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“Anong mukha ‘yan, Mark King?” natatawang bungad ni Dejun sa nakabusangot na mukha ni Mark. Mukha kasi itong pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa.
“H’wag ngayon, Satanas.” lagpas nito sa kanya bago sumalampak ng upo sa couch kung nasaan nagkukumpulan ang iba pa nilang kaibigan.
Isa lang naman kasi ang kayang magpabago ng mood ni Mark King, ang kanya lang namang Jaemin Mikhael. Simula kasi nung na-discover ni Jaemin ang pag-crochet ay hindi na nito tinigilan. Wala namang kaso sa kanya pero ayaw kasi siya nitong papuntahin sa apartment niya, nakakalimutan pa nitong mag reply kay Mark. Hindi naman siya petty, gusto niya lang sanang sulitin ang christmas break dahil once na balik university na naman sila, kulang na naman sila sa oras. Hindi siya petty, nagtatampo lang at sige aminin na niya, sa kanila ni Jaemin, mas clingy talaga siya.
“Bakit ganyan mukha mo?” asar ng nasa harap niyang nauuna na sa pulutan nilang si Hyuck.
Tinampal niya ang kamay nito nang akmang kukuha ng calamares, halos maubos na niya ang nasa pinggan. “Bakit gwapo? Ewan ko rin.” basag nito na tinawanan lang ng isa.
“No chill siya, mga beh! Sama loob mo?” halakhak ni Hyuck. Sinundan pa ‘to ng tawa ng nakatatandang kaibigan nilang sina Jaehyun, Kun, at Taeil.
“Pag sinapak si Hyuck, h’wag niyong tulungan.” si Dejun na nakasalampak na sa lapag.
Inabot ni Kun ang pitcher, nagsimula nang magsalin sa binili nilang six shot glass dispenser. Ang pasimuno ng dispenser ay si Hyuck, para raw maiwasan ang dugaan sa pagtagay ng magkakaibigan. Ngunit kulang sila ngayon, wala si Dery na isa ring gahaman sa pulutan.
“Sa’yo na ‘to pareho.” abot ni Kun sa kanya ng dalawang shot glass sa kanya. “Tagal mo kasi, pangalawa na ‘to e.”
“Akala ko tambay lang, ‘di ko alam na umiinom pala kayo.” reklamo ni Mark ngunit inabot din ang dalawang shot glass. Gumugusto rin naman siya.
Ilang oras lang ay nararamdaman na ni Mark ang init sa katawan niya, nagsisimula na ring bumigat ang ulo niya. Lingid sa kaalaman niya ay dinadaya na siya ni Hyuck na patawa-tawang 'di mabitawan ang phone. Aalis din kasi ito, may lakad kasama ang boyfriend niyang chinese.
“Galit na galit sa’kin si Ten nung isang gabi, sa sobrang bangag ko kasi yung pagkain ni Leon yung nagawa kong cereal.” kwento ni Kun. Kapwa mga tawang-tawa ang magkakaibigan ngunit mas ligalig si Mark.
Natapos ang tawanan nila, ngunit hindi pa rin natigil ang isa. Naiiling na nagkatinginan ang mga ito. Halatang may tama na.
“Iyak sunod niyan.” si Jaehyun bago tunggain ang nasa baso niya. Nakaka tatlo na rin kasi sila simula nung dumating si Mark.
Maya-maya lang ay hindi nga nagkamali si Jaehyun sa tinuran. Napatingin si Mark kay Hyuck na di mawala ang ngiti habang pumipindot sa phone nito.
“Sana all cellphone.” naibulalas ni Mark bago dinepende ang sarili sa katabi niyang si Taeil. “Sana all mine-message.” lalo itong sumiksik kay katabi at maya-maya pa ay naririnig na nilang suminghot.
Meanwhile, Jaemin Mikhael…
Kaliligo lang nito at ipinagpatuloy ang kino-crochet niyang halos umabot na ng tatlong araw. Ilang beses na siyang umulit dahil namamali siya ng pasok ng yarn, halos itapon na nga niya nung unang araw pero kailangan niya 'tong matapos para makita na niya ang tampuhin niyang boyfriend.
Naka pameywang niyang tiningnan ang malapit nang matapos na pulang sweater. Nananakit na ang kamay at likod niya rito, bukod kasi rito ay tumanggap din siya ng mga commission para lang may dagdag budget niya sa darating na pasko.
Jaemin wants to live an independent life, that's what he told himself before moving away from his parents’ house. Though his parents are paying for his tuition and actually give him his allowance, he still is step by step trying to not rely on them too much.
Nililigpit na niya ang mga gamit nang may sunod-sunod na nag doorbell sa pinto niya. It's past eight in the evening now, it might be his boyfriend. Pero Mark won't go to his apartment unannounced, he would always message or call him.
Nagkibit balikat si Jaemin na pumunta sa pintuan niya. To his surprise, boyfriend niya nga.. na lasing.
"Kuya Jaehyun, stop!" sigaw nito, sinusubukan pumiglas sa hawak ni Jaehyun at Johnny. "Jami doesn't want to see me, why did you bring me here ba kasiii?" there's tears in his eyes, probably crying even before they get there. Jaemin was stunned as he watched his boyfriend along with his friends trying to get a hold of him.
"Anong nangyari..?" naguguluhang tanong ni Jaemin. Mark turns his back on Jaemin, sniffing, he hugs Jaehyun. "He-He'll be mad, kuya."
Jaehyun chuckles, and caresses Mark's back before answering Jaemin. Ang nasa likod nitong si Johnny, at Taeil ay nagpipigil ng tawa. Si Kun ay naiwan sa apartment para maglinis, si Hyuck ay umalis habang si Dejun ay mahimbing nang natutulog sa sofa bago sila umalis para ihatid si Mark. "Chill inuman lang dapat kasi,"
"Dinaya ni Hyuck, Jaem." tawa ni Johnny.
Jaehyun tried to give Mark to Jaemin but the man did not want to. He was pushing Jaehyun, not wanting to get inside. He keeps on "No, he's mad! He doesn't want to see me!" making Jaemin chuckles and pity his boyfriend at the same time.
It took them minutes before they were able to get Mark inside.
"Upo muna kayo, Kuya. Kumain na ba kayo?" hiyang tanong ni Jaemin. "Busog kami, itutulog na lang pag-uwi." ngiti ni Taeil.
Jaemin gestured for them to sit. Mark quickly hugs Taeil who sits on the couch when Jaehyun and Johnny let go of him. He buried his face to his hyung's shoulder, to avoid Jaemin’s eyes.
Maya-maya ay umalis na rin ang mga ito. Nahirapan pa silang ilayo si Taeil kay Mark dahil ayaw talaga siya nitong bitawan.
Nang masara ni Jaemin ang pinto ay tiningnan niya ang boyfriend niyang naka face the wall sitting in his sofa, containing his sniffs and tears. Mark could be a crybaby when an alcoholic gets to his system, and Jaemin finds it cute regardless of him being makulit.
"Mark," tawag niya. The latter acted as if he didn't hear it, but his cries rose up again. He's really emotional when he's drunk, that is how his tampo really took place.
Jaemin sights. Marahan siyang umupo sa tabi ni Mark. The latter turned his back and faced the side. "Babi," tawag niyang muli.
"I'm not B-Babi, you don't have a Babi anymore," he said making Jaemin chuckle. "Bakit, did my Babi broke up with me na?" sakay niya rito.
"N-No." He was quick to answer.
"Then why don't I have a Babi na?" kulit niya rito. This Maki is one of the favorites of Jami because he is being a baby and extra sweet, though he's also extra whiny but that's okay. "J-Just because,"
Jaemin didn't say anything. He leaned on the sofa, and stared at Mark's position. He waits until Mark will face him himself.
When Mark finally faced him, "W-Why, are you breaking up with me?" he asked as his eyes started to water while looking at Jaemin. "A-Are you tired of me na..?"
He turned to the side as well to face Mark. "What? No, Babi. I'm not tired of you." he cups his boyfriend's face, " Why are you crying?" umiling lang ito.
Niyakap ni Jaemin ang kasintahan, sinandal naman nito ang noo sa kanyang balikat. "What did I do po ba sa Babi? Did I hurt you?" malambing na tanong nito kay Mark.
Jaemin might look aggressive sometimes but he's a very patient and understanding boyfriend to Mark and the same goes for Mark towards Jaemin. It's just that sometimes he is too shy to express this side of himself. Mark is more of vocal in their relationship even though he always teases Jaemin. We could say that is how they express their love to each other, but they know how to balance it.
"I just miss you k-kasi," he sniffed. "And I feel like you don't want me here e.." his eyes start welling up again so Jaemin comforts him with back caresses and whispers. "When did I tell you that I don't want you here? I'm just doing something lang po, Babi. But that doesn't mean that I don't want you here.. stop crying na please?"
Jaemin caresses his back and whispers ``I love yous to Mark until he calms down.
"Is my Babi sleepy na po?" Mark nods so they've decided to call it a night. Tinulungan din palitan ni Jaemin ang basa sa pawis nitong damit bago sila tuluyang makatulog. They're hugging each other, no space left as they fall asleep.
Nagising si Mark nang may nararamdamang matang nakatingin sa kanya. Nang buksan ay bumungad sa kanya ang kasintahang nakatigilid habang pinagmamasdan siya.
“Good morning,” masiglang bati nito. “Masakit ulo mo?” sunod na tanong nito.
Umiling si Mark, “Good morning, Jam.” mahinang sabi nito at tinuon ang mata sa mga kamay nitong mahinang pinipisil ang bawat isa. Lahat ng nangyari kagabi ay agad niyang naalala kaya nahihiya siya sa harap ni Jaemin ngayon.
“Can I ask you something, Maki?” Jaemin softly asked. Mark looks at him, and he nods. “Nagtatampo ka ba sa’kin?” he didn’t respond, instead he bit his lower lip and avoided Jaemin eyes again. “Maki, Babi..” Jaemin leaned on him, “please look at me..”
Mariing napapikit si Mark bago tiningnan si Jaemin. “I am, Babi.” he sights. “I’m sorry, of all people, dapat mas naintindihan ko ikaw but it got the best of me kasi I was looking forward to spending the Christmas break with you since we’ll be so busy again when January starts.”
Jaemin did not say anything so he continued. “But I know now na it was me being selfish and petty. You have a lot on your plate, I should’ve thought about it before throwing a tantrum like that.” he lifts his face and looks straight into Jaemin’s eyes.
He flinched when Jaemin put his hand to him that he did not notice and nervously scratched it. It is one of Mark’s mannerisms when he’s nervous or thinking deeply that Jaemin is trying to stop every time he sees the man doing it unconsciously.
Jaemin smiled, “Thank you for being honest.” he reached Mark’s hair on his face and shoved it in the back to prevent it from sticking to his eyes. “I want to apologize too, I was harsh yesterday. I didn’t even notice you are feeling that way na pala. I will be very careful now, and please tell me if there’s something bothering you so we can talk about it. Can we do that, Maki?” the latter nods, “I will na, Jami. Also, I want to apologize for being like last night, I will call them later to apologize. And I will be careful too, be more mindful before doing an action.”
“Can I hug you?” Mark asked and Jaemin answered, “Yes. please.”
They were like that for a while before they decided to get out of bed. Jaemin was cooking while Mark took his orders like reaching for salt and peppers, washing rice and getting eggs from the refrigerator.
“Baby, what’s that?” Mark suddenly asked as they were eating in the dining area. He was referring to a red and green crochet that lies on Jaemin’s side table. “Gawa mo? Can I see?” asking for permission, Jaemin gave him his go signal.
He drank his water before he came and saw the crochet that turns out to be a cute watermelon hat. Mark made sure he was done eating before leaving the table because that was his and Jaemin’s rule. Finish eating before anything else. Mark was amazed, he loves watermelon, if it is a person, he’ll be a fan.
“Kanino ‘to, Baby?” inspecting the hat, Jaemin chuckles. Mark looks adorable as he is examining every yarn intact. “Sukat mo nga.”
Mark put it on his head and looked at himself in front of the mirror. “I look cute, you should teach me how to make one. I like this.” he even smiles at the mirror making Jaemin giggle in cuteness.
“Okay, pero sa’yo naman ‘yan.”
“Sana—what? Really?”
Jaemin stands up, starts to clean the table, and nods. “Ginawa ko ‘yan para sa’yo.”
Hindi tinanggal ni Mark and sombrero kahit naghuhugas sila ni Jaemin ng pinggan. Sinukan ni Jaemin tanggalin pero ayaw talaga ng isa kaya hinayaan niya na lang. “Masterpiece” daw kasi ‘yon ni Jaemin, at honoured daw siya to wear his boyfriend’s craft.
Napagpasyahan nilang manood ng movie, but they have to take a bath first because they know they will spend the day watching and be lazy with each other. Jaemin is a home buddy, Mark is in the middle of being an indoor and outdoor guy. He would go out for basketball when his friends ask him to, and he also likes staying at home with his family and with Jaemin in his apartment of course.
May mga gamit na si Mark ro’n sa kabinet ni Jaemin kaya ayos lang siyang matulog basta-basta, legal din naman sila both sides kaya walang problema.
“Baby, I’ll get things sa kabinet mo ah?” his boyfriend responded with an “okay” so he opened it. He was looking at some shirt to wear when he noticed a crochet craft in the upper cabinet. He looks closer and it turns out to be like the one that Jaemin made him, the differences were those that have like little dysfunction in the correlation of yarn.
When Mark was all dressed up, he instantly looked for his boyfriend in the kitchen who was busy putting butter in the pan. He’s probably making popcorn. He hugs him tight, and puts his chin on the shoulder. Jaemin looks at him and chuckles as he sees him wearing the hat again.
“Nagpapa cute ka ba sa’kin?” biro ni Jaemin.
Mark blinks his eyes, “And if I am?” the latter acted as if he was thinking before he replied. “Edi okay, ang cute mo.” Mark chuckles.
Mark didn’t leave his post, he was just watching Jaemin’s hand at paminsan-minsan ay pipisilin ang pisngi ng kasintahan. Jaemin doesn’t mind, he’s just cooking.
“Baby,” tawag ni Mark.
Jaemin responds, “Babi,”
“I love you.” he softly said, which Jaemin smiled at. “I love you.”
Mark knew that Jaemin tried countless times to create the watermelon hat, those in the cabinet were the evidence. He even saw a sweater that he quickly picked up to be for Jaemin’s mother. His Jaemin Mikhael is sure to be a thoughtful and loving person.