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"Ren, andiyan na si Mark sa labas ng classroom! Hinihintay ka ata," Renjun heard Haechan call out from the doorway. He lifted his head to take a peek before quickly pulling out his phone and sending a quick message to Mark.
[ renjun, 5:49 ]
> i see u!
> pasok ka, medyo matagal pa ata kami
> sorry :( creatives work kasi huhu
[ mark, 5:50 ]
> okay lang!
> take your time
> papasok lang pa rin ako sa classroom niyo ah?
Hindi na nakapagreply si Renjun dahil may naramdaman siyang presensya sa likod niya. Tumingala siya to see Mark giving him a smile before messily ruffling his hair. He groans, playfully swatting the older's hand bago ito lumakad at umupo sa isa sa mga silya ng classroom ni Renjun.
It was intrams week, and it was already a given that everyone who joined events and committees was busy. Well, busy is an understatement, or that's something Renjun would say.
Being the creative one in their class, their class president convinced (borderline half-begged) him na sumali sa creatives committee ng kanilang cluster because, if he may quote, "your art skills will be a great help to our participants!" and as someone who doesn't know how to say no, ano pa ba ang magagawa ni Renjun?
Which then brought him here in his current situation.
He's now seated cross-legged on the floor habang gumugupit ng shapes out of the cartolinas na prinovide ng mga taga-logistics committee. They already have planned costumes for the participants, kulang nalang ay ang ibang needed details. They were only allowed to stay inside the classrooms at around 8 pm, and everyone who's not included in the general practices was required to go home by then.
So, what about Mark?
Despite being a few months older and a year level higher, it didn't really stop him from accompanying Renjun papunta at pabalik ng school. If anyone would ask ano ba sila, what their relationship status is, the result would be futile; you'll never get the answer you're looking for. No, it's not like they didn't want to address the elephant in the room, but both Mark and Renjun found it useless to explain and elaborate it to everyone considering they haven't come out to their families yet. Mahirap nang mabuking, ika nga nila, but it's mostly because they don't owe it to anyone to come out.
But if there's anything Mark and Renjun are sure of—it's the fact that love is present in the midst of what they have. They're best friends, probably not officially lovers (yet), but they both know they're not nothing to each other.
Sanay na sila sa ganitong gawi, Mark and Renjun have their routines afterall. Kung saan si Renjun, makikita mo ring nandoon si Mark. Para silang set na buy 1 take 1, walang labis, walang kulang. Of course, dahil hindi sila magkapareho ng year level, days na kung saan hindi sila magkasamang mag lunch were also present. Nevertheless, hindi mawawala sa kanilang routine ang umuwi nang sabay.
"Yie, sana all kasama jowa o!" Hiyaw ni Haechan. There were barely any students left inside the classroom maliban sa natitirang members na 'di pa umuuwi kaya Renjun let out a chuckle, shrugging his shoulders.
Whenever Mark and Renjun's schedule would coincide and pareho ang oras ng kanilang vacant, the older never failed to stop by the latter's classroom kaya kilala na ng mga kaklase ni Renjun si Mark, the same goes with the older. Surprisingly, their classmates grown used to the fact that they were a pair, and judging their closeness, 'di na rin sila nagtatanong kung mag jowa ba sila.
Not that Renjun nor Mark would deny it anyway.
-:-
"Creatives, uwi na raw in 10 minutes! Clean as you go ah? Para 'di tayo bigyan ng minus sa overall ranking." Renjun was already cleaning up his area when their committee head made the announcement. He went to his designated seat where Mark was waiting and a gentle smile slowly creeps up to his face nang makita niyang nakatulog ito.
He crouched slightly just so Renjun could take a good look at him properly. Bringing his hand up, he slowly brushed the hair off Mark's face. The smile never left Renjun's face, and so did the warm feeling his heart was emanating.
At the back of Renjun's mind, there's this underlying uncertainty that Mark likes him the same way, but Renjun knows having him near like this is something he won't trade for anything. Platonic or not, Mark was and will always be his constant. Walang ibang makakaalis no'n sa kanya.
"Markie," Renjun lightly shook his shoulders. "Gising na, uwi na tayo?"
After Mark slowly fluttered his eyes open, he found himself staring directly at Renjun. The older stayed completely still in his position, almost taking in all of the latter. Before he could even completely process his thoughts, he reached his hand up to gently caress Renjun's cheek with the back of his hand, a fond smile playing on his lips.
He whispered something along the lines of "so pretty" and "mine" as his hand moved slowly. It was a light whisper, and anyone could've missed it, but Renjun swore it was loud enough to give him the memo that it was something meant for him to hear.
It took a while for Mark to completely wake himself up and gather his composure, and Renjun was happy enough to wait for him. Before he could let out another word, napatalon si Renjun sa gulat nang nakarinig na sila ng tunog ng whistle from the school guards, urging them to go home.
The younger clutched his chest, exhaling deeply. "Parang ewan naman kuya guard eh, aalis na nga o." He muttered under his breath before shaking his head.
Napatawa nang bahagya si Mark sa sinabi ni Renjun, completely endeared by the younger. He let out his hand for him to hold, and Renjun gladly obliged, intertwining their fingers together as they started to walk out of the classroom.
"Uy, una na kami ah! Ingat kayo pauwi."
"Ingat mga beh! Mark, alagaan mo 'yan ah," Tawang pagtawag ni Donghyuck mula sa classroom habang tinutulungang maglinis ang iba nilang members.
Natawa pabalik si Mark at sumagot ng "Oo naman, safe 'to sa'kin!" bago tuluyang mapalayo sa kung saan sila nanggaling. Renjun took advantage of the dimly lit hallways and rolled his eyes, a small fond smile on his lips. Parang tanga.
As they were walking towards the west gate, Renjun felt Mark's thumb rub circles at the back of his hand. Normally, hindi naman sila nagho-holding hands kapag umuuwi sila nang sabay, afraid na mahuli sila ng Prefect of Discipline, but Renjun internally argues that it was dark, and no one was paying attention to them anymore anyway.
And so, habang papalakad sila papunta sa sakayan ng jeep hanggang sa pagsakay nila, their hands were still intertwined, ni isa sa kanila walang gustong bumitaw.
Masyadong hassle mag commute para kay Renjun dahil paunahan ang pagsakay, but with Mark around, maybe he has grown to hate it a little less over the years. Kung hindi man sila nagkukwento tungkol sa araw nila dahil sa pagod, Renjun still finds solace in spending time with Mark. Kahit pansamantala man lang, nakakapagpahinga silang dalawa sa presensya ng isa't isa.
"Inaantok ka pa ba? Matulog ka na muna, gigisingin nalang kita kapag malapit na tayo," Sambit ni Renjun as he leaned towards Mark so the latter can hear him better. Umiling ang nakatatanda, saying the nap he had taken earlier was enough to restore his energy for the rest of the evening.
"Hey, Mark?" Panimula ni Renjun. "Sabihan mo ako kapag nakakailang na biro ng mga kaklase ko ah? Pagsasabihan ko sila." Subconsciously, he leaned his head on Mark's shoulder who adjusted his position para maging komportable ang nakababata.
Mark hummed in understanding, placing a light kiss on top of Renjun's head. "I don't mind being teased as your boyfriend, Jun. There's no use hiding it that I like you after all."
Renjun bit his bottom lip to prevent himself from smiling. "Me too, Markie. I like you as well, more than a friend should." He whispered, loud enough for Mark to hear.
Hinatid ni Mark si Renjun bago siya umuwi, and for awhile they stood outside Renjun's gate, not knowing what to say. After all, they just confessed to each other habang nasa jeep sila. Real romantic if you ask them.
"So," They both said at the same time. Mark and Renjun let out a chuckle before Renjun urged the older one to speak first.
"Yeah, um, I'm planning on informing my parents and then your parents that I'll be courting you," He started, rubbing the back of his neck, smiling sheepishly. "I know you don't like the process of panliligaw, but I don't want to keep us a secret, not to our families and close friends, at least."
Renjun nodded in understanding. "I understand. Hindi ba talaga pwedeng sagutin ka ngayon?" He playfully whined, letting out a chuckle afterward.
The younger's laugh sounded music to Mark's ears. He walked closer, closing the gap between them. He presses his lips on Renjun's forehead, letting it linger for a moment. When he pulled away, he looked away, his cheeks turning crimson red.
"Pasok ka na sa inyo, I'll see you tomorrow?" Mark asked, tilting his head slightly. Renjun gave him a genuine smile, cheeks prominent that it took a lot for Mark not to reach out and give it a pinch. "See you tomorrow, Markie."
Before Mark could even turn his heels, he heard footsteps coming from behind. He looked over to see Renjun jogging back towards him and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek, leaving Mark frozen in his place. He heard the younger giggle, arms waving towards his direction before completely going back inside his house.
Mark stood there for god knows how many minutes, trying to comprehend what had just happened. The moment he gained back his senses, agad namang umuwi si Mark. His mom, with a knowing look on her face, had to ask him ba't mukhang kamatis mukha niya to which he only waved off politely.
That night, they both found it difficult to fall asleep, especially with their hearts threatening to burst out of their respective chests. Mark and Renjun had no idea paano sila nakatulog that night, but one thing's sure, the moment they saw each other the next day sa may sakayan ng jeep, although it's the same morning routine, they both knew that something shifted between them. And this time around, they're more than willing to address it.
So, yes, Mark and Renjun are still best friends, and no, they're still not officially lovers (maybe try asking them after a month or two), but they both know they're never going to be nothing to each other.