Work Text:
I.
The airport was a bustling place, more bustling than usual dahil siguro vacation season na. People were piling up everywhere and Jeonghan felt a little uneasy. Hindi talaga s’ya sanay sa maingay at magulong lugar, lalo na’t wala pa ang best friend n’ya and travel buddy na si Wonwoo.
Feeling a little jittery, Jeonghan ambled to the luggage drop-off bilang usapan nila ni Wonwoo na sa mismong gates na maghintayan.
As he got in line, he struggled with his luggage—sino ba kasing nagsabi na mag-overpack s’ya? Only now was he regretting bringing too many extra clothes. Hirap na hirap tuloy s’ya hilahin ang maleta n’ya. Mabuti na lang at next in line na s’ya, he’ll soon be free from his struggles. Kung paano n’ya naman hihilahin ang maleta when they got to the island, now that’s for him to think about later.
Finally, two clerks waved at the line, motioning for Jeonghan to come forward to the drop-off counter. But as he pulled at his luggage, he felt something caught at the end of it.
Aba, the person behind him who was apparently also ambling for the counter bumped into Jeonghan’s luggage, causing their luggages to scrape against each other.
“What the hell?” Jeonghan muttered as he turned around to frown at the stranger. As it turned out, it was a man in a muscle t-shirt and yellow ballcap. A, he was cute but not cute enough for Jeonghan to forgive him.
“Do you mind? Madaling madali ka ba?” Jeonghan said to him.
The man merely raised a brow and gestured toward the general direction of the counter. “Ikaw na, bilisan mo. Madami pang tao sa likod natin.”
Jeonghan’s frown deepened but, then again, he was in no position to complain. Tama naman si kuya, marami pang nag-aabang na pasahero.
And thus, Jeonghan moved toward the drop-off counter and placed his luggage into the conveyor belt. Tiyaka n’ya lang napansin na nawawala na ang isa sa stickers n’ya from the end of his luggage.
He sighed. Hindi lang pala nabangga ang luggae n’ya kundi nagasgas enough to scrape off his favorite My Melody sticker.
As the clerk handed him his baggage claim tag, Jeonghan decided not to let the inconvenience sour up the hours leading up to his grand summer vacation.
“Mapapalitan pa naman siguro ‘yung sticker. Sigh, it was a souvenir from Wons pa naman,” he uttered to himself as he made his way to the security check. “I just hope that guy doesn’t show himself up to me again kahit lowkey cute s’ya.”
Sa kabilang dako naman ay daig pa ni Wonwoo ang sinabak sa impromptu reporting sa sobrang ngarag at kaba dahil kasalukuyan niyang binabaka ang most stressful part of an airport experience–ang security check.
To be fair, kasalanan naman niya dahil hindi lang siya isang certified overpacker, overly accessorized rin siya.
Wonwoo willed his whole body to move fast as he took out his tablet, laptop, and phone from his bag to put in the tray, afraid of holding the line. Successful naman niya itong nagawa kahit na parang rattle ng sanggol ang tunog ng bag niya dahil sa mga nakasabit na random acrylic keychains, carabiner, at blind box plushie. In short, para siyang poster child ng anik-anik girlie.
He also successfully removed his belt, the single charm hanging by his belt loops, and the wallet from his pocket to deposit in another tray.
Okay pa naman siya, given the circumstances and the borderline overstimulation. He actually thinks he was managing so well, until his ID and boarding pass accidentally dropped on the floor in his hasty state.
Holding back a groan, Wonwoo was making a move to pick up his discarded items when he heard a sigh from behind. Pumalatak pa ito nang yumuko na si Wonwoo para pulutin ang mga nahulog.
Akala niya ay tapos na ang kasunod pero hindi pa ito nakuntento dahil talagang nagbukas pa ito ng bibig.
“Tsk. Dami-dami kasing mga abubot.” Mahina naman ang pagkakasabi ng lalaki, pero dahil hyper focused si Wonwoo ay parang sigaw ang landing nito sa kanya.
Wonwoo bit back the insults threatening to slip out his mouth and quickly went on with the security check. After all, kasalanan naman talaga niya. Gets na nga niya. Pero that didn’t stop him from mentally thinking, “Bwisit. Tumunog ka sana sa scanner.”
After what felt like literal years ay nakapasa naman with flying colors si Wonwoo sa security check. Habang binabalik niya isa-isa ang mga gamit sa bag ay pasimple niyang sinundan ng tingin ang kuya na sunod nang dadaan sa scanner.
Wonwoo scoffed when he noticed the guy was wearing a black leather jacket. “Sa init ng panahon? Buang,” he muttered under his breath.
Akmang aalis na siya para hanapin si Jeonghan nang biglang tumunog ang security scanner at abot-langit ang pagpipigil niya para hindi humagalpak ng tawa nang mapagtanto na si Kuya Leather Jacket ang tumunog dahil hindi nito agad nahubad ang suot na jacket at naalis ang phone sa bulsa.
“Buti nga sa’yo,” he muttered with a smirk before bringing out his phone to contact Jeonghan.
iMessages between Jeonghan and Wonwoo
JH: where na u sis?
i’m here sa benches by gate 613. hurry upppp
WW: katapos lang ng security
kabwisit yung kasunod ko sa pila nagpaparinig pa siya eh
naka-leather jacket pa ang init init pwe 😒
kwento ko sayo mamaya
JH: heuy same. may nambwisit rin sa’kin right after security check!
he bumped into my luggage, natanggal tuloy ‘yung my melody sticker ko…the one you bought for me when you went to hk!
sayang, cute pa naman sana si kuya
WW: baka yan na ang organic encounter mo 😆
ikaw ba ‘tong naka-all pink sa may harap? ‘di ka pagkamalan na si my melody niyan beh
JH: yes yes!!
just say i look cute ^o^
Phone call between Cheol and Mingyu
SC: Ano, par? Sasagwanin mo na lang papunta sa isla?
MG: Pakyu ito na. Napakabagal kasi ‘nung nasundan ko sa security. Napakaraming tinanggal na anik anik sa damit. Daig pa store ng Pop Mart, e.
SC: Ulol mo! Sadyang tinanghali ka lang ng gising. Inom pa kahit may lipad kinabukasan
MG: Nye nye. Nasan ka na ba?
SC: Gate 613, par. Bagalan mo pa.
MG: Atat na atat. Ikaw ba magpapalipad ng eroplano? Kita na ata kita. Huwaw bakasyunista ha. Sana nag floral kang polo.
SC: Tangina mo, bakit ka naka-leather jacket?! Lamig na lamig yarn, sis?!
MG: Style ‘yan, tanga. Panghakot ‘yan sa isla.
SC: Panghakot amputa! Kung hindi heat stroke makuha mo n’yan, tanga.
MG: Pakielamero ka. Sandali nga ibababa ko na ‘to napaka-clingy mo.
SC: S’yempre. Miss na miss na kita, beh. Bilisan mo na.
MG: Ito na. Bye.
As boarding began, Wonwoo and Jeonghan had easily spotted their seats. Jeonghan comfortably seated himself while Wonwoo went about stuffing his handcarry into the overhead bin.
As Wonwoo struggled to do so, hindi n’ya napigilan ang mga mata from looking at his sides. Kaya naman, hindi n’ya naiwasan na magtama ang mata nila ng lalaking akala n’ya ay hindi n’ya na makikita muli.
“Anak ng—” Wonwoo muttered to himself.
“Oh, bakit?” Jeonghan asked, looking up at him from his seat.
“Gagi, ‘yun ‘yung kasunod ko sa security kanina!” ani Wonwoo. Bahagya itong natawa nang makita si Kuya Leather Jacket na wala nang jacket at naka-puting shirt na lang. “Oh, ‘di napangatawanan ‘yung leather jacket niya, e.”
Jeonghan followed Wonwoo’s line of sight and saw a man struggling to stuff his own bag into the overhead bin.
He whispered to Wonwoo, “In fairness, cute si kuya ha?”
“Bwisit naman. Pass,” Wonwoo replied dismissively. “Ay, pogi ‘yung katabi, o.”
“Where?” Jeonghan slightly got up from his seat to look where Wonwoo was gazing.
“Oh, kalmahan mo nakarinig ka lang ng pogi. Ayun, ‘yung naka-muscle tee.”
Jeonghan’s brow furrowed. “Ay, that’s the guy who bumped into my luggage kanina!”
“So, magkasama sila? Birds of the same feather pala, e,” Wonwoo said. “Uy, nakatingin sa’yo ‘yung borta na naka-muscle tee.”
“Stop looking at them kasi! Baka mag-feeling pogi pa pwe!”
Wonwoo once again looked at the guys’ way and found Kuya Leather Jacket looking right at him. “Yuck, kumindat si Leather Boy! Baliw!”
Wonwoo raised an inquisitive brow at the man as he shoved his handcarry a little too harshly. “Pakyuhan ko ‘yan e,” he muttered.
“Sige nga, gawa?” Jeonghan teased.
“‘Wag na at baka masira pa ang bakasyon na’tin. Wait, d’un din punta nila? Sana ‘di natin makasalubong!”
“Yuck, oo nga ‘no?” Jeonghan titled his head to the side. “‘Di bale, malaki naman ‘yung isla. I doubt we’ll run into them.”
“Correct. ‘Di naman tayo ganun kamalas.”
“Come sit na siguro, Wons. Medyo kanina mo pa sinasalpak ‘yung handcarry mo…”
“Kung tinulungan mo kasi ako imbis na nag-seatbelt ka agad. Lipad na lipad ka?”
Jeonghan merely replied by sticking his tongue out at Wonwoo.
Meanwhile, as this was all unfolding for Wonwoo and Jeonghan…
“Huy, Gyu. Sino na naman sinisipat mo d’yan?” Seungcheol asked, frowning up at his friend who was busy stuffing his handcarry into the overhead bin.
“‘Yun yung walking Pop Mart store, o. Same flight pala na’tin,” Mingyu replied as he eyed the anik-anik guy in glasses from a few seats across their row.
“Sino d’un? ‘Yun bang nakairap sa’yo?” Cheol asked.
“Hindi ‘yun! ‘Yung katabi niya. Gagi, pre. Ba’t masama tingin sa’yo ‘nung katabi ni Labubu?”
“Labubu amputa,” Cheol laughed before his eyes landed on the person next to the guy Mingyu was ranting about. “Ay, teka. ‘Yung nakabusangot ‘yung nabangga ko kanina sa drop-off.”
“Parang ipapa-offload ka, pre. Pero in fairness, cutie ‘yung si Hirono, ah.”
“Ang dami namang nickname puta! Pero, ‘de…mas cute ‘yung kakampink.”
Mingyu winked at the Security Check Guy who was still glaring at him. “Ay, inirapan ako!”
“Type ka n’yan, par!” Cheol chided.
“Siguro, kasi nga panghakot ‘yang leather jacket. Type ka rin siguro ‘nung si Strawberry Shortcake.”
“Umupo ka na lang, tangina mo,” Cheol pulled at the hem of his friend’s shirt, urging him to sit down. “Itigil mo ‘yang pagporma mo. ‘Di ka pa nakakaalis ng Maynila naglalandi ka na agad.”
“Inggit ka lang, boy. Dapat kasi nag floral ka baka sakaling napansin ka ni Pinkie.”
“Kahit bilhan mo pa ‘ko isang dosena, lahat ‘yan susunugin ko.”
“Pwe. So tasteless.”
II.
Pagka-land ng eroplano nila sa isla ay naisipan ni Mingyu at Cheol na ipagpaliban muna ang pag-check in sa hotel at sa halip ay iniwan muna ang mga bagahe sa lobby para unahin na makapag-late lunch at magkape. Good choice na rin dahil the hotel staff informed them na inaayos pa ang room nila.
Habang nag-iikot ang dalawa at sinisipat ang pwedeng kainan, si Wonwoo at Jeonghan naman ay piniling mag-check in na sa hotel para makapagpahinga muna saglit at makapag-freshen up bago tahakin ang paggagala sa isla.
Wonwoo and Jeonghan decided to leave their hotel room after resting for a while, not really too keen on experiencing the summer heat. Inuna nilang puntahan ang beachside plaza mall para tumingin-tingin kung saan pwedeng kumain later that night.
“Wons, I think I need to drink something cold,” Jeonghan said eventually, feet already tired from walking.
“Kape muna tayo. Nakita ko sa TikTok masarap daw Iced Americano ‘dun sa isang cafe malapit sa beach,” Wonwoo replied, fishing out his phone from his pocket to check the name of the cafe.
“Americano sounds good! Para rin magka-energy ako.”
The two walked the short distance toward a cafe that had seats inside and outside the establishment.
“Blockbuster naman pala dito. Daming tao,” Wonwoo said, looking around the cafe.
“Just keep looking; baka may seats pa naman,” Jeonghan quipped.
As Wonwoo and Jeonghan looked around to spot an empty table, their eyes landed on two familiar faces.
“Huy, ‘yun na naman ‘yung dalawang kasabay na’tin sa eroplano, o,” Wonwoo whispered to his friend.
Jeonghan’s eyes followed where Wonwoo was looking and, lo and behold, they spotted Kuya Leather Jacket guy and Muscle Tee Guy.
“Hala, oo nga!” Jeonghan whisper-yelled at Wonwoo. “I thought hindi tayo ganun kamalas?!”
“Kaya nga. ‘Di, sikat kasi ‘tong cafe baka clout chaser din sila,” Wonwoo reasoned.
“Let’s order na lang to-go. I don’t wanna hang out where they are.”
“Tama. Tara na, habang ‘di pa tayo napapansin”
Jeonghan cast one last look at the two strangers. “Pero look, Wons, we just landed sa island and already they’re talking to girls.”
“Asan?” Wonwoo looked at the guys’ direction again at napansin ang dalawang babae na nasa tapat nila, nagtatawanan ang mga ito, looking very much into the conversation. “Wow, mas speed pa sa Speedcat ang mga kuya.”
“Do you think ‘yun pinunta nila here? You know, sexcapade?” Jeonghan blinked up at Wonwoo.
“Ano ‘yun? New form of tourism?” Wonwoo rolled his eyes. “Kaya ba naka-leather jacket pa si Kuya Security Check kanina?”
“Medyo eww pero fine, no judgement,” Jeonghan said. “And to be fair, gwapo naman sila both.”
“Ito pag sa gwapo. Kanina lang iniirapan mo si borta paps, ah.”
“Well, masungit lang ako, but I still have eyes…”
“‘Wag mo na pagkatitigan baka mamaya lumingon na naman ‘yang mga ‘yan.”
As though they were jinxed, napalingon nga si Cheol sa gawi nila at naabutan silang nakatingin. Promptly, Cheol nudged Mingyu, causing the guy to look up and spot Wonwoo and Jeonghan, too.
Mingyu caught Wonwoo’s eyes, thus he smiled and waved.
“Hala, kumaway pa nga,” Wonwoo said, cringing. “Feeling close talaga ‘tong hinayupak na ‘to.”
“Yiee…baka naman you’re his type, Wons,” Jeonghan chided.
“Tantanan mo ko. Ikaw na lang ‘dun sa tropa niya. Papalitan mo ‘yung My Melody na sticker.”
“Pass. He’s radiating fuck boy energy.”
“Sus. Mga ganyan type mo ‘di ba?” Wonwoo rewarded him with an eyeroll. “‘I can fix him,’ you always say.”
“Hindi na, hoy! Also, guys chase after me, I don’t chase them.”
“Aba, dapat lang. Sasabunutan na kita kung hindi pa,” Wonwoo playfully pulled at the tips of of Jeonghan’s hair. “Sandali nga, check ko na ‘yung drinks. Para ‘di ko na rin makita si Kuya Leather Jacket.”
“Tama, let’s order na so we can go. The longer we’re here baka mas mag-feeling ‘yung mga ‘yun.”
On the other hand…
Dahil lunch time pa ay punuan halos lahat ang mga kainan at kapihan sa beachside plaza mall kaya naman parang himala na may isang beachside cafe na may bakanteng lamesa na may apat na upuan.
“Ayun, boy. May lamesa,” Mingyu exclaimed.
“Nugagawen?”
“Kainin mo siguro,” Mingyu landed a playful smack at the back of Cheol’s head. “Tanginang ‘to, malamang uupuan. Kita mong punuan e.”
“Gagalit agad, depungal na ‘to,” Cheol rewarded Mingyu with a smack of his own, this time landing on the guy’s chest. “Order ka na habang sinesecure ko ‘yung table. Iced Americano akin.”
“Tituhin ka na talaga, pre. Ayaw mo na ng frappe with whipped cream.”
“Tarantado ka, ah? Isang taon lang tinanda ko sa’yo!”
“At isang taong experience ‘yun na inilamang mo sa’kin. Bye, order na ko.”
While Mingyu was ordering their drinks, two women in teeny weeny polka dot bikinis suddenly approached Cheol.
“Hi, kuya,” said one of the girls, the one in a red bikini. “Pwede ba makiupo? Wala na kasing seats na available.”
Cheol tried not to look at the women from head to toe, yet his baser male instincts got the best of him. Thus, he gave the women a not-so-inconspicuous onceover. S’yempre napansin ito ng dalawang dalaga at ikunatuwa nila. In fact, they took advantage of Cheol’s wandering eyes para hayaan silang makiupo.
“Sure,” Cheol said eventually. “Dalawa lang naman kami dito.”
“Yay! Thank you!” sambit ng babaeng nakapula, ngiting ngiti.
Pagbalik ni Mingyu sa table after ordering ay nagulat siya dahil may dalawang babae nang kasama ang kaibigan. He took the chair next to Cheol and flashed his most winning smile, kahit lowkey ay hilaw na hilaw ito.
The two girls continued talking, asking Cheol and Mingyu simple questions like when they landed, where they’re staying, and what they’re planning to do on the island.
The conversation seemed to bore Mingyu, so he fished out his phone and began texting Cheol on the sly.
iMessages between Cheol and Mingyu
MG: huy, san galing ang mga ea?
SC: wan ko, bui
basta nakikiupo eh kawawa naman
MG: wow charitable. basta pag maganda, mabait ka eh ‘no?
SC: oums. deins ko naman itatanggi
tsaka solid ‘to, man. tamo sweet ngumiti
Mingyu was about to come up with a rebuttal but his eyes landed on a familiar pair by the cafe’s entryway. There they were, Labubu and Strawberry Shortcake, looking around as though looking for an available table.
iMessages between Cheol and Mingyu
MG: tingin ka sa may pintuan pero wag ka papahalata
tanga talaga nito sabing wag papahalata
SC: sabi mo tumingin?? natanga pa nga ako grabe sakit mo na gyu
MG: hirap ka talaga umintindi ng instructions no? nginang to, sana sumigaw ka na rin
SC: sorry may dyslexia ko bigla haHAHAHAHAH
MG: chismoso ka kamo kasi
anyway! tignan mo si labubu at si strawberry shortcake
sinusundan ata tayo eh
SC: gago mas maganda pala si kakampink in the sunnnn
pero de, baka nagkataon lang na andito sila
MG: baka mamaya niyan pati sa hotel makasalubong na’tin sila ha
SC: edi serendipity, man
MG: serendipity ampota ano ‘yan bilihan ng milk tea?
SC: SERENITEA yun tanga
MG: pero nagets mo
SC: gago nakatingin pa rin sila
MG: crush ata tayo eh
sandali nga
Mingyu tore his eyes away from his phone and looked up once again. This time, he extended his arm up to give a slightly exaggerated wave towards Pop Mart guy, smiling widely as he did so. As expected, he was awarded with a grimace and an eyeroll.
iMessages between Cheol and Mingyu
SC: oh, bakit mo kinawayan? dati ka bang adik??
MG: eh ‘di ba ganun mga idol sa fans?
SC: tikal talaga ng mukha mo bui kaya sa’yo ko eh!!
MG: tingin ng tingin eh
ay gagi nagalit si skullpanda, tirik mata niya eh
SC: nakabalandra kasi pagmumukha mo
focus ka na sa bebot
may tinatanong sa’yo oh
MG: kingina mo kasi paupo ka ng paupo
mapipilitan pa ko magsmall talk
SC: oks lang yan, ganda naman ‘di ba
MG: ewan ko sa’yo
Mingyu, Cheol, and the two girls continued to make small talk until the two men finished their drinks and decided to go back to their hotel to check in. They stood and bid their farewells, not making it too apparent that they had easily fallen bored with the conversation and wanted nothing more than to lie down on a soft bed.
III.
As Mingyu and Cheol finished up the checking in procedures, they gathered up their luggages which they had earlier left at the concierge. Sakto rin naman na pagpasok ito nina Wonwoo at Jeonghan sa hotel lobby.
“Jusko. May nang-eevil eye ba sa’tin, Hannie?” Wonwoo asked in both exasperation and confusion.
“Bakit?” Jeonghan asked, eyes fixed on his phone as they walked into the lobby.
“‘Wag kang titingin agad. Twelve o’ clock.”
Jeonghan finally took his eyes off of his phone, only to spot two now-familiar guys at the concierge. “Oh, my God…”
“Sabing ‘wag titingin agad. Chismosa masyado, te?”
“The hell are they doing here?!”
“I know right?” Wonwoo frowned. “Bakit naman tayo bunot ng universe? Pa-void nga.”
Jeonghan pulled on the sleeve of Wonwoo’s shirt, eyes wide. “Wons, do you think they’re onto us?”
“Si praning. Coincidence lang siguro,” Wonwoo said as he shook off Jeonghan’s hand. “Tara na nga, baka makasabay pa na’tin ‘yang mga ‘yan sa elevator.”
Talagang wala sa side nila ang swerte dahil sa kamalas-malasan ay napakatagal bumaba ng elevator sa ground floor. Kaya naman, nakatayo pa rin sina Wonwoo at Jeonghan sa harap ng elevators as Mingyu and Cheol ambled toward them.
“Uy, kayo ulit? ‘Di ba kayo ‘yung kasabay namin sa eroplano?” Mingyu greeted Jeonghan and Wonwoo enthusiastically.
“Nakipag-usap pa talaga,” Wonwoo muttered under his breath but deliberately ignored Mingyu.
“Ay, masungit si Labubu.”
“Excuse me? Ano’ng sabi mo?”
Mingyu smiled all too widely. “Wala. I’m Mingyu, sabi ko.”
“Ano?” Wonwoo’s brows furrowed.
“Mingyu kako ang pangalan ko.”
“Ano’ng pake ko?”
“Wow, taray talaga. Pag ‘di ka nagpakilala tatawagin kitang Hirono.”
“Bakit mo ba ko kinakausap?”
“Para nagpapakilala lang kasi. As good hotel-mates.”
“His name is Wonwoo,” biglang singit ni Jeonghan, much to Wonwoo’s annoyance. This bitch.
“Gagi ka, Jeonghan,” he said pointedly. “Bakit mo sinabi pangalan ko? Mamaya scammer mga ‘yan.”
“Excuse you, mga beb!” Cheol interrupted. “Mga ganito kagwapo ‘di kailangan mang-scam!”
Sa wakas ay nagbukas rin ang elevator doors at dalian namang pumasok sina Wonwoo at Jeonghan. S’yempre, prente ring sumunod sina Mingyu at Cheol.
It was quiet for a few beats until Mingyu decided to break the silence first. “Ay, Wonwoo, ito pala tropa ko, si Cheol. Gusto rin niya makilala si Strawberry Shortcake sa tabi mo.”
“Taranta—” Wonwoo got cut off by Seungcheol.
“Hi, ganda—este, Jeonghan,” Cheol smiled brightly at Jeonghan, promptly extending a hand forward. “Seungcheol nga pala, pero Cheollie na lang para sa’yo.”
Jeonghan raked his eyes from the proffered hand up to Cheol’s smiling face, then he frowned. “Oh, tapos?”
Cheol’s smile widened, making his dimples more apparent; and Jeonghan cursed at himself for finding the man cute.
“Papakilala lang, e,” Cheol said.
Jeonghan rolled his eyes. “Did you ask me if I want to be introduced to you?”
Cheol chuckled, a deep and velvety sound. “‘Yan ang gusto ko, masungit!”
The elevator stopped at the third floor and one by one they filed out of it.
Confused and a little weirded out, Wonwoo turned to Mingyu, brows still furrowed. “Sinusundan niyo ba kami?”
“Assuming,” MIngyu replied. “Dito rin floor namin, Crybaby.”
“Ano ba ‘yang mga pinagtatatawag mo sa’kin?”
“Para ka kasing walking Pop Mart sa dami ng anik-anik mo.”
“Gag—” Wonwoo got cut off again, this time by Jeonghan na hinihila na s’ya sa direksyon ng hotel room nila.
“Okay. Stop na, baka you two will end up fighting pa,” Jeonghan sighed exasperatedly. “Tara na, Wons.”
Wonwoo and Jeonghan turned to the direction of their room, with Mingyu and Cheol trailing them. This time, si Jeonghan naman ang napalingon sa mga lalaki.
“What are you guys doing?” Jeonghan asked, frowning. “Nananadya ba kayo?”
“Luh. Sa 309 kami naka-stay so malamang dito rin direksyon namin,” Cheol shot back. “Baka kamo kayo sumusunod sa’min, ganda?”
Napalingon si Wonwoo sa sinabi ni Cheol. “Ano’ng room kayo?”
“309 nga, Labubu,” MIngyu said. “Ulit-ulit.”
“No way. Hindi ‘yan totoo.”
“Desisyon siya. Ayan, oh. 3-0-9,” sagot ni Mingyu na para bang nakikipag-usap sa bata sabay pakita ng room key card nila.
“Paano ba ‘yan, ganda,” Cheol smirked at Jeonghan. “Mukhang organic encounter mo ‘ko.”
“You wish!” Jeonghan replied, crossing his arms on his chest and turning away, ambling to their own room.
“308,” Cheol uttered as he watched Jeonghan tap the key card on the lock and enter the room. “Sakto, magkatabi talaga tayo.”
“Tablado ka, pre. Better luck next time,” Mingyu teased Cheol.
“Ano’ng next time? Last na pagkikita na natin ‘to!” Wonwoo spat.
“Never say never, Dimoo.”
Wonwoo didn’t warrant him with a reply, instead turning around to follow Jeonghan into their room.
Matapos ang insidente sa elevator ay makailang beses pang nagkitang muli ang apat. Minsan ay nagkakasalubong sila sa lobby, minsan sa mga souvenir shops around the beachside plaza mall, at madalas sa beach.
Quite frankly, Wonwoo and Jeonghan have had enough of the serendipitous encounters pero hindi shine-share ng tadhana ang thought na ito dahil on the night the two decided to party, there in all their glory were Mingyu and Cheol, sitting at one of the tables of the same bar they went to.
IV.
Jam-packed ang bar given na weekend, kaya unfortunately ay walang choice sina Jeonghan at Wonwoo kundi maupo sa table sa tabi nina Mingyu and Cheol.
“Uy, Labubu and Shortcake! May kopya ba kayo ng itinerary namin? Gaya-gaya kayo, e,” Mingyu announced as soon as the two were led to their table.
“Feeler. Kala mo naman hindi sikat ‘tong bar na ‘to,” Wonwoo answered.
Meanwhile, ever the opportunist, Cheol beamed at Jeonghan—a shit-eating grin. “Uy, ganda. ‘Di mo naman sinabing dito rin pala kayo tatambay, e ‘di sana nagsabay na lang tayo.”
Jeonghan scoffed. “As if I’d like to come with you?! I have taste, kuya.”
Cheol guffawed, laughing so hard that he had to lean on Mingyu. “Aray naman sa kuya! Pwede bang baby na lang?”
“Suntukin kita, e!” Jeonghan said seriously, brows knotted.
“Ayaw mo ng baby? E, ‘di daddy na lang.”
Jeonghan gasped, scandalized. “Anak ng—”
“What if lipat na lang kayo dito sa table namin para one happy group of hotel-mates tayo?” Mingyu suggested.
“‘Di bale na baka mawalan ako ng gana uminom,” Wonwoo muttered.
“Ba’t ba yamot na yamot ka sa’kin, Pop Mart ambassador?”
“Nagtanong ka pa talaga. Tignan mo nga kung ano-ano tinatawag mo sa’kin.”
“Ay sorry, force of habit. Sige, Wonwoo. Ayan, okay na ba?”
“Mas okay kung ‘di niyo kami kakausapin the whole night.”
Before Mingyu could come up with a rebuttal, the waitress came up to Wonwoo and Jeonghan’s table to get their orders.The menu was an effective way to distract the two friends from the obvious stares from Mingyu and Cheol.
The minutes passed as Wonwoo and Jeonghan tried to enjoy the night, slowly losing themselves in the alcohol and music pumping from the huge speakers set up around the bar. Mingyu and Cheol also eventually got caught up in their own conversation.
It was starting to get peaceful for the four until two good-looking guys suddenly approached Mingyu and Cheol’s table. Walang kahit anong sabi ay biglang umupo ang dalawa sa tapat ng magkaibigan. Napatingin rin tuloy sina Wonwoo at Jeonghan sa mga katabi dahil sa biglaang mga bisita.
“Hi,” bati ng lalaki na nasa tapat ni Mingyu.
“Uh… hello?” Mingyu answered, unsure. Napatingin ito kay Cheol in question dahil anong ginagawa ng mga ‘to dito?
“Hello, pogi,” sabi naman ng lalaki na naupo sa harap ni Cheol.
“Hello din,” sagot ni Cheol. “What can we do for you?”
“Uh, ano kasi…” said the same guy. “We were just sitting over there and we couldn’t help but notice how charming you both are.”
“So, we thought of coming over and introducing ourselves,” ani naman ng isa. “I’m Don, by the way. And this is Jasper. You guys are…?”
Habang nagsasalita si Don, pasimple namang tinapik ni Cheol ang hita ni Mingyu, seemingly like a precaution. They were getting unwarranted attention yet again—they were in trouble.
“I’m, uh…Carlos…” Cheol said, still tapping Mingyu’s thigh.
Mingyu immediately got the signal and quipped, “I’m Miguel.”
The two strangers smiled widely at Mingyu and Cheol, totally satisfied with getting the duo’s names.
Meanwhile, at the mention of the fake names, Wonwoo and Jeonghan couldn’t help but snicker, masking their laughter by taking a sip of their cocktails.
Jeonghan tsked under his breath. “Carlos pala ha?”
“Wow, Miguel daw.”
“Is it me or tunog Big Four graduates ‘yung names nila? ‘Di halatang kanal when they talked to us.”
“Na para bang mga tagapagmana ng hacienda ‘yan sila.”
Back at Mingyu and Cheol’s table, the two strangers continued to make small talk. What began as simple, harmless questions soon got a little invasive.
“Are you guys single?” Don asked, leaning forward languidly, the alcohol had obviously taken over him.
“Yes,” Mingyu replied absentmindedly before taking a sip of his cocktail.
“So, you’re both available?” Jasper inquired seriously.
“Ah, no, actually. We’re focusing on ourselves and our career muna,” agad na sagot ni Cheol just in case mauna na naman ang bunganga ni Mingyu sa utak niya.
“Oh, that’s too bad. You’re too handsome to be single. How long are you guys staying pala here sa island?” Don asked again, eyeing Mingyu who was not making eye contact with the man in front of him.
Cheol nudged Mingyu when he didn’t answer the question. “H–ha? Sorry, I spaced out. Medyo inaantok na kasi ako.”
“Naantok amputa,” Cheol muttered under his breath.
“Where are you guys staying? Do you wanna hang out after this? I think we could use some time away from the club.”
“Uh…” pag-aatubili ni Cheol.
“I bet you’ll like hanging out with us,” Jasper insisted, trying to put on his winning smile.
Mingyu bristled. “Wait—”
“We have more drinks over at our place, you know! Sama na kayo!”
Mingyu and Cheol exchanged a look that was filled with utter discomfort. They weren’t going to lie, something about the two strangers felt too odd and unsettling for Mingyu and Cheol—something in their guts was absolutely telling them to dodge Don and Jasper.
Jeonghan and Wonwoo watched and listened on as the encounter turned from something amusing to something alarming and uncomfortable. They also couldn’t help but feel for Mingyu and Cheol who were starting to look pissed and helpless by each passing minute. Jeonghan then decided to fire up a text to Wonwoo.
iMessages between Jeonghan and Wonwoo
JH: huy ang weird na ng line of questionings nung guys
mingyu and seungcheol seem uncomfy na
WW: kaya nga eh. mag step in na ba tayo?
JH: i think we should?
i mean, knowing that their uncomfy na, i’d feel bad kung hindi natin sila tutlungan >o<
WW: sino ba kasi tong mga to at bigla-bigla na lang nakikitable
anong plano? pa’no na’tin sila madidistract?
JH: let’s do a skit!! ^o^
WW: ay acting acting pa gusto niya
ano, magpapanggap kang jowa nung seungcheol, ganda?
JH: ewwwww
nothing like that jeez!!
WW: sayang, kahit man lang sana sa acting magkaron ka ng jowa eh
JH: wow says the nbsb himself!!
WW: ops, mamaya na ang away. ano na nga gagawin? hilahin mo na lang buhok ‘nung nasa kaliwa
JH: why me? i’m not a violent personnnn
WW: at ako ay bayolente??
JH: WELL YES
WW: tayo na lang magsuntukan
JH: no way. masira pa pretty face ko.
WW: arte shuta baka nakakalimutan mo alam ko pagmumukha mo ‘nung highschool pa lang
JH: AT MAGANDA AKO NOON PA
anygayyyy back to the subject at hand!!
WW: ALAM KO NA
TULAK KITA
JH: you only wanna hurt me </3
WW: gaga hindi, for a cause to
so ganto, tayo ka sa may likuran ng isa sa kanila habang hawak yang drink mo tapos itutulak kita
JH: and then mag-spill yung drink sa kanya? is that the plan?
WW: yes tumpak! iba ka talaga, ganda
JH: maganda lang talaga ako sa mata mo kapag may kailangan ka ipagawa…
WW: again, for a cause to
dali na mag-internalize ka na diyan baka mahila na ‘yung dalawa kung saan
JH: yieeee ayaw mahila ng iba yung mingyu………
WW: hirap mo kasama sa emergency kung ano-ano iniisip mo
JH: fine FINE
i’ll get up na, you go do your thing
WW: yan ganyan lights camera action na
Jeonghan picked up his drink from the table, albeit a little jittery from the trouble he and Wonwoo were about to cause. But, then again, they were doing this to help out others so he thought he shouldn’t be too nervous.
He got up from his seat, gripping the glass a little tighter, and then ambled toward the guy facing Cheol. While he did so, Wonwoo also got up from his seat.
Once Jeonghan was behind Jasper, Wonwoo promptly shoved his friend, causing him to trip and spill his drink all over Jasper’s back.
“Oh, my God! I’m sorry!” Jeonghan exclaimed at the same time Jasper shot up in shock.
“What the fuck?!” he hissed, glaring at Jeonghan.
“I’m sorry, natalapid lang!”
“No, actually,” Wonwoo chimed in, sounding not sorry at all. “I pushed him playfully pero napalakas ata. I guess I don’t know my own strength.”
“Jesus, mga lasing ba kayo?!” Jasper spat while Don, too, had stood up to wipe at his friend’s shirt.
“‘Yung alak sa tiyan nilalagay, hindi sa utak,” Don yelled, gaining the attention of a few guests nearby.
Meanwhile, Mingyu and Cheol remained glued to their seats, watching the scene before them with mouths agape.
“It wasn’t intentional naman, e!” Jeonghan hissed back. “Nag-sorry na nga ‘di ba?”
“Sorry, sorry ka pa! You just ruined my shirt!” Jasper cried out, pointing an accusing finger at Jeonghan.
Jeonghan felt upfronted. “Fine! I’ll pay for the dry cleaning! How much do you need?!”
“Give me five-hundred! This is going to be hard to wash!”
“Five-hundred para sa dry cleaning?” Wonwoo clipped. “Ang OA naman ng shirt mo, sis.”
“You guys sound like scammers,” Jeonghan said slyly, earning a sharper glare from the strangers.
Jasper poked Jeonghan on the chest. “E, sino bang lampa ‘yung nakatapon ng drink sa’kin?”
Jeonghan slapped the finger away. “Excuse me—”
“Hey, hey—” Mingyu got up to diffuse the tension, arms extended like a referee. “It was obviously an accident naman. Hayaan na natin, guys.”
“Oo nga. Babayaran naman daw dry cleaning, e,” Cheol supplied.
“This is so annoying! You just ruined my night!” Jasper persisted.
Akmang sasagot pa sana si Wonwoo nang biglang mag-abot ng buong isang libo si Mingyu kay Jasper. “Here, take it.”
Jasper looked taken aback by Mingyu’s offer, clearly not expecting the man to cover for Wonwoo and Jeonghan. “N-no, Miguel. Hindi niyo naman–”
“Kakilala namin sila. Sige na, ipa-dry clean niyo na agad ‘yang shirt,” Cheol answered this time, leaving Jasper and Don no choice but to exit. Akala nila ay tahimik na lamang na lilisan ang dalawa pero humabol pa ng bangga sa balikat ni Jeonghan at irap kay Wonwoo ang mga ito.
Wonwoo and Jeonghan only relaxed when the two were far away from the bar. Maging sina Mingyu at Cheol ay nakahinga na rin nang maluwag sa wakas. Jusko, hindi nga sila nag-maoy pero muntik naman masangkot sa gulo.
“Mingyu, send mo sa’kin ‘yung QR mo. Babalik ko ‘yung 1k,” Wonwoo said, turning to Mingyu.
“‘Di na, Labubu. Oks na ‘yun. Niligtas niyo naman kami.”
“Luh, aksidente lang ‘yun. Anong niligtas?”
Mingyu couldn’t help but flash Wonwoo a huge grin despite himself (and the situation). “Sus, kunwari pa. Medyo late ‘yung tulak mo kay Shortcake kanina.”
“Alam mo–!”
“Basta wag mo na bayaran, oks na ‘yun,” Mingyu insisted.
“Sundin mo na lang, Wonwoo. Medyo makulit talaga ‘yang tropa ko, e,” quipped Cheol
“E, makulit din kami,” Jeonghan replied. “Just give us your GCash number na so we can pay.”
“Makulit, huh?” Cheol chided. “Sa bagay ang kulti n’yo nga d’un sa pag-acting-acting n’yo.”
“We weren’t acting sabi!”
“Sus,” Cheol smirked playfully. “Tama nga si Mingyu, e. Late talaga ‘yung timing ng pagkakatulak sa’yo.”
“O, siya, sige. Ganito na lang, libre mo na lang ako ng kape, Hirono,” Mingyu suggested with a sly smile.
“Bakit pa? QR na lang sabi,” sagot ni Wonwoo.
“Lilibre mo ko kape o ‘di ko pababayaran at all ‘yun? Mamili ka, Dimoo.”
“Tangina, tantanan mo na nga ‘yang mga tawag mo sakin alam mo naman na pangalan ko.”
“Where’s the fun in that, Crybaby? So, ano nga? Kape or thank you na lang?”
Wonwoo groaned, hating that he had no other choice. “Oo na, lintik. Kailan mo gustong mag-kape? Bukas?”
“Secret. Memessage kita pag kailangan ko na ng kape.”
“Life mission mo bang bwisitin ako? Kasi successful kang bwisit ka.”
“Relax, Molly. Penge ako IG mo, ‘dun kita i-contact,” Mingyu said with an all too innocent smile.
“Asa. Kumatok ka na lang sa hotel room namin.”
“Pa’no pag wala kayo ‘dun?”
Wonwoo huffed in annoyance. “Number na lang. Bakit kailangan pa na Instagram?”
“Wala akong load.”
“Anong walang load?! May isang libo ka ngang extra, gago ka ba?”
“Pang load ko nga ‘yun sana, e,” Mingyu answered, still sporting an annoying smile. “IG na, Wonwoo. ‘Di tayo matatapos dito.”
“Putragis ka talaga,” Wonwoo said in defeat, reaching for Mingyu’s extended phone to enter his username in the search bar. He felt his phone vibrate with the notification and he thought twice if he should just delete the request later on.
“Accept mo na ko. Baka i-delete mo pa, e.” Kingina nababasa ba nito utak niya?
“Boss ka ba? Mamaya na.”
“Bigyan mo ko ng assurance, Wonwoo.”
Wonwoo knew Mingyu was only joking but he couldn’t help but feel a jolt of something at the way the annoying man uttered the words under his breath.
“Oo na, bwisit ka talaga,” Wonwoo said, accepting the follow request and following Mingyu in return. Agad namang nag-send ng ‘hello, labubu!’ si Mingyu sa DM ni Wonwoo.
“Nice! Stalk ko feed mo mamaya ha?” Biro ni Mingyu kay Wonwoo na inirapan lang naman siya sa inis.
As this was unfolding before them, Jeonghan and Cheol exchanged meaningful looks as though to say, “Sorry para sa kaibigan ko.”
Having had enough of Mingyu’s amusing persistence, Cheol cleared his throat and spoke. “Okay na ba, Gyu? Nakadali ka na naman, e. Pwede na ba tayo uminom ulit?”
“Tara na, Wons,” Jeonghan uttered, pulling Wonwoo’s sleeve like an impatient child. “I think we’ve had enough alcohol na tonight.”
“Teka,” Mingyu suddenly exclaimed. “Kayong dalawa naman mag-connect sa IG.”
“No way,” Jeonghan cringed. “I don’t want to be friends with you guys, especially him. No offense.”
“No offense taken,” Cheol smiled, gentle and sincere. “Alam ko naman na naga-gwapuhan ka talaga sa’kin deep inside.”
Jeonghan felt his hackles rise. He stomped his foot on the ground and cried out, “Aba, ang angas mo naman pala! Do you always think that people are attracted to you?!”
Cheol shrugged nonchalantly. “Well, pogi naman talaga ako and well-built, so it’s not surprising na nakaka-attract ng kahit sino.”
Jeonghan rolled his eyes and sighed tiredly. “Tara na talaga, Wons! Iba hangin dito, my God!”
“Making small talk lang, ganda, e,” Cheol’s grin grew wider.
“Ayos ‘yung small talk mo, so self-centered?!”
“Nagsasabi lang naman ng totoo,” Cheol chuckled.
“Tama na ka na, boy,” Mingyu chimed in. “Hayaan mo na umalis in peace si Labubu at Shortcake.”
Then, Mingyu turned back to Wonwoo. “Hit my DMs na lang, ha?”
“O, akala ko ba papaalisin na natin sila?” Cheol asked in jest.
“Seriously, we’ll be going na,” Jeonghan said, already moving away from the tables. Wonwoo followed suit.
“Sige, ganda. Sweet dreams na lang sa inyo mamaya,” Cheol said.
“And thank you ulit sa pagligtas sa’min kanina,” Mingyu supplied.
“Hindi nga sabi namin kayo niligtas!” Wonwoo said, scandalized.
Cheol and Mingyu guffawed, much to Jeonghan and Wonwoo’s chagrin.
“Okay…okay…” Cheol said. “Kwento n’yo ‘yan, e.”
V.
When their vacation was almost ending, Wonwoo gathered up all his courage to finally try surfing.
Admittedly, takot siya sa malalaking alon dahil ang swimming abilities niya ay natatapos sa confined space ng mga swimming pool. Pero para ma-ROI naman niya ang VL niya at para may maipost siyang content sa kanyang IG ay napagdesisyunan niyang i-conquer na ang kanyang fears.
Bago pa maubusan ng lakas ng loob ay agad na siyang nagpaalam kay Jeonghan na mauuna na sa beach para makapag-renta ng surfboard.
“I’ll follow you after ko mag-ayos. Please, don’t make an eksena mamaya sa beach ha. That’s going to be embarrassing,” ani Jeonghan sa kaibigan na papalabas na ng pintuan.
“Wow, talagang sa hiya ka pa na-concern at hindi sa baka lumubog ako sa tubig, ano?”
“Psh, I know you can do it. You can swim naman sa pool. Go, bestie!” Jeonghan said with an encouraging smile.
Maganda ang panahon at maganda rin ang alon pagkarating ni Wonwoo sa beach. Sign siguro ng universe na ito na ang tamang panahon para maging ganap siyang surfer.
Lumapit si Wonwoo sa isa sa mga instructors na nakaabang sa gilid ng dalampasigan para magrenta ng board at magpa-basic surfing lessons.
Matapos maturuan ng mga initial procedures kagaya ng proper stance at positioning at mapaalalahanan ng mga safety precautions ay dinala na si Wonwoo ng kanyang instructor sa tubig.
Hindi masyadong malakas at hindi rin masyadong mahina ang mga alon sa oras na iyon kaya swerte raw si Wonwoo na ngayon siya nag-try.
Pinadapa muna siya sa surfboard at pinag-paddle habang nag-aantay ng alon. Nang may dumaan na medyo maliit na alon ay narinig niya ang kanyang instructor na pinapasubok siyang tumayo kagaya ng napractice nila sa buhanginan kanina. Kahit medyo nag-aalinlangan ay nagawa naman ni Wonwoo na makatayo sa board at masabayan ang daloy ng alon.
Wonwoo’s confidence was slightly boosted by the small achievement until he remembered that the wave he conquered was not even a fraction of the usual waves surfers surf in. Kebs, at least nakatayo siya.
Pero parang na-jinx ata niya ang kanyang sarili dahil ang sunod na alon na na-encounter niya ay ‘di hamak na mas malaki kaysa sa nauna.
Kahit alam naman niya ang dapat gawin ay nauna pa rin ang panic niya kaya hindi siya agad nakatayo, resulting in his poor foot positioning on the board.
Dahil nga hindi nakabuwelo agad ay nahulog si Wonwoo sa board pagkatama ng alon at hindi sinasadyang mapa-angkla sa katabing nagsusurf din at mapayakap pa dito. Ang ending tuloy ay pareho silang tumilapon sa tubig.
“Oh, my god! Sorry po, sorry po,” agad na hingi ng pasensiya ni Wonwoo sa nadamay na surfer pagkaahon niya sa tubig at pagka-angat muli sa surfboard.
“It’s fine. Okay lang po ba ka–uy, Wonwoo!” Agad na napatingin si Wonwoo nang marinig ang pangalan at kung talaga nga namang pinaglalaruan ka ng tadhana, sa dinami-rami ba naman ng tao sa mundo, si Mingyu pa ang nakabanggaan niya.
“Ikaw ‘yung nabangga ko?”
“Correction, ako ‘yung niyakap mo,” pang-aasar ni Mingyu at kahit gustong mairita ni Wonwoo sa binata ay pinigilan niya ang sarili dahil may atraso pa siya rito.
“Shit. Sorry, hindi ko talaga sadya. Nagpanic kasi ako ang laki ng alon. ‘Di naman ba kita nasaktan?”
“Yiee… concerned ka?”
“Kung wala lang akong kasalanan sa’yo, itutulak kita ulit, e.”
“Taray mo talaga. Pero oks lang naman, malayo sa bituka. Ikaw ba? Okay ka lang?”
Wonwoo nodded. “Keri lang. Buti na lang ikaw nakabanggaan ko. Nakakahiya pag nandamay pa ko ng iba.”
Napatawa naman si Mingyu. “‘Di ko alam kung dapat akong ma-offend sa sinabi mo. Ngayon ka lang ba nag-surf?”
“Yup, kaya nga sobrang bano ko pa. Bakit naman kasi ang laki agad ng alon? Sinasabotahe ata ako ‘nung instructor, e.”
“Ako na lang magturo sa’yo, gusto mo?”
“Gagi, ‘di na. Naputol ko na nga surfing mo, e. Tiyaka sayang naman ‘yung binayad ko para sa lessons. Thank you, though, for the offer.”
“Sige, kape na lang tayo after,” Mingyu offered next with a boyish smile.
“Sira! Ayoko nga.”
“You wound me, Labubu. ‘Di ba may pondo pa kong kape sa’yo? Pa’no kung gusto ko na i-claim mamaya?”
Wonwoo pursed his lips. “E, para san pa na kinuha mo ‘yung IG ko? Pwede mo naman palang sabihin na lang.”
“Malay ko bang gugustuhin ko bigla ng kape pagkatapos mo ko yakapin pailalim ng dagat?” Mingyu teased. “Baka ito na ‘yung tinatawag nilang tadhana, Wonwoo.”
Hindi na nakasagot si Wonwoo dahil narinig niyang tinawag na siya ng kanyang instructor para bumalik sa starting point nila kanina.
“Balik lang ako ‘dun. Sorry talaga sa kanina,” Wonwoo apologized again and prepared to paddle back to where his instructor was waiting.
Not one to back down, Mingyu insisted, “Antayin kita tapos kape tayo after mo dito ha?”
“Ang kulit mo naman. Oo na, sige na. Balik na muna ko,” Wonwoo said with an exasperated sigh.
“‘Yun! See you later, Skullpanda. Enjoy surfing, wag kang ma-fall sa iba ha!”
Wonwoo surfed better after the encounter with Mingyu. Well, kung icoconsider na “better” ang wala na siyang nakabanggaan pa at aksidenteng nayakap na ibang nagsusurf pagkatapos.
Wonwoo felt happy and fulfilled despite the earlier incident kaya naman ngiting-ngiti siya habang naglalakad pabalik sa pampang, his rented surfboard in tow.
He was practically skipping because of the adrenaline rush but stopped dead in his tracks when he saw a shirtless Mingyu waiting for him under the tree. Tumitipa ito sa kanyang cellphone kaya hindi napansin na tapos na si Wonwoo mag-surf.
Pagkatapos magpasalamat at magpaalam sa kanyang instructor ay dahan-dahan na naglakad si Wonwoo sa kinauupuan ni Mingyu.
Kahit sa malayo ay kitang-kita niya ang tila inukit na morenong katawan ng binata. Dagdag pa ang mga maliliit na butil ng tubig na natira sa balat nito na kumikinang dahil bahagyang natatamaan ng papalubog nang araw.
Wonwoo couldn't help but gulp at the sight because… well… it was a sight.
“Wag kang marupok. Alalahanin mo Labubu tawag sa’yo niyan,” Wonwoo reminded himself under his breath.
Saktong ilang dipa na lang ang layo niya kay Mingyu nang mag-angat ito ng tingin kaya nagtama ang kanilang mga mata. Agad siya nitong tinampulan ng malawak na ngiti.
“Kamusta? Saya?” Tanong nito sa kanya.
“Masaya naman, basta ‘di ako bumabangga sa ibang surfers.”
“Tama, i-reserve mo sa’kin ang honor na ‘yan. Tara, may alam na kong cafe.”
“Excited? Pwedeng magpatuyo muna?” Masungit na tanong ni Wonwoo habang nagpupunas ng buhok.
“Matutuyo ka rin naman habang naglalakad,” Mingyu reasoned out. “Besides, ang cute mo nga pag wet look, e.”
“Bwisit ka talaga.”
Mingyu brought them to a beachside cafe that was farther away from the island’s crowd. Hindi alam ni Wonwoo pa’no ito nahanap ng binata pero he must be a good researcher dahil bukod sa hindi punuan ang establisyemento ay maganda ang view ng sunset rito.
“Ganda dito, ah, tiyaka kaunti ang tao,” Wonwoo said as he admired the well-curated maximalist pastel interiors of the coffee shop.
It was far from the usual boho chic cafes littering the area, but somehow managed to blend on the island just right. The cafe was trendy without being loud and without losing a sense of personal taste. Sa madaling sabi, it was right up Wonwoo’s alley. And he’s impressed.
“Medyo ginegatekeep namin ‘tong cafe ni Cheol pero feeling ko magugustuhan mo kaya I decided na dito na lang.”
Wonwoo nodded. “Unique siya at may personality. I like it.”
“Masarap din food and coffee nila. I can vouch for that too,” Mingyu said as he browsed through the cafe’s menu.
“Siguro shareholder kayo dito, ‘no? Grabe sa promote, e.”
Mingyu chuckled. “Hindi ‘to paid advertisement, promise. Naging go-to tambayan na lang talaga namin ni Cheolito simula ‘nung nakita namin two years ago.”
“Madalas kayo dito magbakasyon?”
Mingyu looked up from the menu and nodded. “Tinatry namin bumalik every year. Parang panata ganun. Napamahal na talaga kami sa lugar, e.”
“Sus, baka naman may binabalikan lang kayo dito na mga chicks,” Wonwoo teased.
“Judger ka ha. Pero kung babalik kayo next year, baka nga,” banat naman ni Mingyu, making Wonwoo blush and look away from him.
“Landi. Kaya pala kahit kaka-land lang may kasama na agad kayo sa table.”
“Judger ka talaga, Labubu. Naki-upo lang mga ‘yun kasi punuan. Bakit, selos ka?” Pang-aasar ni Mingyu nang may nakakalokong ngiti.
“Gago! Pake ko naman sa’yo. Tiyaka ikaw rin judger ka. Jinudge mo ko sa airport pa lang,” Wonwoo pointed out, recalling Mingyu’s annoyance at the security check.
“Ha? Kelan–ah, ‘yung sa security check?” Mingyu laughed as realization dawned on him. “Sorry, medyo hungover ako ‘nun tapos tunog ng tunog mga nakasabit sa bag mo.”
“Pasensiya ka na kung narindi ka sa mga gamit ko ha,” Wonwoo said with an eyeroll.
“Kaya ka ba yamot sa’kin?”
“Malamang! Pumapalatak palatak ka pa talaga. Nagpapanic na nga ako ‘nun.”
Mingyu chuckled deeply. “Okay, okay. Sorry na. Quits na tayo kasi nabangga mo ko kanina.”
“Fine, quits. Sandali nga, order muna tayo puro tayo daldal.”
“Hulaan ko order mo,” Mingyu said with a playful smile. “Matcha ‘no?”
Wonwoo grimaced. “Yuck. Hindi ako nagmamatcha! Wag mo nga ako ikahon sa mga stereotypes mo.”
Mingyu let out another amused laugh at Wonwoo’s reaction. “Chill! May personal vendetta ka ba sa matcha?”
“Sa’yo lang. Judgmental ka kasi.”
“Alam mo, Wonwoo, you’re so… interesting.”
“Tse! Umorder ka na nga kesa i-psychoanalyze mo ko diyan. Cold brew sa’kin.”
Mingyu and Wonwoo surprisingly had a nice and semi-peaceful time at the cafe.
The two shared stories, laughters, and banters as the golden sun beautifully set in the background. There were playful jabs here and there dahil goal ata nila ang bwisitin ang isa’t isa, but overall, it was a lovely time.
“Kailan balik niyo sa city?” Mingyu asked as they waited for the bill.
“The day after tomorrow. Early flight kami, e. Kayo?”
“Mauuna kayo samin. May three days pa kami. Sayang, ‘di ko maririnig mga anik-anik mong nagbabanggaan sa security check.”
“Tantado,” Wonwoo said with a laugh.
‘Di katagalan ay dumating rin ang kanilang bill at bago pa ito makuha ni Wonwoo ay naiabot na ni Mingyu ang kanyang card sa staff.
“Huy! Ako nga magbabayad, ‘di ba?” Reklamo ni Wonwoo.
“‘Di na. Bayad ‘to sa atraso ko sa’yo sa airport.”
“Baliw. Tagapagmana ka ba? Ba’t nagtatapon ka ng pera?”
“Bayad nga ‘to, ulit-ulit ka ha. At thank you na rin kasi nagpahila ka sa’kin dito.”
“Wala naman akong choice,” biro ni Wonwoo.
Pagkatapos magbayad ay sabay na naglakad pabalik sa direksyon ng kanilang hotel ang dalawa.
“Una ka na, Mingyu. Puntahan ko lang si Jeonghan, mag-dinner na daw kami,” Wonwoo said as he read his friend’s text. “Thank you for the coffee, Mingyu. And for the nice conversation. Okay ka naman pala pag ‘di ka kupal.”
“Compliment ba ‘yun? I had fun too, Wonwoo. I hope we see each other again,” Mingyu said with a sincere smile.
“Kinuha mo IG ko, ‘di ba? Use it wisely,” Wonwoo simply said and walked in the opposite direction, not giving Mingyu a chance to reply.
The fifth time Jeonghan met Cheol felt different, Jeonghan noticed.
It wasn’t dramatic—no grand reveal, no cinematic music swelling in the background. Just a quiet, creeping awareness as he stood in line at a small ice cream stand across the beach, absently reading the menu he had already read twice.
“‘Di pa rin makapili?” someone said from behind him.
Jeonghan closed his eyes briefly, like he’d been caught doing something embarrassing.
Then he turned.
Cheol was right there, right behind him in line, hands tucked into the pockets of his board shorts, smiling like this—this—was the most normal thing in the world.
Jeonghan sighed, shaking his head. “You’ve got to stop doing that.”
“Alin?” tanong ni Cheol na humakbang para mas mapalapit kay Jeonghan.
“Appearing out of nowhere!” Jeonghan hissed.
“Ha? Ano ako, magician? Tiyaka kanina pa ako nandito.”
“Sure,” Jeonghan hummed, noncommittal. “E, ‘yung other four times?”
Lumawak lalo ang ngiti ni Cheol. “Okay, medyo suspicious nga ‘yun.”
Jeonghan squinted at Cheol accusingly as they fell into silence. It wasn’t an awkward silence, per se, it just felt like there was something unspoken sitting between them waiting to be acknowledged.
Gumalaw ang linya, kaya naman muling ipinaling ni Jeonghan ang tingin sa menu. Pagka naka ay hinarap n’ya muli si Cheol.
“What are you getting?” sabi n’ya.
“Hindi pa ‘ko sure,” sagot ng isa. “Hinihintay ko pa kung ano pipiliin mo, e.”
Jeonghan raised a brow. “Why?”
“Para kunwari I have good taste din.”
“So bulok your strategy.”
“‘Di, ah. Swabe nga, e.”
Jeonghan huffed, pinipigilan ang matawa sa binata. Loko talaga, he thought.
Then, he turned to the counter as it was finally his turn. He ordered a simple strawberry ice cream—no topping, no embellishments. He then stepped aside and waited.
Pagkatapos n’ya ay si Cheol naman ang umorder—plain strawberry ice cream rin.
“Copycat,” Jeonghan said when he overheard Cheol’s order.
“Improvised,” Cheol corrected.
They stood off to the side, the sea just across the street while the late afternoon sun stretched everything into warm gold again—like the island had decided that this was its favorite lighting for them.
Nang iabot na kay Jeonghan ang order n’ya, hindi n’ya ito kaagad kinain. Sa halip, tumingin s’ya kay Cheol na s’ya ring inaabutan na ng order.
“Okay,” Jeonghan said, softer this time. “Be honest.”
Cheol blinked, taking a bite off of his ice cream. “Parang seryoso tayo bigla, ganda ha?”
“Seryoso nga,” Jeonghan tilted his head slightly. “Pinlano mo ba lahat ‘to?”
There was a pause. Not long, but long enough.
Ipinaling ni Cheol ang tingin kay Jeonghan, something careful flickering in his expression. “Weird ba kapag sinabi kong sinubukan ko…once?”
Jeonghan’s fingers tightened just slightly around the cone. “Once?”
“Pagkatapos n’ung nangyari sa bar,” pag-amin ni Cheol. “Naisip ko baka hindi na kita makita ulit so bumalik ako sa bar n’ung sumunod na gabi. Baka kasi makita kita ulit d’un. Kaso wala ka.”
Cheol let out a small laugh, pero si Jeonghan ay hindi natawa.
Kaya naman, Cheol continued, quieter this time, “Sabi ko, kapag nakita kita ulit, ayos. Kung hindi, e ‘di…”
Cheol shrugged. “I guess swertehan lang talaga pagdating sa’yo.”
Jeonghan looked down at his ice cream, then back up at Cheol. “But it did happen again,” he said.
“Oo nga, e.”
“And again.”
Cheol nodded, meeting Jeonghan’s gaze. “Yeah.”
Ang distansya sa pagitan ay tila unti-unting lumiliit kahit na wala naman sa kanila ang kumikilos.
Jeonghan took a slow breath. “So, ano’ng ibig sabihin nito?”
Cheol studied him for a second, like he was trying to find the right answer—or maybe trying to decide if there even was one.
“I don’t know,” he said honestly.
A breeze passed between them, carrying the faint sound of waves.
Jeonghan finally took a bite off of his ice cream. Then, he spoke, “That’s not very helpful.”
Napangiti muli si Cheol. “Pwede akong mag-imbento ng ibang dahilan kung gusto mo.”
“Sige nga?”
Cheol pretended to think. “Hmm..tadhana? Destiny? The island is matchmaking?”
Jeonghan snorted. “Terrible reasons.”
“Eh, nagtanong ka, ‘di ba?!”
Natahimik sila muli matapos n’un, nakatayo sa tabi ng isa’t isa habang kinakain ang kani-kaniyang ice cream.
They watched the horizon shift until Cheol glanced at Jeonghan once again. “Gaano kayo katagal dito?”
“Saglit na lang,” ani Jeonghan. “Two days na lang.”
Napatungo si Cheol. “Ah, mauuna pala kayo sa’min.”
Another pause. This one stretched a little longer.
Then, Cheol gestured vaguely toward the shore. “Maglalakad-lakad sana ako sa beach habang busy tropa ko.”
Jeonghan followed the direction with his eyes, then looked back at him. “Yeah?”
“Uh-huh.”
A beat.
“You can come,” Cheol added casually—but not really. Kinakabahan talaga s’ya.
Jeonghan considered him for a second, expression unreadable in the soft light. Then he hummed thoughtfully.
“Actually” he said, turning slightly the opposite way, “Kailangan ko balikan ‘yung friend ko. Baka kasi he’s worried na.”
Cheol blinked, a little surprised—but he tried not to look too disappointed. “Ay, weh?”
Jeonghan bit his lip. “Oo, e…”
Another small pause.
Then Cheol nodded, an easy smile slipping back into place. “Okay.”
Neither of them moved right away. Like they’re both waiting. For what, neither of them said.
Jeonghan shifted his weight slightly, glancing once at the shore Cheol had pointed to.
The sun dipped lower and the moment lingered.
And then, just before it could settle into something final, Jeonghan spoke. “Hey, tell your friend pala to stop calling me Shortcake! First of all, hindi ako short—”
“At hindi ka cake,” Cheol chided.
Jeonghan stomped his feet on the ground, annoyed yet entertained. He was getting more annoyed by the second yet in Cheol’s eyes he looked like an innocent thing throwing a fit.
“Cute mo,” he said. “Lalo kapag galit ka.”
“You’re not even a bit funny!”
“Nagsasabi lang ng totoo, lods. O, ‘wag ka ngumuso baka ‘di kayanin ng puso ko.”
Jeonghan giggled, trying to ignore Cheol’s jests. “Seryoso kasi.”
“Say please muna,” Cheol shot back.
“Okay…” Jeonghan rolled his eyes playfully but played along, anyway. “Please, Seungcheol?”
Cheol gazed at Jeonghan’s face and felt his own cheeks heat up.
“O, bakit namumula ka?” Jeonghan teased.
“Huh? ‘Di, ah! Ano lang ‘to…heatstroke!” Cheol bristled, downplaying the effect Jeonghan had on him.
Silence befell them once again as they continued to finish their ice cream cones.
Then, once he felt like he had eaten enough, Jeonghan threw the cone into a nearby trash bin. He turned to Cheol.
“I gotta leave na, Seungcheol—”
“Cheol. Sabi ko Cheol na lang for you, ‘di ba?”
“Fine…Cheol. I have to get back to Wonwoo na. Enjoy the rest of the late afternoon.”
“Ikaw rin,” Cheol replied with a dimpled smile. “Say hi to Wonwoo for Mingyu.”
Jeonghan giggled once more. “Sira talaga kayo ng friend mo.”
Jeonghan ambled away from the ice cream stand, only to look back at Cheol once he was a few steps away. He smiled one last time and gave a small wave goodbye.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to him, Cheol was fighting for his life as his heart beat faster and faster at the sight and thought of Jeonghan.
They’ve just met a handful of times and already he was in big, big trouble.
VI. CONCLUSION
Cheol and Jeonghan had been accidentally meeting for exactly five times now, and thus by the sixth time it happened, even Cheol stopped pretending it was a coincidence.
It was sunset when Jeonghan stood at the edge of the shoreline—the water barely reaching his feet—as the island spread before him in aglow in soft gold and orange.
He tucked a strand of hair behind his ear, camera hanging forgotten around his neck as he exhaled slowly.
“Ang ganda, ha….”
He looked around at the people taking photos of the sunset and muttered to himself—half amused, half incredulous, ”If that kumag shows himself again, hindi na ‘to—”
“—Coincidence? Serendipity?”
Nanlamig si Jeonghan. Hindi n’ya na kailangan humarap pa para makilala kung kanino nanggaling ang boses na ‘yun. By this time, he just knew.
Dahan-dahan, he turned around, already frowning.
Cheol stood a few steps behind Jeonghan, tila hinahabol ang hininga na para bang tumakbo s’ya papalapit sa binata.
Cheol had his hands on his hips, grin spreading across his face as their eyes met again—like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Sa sandaling ‘yun, wala ni isa sa kanila ang nagsalita habang ang simoy ng hangin ay bumalot sa kanila, gentle and quiet—as though it, too, was holding its breath.
Then, Jeonghan laughed airily, shaking his head. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“‘Yan din gusto kong sabihin,” Cheol replied, stepping closer. “Six times, Jeonghan. Six.”
Cheol held up his hand like he was counting proof. “At this point, sa tingin ko pinagti-tripan na tayo ng isla.”
“Or,” Jeonghan tilted his head, eyes glinting, “you’re following me.”
Cheol gasped dramatically. “Excuse me? Baka kamo ikaw ang sumusunod sa’kin. Ano, bigla ka na lang sumusulpot kung saan ako nagpupunta?”
“Oh, please. Nauna ako dito.”
“Literal, tumakbo ako papunta dito—”
“And whose fault is that?”
Miraculously, they fell into laughter, the kind that came too easily, like they’ve known each other longer than a handful of chance encounters.
It faded into something softer this time.
Cheol rubbed the back of his neck na parang bigla s’yang sinaniban ng hiya. “Seryoso, Jeonghan…hindi ko inexpect na makita ka ulit…”
He tried to clear his throat nonchalantly, trying to force down the lump that had formed in it. He continued, “Pero lowkey umasa ako na makita ka ulit.”
Nabigla si Jeonghan sa pag-amin ng binata. Hindi n’ya akalain na kaya pala nitong magseryoso—sa mga nakaraan kasi nilang pagkikita ay tila puro biro lang ang kayang sabihin nito.
Jeonghan’s expression softened, the teasing easing into something warmer, quieter. “Yeah,” he admitted. “Me, too.”
The sun began to dip lower. The sky deepened.
Sa isang sandali ay nakatayo lang sila, magkatabi, pinapanuod ang paglubog ng araw habang damang dama ang presensiya ng isa’t isa. It was quiet, magnetic. It was the kind of energy that didn’t need words.
Cheol glanced sideways at Jeonghan. “So…ano na?”
Jeonghan hummed thoughtfully, then turned to face Cheol fully.
“Well,” he said, a small smile playing on his lips, “If this isn't a coincidence…”
Cheol’s heart did something embarrassingly obvious in his chest. “Yeah?”
“Then we should probably stop leaving it up to chance,” Jeonghan continued.
There was a beat.
Then Cheol smiled—wide and certain this time. “Teka, niyayaya mo ba akong mag-date?”
Jeonghan shrugged lightly, faux nonchalant, but his eyes gave him away. “E, kung sabihin kong oo?”
“Nice,” walang pag-aatubiling sagot ni Cheol. “Kasi yayayain rin sana kita makipag-date sa’kin.”
They both laughed again, softer now, closer.
“Dinner?” aya ni Cheol.
“Dinner,” pagtungo ni Jeonghan. “And…maybe not accidentally this time.”
Jeonghan stepped a little closer to Cheol, shoulder brushing the man’s as they started walking along the beach together.
“Yeah,” Cheol said, voice gentle yet certain. “Sadyain na natin this time.”
Behind them, the last light of the sun lingered—like the island itself was quietly, finally, letting them go.
More often than not, you never really cross paths with the people you meet on vacation again.
Kagaya ng panandaliang pahinga at pansamantalang pagtigil ng oras kapag nasa bakasyon ay ganun rin ang mga taong nakakasalamuha mo. The people you meet on vacation are only ever meant to be a brief encounter, a temporary connection, a fleeting feeling.
But such was not the case for Wonwoo and Mingyu.
A month after their dreamy island vacation, Wonwoo found himself wandering around the mall to do his monthly ‘Errands Day.’ Kanina pa siya tapos sa mga kailangan gawin kaya napagdesisyunan niyang i-treat ang kanyang sarili (yet again) to a new blind box.
Pumunta si Wonwoo sa isang malaking bookstore na nagbebenta ng mga Smiski. He was just quietly browsing through the stocks, carefully choosing which one to buy, when he heard a voice from behind.
“Anik-anik pa rin?”
Wonwoo immediately turned to the direction of the familiar voice and came face-to-face with the annoying (but charming) man he met on the island a month ago.
“Mingyu? Anong ginagawa mo dito?”
“Hi, Wonwoo. Long time no see,” Mingyu said, flashing him his most gorgeous smile.
“Pa’no mo nalaman na andito ako?”
“Good to know na feeler ka pa rin. Nag-iikot lang ako, e, malas mo napansin kita. So… how are you?”
“I’m… fine. Ba’t di ka na nagparamdam?”
“Hinahanap mo ko?” Mingyu asked with that annoying smirk of his.
Wonwoo rolled his eyes. “Asa ka. I-unfollow na nga kita dapat, e.”
“Uy, wag. Ito na nga, oh. Pinagtagpo na nga ulit tayo ng universe, e. What if… kape?”
“Bayad na ko sa utang kong kape.”
“Technically, ako nagbayad ‘nung sa isla. So may pondo pa rin akong kape sa’yo. Pwede ko na ba i-redeem ang coffee date ngayon, Labubu? Or should I call you Smiski now?”
“Bwisit ka talaga,” Wonwoo answered, pretending to be annoyed, but his fond smile and soft gaze said otherwise.
Fuck, maybe he should start believing in serendipity and the magical power of the island, after all.