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Wonwoo was currently getting scolded by two 14-year-old boys who think that they could pass off as real chefs with how they’re berating him as they played Overcooked 2.
How did they get here?
Mingyu and the twins were over his place because he was having problems with his shower and instead of calling management, he of course called his boyfriend first to complain. He had found himself becoming the ultimate oversharer ever since they started dating. He told Mingyu everything.
Nawawala niya nailcutter niya? Sasabihin niya kay Mingyu.
Ang haba ng pila sa elevator? Sasabihin niya kay Mingyu.
Tinatamad siya maligo? Sasabihin niya kay Mingyu.
Magrereklamo lang naman talaga si Wonwoo pero ipapagawa niya rin sana but Mingyu being Mingyu couldn’t let his boyfriend—who got cold so easily, get stuck without warm water. He immediately came over with his siblings in tow.
Si Mingyu na raw ang titingin muna at baka kaya pa niyang gawin bago pa raw gumastos ni Wonwoo sa pagpapagawa. Wonwoo didn’t reject the offer since he doesn’t mind finding any excuse to get his boyfriend into his condo.
However, Wonwoo forgot that today was a Thursday and usually Mingyu picks up his siblings because his schedule permits it. He always tries not to bother his boyfriend during this time.
Kaya hiyang-hiya siya noong pagkabukas niya ng pinto ay tatlong tao pala ang nakaabang sa kanya. Still Wonwoo was glad to see the twins. He ushered them in excitedly.
“Nagtawag ka raw ng poging tubero?” Pilyo ang ngiti ni Mingyu pagkabukas ni Wonwoo ng pintuan. Naunang pumasok si Yushi at Riku para mababa na ang mga gamit nila.
“No, because the problem is in the shower, not the pipes.” Wonwoo rolled his eyes but gave his boyfriend a peck on the cheek anyway. He’d kiss him on the lips but he’s a bit shy when there’s an audience.
Wonwoo furrowed his brow and cupped Mingyu’s cheek, which made the latter’s eyes widened at the sudden gesture of affection. “You’re a little warm. Okay ka lang ba?”
Mingyu gave him an innocent look, “Tirik yung araw sa labas tas isa lang dalang payong ni Riku.” Wonwoo vaguely recalled that it was a bit cloudy today but maybe they walked quite a distance so he let it go. Iipitan niya na lang ng thermometer ito mamaya.
Dumiretso na si Mingyu sa banyo ni Wonwoo para tignan ang problema kaya naiwanan si Wonwoo para i-entertain ang mga kapatid nito.
Now back to his current situation.
Wonwoo, Riku, and Yushi were sitting at the floor while Mingyu laid across his coach. Surprise, surprise, Mingyu was running a slight fever. Wonwoo stuck a fever patch on his boyfriend’s forehead and made him lay down.
Ayaw raw nito kumain dahil busog pa raw siya kaya pinainom na niya ito ng paracetamol. Wonwoo made Mingyu some tea to sip on if he felt like it, got him a blanket, and turned up the temperature of his AC.
“Kuya akala ko ba magaling ka sa dito?” Yushi groaned.
“Shrimp! Kailangan ng shrimp!” Riku reminded them.
“I got the tuna, excuse me.” Wonwoo watched as his avatar scurried around the kitchen.
“Isa pa raw na tuna!”
“Chef Wonwoo tabi!”
“Wag niyo kulitin si Wonwoo.” Mingyu grumbled from behind them.
“I told you to rest in the guest room.” Wonwoo stole a quick glance sa likod niya and was glad to see that Mingyu wasn’t stubborn enough to keep his eyes open but from the noise they were making he doubts he’ll get proper sleep in the living room. “I’ll bring you there after this round.”
“Focus Chef Wonwoo!” Yushi called him out and instead of getting annoyed Wonwoo just laughed. It was much more fun to play this with other people than alone. Sure there was more screaming involved but Wonwoo guessed that that was one of game’s objectives.
After that round he let the twins have a go with just the two of them. Sinamahan niya si Mingyu sa guest bedroom.
“Sorry ang kukulit nila.” Mingyu apologized once they were out of earshot from the twins.
“It’s nice, the condo’s never this lively.” Wonwoo waved him off and opened the door to the room, not forgetting to switch the lights on for now. “And they’re kids, I’d be concerned if they aren’t that lively.”
Hinubad ni Mingyu ang indoor slippers na suot niya at itinabi sa paa ng kama, “Pagkagising ko uuwi na kami.”
“You guys should stay here for the night.”
“Wala silang damit.”
“They left some the last time they went here and I can wash their uniforms.”
“Hassle.” Mingyu rejected the idea, he always hated imposing on other people and unfortunately, his boyfriend wasn’t an exception.
“Not really, it’s fun.” Wonwoo said honestly. He could hear a bit of their screaming from here and it made him smile.
“Nakakaistorbo kami.” Mingyu settled himself on the soft bed. Everything in the room smelt fresh and already made him feel much more relaxed.
“I like the company.” Wonwoo gingerly fixed the blanket covering his boyfriend after he sat on the other side of the bed. “It’s lonely here when it’s just me and I know it sounds selfish but I’d really like it if you guys stayed for a night.”
Wonwoo’s used to the solitude of living alone but he couldn’t let Mingyu know that. A little white lie to get them to stay longer wouldn’t hurt.
“…Sige.” Mingyu sighed and closed his eyes. Hinaplos ni Wonwoo ang buhok ng kasintahan hanggang sa marinig niya ang kalmadong paghinga nito. Saka lang siya dahan-dahang umalis nang makitang tuluyan nang nakatulog ito.
Wonwoo walked back into the living room with a smile.
“It’s final, we’re having a sleepover.” Cheers erupted from the twins but Wonwoo shushed them. “Let’s keep it down, I just got your brother to sleep.” Agad rin namang tumahimik ang dalawa.
Wonwoo switched them to a different game just to be sure that they won’t be making as much noise as they did with the first game.
“I’m getting hungry, ano gusto niyong dinner?” Wonwoo asked the twins while looking at the options on Grab and FoodPanda.
“Kahit anong meron diyan kuya, di naman kami maarte.” Yushi replied absentmindedly, his focus still on screen.
“Basta hindi isda. Nakakatamad magtanggal ng tinik.” Hirit naman ni Riku.
“I don’t like fish either.” Wonwoo laughed, he had the same reason as Riku for not liking fish. “But there’s nothing here so we’ll just order whatever you want.”
“Kahit ano?” Yushi paused their game at lumingon kay Wonwoo, like Wonwoo was made up of twinkling stars.
“Yeah.” Wonwoo affirmed. “Ano gusto niyo? Chicken? Pizza?”
“Pwede pizza?” Riku asked excitedly.
“Yup.”
“Sige kuya magpizza tayo. Gusto ko itry yung Angel’s yung may spinach ba yun?” Yushi suggested.
“Wag yun, mahal yun.” Tinanggihan ni Riku ang kapatid. Nadadaanan kasi nila yung tindahan ng Angel’s pag papasok sila kaya siguro ayun ang unang naalala ni Yushi. “Tignan na lang natin ref mo kuya, marunong naman kami magluto.”
Wonwoo walked to his kitchen and opened his refrigerator, he could only wince when he saw that there was barely anything there, “I’m sorry there’s really nothing here except for like almond milk and maybe a few kitkats.”
Napakamot sa ulo ang kambal nang marinig ang sinabi niya and Wonwoo felt sheepish. In his defense, he’s not that great of a cook to begin with so he just eats before he goes home or he orders in. He’d prefer to leave the cooking to people who are good at it.
Wonwoo picked up his phone again by the counter, “So… Angel’s? Haven’t heard of it but I’m sure meron sa Grab.”
“Okay lang ba kuya? Pwede naman kami bumaba, may 7/11 malapit dito may mga pagkain naman dun.” Paninigurado ni Riku.
Wonwoo’s heart ached. Kapatid nga talaga sila ni Mingyu. “Okay lang, I was craving pizza too so let’s get that… and maybe dessert too?”
It was soon soothed by the big smile on their faces.
Makalipas ang isang kalahating oras ay dumating na rin ang pagkain nila. Imbes na dalhin pa ni Wonwoo ang kambal sa dining area ay pinakain niya na lang ito sa sala. Personally he doesn’t do it but the crumbs on his carpet can get cleaned but visitors come rarely so he choosed comfort for now.
“Kuya mag-isa ka lang talaga dito?” Tanong ni Yushi sa kanya habang kanya-kanya silang kumukuha ng pizza.
Wonwoo nodded to confirm.
“Asan mga magulang mo? Wala ka kapatid?” Tanong ulit nito.
“They’re working and mas malapit yung campus dito kaya I got a place here.” Sagot ni Wonwoo. “And no siblings, it’s just me so when you guys are here parang may mga kapatid na rin ako.”
Wonwoo wasn’t even planned by his parents so hindi na rin siya nasundan.
“Edi ang boring wala kang kausap.” Sabi ni Riku tila malungkot para sa kanya.
“True but I got used to it, it’s been like this for a long time.” Responde naman ni Wonwoo. Ever since he was a kid he wasn’t around his parents much either, they were a career driven couple and work was considered to be a priority. Wonwoo loved his parents but they’re not particularly close either. He’s still comfortable with them though, he visits their house at least once a month.
“You guys have a big family right?” Si Wonwoo naman ang nagtanong sa magkapatid. His family life was boring and there really were no details to expound on so he wanted to switch subjects.
“Lima lang kami pero madami kaming mga pinsan. Dati nakikitira kami sa bahay ng lola namin pero lumipat kami kasi nagkaanak na yung isang pinsan namin tapos dun rin titira, wala na raw space.” Paliwanag ni Yushi.
Wonwoo has learned about that concept of extended family living together back in grade school.
“You guys don’t go back?”
“Pag kailangan namin magpababa ng kuryente saka tubig dun kami nakikituloy, malapit lang rin kasi yung inuupahan namin.” Si Riku naman ang sumagot.
How high were utilities nowadays? Wonwoo wondered.
“Pero ayoko nakikituloy dun lagi kami inuutusan tapos ang daming hugasin.” Pagrereklamo ni Yushi kahit na yung kuya niya naman madalas umako nang paghuhugas.
Wonwoo was taken back, “They make you wash their dishes?”
“Sabi kasi ni mama yun dapat gawin tutal nakakaistorbo kami.” Banggit ni Riku. Maliwanag na sa mga bata na ito ang konsepto ng utang na loob, nakatatak na sa kanila na dapat laging may kapalit ang mga pabor na hinihingi nila sa ibang tao.
“…But you’re family.” Wonwoo muttered.
“Ganon talaga patakaran kuya, kahit pag reunion kami rin naghuhugas ng mga pinagkainan.” Dagdag pa ni Riku.
“At least libre swimming.” Nagkibibalikat si Yushi.
Wonwoo swallowed the lump forming in his throat, “...There’s a pool here too, I never got to bring you guys and masyado ng gabi ngayon pero pagbalik niyo I’ll take you guys there.” He tried to sound cheerful.
Even if it was just for a short amount of time he wanted these kids to have a good day to look back on for this week.
“Thank you kuya!” Nakangiting sabi ni Riku at bumalik na silang tatlo sa pagkain.
Pagkatapos naman nilang magligpit ng pinagkainan at nagtanong si Yushi, “May kailangan ba linisin dito kuya? O labada? Para may matulong naman kami.”
Wonwoo would not even dream of making these children do housework that he didn’t even do so instead he said, “We should wash your uniforms para may masuot kayo bukas, I’ll just get your clothes from my drawer so you can change into them.”
Saglit lang rin naman ang paglalaba dahil sosyal ang washing machine ni Wonwoo kaya ngayon nakabalik na sila sa sala at naghahanap ng pwedeng panoorin pampalipas ng oras. Wala raw assignment ang kambal ayon sa mga ito and Wonwoo gave them the benefit of the doubt.
“Tinatanong ni mama asan raw tayo.” Nagbukas si Yushi ng cellphone sa unang pagkakataon ngayong gabi.
Wonwoo panicked a bit since hindi nga pala planado ang sleepover nila at hindi nga nakapagpaalam si Mingyu sa mga magulang nila.
“Ano sabi mo?” Kalmadong tanong ni Riku habang hawak ang remote ng TV.
“Na kasama natin si kuya. Nilikezone na ako.” Yushi replied and turned off his phone.
Wonwoo doesn’t know if he should be relieved or concerned. His parents were lax on him too but before he got to college they always made sure he got home safe for the day.
These kids were 12… but maybe their mom just trusted Mingyu a lot with his siblings?
“Masaya yan walang magpapauwi sa kanya sa sugalan.” Pagbibiro ni Riku.
Wonwoo’s ears perked up, “Does your mom work there?”
His boyfriend didn’t really talk a lot about his family bukod sa mga kapatid nito na halata namang mahal na mahal ni Mingyu. Wonwoo figured that he had a rocky relationship with them.
“Ah hindi kuya.” Pagtanggi ni Yushi, “Naglalaro lang siya dun. Iba iba trabaho ni mama minsan manicurista, minsan nagmamasahe, tas minsan sa salon rin siya.”
“And your papa?”
Yushi shrugged, “Di ko alam dun, negosyante raw siya.”
“I don’t get my dad’s job either.” Wonwoo said lightheartedly. From their answers it didn’t seem like a pleasant topic to talk about so he didn’t push it anymore. Still it was much more information than what Mingyu was ever mentioned to him
Wonwoo promised the twins just one movie before he made them go to sleep. Baka siya pa pagalitan ng boyfriend niya pag sobra niyang pinagpuyat ang mga kapatid nito.
That night, Wonwoo slipped into Mingyu’s room for a while to spoon him. He didn’t even bother to get into the covers. His boyfriend was still fast asleep and Wonwoo was free to hold him a little tighter than he usually does.
His boyfriend’s fever has waned but Wonwoo still changed his fever patch just in case earlier.
“Sana sinasabi mo rin pag nahihirapan ka.” Wonwoo whispered into the darkness, his fingers running gently over the strands of Mingyu’s hair.
Wonwoo wished he could love Mingyu in the way he needed to be loved but Wonwoo’s still figuring it out, so he simply offers him everything he could think of.
He hoped it wouldn’t scare Mingyu off.
Dahil sobrang aga nakatulog si Mingyu kagahapon ay sobrang aga rin niya nagising. Pinuntahan niya si Wonwoo sa kwarto nito para sana silipin ito pero wala na ito sa higaan nito. Sinilip niya rin ang kwarto na tinulugan ng kambal pero wala rin ang nobyo niya dito.
Naabutan na niya ito sa kusina.
“Good morning.” Bati ni Wonwoo sa kanya nang yakapin niya ito mula sa likod. Since Wonwoo’s hands were occupied with making his morning tea he simply stuck his cheek to Mingyu’s to check his temperature. “Your fever’s gone.”
“Morning.” Hinalikan ni Mingyu si Wonwoo sa noo nung tumingala ito sa kanya, “Aga mo nagising, 9 pa klase mo ah?”
Kakaiba itong inaasal ng nobyo niya, pano ba naman ay hirap ito bumangon sa tamang oras kadalasan. Kailangan pa nga ito tawagan ni Mingyu sa umaga para masigurado na nagsisimula na itong kumilis para makapasok ito.
“Yeah but we’re driving them to school right? They need to be there at seven.” Natanong ni Wonwoo kagabi ang kambal kung anong oras ba nila kailangan makapasok para makapag-alarm siya.
“Drive? May LRT naman malapit dito tas isang jeep lang sila.” Tumaas ang kilay ni Mingyu. Nag-abala pa talaga ang kasintahan niya na magising ng maaga para maasikaso ang mga kapatid niya.
Wonwoo was finally done steeping his tea so he poured into his favorite mug. “But madaming tao since everyone’s papasok, we should just drop them off para we can go straight to campus after.”
Nagtitigan lang silang dalawa. Iniisip ni Mingyu kung kokontra pa ba siya o hindi.
“Sige na nga, tutal ang aga mo nagising. Kawawa ka naman pag di ako pumayag.” Suminghap kunwari si Mingyu and Wonwoo only smiled victoriously. “Makulit ba sila kagabi?”
“We just watched a movie after dinner then went to sleep since they didn’t have homework raw.” Wonwoo answered. They stepped away from each other for a while so that Wonwoo could get a packet of instant coffee that Mingyu swore by.
Binuksan ni Mingyu ang ref para tignan ang laman, “Walang laman ref mo, ano kinain niyo?”
“Pizza. We still have leftovers, do you like spinach?” Sagot ni Wonwoo dito.
Tinitigan ng maigi ni Mingyu ang kasintahan. Wonwoo could read the expression on his face, bakit gumastos ka na naman? “What? They’re guests.” Wonwoo defended.
“Nilibre ko na sila Jolibee bago kami pumunta dito kagahapon.” Sabi naman ni Mingyu.
“So?” Wonwoo questioned. “There’s no law against eating fast food two meals in a row and like you said wala laman ref ko.” He truly had no choice, he’d love to cook for these kids if he knew how to but alas he didn’t. Hopefully Mingyu can see his logic.
Napahilamos si Mingyu sa mukha nito, “Sobra-sobra na naman Wonwoo.”
Alam naman ni Mingyu na para sa nobyo niya ay maliit na bagay lang ito pero para sa kanya na minsan lang malibre ang mga kapatid niya sa labas … malaking bagay ito. Kung sa kanya lang ginawa ito ni Wonwoo ay kayang-kaya niya ito tanggihan pero hindi niya rin makuhang mainis dahil ginawa naman ito ni Wonwoo para sa mga kapatid niya.
Alam rin ni Mingyu na siguradong natuwa ang kambal na makakain na naman ng masarap.
Pero ilang pa rin talaga siya tumanggap ng kahit ano kay Wonwoo lalo na at malawak ang pagkakaiba nila sa estado sa buhay. Ayan ang pangunahing insekyuridad ni Mingyu sa relasyon nila at hindi niya alam kung paano ito papawiin.
“They’re your siblings. I want them to like me.” Pagdadahilan ni Wonwoo.
“Gusto ka na nila.” Awtomatikong tugon ni Mingyu.
“I want to keep it that way.” Inabot ni Wonwoo ang sachet ng kape sa nobyo para ipabukas ito.
Kinuha ito ni Mingyu at kinagat mula sa ibabaw para mapunit, “Just be yourself.”
“This is me being myself, you know that.” Wonwoo pouted after getting the opened sachet back.
He poured hot water into Mingyu’s designated mug and stirred the instant coffee in with a spoon. “Was tricking you into bringing home food for them to try when we first met not enough of a disclaimer?” He joked.
“Kung ano talaga ang kinaganda mo yun rin ang kinakulit mo noh?” Tinabihan muli ni Mingyu ang kasintahan at inakbayan ito.
Natawa si Wonwoo sa sinabi nito at di mapigilan ni Mingyu ang ngiti niya. “It’s directly proportionate.”
Natalo na naman siya ni ganda.
“Salamat.” Sabi ni Mingyu, nakatitig rin sa hinahalong kape ni Wonwoo para sa kanya.
Wonwoo’s heart swelled. There are days when Mingyu’s thank you’s are synonymous with I love you’s and today’s one of those so he simply says, “I love you too.”
Pansamantalang nakalimutan ni Mingyu ang mga kontradiksyon na bumabagyo sa utak niya at inabala muna ang sarili niya sa pagpapaulan ng mga halik sa buhok ng kasintahan niya, “I love you three, four, five-“
Wonwoo threw his head back in laughter and attempted to get out of Mingyu’s rain of kisses. “Please drink some coffee before you get even cornier.”
For a moment the difference between them seemed miniscule in the grand order of things. Right now there’s only laughter, Wonwoo’s mug of tea that was starting to cool, and Mingyu’s mug of coffee that was getting ignored in favor of getting a legitimate good morning kiss.
All is well.