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ayan na naman siya.

kyungsoo couldn't help but kiligin nang konti upon reading the messages from his landlord.

well, landlord slash housemate.

because temporary lang naman ang arrangement na 'to habang hindi pa ready ang apartment na lilipatan niya. medyo marami kasing nangyari the past couple of days so recently lang din talaga siya nakapag-adjust nang maayos.

so, how did he end up living with the other guy?

magsisimula na kasing magwork si kyungsoo as an accountant sa isang malaking firm sa manila. and as someone na originally ay based sa province, naturally he would be needing a place to stay.

'yun nga lang, hindi niya naanticipate ang possible changes sa schedule niya. nirequire kasi siya sa work earlier than expected which explains kung bakit kailangan niya muna ng ibang matitirhan temporarily. and it's not like pwede niyang tanggihan 'yung basta-basta dahil hindi pa nga siya nagsisimula, tapos bad shot agad?

besides, wala rin siyang friends sa manila and he couldn't just come up sa mga katrabaho niya, asking if pwede bang mang-istorbo for a couple of weeks. so, ang only option niya lang ay magbook ng room sa airbnb for at least a month.

nairaos niya naman ang first week, thankfully. swerte na lang din niya na mabait ang owner ng tinutuluyan niya.

mabait..

maasikaso..

generous..

thoughtful..

and well, gwapo.

pero hindi 'yun ang main reason kung bakit niya pinili 'yun, ha! as much as his inner hoe would like to admit na yes, that's partly the reason.

but ultimately, bonus na lang talaga ang looks at charming personality ni jongin. also, the guy's never made kyungsoo feel like outsider siya or dapat siyang mahiya moving inside the house. actually, ineencourage pa nga siya nito to be at home, with or without the taller male's presence sa loob ng bahay.

so kung tutuusin, maituturing pa ngang nakajackpot si kyungsoo.

if magninitpick nga lang siya, well, may tendency kasi si jongin to be very.. jongin.

and that's a bit of a problem on kyungsoo's end.

why?

don't get him wrong, okay. he hasn't known the taller male for that long pero ramdam mo kasi agad kung genuinely nice ang isang nilalang or he's just putting up a facade to appear likeable sa ibang tao.

and with jongin, it's been the former so far.

kaya hopefully, hindi naman siya magdisappoint in the coming weeks.

sayang naman din bilang happy crush siya ni kyungsoo.

read: happy crush lang ha.

hindi naman sa pagiging maharot as a confident gay pero ang hirap naman kasing hindi magdevelop ng small infatuation sa housemate niya. because aside from the qualities he listed earlier, kung i-entertain kasi siya nito you would think close na close silang dalawa when in reality, they haven't even spent a whole day with each other.

not when they have their own personal stuff to deal with.

pareho kasi silang busy sa work so madalas wala sila sa house or kung nasa bahay man ang isa sa kanila, the other's mia naman. so mahirap din talagang timing-an.

which is a shame if he's being honest.

pero jongin makes up for it in a lot of ways.

katulad na lang nito.

'yung random messages that he would get from the other male from time to time.

mostly naman, it's just to check on kyungsoo or kapag may food sa house na he'd like for him to try.

bare minimum if you think about it. pero for the smaller male, sweet gesture ito considering the fact na hindi naman kailangan gawin ni jongin 'yun since kyungsoo's only paying for a room to stay. he doesn't have to be nice to him while he's at it. he doesn't even need to be his friend.

so for jongin to be this kind, hindi tuloy maiwasan ni kyungsoo na magvibrate sa kilig paminsan-minsan.

hindi niya tuloy namalayan na nakatitig at nakangiti pala siya sa phone niya for quite some time until one of his workmates, sehun, calls him out on it.

"si housemate na naman?" sehun questions with a smirk. isa pa 'tong colleague niyang 'to eh. you would think close na close na sila with the way he constantly teases kyungsoo about a lot of things. sometimes tuloy he couldn't help but think, gano'n ba siya ka-pushover?

kyungsoo huffs sa direction ng co-worker before sending a quick reply sa housemate na medyo male-late siya ng uwi today. wala namang problema since may sarili siyang key. "pbb yan?" he answers instead na lalo lang nagpawiden sa smirk ng kasama, obviously directed sa hindi niya pagsagot sa tanong ng katrabaho. kasi naman, bawal bang maging pabebe muna?

his phone instantly flashes with a notification from jongin so he makes a mental note para replyan ito mamaya. and by mamaya, he meant pag wala nang ka-trabaho na nang-iintriga.

"magpasundo ka na raw kasi." sehun continues with a pointed look sa phone niya.

napakachismoso talaga.

with a roll of his eyes, kyungsoo turns the device screen down before grabbing some paperwork para ilapag sa desk ng kaibigan. that would give him something to do. buti na lang talaga at umuwi na ang other workmate nila na si baekhyun otherwise, gisang-gisa talaga si kyungsoo tonight.

so, he fixes sehun with a stare before going back sa sarili niyang workload.

"work now, chika later."

it's a few days later that he's met with something unusual after a long work day.

ang daming naganap sa trabaho no'ng araw na 'yun that kyungsoo didn't even get to check his phone for any messages or notifications for longer than a minute.

kaya naman when he steps foot into the house at 7pm and sees an older woman working the kitchen counter, napahalt siya bigla.

as in 'yung dramatic na pagkatigil pero muted ang volume because he doesn't want to alert the lady of his presence.

at least, not until kyungsoo figures out kung sino siya.

pa'no ba naman kasi siya hindi magwowonder? eh sa maikling time na nakatira siya under the same roof as jongin, not once has he witnessed another person sa loob ng bahay. so to see an actual woman na parang feel at home na feel at home pa rito, it sparks a lot of thoughts and questions sa maliit niyang utak.

and kyungsoo's totally not judging, alright.

while jongin may be his happy crush right now, hindi naman siya maglulupasay sa possibility na taken pala ito.

and by an older woman at that ha.

nagulat lang talaga siya na aside from jongin apparently swinging that way, hindi naman siya prepared na pa-sugar mommy na pala ang bet nito.

again, kyungsoo's not judging—

sa sobrang paglipad ng utak, halos magflinch siya when he hears his name being called out in a questioning manner.

parang napa-backtrack pa nga siya as soon as mabalik siya sa reality because what?

paano siya nakilala ng babaeng 'to because siguradong-sigurado siya na ngayon lang sila nagkita?

"kyungsoo?" pag-uulit pa nito while still holding onto the spatula. he notices na hininaan pa nito ang apoy bahagya before looking back at him. "kyungsoo, right? housemate ni jongin?" the woman questions in what appears to be a motherly—

shit.

oh my god.

nanay.

bakit ba hindi niya naisip ang possibility na 'yun?!

because now that he takes a closer look sa mukha ng nakatatanda, he can actually see the resemblance sa features nito at features ni jongin.

shit, shit, shit.

buti na lang talaga at hindi niya pa nabubuksan ang bibig niya. otherwise, baka mawalan siya ng temporary shelter right there and then.

pero to confirm at para wala nang kahit anong pagdududa especially on his end, he gives the woman a gentle smile before responding, "ah, yes po. i'm kyungsoo. i'm assuming kayo po 'yung mother ni jongin?" he questions as politely as possible.

yes.

first impressions last so galingan mo, kyungsoo.

future mother-in-law mo pa naman—

joke lang.

bigla siyang kinabahan though when he sees na kumunot ang noo ng older woman sa tanong niya.

wait.

may nasabi ba siyang masama?

or baka naman secret jowa talaga 'to ng housemate?!

please lang, mabubuang na si kyungsoo—

"oh anak, para ka namang nakakita ng multo." natatawang comment ng babae. binaba na nito ang spatula sa table at lumakad papalapit kay kyungsoo. sa sobrang stressed nga, hindi niya na pansin na tinawag siyang anak ng older woman. "tatanong ko lang naman kung gano'n na ba talaga ko katanda tingnan. pero oo, the one and only." mrs. kim says with a smile.

kyungsoo lets out an awkward chuckle because buti naman.

but at the same time, bakit kasi walang paabiso ang housemate?!

muntik na tuloy mapahiya ni kyungsoo ang sarili sa future mother-in-law—

again, joke lang.

pero speaking of.

he hears one of the doors being opened sabay pasok sa eksena ng said housemate. from the looks of it, kakashower lang nito because aside from the wet hair, mukhang fresh na fresh si jongin in his white shirt and sweatpants.

ano ba 'yan.

hindi pa nga siya nagdidinner may dessert agad.

"kyungsoo, hey." bati nito sa kanya with a smile. "nameet mo na pala si mama. i'm assuming you read the text?"

o..kay.

what text.

napakuha tuloy siya ng phone sa bag and there you go.

a message from jongin asking if okay lang sa kanya na magstay ang mom nito with them for a couple of days. pero no need to worry naman daw since his mom's going to be using the spare room sa bahay niya. jongin just wanted to inform him para hindi siya magulat and out of respect na rin sa space niya.

the taller guy seems to only get na ngayon pa lang nababasa ni kyungsoo ang text because he offers him a sheepish smile.

"is it okay?" tanong nito with an embarrassed scratch sa batok niya.

before kyungsoo gets the chance to reply, inunahan na siya ni mrs. kim as he wraps a hand sa braso niya.

"of course, okay lang sa kanya! magbobond kaya kami. right, kyungsoo?" the older woman asks with an enthusiastic grin. again, nakakapit pa rin sa kanya. grabe. nakakagiddy naman 'to nang very light. hindi pa nga siya nag-eeffort mukhang aprubado na agad sa in law. charot.

"yes po. oo naman po, mrs. kim." kyungsoo responds with a shy smile and his patented hehe laugh.

that earns him another smile mula sa nanay ng housemate niya.

jongin, on the other hand, mukhang hiyang-hiya na sa pinagsasabi ng mother niya judging by the embarrassed expression on his face kasabay ng slightly pamumula ng mga tenga nito.

"ma," he says in a drawled out tone. "you're embarrassing him." reklamo ng lalaki awkwardly while giving kyungsoo an apologetic look.

the smaller answers that with a shake of his head as if saying 'okay lang!', 'no problem!' because wala naman talagang issue on his end.

sa katunayan, siya pa nga dapat ang mahiya because si kyungsoo talaga ang outsider sa bahay na 'to. he just so happens to be paying for his stay so kahit papano, mataas-taas naman ang value niya than that of a complete stranger.

"tita na lang, anak." pagco-correct ni mrs. kim—ni tita as she leads kyungsoo to one of the chairs surrounding his housemate's dining table. apparently, nagpeprepare pala ito ng hapunan for them. medyo kinilig tuloy si kyungsoo because for some reason, he feels so welcomed.

natawa siya internally when he hears jongin let out another embarrassed groan as the taller man follows their lead.

this is going to be an interesting dinner.

wala namang work today pero ba't parang nag-aalarm ang phone ni kyungsoo?

he tries muffling the sound by putting his head under the pillow pero ang insistent pa rin ng tunog.. coming from the outside?

series of knocks ba 'yung naririnig niya o sadyang nasa dreamland pa rin siya?

when it goes on for another minute and naririnig niya na ang pangalan niya in between, he shoots up from the bed and doesn't even bother making himself look presentable.

fingers crossed na lang na hindi siya naglaway kagabi.

when he opens the door, he isn't surprised to see his housemate standing there looking all sheepish. well, dalawa lang naman kasi ang options. it's either him or si tita kim.

when he asks kung anong kailangan ni jongin, the guy clears his throat before giving him a semi-pleading look.

"first off, sorry for waking you up." saad ng housemate with an apologetic look. mukha itong guilty pero may urgent expression din sa mukha ng lalaki so he lets him continue. "second, may favor ako. you can say no, but i would really appreciate it if you help me out?"

at this rate, kyungsoo's confused confused because anong kailangan ni jongin on a saturday morning na necessary talagang manggising at.. wait, kyungsoo scans the room for the clock and sees na 8am pa lang. yes, at 8am. anong business ni jongin at 8 in the morning? not to mention he looks all dressed up on a weekend. may trabaho ba siya today?

when he voices his questions out loud, mas lalong naging apologetic ang expression sa mukha ng lalaki which makes kyungsoo feel a bit responsible.

curious lang naman siya, okay. hindi naman siya galit or anything.

saka pa'no ba magalit sa lalaking ganito kagwapo?

baka nga si kyungsoo pa ang magalit sa sarili niya for even attempting to be mad at the other guy.

"may hospital appointment kasi si mama at 9 and as much as i want to accompany her, i can't because something came up at work. i can book a grab din naman para sa inyo. so, okay lang ba? i'll make it up to you, i promise. babawi talaga ako." tuloy-tuloy na pag-eexplain ng housemate which makes sense actually. kaya naman pala labag sa loob na ginising niya si kyungsoo on a saturday morning.

and since wala naman siyang plans for today aside from sleeping in, he agrees with a reassuring smile.

jongin seems to appreciate that a lot because he notices the other guy attempting to lean in for a hug but holds himself back the last minute. kyungsoo thinks, sayang naman but gives the other a thumbs up instead.

jongin leaves in a hurry but not before reminding him yet again na babawi talaga siya.

kyungsoo purses his lips and thinks, buti na lang hindi pasmado ang bibig niya sa umaga.

sa totoo lang, kyungsoo doesn't mind accompanying anyone on a saturday morning especially if ganito kasaya kasama katulad ni tita kim.

kung hindi niya siguro kilala at nakakausap ang nanay ng housemate, he would probably be intimidated. masyado kasing classy and sophisticated ang aura ng nakatatanda na anyone would think untouchable ito.

katulad ni jongin.

the guy appears to be chic and cold on the outside but in reality, warm-hearted at thoughtful talaga ang lalaki.

hindi niya tuloy maiwasang maisip ang famous filipino saying na kung ano ang puno, siya rin ang bunga.

dahil ang mag-inang kim ang living proof nito.

anyway, after the trip to the hospital, niyaya siya ni tita kim na mag-malling saglit at para i-treat na rin siya ng lunch as a thank you for accompanying her.

of course, kyungsoo says yes. makaka-no ba siya sa free lunch? besides, nag-eenjoy talaga siyang kasama ang older woman lalo na at napakaraming kwento nito about her son so obviously, bilang bet niya rin talaga si jongin as a potential jowa (oo, nagprogress na from a happy crush real quick), he takes that as an opportunity to get to know his housemate better.

kyungsoo would receive occasional texts din from the taller male asking how the appointment went or kung nasa'n sila ngayon but he just reassures him na they're okay, everything went well, at magfocus ka nga sa trabaho, jongin. the other guy ends up replying with a series of distressed emojis and a thumbs up sticker to cap it off.

they're currently at mary grace (o diba, titang tita) waiting for their orders to arrive pero may appetizer na agad si tita kim in the form of random stories about jongin.

syempre si kyungsoo, all ears na all ears. pati nga 'yung extra eyes niya aka his prescription glasses nagkaro'n na rin ng tenga. kung hindi lang din siya nahihiya, baka maglabas pa siya ng notebook para magtake ng notes. pero he decides na pa-demure ang concept today.

hindi naman extreme ang mga pinag-uusapan nila at first pero after a while, they end up talking about the future. jongin's future, to be specific.

"my son's not getting any younger, 'no? gusto ko na ngang magsettle down 'yan eh." hindi alam ni kyungsoo pero may something sa undertone ng nakatatanda. not to mention ang brief and knowing look sa mga mata nito while telling him that.

wait.

dapat na ba siyang kabahan?

assumero lang ba si kyungsoo or may pinahihiwatig talaga ang nanay ng housemate?

before he can awkwardly answer that, though, nagpatuloy lang sa pagsasalita ang older woman.

at medyo napalunok siya this time because that look definitely means something, alright.

"what about you?" curious na tanong ng babae while resting her chin sa kamay nito. "may someone special ka ba?"

grabe, hindi naman nainform si kyungsoo na may show pala si tito boy tonight at si tita kim ang replacement. bakit siya bigla ang na-hot seat?

pwede po bang sex or chocolates na lang?

pero sa totoo lang, hindi naman mahirap sagutin ang tanong ni tita kim dahil isa lang naman ang sagot do'n and it's a resounding none. nada. wala pong jowa si kyungsoo ngayon.

it's just that.. parang may laman kasi talaga ang tanong ng babae na medyo nagpapressure tuloy sa kanya.

kahit naman patagong maharot si kyungsoo, hindi naman siya ready agad sa mature roles lalo na't wala pa ngang isang buwan silang magkasama ng anak niya sa isang bubong.

ay wow.

tinodo niya na talaga ang pag-aassume, 'no?

mukhang napansin ata ng nakatatanda ang hesitation niya because she simply waves it off before telling him na hindi siya obliged sumagot.

curious 'lang' naman daw siya. yes, with quote unquote gesture pa talaga. for the sake of conversation lang, kumbaga.

buti na lang din at sakto na nagdatingan na rin ang food sa table nila.

parang nagutom kasi siya bigla sa mga tanungan ni tita kim eh.

however, before they get to the chibug-an (chichang chicha na po si kyungsoo, please), halos masamid siya when he hears tita kim speak up again.

"don't worry, anak. akong bahala sayo."

best believe nakalahati agad ni kyungsoo ang iced tea niya.

after that lunch with jongin's mother, back to normal na rin sila pagkabalik ng bahay. napaisip tuloy bigla si kyungsoo kung masyado ba siyang naging extra sa mga assumptions niya kanina.

grabe.

ang ganda niya naman, 'no?

ang dami-daming better prospects jan tapos siya talaga ang magugustuhan ng parentals para sa anak nilang kasing gwapo ni jongin?

parang too good to be true naman.

kasi wala talagang kahirap-hirap? hindi muna ooffer-an si kyungsoo ng isang milyon?

kaya naman he spends the rest of the afternoon in his room until dinner because as much as possible, gusto ni tita kim na magsabay-sabay silang kumain habang nagbabakasyon pa ito sa bahay ng anak.

of course, wala namang problema si kyungsoo ro'n because at least he doesn't have to worry about his meals.

when he gets out of his room, hindi naman siya prepared sa sight na tumambad sa kanya.

sobrang wholesome naman nito, tito boy.

because it's jongin helping out his mom sa pagseset ng table.

sobrang different na nga ng fit nito from his earlier get-up, kyungsoo notes. naka-bear sweatshirt ito ngayon at grabe, ang lakas naman talagang maka-soft.

when he alerts the two of his presence, napaflinch si jongin na muntik madrop ang plates sa sahig.

kyungsoo chuckles because hindi mo talaga aakalain na may pagka-clumsy ang lalaki especially sa amount of confidence he usually carries himself with.

when he reaches them, agad siyang nag-offer ng help but jongin and his mom only wave him off and insist na umupo na lang siya while the latter's preparing their dinner.

pinaupo na rin si jongin ni tita kim so the taller guy takes a seat across from him at nagtitigan sila for a bit.

kyungsoo giggles because anong trip.

how was it? mouths jongin, implying sa ganap nila ng nanay sa hospital and mall earlier.

he surreptitiously leans closer and mouths okay naman to the other guy.

mukha siguro silang mga tanga ro'n as his housemate gives him a small smile in response bago magstart maglapag ng dishes si tita kim sa dining table. they both try to offer help only for them to be turned down yet again.

as expected, marami na namang kwento si tita kim but this time, mostly from jongin's childhood na.

while busyng-busy si kyungsoo pagtawanan ang housemate fondly, si jongin naman mukhang atat na atat nang matapos ang dinner nila.

kyungsoo couldn't blame him.

dahil kung siya ang nasa posisyon ng housemate ngayon at ineexpose ng parentals niya ang mga past kagagahan kay jongin, nako, baka maglupasay na lang siya sa hiya.

because he swears, no one would want to hear about his past shenanigans.

they're in the middle of eating their dessert nang biglang mapatanong si tita kim.

"by the way, kyungsoo." the older woman pipes up. he notices na napatingin din si jongin sa kanya. "for a month ka lang dito, 'no? are you sure gusto mo pang lumipat?"

buti na lang at nagslide na sa lalamunan niya ang leche flan because ayan na naman ang mga tanungan na nagpapapanic sa brain cell niya.

kahit pa gusto niyang sumagot ng kung pwede nga lang pong dito na tumira forever hindi niya naman magawa because he doesn't want to impose on the taller male.

baka magsawa na siya sa pagmumukha ni kyungsoo, 'no. even if alam niyang magandang mukha naman 'yun. charot.

so instead, he answers, "ah, inaayos pa rin po. but yes, lilipat na rin po ako in more or less 3 weeks."

suddenly, nag-iba ang atmosphere sa dining table as silence instantly follows after that. hindi rin naman nakawala sa hawk-eye niya ang tinginan ng mag-ina.

na mas malaman pa nga kay kyungsoo himself.

huh.

alam niya namang outsider siya pero ba't parang left out na left out siya ngayon?

may namiss ba siyang memo?

he sees jongin giving his mother a look before the taller male clears his throat.

grabe.

nakakasamid ba 'yung leche flan?

smooth naman ah.

"creamy nung flan, 'no?" jongin asks nonchalantly as if walang naganap na weird moment just now. "that's one of her specialties." sabay turo nito kay tita kim who's giving them a look na parang natatawa na lang.

'yung totoo.

ano pong chika minute?

before he can even analyze kung anong nangyayari, jongin grabs another flan sa fridge before serving it to them.

well, if that's how they want it to be.

kyungsoo shrugs habang ang tanging nasa utak niya lang ay flan now, investigate later.

ang hassle.

sobrang hassle talaga ng mondays transpo and traffic-wise.

pero kasalanan din naman ni kyungsoo because dapat inanticipate niya na 'to at hindi nag-overtime today.

but bilang isang corporate slave na fresh pa lang sa bago niyang trabaho, kailangan niya kasing magpabibo.

pero tanga move pa rin na he decided to do that on a monday kung saan bawat oras ay considered as rush hour.

on top of that, ngayon pa talaga umuulan-ulan. kung kailan nakalimutan ni kyungsoo dalhin ang payong niya.

ang cute cute naman talaga.

siguro kulang na lang mabutas ang pants niya sa bandang likuran pero syempre lord, joke lang 'yun. have mercy naman kay kyungsoo na nagtatrabaho lang nang marangal.

ilang minuto na rin siguro siyang naghihintay ro'n when he feels his phone vibrating incessantly in his pocket.

nang i-check niya 'yun, he isn't surprised to see na galing ito kay jongin.

hallelujah.

hindi na nagpatumpik-tumpik pa si kyungsoo at nagreply agad-agad.

magpapabebe pa ba siya sa ganitong sitwasyon?

o diba, nakasimpleng landi pa.

nagreply rin naman agad ang housemate with a quick okay, you too! na nagpakilig naman instantly sa tumbong niya.

kyungsoo lets out a sigh of relief dahil sabi nga ni daniel padilla, nasa kanya na ang lahat. only this time, 'sa kanya' meant jongin.

after that, he spends the rest of the time waiting mulling over how perfect the other guy is.

sayang lang talaga na kailangan na nilang magpart ways in a couple of weeks, even if ayaw niya pang mangyari 'yun.

ngayon na nga lang nagkaro'n ng matinong crush si kyungsoo after who knows how long tapos may expiration date pa?

mas mabilis pa nga ata sa expiration date ng yakult eh.

but then again, who knows. sana naman may chance pang magbloom ang relasyon nila kahit wala na sila sa isang bubong, diba?

wow, relasyon. akala mo naman talaga may chance si bading.

hindi rin nagtagal nang may magpull up na sasakyan sa harap ni kyungsoo and of course, who else would it be?

pumasok siya agad sa passenger seat ng housemate and gives the other male a grateful smile.

"may radar ka ba ng distress ko na out of all days ngayon ka talaga napadaan dito?" he jokes with a playful grin habang careful na minamaneuver ang mga gamit para hindi mabasa ang kotse ng lalaki.

nakakahiya naman. naki-hitch na nga lang, magkakalat pa siya, diba?

"baka may radar lang talaga ko when it comes to you." jongin easily replies in a tone na medyo seryoso. even the guy's startled sa way ng pagkakasabi niya because bigla siyang napabacktrack. buti na nga lang at traffic otherwise, baka nasubsob pa sila sa sudden break nito.

"since housemates tayo and all that." jongin supplies with an embarrassed chuckle. kyungsoo just laughs it off kahit deep inside, gusto niya na talagang sumabog pero instead na masasamang mga words, parang not-so-wholesome na mga salita naman ang bet niyang sabihin.

kasi naman, hobby ba ng lalaking 'tong magpakilig?

hindi ba siya aware na marupok si kyungsoo?

after that, tahimik na lang nilang binagtas ang traffic while may random questions that would pop up from time to time. understandable naman since they're both tired from work.

there's one question na nagpa-freeze kay kyungsoo, though. and it's one na napag-usapan na nila with jongin's mom.

"'yung place na lilipatan mo.." jongin starts hesitantly. he notices kung pa'no mag-tighten ang grip ng lalaki sa steering wheel. "settled na siya?"

kyungsoo gives the other male a look while shaking his head slightly in response. "may konting arrangements pa before ako magsign ng contract." he explains slowly. "why?" dagdag niya just because.

his housemate looks like he's contemplating what he's about to say next with the way his adam apple's bobbing up and down kasabay ng conflicting expression na nagflash sa mukha nito.

after what seems like an hour, jongin finally gathers the courage to speak again.

"kung gusto mo," jongin starts nervously. the other guy isn't even looking him in the eye. instead, diretso ang tingin nito habang nakatigil pa rin ang mga sasakyan dahil sa traffic. "you can just stay with me."

kung shameless lang talaga si kyungsoo as a person, nagtatalon at nagtutumbling na siguro siya sa loob ng sasakyan ng housemate because there's no way jongin doesn't have the tiniest bit of attraction para sa kanya.

because it's clear that he wants kyungsoo's company too. craves for it even. otherwise, he wouldn't bat an eyelash kung lumayas na siya right there and then.

assuming na kung assuming pero tita kim's meaningful looks and questions?

hindi naman siguro nagmamalfunction ang senses ni kyungsoo.

pero para clear na rin, he says fuck it mentally at tanungin ang dapat tanungin bilang andito na rin naman ang bida ng romantic fantasies niya.

"kung gusto ko or kung gusto mo?"

sakto naman sa tanong ni kyungsoo ang pagluwag bigla ng kalsada so when he thought jongin would brush it off for now, nagulat siya nang bigla itong magpark somewhere na walang istorbo.

and boy, that look on jongin's face?

parang gusto niya pang higpitan ang seatbelt niya dahil mukhang he's in for a ride.

siguro ilang minutes silang nakapark do'n while kyungsoo's waiting for the other to say something—anything, when jongin finally decides na magsalita.

"would it put you off kung sinabi kong oo?"

nagtitwich na ang corners ng labi ni kyungsoo because enebe.

kung mahaba nga lang ang buhok niya, baka tinuck niya pa ang non-existent wig sa likod ng tenga niya.

but instead of doing that since wala nga ang mahabang hair that he speaks of, he faces the man na nasa driver's seat and offers him the most pabebe smile that he can muster.

"okay."

jongin looks surprised sa sagot niya because he was probably not expecting na oo agad ang makukuha niya from kyungsoo.

well, sorry siya. the smaller male loves surprises so that's something he has to deal with kung gusto niyang patuloy na tumira under the same roof as him.

mukhang naka-get over din naman agad sa initial shock ang housemate because the ecstatic smile that takes over his face is so worth it.

and kyungsoo?

kyungsoo makes sure he'd be the reason for it from here onwards.

when they get back home, nagulat si kyungsoo nang salubungin sila ni tita kim with a knowing look sa expression nito.

and it's different from the ones na pinakita nito sa kanya so far, ha. this time, it looks proud? for some reason.

huh.

may namiss na naman ba siya?

when he chances a look kay jongin, mas lalo siyang naconfuse dahil sa hint of realization followed by an embarrassed glint sa eyes nito.

agad inexcuse ng housemate ang sarili while kyungsoo's left standing there, still very much lost kung anong nangyayari.

before he knows it, tita kim's hooking an arm sa elbow niya before dragging him sa mamahaling couch sa living room ng anak.

"hindi niya ata narealize na hindi niya na-end 'yung call namin nung sinundo ka niya."

oh.

oh.

kyungsoo would've laughed if not for the fact na medyo nakakahiya rin ito sa end niya bilang na-unleash niya ata nang very light ang inner hoe niya earlier.

sana naman hindi magbago ang tingin sa kanya ng nanay ng housemate, ano.

before he can do anything, though, maybe apologize sa panlalandi niya sa anak ng nakatatanda, tita kim only bumps her shoulder against his at binigyan siya ng two thumbs-up.

"anak," the older woman starts with an excited tilt sa tono nito. "ako nang bahala sa reception niyo."