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Kanina dumating ng alas kwatro si Wonwoo, and he took countless pictures with Mingyu and of Mingyu. Dinaig pa ata ni Wonwoo ang mommy niya sa dami ng kinuhang litrato nito.
Natawa na nga lang ang buong pamilya niya sa inasta ni Wonwoo dahil sanay naman na sila dito. They know his love for pictures and for Mingyu, and they welcome it.
Mingyu was glad to see how upbeat his best friend was and in turn ay sumaya rin ng lubos si Mingyu, kahit na medyo nagtatampo siya dito dahil hindi siya nito nasamahan magtanghalian.
The reality of not being with Wonwoo for the night only started kicking in nuong nagpapaalam na ito sa mga magulang niya. Pinapaba na raw kasi siya ng Kuya Kyungsoo niya para ihatid dun sa private pool place.
“Nako, sayang talaga Wonwoo at di ka sumama.” Singhap ng mommy ni Mingyu. She honestly couldn’t remember a major life event of Mingyu’s wherein Wonwoo wasn’t there, this might just be a first.
“Di na ako sumama tita, ayaw ko makalaban si Mingyu as prom king eh.” Pabirong sagot ni Wonwoo dito.
“Mabuti na lang at baka duon pa masubok pagkakaibigan niyo.” Pagloloko naman ng tatay ni Mingyu.
As the clock ticked closer to 6PM, Wonwoo inched closer and closer to the door.
“Una na po ako, real na.” Paalam ni Wonwoo nung tumunog na ulit ang telepono niya, “Maya na lang ulit Gyu.”
And then he was gone.
The night felt infinitely longer after that.
One foot out of that event’s hall already made Mingyu feel better. He won prom king and danced with no less than ten girls tonight but all he can think of was Wonwoo.
Specifically, how bad Wonwoo wanted to dance with him.
His feet hurt a bit from all the fancy dancing and his cheeks were a bit sore from all the smiling he had to do just to get through the night. He had an inkling that all the haggardness was amplified because of somebody’s absence.
It was a borderline unbearable night, the presence of his friends who did end up coming helped out a lot with lightening up his mood, pero kahit sila ay naatat na ring umalis para makapagswimming na.
Still, Mingyu felt lonely, sorely missing the person who was quite literally always stuck beside him.
He knows he should be more sentimental about tonight, it was the last major get together for the entirety of his junior high school. He wouldn’t see most of his batchmates again next year since everybody’s transferring. A lot of life people were crying as they held onto their friends and partners but seeing them just left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Maybe he was selfish to dislike seeing how everybody else’s circles were complete and that they didn’t have to be careful of their every move in fear of being misinterpreted.
His own friends could only go as far as holding hands under the table while the rest could freely show their affection.
So as soon as he got his sash and cheap plastic crown, sumenyas na siya sa mga kaibigan niya na aalis na siya. Seungkwan and Seokmin still had a program to finish, and the others were willing to wait for the event to officially end.
Susunduin sila ng mga magulang ni Chan at ihahatid dun sa narentahan nila Cheol at Wonwoo na place, but that wouldn’t be for another hour.
Kaya naman humingi ng pabor si Mingyu sa kanyang kuya para agad na siyang ihatid duon.
On his way out ay may mga bumati kay Mingyu, inviting him their own after parties. Mingyu nodded perfunctorily but had no plans of going. He only had one place in mind tonight.
During the drive, Jongin can’t help but look at his younger brother, “Parang mas excited ka pa sa swimming? Kanina ko pa napapansin.” He pointed out.
“Sa prom wala si Wonwoo, pero sa swimming nandoon siya.” Mingyu explained simply like that was supposed to answer why he dreaded prom and looked forward to the after party instead—to be fair it does answer Jongin’s question.
Wonwoo’s presence makes an absolute difference to Mingyu.
As the property came into view, Jongin saw how a smile bloomed on his younger brother’s face, it was small but it was there. Natanggal na nito ang seatbelt nito pagkatigil ng sasakyan at agad na ring binuksan ang pinto.
“Thanks kuya!” Mingyu almost forgot to look back at his brother.
“Teka! Your overnight bag!” Jongin reminded his eager brother.
Mingyu fetched his duffle bag from the back, a bit embarrassed but he didn’t slow down nor did his steps falter.
“You’ll get your dance,” Jongin whispered to himself as he watched Mingyu enter the property. He drove away in peace, knowing that the two kids were still getting what they wanted, even if they had to take ten steps back just to get it.
Kahit na hindi nagkwento ang kapatid niya sa pamilya nila ay nabalitaan pa rin ni Jongin ang nangyari from Kyungsoo, who was also a good friend of his. His heart broke for them, so it was a no-brainer decision to help set the place up.
He messaged a certain someone informing them of his brother’s arrival. His part’s done for tonight, it’s all up to Wonwoo now.
Pagkapasok ni Mingyu ay nakita na niya agad ang sila Jun, Soons, at Ji. Bumati siya dito at nakipagkamayan.
Where’s Wonwoo? He wanted to see him as soon as he got in.
“Musta tol? Masarap ba pagkain?” Tanong ni Soons.
Malawak at maaliwalas ang loob, tamang-tama para sa malaking grupo tulad nila.
Mingyu laughed, “Masarap naman.” He really didn’t care enough about the food to remember.
“Aga mo pre ah, sila Cheol asan na?” Jihoon asked.
“Tatapusin pa nila yung program, mamaya pa kasi sila susunduin ng parents ni Chan.” Paliwanag ni Mingyu.
“Akyat mo sa unang kwarto yung gamit mo pre. Andon ata si Wons may inaayos.” Jun stated after noticing Mingyu’s eyes fleeting over the place.
Mingyu nodded and started walking to head to the stairwell. His steps were light, as he got closer to the first room, he could hear faint music throught he walls.
Nagpapatugtog ba si Wonwoo? This doesn’t sound like the usual songs he listens to though.
Pagkabukas ni Mingyu ng pinto sa kwarto ay nakilala niya agad ang tugtog. The room was a bit dim but there were twinkling lights everywhere, it didn’t look like a bedroom at all, instead the room was transformed into a mini dance hall.
But the best part was probably Wonwoo walking towards him with a big smile. He was in a simple white button up shirt that was tucked into a pair of gray trousers, no tie, and a pair of clogs, Mingyu was amused with the choice of footwear but it was already a big upgrade from his earlier outfit at the hotel featuring a black shirt, sweat shorts, and his air forces.
Mingyu’s heart started doing backflips inside his chest. What was even going through Wonwoo’s mind? How does one even think of doing something like this?
Oo madaming humahanga sa kanya pero they all pale in comparison pag natapat na kay Wonwoo. It was no wonder why he liked Wonwoo so much. Who else would go to these lengths just to get a dance with him?
Mingyu couldn’t say he hates this feeling, it was the complete opposite actually. He doesn’t know how to act. Being alone in this room with Wonwoo made him more nervous than dancing in a room full of people he knew since seventh grade.
“Prom king, pwede ka na bang isayaw?” Wonwoo offered a hand, eyes brighter than the intermittently blinking lights that lit up the room.
Mingyu swallowed the lump forming in his throat, “If it’s you then it’s always a yes.”
He was overwhelmed in the best way possible. He never even thought he’ll get this chance, but Wonwoo didn’t just get this chance, he made it, and that meant so much more to Mingyu.
Mingyu slipped his hand with Wonwoo’s, not really intertwining them together since that will hinder their movement.
“You take the lead, inaral kong part yung pangbabae.” Wonwoo whispered to him, a bit embarrassed. “Baka kasi mahirapan ka mag-adjust.”
Mingyu chuckled, happiness practically seeping into his every pore. He’ll gladly take the lead in every dance with Wonwoo. In fact, he hopes there’ll be more chances to dance with Wonwoo in the future too.
Wonwoo’s free hand landed on Mingyu’s shoulder while Mingyu placed his hand on his best friend’s lower back as opposed to how he held other people earlier. With them finally close enough for Mingyu’s liking, he began to sway them.
“Pasado naman ba sa expectations mo?” Mingyu held Wonwoo’s gaze steadily. He hopes that the dim lighting doesn’t show how flushed he was with being in this close proximity with his best friend.
“Nalagpasan pa.” Wonwoo readily answered, not a hint of nervousness in his voice or posture. “Worth it yung muntik na ako masuspend for trying to dance with you in prom.”
“Buti hindi ka sumama, it sucked.” Mingyu complained, seeing Wonwoo’s relaxed state also made him feel relaxed. He has always found himself in tune with Wonwoo’s emotions.
Wonwoo laughed, “Kaya nga ako gumawa ng ganito eh para may sarili tayong prom.”
In reality, the room they were in was probably only an eight of the ball’s venue earlier but to Mingyu it felt like the room was bigger than any space he had ever been in, it felt like they were the only people in the world.
(Well if it counts, for Mingyu, the two of them were really the only people in his world.)
“At saka… gusto ko rin talaga masayaw nating lahat yung mga taong gusto talaga nating isayaw.” Wonwoo said firmly, tone getting serious. Mingyu knows aside from himself, Wonwoo also thought of their friends who also longed to dance with each other.
“Several years with you tapos hindi kita masasayaw? Pero yung iba pwede even if they aren’t close to you like I am?” Frustration slightly trickled into Wonwoo’s voice, an unusual tone for him. Bilang na bilang ni Mingyu ang mga pagkakataon na napuno si Wonwoo. Makulit man ito pero hindi naman ito mabilis magalit, sa katunayan ay mas mabilis pa nga si Mingyu magalit keysa sa kanya.
“Maduga sila, pero hindi ako papayag.” When Wonwoo said this he looked directly into Mingyu’s eyes. Napakagat na lang si Mingyu sa sariling labi sa tindi ng titig ni kaibigan sa kanya. “I’ve never taken anything lying down, alam mo naman diba?”
He just got his heart to settle but now it’s getting into overdrive again. He likes Wonwoo so much, he has probably liked Wonwoo far longer than he knows, and this night only solidifies that. Simply put, what he knows of love is wholly defined by Wonwoo.
“Gusto ko rin pala sabihin na hindi mo kasalanan, Gyu.” Sambit ni Wonwoo, “Alam ko naman na kahit hindi mo sabihin, sinisisi mo sarili mo… at alam ko rin nagtataka ka kung bakit hindi ko tinatanggi diba?”
“Mas madali siguro noh kung itanggi ko na lang? Sabihin ko na lang na hindi ako bakla, at na biro lang na gusto kita isayaw.” Mingyu looked like a deer caught in headlights and Wonwoo smiled at him fondly. For someone who has made it his personal mission to become mysterious and unreadable, Mingyu’s still very much an open book to Wonwoo. Pros of being his best friend.
“Hindi ko matanggi kasi there’s nothing to deny.” Wonwoo added. “I like boys, Gyu, and I wanted to dance with you.” The cat’s out of the bag.
Maybe if Wonwoo was just a tiny bit braver than he already is he could say, I like you Gyu , but Wonwoo’s still a coward in a sense.
He’s 16 years old, freshly out of the closet to a select few, and absolutely terrified of losing his best friend. The world is already cruel to people like them, he couldn’t afford to lose any more than he already has. He has experienced first-hand how people’s perspectives of them changed, he does not want to make this any more difficult for Mingyu.
Wonwoo was willing to wait for the world to be a bit kinder to them before making his move. He’s not sure how long that would take but, Wonwoo has the time.
“Magkaibigan nga tayo,” Mingyu’s hand slipped to Wonwoo’s waist, “I like boys too.” I like you.
With that statement, the tension broke and Wonwoo found himself laughing in Mingyu’s arms, the frustration and sadness from the past few days seemingly non-existent at this moment. Hindi na naalala ni Mingyu ang nirereklamo niyang sakit ng paa niya kanina, at napawi na rin ang ngawit sa mga pisngi niya, basing from how wide he was smiling now.
Later on, the rest of their friends would all trickle into the room bringing in chatter and laughter.
But for now, in a pocket of reality that’s exclusive to just the two of them, Mingyu and Wonwoo are quiet and content. Neither of them know how many loops the song has gone through and the air was still filled with so many unsaid things but they were at peace for the first time in a long while.
While there’s truly no certainty to life, Mingyu has learned to not mourn the future. Wonwoo has taught him to create chances that would otherwise be taken away from them.
It was no wonder Mingyu was so impatient to get prom over with, here was the real event he was willing to look back on several years from now— dancing with his one and only.