Work Text:
Ting!
The sound of the loud bell from the microwave oven tingled the whole kitchen, indicating Jeonghan’s banana loaf done. He rapidly went to the kitchen counter as he slipped both of his hands inside the purple fluffy gloves that was a present from his grandma last Christmas. As he opened the microwave oven, the scent of freshly baked banana loaf tickled his nose, making Jeonghan satisfied.
He immediately took out the tray from the oven, and pinched a small part from the bread, tasting it. “Perfect.”, he proudly said. Jeonghan placed the banana loaf inside the cutely designed lunchbox that was also made by him.
Jeonghan smiled, “Sana magustuhan ni Mingyu ‘to—”
“Kuya Jeonghan! Nagsasayang ka nanaman ng harina, hay nako!”, Seungkwan, his dormmate from the Culinary Arts Department snatched the bag of flour from Jeonghan, both of his brows meeting and looking confused as he saw tons of scattered ingredients on the floor and flour on Jeonghan’s hair.
“Kuya, anong—para saan ‘to? Bakit ganiyan itsura mo? Jusko, mag-ayos ka nga!”, Pag-saway ng kaniyang bagong gising na dormmate habang ito’y pinapagpag ang apron ni Jeonghan na puno ng harina at ang buhok nitong parang dinaanan ng bagyo. “Seryoso? 4 am nagb-bake ka? Anong trip mo ngayon, kuya? Dios mio, kay-aga stinestress mo ako.”, dagdag nito.
Jeonghan smiled shyly nang maalala niya kung para kanino ang ginagawa nitong banana loaf. Seungkwan looked at him disgustingly, “Oh? Para saan ‘yang ngiting pabebe na ‘yan? Mukha kang tanga.”
“Hoy! Kuya mo pa ‘rin ako, umayos ka ng pananalita mo, ha.”, Jeonghan scolded the younger as he took a bite from the extra banana loaf the he baked. “Sorry na, po. Kuha din ako, ha. Patikim”, pagpaalam ni Seungkwan as he munched the loaf.
Seungkwan’s eyes glistened, he was impressed by his kuya’s baking skills. Lalo na’t sa pagkakaalam niya ay first time pa lang niya mag-bake. ”Infairness, masarap kuya. Para saan nga kasi ‘to?”, tanong ni Seungkwan nang kumuha muli ito ng slice ngunit napatigil ‘rin nang tapikin ni Jeonghan ang kaniyang kamay. “Luh, damot nito—”
“Para kay Mingyu ‘yan.”, sagot ni Jeonghan, ang mga ngiti ay hindi pa ‘rin nawawala sa kaniyang mga labi.
Seungkwan’s eyes bawled out as he choked on his water, nabuga na ‘rin niya ‘yung tubig na iniinom niya, making Jeonghan cut off from his sweet daydream about his long-time-crush, Kim Mingyu. “Kadiri naman, Seungkwan!”
“Seryoso?! Kim Mingyu, as in ‘yung crush mo?! ‘Yung naduduwag mong harapin?!”, Seungkwan asked in disbelief.
Pinalo ng mahina ni Jeonghan ang kamay ng kasama. “Hoy! Grabe ka, hindi naman! Tipong ‘di ko lang talaga siya magawan ng moves kasi ano—”
“Kasi wala kang bayag, yes! Correct!”
“Seungkwan!”, Sigaw ni Jeonghan sa dormmate nang tumakas ito sa kaniyang harapan bago siyang suntukin ng kaniyang kuya. “Goodluck kay Mingyu, Kuya Han! Shoot your shot! May bayag ka na, congrats! Bye!”
“Itong batang ‘to— hay.”, Jeonghan deeply sighed habang tumatawa ng mahina. Seungkwan was one of his closest friends, kasama siya sa mga naka-witness ng pagiging torpe at pagka-duwag niya in front of his crush, Mingyu. Siya ‘yung palaging taga-sermon ‘rin sa Kuya Jeonghan niya tuwing umuuwi ito ng late, dahil sa pag-sunod nito kay Mingyu buong araw, just to make sure he’s safe.
He is that whipped.
“Jeonghan, bro! Anong ginagawa mo dito—", pagtawag sa kaniya ng isa pa niyang best friend na si Joshua. “Bakit ka nagtatago dito sa puno? Alam mo bang kanina ka pa pinagtitinginan ng mga Archi students?”, nagtatakang tanong nito habang tinitignan mula ulo hanggang paa ang kaniyang kaibigan. Mukhang tulala at sabog kasi.
Joshua waved his hands in front of Jeonghan’s face, “Huy!”, he shouted, making Jeonghan come back to his senses. “Uy, Josh—”
“Gago, sabog ka ba today?”, Joshua asked confusingly. His eyes drifted from Jeonghan to the small tupperware his friend was holding. The banana scent tickled his nose. “Ano ‘yan?”, Joshua asked.
“Banana loaf.”, malumanay na sagot ni Jeonghan habang nakatingin sa mag-isa na kumakain na Mingyu. “Para saan?”, tanong niya muli.
“Mingyu.”
“KIM MINGYU?! AS IN YUNG CRUSHMMMP—“, Jeonghan immediately covered his friend’s mouth bago pa niya masabi ang hindi dapat masabi. Mahirap na at malapit pa naman si Mingyu sa puwesto nila. “Joshua Hong! Isa!”, inis na saad nito.
Joshua swatted Jeonghan’s hand that are placed on his mouth. “Seryoso?! ‘Yung crush mo?!”, pabulong na sigaw nito. “Oo nga, ang ingay mo.”
Joshua patted Jeonghan’s back, “Grabe, pare. Nagkakabayag ka na— aray!”, Joshua winced in pain as Jeonghan pinched his waist. “Pare-pareho kayo ni Seungkwan.”, Mataray na saad ni Jeonghan. “Eh, totoo naman kasi! Imagine, halos isang taon mo nang gusto ‘yang Mingyu na ‘yan pero ni-isang beses wala ka ‘man lang ginawang move!”, saad ni Joshua. “Paano na lang kung maunahan ka—“, napatigil si Joshua sa pagsalita nang makakita siya ng isang lalaki na papalapit sa puwesto na kinakainan ni Mingyu.
“Speaking of baka maunahan ka…”, Joshua nudged Jeonghan as he tried to stop from laughing. Tumingin si Jeonghan sa tinuturo ng kaniyang kaibigan, and there he saw a man around their age approaching Mingyu with a big smile.
That was Jeonghan’s rival, Choi Seungcheol .
Choi Seungcheol, Seungcheol Choi. Bali-baliktarin mo man, siya pa ‘rin ang isa sa mga pinakakinaiinisang tao ni Jeonghan in his whole existence. During the times na sinusundan at pinagmamasdan patago ni Jeonghan si Mingyu, hindi palagi nawawala sa kaniyang paningin ang lalaking iyon. Lagi siyang nasa tabi ni Mingyu, mapa-break time, dismissal, gala, uwian, lahat! Kulang na nga lang iisipin na ni Jeonghan na—
Hindi! Hindi taken si Mingyu ano!
Jeonghan was and will ever be frustrated whenever he sees the man. Sa pagkakaalam niya ay magkasing-edad sila at high school friends sila ni Mingyu kaya hindi na ‘rin nakakapagtaka na sobrang close ang dalawa. Pero hindi pa ‘rin mawawala ang pagselos at inis ni Jeonghan kay Seungcheol, alam niya ang mga galawang nanliligaw at may gusto sa isang tao, and that is how he sees Seungcheol’s actions to Mingyu.
Hindi ako ipinanganak kahapon! Huwag ako!
Jeonghan was fuming again, naiinis nanaman siya. He saw Seungcheol sitting across Mingyu’s table and placed the snacks he bought for the latter. “Nandiyan nanaman ‘yung magilagid niyang ngiti. Parang tanga.” Jeonghan whispered to himself. Mingyu took the burger excitingly from Seungcheol which made Jeonghan hiss. “Dapat ako mamimigay e—”
“Huy!”, Pag-singit ni Joshua nang kinalabit niya ang kaibigan. “Namumula ka nanaman sa galit! Kumalma ka nga— Jeonghan?— JEONGHAN ANONG GAGAWIN MO HOY!”, Joshua shouted at his friend to come back, but it’s too late. Nasa harapan na nina Mingyu at Seungcheol ang sabog na Jeonghan, kaya naman Joshua facepalmed himself from embarrassment.
Jeonghan stood there awkwardly as Mingyu stopped himself from eating when he saw Jeonghan. “Uy! Kuya Jeonghan, right? Sabay ka sa amin kumain?”, Mingyu kindly greeted, making Jeonghan’s heart go flutter again. Shet sarap sa ears marinig pangalan ko. Isip ni Jeonghan.
“A-Ah ano- hindi- may ibibigay lang sana.”, Jeonghan shyly said . Ito nanaman ako, oh my goodness, Yoon! Collect yourself! Isip ni Jeonghan. Halatang kinakabahan ito dahil kanina pang nanginginig ang kaniyang dalawang kamay.
Jeonghan placed the tupperware in front of Mingyu, the fresh scent of bananas coming from the loaf tingled their nose. “Banana loaf! Kuya Cheol, favorite mo, oh!”, Mingyu excitedly said.
Oh right, nandito ngq pala ‘tong kupal na ‘to. Isip ni Jeonghan. He turned at Seungcheol who was intently staring at him for a while. Jeonghan gave him his resting bitch face to the older, making Seungcheol chuckle.
Problema nito?
“Ikaw nagluto, kuya?”, tanong ni Mingyu, making Jeonghan swift his attention to his crush and had his heart eyes bring back once again. “Ah, oo. Para sa’yo talaga ‘yan. Hehe.”, Jeonghan shyly said. “Ang sudden kuya, ha. Haha! Pero thank you po dito!”, Mingyu cutely said, making Jeonghan blush again for the nth time.
“Walang anuman,”, Jeonghan replied as he smiled fondly to Mingyu. “Sige, alis na ako. Kailangan ko nang umuwi.”, pagpapaalam ni Jeonghan kay Mingyu—oo, kay Mingyu lang, ‘di niya pinansin si Seungcheol. “ Sige, ingat ka! Salamat uli dito!”, pagpapaalam ‘rin ni Mingyu.
Seungcheol just looked at Jeonghan who didn’t glanced at him again as he left, nag-mukha tuloy siyang invisible.
“Try mo Kuya Cheol, ang sarap ng gawa ni Kuya Han.”, Mingyu complimented. Seungcheol looked at him as he nudged the older to get some of the banana loaf. Pero Seungcheol just stared at the bread, mukhang walang interes na tikman ang tinapay. Awts. “Ayaw mo? Sige, ubusan kita—”
“Tirhan mo ako, gago.”, Seungcheol said, making Mingyu laugh.
Inakbayan ni Joshua si Jeonghan nang makatawid sila sa kalsada papunta sa bus stop. “Oh, ano? Kamusta naman ‘yang banana loaf mission mo?”, pang-aasar ni Joshua sa kaibigan na kanina pang nakakunot ang noo. “Gago, anong banana loaf mission ka diyan.”, Mataray na sagot nito sa kaibigan.
“Ay? Bad mood?”, Joshua scoffed in disappointment but immediately switched his mood by being mapang-asar. “Hmm, dahil ‘to kay Seungcheol ‘no? Yie—”
“Anong yie? Nakita ng dalawang mata ko na bago ako umalis, halos siya ‘yung kumain ng binigay ko kay Mingyu.”, Jeonghan annoyingly said. “Nakakainis kaya!”, dagdag nito at iginulo ang sariling buhok.
“Oh, tubig. Kalma mo muna sarili mo.”, Pag-singit ni Joshua at hinagisan ng water bottle ang kaibigan. “Ang init na nga sa Pilipinas, ang init pa ng ulo mo!”, reklamo ni Joshua habang ipinapaypay ang sarili.
Tumingin ng masama sa kaniya si Jeonghan nang uminom ito ng tubig. “Palibhasa kasi ang saya-saya ng love life mo sa Jun na ‘yon, tsk.”, Jeonghan annoyingly said, making Joshua laugh.
Joshua patted his best friend’s back, still laughing. “Okay lang ‘yan,”, sabi nito. “Malay mo, hindi si Mingyu ang para sa’yo.”, dagdag nito, making Jeonghan look at him confusingly. “Huh?—”
“Si Seungcheol pala, ayie— aray! Hoy, sira ulo ka! Joke lang ito naman!”, Sigaw ni Joshua nang pag-sipa-sipain nanaman siya ni Jeonghan. “Sakit no’n, ha!”, dagdag nito. “Eh kasi narinig nanaman pangalan niya!”, Jeonghan growled.
“Bakit ka naman nagagalit kapag naririnig mo pangalan ko?”, A familiar soft voice startled Jeonghan as he slipped his arms through Jeonghan’s waist. Joshua widens both of his eyes and covered his mouth to stop himself from laughing loud.
“What the fuck—”
“Uh, alis na ako! Nandito na bus ko, eh. Haha, bye Han!”, Joshua gave a strong pat and wink to his best friend as he left both of them on the shelter.
Jeonghan turned to the guy and swatted his arm, making the other wince in pain as he massages his arm. “Pati ba naman dito b-bwisitin mo ako, Choi? ”, inis na saad ni Jeonghan sa lalaki.
“Why would I? Nandito ‘rin ako para mag-abang ng bus ‘no.”, malumanay nitong sagot, making Jeonghan annoyed again. “Oh, bakit umuusok nanaman ‘yang ilong mo?”, dagdag nito.
“Wala. Huwag mo akong pansinin.”, mataray na sagot ni Jeonghan. Iniiwasan ang mga tingin ni Seungcheol.
“Paano kita hindi mapapansin kung ganiyan ka ka-pogi.”, Pabulong na saad ni Seungcheol habang nilalaro ang mga bato sa kaniyang paanan.
“Ano?”
“Wala po.”, Seungcheol replied as he smiled sheepishly to the latter.
Ito na siguro ang pinaka-mahabang conversation ng dalawa. Sa tuwing magkikita at masusulubong kasi nila ang isa’t-isa ay puro masasamang tingin lang ang nangyayari sa kanila. Bakit? Hello? Iisang tao ang gusto nila, kaya siyempre parang nagmukhang competition na ‘to. Jeonghan vs Seungcheol nga daw kuno.
Or, maybe Jeonghan was the only one who kept thinking about that way.
Actually, sa totoo lang, ni-hindi nga sigurado si Jeonghan kung may gusto nga ba talaga si Seungcheol diyan sa crush niyang si Mingyu. However, para sa kaniya, hindi na daw niya kailangan ng diretshahang sagot mula kay Seungcheol dahil sobrang obvious naman na daw na may gusto siya sa gusto niya.
And, the fact that Seungcheol was Mingyu’s high school friend made him step up more in the game.
“Lalim ng iniisip natin diyan, ah.”, Pag-singit ni Seungcheol nang inakbayan niya si Jeonghan na kanina pang tulala. Jeonghan was startled when he felt a heavy arm around his shoulders. Agad niyang itinanggal ito at tumingin muli ng masama kay Seungcheol.
“Bakit parang galit ka palagi sa akin?”, Seungcheol who’s now being sulky in front of Jeonghan asked.
Hindi siya sinagot ni Jeonghan nang mapansin niyang nasa harapan na niya ang hinihintay niyang bus. Pumasok kaagad siya sa loob at umupo para iwasan ang Seungcheol na kanina pa siya kinukulit.
Tangina, this day isn’t for me talaga ano?
“Kuya Han! Bakit ka nanaman nakasimangot diyan?”, tanong ni Seungkwan nang makitang nakakunot ang noo ng dormmate. “Oh, ice tubig. Magpalamig ka muna, inaapoy na mukha mo sa galit eh.”, pang-aasar ni Seungkwan nang idinikit niya ang malamig na bote sa mukha ni Jeonghan.
“Kasi naman!”, panimula ni Jeonghan at umupo sa sahig kasama si Seungkwan. “Naalala mo ‘yung palaging kasama ni Mingyu na kinuwento ko sa’yo?”, tanong ni Jeonghan sa kasama, Seungkwan nodded slowly.”Ayon-”
“Umepal ‘no?”, Pag-singit ni Seungkwan. “Nako! ‘Yang Choi Seungcheol na ‘yan, matagal nang bida-bida! Akalain mo, nung liligawan ko sana si Hansol nung nakaraang buwan, aba bigla ba naman akong binakuran!”, pag-rant ni Seungkwan ng mabilis. “Akala mo naman kung sinong jowa- nako talaga naalala ko nanaman grr!”
“Alam mo,”, kinutusan ni Jeonghan si Seungkwan sa ulo. “Ikaw ‘yung may kailangan ng ice water, eh. Oh!”, ani Jeonghan at hinagis ang bote kay Seungkwan. "Tsaka, magkapatid 'yung dalawang 'yun, may karapatan talaga si Seungcheol ano.", Jeonhan explained, making Seungkwan roll his eyes in defeat.
Habang iniinom ni Seungkwan ang tubig, napatahimik siya ng ilang minuto. Napansin naman ito ni Jeonghan kaya naman nagtaka siya sa kasama kung ano nang nangyayari sa kaniya. “Huy.”
‘Di pa ‘rin umiimik ang kasama ni Jeonghan. “Seungkwan?-”
“Alam ko na gagawin mo kuya!”
“Ano?! Nasisiraan ka na ba ng ulo?!-”
“Shh! Ano ba? Baka may makarinig sa’yo!”, bulong ni Jeonghan kay Joshua nang tinakpan niya ang bunganga ng kaibigan.
Tinanggal kaagad ni Joshua ang kamay ni Jeonghan sa kaniyang bibig. “Seryoso ka ba diyan sa gagawin mo? Paano kung mahuli ka? Paano kung pagbayarin ka? Yoon Jeonghan ako kinakabahan para sayo-”
“Don’t be paranoid, okay? Alam ko pinanggagawa ko. Tsaka, maliit na bagay lang naman ‘yon,”, mayabang na saad ni Jeonghan. “At, masosolo ko pa si MIngyu!”, proud na sabi nito.
“Bahala ka na, basta out ako diyan.”
“Luh, sige na. Parang walang pinagsamahan, oh.”, pagmamakaawa ni Jeonghan. “Sige na, Josh. Please?”, pagpapacute ni Jeonghan sa kaibigan at lumuhod pa ito habang hawak ang parehong kamay ni Joshua.
“Ew, ‘wag kang magpa-cute diyan mahuli tayo ng boyfriend ko, eh.”, ani Joshua habang hinihila patayo si Jeonghan.
Napatigil sandali si Jeonghan nang may naisip siya. “Tama! ‘Yung boyfriend mo! Tawagin mo si Jun, dali!”, saad nito at ngumiti ng malaki.
Joshua looked at his best friend weirdly before calling his boyfriend, Junhui, to come over at their spot.
Jeonghan fiddled his fingers playfully as an evil smile crept on his face, Humanda ka Choi Seungcheol, hindi mo ako maiisahan.
“Okay, after mo makuha ‘yung bag. Kailangan ilagay mo ‘yon sa library. Tapos ikaw, lumapit ka after kay Seungcheol, magkunwari kang napadaan lang tapos tanungin mo kung ano nawawala sa kaniya, ‘pag sinabi niya na nawawala ‘yung bag niya, sabihin mo na nasa library siya, okay? Okay.”, pag-explain ni Jeonghan sa dalawang kasama. “Ako, gagawin ko lang ‘yung part ko. Ayos ba?”, tanong nito.
“Oo naman, basta, may samgyup kami nito, ha?”, ani Jun habang nakangiti.
“Oo na, oo na! Kahit ano pa ‘yan, basta ‘di kayo palpak. Tapos ang usapan, pumunta na kayo sa mga pwesto niyo bago pa tayo mahuli.”, pag-utos ni Jeonghan.
“Sigurado ka na ba talaga dito, Han?”, tanong muli ni Joshua. Jeonghan looked at him tiredly, “Oo nga, paulit-ulit na lang tayo dito.”, Jeonghan patted his best friend’s shoulder, “Huwag ka mag-alala, wala naman tayong gagawing masama, eh.”
“Ha? Eh, masama kaya magnakaw-”
“Ibabalik naman natin kaagad, hehe. Huwag ka nga mag-alala! Sige na, pumunta ka na doon sa likod ng bleachers, Kunin mo, at ilagay mo agad sa library, ha?”, Jeonghan assured his friend, tumango na lamang si Joshua sa kaibigan at binigyan ng flying kiss ni Jeonghan ang kaibigan. “Labyu, pre!”
Nang makaalis na sina Joshua at Jun sa loob ng kaniyang kotse, nagsimula nang mag-drive si Jeonghan papunta sa kabilang side ng basketball court kung saan nakaupo sina Mingyu at Seungcheol.
Nahagip na ng gilid ng mata ni Jeonghan ang dalawa na umiinom ng tubig mula sa kanilang malalaking tumbler, halatang mga pagod na pagod maglaro ng basketball. Nahumaling nanaman ang Jeonghan niyo sa kagwapuhan ng kaniyang crush na si Mingyu, opo. Mabuti na lang at napansin niya na kinuha na ni Joshua ang bag ni Mingyu-
BAG NI MINGYU?! JOSHUA HONG HOY!
Nakita na ‘rin ni Jeonghan na papalapit si Jun sa puwesto nina Mingyu at Seungcheol. Ang awkward din ng acting ni Jun, halatang hindi natural.
Dios mio, mukhang papalpak talaga kami nito,
Nakita at narinig na rin ni Jeonghan na medyo nagkakagulo na ang mga pinagsasabi ni Jun kina Mingyu at Seungcheol na busy hanapin ang bag ni Mingyu.
“Seungcheol my bro! Nawawala ba bag mo?”, tanong ni Jun.
“Ah, si Mingyu ‘yung nawawalan.”, sagot ni Seungcheol.
“Huh? Hindi ba dapat ikaw?”, nagtatakang tanong ni Jun.
“Ha? Ako?”, Seungcheol asked confusingly.
ARGH! ANO BA YAN! BAHALA NA!, Jeonghan thought, kaya nag-drive pa ‘rin siya sa harapan nina Mingyu at Seungcheol. Binabaan niya ng window ng kaniyang kotse para kunwari nadaanan niya ang court at nakita ang dalawa.
“Hi, Mingyu! Napadaan ako dito since I saw you kanina habang nag-ddrive. Do you need a ride back home?” Bobo, Jeonghan. Bobo!
“Kuya Jeonghan, hello!”, pagbati ni Mingyu. “Uh, mamaya pa po ako uuwi, eh. Hahanapin ko pa ‘yung bag ko. Baka naiwan ko lang somewhere, haha.”, ani Mingyu at kinamot ang kaniyang batok habang tumatawa ng mahina.
Mingyu looked at Seungcheol, “Cheol, ‘di ba may family dinner ka ngayon? Paano ka makakapunta? Mukhang matatagalan tayo, hahanapin ko pa bag ko. Nandoon ‘yung susi ng kotse, eh.”
Wow naman, nakikisakay pa sa kotse ni Mingyu. Kapal talaga ng mukha.
Seungcheol shrugged, “No, it’s okay. Mag-cocommute na lang muna ako. Mahaba ‘yung pila sa taxi bay, pero feeling ko makakaabot naman ako.”
Mingyu frowned, he’s feeling guilty. “Um, kuya Jeonghan? Pwede manghingi ng favor?”, aniya at ngumiti.
“Sure! Kahit ano pa ‘yan!”, sabi ni Jeonghan. Basta ikaw, hehe.
Mingyu’s smile, brightened. “Ayos! Pwede pahatid saglit si Kuya Cheol sa italian diner dyan lang sa tabi ng mall sa dulo?”, tanong ni Mingyu.
Fuck.
“You can drop me at that side, lalakarin ko na lang papasok.”, ani Seungcheol at tinanggal kaagad ang kaniyang seatbelt.
Tumango na lamang si Jeonghan at hahayaan na sanang umalis si Seungcheol sa kaniyang kotse nang hindi man lang ito umiimik, naramdaman naman ito ni Seungcheol kaya naman umayos muli siya ng upo.
“Jeonghan? May problema ba tayo?”, Seungcheol asked.
Jeonghan looked at his eyes frustratingly. “You’re setting me and Mingyu apart, hindi ba?”
Seungcheol’s furrowed both of his eyebrows. He didn’t expect Jeonghan to blurt out these words, but at the same time he also knew it’s coming one day. Why? It’s obvious that Jeonghan has something towards his best friend, Mingyu.
Seungcheol chuckled, making the other confused. “Bakit ka tumatawa?”
“Jeonghan,”, the older sighed, “I did everything, bakit hindi mo napapansin?”
Jeonghan buffered for a while as Seungcheol looked at his eyes endearingly. He was confused, very confused. What on earth was Seungcheol talking about? Anong ibig sabihin niya sa hindi pa napapansin ni Jeonghan? Did he missed something?
“Jeonghan, gusto kita.”
And at that moment, Jeonghan’s mind went fully blank. Gusto niyang mag-teleport sa ibang lugar para makaalis sa loob ng kotse na ‘to lalao na’t kasama niya si Seungcheol. Hindi siya makapaniwala, he’s thinking this only a joke or a teasing prank but, no, it doesn’t look like one. Especially those dark orbs na parang hinihigop siya sa tingin.
“Ha?”, ‘Yan lang ang nasabi ni Jeonghan after those silent minutes.
“I like you, gusto kita, Jeonghan.”, Seungcheol sincerely said.
Jeonghan thought he’s pulling a random prank right now, pero mukha nga talagang hindi. Gustong-gusto niyang sapakin si Seungcheol right now, for no reason. Wala lang feel niya lang.
The latter laughed hard, making Seungcheol look at him in concern (lol). Napahawak sa tiyan si Jeonghan dahil sa lakas ng kaniyang tawa, while Seungcheol, just looking at him awkwardly.
Jeonghan catched his breathe before speaking, “Ikaw talaga ang galing mo gumawa ng kwento, haha! Diyos ko, alam ko na mga tactics na ‘yan!”, Jeonghan scoffed.
Seungcheol just looked at him as the latter kept laughing. “Alam mo, hindi ako naging dean’s lister para maging tanga! How stupid do you think I am? haha!”, Jeonghan said, still laughing.
He clapped his hands, “Manloloko ka talaga-”
“Tapos ka na magsalita?”, Seungcheol butted in, Jeonghan nodded,
Seungcheol heaved a deep sigh, he glanced closer at Jeonghan, “Do you think I’m also stupid for not knowing na sinadya ninyo nina Joshua ang pagkawala ng bag ni Mingyu?”
Jeonghan froze, he’s totally busted.
“Wala tayo sa isang drama, Jeonghan. Too bad, ‘di rin naman magaling pagka-acting niyo. Medyo obvious kayo doon kanina, pero I just went with the flow.”
“Flow na sirain plano ko ganun ba?”, mataray na saad ni Jeonghan.
Seungcheol chuckled softly, as he slowly nodded his head.
“At least, I get to be with you.”, smooth niyang pagkasabi kaya naman agad siyang itinulak palabas ni Jeonghan sa kanyang kotse. “Umalis ka na nga!”
Seungcheol went to Jeonghan’s window as he knocked through it, “What?!”, sigaw ni Jeonghan.
“Mingyu has a boyfriend already, wala ka nang pag-asa doon, kaya,”, Seungcheol signaled him to scoot closer. Jeonghan hesitated at first but still went closer to him. “If you still can’t open your heart for somebody else, we can start by being friends. Doon naman nagsisimula ang lahat, hindi ba?”
Jeonghan stared at him for quite a moment, kaya naman he immediately pushed Seungcheol in front of him as he was about to close his car window,
“I want to remind you that I’m not messing with you, Jeonghan. I really like you since the first time I saw you, kaya if the time comes na you’re ready to fall in love again, I’m here to catch you, okay?”, pahabol ni Seungcheol.
It made Jeonghan blush crazily. Sinarado na niya kaagad ang car window at nag-drive na paalis ng kay Seungcheol. He needs time to process everything, ang daming nangyayari in a span of weeks. ‘Di ‘rin niya mai-process na may boyfriend na ang long-time crush niya na si Mingyu. At lastly, may gusto pa sa kaniya ang taong tinuturing niyang rival kuno kay Mingyu!
Nakakabaliw naman po ‘to, Lord!
When Jeonghan arrived at their dorm, he received a voice message.
“Hey, I forgot my lab gown nga pala diyan sa kotse mo. Can you bring it to me tomorrow morning? I need it since first period ko siya kailangan. I could also treat you to breakfast when I pick that up, sounds good?”, Seungcheol asked.
Jeonghan covered his face with his hands. Bakit ba parang lagi ko na siyang nakikita araw-araw?! He suddenly threw his neck pillow to nowhere as he typed a reply.
Jeonghan, hindi ka magpapadala sa ganiyan.
Jeonghan, you hate him.
Jeonghan, maawa ka hindi ka marupok remember?—
“Yeah, sure, See you tomorrow, Cheol.”