Kim Sang Bum as Michael Zayn Lee-Park

 

Legends:

--- ( 3 dashes) + italicized words = Flashback

[ Words inside a bracket ] = words said by the person on other side of the phone

*words inside 2 asterisks* = emotions and actions of a charac

[ Bold letters inside a bracket ]  = a note from the author.

 

 

 

Color Coding:

Blue - Patrick

Teal - Lawrence

Green - Kervin

Maroon - Michael

Orange - Joshua

Salmon - Xandra

Violet - Tiffany

Lime - Gabriel

Other Colors - Minor characters

 

 

** Sorry about typos...

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 4 --- The Boy-Next-Door

 

 

 

---

 

He just came back from Seoul. Tagal na din nilang hindi nagkita ng appa niya. But, he has to go back since malapit na ang pasukan and enrollment na. He needs to organize things pa in school. Since he’s the President of the Student Government of their college this year, he is in charge of all the activities. From the enrollment of his co-students this college year to graduation ng batch nila. Hindi pa nga nagsisimula, sobrang stressed na siya sa lahat ng trabaho. He’s driving home now from the airport. Yes, he has his own car. He left it on the “Park n’ Fly” building ng airport. That’s where every person na may dala na car na may flight nagpapark.

 

So, he stopped by Starbucks bago tumuloy ng school. It’s  still early pa naman. 8am kasi umpisa ng enrollment, and it’s just 6am. May time pa naman siya para magstop somewhere for breakfast. Since may malapit na Starbucks sa airport, he just stopped there para bumili ng kakainin niya. Like usual. Simple lang naman nangyari. Umorder siya ng food and wait for it. He’s thankful that no one really recognized him. Sumikat din kasi siya sa Korea kasama ng mga Hyungs niya noon. He was about to exit the shop when he accidentally bumped into someone.

 

 

“Aigoo! Joesonghamnida…” sabi niya.

 

“Aw! Sorry…” mahinang sabi nung nakabanggaan niya na medyo nagbow pa tapos tumakbo na ulit ‘to palayo.

 

 

He just looked at the girl. Nakayuko kasi sila pareho kaya sila nagkabanggaan. Siya, nagtetext sa mga co-officers niya. Yung babae, mukhang umiiyak at gusto niyang itago yun. Pero kasi halata sa boses niya na umiiyak siya. Palakad na dapat siya palayo ng may masagi ang paa niya. He looked down to check what it is and saw a notebook. Hindi lang siya basta basta notebook. Makapal siya and made of velvet yung cover niya. He already guessed that it’s a journal. He picked it up and looked through. He saw a photo. It’s one of the girl. She’s smiling in the picture. A smile so bright na hindi mo aakalain na umiiyak siya ngayon.

 

He plans to search for her. Ano pa ba gawa ng pera kung hindi mo kayang gamitin to know what you desire to know, diba? He went directly to school. Wala pang tao at sinisetup palang ng mga I.T personnel nila ang mga gagamitin. He decided to stay inside his mini office muna. He scanned through the journal. He’s intrigued about why the girl is crying. He flipped it open on the first page and started reading through it.

 

 

Entry #1 :

I feel so old school writing a journal. But, hey! There’s nothing to lose, right?

I don’t know what this is. Super sakit lang, eh. Alam mo yung sobrang gulong gulo na yung utak mo? Ganun ako ngayon, eh. Sobrang naguguluhan ako. Hindi ko na alam gagawin ko. Hindi ko alam kung tama ba itong nararamdaman ko. Gusto kong magalit siya sa akin. Gusto kong kamuhian niya ako. Para hindi na ako magkaroon ng pagasa. Para hindi na ako umasa. Pero… wala, eh. He’s still the gentleman I know. Hindi pwede ‘to. I can only look at him and wish for him to finally notice me. Pero, nakakapagod na din, eh. Yes, he talks to me. Pero… ganun lang naman talaga siya, eh. Ilang beses ko ng sinubukan na gumawa ng mali sa mata niya para naman hindi na ako umasa pa sa kanya. Pero, wala eh. Tama na kahibangan. Tama na katangahan. Kasi kahit naman talaga hindi niya ako mapapansin. I’m nothing special. So, paano niya ako mapapansin in the first place, diba? I’m just---

 

 

 

His reading was interrupted when someone knocked on the door.

 

 

“Come in.” he called out.

 

“Sir, ready na po yung facility para sa enrollment.” Sabi nung I.T personnel nila.

 

 

He looked at his watch. Its 7:45am. 15 mins pa bago magumpisa ang actual enrollment. He closed the diary that he was reading and stood up. Pinatong niya muna ito at nagsimulang kumuha ng mga gamit.

 

 

“Thanks, kuya. Palabas na din ako. Uwi na po kayo. Kaya na po naming dito.” He smilingly said habang patuloy na kumukuha ng ilang gagamitin para mamaya.

 

“Sigurado po kayo, sir?” sagot nung personnel.

 

“Opo, kuya. May mga CoE students naman po na nagkalat dyan, eh. Sila nalang po bubulabugin ko pag nagkaproblema.” Sabi nito sa mas nakakatanda.

 

“Sige po, sir.” Sabi ng personnel at lumabas na ng room.

 

 

He looked at the diary once again at nagbuntong hininga. He opened his drawer na may key lock and placed the diary there. It’s only he who has the key, kaya sigurado siyang walang makakapagbukas maliban sa kanya. Tapos lumabas na siya ng mini office niya at nagproceed sa enrollment facility.

 

 

---

 

 

And since that day, he reads an entry or two from that diary each day.

 

He is Michael Zayn Lee-Park. Everyone calls him Zayn. Only his family calls him Michael. Gwapo. Mayaman. Athletic. The Guy-next-door type of personality. He’s such a positive thinker that not even his brothers can make him piss.  He is a Business Administration student who was born with an amazing leadership skill and overflowing charisma. It’s not just because he’s really good-looking just like his brothers, but it’s also because he got his father’s ability to sway people with his words. He’s the current student government President, succeeding his own brother’s regime. For the past 3 years, silang magkakapatid ang namuno ng student government ng school. He’s a very jolly person. He always has that smile in his face. Kaya rin siguro marami ang nahuhulog sa kanya. It’s that smile that seems to have a million watts in it sa sobrang nakakasilaw. He also excels in swimming and football just like his hyung, Kervin, excels in it.  He’s the successor of the whole company since his hyungs all decided to take different paths. He’s not against it. He actually looks up to his dad. He’s his idol.

 

Nasa may duyan siya ngayon. Binabasa niya ulit yung diary. That girl really has some issues. Pero, he understands her. In fact, he sympathizes with her. He knows how it feels like to love someone from afar. Lalo na’t yung taong mahal niya ay nagmahal ng iba. He let go, since he knows how it feels to be deprived of the one’s he loves. That’s because he can’t marry the one that he likes. As the successor, he is obliged to be arranged to be married to some girl. Hindi na yun labag sa kalooban niya. Dahil simula’t sapul, lahat naman silang magkakapatid is arranged to be married. Hindi nga lang alam ng iba, lalo na ni Gabby. Don’t get him wrong. He already have moved on from that love.

 

Napapabuntong hininga nalang siya sa mga iniisip niya. Yun ang hindi alam ng iba. That behind the smile that he puts on everyday is a lonely boy who yearns to find a love he could fight for before he gets imprisoned in a loveless marriage.

 

He put the book over his face and closed his eyes. He wants to escape his thoughts even for just a little while. So, he decided to take a nap. Hindi niya namalayan na dumating pala si Lawrence. He was looking down on his brother as if guarding him. Sumandal ito sa puna na kinasasabitan ng isang side ng hammock.

 

 

"The girls and Gabriel are back. Hindi mo ba sila i-wewelcome?" sabi nito.

 

Zayn opened his eyes. "Gurae?" tumingin ito sa kuya. Nakayuko lang ito at nakangiti. "Guess I have to get back now." saad nito at tumayo na mula sa duyan.

 

"Michael Zayn." pagtawag ni Lawrence sa mas batang kapatid. Huminto ito sa paglalakad. "Don't put it to heart. You'll find someone else." matalinghagang sabi nito.

 

Zayn just smirked and nodded his head. Naglakad na ulit siya pabalik sa mansion nila.

 

 

His brother knows how lonely it feels. How sad his world is. Lahat kasi binubuhos niya sa studies niya. Para lang hindi na siya makaramdam ng lungkot. Of course, andyan ang mga kapatid niya to cheer him up. Pero, alam niyang hindi sa lahat ng oras andyan ang mga kapatid niya para sa kanya. He tends to pour his time in extra-curricular activities and sports. He was about to enter the house when he received a call.

 

 

“Yeoboseyo” pagsagot niya sa cellphone niya.

 

[ I found her, sir. ] sagot sa kanya ng nasa kabilang linya.

 

“Really?” sagot niya ng medyo gulat.

 

[ Yes, sir. I’m emailing you the files right now, sir. ] sagot sa kanya ulit nito.

 

“Okay. Thank you.” Sabi nito at pinutol na ang linya.

 

 

That put a little smile in his face. Siguro nagtataka kayo kung paano siya medaling nahanap, noh? There’s a name in the first page of the diary. But, other than that? There’s nothing else.  He immediately came in the house. He first saw Xandra, who was busy laughing at Gabby and Tiffany na nagre-wrestling. He also laughed when his two dongsaengs sprawled on the floor.

 

 

“Oh! Hi, oppa.” Nakangiting bati ni Xandra sa kapatid.

 

“OPPAAAA~!” sigaw naman ni Tiffany sabay takbo papunta sa kapatid.

 

“Hahaha. Parang walang bukas ah?” saway naman ni Gab kay Tiffany.

 

“Che~!” sigaw ni Tiff sa kanya. Natawa naman si Zayn.

 

“Zayn hyung, saan ka galling?” tanong naman ni Gab sa kuya niya.

“Sa lake. Nagpahangin lang.” maikling sagot nito. “Hindi ba kayo napagod sa flight niyo? Ang tataas pa ng energy niyo, eh.” Saway niya sa mga kapatid.

 

“I was about to go up na oppa when they both decided to do a very amusing wrestling match.” Sagot ni Xandra.

 

“Si Tiffany noona kasi, parang ewan.” Sabi naman ni Gab. “Akyat na ako, hyung. Matutulog pa kami ni Blake. Hehe.” Dagdag pa nito sabay kuha ng bag.

 

“Hahaha. Ano pa nga ba? Eh dyan ka naman magaling.” Sabi niya kaya Gab habang ginugulo ang buhok nito.

 

“HYUUUUUNG~! AISH~!” reklamo naman ng bunso nila na tinawanan lang niya.

 

“Sige. Akyat na. Kayo rin dalawa. Magpahinga na kayo.” Sabi niya kay Gab sabay baling sa dalawang kapatid na babae.

 

“Deh~!” sabay na sabi ng dalawa sabay kuha ng mga carry ons nila.

 

 

He smiled and also went up to his room kasunod ng mga kapatid. He immediately went to his computer to check his mails. At nakuha na nga niya ang e-mail ng kanyang private detective. What does it contain? Just informations about the girl. He’s surprised to know na sa school din nila ito nag-aaral. She’s a Literature major. Kaya pala ang ganda lagi ng pagkakasulat niya ng entries sa diary niya. The file also says that she’s the daughter of one of their company’s subsidiary which made it easier for him. He stood up from his computer and went to lie in his bed.

 

Dinner came and he can’t keep her out of his mind. He keeps wondering how he never seemed to see her in school when they have been in the same building for all of his college life. He tried to shake her off his mind completely. But, he just plain can’t. She keeps running in his mind. He immediately went up to his room as soon as they finished eating dinner. Dumiretso na siya ng higa sa kama pagkatapos niyang magasikaso.

 

 

 

------

 

 

He was about to leave the dining room when he saw Xandra and his Pat hyung rushing up the stairs. She looks frantic and he looks enraged but worried. Ganun talaga yung kuya niyang yun. Madali nalang para sa kanya na basahin ito. Pero dahil sa sobrang complicated ng kapatid niya ay hindi siya kayang basahin ng ibang tao. Napailing nalang siya. He’s sure it would be something huge. Kasi hindi naman basta basta nagagalit ang panganay nilang kapatid. He took his time going up even though he heard a loud bang. He was even just wiping the apple that he took from the fruit basket in the middle of their dining table. He saw his siblings na nakakumpol sa labas ng kwarto ng kanyang Rence hyung.

 

Well, simple lang naman ang pinagkaguluhan nila. Nabasted lang naman kasi si Rence hyung at nagmumukmok pala siya all along kaya hindi siya masyadong lumalabas ng kwarto niya o ng bahay. That girl didn’t know what she was letting go of. He knew it from the start. But, doon masaya kapatid niya kaya hindi niya nalang siya pinakialaman.

 

He went immediately back to his room pagkatapos ng kaguluhan. He took the diary again and started reading. This time, it was a different emotion. This girl is like a well of emotion waiting to be released. He kept reading till he reached a page where there was a poem.

 

 

Entry #65

 

Dreams, wishes, hopes…

It’s hard to cope.

Where life is hard,

I already drew my last card

 

Afraid to fall,

But just in one call,

I’ll be running.

There’ll be no hesitating.

 

Here in my corner,

I don’t know why you don’t even bother.

Each time I hear their laughter,

I’ve always felt like I become shorter.

 

Stuck between reality and delusion

I don’t know since when this become an illusion

How can you be so naïve?

Each time, a sigh I heave.

 

Because I dream for you to notice me one day.

I wish for you to see me and say

“I hope it would forever be you I’ll spend each day…”

 

 

 

The message wasn’t really that hard to spot. Hindi naman mahirap intindihin yung sinulat niya, hindi gaya ng ibang mga tula na sobrang lalim. It’s a poem that shows her transparency. It’s really easy to decipher. But, what intrigues him is how much he is affected by her words. Sobrang narerelate niya yung sarili niya sa poem na yun. Maybe because he knows how it feels like hoping for someone to finally see him. Kasi naghangad din siya na mapansin. Maybe because he’s still pained by it all. Baka dahil nga sa hanggang ngayon ay masakit parin kahit paano. He can never be sure. He was crying without him knowing it. Bigla nalang niyang napansin nung may maramdaman siyang tumulo sa kamay niya. He was wiping his tears when someone knocked on his door. He got up and opened the door.

 

 

“Oh! Ikaw pala? Anong kailangan mo?” sabi niya sa kapatid.

 

“Hyung. Ayos ka lang?” sabi nito.

 

“Tss. Gwaenchana. Hahaha. Wae?” sagot niya dito.

 

“Eopseoyo. Never mind. Patambay hyung, ah?” sagot nito at tumakbo na sa kama niya.

 

“Hoy, Gabriel!” sigaw niya sa kapatid.

 

“Dito lang muna kami hyung, ah?” sabi ni Gab.

 

 

Yes. Tama kayo ng basa. Si Gab nga yung kumatok. Kasama niya si Blake. Lagi naman, eh. Hindi mo talaga mapaghihiwalay yang mag-amo na yan. Araw-araw, nakasunod lang yan si Blake kay Gab sa loob ng bahay. He sighed and chuckled. Sumunod na din siya papasok sa kwarto niya. They were just silent. Siya nakaupo at nakasandal sa headboard ng kama niya. Si Gabby nakahiga sa kama habang nilalaro laro and balahibo ni Blake. He was continuing reading ng magsalita ulit si Gabby.

 

 

“Hyung…” tawag nito sa mas nakakatandang kapatid.

 

“Hmm?” sagot nito sa kapatid.

 

“Ang hirap palang magmahal, noh? You’re really vulnerable to pain.” Kaswal na saad ng kapatid na ikinagulat niya.

 

 

 

 

 

to be continued…

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Translation:

Joesonghamnida - I'm sorry (formal)

Aigoo - an expression

Hyung - older brother (boys)

Oppa - older brother (girls)

Noona - older sister (boys)

Yeoboseyo - Hello (over the phone)

Gurae - really? sure?

Wae - Why

Eopseoyo - None, nothing

Gwaenchana - I'm/ It'sAlright

 

 

A/N: Hi guys! Leave your comments ^^ 'External Link' contains my other story. Mind reading it? Tell me what you think. Thanks! ^^

© Chine.♥