Work Text:
“For your final project in E-Tech for this semester, you will be grouped into 5 groups, each consisting of 7 members.” Ms. Yuson said after her lesson, that earn a lot of grunts and groans from everyone.
“You will be making a web page. The content is up to you, basta lahat ng diniscuss natin ay naapply sa output niyo.”
“I will be the one to assign the group leaders, assistant leaders, and members for each group.” Sabi nito bago ilabas ang master’s list niya ng section namin.
“Group 1
Leader: Zamora
Assistant Leader: Concepcion
Members: Zaldua, Elizalde, Cadapan, Xavier, and Paat.”
I kept waiting for my name to be called; I was called when she announced the last group.
“And finally, Group 5
Leader: Yang
Assistant Leader: Lee
Members: Dalawang Park, Nishimura, Sim, and Kim.”
“Go to your respective groups, and use the remaining time to discuss what will be the content of your web page and also distribute the parts for each member.” Nang sabihin ‘yon ni Ms. Yuson, nagsi-tayuan ang lahat at pumunta sa kanya-kanyang grupo, at pumabilog.
“Nakakainis naman si Ms. eh! Kasama ko nanaman ‘tong tukmol na’to! Ms. Yuson! Bawal na po ba talaga magpalipat sa ibang group?” Reklamo ni Sawyer (Sunghoon)
“My decision is final Mr. Park.” Striktong sabi nito. Marahas na napakamot na lang sa ulo si Sawyer.
“Don’t act as if I want to be in the same group as you.” Walang ganang sabi ni Jay bago ipatong ang ulo sa mesa ng kanyang upuan.
Joshua (Jungwon) sighs because of the two’s nonsense argument. “That’s enough, we have to finish this quickly so both of you can get out of each other’s hair. Got it?” Striktong saad nito. Napa-ayos naman ng upo ang dalawa at tumango ng mabilis. Takot kasi sila dito, mukha man itong cute at tahimik lang, kapag ito ay seryoso, mapipilitan ka talagang sumunod dahil sa takot na magalit ito. That is why Joshua is their class president.
“We should work in pairs so one can guide the other. Of course three of us would be in one group since we are only seven. Let’s just give them the part that needs extra effort and work.” Suggest ni Heath (Heeseung)
“That’s a good idea.” Pagsang-ayon ni Jake. Tumango na lang din sila Sage (Sunoo), Reese (Riki), and Joshua. Habang yung dalawa naman nag thumbs up na lang.
“And may I suggest na paghiwalayin itong dalawang Park? I volunteer to be partners with Sawyer.” Saad ni Jake
“No arguing with that.” Sawyer said. You can see a faint red on his cheeks.
“I second the motion! Partner kami ni Sage!” Masayang sabi ni Reese habang nakataas pa ang kamay, ang isang braso ay nakaakbay sa balikat ni Sage.
“No. You can’t be paired up. Wala kayong matatapos kapag kayo magkasama.” Saad ni Joshua knowing Reese, baka ayain niya lang maglaro si Sage ng kung ano-ano, given that Sage would go with anything the younger wants.
S-suggest sana ni Joshua na si Jay, Heath, at Reese na lang ang mag kakasama, and sila ni Sage, since he knows Sage is an efficient member and will comply agad sa parte nito. And he has been crushing on Sage for a while now, so he wants to be paired with the other. Pero biglang nagsalita si Jay. “Sa’tin na lang si Reese, Josh, para mabantayan mo rin siya.” Natigilan naman saglit si Joshua at nilingon si Sage. Tinaasan lang siya ng dalawang kilay nito at nginitian ito.
“Sure.” Sabi nito habang pilit na ngumiti
“That leaves Sage and Heath.” Saad ni Joshua. Nagkatinginan naman ang dalwa. They realized that this is their first time being in the same group all throughout the school year, being paired up at that.
Naputol ang tinginan nila nang magsalita si Reese “Teka naman kuya Jay! Para naman akong bata na kailangan pa ng taga-bantay! Sa’kin niyo nga lagi pinapagawa lahat ni kuya Saw kapag magkaka-grupo tayo eh. I won’t accept this! Gusto ko kapartner si Sage!” Pagpupumilit ni Reese
“It’s decided Reese. Unless someone is against with the pair up, then we might consider re-pairing.” Saad ni Jake
“I’m against!” Saad agad ni Reese
“Maliban sa’yo syempre.” Jay
Actually Sage and Joshua are against the pairings, but since no one knows Joshua has a crush on Sage, and Sage has no reason at all for disagreeing, except that Heath might have a beef with him, they remain silent. Ramdam naman ni Sage sa peripheral view niya na nakatingin sa kanya si Heath, parang inaabangan kung magsasalita ba siya o hindi.
“No one? Then it’s settled.” sabi ni Heath. Para namang binagsakan ng langit at lupa ang mukha ni Reese.
“I’ll distribute the parts and send it later to the group chat. Sage, can you make our group chat?” Joshua asked
“Sure!” Sabi niya, kinuha ang cellphone sa bulsa at sinimulan nang gawin ang kanilang gc.
It’s the first day of making their page. Naka assign si Sage at Heath sa mga ilalagay nilang items sa shop nila. Hindi naman talaga gagawing online shop yung web page nila, kumbaga gagawin lang talaga nila for their final project, but they won’t publish it.
Dapat sa bahay ni Sage sila gagawa lahat, pero since hindi naman available ang lahat sa araw na ‘yon, napag desisyunan na lang nilang mag hiwa-hiwalay muna gumawa, saka na lang sila mag titipon-tipon ‘uli kapag i-ffinalize na lang yung output.
So sa huli, si Sage at Heath lang ang magkasama ngayon sa bahay nila Sage.
“Let’s go to my room para may aircon.” Pag-aya ni Sage sa kaklase. Tumango naman ito at kinuha ang mga gamit bago tumayo at sumunod sa binata.
Pagpasok nila ay naka bukas na ang aircon kaya malamig na. Mas lalo tuloy pinasma si Sage. Gustuhin niya man na doon na lang sila sa sala gumawa, mainit naman doon kasi hindi pa napapagawa yung aircon nila sa sala.
Kinakabahan si Sage kasi hindi niya close si Heath. Biruin mo ‘yon? They’ve reached until the last month of their school year without having the chance to be close with each other.
“Should we start?” Tanong Heath. Tumango naman si Sage at pilit na ngumiti.
This is awkward… Sage thinks.
I-open na ni Sage yung desktop niya, in-open din ni Heath yung laptop niyang dala. While Heath is sitting by the small coffee table in Sage room, Sage is sitting by his study table. Kaya nakatalikod siya kay Heath, while Heath is facing Sage’s back.
“Any ideas for our content?” Tanong ‘uli ni Heath.
Nilingon muna ni Sage ang binata “Uhm… We can do a jewelry store… or a fragrance shop?” Alanganing sagot ni Sage. Tumango-tango naman Heath. “I like a fragrance shop.” Saad nito. Nakahinga naman ng maluwag si Sage kasi sumang-ayon ang binata. May saysay naman pala yung hindi niya pagtulog kagabi para lang maka-isip at mag-search ng products para sa online shop nila.
“M-me too! And we can name each fragrance our names. Then each perfume corresponds with our favorite scent, and of course we can customize the packaging based on our personalities.” Masayang saad ni Sage. Heath chuckles because of Sage enthusiasm.
Natigilan naman si Sage nang marinig ang mahinang tawa ng lalaki.
Ang pogi ng tawa. Sage thinks
“That’s a good idea Sage. Wow, you really did your research, huh?” Heath said with a chuckle. Tumango naman ang isa bago kumamot sa batok sa hiya. “Okay, let’s go with that.” Sabi ni Heath habang tinatype sa gc nila yung idea na naisip ni Sage para makapag start na rin yung iba gumawa. “We’ll proceed on designing our items.”
Kinuha ni Sage yung ipad niya para mas madali siyang makapag-sketch. “Although, Sage..” Heath stops
“Y-yes?” Sagot nito bago lingunin ‘uli ang nakatatanda
“If ever we did this in real life, that we managed to post and publish our shop, don’t you think our buyers would be confused?
“What do you mean?”
“Well… for example, me. My personality is… wait. How will you describe my personality?” Tanong nito
“M-me?” Tumango naman si Heath
“Well… since this is our first time having a proper conversation, and it’s too early for me to conclude about your personality, I’ll just say my first impression to you.”
“That will do.” Saad ni Heath, a hint of sadness in his tone, but since Sage is so busy coming up with his answer, he did not notice it.
“The truth is… I don’t want to be paired up with you…” natigilan si Heath. He did not expect that the other would straight up reject him. “Wait! Here me out please!” Natatarantang sabi ni Sage.
Heath chuckles again because of the other's cuteness. “I’m listening.” Heath said with a smile.
Huminga muna ng malalim si Sage, bago magsalita ‘uli. “The reason why I don’t want to be paired with you is because… I-I think y-you’re mad at me… for some reason, and because of that, I’m deeply intimidated by you.” Nakayukong saad ni Sage, too scared to meet the other's gaze.
“You thought I was mad at you? In what way?”
“You always glare at me. And kanina, parang inaabangan mo akong tumutol sa pairings natin.” Natahimik sila
“First of all, I’m not mad at you. Second, yung kanina, hindi ko inaabangan na tumutol ka, I was waiting kung tututol ka, because I really want to be paired with you. And lastly, I don’t glare at you. I glare at the people around you, because they always take advantage of your kindness. Well, sometimes, ikaw nga ang sinasamaan ko ng tingin.” Napalingon naman si Sage “Because you let them take advantage of you .”
Parang hinugutan ng hininga si Sage. “Bakit ba hinahayaan mo silang tratuhin ka ng ganun? Don’t tell me you don’t notice? I can clearly see that sometimes, it makes you uncomfortable, lalo na kapag hindi mo naman close.”
“I can’t help it. I want to help all of them, but sometimes it's too much. But I can’t push them away, because I’m afraid I might disappoint them.”
“‘Wag mong sanayin sarili mo na ganyan ang mindset. You can’t always give them what they want. Pa’no kung isang beses na hindi mo nagawa yung gusto nila, and that end up ruining your friendship, forever mo na lang ba sisisihin sarili mo? And kung ganun man yung mindset ng so called friend mo, they are not really your friend.”
“...Why are you saying this?”
“Why? Because I don’t want to see you get hurt just because of other’s shortcomings.”
Hindi nakapagsalita si Sage. But his heart speaks for him. Ang buong akala niya, galit sa kanya si Heath.
“Why? Why do you care so much? We’re not even close.” Mahinang tanong ni Sage
Natawa si Heath. “You’re so clueless.” Nilingon siya ni Sage with a confused face. “W-What?”
Lumapit si Heath sa kinauupuan ni Sage at lumuhod sa harap nito, kinuha niya ang dalawang kamay ni Sage at pinatong sa hita nito. “I like you, Sage.”
Sage’s heart skipped a beat “W-What?”
“You asked earlier why our products will confuse our buyers right?” Tumango naman si Sage, pero halata pa rin sa mukha niya ang pagkalito.
“It’s because my favorite fragrance is far from my personality.” Mas lalong naguluhan si Sage. “You said I’m intimidating, right?” Tumango lang naman ‘uli si Sage. “But you know what my favorite scent is?” Umiling si Sage
“It’s your amoy baby scent.” Nanlaki naman ang mata ni Sage sa sinabi ng nakatatanda. “W-What are you saying Heath?!” Wala sa sariling napataas ang boses ni Sage habang nakatakip ang dalawang kamay sa mukha, kaya nabitawan siya ng nakatatanda.
Ngumiti ang nakakatanda at marahang kinuha muli ang mga kamay ni Sage at hinawakan ito. “If we put my personality and your scent in one bottle, malilito talaga ang mga buyers natin Sage.” Heath said with a smirk
“Alam mo ikaw! Stop messing with me nga!” Sabi nito at bahagyang tinulak si Heath
Pero hindi nagpatinag si Heath at mas hinigpitan pa ang kapit sa kamay ni Sage “I’m not messing with you Sage.” Sabi nito habang nakatitig sa mga mata ng nakababata.
“You want proof?” Natigilan si Sage.
Hindi na inantay ni Heath magsalita si Sage at tumayo para kunin ang bag niya. May nilabas siyang isang box doon at ibinigay ‘yon kay Sage. “Open it.”
Nagaalangang binuksan ni Sage ang box. Inside, there are tons of lucky origami stars. “I started making those when I started liking you.”
“Each star corresponds to one day of liking you.”
“And it’s been 646 days… and counting.”
“W-What? Why? H-How…? Sage only managed to say.
“We’ve been classmates for almost two years now, Sage. I have liked you since then. I have had my eyes, my mind, and heart for you since the day I first met you.”
“W-Why didn’t you say anything?”
Heath chuckles. “It’s funny that you feel intimidated by me, but it’s the other way around… I’m the one who is intimidated by you.”
“You’re just too far, Sage. You’ve accomplished so much. Pero ako? I’m only worth something because of academic validation. Pero ikaw Sage, you’re so much more than that.”
“H-How come? I’m just an ordinary student, Heath. There's nothing special about me.” Gulong gulong sabi ni Sage
“Everything is special about you, Sage. For starters, Bago ituloy ni Heath ang sasabihin ay kinuha niya ang isa pang upuan para hindi mahirapan yumuko si Sage sa kanya. you’re empathetic. Not all individuals can be like that. Two, you’re humble, not in the way that natatapakan na yung pagkatao mo just to boost others, you still know your self worth. Three, you value your studies, while still having the time to help your friends in theirs. Fourth, you’re family-oriented, always putting your family first.— I have many more, do you want me to continue?” Mahabang paliwanag ni Heath
“N-no, I-I get it now.” Nahihiyang saad ni Sage
“I didn't include your looks, that's given already. Everybody knows that you're the most beautiful boy they have seen in their entire life, including me.”
“That's also a reason why I didn't confess agad. Everybody wants to be with you and wants to be you, Sage. And I’m afraid that I can't compete with them.”
“I like you, I like you so much, it hurts.”
There was a long silence between them. They are both pondering the things they heard and said.
“Do you wanna get some ice cream?” Alok ni Sage na ikinagulat ni Heath. Sa gulat, ay tumango na lang siya at nagpahila sa nakababata.
“Four mochi ice cream please.” Saad ni Sage sa tindera.
“Thank you” saad ni Sage nang matanggap ang mochi ice cream pagkatapos niya mag bayad.
Inabot niya yung dalawa kay Heath at umupo sila sa may bench na kalapit ng tindahan. “Thank you.” Saad ni Heath pagkabigay sa kanya ni Sage ng ice cream, kahit naguguluhan pa rin siya sa nangyayari.
Nagsimula na silang kumain ng magsalita si Sage “You’re not the only one.” Napatingin naman sa kanya si Heath.
“Huh?” Takang tanong ng nakatatanda
“You’re not the only one who confessed to me today. Joshua also confessed that he likes me. Pumunta siya rito bago siya dumiretso kila Jay. Naisip ko kanina na ang weird naman ng timing niya para mag confess, it looks rushed. But then, you confessed din.” Their eyes met. Heath’s eyes are filled with confusion, while Sage’s eyes are filled with adoration. “That's when I realized that Joshua knew that you like me.” Kwento ni Sage
Sage looked at Heath “Why do you think he did that?” He asked the older.
“I don’t know, maybe ayaw niyang maunahan ko siya?” Naguguluhang saad ni Heath
Sage chuckles “Hmm.. You're not wrong, but you're not right either." Sage paused for a second "He confessed because he knows once you confess to me, wala na siyang pag-asa.”
Natigilan si Heath “I like you too Heath Lee.”