Chapter Text
Mainit, malagkit, at nakakapanghina ang init na tumatama sa balat ni Jisoo. Tagatak na ang kaniyang pawis at nanlalagkit na ang pakiramdam niya sa kaniyang unipormeng basa na rin ng pawis. Ang bimpong nilagay pa ni Yayay Janette ay basang-basa na rin.
“From the top! Ayusin niyo na kasi, lalo na ikaw Jeonghan Mikael Yoon! Ikaw pa naman si Crisostomo Ibarra, konting emosyon naman!” Sigaw ng lider nilang si Nayeon na namumula na ngayon sa inis at pawis na rin dulot ng mainit na panahon at kanina pa nilang pag-eensayo para sa role-playing na gaganapin na si Biyernes.
“Maayos ako dito ah, si Mingyu ang hindi maayos dito!” Pag-rereklamo ni Jeonghan dahil sa pagsaway sa kaniya. When he moved his head a little to the side, tumama iyon sa mga mata ni Jisoo na nakatingin na rin sa kaniya, walang emosyon ang mga mata. “Di'ba, Jisoo?” Jeonghan playfully winked at him.
Tila lalong sinilaban si Jisoo dahil ramdam niya ang pag-init lalo ng kaniyang pisngi na dumalatay pa hanggang sa tenga at batok niya. He didn't give a reaction but he turned his head away, takot na baka makita ni Jeonghan ang pamumula niya. Habang nag-eensayo bilang side karakter sa istorya, hindi mapigilan ni Jisoo na mapansin ang pagkalam ng kaniyang tiyan, hindi dahil sa gutom kundi dahil sa kaba na hindi niya malaman.
“Water break muna!” Sigaw ni Nayeon at pinatay ang speaker nila sa gilid.
Nang marinig ang mga salitang iyon, kaagad na tumakbo si Jisoo sa kaniyang bag at kinuha ang panyo upang punasan ang pawis paalis sa kaniyang katawan. Maliligo talaga ako mamaya pagkauwi. He thought to himself while wiping his sweat off his body.
Bilang transferee ngayong Grade 9, wala pang masyadong close si Jisoo bukod kay Nayeon na president ng klase at unang nag-approach sa kaniya noong first day of school. Transferring schools, living in a new environment, and surrounded by people who are strangers to him, Jisoo does not work well with change. Kung may choice lang siya, he would choose to stay in the city with his papa. But since ayaw niya rin pabayaan ang mama niya, he decided to go with her in the province where she grew up. Even if it meant leaving his friends behind… and endure the infuriating presence of Jeonghan Mikael Yoon.
When Jisoo first entered the classroom three months ago, Jeonghan Yoon’s presence demanded attention. He wasn’t loud like his other friends, but he easily caught Jisoo’s full attention. Isang tingin, isang tawag, at isang tawa lang ni Jeonghan, parang mahihimatay si Jisoo. Hindi niya alam kung bakit siya nagkakaganito, o baka may ideya, ayaw niya lang aminin.
So instead of entertaining the butterflies that fly around his stomach, he diverted his attention to the most annoying things that Jeonghan does:
- Laging late (pero pasado)
- Natutulog sa klase (pero mataas ang score)
- Maingay at makulit
- Pangit……………….
So far, he succeeded. Imbes na gamo-gamo ang nararamdaman niya sa tiyan tuwing nginingitian siya ni Jeonghan, kinakausap, o nagtatama ang mga paningin nila ay irita ang nararamdaman niya. But success isn’t linear. There are times where Jisoo circles back to zero and stumbles upon his steps.
And today is one of those times.
“Pst,” lumapit si Jeonghan at walang pasabing umupo sa bakanteng espasyo katabi ng bag ni Jisoo. “May tubig ka?” Nakangiting tanong nito.
Hindi sumagot si Jisoo at patuloy lang sa pagpunas ng sarili gamit ang Armando Caruso niyang panyo na amoy Bench Oh Lala pa. Gustong-gusto niyang umirap pero alam niyang hindi matitinag si Jeonghan kaya pananahimik nalang ang tanging tugon niya sa pangungulit nito. Narinig niyang natawa si Jeonghan sa hindi nito pagpansin sa kaniya. Parang kinikilig pa. Bwisit.
“Sungit naman,” he heard him whisper but didn't leave. Instead, he sat there comfortably, ipinatong niya ang siko sa tuhod and leaned forward, a little close to Jisoo now. Hewore his annoying smile watching Jisoo's every move adoringly.
“I'm not. I just don't want to share.” Masungit na tugon ni Jisoo, sinamaan pa nito ng tingin si Jeonghan.
Imbes na mainis o magalit sa pagsusungit ni Jisoo, mas natawa lamang si Jeonghan at lumapit lalo. Jisoo could hear him sniffing the side of his uniform which made him flinch in shock.
“Anong cologne mo? Bango eh, nung first day ko pa napapansin pero nahihiya akong magtanong.” Napakamot sa batok si Jeonghan nang lumayo pagkatapos singhutin ang pabango ni Jisoo.
“Bench Oh Lala,” mataray na sagot ni Jisoo, naghihintay ng reaksyon galing kay Jeonghan na manghang nakatitig sa kaniya, may maliit na multo pa ng ngiti sa labi.
Tumayo si Jeonghan at pinagpagan ang itim niyang slacks saka nag-inat kaunti. “Papabili rin ako kay mama ng ganiyan. Tara na Jisoo, magppractice na tayo.”
“Jepoy tara na!” sigaw ng kaibigan niyang si Mingyu. Napangisi si Jeonghan kay Jisoo na ngayon ay lukot ang mukha sa inis.
“Bye, soo-ngit!” he says, grinning, prolonging the word ‘su’ to make it sound like the syllable of Jisoo’s name.
Hindi sumagot si Jisoo at pumasok sa tricycle. Tahimik na nakaupo si Jisoo sa loob, pinaglalaruan ang beaded keychain na may pendant na daisy, bigay ng matalik niyang kaibigan na si Seungkwan sa siyudad. Malungkot naman na napangiti si Jisoo, iniisip kung kamusta na kaya ang kaibigan. He mentally took note of borrowing his mom’s laptop later to send Seungkwan a message.
A soft thud on the roof of the tricycle stopped his thoughts from running. When he looked up, he saw Jeonghan already crouching, smiling so annoyingly. Nakabukas ang tatlong butones ng polo ng kaniyang uniform, revealing his white shirt inside and his necklace with a cross pendant dangling just above Jisoo’s face.
“Ba’t andito ka pa?” malokong tanong ni Jeonghan, halatang nang-aasar.
Jisoo looked at him like he just heard the most ridiculous and stupidest thing from Jeonghan’s annoying lips. Akmang iirapan niya ito nang magsalita ulit si Jeonghan. “Iirap nanaman ‘yan. ‘Di ka ba nahihilo niyan? Oh,” he showed his hand holding a cup of… something Jisoo isn’t quite familiar with. There’s a red sauce and it has sticks taller than the cup.
“What’s that?” takang tanong niya.
Now it’s Jeonghan’s time to widen his eyes at Jisoo, not believing what he just heard. “Di mo alam ‘to?”
Umiling si Jisoo, looking like a lost puppy, not knowing what to do. Kumuha si Jeonghan ng stick at itinusok iyon sa pagkain tsaka hinipan saglit bago nilapit kay Jisoo iyon. “Tikman mo,”
Jisoo looked at the strange orange ball dripping with sauce being handed in front of him. Hindi naman maarte si Jisoo sa pagkain but he is sometimes skeptical with the foods he hasn't encountered before. Pero sa hindi malamang dahilan, despite being suspicious of how it’ll taste like, he still ate it. Maybe because it’s Jeonghan who asked him to eat.
Parang tutang naghihintay si Jeonghan ng reaksiyon galing kay Jisoo, pinapanood ang bawat nguya at ang pagkunot ng kaniyang noo, deciphering the flavors inside his mouth. Jeonghan can’t help but chuckle, pinipiglan ang sarili na kurutin ang lumulobong pisngi ni Jisoo.
“Masarap?”
When Jisoo swallowed the food, he nodded and handed the stick to Jeonghan. “Yes… What’s that?”
“Kwek-kwek. Wala bang ganito sa siyudad?” Tanong ni Jeonghan.
Jisoo shrugged. “I don’t know… Probably.”
Jeonghan chuckled. “Nako. Ano bang merienda niyo ron?”
This was the very first time that Jisoo felt so embarrassed about having waffles or pancakes and a soothie or fresh fruit shake every after class, like he always requested for his Yaya Janette to make for him. He felt small and so out of touch with his surroundings now that he’s out of his comfort. Hindi na gaya ng dati.
“Where did you buy this?” nahihiyang tanong niya.
Jeonghan didn’t hesitate to hand him the whole cup. “Sa’yo na ‘yan. Busog pa ako…” pagpapalusot pa nito.
“Why did you buy this then?” nahihiya man ay hindi kaya ni Jisoo na hindi tanggapin ang kwek-kwek na bigay ni Jeonghan.
“Wala… Pagmamayabang ko sana kay Mingyu.” nakangiting sagot nito, ang mga mata ay nanatili kay Jisoo.
“Thanks…” Jisoo muttered, eyes glued to the cup he’s holding.
He hears Jeonghan chuckle before giving his hair a light pat, dahilan para mapaangat ang tingin ni Jisoo sa kaniya.
“Friends na tayo?” mapaglaro ang tinig ni Jeonghan, tila inaasar si Jisoo. But beyond his playfulness, Jisoo can sense the underlying sincerity in his voice.
Kunot-noo niya itong inirapan. “Just don’t annoy me.”
Jisoo Rian Hong
Bestie how are you there? : (
Seungkwan Boo
OH MY GODDDD BAKLA KA WHERE ARE YOU?!?!??!?!?!!?
OK KA LANG BA?????
BIGLA KA KASING NAWALA
Jisoo Rian Hong
I’m okay!!!!
Don’t worry about me hehe
We just went to the province after mom & dad separated : )
Seungkwan Boo
I hear what happened : (
How are you now?
Jisoo Rian Hong
Okay lang. I’m trying to adjust haha
It’s so different here compared sa city
Seungkwan Boo
My baby : (
Don’t worry i will tell mom na magvisit kami diyan next time
Do you have any friends there?
Jisoo’s fingers hung in the air when he read the question. Friends… He thought of his classmate’s names, looking back to their interactions, and trying to assess whether those are enough to call them his friends. Nayeon… she was nice to him, only because she is the class president. Jihyo… she’s nice but they don’t really talk about anything outside academics. Mingyu…he offers a puppy smile whenever their eyes meet but that’s just it. Jeonghan…well they’re friends now because he asked Jisoo to.
He quickly typed a reply.
Jisoo Rain Hong
Yes. I have a few
Seungkwan Boo
That’s good to hear!!! I hope they treat you nicely
BTW I heard something about Kuya Wonwoo
Jisoo’s heart skipped at the sight of a familiar name… Too familiar… it was already carved in his heart like a textbook he kept on reading over and over again until it was beyond familiar. It felt warm and homey to read Wonwoo Jeon’s name after months of not hearing it. He wasn’t able to keep up with his crush’s life, like he did before, because he was busy tending his own.
With trembling hands, he quickly typed a reply.
Jisoo Rain Hong
What?
Seungkwan Boo
Sila na ni Jay-R
Jisoo Rain Hong
WHAT
Seungkwan Boo
I KNOW RIGHT
HE GOT NO BUSINESS TO DO WITH THAT CHEATER
Jisoo felt his heart drop to the pt of his stomach, trying to process everything. He didn’t expect that his Kuya Wonwoo would fall for the facade of that cheater. It was all over the campus—Jay-r cheating with multiple people while he’s in a relationship with someone. Kaya ganoon nalang ang pagtataka ni (Jisoo kung bakit sa dinami-rami ng tao, si Jay-r pa ang natipuhan nito. (read: pwede namang siya nalang?) He felt sad, not because Wonwoo having a boyfriend meant him losing all his chance, but because he ended up with a cheater. Hay, he thought Kuya Wonwoo is better than this.
Just when he’s about to log out of Facebook, tumunog ang laptop ng mommy niya, indicating that someone sent him a message.
Jeonghan Mikael Yoon
Hi crush hahahahaha
Joke lang
Jisoo Rian Hong
What
Jeonghan Mikael Yoon
Sungit : (
Naglalaro ka tetris? Hahahahah
Jisoo Rian Hong
Whats that
Jeonghan Mikael Yoon
Di mo alam yun? Turuan kita
Jisoo Rian Hong
Ok next time
Jeonghan Mikael Yoon
Ok po XD
Goodnight crush <3
Jisoo Rian Hong
Youre so annoying
Jeonghan Mikael Yoon
Hahahaha joke lang eh
“Stop it,” Jisoo’s tone laced with warning.
“Isa laang. Bilis na!” pagpupumilit ni Jeonghan habang tinatapat ang papel na tinupi niya ng ilang beses pagkatapos sulatan at kulayan hanggang sa aging functional na laro na bumubuka. Each triangle reveals a different question, numbers, and colors that Jisoo was so confused about how it is actually played. But because they’re in the middle of the class, he can’t help but feel annoyed with Jeonghan’s persistence in making him choose a number.
“I told you green nga!” inis niyang singhal, hindi namalayang napalakas pala ang kaniyang boses.
“Jeonghan Mikael, Jisoo Rian, out NOW!” galit na sigaw ng kanilang guro, pumuputok ang ugat sa kulubot nitong balat.
Rinig niya ang tunog ng pag-ngisi ni Jeonghan kaya mas lalo itong napikon. Tahimik na lumabas si Jisoo mula sa classroom, nahihiya sa eksenang dinulot ng kaniyang pag-iingay. Si Jeonghan naman ay parang wala lang, nakasilid pa sa bulsa ng pantalon ang kaniyang mga kamay, dragging himself out of the room in a slow pace, tila inaasar lalo ang ginang sa harap.
“Punta tayo ng canteen?” Pag-aaya ni Jeonghan nang makalabas sila sa wakas.
Jisoo faced him with an evident anger on his angelic face. “You fucker!” dinuro niya si Jeonghan. “I told you not to annoy me! Pinagalitan at pinalabas tayo ng room, you still thought of going to the canteen to eat!?”
Nagulat naman si Jeonghan sa biglang pag-sigaw ni Jisoo. Napalingon ang iilang mga estudyanteng nakatambay sa hallway at dumadaan para tumungo sa susunod na klase. Jisoo’s face flushed upon the realization. Using his book, he covered his face and started to walk away, leaving Jeonghan smiling like an idiot. Cute talaga putangina.
“Okay formation na ulit!” sigaw ni Nayeon at pumalakpak para kunin ang atensyon ng mga kaklase.
Kaagad namang pumwesto si Jisoo kung nasaan siya naka-assign. He watched Jeonghan and Mika acting together, reciting their lines with practiced emotions.
"Ikaw lang. Crisostomo lamang ang sinisigaw ng aking puso. Hindi ako magpapakasal sa sinuman kundi sa kanya! Si Crisostomo lamang ang aking mamahalin!" saad ng Maria Clara kaya naghiyawan ang lahat sa classroom.
“Yieee ship!”
“Bagay pala kayo ni Jeonghan, Miks!”
“MikaHan forever!!!!!!”
Napapikit si Jisoo ng mga mata nang mas lalong naghurumentado ang hiyawan ng kaniyang mga kaklase. Napangisi si Mika at lumapit kay Jeonghan tsaka inabot ang kamay nito.
“Ikaw lang ang mamahalin ko, Crisostomo. Ngayon, bukas, at sa susunod na buhay.”
Everyone in the room cheered, chanting their names together. Napangiti si Jisoo nang makita ang visual na sinasabi ng mga kaklase nila. Bagay nga silang dalawa. Ngayon, naintindihan na niya kung bakit silang dalawa ang napiling maging Ibarra at Maria Clara. Per sa kaloob-looban ni Jisoo, there’s an unsettling feeling inside him. Parang may mali. Parang hindi dapat.
“Hi,” isang boses ang sumira sa pagninilay-nilay ni Jisoo habang naglalakad palabas ng gate ng kanilang paaralan.
Nilingon niya ito at kaagad na lumukot ang mga mata niya nang makita kung sino iyon. It was Jeonghan with his three buttons down, showing his white shirt inside. His long hair, the center of attention to the guards and teachers, danced along the wind. Nakasabt ang isang strap ng backpack sa kaniyang balikat at ang isang kamay ay nakapasok sa kaniyang bulsa.
Bumalik ang inis ni Jisoo at ang hindi maipaliwanag na nararamdaman niya. He ignored Jeonghan and continued walking, earning a chuckle from him.
“Crush!” tawag ni Jeonghan at pabirong binunggo ang balikat nito, nagpapapansin.
Inis siyang binalingan ni Jisoo. “Stop calling me that>” mariin nitong sabi at patuloy na naglalakad palabas ng gate.
“Ba’t galit ka nanaman? Kamukha mo tuloy si Kuromi,” natatawang saad ni Jeonghan pero binalewala siya ni Jisoo na naglalakad pa rin hanggang ngayon.
Tahimik nilang nilandas ang daan patungo sa sakayan kung saan nag-aabang ang tricycle na sinasakyan niya patungo sa kanilang bahay. Jeonghan kept a safe distance, just a little space for Jisoo to not get irritated. When he can see the stalls and bikes of streetfoods parked alongside the road, doon na siya dahan-dahang tumabi.
“Kain tayo kwek-kwek?” malambing nitong saad, nanunuyo ang tinig.
Nakita niya na natigilan si Jisoo sa narinig. Ang kaninang lukot na mukha ngayon ay napalitan ng pagkamangha.
“Where?” tanong niya, pilit na hindi magtunog interesado. Pero sa tenga ni Jeonghan, pananabik ang tanging bumalot sa boses nito. Napangiti siya, naaaliw kung gaanong parang bata kung umasta si Jisoo.
Tinuro niya hindi sa kalayuan ang mga nakapilang nagbebenta ng streetfoods kaya napatingin si Jisoo roon. “Doon. Libre kita kwek-kwek at fish tofu!” masiglang sabi ni Jeonghan tsaka hinawakan ang palapulsuhan ni Jisoo at tinangay papunta doon.
When they reached the area, may mga kaklase na sila roon. Isa na doon ni si Mika at ang kaniyang mga kaibigan na agad namang bumaling sa direksyon nila. Sumilay ang mapaglarong ngisi sa kanilang mga labi habang nagbabalik balik ang tingin kay Mika at kay Jeonghan.
“Uy andito pala ang Hannie mo, Miks!” kantiyaw ni Mingyu nang mamataan ang kaibigan.
Mika’s face flushed, a shy smile appeared on her lips. “Hi Jeonghan,” nahihiyang bati nito.
Jisoo on the other hand watched everything on the sidelines. Mula sa pagbati ni Mika, ang maikling tango ni Jeonghan, ang pagbitaw nito sa kaniyang palapulsuha, ang kantiyawan at sigawan ng mga nakakarinig, at ang pagtigil ng iilang tao para mapanood ang tila isang nobela ng dalawang taong nag-iibigan. Hindi maintindihan ni Jisoo kung bakit siya nakakaramdam ng matinding inis sa kaloob-looban niya, lalo na noong tumawa si Mika at pabirong hinampas ang braso ni Jeonghan sabay pisil noon na dahilan upang mas lalong magsigawan ang mga kaklase nila.
At that moment, Jisoo felt like he got blurred out from the scene. Pakiramdam niya ay isa siyang karakter na tapos na ang papel sa istorya at wala nang linya sa mga susunod na script. He felt like he didn’t belong—a total outcast and a loser transferee trying to fit in the lives of these people. Parang may dumaan na truck o pinana ang puso niyang namamanhid sa sakit. He bit his lips, trying to stop his tears from falling. He slowly walked away from the scene, and no one even noticed his absence.
Masama ang loob at mabigat ang puso na sumampa si Jisoo sa loob ng tricycle, yakap ng mahigpit ang kaniyang bag, trying to ease the throbbing pain he’s feeling in his heart. Mabuti nalang at wala pang tao kaya malaya siyang iyuko ang ulo at pinatong sa kaniyang bag. He was trying to understand his emotions and the way he reacted sa nakita kanina. Bakit nga ba siya nainis bigla? Why can’t he be happy for them gayong kaklase niya naman ang mga ito at kaibigan niya naman si Jeonghan?
He was busy with his thoughts when he felt the tricycle move and a heavy presence settled beside him. Hindi niya iyon pinansin at nagpatuloy sa pagyuko ng sariling ulo.
“Mahihilo ka niyan,” a voice spoke beside him—familiar. Very familiar.
When he looked up, he saw Jeonghan’s eyes watching him like a hawk. “Ba’t mo’ko iniwan don?”
Jisoo hid his face again, refusing to answer the question or even acknowledge Jeonghan’s presence beside him. Naramdaman niya ang paghurumentado ng puso sa loob. He could feel his stomach churn inside, parang mga namuo sa loob niyang buhay at nagliliparan.
“Ayaw mo ng kwek-kwek?” banayad pa rin ang boses ni Jeonghan, tila nanunuyo na mapatawad ni Jisoo kahit wala naman itong kasalanan.
“I don’t want to.” mariin saad ni Jisoo sa maliit na boses.
“Edi sayang lang pala bili ko rito,” he could hear the disappointment in Jeonghan’s voice. “Paano na ‘tong kwek-kwek? Tatapon ko nalang?” Patuloy na pagkausap ni Jeonghan sa sarili.
Doon na napaangat ng tingin si Jisoo, sitting up straight. He could feel how his nape heated dahil sa ngalay kaya nalukot ang kaniyang mukha habang hinahawakan iyon.
“Ba’t ka kasi nakayuko diyan? Mangangalay talaga ‘yan,” natatawang sabi niya tsaka binigay ang cup ng kwek-kwek at fish tofu kay Jisoo at siya na ang nagmasahe ng batok nito.
They sat together in silence. The sun blazed overhead, its heat pressing down on them, yet their hearts felt warmer still in each other’s company. It wasn’t the kind of silence that begged to be broken—it was the kind that soothed, the kind that lingered like a gentle embrace. After a long, exhausting day, it was exactly the silence they both needed.
“Ba’t mo ako iniwan doon kanina?” tanong muli ni Jeonghan.
Jisoo shrugged. “I just don’t like the crowd…”
Tumango naman si Jeonghan. “I see…” he muttered. “Hindi ko gusto ‘yon.”
Kunot-noong bumaling si Jisoo kay Jeonghan. “What?”
Jeonghan flashed a small smile, his eyes appearing to be half-open. “Si Mika… Hindi ko siya gusto.”
Matapang na sinalubong ni Jisoo ang kaniyang namumungay na mga mata. “Then who?”
Mahinang natawa si Jeonghan. “Bakit? Curious ka?”
Tinulak ni Jisoo ang mukha nito papalayo. “I’m not!”
“Malalaman mo rin soon. Kilala mo ‘yun eh.” he says. “Kilalang-kilala.”
Mas lalong naging malapit ang dalawa sa nagdaang araw na magkasama sila. Jisoo can now confidently say that he and Jeonghan are friends. Close friends. He also got to hang out with Mingyu, Seungcheol, Soonyoung, and some of their other friends. It felt like a fever dream. Hindi makapaniwala si Jisoo na may mga kaibigan na siya sa probinsya at nakakapag-gala na around the province. He was able to see the rivers, streams, beaches, and even the mountain tops. One of his favorite spots is the one Jeonghan introduced him to. It is located on a hill. May malaking puno sa tuktok noon kung saan pwedeng magpahinga at malambot ang kulay berdeng damo. Jeonghan brought him there once when they had to make a poem with their chosen theme and subject and Jeonghan suggested if they make it together at a spot that would tickle their imagination and inspire them to write.
“Angkas na,” Jeonghan says nang ibaba niya ang glass ng kaniyang helmet. He was handing an open helmet to Jisoo.
Jisoo looked at the motorcycle he’s driving, feeling a little scared, not only with the fact that Jeonghan is a minor, but also because riding that meant…holding on to Jeonghan’s..well…Jeonghan’s body.
“Hindi ba d-delikado?”
Umiling si Jeonghan. “Promise, marunong ako magdrive. Tsaka hindi naman tayo pupunta ng bayan.” sagot ni Jeonghan, voice almost muffled as he speak.
Though hesitant, lumapit si Jisoo at parang automatic reflex na ni Jeonghan ang pagsilbihan ito, siya na ang naglagay ng helmet sa ulo ni Jisoo at ni-lock ito. Nang masiguradong maayos ang pagkakasampa nito ay tsaka lang humarurot paalis si Jeonghan.
“Kapit ka ng mabuti Jisoo,” Jeonghan says. Sumunod naman si Jisoo kahit nangingnig ang kaniyang kalamnan at ramdam niya ang pag-init ng kaniyang tenga, leeg, at pisngi.
Hindi matagal ang byahe patungo sa lugar na sinasabi ni Jeonghan. Iilang minuto lang ang byahe at kaagad na naramdaman ni Jisoo ang pataas na dinadaanan ng kanilang motor.
“Kapit ka mabuti,” paalala ulit ni Jeonghan, hinila ng isang kamay ang palapulsuhan na Jisoo para higpitan ang pagkakapit ng mga braso nito sa kaniyang bewang. Napasandal naman ang katawan ni Jisoo sa likuran ni Jeonghan dahilan para mas lalo itong nakaramdam ng matinding init sa kaniyang pisngi at alam niyang namumula iyon.
Ilang minuto pang ininda ni Jisoo ang lapit ng katawan niya kay Jeonghan bago niya naramdaman ang pagdahan-dahan ng andar nito bago tuluyang tumigil. Nang makababa si Jisoo sa motor, doon niya lang tuluyang napansin ang tanawin ng berdeng mga puno sa ilalim at iilang mga bahay sa malayo. Sa kaniyang gilid ay ang malaking puno na saktong-sakto para hindi sila mainitan. Jeonghan parked his motorcycle just beside the tree and took out a bag from its compartment while Jisoo was busy admiring the scenery before him.
“How’d you find this place?” he asked, eyes still glued to the scenery ahead of him.
“Dinala ako ni papa dito dati,” Jeonghan answered, getting the snacks he brought for them.
Napatango naman si Joshua sa sagot nito. “Sobrang ganda…” he says, admiration dripping all over his honey-like voice.
“Gaya mo,”
“Huh?”
“Sabi mo, kagaya mo…maganda.” pag-uulit ni Jeonghan.
Jisoo stood there, his heart throbbing inside his chest and he could feel the heat crawl up to his neck, ears, and cheeks. Ayan nanaman ang parang mga paru-parong nagliliparan sa loob ng kaniyang tiyan, nabubuhay sa boses at mga salita ni Jeonghan.
“You’re so annoying,” he tried to conceal whatever he’s feeling, but he couldn’t hide the smile that was clearly evident in his voice.
“Ji, tapos ka na?” Jeonghan asked from beside him, calling him with the nickname he made for Jisoo. Nagagalit pa ‘yan pag may ibang tumatawag noon kay Ji niya.
“Almost. Why? Are you done?”
Tumango si Jeonghan at pinakita ang test paper niya. He was already done with the problems habang si Jisoo ay patapos na rin. Jeonghan may look like a troublemaker but he never once failed a quiz. Palaging isa o dalawang mali, o minsan ay perfect. Kahit na nakakatulog ito sa klase o di kaya ay nakikisabay sa ingay nila Mingyu.
Sa mga nagdaang buwan ay nagkaroon din ng sariling mga kaibigan si Jisoo maliban kay Jeonghan. Mga kaibigan niyang nakakasama sa canteen tuwing break, kasabay maglunch, nag-aaya gumala, at pumipili sa kaniya sa groupings o di kaya sa pair activities.
“Jisoo punta tayong canteen?” pag-aanyaya ng isang kaklase niya.
Tumango si Jisoo habang nilalapatan ang test paper na pinatong sa table ng kaniyang guro ng stapler. “Teka lang, kukunin ko lang wallet ko,” he says before getting his wallet out.
“May nasabi ba si Jeonghan sa’yo?” biglang tanong nito, nakatayo sa gilid ng upuan ni Jisoo.
Patuloy sa pagkalkal ng kaniyang bag, “Huh?” takang tanong nito.
“Totoo bang nililigawan niya si Mika?”
Doon na napatigil si Jisoo. Napaangat ang tingin niya sa kaklase na nakangiti. “Bagay sila,” dagdag pa nito, tila nagddaydream na sa relasyon ni Mika at Jeonghan kahit wala pa naman.
Nanatiling tahimik si Jisoo habang naglalakad sila palabas ng kanilang building. A sour heat crawled up his chest, thinking about Jeonghan telling everyone that he’s finally courting Mika.
“Tinanong kasi namin si Jeonghan, sagot niya may balak siyang ligawan sa classroom. Tapos nung tinanong ulit namin kung si Mika ba, ngumisi lang siya. Napaka-showbiz ng bestfriend mo!”
Mas lalong nakaramdam ng pait si Jisoo. Bestfriend…He scoffed in his mind. Patuloy sa pagtalak at ang maya’t maya na pagtili ng kaklase, kahit noong makarating silang dalawa sa canteen. Kahit naririndi at naalibadbaran na si Jisoo sa boses niya. Kahit pa na gusto na niyang ipasak ang wallet sa bunganga ng kaklase ay pinigilan niya ang sarili dahil ayaw niya naman mawalan ng kaibigan, mas lalong magkaroon ng bad record sa paaralan nila.
When they reached the canteen, Jisoo’s eyes immediately darted to Jeonghan… and Mika who was hugging him. Jisoo’s eyes started to sting as it continued to follow Jeonghan’s arms, wrapped around Mika’s waist and shoulders. Umugong ang tilian at hiyawan ng kapwa niya estudyante sa canteen, maging ang kaklase niyang kasama na hindi nagdalawang isip na makisali sa tilian.
But the sound of Jisoo’s heart breaking inside was far more loud than those screams and squealing noises. Before he realized it, he was already walking away.
Far…far…away.