Chapter 20

Nagpaalam kami ni Chini sa parents ni BJH na lalabas muna kaming dalawa. Hindi na naman ako nakapagpalit ng damit, I just had to go what I wore earlier. It doesn't smell sweaty kahit na tumakbo kami kaninang umaga. Hindi rin naman madumi so I chose not to change. Kakaunti na nga lang din ang damit ko rito, pahihirapan ko pa ang sarili kong maglaba.

Chini had been here before kaya hinayaan ko siyang dalhin ako kung saan ideally niya gustong pumunta. While on our way, she's talking a lot about the things she did back in Seoul para lang ma-push through 'yong ibang project for BJH. Ang sabi kasi ng ilang client, kung hindi available si BJH at this time, they would go for another one—hindi pumayag si Chini. Masyadong determinado kaya naman pinursigi niya ring mapuntahan kami rito sa Jeju ngayon.

As soon as we reached the place she's talking about, the place is located somewhere in Jeongbang-dong na ilang minuto lang din naman ang layo mula sa bahay ng mga Baek. It's Pub41 café and it's quiet and nice to be in this area. Pagkababa namin kanina ng bus, nilakad na lang namin papunta rito.

When we walked inside the premises, it looks very aesthetic and with a touch of modern style. It has dining al fresco—the umbrellas are folded and not many people are staying outside. Chini and I decided to walk inside and then we look for our table and take our orders.

"What are you getting, Jelay?" Chini asked.

"Oh... I think I'll just get a coffee. Pampainit na rin."

"True. Kakaiba nga ang lamig today. I'll be getting a coffee na rin. Should we get some pizza or pasta? What do you think?"

"Kakakain lang din natin ng lunch, a?"

Napasinghal naman 'to. "That was thirty minutes ago. Ayo slang 'yan. Busog lusog. We should get the pizza na lang para hindi masyadong mabigat sa tiyan."

Chini stood and went to the counter to place our order. She waited until our order is done and she carried the tray all the way back to our table. She gave me my order and I immediately just took a sip on my cup and it burned my tongue. My face scrunched from the pain. Chini was shocked about what happened, but she just laughed it off. Tumungo ako sa counter to get a cup of water and they have me one at mabilis namang napawi iyon, but still it lingers in.

"So, Jelay, tell me where you guys have been earlier? Maaga raw kayo umalis?"

Dahan-dahan naman akong tumango. "Galing kami sa Sunrise Peak kanina..."

Her eyes wide opened. "Oh, for real?! Anong ginawa niyo ro'n?"

"Pinanood lang namin 'yong sunrise. It was Jin-Hyeong's idea. Gumising talaga kami ng maaga para lang do'n. Though our experience wasn't that good as we imagined..."

"Because?"

"May mga fan na lumapit kay Jin-Hyeong tapos nakilala pa siya ng paparazzi hangga't sa habulin kami nito." She was about to react hysterically pero agad ko na siyang pinigilan sa pag-angat ng kamay ko para hindi niya ituloy 'yon or else, I wouldn't be able to tell her what really happened there. Gladly, she let me talk. "Jin-Hyeong and I hide behind a store and fortunate of us, hindi kami nilaglag no'ng vendor do'n and then we headed down back at the base and there are a few fans recognized him there."

Umiling-iling naman si Chini. I expected that will be her reaction. Uminom muna ito sa kape niya bago siya magsalita. "You know why I put a tracker app on Jin-Hyeong's phone kasi ayokong naiiipit siya sa mga gano'ng sitwasyon. Ang sabi nila, it'll be good if laging nakikita o nababasa sa mga article. Kasi nga magiging relevant siya at pag-uusapan. But I don't condone that kind of way. Good thing, hindi kayo nakita nan g paparazzi after that... but they would totally look for the photos from those fans of him, right?"

Napabuntonghininga ako. "Yup... they would definitely do that."

"Sabihin ko na rin ito since kinukwento ko na rin naman sa 'yo," aniko. Wala na naman sigurong mawawala kung sasabihin ko kasi hindi rin naman nangyari 'yong dapat mangyari. "After sana namin pumunta sa Sunrise Peak, he planned us to go to the Aqua Planet kasi malapit-lapit lang daw 'yon, but he suddenly changed his mind kasi nga baka sundan pa kami ng paparazzi."

Then Chini laughed out of nowhere. My brows furrowed out of curiosity. "Alam mo, iku-kwento ko lang din ito since maraming paparazzi ang lumalapit sa akin sa Seoul at nagtatanong kung nasaan si BJH. Since Mi-Sun and our boy have broken up, may bago raw ba siyang jowa and dahil kasa-kasama ka niya. They thought you're his new girlfriend. Kaloka, 'di ba?"

Napangiwi naman ako at natawa na lang din. "Nakaloloka nga. Bakit kaya iisipin nila 'yon? Ang layo naman ng reality para maging girlfriend ako ni Jin-Hyeong."

"So... Jelay..." biglang sumeryoso ang tono ni Chini. Natigilan din ako at nagtaka kung anong topic ang ipapasok niya ngayon. "Do you ever have a plan telling me where you are right now? Kung hindi ko pa rin alam hanggang ngayon?"

Napabitaw ako ng malalim na hininga. "Yes... may balak naman akong sabihin sa 'yo. Natatakot lang ako sa baka kung anong gawin o isipin ni Jin-Hyeong sa akin. He told me not say anything to you. He requested that tapos ayun, sinabi ko rin sa 'yo kasi akala ko hahayaan mo lang din kami."

"I would do that if he formally told me about it, pero hindi, e. You just went gone and I literally have to bust my ass over there and lie repeatedly to our clients. But luckily, I still pulled it through. But Jin-Hyeong and I talked it about already. At hindi ka naman niya sinisisi so don't worry about it."

My face lit up when she said that. Biglang kumabog ang dibdib ko sa kaba at tuwa. I just don't know how to explain what I'm feeling, but that kind of assurance helped me not to think about it dearly.

"Talaga ba? Sinabi niya 'yon?"

She aggressively nodded at me para maniwala ako. "Yes, he said that. He said that it was his fault and you were just doing your job. But just like I what said, he still has contract and he must abide it. But he can always have vacation from time to time. Ibibigay ko 'yon sa kanya at pinalagpas ko na rin naman ang Christmas season and you guy surely did enjoy here so it's new year so it's time to thrive for a better year na, 'di ba?"

"I agree... but you know, I also have to say this, but I found Jin-Hyeong happy, carefree, and he felt like he's in his own world. Kasi walang nakaaalam kung nasaan siya. Some people recognized him pero hanggang do'n lang 'yon. We spent the Christmas so good na sabi niya, forever holiday na lang para laging masaya. I thought he's right and all... but sometimes it doesn't always fun and happiness. Maybe what he went through in the military is something we won't be able to experience or know, but he felt better. He's opening much to me and I appreciate him when he does that. Always."

"I might know what exactly happened here with you guys, but good for both of you. Pero sabak na tayo sa trabaho pagbalik ng Seoul, a?"

Natawa na ako sa pagbalik niya sa topic na 'yon. Tumango-tango naman ako. "For sure! May kailangan na ba agad ako gawin?"

Umiling naman ito saka sumisip sa kanyang kape. Sinerve na rin naman 'yong pizza and we started eating a piece of slice.

"Wala pa namang gagawin. Bantayan mo lang si Jin-Hyeong. Gano'n. Iyon lang muna gawin mo. But I'll give you some heads up kapag may natanggap na rin akong email. For now, I'm going to stay here for three days saka ako babalik ng Seoul. I can't stay here for a week, ano ka ba!"

"Three days lang? E, saan ka naman mag-stay? Sa bahay rin ba nila Jin-Hyeong?"

She shook her head. "No. I just rented a hotel there. No'ng sinabi mong nasa Jeju kayo, alam ko na agad kung bakit. You didn't exactly say kung nasaan kayo, 'di ba? You just said you're in Jeju and that's all," paliwanag nito.

Nag-pause ang utak ko nang ma-realize ko 'yon. Yes, she's right. Jeju lamang ang binanggit ko sa kanya at hindi mismo ang lugar na kinaroroonan namin and yet, she just showed up here like she already know what's going on.

"Gulat ka 'no?" Hagikgik pa nito. "Alam mo naman na ilang beses ko na ring na-meet ang parents ni Jin-Hyeong. Sa Seoul man o kaya rito sa Jeju kapag umuuwi siya. Kasa-kasama rin talaga ako though the last time you met his parents ay sila ang nasa Seoul. Kaya alam ko na naman na nasa parents niya kayong dalawa when you mentioned the island. Patalasan lang 'yang ng pag-iisip."

"Pwede ka ng maging paparazzi, Chini."

"Oh, girl, I'm more than a paparrazi. Baka pwede na akong maging private investigator. Ano kaya kung 'yon ang trabaho ko ngayon 'no?"

"Siguro isa ka sa rank 1 ngayon."

"Ay, naku! Kilala mo talaga ako, Jelay. The best ka rin talaga."

Napahalakhak naman ako at mabuti na lang ay hindi gano'n karami ang tao sa loob. "Anyway, saang apartment ka ba nag-stay? Gusto ko makita! Tara puntahan natin!"

"Pinapauwi mo na ba ako? Saka anong gagawin natin do'n?"

"Wala naman... gusto ko lang makita. Saka kasi bakit hindi ka mag-stay kina Jin-Hyeong. Sabi mo pa na kasa-kasama ka no'n pero nag-rent ka ngayon."

"Girl, hindi ko naman kasi inaasahan na pupunta ako rito nang biglaan. Pero kung gusto mo, we'll try, alright?"

Lumaki ang ngiti sa labi ko. "Sige!" sabik kong tugon.

While I continued eating, she excused herself na pumunta ng restroom. Nakadalawang slice lang din ako ng pizza. Pagbalik ni Chini ay niyaya na niya akong umalis. Pinabalot niya ang natirang pizza at pinabitbit niya sa akin at ako na lang daw mag-uwi no'n. Hindi ko tinanggihan at tinanggap ko agad.

Before we headed to her hotel, dumaan pa kami sa isang clothing store sa Jungang-dong para bumili siya ng dress at sweater dahil kulang daw 'yong damit na naidala niya. Eventually, marami rin siyang pinamili and while I was looking as well, nagtaka ako kung bakit may pina-punch na panglalaking damit sa counter. Hindi naman ako nagtaka pa. Baka kay BJH lang 'yon.

As we reached the Days Hotel Jeju Seogwipo Ocean, pansin ko naman na parang kabang-kaba si Chini. Doon lang ako nagtaka kaya nang makarating kami sa kanyang kwarto at ipakita sa akin ang kanyang tutuluyan ay nakahinga naman siya ng maluwag.

Gandang-ganda ako sa hotel room niya. Bukod sa parang five star hotel ang hitsura ay buffet service pa from breakfast to dinner. Wala na siyang hahanapin-hanapin pa. Malapit-lapit na lang din naman ito sa bahay ng mga Baek kaya pwede siyang pumunta-punta ro'n habang nandito pa siya.

I was about to ask her what she would do during her stay here in Jeju for three day pero tumapon ang tingin ko sa duffel bag sa tabi ng kama.

"Sa 'yo 'yang bag, Chini? Akala ko ba unti lang ang dala mo?" tanong ko.

Bigla ring tumapon ang atensyon niya sa bag sa tabi ng kama. "Ah! Hindi sa akin 'yan. Itinawag ko na 'yan sa front desk kanina pero hindi pa nila kinukuha. Hindi ko sure kung aakyat na ba sila o hindi. Pero hindi sa akin 'yan... mukhang naiwan 'yan no'ng previous tenant here."

"Ah... okay. So, anong gagawin mo rito sa Jeju?"

She shrugged off. Naging aligaga kaagad si Chini. "Hindi ko pa sure. I've been here before kaya siguro maglilibot-libot na lang din siya sa paligid o sumama sa inyo. Whatever. Ang plano ko kasi, if I'm mistake na makikita ko si Jin-Hyeong sa bahay ng parents niya, I would still have some time para hanapin kung nasaan siya and I actually figured it out pagkalapag pa lamang ng eroplano rito sa Jeju. So, yeah... kung saan-saan na lang siguro."

"Maybe join us if natuloy kami sa Aqua Planet."

"Oh, I've been there before. Nakasasawa."

"Baka may bago, 'di ba?"

She shrugged off. "Ewan, siguro... Uhm... hindi ka pa ba hinahanap ni Jin-Hyeong? Maybe you should get back to him now. Gusto ko na rin magpahinga."

"Oh...okay... I'll be going now. Gusto ko lang din naman makita 'tong hotel mo. In fairness, ang sosyal, a!"

"Syempre, ako pa ba, girl?" Ngisi pa nito sa akin.

Nagpaalam na rin ako sa kanya at patungo na sa ako sa pinto. Saktong paghawak ko sa doorknob ay bumukas ang pinto. Ang unang pumasok sa isip ko ay housekeeper o 'yong staff na kukunin ang item na naiwan ng previous tenant, but what shocked me the most ay si Park Seung-Gi ang bumungad sa akin. May kinakain pa itong tinapay at nagkatitigan pa kaming dalawa at halatang hindi niya inaasahan na nandito ako ngayon.

"Seung-Gi!" tawag ni Chini. Lumapit pa ito sa direksyon namin at hinampas sa braso ito. "Juornioc 6 sikka ji guler danimionser iljjic dola oji malago hassa!" Salubong pa ang kilay nitong pagsita kay PSG. (I told you to walk around until six in the evening and not come back early!)

Napangiwi na lamang si PSG. Hinarap ako ni Chini at nakangiti ito sa akin.

"Yeah... I'm with him." She scrunched her face as if it's a secret. "Don't tell, Jin-Hyeong, a?"

Gusto kong matawa sa request niya pero bahala na kung anong mangyari. She made me tell her where we are, siyempre hindi ko rin mapapanindigan 'yon kapag si Jin-Hyeong na ang nagtanong. But it's nice to see her doing something aside from her job. She deserves it naman, though if it's Jin-Hyeong we're going to talk about, magkaroroon talaga ng mahabang usapan and I don't know where it would lead.

We still have a week in Jeju, we're gonna make it look like the best before the chaos.

***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Let me know your thoughts! I would appreciate it so much!

#BitterHolidaysInJeju20 #BHIJ20 #WTS6

Interact with me on Twitter >>> @Imjacobxoxo