn't included in the band with them, but he figures it isn't his place to ask.
Almost half an hour later, he politely excuses himself as his phone starts ringing with a call from his mother. He leaves with four new friends(?) and a photo with Donghyuck. Lagot na siya kay Mark nito.
Being born into a well-off family does not necessarily mean na spoiled na agad siya. 'Yun naman kasi yung usual na perception ng mga tao, lalo na kapag only child ka. It wasn't the case for Jaehyun. His parents raised him to be a humble kid. He's aware that they're comfortable, oo, but it makes him want to work twice as hard for two things: para masuklian niya sila, at para hindi na siya mailang whenever he wants something for himself. They're quick to give him what he wants naman, but still. Pera nila 'yun, and he isn't like some kids who throw away money like it's nothing.
It's another weekend, and he's in charge of making breakfast. Their house helper ates are given the week off so their family's left to themselves muna. Usually, bababa na lang silang nakahain na't lahat, but Ate Rita's with her kids for now so it's Jaehyun who was assigned to cook breakfast. Sabay-sabay kasi silang tatlo kumain lagi, something his father insisted on ever since he was a little kid. He doesn't hate cooking naman, but if there's any other chore left to do eh ayun na lang pipiliin niya. 'Di bale, kasi uuwi na rin naman sila Ate sa Linggo, kaya onting tiis na lang.
Breakfast goes by smoothly and he starts dusting off the living room, as his mother waters the plants outside. He has his Airpods on, a song from one of the artists he discovered recently playing through it, so he doesn't notice when his mom comes in.
"Anak, can you go order water muna?" she asks, a hand on his shoulder. Nagulat siya rito at napatalon, to which she laughs at. Natawa rin siya at tumango.
"Okay, ma," he replies, sending a text sa water station ng village nila. Buti na lang din at nakasave ito sa contacts niya kasi it would be too much of a hassle to ask pa kila Ate. The reply was quick, saying na walang available para magdeliver, kung gusto raw ba niya na i-pick up na lang. He furrows his brows at this and looks at her. "I'll have to pick it up daw po, may ipapabili pa ba kayo?" Jaehyun wasn't really planning on going out today considering he had things to outline (handwritten pa kamo, hell ), but he figures a little time outside wouldn't hurt.
She looks at him in thought, "what do you want for lunch? Get something to-go na lang." He'd have to take a detour pa sa nearest mall, which was sa Glo pa. Jaehyun salutes playfully before heading to his bedroom to make himself look a little presentable.
Napagdesisyunan niyang dumaan muna sa water station, kasi baka manlamig yung ulam kung sakaling matagalan siya. Hindi naman siguro, but he isn't entirely sure. Sila Ate usually nag-aasikaso ng ganito, meaning it would be his first time. The person he talked to on the phone gave him the address naman, which was good, kasi he doesn't have the time na magpaikot-ikot pa. Fortunately, it's located sa medyo palabas na ng village kaya pwede na siyang dumiretso. He backs out the driveway and into the street with practiced ease, right arm sa likod ng passenger seat as he maneuvers out.
Jaehyun stops in front of a similar-looking house, a blue sign above it a dead giveaway. He parks sa tapat nito, pocketing his phone from where it was discarded in the seat next to him. Kinuha niya na rin yung isa sa mga caps na nasa backseat and puts it on, seeing how the sun's up and glaring at this hour. Steps off the car and proceeds to the seemingly empty water station.
It wasn't empty naman pala, considering there was somebody inside who looked like he would much rather be anywhere but here. The person appears to be watching something on his phone, nakakunot ang noo, plush lips pushed into a pout. Jaehyun squints, kasi parang nakita niya na 'yon before.
Donghyuck?
He calls his name, amused, peering into the little sliding window. Said boy looks up as he hears his name, face immediately lighting up as he sees Jaehyun. Nilapag niya yung phone niya sa gilid at lumapit sa screen. He didn't know the boy lived around here, magkalapit lang pala sila halos.
"Kuya Jae!" bati nito, the furrowed brows and pout from kanina long gone. Hindi siya masyadong kita ni Jaehyun but he can make out the same smile he was caught off guard by a few weeks ago. He looks simple lang in his white shirt but he's undeniably beautiful. "Kumusta? Ikaw pala yung nagtext kanina?"
He nods. "Oo, I'm in charge of this today eh," he replies. "I'm good, busy with classes; graduating and all. Ikaw?"
Donghyuck's mouth is agape, nodding as he listens to Jaehyun. "Mabuti rin. Antok pa, may emergency kasi yung bantay namin kaya ako 'yung nandito ngayon." He reaches for the pad kung saan isusulat niya yung resibo along with a pen, jotting down the details. "Will that be all po?"
"Ah, don't po me, it's okay," sabi niya, a hand at the back of his neck. He takes out his wallet from his back pocket to prepare the payment. "And oo, ayan lang." Honestly, Jaehyun wants to talk to him a little more if it weren't for his parents na naghihintay sa kanya sa bahay. Wants to ask him kung bakit mukha siyang may gustong awayin kanina, but decides against it. Inabot niya yung pera as Donghyuck slides the receipt, their hands touching for a brief moment. Cue the italicized oh , as he notices na biglang napatigil ang binata rito. He doesn't say anything, doesn't let his hand linger a little longer.
Donghyuck unlocks the door and points at the two water gallons by it. "Need help ba, kuya?" tanong niya. He shakes his head and smiles. "I'm good, I'm good. Thank you ah." Sinimulan na niyang buhatin yung isa papunta sa sasakyan niya, putting it down to open the back door before hauling it inside. He does the same to the other while Donghyuck watches.
Jaehyun signals to his car. "So, uh, I'll get going na," he says awkwardly. "See you?"
The younger boy snaps out of his reverie and nods. "See you, kuya! It was nice seeing you."
"You too." he starts walking to his car pero si Donghyuck nasa may bandang pintuan pa rin, waiting for him to alight. "Also, Donghyuck?"
"Hm?"
"Get some rest ah?"
When he finishes washing the dishes after ng lunch nila (you can never go wrong with chicken talaga), Jaehyun's greeted by a friend request on Facebook from Donghyuck Lee.
Their friendship soon progresses (medyo unsure, pero sige, let's take it!) after. It started with Donghyuck mentioning him in a Facebook post, i-tag daw yung fifth person on his list to libre him ice cream. Jaehyun cackles at this, sending him a playful reply.
But it was in another mention of a meme that they finally talk. Pa'no ba naman, itong Donghyuck, magt-tag na nga lang, kung kailan pa alas dos ng madaling araw. Naturally, Jaehyun replies immediately, dahil katatapos lang niya sa pagr-review and he had just finished getting ready for bed. With all what's left of the madaling araw strength he has, nagsend ito ng message.
Jaehyun
Bakit gising ka pa hahaha
Donghyuck
luh kuya ikaw nga diyan HAHA
tv prod, kuya!
Jaehyun
Sabing wag na mag-po haha
Kakatapos ko lang magreview!
tvprod?
Donghyuck
ay sorry sa lahat HAHA
ako director ng episode na 'to kuya
for our tv production class :D
pre-law ka, 'no?
And as much as Jaehyun wants to continue talking, just the words TV Prod sounded heavy enough. He's had org mates from Donghyuck's course before at talagang hindi biro ang pagiging Comm student. With a few minutes in, nagpaalam ito na matutulog na. Totoo naman, kasi may exam pa siya in a few hours.
Jaehyun
I have to get some sleep na
Exam ko pa mamaya haha
Pero… ice cream tayo pag di ka na busy diyan
Donghyuck
HALA JOKE LANG YUN KUYA HAHAHA
pero sige sino ba ako para tumanggi sa libre 😼
good night, atty! good luck sa exam ❤️
Jaehyun
Hahaha thank you.
Good luck din, direk :)
❤️
He sleeps soundly with a smile on his face.
They talk more frequently after that. Kumustahan, nung una, until one of them (he can't really remember at this point) sends a meme, hanggang sa sunod sunod na. The night it started, medyo hindi na nagreply si Jaehyun para may excuse siyang pahabain yung convo for the next day, complete with a good morning message. Tamang #damoves lang, ganon.
He ignores the blaring gago, best friend ni Mark 'yan! na parang nagwa-wangwang sa utak niya. Usap lang naman… Usap. Harmless, diba?
Not until he starts smiling habang inutusan siya ng mama niyang kuhaan siya ng tubig. Pa'no kasi, ang funny ni Donghyuck! He seems to have a witty quip for everything eh, which makes talking to him more enjoyable. Hindi na lang siya sumagot nung nagtanong si Mama Jeong sa kanya ng "Oh, why are you smiling diyan?"
What they don't know won't hurt them naman eh.
The conversations turn into an actual ice cream date. He wouldn't call it a date, really, but hey, it's progress. Jaehyun's out for a run one Friday afternoon, on a rare occasion na suspended ang classes dahil may meeting yung faculty ng department nila. It felt good to take a breather, because surprisingly, medyo nag-lay off mga prof nila in giving them requirements. He's had enough of classes muna, because the deadlines seemed neverending kahit kaka-wrap up lang nila with prelims. With the free time he has, napagdesisyunan niyang to go for a run muna to clear his head.
Hindi naman bago sa kanyang libutin yung village nila kasi madalas niya ikutin yun kapag umaga with his dad, kapag naiisipan nitong mag-exercise. Jaehyun usually does his workouts at home sa home gym nila pero syempre, a change in scenery will do him some good. He puts on his running shoes and AirPods, his favorite playlist blasting loudly. It's on his fifth song when he realizes na malapit siya sa exit, where the water station is.
Kung saan nakatira si Donghyuck.
He second guesses if he should change his route, go back instead, ikutin na lang uli the block near his house, kaso his feet have betrayed him immensely at nagpadire-diretso kung saan sila Donghyuck.
Shit. Here goes nothing. Wala naman siguro si Donghyuck doon kasi the last time (the only time, really) he saw him there ay dahil may emergency raw yung nagbabantay. Surely it won't be coincidental na kapag andito siya uli, diba? Besides, wala namang nabanggit si Donghyuck sa kanya sa pag-uusap nila.
Their chats have consisted of kwentuhan, reklamo sa acads, and the memes Donghyuck sends him during the wee hours of the night. Jaehyun sends him too, but it's mostly Donghyuck who provides him with things to laugh at. Basta kampante loob niya rito, all the feelings he's harboring aside.
He pauses to catch his breath by the huge tree in front of Donghyuck's family's property, bringing out his phone to check the notification he just received. After deeming it as unimportant (their prof's reminder to submit their requirements by Monday, hay), he swipes up on the camera app and takes a picture of the storefront of the water station, sending it to the younger boy.
A few minutes later, he receives a reply.
Donghyuck
HOY HALA
BAKIT KA NANDIYAN
baba ako wait
He wasn't really expecting something, let alone for Donghyuck to be home—but he figures andiyan na eh, what else can he do? It takes him a few minutes to emerge from the gate in all his pambahay glory, a black jacket over basketball shorts and an old shirt. He still looks cute , and it's making his heart do things.
Hindi naman niya first time to develop feelings eh. Jaehyun has had his fair share of ka-things: petty and happy crushes, mga ka-MU na hindi naman talaga nagtagal, flings… A relationship or two nung high school siya, one lasting until his first year in college, but none of them could quite compare to how his heart's beating when Donghyuck walks alongside him, animatedly chatting about the last episode they're producing for his TV Production class, starry-eyed and filled with gestures, then proceeding to ask him about his classes din, and everything else he's busy with. Naalala pa nga nito yung mga nakwento niya before, which makes him smile internally even more.
Parang first time niya ring kiligin habang pinapanood si Donghyuck ituro kung anong gusto niyang ice cream flavor kay manong na naglalako, fondness blooming in his chest as the other boy looks up at him to ask what he wanted. Jaehyun doesn't even have the heart to tell him no, even though the real reason why he went out for a run is because he felt like he had too much while stress eating this week.
And how his thumb was shaking while he was trying to wipe the droplet of ice cream sa bandang labi nito habang naririnig yung pintig ng sarili niyang puso sa tenga niya… Para siyang sasabog, quite literally. He was sure it isn't because of how tired he is (not to be cheesy or anything, pero parang napawi nga lahat), but because of the effect Donghyuck has on him.
The lingering smile the other gives him nung hinatid niya ito pauwi takes the cake. He wants to reach out, he really does, but stops himself in the middle of it all kasi hindi pa pwede. Huwag muna. He tries to ignore the almost disappointed look his face morphs into. Wants to apologize, but no words seem to come out.
Kung nadismaya naman si Donghyuck, hindi niya ito hinayaang humadlang sa pag-uusap nila ni Jaehyun. They still talk frequently, becoming each other's safe spaces amidst the stressful semester. There were times they send each other voice messages kapag tinatamad magkwento kung anong nangyari sa araw nila, and a phone call when they were both up to it. The weeks faded into each other quickly, singbilis ng pagiging close nila.
Jaehyun felt guilty kasi he was doing it behind Mark's back. Hindi niya naman alam kung nagk-kwento si Donghyuck dito, pero hindi niya naman siya hinahadlangan 'to sa ganon dahil unang-una: hindi naman sila. Wala silang label, hello! But it doesn't take a smart person to analyze what's going on kasi halata namang may something kakaiba. Nagkakabanatan na nga sila eh! He won't forget the random lakas ng loob one time:
Donghyuck
lah di mo naman kailangan i-reax lahat haha >:(
Jaehyun
No ah hahaha I like them kaya
Nakakawala ng stress
Donghyuck
like me? joke
Jaehyun
Like you :)
And Jaehyun wants to get past this already, because he feels like it's unfair for Donghyuck. The longer he prolongs this, siya lang din yung naiinis. Slowly, he gathers the courage to talk to Mark and confront him about everything.
Turns out, hindi na niya kailangang magpaikot-ikot pa kasi he gets woken up one Sunday morning, head still in the clouds, hair mussed from sleep, and eyelids heavy. He's spent the entire night revising for his thesis and figured he deserved to sleep in, but his mother had other plans.
She barged into his room with strict instructions to get ready kasi parating mga tita niya along with his cousins (and the rest of their extended family at this point) for a late Mother's Day celebration. He rubs his eyes at this and promises he'll be up soon.
Saktong-sakto na pagkababa niya eh nagsisimula nang dumating angkan niya. He greeted all of them with besos and small talk, nodding when prompted, laughing at the right moments. Jaehyun scans his eyes for the one person he wants to talk to, thinking na Sunday naman at paniguradong nandito 'yon si Mark. Wala rin kasing imik 'to sa group chat nila, 'di tulad ni Johnny na nagsabing makakarating siya pero hapon pa. He'll be here soon, he thought to himself, and temporarily busies himself with entertaining his younger cousins.
Donghyuck
punta raw diyan si markkkkk?
Jaehyun
Yeah HAHAHA late mother's day celeb ng fam namin :)
Donghyuck
pakipitik na lang siya for me haha /j
have fun! <3
Ngayon, sigurado na siya.
- Sa sasabihin niya kay Mark
- Sa feelings niya
- Kay Donghyuck
- All of the above
He likes Donghyuck a lot . Making him wait around isn't something he wants, kasi gusto niya gamitin yung oras na yun para iparamdam sa kanya na talagang seryoso siya rito. He wants to make him feel loved and appreciated, officially this time. Wala rin siyang intensyon na saktan ito because that's the last thing he wants. And if Mark is skeptical, he's going to work hard to prove himself worthy of his (and Donghyuck's, and his family's) approval.
And that's exactly what he says. To his relief, Mark is understanding and even amused as he relays his side. It turns out, bilang best friend, sa kanya nagsasabi yung isa.
"Yung mga kinekwento niya sa'kin, sa amin na 'yun," Mark told him, an amused smile on his face, pero the tone isn't something he's heard before. Syempre, he's Donghyuck's best friend before anything else, so Jaehyun gets where he's coming from. "But I'm happy for you, kuya. You guys deserve each other."
Everything goes by smoothly after that. The pag-amin isn't something he had trouble with, because the two of them had been skirting around the idea of it for a while now at talagang yung push na lang yung kailangan. It took place in the night after one of Fever's gigs, after ng set nila. They went out for a breath of fresh air before Jaehyun properly confessed. Needless to say, he earned himself a kiss on the cheek after niya ihatid ito.
Introducing Donghyuck to his family went great too, and they fell in love with him instantly. Both of his parents were surprised, having been acquainted with the younger nung birthday celebration ng tita ni Jaehyun, but supportive nonetheless. His father was extra excited knowing he played in a band, because he boasted he was in one too, nung mga kapanahunan niya. Yung mama niya naman, eh kung tratuhin ito tuwing pumupunta sa bahay ay parang anak na niya rin. Napatanong pa si Jaehyun isang beses kung siya ba talaga yung anak o si Donghyuck, pero masaya siyang tanggap sila at sobra sobra pa sa suporta yung nakuha.
Donghyuck's family were wary at first. Syempre talaga, panganay nila 'yan eh. His mother was more scary than his dad, the once-over she graced him with the moment he stepped in was enough to send chills all over his body. Medyo binaha yung group chat nilang tatlong magpipinsan ng (very slight lang) panic messages niya noong araw na magpapakilala na siya sa kanila, but it all worked out in the end. Even Donghyuck's younger siblings like him, and that was more than enough.
☀️
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and foremost, I would like to thank my parents who have always supported my endeavors. This is only the first of many achievements—this is your victory as much as it is mine. Everything and anything I do will always be for you.
To my thesis adviser, Atty. Kim, whose work ethic always pushed me to do better, and the never ending support and guidance he provided as I worked on this for almost over a year. He showed me that the greater fight will always be outside, and that we must not stop with the tireless education and persuasion until justice can be obtained for everyone.
For my sun, who brings out the best in me.
And for the masses, whom I intend to serve.