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Not even once did it cross Donghyuck’s mind that he’d be married by the age of bente otso (28). He did plan to get married someday, but not at a specific time or age. He was just waiting for the right time to come. But of course, that’s not how things turned out.
He is now married to Mark Jeremiah Lee. At 28. And they’re actually living under the same roof. If you were to ask him whether he likes how things turned out, chances are, his answer would be a hard no.
Especially since he ended up married sa dating kaibigan.
“Tita Dey and Mom will be there. Pauwi na rin ako,” Mark said over the phone. He and Donghyuck were currently on a call. “May naiisip ka bang pwedeng iuwi?” he added.
Donghyuck sighed. “Don’t ask me questions. Just get here so we can get this over with.”
“Okay lang kaya kung Pizza Hut? Paborito yon ni Tita, pero alam kong hindi ka kumakain ng pizza. So?” Mark was being extra persistent. He even asked again, which earned an instant scowl from the other line.
Ang tigas talaga ng bungo, Donghyuck thought.
“Pwede na yan. Sige na, ibababa ko na. Ingat.” Donghyuck said quickly, then ended the call.
Mark stared at his phone as the call ended, let out a sigh, then pocketed the device. He left the office, picked up some pizza, and drove back to the house he shared with Donghyuck.
There was no dramatic lover's quarrel or cold war going on. It’s just that both of them ended up trapped in an arranged marriage they didn’t even understand how they got into. And that led to the chaotic setup they had now.
It was giving Dos and Gab vibes—two people who just woke up one day and found themselves legally married. Their entire families and friend groups found out, and just like that, they were forced to live under one roof. Because, apparently, that’s what married couples do.
They couldn’t even argue at first. No matter how much they insisted they weren’t together, no one believed them. After all, the documents said otherwise. Their signatures were there. The marriage was legit. There were even witnesses. There was a judge’s signature. Even a priest’s. How could anyone not believe them with all that evidence?
That’s why they eventually agreed to live together and plan for a divorce.
“Mas pinatunayan lang nilang may sila nga, gagi,” Chenle said the other day when the group of friends gathered—minus Donghyuck and Mark.
Jaemin laughed. “Alam nyo namang patola yang si Donghyuck. Ayan tuloy.”
–
Mark arrived home and immediately saw Donghyuck sitting outside. The latter stood up when he saw Mark’s car pulling in.
“Why are you out here? Malamig,” Mark said as he approached.
“Nasa loob sila Jaehyun and Kuya Doy.”
Mark looked straight at Donghyuck. The other glared back, which made Mark laugh.
“Want me to save you from them?”
“No need. I just needed some air. Feeling ka na naman.” Donghyuck replied, rolling his eyes before heading inside the house.
Mark chuckled even more. After two years of living together, he probably even knew Donghyuck’s favorite number on their electric fan.
He knew very well why Donghyuck was outside.
As soon as Mark entered their house, he was greeted by the noise of Jaehyun and Johnny. “Mark, bro! Nandito ka na!”
“Oh, Mark Jeremiah, anak! Halika na, kain na tayo!” Donghyuck’s mom called out from somewhere inside the house, a ladle in hand.
Mark leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. “Bihis po muna ako, Tita. Susunod po ako.”
“Bilisan mo na lang, at pakisundo na rin ang asawa mo sa taas,” she said with a smile before walking away.
“Uy, asawa mo raw!” Johnny teased, he and Jaehyun laughing as they approached. Mark gave them a playful smack.
“Anong ginagawa mo rito, ser? Walang flight?” Mark asked Johnny.
“Tapos na, bro. Nakasalubong ko si Tita kaya nagpahatid na siya rito. Pinasama ako, ha. Not my idea,” Johnny said defensively, making Jaehyun laugh.
“Aalis na rin kami after dinner. Kawawa na si Donghyuck sa Kuya niya,” Jaehyun added with a grin.
“True. Nandoon sila sa taas, mukhang pinapagalitan na naman ng Kuya niya,” Johnny chimed in.
They chatted for a bit before Mark headed upstairs to change. But as he entered one of the rooms, he was surprised when Donghyuck suddenly emerged from the bathroom.
“Jesus Christ,” Mark said, hand on his chest. “Bakit ka nandito?” he asked immediately.
“Tulog si Kuya sa kwarto ko. Nakiligo lang dito,” Donghyuck replied simply, dabbing his face and fixing his hair at the vanity.
Mark cleared his throat. “Ah. Feel free. Wala namang naka-kwarto rito. Baba ka na rin after, kakain na raw.”
Hindi na siya sinagot ni Donghyuck kaya lumabas na rin si Mark. True enough, yung kwarto na yon ay dapat talaga para sa kanilang dalawa. Pero dahil mag-asawa lang sila sa papel, may kanya-kanya silang kwarto sa bahay. Nagagamit lang nila yung shared room kapag nasa bahay ang pamilya nila.
Katulad ngayon.
They were forced to sleep in that room because their parents decided to stay over. After all the chaos and kwentuhan over dinner, the couple was now in their room. Both are busy with their own things.
Mark was on his laptop, finishing up some work. Donghyuck, on the other hand, was in the bathroom, going through his routine—busy keeping himself busy.
They weren’t awkward sharing the same room anymore. Unlike before, when they couldn’t even be on the same side of the bed without pushing each other away. Now, they were just minding their own business, as if they weren’t even in the same space.
“Donghyuck, are you done? Naiihi na ako!” Mark called out, raising his voice a bit since the bathroom door was closed.
Donghyuck blinked, fixed his face and the things he was using, then walked out without saying a word. Mark gave him a quick glance before hurrying inside to pee.
“Mark, nakita mo ba rito yung towel ko?!” Donghyuck asked loudly while rummaging through some stuff.
“Sa upuan malapit sa veranda! Nilagay ko lang diyan. Pero kung wala, baka nasa cabinet na!” Mark replied from inside the bathroom.
They looked so comfortable with each other now. If you asked any of their friends or family, they'd say the two seemed natural, relaxed, like a happy, healthy couple.
But they weren’t. They were the complete opposite.
It was already 1:40 AM, and both of them were still wide awake. The bed was huge. They were at opposite ends, eyes wide open, not even pretending to be asleep.
“Hey, gising ka pa?” Mark asked after a long silence, turning to Donghyuck’s side.
“Bakit gising ka pa?” Donghyuck answered, eyes fixed on the ceiling.
Mark slowly sat up and leaned against the headboard. Donghyuck glanced at him for a second but didn’t move.
“Kumusta kayo ni Kuya Doy?” Mark asked.
In that moment, Donghyuck felt like he didn’t need to be the usual passive-aggressive version of himself around Mark. There was a comforting silence between them. No tension, no pressure. So he chose to stay quiet. He didn’t feel like answering.
Gusto lang talaga niya munang manahimik.
“I talked to our attorney earlier about the papers.”
Donghyuck shot up from the bed faster than a 4 AM alarm. Mark gave him a small, amused smile, especially since the happiness was written all over Donghyuck’s face.
“Oh my God. What did he say? Mapipirmahan na ba?”
For someone about to get divorced, Donghyuck looked like the happiest person alive.
Mark chuckled. “He’ll sign it pag-uwi niya galing bakasyon. Clear your schedule, gusto rin niya na tayong dalawa ang kaharap.”
Donghyuck nodded, grinning ear to ear. “Thank you so much, Mark. Sobra.”
Mark could only smile back. He couldn’t find the right words for some reason. He was genuinely happy for Donghyuck because for over two years, he had waited for this.
Mark witnessed every single frustration Donghyuck went through. And now that it was finally happening, he was just as relieved as he was.
–
Kinabukasan, si Mark ang unang nagising kaya maaga rin siyang nakapag-asikaso. After fixing himself up, he paused for a moment.
“He’s such a baby,” bulong niya sa sarili nang mapansin ang ayos ni Donghyuck sa kama. Mahimbing ang tulog at yakap-yakap pa rin ang unan na nasa gitna nila kagabi.
Peaceful ang itsura ni Donghyuck, and that made Mark smile to himself. He stayed there for a few more minutes before finally pulling his gaze away and quietly stepping out of the room.
I shouldn’t be there longer than yesternight, he thought.
“Good morning, son.” Mark’s mom greeted him. He kissed her on the cheek and also kissed Donghyuck’s mom on the cheek.
“Sabayan mo na lang bang kumain ang asawa mo, or?”
“Sabayan ko na lang po si Donghyuck, Ma,” Mark replied politely.
Nagkatinginan ang dalawang ginang, then both smiled at him knowingly. Mark just smiled back and sat down with his coffee after making himself a cup.
A few minutes later, Donghyuck’s mom asked, “Kumusta kayong mag-asawa, nak?”
Mark took a sip before answering, “We’re still doing great po, Tita.” Sa sobrang great po, malapit na kaming mag divorce nang hindi nyo alam.
“Ikaw talaga, hindi mo pa rin ako tinatawag na Mama or Mommy. Nahihiya ka pa rin ba sa amin, nak? Mag tatlong taon na nga kayong kasal ng bunsoy ko, oh.”
That was when Mark realized—it has almost been three years since he and Donghyuck got married on paper. It happened every April 7.
Hindi na sila aabot.
“Sorry po, Tita, nasanay lang. One of these days po, baka ‘Mama’ na rin po ang itawag ko sa inyo.” Mark smiled.
-
Ayon na ang huling beses na nakasama nila ang pamilya dahil sunod-sunod na ang mga ganap at commitments sa trabaho. Kapansin-pansin din ang kaunting pagbabago sa pakikitungo ni Donghyuck kay Mark, simula nang sabihin ng huli na nakausap na niya ang Attorney nila.
Sa kanilang dalawa, si Mark palagi ang huling umuuwi mula sa trabaho. Kung dati ay madalas na lang siyang nagre-reheat ng mga luto ni Donghyuck. Ngayon, naaabutan na niyang nagluluto pa ang asawa.
“It’s late. Bakit nagluluto ka pa?” Agad na tanong ni Mark isang gabing nakauwi siya ng alas-onse.
Nilingon lang siya saglit ni Donghyuck, saka pinatay ang kalan. Tapos hinubad ang apron, naghugas ng kamay, at nagpunas bago lumapit.
“Nakita ko lang sa YouTube. Might as well try this one,” Donghyuck said, smiling.
“Really? Pwedeng patikim?”
“Of course, silly. Upo ka na, ako na mag-serve.”
And just like that, nagtuloy-tuloy ang ganung routine sa mga sumunod na araw. Tagaluto si Donghyuck, tagaligpit naman ng pinagkainan si Mark.
Isa yan sa mga unang napagkasunduan nila noon, lalo na nang malaman ni Donghyuck na hindi talaga pwedeng maiwan si Mark sa kusina. Disaster waiting to happen.
Donghyuck is really a great cook, kaya hindi na rin umangal si Mark. Never silang nag-breakfast, lunch, or dinner ng pagkain sa fast food o kahit anumang take out foods. Donghyuck didn’t grow up with that habit, but Mark did. Pero over time, nasanay na rin si Mark sa lutong-bahay because of his husband.
Basta nandyan si Donghyuck, palagi siyang kakain.
Basta nandyan si Donghyuck, palagi siyang busog.
At basta nandyan si Donghyuck, palagi rin na nandyan si Mark.
Pero paano kung wala na si Donghyuck, nandyan pa rin kaya si Mark?
–
One of the nights Donghyuck came home later than Mark expected was the first time Mark felt something. Something weird. Off. Suspicious. Tingling. Basta, something.
That night, Donghyuck had been dropped off by some guy Mark didn’t recognize. And naturally, the moment Donghyuck walked into the house, Mark was already sitting by the living room like a loving husband who’s waiting for his dear partner.
“Sino yon?”
“Steven Jung. Pinsan ni Jaehyun. Hindi mo kilala?” Sagot ni Donghyuck habang abala sa pagtanggal ng sapatos.
Jaehyun has a cousin named Steven? Since when?
“Is that true?” Mark asked, brows furrowing as he took Donghyuck’s keys and hung them in their usual spot. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of him.”
Donghyuck just chuckled. “Baka isa yan sa mga well-kept secrets ni Jaehyun sa friendship nyo.”
Mark tried to shrug it off but it didn’t just happen once. Or twice. Nope. Five. Freaking. Times. Even after Donghyuck started coming home earlier, Steven still kept dropping him off.
“Are you ready, Mark? Baba na ako, sunod ka na lang.” Donghyuck knocked on Mark’s bedroom door as he passed by. Mark just shouted tired, “Yeah!” from inside. No door opening.
They were heading out to celebrate Renjun’s birthday, which was being held at Chenle’s villa. Medyo malayo ang lugar, so they took turns driving. Mark didn’t want to let go of the wheel at first, but his job kept calling him. So halfway through the trip, Donghyuck took over the driving duties.
When they arrived, Renjun greeted them with a big hug. “Thanks for coming, lovebirds!” he beamed.
“Ang kulit talaga ng ulo mo.” Donghyuck laughed, giving him a playful smack before hugging him back. “Happy birthday, twink. Love you, alam mo yan.”
“Happy birthday, Renjun,” Mark greeted from Donghyuck’s behind, a bit more lowkey but still warm.
When Renjun pulled away too suddenly, he almost knocked Donghyuck over. Good thing Mark had lightning-fast reflexes and caught him by the back and waist.
“Uminom na ba kayo, Jun?” Donghyuck laughed once he was standing upright from Mark hold. “Mukha kang lasing.”
Renjun giggled like the drunk little menace he was. “A little! Tagal nyo kasi! But let’s go inside na!”
The moment they stepped in, they were hit with an explosion of noise. Chenle’s laughter, Xiaojun and Jisung’s off-key duet, Jaemin’s loud storytelling, and whatever chaos Jeno was dealing with Yangyang. It was a beautiful mess. The kind that made you wonder if someone spiked the punch of the air.
“Anyway, I invited Steven,” Renjun casually told Donghyuck. At the mention of the name, Mark subtly turned his head like a spy who just heard code words. “I hope you don’t mind, Mark,” Renjun added, turning quickly toward him.
Mark smiled the fakest real smile he could manage. “Oh, no. It’s fine, Jun. Don’t mind me.”
And just like that, the chaotic celebration began.
Habang nagkakasiyahan ang lahat, si Mark naman ay iba ang pinagtutuunan ng pansin. Mark wasn’t even sure kung ano bang mas nakakainis. Nainis na lang talaga siya bigla. Yung fact na nandoon na naman si Steven, o yung fact na naiinis siya in the first place.
Kaibigan lang ni Donghyuck yun. Pinsan ni Jaehyun, he reminded himself.
Pero kahit anong pilit niyang paalala sa sarili kung sino ang Steven na kilala niya, may something pa rin talaga.
Steven looked so put-together. Nakaputing polo, nakaayos ang buhok, yung tipong marunong gumamit ng wine glass nang hindi awkward. He was chatting with Jisung and Jaemin like he’d known them for years. At si Mark naman ay nakatayo lang sa tabi, hawak ang tumbler ni Donghyuck like it was a stress ball.
Bakit ba andito na naman siya? At bakit ba ako naaapektuhan? Nababaliw ka na ba, Mark Jeremiah?
Then he heard it. That laugh.
Tumawa si Donghyuck. At hindi basta tawa. Yung tawa na medyo pa-kunot yung mata, bahagyang yuko, tapos may kasamang tapik. The genuine laugh. The one Mark secretly liked hearing, kasi it meant Donghyuck was relaxed. Genuinely happy.
And now, si Steven freaking Jung pa ang dahilan.
Mark suddenly took a sip from a random red cup on the counter. Agad niyang nailuwa yon dahil sa lasa. Ano ba to lasang gasolina?!
“Bakit parang may nilunok kang decisions mo sa buhay dyan?” biglang sumulpot si Chenle sa tabi niya, hawak ang isang platong punong-puno ng fishball na parang buffet.
“I’m fine,” sagot ni Mark, automatic na parang naka-autoreply.
“You sure? Mukha kang ready na makipagsuntukan sa labas,” Chenle said, chewing like a judgmental chihuahua. “Let me guess. Steven?”
Mark didn’t respond. Kasi to be fair, hindi niya na rin alam kung anong sasabihin. O kung may sabihin pa ba dapat siya.
Chenle clicked his tongue. “Bro. Chill ka lang. Si Steven... eh, si Steven lang yun. Hindi siya walking red flag, okay?”
“I’m not being weird.” Mark muttered.
“Pre, hawak mo tumbler ni Donghyuck na parang emotional support item,” Chenle laughed, walking away like he just dropped a mic. “Text mo ko kung may susuntukin na tayo.”
Mark rolled his eyes and finally stepped into the party. Sinubukan niyang makihalubilo. Kaunting bati, kaunting inom, kaunting tawa.
Pero kahit saan siya tumingin, ang lapit pa rin ng tingin niya kay Donghyuck.
Donghyuck who was laughing. Talking. Leaning closer to Steven like it was nothing.
And Mark didn’t know what this was.
It wasn’t anger. It wasn’t exactly jealousy. Or was it? Pero siguro it was something like clarity. Or a realization.
That maybe he liked hearing Donghyuck laugh. But not when it was because of someone else.
Delikado na.
Wala pang alas-diyes ng gabi pero may mga lasing na agad. Chenle, of course, was already loud as hell na parang may sariling concert. Sinabayan pa siya ni Xiaojun at Yangyang na parang backup vocals. Meanwhile, Jaemin was screaming o singing ba yung ginagawa niya, at si Jeno na nagka-migraine na kakapigil sa sarili na huwag mag-walkout. It was absolute chaos.
But Mark is calm and steady. Nakaupo lang sa tabi ni Donghyuck, who had his eyes closed and was leaning heavily on his chair like he just saw his grades. Nahihilo na kasi, nakatatlong shots ng mojito, straight, walang halo. Si Jaemin pa ang tanggero, and because rare lang naman uminom si Donghyuck, that’s why he decided to give him extra special shots.
Problem is, Donghyuck was a lightweight. As in, one drink away from calling his ancestors. Unlike Mark, na parang may liver of steel, hindi man lang nagbabago ang lakad kahit parang anim na oras na siyang umiinom.
“Hey, are you still sane?”
Ano na naman kayang gusto nito kay Donghyuck??? Mark subtly turned his head to Steven after hearing that, na nasa kaliwa ni Donghyuck. Siya kasi yung nasa kanan.
Biglang bumalik sa ulirat si Donghyuck. “Yes, I am!”
“Sure? Kaya mo pa ba akong kausapin?”
Napataas ang kilay ni Mark sa narinig.
“Of course! Gusto mo ba ngayon na?”
“Pwede naman.”
Mark adjusted his seat quickly when Donghyuck turned to him. Dahil sa ingay ng kantahan sa background, Donghyuck leaned in too close dahilan para magkabungguan ang mga noo nila. Napasimangot agad si Donghyuck, kunwari hindi masakit.
“Careful.” Mark chuckled, gently rubbing Donghyuck’s forehead.
“Mag-uusap lang kami ni Steven. Pwede ba?” tanong ni Donghyuck.
Or more like paalam dahilan para makaramdaman ng kung ano si Mark sa loob loob niya.
“Only if you’re still in the right headspace. Yes, pwede.”
Ngumiti si Donghyuck, tinaas pa ang kamay like he was in court. “Nasa right headspace pa ako. Promise.”
Mark smiled, pinched his cheek softly. “Go ahead. Just take care, okay?”
“Okay! Balikan kita agad!”
Nang tumango si Donghyuck kay Steven, sabay na tumayo ang dalawa, and the two walked off papuntang front yard ng villa. Nasa likod kasi ang kasiyahan. Their friends noticed them leaving and syempre, sabay-sabay pa silang tumingin kay Mark, who was still watching Donghyuck walk away like he was sending his child to college.
“Shot, bro?” alok ni Xiaojun sabay abot ng baso kay Mark.
Umiling si Mark. “Kayo na lang. Mag da-drive pa ako mamaya.”
“Sus!” Jaemin rolled his eyes. “Iba na talaga pag may asawa. Dati naman hindi ka tumatanggi!”
“Mag-asawa ka na rin para tumigil ka na sa kakainom!” batok ni Renjun sa kaniya.
“Marry me, then,” Jaemin winked.
“Yown! Kiss! Kiss!” biglang sigaw ni Yangyang na para bang nanonood siya ng live wrestling, sabay hampasan pa sila ni Xiaojun.
“Chenle, lasing ka na! Akin na nga yan! Jusko, Jaemin don’t swim! Ji, gising ka pa dyan?!” Jeno yelled and grabbed the glass from Chenle before he could chug it, while looking out at Jaemin who’s now in the pool, and shouting at Jisung who’s now clearly out of his mind dahil tahimik lang ito na nakaupo sa isang gilid.
And just like that, the chaos continued. Mark just laughed, choosing peace and letting his drunk friends self-destruct in peace (read: total lasing madness)
Meanwhile, Steven and Donghyuck are standing beside each other, shoulders brushing. Tahimik sila at nakatanaw lang sa city lights na nakikita mula sa pwesto nila. Moments later, lumingon si Steven sa katabi.
“I like you, Donghyuck.” Steven confessed. Walang dalawang pag-iisip. Walang anong kaemehan. Basta diretso niyang sinabi yon.
Donghyuck didn’t do anything. Ni lumingon ay hindi niya ginawa. Kaya naman ay unti unting lumapit sa kaniya si Steven at dahan dahan siyang pinaharap. That’s when they made eye contact.
Nakahawak si Steven sa dalawang balikat niya at bumababa yon hanggang sa mahawakan nito ang dalawang kamay ni Donghyuck. “Gusto ko lang malaman mo kahit na harap harapan mong pinapamukha sa akin na wala akong chance.” Steven chuckled.
“Sorry.” Mababang sambit ni Donghyuck.
“No,” mahinang pinisil ni Steven ang mga kamay niya. Umangat ang tingin ni Donghyuck sa kaniya. “No, don’t be sorry. Wala ka namang kasalanan. Ginusto kita kasi gusto kita at hindi mo yon kasalanan.”
Obvious si Steven. Dense si Donghyuck. Kaya siya pumapayag noon sa mga hatid ni Steven dahil wala namang malisya sa kaniya yon. Donghyuck thought it’s only friendly gestures. It’s pure platonic for Donghyuck, but for Steven It’s not.
“Pwede bang mag request ng one last hug?”
“Oo naman. You’re still a friend to me, okay? Don’t forget that.”
They hugged. Steven’s chin on Donghyuck’s crown. Nag iwan pa siya nang matagal at malambing na halik sa ulo ni Donghyuck bago sila tuluyang maghiwalay ng yakap.
Moments later after Steven and Donghyuck got back, nag decide na rin sila ni Mark na umuwi na dahil may trabaho pa rin kinabukasan si Mark. Sila lang ang uuwi dahil yung iba ay bagsak na at mag overnight naman ang mga hindi lasing.
On the ride back home, tahimik lang ang dalawa as usual. Nakasandal si Donghyuck at nakatingin sa labas habang tutok sa pagmamaneho ang isa.
“Sana busog ka pa kasi I don’t think kakayanin kong magluto pa,” sabi ni Donghyuck habang ang tingin ay nasa labas pa rin.
Isa. Dalawa. Tatlo. Hanggang sa limang minuto ang lumipas, walang narinig si Donghyuck na sagot mula sa isa. Nang lingunin niya ito ay tutok pa rin iti sa pagmamaneho. Umayos ng upo si Donghyuck, humarap sa gawi ni Mark.
“Mark Jeremiah Lee to earth, hello?” Medyo malakas na pagsasalita ulit ni Donghyuck. Doon lang napalingon saglit si Mark.
“I’m sorry, you were saying something?”
“Are you okay?”
Tila nabulunan si Mark dahil sa tanong na yon. Hanggang sa makarating at makababa sila ng sasakyan, nanatiling tahimik si Mark.
They are about to head inside nang may humintong sasakyan sa likod nila. Lumabas si Steven sa sasakyan dahilan para humakbang ng isang beses si Donghyuck. Nasa likuran niya si Mark, hawak ang lock ng gate ng bahay nila.
“Naiwan mo, Hyuck.” Abot ni Steven sa tote bag ni Donghyuck.
Hyuck, huh.
Mark took a step forward, sa tabi mismo ni Donghyuck.
“Sabi ko na may nakalimutan talaga ako,” sabi ni Donghyuck sabay abot sa tote bag niya. “Thank you, Steven. Nag abala ka pa talagang sumunod.”
“No, no, no. It’s fine.” Steven said, then turned his gaze to Mark who’s looking intently at him. “Pinsan ni Donghyuck? You live here, too?” He innocently asked.
“Anong pinsan? We’re married, in case you—” Mark barely got the sentence finished when Steven took a step back, blinking slowly as if the air had been knocked out of him.
“Wait, I'm a bit tipsy pero...” Steven’s voice cracked slightly, softer now. He turned to Donghyuck. “You’re married?”
Donghyuck looked down, nodding once.
“To him?”
Mark crossed his arms, standing a little taller. “Yes. We live here together.”
Steven turned toward him, brows furrowed. “For how long?”
“Two years,” Mark answered flatly.
Steven turned back to Donghyuck, hurt flickering in his expression. “And you never mentioned it to me? Not even once?”
“Hindi naman kasi importante at kailangan,” Donghyuck muttered, guilt heavy in his voice.
Steven let out a shaky laugh, nodding as if trying to process it. “You didn’t think it was important? That maybe I should’ve known before I said anything tonight?”
Mark took a step forward. “He didn’t owe you that.”
Steven looked at him, eyes narrowing. Not in anger, but in disbelief. “I wasn’t asking you.”
“No, but you should hear it,” Mark shot back. “You don’t get to act like a victim when you were never part of this.”
“I never said I was.” Steven’s voice remained calm, but his disappointment was clear. “I just thought I mattered enough to not be kept in the dark.”
Donghyuck opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Napansin yon ni Mark na naging dahilan para kumunot ang noo niya.
“And here I thought you trusted me enough to be honest.” Steven continued quietly, now looking only at Donghyuck.
“It’s complicated.” Donghyuck said.
Mark scoffed. “Of course it is.”
Steven’s gaze snapped to Mark, frown deepening. “You really don’t need to insert yourself into every sentence.”
Mark stepped forward again, barely keeping his temper in check. “I’m not inserting myself. I am part of this, whether you like it or not.”
Donghyuck can clearly see na napipikon na si Mark. Si Mark naman ay hindi rin maitatanggi na kuhang kuha talaga ni Steven ang pikon niya kaya siya sumasagot sagot.
“But it’s not real, is it?” Steven asked, his voice soft but pointed. He’s facing Donghyuck. “This whole marriage. It’s arranged. It’s not about love, di ba?”
Mark's jaw clenched. “And yet, I’m still here. Still the one going home with him every night. Not you.”
Donghyuck stepped between them quickly. “Mark, stop. Steven, you can go na. I’ll talk to you some other time, okay? I’m sorry.”
Mag-uusap pa nga, sa isip ni Mark.
Mark’s eyes flicked to Donghyuck, then back to Steven. “Just so we’re clear, whatever you’re hoping for, it’s not going to happen.”
Steven met his stare, quiet but firm. “I’m not hoping for anything. I was just trying to be honest.”
Mark shook his head. “Too late for that.”
Steven took a breath, looked at Donghyuck one last time, then gave a small, almost pained smile. “You could’ve just told me.”
He turned and walked back to his car, the sound of the car door closing punctuating the heavy silence. When the car pulled away, Mark still stood stiff, fists clenched at his sides. Donghyuck didn’t look at him.
“Don’t.” Donghyuck said firmly, already walking inside. “Don’t say anything yet.”
By the time they were inside the house, a few more minutes of silence before Donghyuck finally spoke.
“Say it,” he said, not turning around.
“Say what?” Mark replied, dropping his keys on the sofa.
“Whatever it is you’ve been holding in since the car ride. At yung kaninang pinagsasabi mo kay Steven.”
Mark let out a breath. He looked at Donghyuck, who was now standing with his back to him, placing the tote bag down gently by the stairs.
“You like him?” Mark asked, straight to the point.
Donghyuck turned slowly, brows furrowing. “Excuse me?”
“Steven,” Mark clarified. “Do you like him?”
Donghyuck blinked, then scoffed a little. “Seriously? That’s what this is about?”
Mark didn’t answer. He just kept looking at him, waiting.
“No,” Donghyuck said firmly. “I don’t.”
Mark nodded slowly, but there was no relief on his face. Just tension. Stillness. Like he didn’t believe it.
“He kissed you?” he asked next. Quiet, but heavy.
“No,” Donghyuck said again, this time softer.
Mark nodded once more, lips pressed into a thin line. “But you hugged him.”
Donghyuck crossed his arms. “You know what, Mark? If this is some weird jealousy thing, just say it. Huwag mo nang—”
“I’m not jealous,” Mark cut in quickly.
“Oh, then what are you?” Donghyuck asked, stepping closer now. “Because for the last two years, you were never like this. You didn’t care who I was with, where I went, what time I got home. Tapos ngayon, isang yakap lang, ganiyan ka na?”
Kasal ka pa sa akin, malamang I will protect what’s mine, sa isip ni Mark.
Mark looked at him. “I don’t know what I am,” he admitted instead. “All I know is I saw you with him, and for the first time, I wondered what it would feel like if you weren’t coming home to me.”
Silence. That hit differently.
Donghyuck’s arms slowly dropped to his sides. “You see, I never stopped coming home to you.” he said.
They both fell in silence. The tension is still high, and the house is suddenly quiet. Too quiet.
Donghyuck sighed heavily and stood in the kitchen, one hand placed on the edge of the counter, the other holding a glass of water he hadn’t even touched. He didn’t turn when he heard footsteps behind him—soft, slow, hesitant.
The silence was more stretched.
Then, Donghyuck broke it. Sharp. “Why did you have to say it like that to him, anyway?”
Mark paused in the kitchen doorway. “Because he was going to find out eventually.”
“Yeah, but not from you. Especially not from you.” Donghyuck turned, eyes burning. “You made it sound like we’re real! God!”
Mark’s jaw tightened. “And what if it is? What if it’s been real for me this whole time?”
Donghyuck’s face fell, then twisted. “Don’t do that. Don’t stand there and act like I’m the one who’s wrong for protecting what little boundaries we had left.”
“Boundaries?” Mark scoffed. “Donghyuck, you’ve been hiding. Not just from him. From me. From yourself.”
Donghyuck slammed the glass down on the counter, loud enough to startle them both.
“Because this wasn’t supposed to happen, Mark! We agreed. No feelings. No strings. We do what we need and then we walk away clean. At yang mga nararamdaman mo, wala lang yan lahat, at tigilan mo na dahil hindi naman tayo totoo!”
“Then why the hell didn’t you walk away kung alam mo namang isang pirma lang ni Attorney mawawalang bisa na ang pagiging kasal natin sa papel?” Mark fired back. His voice cracked with emotion.
Donghyuck had always been a master of walking away. If there had been a competition for being avoidant, he would have been the champion. Mark knew that his husband was the final boss of avoidance. He knew Donghyuck always put himself first, especially in their situation, but with the way he was acting now, Mark no longer knew what Donghyuck truly wanted.
Donghyuck had always been the kind of person who knew exactly when to leave. But for the first time, he chose to stay—even when he had every reason to go.
“Why are you still here, making breakfast, lunch, and even dinner with me, borrowing my clothes, acting like this is real, and then pretending it’s not when someone asks?”
Donghyuck’s breath hitched. He looked away. But Mark wasn’t done.
“You let him orbit around you because it was easy. Because it meant you didn’t have to look at me and admit you felt something.”
“Stop it—”
“No, you stop! Just once, be honest! Why does it scare you so much that this marriage stopped being fake a long time ago?”
Donghyuck snapped, loud and trembling.
“Because I didn’t mean to fall in love with you!”
Silence. The words hung there, thick and furious and terrifying. Donghyuck’s chest heaved. His voice dropped, rough and broken.
“I didn’t want this. I didn’t ask for this. Any of this. But somewhere between pretending and surviving, I started caring. And I hated it. So much. ”
Mark stood frozen. The fire in his eyes dimmed into something else. Something softer. Devastating.
“Do you love me, Donghyuck Shiloh?”
Donghyuck didn’t answer right away. His shoulders slumped, defeated.
“Yeah. I do. And I wish I didn’t.”
Mark exhaled like the wind had been knocked out of him. Then he moved. Two steps, and he was right in front of him.
“You think I haven’t been going crazy loving you in silence while you kept busy pretending?” Mark’s voice cracked. “You think I haven’t been angry? You think I haven’t been jealous of that Steven guy?”
“Nagseselos ako, Donghyuck. Selos na selos ako.”
Donghyuck stared at him, stunned.
“I’m in love with you, too.” Mark hissed. “I’ve been in love with you every damn day since you made me dinner and called it a ‘contractual obligation.’”
Another beat of silence. Then Donghyuck shoved Mark’s shoulder, half frustration, half surrender.
“You’re so stupid.”
Mark stepped even closer. “So are you.”
–
“Okay,” Donghyuck said, standing in the middle of the living room, heart beating fast. “Let’s try again.”
Mark looked up from the couch, confused. “Try what?”
“This,” Donghyuck waved between them. “Us. But for real this time.”
“Aren’t we already married?”
“Yeah. But like. Real married. Yung walang halong pilit. Yung alam na natin. Yung tayo na talaga. Willingly. With feelings and forehead kisses and shared trauma.”
Mark blinked.
Donghyuck looked determined. And nervous. Which was rare. “So, Mark Jeremiah Lee, do you want to stay married to me? For real?”
Mark, stupid and sleepy and not realizing he was holding Donghyuck’s heart in his hands, smirked and said, “No.”
Donghyuck just stared. Silent. Blinking.
“What?”
Mark laughed. “I’m kidding! Obviously—”
But Donghyuck was already turning away, slow motion, hands on his hips. “Okay. Wow. Ganon pala.”
“Hyuck—”
“No, naiintindihan ko naman.”
Just like that, sulky mode: activated. And for the next 6 hours: Donghyuck refused to look him in the eye. Ate dinner facing the wall. Said “we’re just roommates now” at least twice. And changed Mark’s name on his phone to ‘roomie’.
“Hyuck, come on,” Mark groaned later that night, chasing him around the bedroom. “I was joking.”
“Oh wow. Joke pala feelings ko.”
Mark flopped on the bed dramatically. “I didn’t think you’d take it seriously!”
“You said no to our real wedding, you dick!”
Mark sat up. “Okay. Fine. Let me fix it.”
Donghyuck squinted. “How?”
Mark stood, walked to him, held both of his cheeks, and very seriously said, “Donghyuck Shiloh Lee, gusto mo ba akong pakasalan ulit, pero this time, with extra feelings?”
Donghyuck’s mouth twitched. “Extra feelings?”
Mark nodded. “And forehead kisses. And trauma bonding. And tax benefits.”
“Okay. Pero you’re on probation.”
“Probation?!”
“Lifetime. No saying ‘no’ to me.”
Mark only laughed and finally they kissed. That day on, their real marriage began. Chaotic. Filled with bickering, sulking, and mismatched socks.
But also real forehead kisses. Real I love you’s. And a running joke that Mark was almost single again for 6 hours straight.