Work Text:
“Oks na tayo sa buffet, team, ha. Courtesy of Sir Cheol, as usual. Magthank you kayo,” bilin ng isa sa mga marketing manager at ang punong abala na si Eunbi matapos isulat sa whiteboard ang mga napag-usapan ng buong marketing department para sa darating na Christmas Party.
“Naku, palibhasa crush mo si Sir. ‘Lam na namin ‘yang style mo, Ma’am Eunbi.” Nagtawanan naman ang mga nasa meeting nang hagisan ni Eunbi ng ballpen si Sunghoon, ang nang-asar rito. “Bwisit ka, ‘pag ikaw narinig nun!”
“So ayun na nga, suggestions for party games. Oh, may maisusuggest ba ka ba, Sir Riki?” Dumako ang tingin ng lahat sa pinakabata at pinakabagong miyembro ng kumpanya na halos magdadalawang buwan palang rito. Sakto nga’t dito napunta ang fresh grad, masaya naman sila sa pang-aasar rito, in a nice way.
Sa gulat ni Riki, napatayo ito mula sa upuan at sinabing, “P-po?” habang kinakabahan. Tinapik naman siya ng katabi nitong si Heeseung habang natatawa. “Wala ‘yun, uy. Pero ako, Ma’am, may suggestion.”
“Okay, ano ‘yun, Sir Hee?”
“Pabilisan ma-attach.” Banggit nito habang nakatingin kay Kazuha na kasalukuyang nagsusulat ng minutes ng meeting. Umulan naman ng asar at tukso kaya namula na lamang ang pisngi nito at sinusubukang huwag ngumiti nang malaki.
“Ay nako, kayo talaga. Seryoso kasi!” Suway naman ni Eunbi. “Dahil dyan, i-aassign ko kayong dalawa, kasama niyo daw sina Sir Seungkwan, Sir Soonyoung, at Sir Seokmin sa laro. Nagbilin kaninang umaga before umalis sa business trip. Alam niyo naman ang mga clown natin sa office, ayaw papakabog.”
“And last. Of course, mawawalan ba tayo ng exchange gift? Syempre hindi! Same mechanics lang as usual. Para sa something… special request mo ‘to, Sir Han, diba?”
Nananahimik lang si Jeonghan sa gilid nang bigla itong natawa nang mahina habang napapailing. “O, something that I want to give to my loverーhuy, Sir Han, idea mo ‘to eh!”
Tahimik lang na nakikinig sina Sunoo at Jongseong habang magkahawak ang mga kamay sa ilalim ng lamesa. Nakikisabay sa bawa’t tawanan at hagikgikan. Mukhang iisa naman sila ng naisip, pero sa ngayon, mukhang hindi na rin kailangan ng mga salita para malaman nilang dalawa kung ano nga ba ito.
“Napakatamis naman!” Komento ni Jake na mukhang tungkol sa theme ng regalo pero napailing na lang si Jongseong nang mapansin niyang nakatingin pala ang kaibigan sa kanilang dalawa. Nahiya naman si Sunoo kaya binaba nito ang mga kamay nila para hindi na mapansin ng iba at baka sa kanila pa dumako ang atensyon ng mga ka-officemate.
“Basta, sana mabunot niyo gusto niyong mabunot. Walang magpapalitan. Si Sir Verns daw mag-iikot mamaya, diba?” As usual, tumango si Verns with his usual tight-lipped smile.
Rinig ang saya at excitement ng karamihan para sa darating na pagdiriwang. Sa ilang taong itinagal nina Sunoo at Jongseong sa kumpanya, alam ng bawat isa sa kanilang team kung gaano kasaya ang Christmas Party nila bawat taon kaya’t for sure, inaabangan ito ng lahat, lalo na silang dalawa.
“Oh, ayan, final na ha. Sana… sana mabunot niyo ang gusto niyong mabunot. Walang palitan, okay!” Bilin ni Eunbi. “Ma’am, kapag hindi mo nabunot si Sir Cheol, walang palitan, ha?” Pang-aasar naman ni Jungwon kaya napailing nalang si Eunbi habang tinatapos na nito ang meeting. “Ewan ko sa’yo, Sir Jungwon! Sige na, meeting adjourned. Pasend na lang ng meeting sa email, Ma’am Zuha. I-forward ko kay Sir. Thank you, team!”
Pagkabalik sa kani-kanilang mga stations, nag-usap usap naman ang mga magkakatrabaho. Namula naman si Sunoo nang masilayan niya ang makahulugang tingin ni Jongseong mula sa pwesto nito nang dumako ang atensyon nito kay Yunjin na pinalo ang braso niya. “Huy, makinig ka nga, teh! Ano bang bet niyo maregalo sa inyo, baka kilala ko pala nakabunot sa inyo.”
“Gusto ko makuha si Jackson. Grabe, Daddy of my life. DILF energy!” Sabi naman ni Chaewon kaya napailing si Sakura nang marinig ito. “Ayan oh, ipasabi mo sa jowa ni Ma’am Kkura na tropa si Daddy Jack一Titikmuhn!” sagot naman ni Yunjin. “Hoy, bakit ka nakiki-daddy sa daddy ko?!” Balik ni Chaewon.
“Basta ako… kung ano iregalo sa akin, okay na ako,” banggit naman ni Sunoo. Well, totoo naman iyon. No matter what gift he’ll receive, he will accept it wholeheartedly. Kahit si Jongseong一este Sir Jay pa nga mismo.
“Nako, eh kung mag-check the label muna kaya,” pang-asar ni Jungwon na nakakuha naman ng mahinang palo mula kay Sunoo. “Huy!” Umani naman ito ng mga pagtataka sa mga mukha ng mga katrabaho. “Si Ma’am Eunbi kasi, ito naman, feeler ka naman masyado.”
Speaking of, sa lahat ng taong mabubunot niya, si Jongseong pa nga. Medyo napressure naman tuloy siya dahil, of course, he wants his gift to be special. Considering the exchange gift’s theme? Pero paano niya mapapakita ang sincerity sa exchange without showing off too much sa mga katrabaho? Lalo na’t hindi pa nila ulit napag-uusapan kung ‘ano’ nga ba talaga ang meron sa kanila. Masaya naman sila, diba? Pwede namang sarili na lang ang regalo niya kay Jongseong…
Beby 💚 calling…
“Beb, free ka later? After work?”
“Hi, beb. Yes po. Want mo magdinner? Sa mall or in my condo?”
“Yes po, beb. Mall na lang? Maningin na din tayo ng pang-exchange gift, hehe.”
“Oh… Sige, beb, pwede naman tayo mag-canvass.”
“Oki, see you later! Mwa!”
Now, Jongseong faces a problem. His exchange gift is none other than his closest officemate, his one and only beb, Sunoo.
Ito na yata ang pinakamahirap na desisyon na na-encounter ni Jongseong at ang daming pwedeng iregalo na pumapasok sa isipan niya, pero gusto niya ‘yung pinaka-espesyal kasi pasko nga naman. And Sunoo only deserved the best gift.
Kaya naman kinabahan siya nang malala ng maalala nitong aalis nga pala sila pagkatapos ng trabaho para maningin ng regalo. Ano na lamang ang sasabihin niya rito? Syempre, ayaw niyang i-spill ang sorpresa ngunit gusto na rin niyang makapaghanap ng ireregalo… kaso nga, kasama naman niya ang reregaluhan niya. Hindi pwede ‘to.
“Beb, sino nabunot mo?” Sunoo asks the question that Jongseong wishes to hear the last as they roam around the shelves of a certain clothes brand. Ayaw niyang magsinungaling, of course. But does white lies count? Pumayag naman si Jake eh…
“Ah… si Jake, beb. Can’t think of any, to be honest. Balak ko nga pagtripan, bigay ko ‘yung sikat na sikat na polo shirt na suot ng mga college students.” Napapakamot na lang ng batok si Jongseong habang tinitignan kung bebenta nga ba ito. Luckily, mukhang naniwala naman ito. “Huy, napaka mo talaga! He’s doing a huge favor of not spilling about us to our workmates tapos gaganyanin mo pa. Plus, friend naman natin si Jake so let’s think of something that he’ll love, pasok naman ‘yung ganun, diba?” Sunoo answered. Well, he has a point. If Jongseong really picked Jake as his exchange gift一but he didn’t.
Jongseong just put his hands up while nodding. “Fine, you win, beb. We can’t wrap Jungwon up nor put him inside a gift box so let’s think of something.” Sunoo smiles at Jongseong’s defeat as the latter intertwine their hands with one another as they walk. “How about you, beb? Who did you pick?”
It’s Sunoo’s time to get nervous. “A-ah, si Ma’am Kkura, yes! Maybe I’ll give her something like a game for her PS4 or damit ng cat niya, I’m still thinking about it, beb. What can you suggest?” Ang bilis nga naman ng palusot ni Sunoo. Buti na lang, medyo kaclose niya itong superior at maiintindihan naman rin siguro siya nito.
“Hmm, let’s just walk around after we eat. Baka gutom ka na, beb. It’s almost dinner time and we have more time naman to look for some gifts later.”
And so, Jongseong and Sunoo did walk around the mall after having a hearty meal, not knowing that the both of them are just (secretly) trying to find the perfect gift for each other.
Aa Beb calling…
“Beb, I have to get ready a performance namin later so I’ll go first. Kanina pa nagfflood si Hee sa gc namin eh.”
“No problem, Beb! Good luck sa pag-boom tarat tarat niyo later!”
“Sunoo!”
“I’m just joking, beby! Sige na, see you later, pogi! Mwa mwa!”
“A’ight, beb. Just text me when you’re leaving and when you got here, ‘kay?”
Greetings were showered with hugs and presents as soon as Sunoo steps in their office that turned into an events place filled with decorations and ornaments. The theme for today’s event is just as simple: Thank You For The Love. Lakas maka-Christmas Station ID, sabi nga ni Eunbi. Pakulo naman ‘to lahat ng mga superior nilang gusto ata silang pagtripan. But now, it all looked so good and everyone so excited to see on how this event will go.
Palitan ng palihim na tanguan at ngitian lang ang nabigay nila ni Jongseong sa isa’t isa dahil abala pa ito sa paghahanda sa kanilang performance mamaya. Halos gabi-gabi nga itong nangungulit kung ano nga ba ang ipapakita nito pero ang tanging nakukuha niya lang ay isang “Secret!” kaya naman hindi na siya mapakali sa kinauupuan niya. Nakakuha naman ito ng mahinang kurot mula kay Jungwon. “Ang likot-likot mo na, ang landi-landi mo pa! May pa-lowkey pa kayong nalalaman pero nagpapaka-obvious naman kayo.” Inirapan na lang niya ng pabiro ang kaibigan at itinuon ang pansin nito kay Jongseong.
In just a matter of time, the event started. It was so fun, lalo na’t ang mga hosts ay ‘yung mga superiors nilang ubod ng kulit. Wala naman kasi syempreng tatalo sa trio nila Soonyoung, Seokmin, at Seungkwan. Naturingang sila ang iconic office clowns at dahil roon, ilang taon na silang ginagawang hosts tuwing may pa-event. Kulang na lang at humirit sila ng dagdag sahod sa kanilang raket, which surely the CEO of Sound of Coups, Choi Seungcheol, pays them well for doing a great job.
Puro hiyawan ang rinig sa loob ng opisina. Matapos ang mga pa-introduction, nagsimula na rin ang mga palaro’t performances ng mga tao rito. Sobrang saya ng Christmas Party, kala mo mauubusan na ng hininga ang mga tao kakatawa at lahat sila’y nag-eenjoy sa mga pakulo ng mga nag-ayos. Wala ring uuwing luhaan dahil kahit consolation prize, bongga rin ang nakukuha. Talk about generous bosses, tanging sa opisina ata nila ang pinaka-thoughtful sa mga empleyado nito.
“Masyado nang nakakarami ‘yung iba dyan sa mga palaro,” komento ni Seungkwan kaya natawa naman ang lahat. “Moving on to more performances naman this time, guys,” Seokmin follows. “Ano kamo? Kami? Grabe naman, baka maubos ang pera ni Boss Cheol sa talent fee sa amin,” pahabol ni Soonyoung.
“Oh, tama na daldal. Prepare your seatbelts and please welcome, ang poging boys ng marketing department featuring Sir Hee, Sir Jay, Sir Jake, and Sir Hoon, also known as the BROZ!”
Sa pangunguna ni Sunghoon, naglakad na ito papunta sa stage kasunod sina Heeseung, Jake, at Jongseong. “Mic test, 1, 2, 1, 2. Ayan, ready na. Kami ang BROZ! At sana magustuhan niyo ang harana namin sa inyo. Para ito sa mga labidabz namin, you know who you are. Let’s get it!”
Sa kabila ng nakakaaliw na introduction ni Sunghoon, ang biro-birong Boom Tarat Tarat ay hindi inaasahang magiging isang madamdaming serenade ang ipinakita ng apat. Malumanay at tiyak na napakatamis ang mga boses nito na siya namang nagpapangiti sa mga nanonood rito.
Napako ang tingin ni Sunoo kay Jongseong na nakatingin pala pabalik sa kanya. Mistulang silang dalawa lamang ang mga tao sa loob ng lugar at bawat lirikong kinakanta nito ay para lamang sa kanya.
When I opened my eyes in the morning,
Like the snow outside the window
You silently fell all night,
All night
Nawala sa isipan ni Sunoo na kuhanan ng video ang performance sa sobrang lunod sa himig na naririnig niya. Oo, alam niyang marunong kumanta si Jongseong. Pero ‘yung ganito kaganda? Parang pwede na mapanood sa TV eh.
Napapailing na lang si Jungwon sa lalim ng titig ng kaibigan para sa ‘kasintahan’ kuno nito kaya’t inutusan niya si Riki na videohan ito na siya namang sinunod ng isa. And he made sure na kita sa screen ang malawak na ngiti ni Sunoo habang nasa harapan naman si Jongseong na damang-dama ang pagkanta.
Just like the Christmas day
That I’ve always waited for
And in that moment, as Jongseong looked into Sunoo’s eyes, he found the latter, smiling with his eyes and mouth and he figured out that he was right. Today’s indeed the day.
Just like the Christmas day
Oh! When I think about you
It might not be Jongseong’s line but he did not fail to mouth those words as he stares at Sunoo’s glistening eyes, as if he’s the one who’s singing those lines for him.
You’re just like Christmas day
As Jongseong leads the finale of the song with full of his heart, loud claps and wild cheers are heard everywhere. They did not expect that these four would showcase their honey-like voices tonight. Talagang natunaw and naibsan ang lamig ngayong Pasko dahil sa kanilang apat. And Jongseong, his eyes only lingered on Sunoo, wearing his signature heartwarming smile na tanging para lamang kay Jongseong.
Naisip ni Sunoo na wala nang mas gaganda pang regalo, lamang pa sa regalong dala-dala niya, ang mga salitang hindi na niya mapigilang sambitin para kay Jongseong, na ngayo’y umaani ng papuri mula sa lahat ng taong nasa party.
“Dahil si Sir Cheol ang nabunot ni Ma’am Zuha, ikaw na po ang next, Sir.” Tumayo naman ito mula sa upuan para kunin ang isang napakalaking box ng regalo. Kanina pa iyon minamatahan ng mga tao at hindi na rin sila nagulat na galing pala ito sa may-ari ng kumpanya. Lumapit naman ito sa mic para sabihin kung sino ang nabunot niya. “Ang nabunot ko ay si… Ma’am Eunbi!”
Halo-halong tawanan at asaran naman ang umulan nang itulak nina Sunoo at Yunjin si Eunbi papunta kay Seungcheol. “Go, Ma’am! Winish mo ‘yan, diba! Daserb!” Pahabol ni Jungwon habang pumapalakpak. Napapa-iling na lang si Eunbi nang tumayo ito sa tabi ni Seungcheol at umani naman nito ng mas malakas na tukso mula sa mga katrabaho.
“Grabe si Sir Cheol, sa kanya pala galing ‘yung pinakabonggang gift. Ano po ang dahilan ng gift para kay Ma’am Eunbi?” Hirit ni Soonyoung habang halata sa boses nito ang pang-aasar sa nakangising Seungcheol at namumulang Eunbi.
“Favorite niya kasi tumugtog. Figured out that she’ll love that one. Red pa rin naman favorite color mo, diba?” Puno ng sipulan at hiyawan ang buong paligid matapos tignan ni Seungcheol si Eunbi tsaka ito tumango. “‘Yun oh, parang may ika-crush back na tonight!” Komento ni Seokmin na hinabulan ni Seungkwan ng, “Luh sila, PBB Teens?!”
Mamimili na ulit sina Seungkwan ng pangalan dahil nabigay na ni Eunbi ang regalo nito para kay Vernon. “Oh, sino pa hindi nakakapagbigay? Uy, si Boss Baby? Sige, Sir Sunoo, ikaw na next!”
Kung akala ni Sunoo ay kakabahan siya pagdating ng oras na ito, but it’s the opposite. As he gets his gift from the group of presents on the side table, he is grinning widely as he borrows the microphone from the hosts. He was more than ready. “Ang nabunot ko ay si Sir Jay.”
Jongseong was perplexed upon seeing a small rectangular gift. It wasn’t the gift that they bought, and he wasn’t expecting that it was Sunoo who got him. Jongseong walks beside Sunoo, smiling yet wearing a puzzled look as the latter gives the gift to him. “Merry Christmas po…” Mahinang bati ni Sunoo. Nahihiya ito slight, of course. Lalo na’t ang mga mata ng lahat ay sa kanila lamang nakapokus kaya medyo naiilang pa siya nang kaunti.
“Bakit ‘yan ang naisip mong regalo for Sir Jay, Sir Sunoo?” Tanong naman ni Soonyoung. “As for the reason, uhm, I really thought that this would look nice for him. Plus it was actually a donation gift to a charity that he really wants to help… So ayun po, I registered it under his name.” Sunoo shyly answers, earning more ‘Awws’ from the audiences. “Grabe, sobrang thoughtful talaga ni Boss Baby!”
Jongseong was lost for words. He knows what the gift is, he has been showing this one to Sunoo for weeks already and he already planned to donate to this charity for Christmas. But he was surprised that Sunoo was one step ahead of him and did it instead. It was really a gift for him to treasure. Sunoo was about to go back when suddenly Jongseong holds his hand as Seungkwan starts to ask him about his giftee. “Si Sir Sunoo din po ‘yung nabunot ko.”
Now the cheers got louder than before. How could this possibly happen. Jungwon and Jake were both eyeing each other as they burst out laughing. Now, Sunoo’s the one who’s astonished and Jongseong is beaming brightly. Jongseong hands a slightly larger box to Sunoo and everyone was too eager to know what was the reason.
“I heard he likes listening to music. So I made one, just for him.” Those simple words made the whole office into a meltdown. Pulang pula na si Sunoo sa kilig habang hindi naman matigil ang lahat sa pangtutukso at pang-aasar sa kanila. Hanggang sa tuluyang matapos ang Christmas party, hindi matigil ang mga katrabaho sa mga panloloko nito na tinatawanan at nginingitian lang ng dalawa.
Jongseong patiently waited for Sunoo to arrive at the parking lot, helping him with all of the presents that the latter received as they placed them all on the backseat of the car. “Hey, beb. Sana tinawag mo ako if you needed help. These were a lot, oh.” Sunoo shakes his head and smiles as he wraps his arms around his lover from behind. “No need po, beb. I was able to carry it all the way here naman and you helped me. I appreciate you for that. Thank you, my beby.”
Jongseong instantly melts at Sunoo’s words so he turns around, returning the hug to the latter as he places a soft kiss on top of his head. “Let’s go home, shall we?”
As they reach the parking lot of Jongseong’s condo, Sunoo was about to go down when Jongseong stopped him. “Let’s stay here muna and open our gifts.” Sunoo nods at this one as he gets those two small boxes laying together with the bunch of gifts given by their officemates. He gives the slightly smaller box to Jongseong as he places the other one on his lap. “Open your gift first, beb,”
Jongseong excitedly opens his gift, his eyes are focused on the box as he unwraps it, revealing a silver bracelet, engraved with the organization’s name on it. He was so surprised upon seeing the bracelet he’s been eyeing for months. Not only because of how it looked like but also because of the reason behind it. It was the charity he’s been helping for years already and Sunoo, doing this for him, is a wonderful gift for him.
“Thank you so much for this, beb. You really know me so well.” Jongseong pulls him into a tight hug, leaving a soft kiss on top of Sunoo’s head. Sunoo helps him wear the bracelet which looks perfect around Jongseong’s wrist that he can’t stop staring at it while grinning widely, which Sunoo jokes him with, “Baka matunaw ‘yan, beb.” Jongseong shakes his head as the looks back to Sunoo. “It’s your turn, beb.”
Sunoo carefully unwraps the gift while looking forward on what did Jongseong give to him. It was indeed a surprise that both of them lied upon picking another people when they both got each other’s name, which is hilarious and fascinating. It reveals a cassette player, a cassette tape, and a pair of earphones, with a wrote written on a Christmas-themed card that says Listen to me. :) .
Sunoo can’t wait for this gift. He really likes listening to music, and Jongseong knows it. They do their own mini-karaoke sessions while on the way to work, going back home, or just spending time together, they listen (and sing) to the music. He inserts the tape inside the player before plugging in the earphones, putting one in Jongseong’s ear and the other one in him then presses the play button.
I’m in love with you, why are these words so hard
I keep hesitating to say over and over again
Sunoo leans a bit closer to Jongseong, making him put his head on his shoulder. While holding the cassette player, Jongseong reaches for Sunoo’s hand, interlocking it with each other as they continue to listen. Sunoo grins at the lyrics while making himself fully drowned with Jongseong’s sweet voice, blended with these cheesy lyrics and the cheerful melody. He finally said the L-word.
Why is it so hard just to write a simple letter
I keep writing and tearing it over and over again
They stare at the field of stars, only hearing Jongseong’s voice playing in the earphones as they enjoy the tranquility of silent night. Jongseong isn’t even that nervous. He knows that both of them share the same feelings. They show it to each other, every single day. Indeed, actions speak louder than words. But Sunoo deserved to hear these words, and putting it in a song could possibly the best way he can express it.
You may not feel the same way as I do
I may never see you again, that’s what I’m afraid of
Maybe all they need is one push. And certainly, thanks to their exchange gift fiasco, they are more adamant to put an end to all uncertainties. Sunoo and Jongseong realizes that they’re still on the same boat一now ready to move forward, hand-in-hand with their unwavering feelings towards each other, as they conquer a new journey of being together.
Don’t have the courage to tell you
With this song let me open my heart to you
Sunoo leans back, now faces Jongseong as he cups the older’s face using his warm hands, looking at him while grinning widely. He smiles a bit more as he follows the chorus of the song while brushing his thumb on Jongseong’s face, whispering the lyrics.
I love you, baby I, I love you (for a very long time)
I love you, baby I, I love you (I do)
“Will you be一”
“Be my boyfriend.”
On the 20th of December, Jongseong and Sunoo both received a gift that will surely make them remember how memorable this Christmas is: the gift of love.