Rin called in sick from her work. Wala siyang sakit but she really did feel sick, sick to her stomach. Pakiramdam kasi niya isa isang magtatalunan palabas ng katawan niya ang mga lamang loob niya, at mauuna siyempre ang kanyang puso. Masyado na kasing overwhelming ang kaba at nerbiyos na yumayanig sa buong pagkatao niya. Bahagya na nga siyang nahimasmasan ngunit hindi pa rin nawawala ang kaba sa kanyang dibdib.

Kyungsoo came over the night before to check up on her. Nagalala daw kasi umano ito nang bigla na lamang siyang hindi sumagot nang muli siya nitong tawagan matapos niyang mabitawan ang kanyang telepono. He found her curled up in a corner, still dumbfounded. The guy was kind enough to make her some soup and help calm her down a little bit before he told her the details.

“Bukas na daw dating ni Sehun. If I’m not mistaken, he finally found a job as a dancer. He will stay with me temporarily hanggang makahanap siya ng sariling apartment or hanggang mahanapan siya ng company ng matitirhan.” Ngumisi pa ang lalaki. “Unless gusto mong dito siya patigilin sa bahay mo.”

Aksidenteng nabugahan niya ng tubig sa mukha ang binata.

Those were Kyungsoo’s exact words bago ito nagpaalam na umuwi at kailangan daw nitong maligo na ng tuluyan. Parang gusto niyang maiyak, but her mind was too busy thinking of a way to escape and totally avoid any chances of meeting or even just seeing the person she had been running away from.

Running away.

Natawa na lamang siya ng pagak. How do you even run away from somebody that’s not chasing you? Kahit kalian ay ni hindi siya hinanap ng lalaki. Kahit kalian at hindi siya nito hinabol. She had been playing tag and hide-and-seek by herself all along. Seoul was a big city, yes, pero madali naman siyang hanapin. He could always ask Kyungsoo for her whereabouts or even just anybody from their family pero ni minsan ay wala siyang narinig na may pinatanungan ito na kahit sino. She felt pathetic but it was better than facing the guy again. Seeing Sehun once more would probably be the death of her.

What to do though? Magpapakabulok ba lamang siya sa kanyang apartment hanggang sa mabaliw siya ng tuluyan? Pakiramdam kasi niya ni paglabas ng bahay ay hindi kakayanin ng kanyang puso. Getting out of the house would also mean increasing the probability that she would somehow bump into Sehun somewhere. Never silang naging friends ng tadhana – wala siyang tiwala rito. So she only could either wallow with her fear and starve to death or face the world and pig out in her favorite restaurant. But going there would probably buff the chance of her, seeing Sehun, by 500%. Ang kaibigan kasi niyang Kyungsoo ang nagmamay-ari ng paborito niyang restaurant. And that moment, Kyungsoo wasn’t really the best person to go to. Hanggang noon kasi ay wala siyang tiwala sa lalaki kapag ang mga issues na nila ni Sehun ang napaguusapan. The guy knew too much and too clever for her liking.

“Bahala na.”

She grunted, grabbed her purse and keys, and marched towards the elevator. Wala na siyang pakielam kung nakapangbahay pa siya o mukha siyang bagong gising. Pakielam ba nila? She ignored everything around her, as well as the man that was already in the lift. She walked calmly towards the corner as her mind wandered about once more.

“What floor?”

“Lobby.”

Natigilan siya. Nalaglag din marahil ang kanyang puso.

Kilala niya ang tinig na iyon.

Rin lifted her gaze and was met by a familiar pair of crescent eyes. They were still as beautiful as ever, just tainted with millions of emotions, and that mysterious glint that had been there since forever. The beautiful pair of eyes started disappearing. He was smiling.

“Noona.”

“Sehun-ah…” She muttered as she gaped at the man in front of her.

The guy barely changed. Parehong pareho pa rin ang itsura nito kahit na ilang taon na rin ang nakalipas mula nang huli silang magkita. His eyes were still beautiful, his skin was still flawless, his lips were still pinkish, he still looked the same .. as if the clock stopped ticking for him, like he didn’t even age a little bit. His body was just a little more buffed than before but everything about him was still the same. Well, his hair was a lot more colorful when she last saw it but it just made his milky white skin more radiant.

“Long time no see?” Akma itong lalapit sa kanya na tila ba’y plano siya nitong yakapin.

Nanlaki ang kanyang mga bata at mabilis na umaeskapo nang biglaang bumukas ng pintuan ng elevator.

****

It was Kyungsoo’s wedding day, at kung hindi nga lamang talaga malaki ang utang na loob niya sa lalaki ay ni hindi na siya lalabas pa ng kanyang bahay kailanman. Kahit kailan nga kasi talaga ay walang patutunguhan ang pakikipagayos niya kay tadhana, hindi pa nga siya nakakalayo sa kanyang bahay ay agad na siyang nilaglag nito, maigi na nga lamang talaga at magaling siyang umeskapo. Lumalabas ang pagiging ninja niya sa oras ng  pangangailangan. Pero halos malaglag ang panga niya nang masilayan niya ang imbitasyong noon lamang niya pinagkaabalahang tingnan.

Best man: Oh Sehun

Awtimatikong sinuyod ng kanyang mga mata ang paligid, malamang na naroon lamang ang lalaki. She didn’t find any random person with a rainbow-colored hair and bearer of a gorgeous face. Pero hindi niya napigilan ang sariling mamangha sa nakita.

The cathedral where her friend’s, Kyungsoo, wedding was going to be held was just plain perfect. There were coral blue hydrangeas in every corner, or more like everywhere, white rose petals scattered on the isle, creating a beautiful contrast with the deep red carpet, everybody was wearing different shades of white – mostly pearl, isabelline, magnolia, chiffon, and ivory - except for the bridesmaids. They were wearing coral blue dresses that were adorned with sparkles at the top and plain chiffon fabric that freely danced with the wind for the skirt. Rin thought it was really beautiful, yet the fact that she was forced into wearing one wasn’t really the best experience.

“Kung sinabi ko sayo ng maaga tatanggi ka.” Rin thought of Kyungsoo’s excuse. He had a point, kung sinabihan nga siya nito ng maaga na isa siya sa mga bridesmaids nito ay malamang na tumanggi siya. Clever bastard, she thought. She really couldn’t do anything, nor did she have a chance to protest, when Kyungsoo’s mother just jumped on her and almost stripped her in front of the guests, just to make her wear one of the bridesmaids’ dresses. Kaya naman hayun siya’t nakapila kasama ng iba pang mga kababaihang kahit kailan ay hindi pa niya nakikita. One of them looked familiar though, she was Kyungsoo’s cousin that she met way back high school. The groomsmen though, were composed of faces she hadn’t seen in a while. They were all Kyungsoo’s high school friends – Kris, Chanyeol, and Lay – even Kyungsoo’s older brother, Suho was there. It brought back memories, some she didn’t really want to remember.

“You’re Kardy right?” She asked when the familiar girl turned to her.

Ngumiti ito at tumango. “Rin-unnie right?”

Tumango siya. She was about to start a conversation with the younger pero naputol iyon nang marinig niyang magumpisang tumugtog si Kyungsoo. She thought it was a really cute idea, her friend decided to sing his wedding song. It was very sweet and very personal. Talaga nga yatang tinamaan ang lalaki. Madalas kasi ay patay malisya lamang ito sa mga ganoong bagay pero pagdating sa mapapangasawa nito ay biglang dumoble ang concern nito sa mundo. Kahit pa arranged marriage lamang iyon ay nararamdaman niyang magiging masaya ang kanyang kaibigan.

The wedding march started. It was very mellow and very heart warming. Kyungoo’s baritone, yet very beautiful voice, echoed in the cathedral. Hindi pa rin kumukupas ang galling nito sa musika.

She was smiling brightly as she walked down the aisle, wishing that someday, somehow, she would have wedding, probably not as big, but as beautiful as Kyungsoo’s.

Her eyes wandered once more, catching a guy with a very colorful hair, smiling back at her. It made her heart skip a beat. He was wearing a set of ivory suit that he paired with a coral blue shirt that looked perfect against his flawless complexion. His crescent eyes were staring directly at her, she could feel them burn through her soul. His thin lips were almost asking her to run towards him. He mouthed something she never really understood. Her mind just stopped working, letting her heart take over. Her breathe hitched, her knees trembled, when he winked at her before she finally let herself take her eyes off of him. Rin really didn’t have much choice; she had to go to her designated seat.

That was a really beautiful wedding.

***

“I thought I told you to find me after the wedding.” Rin’s heart almost jumped out of her chest when she heard a familiar voice as a pair or arms s around her waist. Pilit siyang nagpumiglas ngunit lalo lamang hinigpitan ng lalaki ang pagkakayakap sa kanya. Her heart liked the feeling, yet her brain despised it. “Let me just hold you for a while. Para hindi mo na ako matakbuhan ulit.” He buried his face in the crook of her neck, making her feel his breathe on the sensitive part of her skin. It almost made her tremble. “I missed you Noona.”

Rin froze. Hindi niya alam kung ano nga bang dapat niyang gawin. Kakausapin niya ba ang binata o patuloy na lamang niya itong tatakbuhan? Haharapin niya ba ang isang bagay na alam niyang patuloy na babagabag sa kanya o muli niya itong tatalikuran at iiwasan?

She chose to keep running.

“Sehun let go.”

Ramdam niya kung paanong natigilan ang binata, matapos ay unti unti itong bumitaw sa pagkakayakap sa kanya. Rin felt like she just lost a part of her body. When she felt the younger’s arms around her, it was paradise. It was like she found the long lost puzzle piece that she’d been longing for all her life. Her world started falling apart once more when he let go of her .. just like then.

She was about to walk away, but Sehun was faster than her. He already grabbed her arm, only to let her go when she tried to pry her arm off his grip. It disappointed her, ganun lang ba iyon? Porket sinabi niyang bitiwan siya nito ay hindi na siya nito ipaglalaban? Ano pa nga bang bago roon? Ganoon naman na talaga kahit noon pa hindi ba?

“Noona.” Muli siyang natigilan.

“What?” Iritableng hinarap niyang muli ang binata, wrong move. Halos malaglag kasi ang kanyang puso nang makita niya ang ekspresyon ng mukha nito. His usual sparkling crescent eyes were dark, too dark, and sad.

“Please stay.” He said, with his head hung low.

A familiar song suddenly started playing.

An old diary was forgotten in a corner
Flip open the past that has been overwritten by dust

“It’s your favorite song.” Tiningnan siya nito sa mga mata sabay ngumiti. Oh how she had missed that smile. Though they both knew it was fake. “Dance with me?”

*****

“Noona!” Sehun ran towards her, with his huge duffle bag in hand. He probably had a basketball game again. Napilitan kasi itong sumali sa team ng kanilang paaralan nang bigla na lamang itong hatakin ng kapitan ng koponan.

“Tubig?” Inabot niya rito ang water jug na katatapos niya lang inuman. Agad naman iyong tinggap ng binata at sunod sunod na nilagok ang laman niyon. “Inabuso ka nanaman ba ni Kris? Banatan ko na gusto mo?” Tatawa tawang biro niya. Nalalapit na kasi ang pamosong basketball league sa pagitan ng mga high schools sa kanilang distrito kaya naman sagaran ang practice ng mga ito. Lalo pa’t nais bawiin ni Kris ang korona niya bilang hari ng basketball mula sa matalik nitong kaibigan na si Chanyeol.

“I’m fine. Nakita kasi ni Kris-hyung si Chanyeol-hyung kanina sa gym.” Ngumisi ito. “Umaakyat nanaman ng ligaw kay Lei-noona. Walang kadala dala, basted naman palagi.”

Rin just shrugged. “I adore him for that though. Kahit kulang na lang eh ratratin siya ng bala nuon ni Ate Lei eh hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin nagsasawa. Plus, ang cute kaya nung ginawa niya kanina.”

Naalala niya kung paanong ipinagsigawan ni Chanyeol ang pagibig nito sa kaibigan niyang si Lei sa gym kanina, sa gitna ng badminton match niya. Masyado siyang nadistract dahil doon kaya naman muntik-muntikan na siyang matalo. Maigi na nga lamang at bumalik ang composure niya nang matanaw si Sehun na matamang nagmamasid sa kanya.

“Congrats nga pala kanina.” Inabutan siya nito ng isang kahon.

“Thanks.” She smiled back as she took the box. “Pero ano to?”

“A gift.”

“Okay? For what?”

“Nagchampion ka kanina diba?”

“So?”

“Congratulations!” Hinalikan siya nito sa pisngi tapos ay kumaripas muli ng takbo. Wala na siyang nagawa kung hindi ang panuorin na lamang ang binatang tumakbo palayo sa kanya, na madali namang tumigil matapos makalayo sa kanya ng kaunti. Kinawayan siya nito, nginitian at sinenyasang buksan na ang regalo nito sa kanya.

Cute.

She opened the box and she was in awe when she saw what was in it.

“Congratulations noona! Saranghae!” said the small stuffed toy when she pressed its nose.

“What a dork.” She muttered as she ran after the boy and gave him a hug.

“Baby Boo my heart is speeding; then you who seem like you just stepped out of a painting.” She heard him sing, or rap, before they both started laughing.

*****

Rin really didn’t know what happened. She just found herself in the arms of the man she had been running away from. Dancing along her favorite song, with her heart trembling, and her mind on cool down. She felt like her whole being was going to explode. Her insides where having a war in her stomach. Every fiber in her body was just aching.

“All the memories are still there; our smiles as we stared at each other are still here. I’ll forever be your Peter Pan, I’m still here in time looking forward to it.” He sang along.

She just kept silent, trying to avoid his crescent eyes.

“You would usually say this song sounds like a traditional pop song.” Sehun mimicked her. “What does a traditional pop song even sound like?” He chuckled.

It was just like the old times.

That memory is still clear and intact in my heart
That day you gave me your heart to keep, attaching your kisses

Rin’s heart ached even more. Ano nga bang ginagawa niya? Hindi ba’t dapat ay nilalayuan niya ang lalaki? Bakit tila ba’y napakomportable pa ng pagpulupot ng kanyang mga braso sa leeg nito? Bakit tila ba’y naaliw pa siya sa bawat salitang naririnig niya mula sa mga labi nito? Bakit tila ba’y ayaw na niyang bumitaw pa sa lalaki?

Oh yeah, I’m in love with him.

Rin’s body froze. She stopped swaying along with the music. She slowly let go of Sehun, and lightly pushed him away. The boy just gave her a confused look.

“Noona?”

“Why?” She looked up at Sehun, eyes wet with tears. “Bakit?”

“Why what?”

“Why did you kiss me that night?” Tears started falling. “Why did you kiss me and just left like it was nothing?”

The you who is built into my fairytale, fly into my sky Sweety girl.
My heart is still throbbing; this lonely island doesn’t have you anymore

*****

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