Chapter 23

"Naiinis na ako." Singhal ni Chini sabay pag-ikot ng mata. "Masyado nang papansin 'tong dalawang magjowa na 'to. Pwede bang ipatapon 'to sa Pacific Ocean? Kairita."

Natawa ako kasi agad niyang sinuksok sa purse niya ang phone niya sa asar nang mabasa ang post nina Dong-yoon at Mi-sun. They were just making a scene. Puro kiss and hug sa bawat social media nila. Pinagbawalan nga ni Chini si BJH na gumamit ng phone at mag-focus na lang sa bakasyon. He intends to do that. Feeling ko wala na rin siyang pakialam sa dalawang 'yon since sakit lang sila ng ulo.

"Gusto ko pa sana mag-stay, but I have work waiting for me there. May mga kailagan akong i-meet in person. So, ikaw nang bahala kay Jin-hyeong, a? Tiwala naman ako sa 'yo. And since you guys left without saying a word before, lalagyan ko na rin ng tracker 'yang phone mo pagbalik."

"Ay, grabe siya!" usal ko.

Napaismid naman ito at umiling. "Kasama na 'yon sa trabaho mo. Bawal ka na mawala sa paningin ko."

"Okay... ikaw bahala. Basta wala pa rin akong kasalanan kung bakit kami nandito ni Jin-hyeong."

"Let's get past over that. Babalik na rin kayo next week so I'm already looking forward to that. Anyway, bago ko pa makalimutan, Seung-Gi will stay at our house from now on."

Bahagyang nanlaki ang mata ko sa binalita niya. "Ah, so... open na talaga ang relationship niyo? Hindi niyo na gagawing secret?"

She sighed, rolling her eyes. "Asa pang magiging secret 'yon sa mundo natin ngayon. But we kept it laylow for a few years and I think it's already enough. Wala namang mawawala, e. And if they want to make an issue about us, go for it. Hindi namin sila pipigilan. Just like what Dong-yoon and Mi-sun's doing, it's all for publicity."

I nodded. "True... even if it doesn't make sense anymore, basta maging usapan lang."

"But, you know, I did that once to BJH and it fairly worked I must say, so kung ginagawa nila 'yong to gain new audience para pag-usapan ang upcoming show nila, bahala na sila sa buhay nila. Hindi ko lang talaga maiwasang mairita since kanina pa dumadaan sa feed ko 'tong mga post tungkol sa kanila."

PSG came to our spot, scratching his head. "Urinen miocsie ternayahapnikka?" tanong pa nito. (What time should we leave?)

Sinilip ni Chini ang time sa screen ng kanyang phone. "Zamsi hu. Jelay ege mioc gazi alimeul namgiodugi manhamiondoepnida." (A moment later. I just need to leave Jelay some reminders.)

"Joha. Baggeser mannayo." (Okay. I'll meet you outside.)

Tumango si Chini sa jowa niya at saka tumungo si PSG palabas ng bahay. Dumaan pa kasi talaga sila rito sa bahay nila Jin-hyeong before they go to the airport and back to Seoul. Chini's a little stressed out dahil ang daming gustong ma-interview si BJH. Actually, some of them are not interested in his post anymore kung hindi ay general things about what he does and what he's going to do. Is he going to release a single, debut as a single performer, make new TV shows, and other stuff they've been wanting to ask.

"Alam mo na, ha? If there's something going on—good or bad, ipaalam mo na kaagad sa akin. You don't have to get his permission. I just want to know, alright?"

"Kahit personal?" Kunot-noo kong tanong.

She shrugged off. "Ikaw bahala. Baste tell me something if there's an immediate action needed to do. Iyon lang... and pray for me. Nagpatawag ng meeting si boss kanina at paglapag na paglapag namin sa Seoul mamaya, diretsyo kami sa office niya."

"Para saan naman 'yong meeting? Nasabi mo na ba kay Jin-hyeong?"

Mabilis siyang umiling. "No. Not yet and don't you ever tell him about it."

"Bakit naman? Should he know about it para hindi siya magtaka?"

"I know he should know about it pero hindi pa naman final kung anong mapag-uusapan namin ni boss. And if ever maganda ang 'yong usapan namin at may magandang offer din, saka ko lang sasabihin kay Jin-hyeong. It's either he'll accept or reject it. Bahala na siya ro'n, but I'm hoping he would accept it at the end of the day."

"Pero ano sa tingin mo 'yong pag-uusapan niyo? Would it be something about his music career o kaya naman ay mapasasama siya sa new TV show?"

She shrugged off again. "Just like what I said, wala talaga akong idea. Either way, ayos lang sa akin kung ano ang ibigay and I think Jin-hyeong can do it naman. Hindi siya kikilalanin sa buong mundo if hindi niya ginagawa ng best niya. For now, let's just hope for the best."

Saglit lang ay biglang bumalik si PSG at tinawag si Chini saka niyaya itong umalis. Umikot ang mata ni Chini kasi masyado raw sabik itong umalis. She grabbed her things and went with PSG outside. BJH saw us walked out of the house kaya naghintay kami na makasakay silang dalawa patungong airport. They left as soon as the cab arrived and we're bound to see them again next week back in Seoul.

"Do you want to go somewhere?" Jin-hyeong asked.

Napakunot-noo ako. "And where are we going? Sa market ba?"

He shook his head. "No. I thought we should go to the Aqua Planet now. Let's just continue what we're supposed to do last time. What do you think so?"

Napakibit balikat ako. "Hindi 'ko sure... pwede naman tayong pumunta, but I'm worried about people recognize you, e. Alam na ng karamihan na nandito ka sa Jeju at ayoko namang pagkaguluhan ka out of nowhere."

"Don't you want to enjoy your stay here in Jeju?" tanong nito.

Napalunok ako ng laway. "Of course, gusto kong gawin 'yon, but maybe we could do it in someplace at hindi ro'n."

"And where do you think we should go? Hamdeok beach? Hyeopjae beach? Hallim park? Or Jeonbang waterfall? It's just near the area and I think this is a good thing to visit. You should change and we'll get there."

"Hala! Seryoso ka ba? Ngayon na talaga?"

Seryoso naman itong tumango sa akin. "Yes. It'll be only ten minutes away from us so it'll be fast and convenient for us. Go change and I'll ask father to use his car. Move, Raijine. Don't just stare at me."

I blinked a few times as I got back to my consciousness. Tumango ako at saka dali-dali akong tumungo pabalik sa kwarto namin. Naghabilin pa ito na magdala ng extra shirt at towel. Kuhaan ko rin daw siya in case something happened. Nagtaka ako kasi akala ko maliligo kami ro'n since waterfall iyon. Hindi pa ako nakararating do'n and it will be my first time to be there and as I've heard it's the famous waterfall in Jeju because of its unique location. Wala ako masyadong ideya tungkol do'n so maybe I'll get to learn something from him when we get there.

As I've got what we need, I met Jin-hyeong outside and then he just called to get inside the car. Pagkapasok ko ay inabot ko sa kanya ang damit at towel na pinakuha niya sa akin. Nilagay niya lang iyon sa passenger seat at pinaandar na niya ang sasakyan saka nagsimulang bumiyahe.

Tahimik lang ako sa biyahe at pansin ko ang kakaibang glow sa mukha ni Jin-hyeong ngayon. I noticed that he really felt free when no one's telling him something to do. I mean I'm happy that he feels happy and he deserves it so much. If there's one thing I would like for Jin-hyeong to have is pure happiness... I couldn't think of anything else, but that's it.

Not that long when we finally reached the place. Jin-hyeong parked the car, we just leave the shirts and towels then we proceed to go to the trail heading to the waterfall. Obviously, he paid for our admission.

Alas y dies pa lamang ng umaga. Wala gaanong tao ngayon, Bukod sa winter season ay hindi gano'n karami ang turista na nagpupunta sa ganitong klima, though the tourists have other destinations to go to pero madalang kaming may makita o makasalubong na tao na pupunta o nanggaling sa waterfall.

Even though it's quiet while we trail our way down to the location, it feels calming and relaxing. It only took us another ten minutes when we started hearing the noise from the fall. It's not bad as we may hear it from afar, it's soothing and it's not rugged and rough. Ang sarap pakinggan nang agos ng tubig kaya nang makita rin namin ang karagatan na siyang kumukonekta sa waterfall ay halos lumundag ang puso ko sa sobrang tuwa.

I was just in awe. I appreciate it so much with fewer people around and how it attracted us to get near and watch it closely, it feels surreal.

"It's wonderful, right?" Jin-hyeong smirked.

I nodded. "It's beautiful! This is actually my first time to see waterfalls closely. I never imagined I would see it today."

"And you said you don't want to go anywhere."

"Uy, hindi ko sinabi 'yon!" depensa ko. "At para saan ba 'yong mga damit na pinakuha mo sa akin? Are we even going to swim here? Pwede ba? Bakit wala namang naliligo? At... karamihan sa kanila ay nagpi-picture lang?"

"Yes, it's the only thing we can do. Swimming is not recommended here. But you can make a splash some water. I just thought we should bring some extra shirts in case something bad happened."

I was slightly disappointed when he said that, but obviously how rocky the place is and how they don't recommend swimming because of its location. Though there were beautiful beaches in Jeju, I still have no idea when will I be able to experience it, but I'm already looking forward to it.

Jin-hyeong and I didn't waste our time and we just took some photos of ourselves. Ginawa ko na rin siyang photographer since no one will take a photo of me. Siya ang nag-ayos sa akin na makunan nang maayos ang waterfall at ilang takes pa ang nangyari bago niya makuha ang gustong picture. When I asked him I should take a picture of him as well, hindi na raw at mag-selfie na lang kaming dalawa. He said I could post it online or do whatever I want with it. Ipa-poster or billboard ko pa raw kung gusto ko. At least, I got his permission to post it on my profile. Wala namang nagbabantay sa social media ko since private rin naman ako.

"Jin-hyeong..." I muttered and he looked at me sideway. "Do you mind telling me what happened during your military training?" tanong ko, but then I realized that it could be a sensitive topic so kailangan kong bawiin agad. "Ay, hindi na. 'Wag mo na lang sagutin."

He pressed his lips together and nodded. Saglit lamang ay may lumapit sa amin at tinanong kung si Baek Jin-hyeong nga ba ang taong kaharap nila. Nang kumpirmahin naman iyon mismo ni BJH ay nagtitili ang dalawang babaeng turista. They asked for photos. Hindi tumanggi si BJH at pinagbigyan ang dalawa babae.

"Oh, did you know that Dong-Yoon and Mi-Sun are also gonna be here in Jeju?" tanong no'ng isang babae.

Namintig ang tainga ko nang marinig ko ang mga pangalan na 'yon. Nagsalubong ang kilay ni BJH. Parang hindi siya naniniwala.

"Is it true?" he asked.

"Yes!" the girl exclaimed excitedly. "They are actually trending for the past hours and they've been tagging you that if you're around and could meet them personally here in Jeju, that would be good! You should contact him! It would be the best!"

Napangiti na lamang si BJH sa dalawang babae saka ito umalis na parang nangingisay pa sa kilig.

"Ano na naman kayang pakulo no'ng dalawa?" tanong ko.

"Check it, Raijine. If it's really true," utos nito.

Tiningnan ko naman kung totoo nga ba ang chismis at pagbukas ko pa lamang ng twitter ko ay bumungad na sa akin ang ilang tagged posts at nasa trending list nga sila ngayon. Pinakita ko kay BJH ang ilang tweets para siya mismo ang magbasa. Napabitaw na lamang ito nang malalim na hininga at bahagyang napailing.

Nagtaka naman ako na ang sunod na ginawa niya ay kinuha niya ang kanyang phone.

"What are you going to do?" I asked.

"If they want to meet me, let's give it to them."

"Hala..." aniko, gulat sa sinabi nito. "Pa'no kapag nalaman ni Chini 'yon?"

"Then she'll know. It's like she can do something about it. She's on her way back to Seoul now," rason pa nito pero hindi ako gano'n kapanatag. "I'll message him now. If this is what they like, hopefully they'll be happy for it."

Gusto kong magpabuntonghininga nang paulit-ulit pero ayokong ipakita kay BJH ang reaksyon ko. I don't want him to meddle with them anymore since no'ng mangyari iyong gulo no'ng campaign shooting. We're trying to avoid it pero mukhang sinusundan siya ng mga 'to para agawin kung ano mang atensyon ang nasa kanya ngayon.

But if BJH think this is the way to end their drama, I'll be there for him. Support lang ako. Dahil at the end of the day, alam kong wala kaming ginagawang masama.

Oh, geez. They just ruined our moment here in Jeongbang Waterfall. Tama nga si Chini, ang sarap ipatapon sa Pacific Ocean.

***

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

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