Chapter 6

Pareho kaming balisa ni Chini dahil walang kaalam-alam si BJH na makasasama niya sa interview ngayon si Mi-Sun. Para bang nag-init bigla ang dugo naming dalawa dahil hindi namin in-expect na ganito ang magiging outcome ng first-ever post-military interview ni BJH. I hope he won't react so bad about what will happen today. Nasa backstage lamang ako habang si Chini naman ay kinakausap ang mga staff tungkol sa pagsama ni Mi-Sun kay BJH.

Saglit lamang ay lumapit sa akin si Chini na banas na banas pa rin ang pagmumukha. She's not liking what's happening at the moment dahil alam niyang wala iyon sa napagkasunduan at never pumayag si Chini na isalang ang alaga niya sa interview with his ex-girlfriend kaya ngayon kulang na lang sunugin niya ang buong building sa inis niya—I tried touching her arm, good thing she's not fuming so hot, but her madness expressed so badly.

"Ano na mangyayari, Chini?" tanong ko sa kanya.

Napasinghal naman ito saka humalukipkip sa sobrang inis. "Some says hindi rin daw nila alam na kasama sa interview ngayon si Mi-Sun, but some says it was coordinated by the agency kasi nga alam mo na, 'di ba? They want them to get back together and now that it is time for BJH to work again, they're just manipulating the scene." Napayuko na lamang si Chini at itinakip ang kamay sa mukha habang iiling-iling. "I just know that BJH won't like this."

"Hinga ka na lang muna ng malalim," pagpapagaan ko ng loob niya. "Hindi pa naman natin sigurado kung anong mangyayari. Let's just see what will happen..."

But she just shook her head, hindi kumbinsido sa sinabi ko. "Makakampante lang ako kapag natapos na 'tong araw na 'to." She grunted and then she pulled me out of the backstage. "Let's go and sit just along the audiences."

Hinatak niya ako sa on-set ng studio at doon ay naabutan naming may fina-flash na VTR sa screen and BJH is just watching and listening to what the video says and then when people call his name, he immediately shifted his attention to them and give an appealing smile and short waves at them. Pinigilan naman ng mga babae ang humiyaw dahil sa kanilang kilig. I'm also trying not to feel so giddy pero hindi ko rin mapigilang mapangiti.

I must say that BJH's kind and nice to everyone. From what he had shown earlier, hindi niya ginawang big deal 'yong pagkakamali ng mga tao instead he just understood them because he knew himself once he put anger on the top of his head, it will just ruin everything so calmness and understanding should remain as his virtue. Napansin ko lang 'yon sa kanya and that's why people love him.

"Jelay, eyes on the screen," Chini said, nudging me on my side. Sinunod ko ang sinabi niya at hinanap ang TV screen at pagkalapat pa lamang ng paningin ko ro'n ay si MI-Sun na ang pinapakita. "Look, Jin-Hyeong's shocked."

Nilipat ko ang tingin kay BJH and Chini's right, I couldn't read his face dahil naghalo ang gulat at kung ano pang emosyon na hindi ko maintindihan, but moreover namumuo ang pagtataka sa kanya.

When the video ended and the attention came back to them, the host then announced Mi-Sun's appearance and she just entered the studio, with a huge proud-smirk on her face, making her hair flow smoothly, and her dress seems distinct and only Nahm Mi-Sun could only flaunt it that way.

The host made Mi-Sun sit next to BJH on the lavender couch that only has space for two people. "Onel uriwa hamkke haejworther gomower, Mi-Sun," ganadong pagbati ng babaeng host kay Mi-Sun. (Thank you for being with us today, Mi-Sun.)

"Mulon, yeogiisnen guti sarang sropspnida," mahinhing sagot ni Mi-Sun sabay lingon kay BJH sa kanan niya na para bang may pinapahatid sa kanyang tingin. Tiningnan lang din naman siya ni BJH at tumango pero for sure, deep inside, gusto na niyang umalis. (Of course, it's lovely to be here.)

"Graser, jigeum du saram sai musn ili buludgego issni? Nuhndli gre 2 nion jone gwangeri kketnan ihuro, gruge?" the host asked. Napasinghal na lamang sa tabi ko si Chini. Hindi ko masyadong nasundan 'yong tanong dahil ang bilis magsalita ng host at nakukuha pang tumawa sa kabilang ng matinding seryosong expression na pinapakita ni BJH. (So, what's going on between the two of you now? Since you guys broke up almost 2 years ago, right?)

Muling nilingon ni Mi-Sun si BJH at may ibinulong pa ito.

"Nabasa mo ba 'yong labi ni Mi-Sun?" tanong ko kay Chini pero inilingan niya ako. "Feeling ko may sinabi kasi siya."

Wala namang reaksyon si BJH sa kanya at binaling ang tingin muli sa host at ngumiti. Her matter red lipsticks make her lips so full and daring. It actually matched her spaghetti strap fitted dress and her red pumps. She looks like a Barbie doll dahil sa aura niya, but then again, her personality and attitude are based on Cinderella's step-mother.

"Uriga joheun chinguro naman issnen ger angina, Jinhionga?" Ngisi pa nito na para bang inaakit pa si Jin-Hyeong sa mga tinginan niya. Akala niya ba hindi namin nakalilimutan 'yong pagsampal niya sa boss namin na parang wala lang sa kanya? Ano kayang gusto nito ni Mi-Sun mangyari? "Urinen jone haersiossjiman johda. Jinhongcease hamkke saroown projectrl hal guteuro gidandoenda." (Well, I believe we remain good friends, aren't we, Jin-Hyeong? We broke up before, but we're good now. I'm expecting to have a new project with Jin-Hyeong.)

"O, wau! Urinen du saram saieshoi projecte daeha dler boge mothassspinkka? Graser, urinen igerte daeha muotel gidaehal su issspnikka? Urirl atage, zebal!" the host excitingly said. Pansin kong wala nang gana si Chini sa tabi ko at hindi na nagugustuhan 'yong mga nangyayari. (Oh, wow! We haven't heard about this project between the two of you? So, what can we expect about this? Tease us, please!)

She knows that they never agreed to that project and she won't put BJH on a project with her. Their relationship is fucked-up. Chini only wants good for him and yet, his agency doesn't listen to them.

"Jigeumeun bimiliya!" Hagikgik pa ni Mi-Sun. (It's a secret for now)

"O, nanen ggerteul johahanda!" the host exclaimed and turned to BJH. "Nun ata, jinhong? Dangxineun ggerte daeha muoteul malhal su issspnikka?" (Oh! I like that! What about you, Jin-Hyeong? What can you say about it?)

"Nado mola... nanen asic aton projectdo badadliji anhassjiman, muotidn, yeogie dola onen guti johda," sagot naman ni BJH.

Muli na namang napasapo sa uli si Chini hangga't sa hindi niya natiis at nag-walk out na ito. Susundan ko pa sana siya pero hindi na ako umalis sa kinauupuan ko. Tiningnan ko rin naman si BJH at nakatingin ito sa direksyon ko at nagkibit balikat na lang din naman ako since he saw that Chini suddenly walked out after hearing his answer.

Kanina, ang usapan lamang ay ang naging experience ni BJH sa military at kung anong changes at realization ang naiuwi nito matapos ang mandatory training. At that point, everyone realized what he had gone through there, but he didn't say anything about being depressed while away. I believe it's a very sensitive and personal topic, to begin with, so he never mentioned it. After this interview, Chini and I were expecting that he'll be posted to any blogs, posts, and a lot of sponsors will come offering to him, but then we didn't expect Mi-Sun would be here and could totally ruin everything we're trying to build for BJH now.

Ten minutes later, the show ended and I had come running backstage to meet BJH there. Nang makita ko na naman siya ay inabutan ko siya ng water bottle. Tumigil naman siya sa harap ko para punasan iyong namumuo niyang pawis sa noo.

"Where's Chini?" he asked matapos uminom.

I shrugged off. "Hindi ko alam kung nasaan siya ngayon. Do you want me to find her?"

He shook his head. "No. Stay with me," utos nito sa akin. "She might just be pissed off. How did I do, Raijine? Was it good?"

"Uhm..."

"Oh, it is bad?" Ngisi pa nito sa akin. "I thought I did great?" he questioned himself.

"Uy, hindi ko naman sinabing hindi maganda. It's just that... akala ko galit ka sa ex mo... kaya kami nagulat ni Chini na parang okay lang sa 'yo maging ka-trabaho."

"Good thing I can understand you so Mi-Sun won't know what you're saying." Ngisi pa nito. "I don't really care if I'm gonna work with her. It's just part of the job and nothing personal. I won't be getting back with her, just to assure you with that, alright?" Tumango na lang din naman ako sa sinabi niya. Or he's just saying that to me para kumampi ako sa kanya? "Now, let's search for Chini."

Kinuha ko naman 'yong water bottle sa kamay niya at magsisimula na kaming hanapin si Chini pero agad na may tumawag sa atensyon ni BJH. Sabay pa kaming napalingon sa babaeng tumawag sa kanya and then there's Mi-Sun, walking like a model heading towards our direction. Sinaboy pa nito ang kanyang mahabang buhok na para bang nasa isang commercial ng shampoo. Umatras naman ako at tumayo sa bandang likuran ni BJH.

"Jigeum adiganengoha?" she asked, smirking. (Where are you going now?)

"Ywae algo sipni?" sagot naman ni BJH na halos walang expression ang pagkasasalita. (Why do you want to know?)

"Glce, useon, nanen, yerse naga han ile daeha saceaehago sipda. Ggern ne manisioga nuwa naga haudgego gundaee dlergasseul ta han madidohazi anhnendago naege malhassgi tamunida. Hajiman jigeumuen modn johda, gruhge?" She smiled as if everything's between them is finally resolved. What a pathetic gesture from her. (Well, first of all, I would just like to apologize for what I did yesterday. That's for making your manager told me that you and I break up and never said a word when you entered the military. But everything's good now, right?)

BJH scoffed, sliding his hands on his pocket. "Joja. Kul." (Okay. Cool.)

"Graser, nawa hamkkhehago sipni? Dangxineun ggerti issdanen guteul abnida?" she persuaded.

Naka-cross finger ang daliri ko na tila bang umaasa akong hindi sasama si BJH sa babaeng 'to kasi naman, sinong sasama sa ex-girlfriend niya, right? Matagal namang nagbigay ng sagot si BJH na para bang pinag-iisipan pa nito kung anong gagawin niya hangga't sa lumipat ang tingin nito sa akin.

"Would you please find Chini?" he asked.

"Now, sir?" I asked.

He nodded. "Yes, please."

At this moment, alam ko na kung anong binabalak niya. "Do you want me to call her?"

"She won't answer that, it's better to look for her. I'll be right here."

"Okay..." aniko sabay tango.

Nang talikuran ko silang dalawa ay narinig ko pa ang pagtawan ni Mi-Sun na sobrang nakaiirita pakinggan. Ang arte niya pa magsalita kanina sa interview na akala mo angel of the decade pero alagad pala ni Santanas sa sama ng ugali.

Wala rin naman akong nagawa sa utos ni BJH sa akin kung hindi ay sinunod ko siya. Napahugot na lamang ako ng malalim na hininga dahil BJH told me to find Chini because he's going out with Mi-Sun, kung mali man ako, e 'di things change, but that's what he do no'ng hindi pa siya pumapasok sa military at mag-jowa pa silang dalawa. He would always lure Chini out para makatakas silang dalawa kaya always end-up issue silang dalawa... like PDA and most of the time, third party.

Pagdaan ko naman sa may restroom, nagulat ako nang biglang lumabas do'n at sumalubong sa akin si Chini na sa tingin ko ay nabawasan na ang kanyang inis.

"Ay, puta ka, Jelay. Nangugulat ka naman," usal niya at natawa na lamang ako sa reaksyon niya. Pero kumunot din naman agad ang noo nito nang mapansin ang taong hindi ko kasama ngayon. "Teka, nasa'n si Jin-Hyeong?"

Napabitaw ako ng malalim na hininga. "Ipinapahanap ka niya sa akin... ang sabi ko nga tawagan na lang kita para hindi na ako umalis sa tabi niya pero itinaboy niya ako."

"Oh, I don't think I should take a guess kasi sigurado akong nakausap niya si Mi-Sun, tama ba ako?"

Napabuntonghininga ako saka tumango. Napasapo naman siya muli sa ulo niya at muling nag-init ang ulo. Ikinalma na lamang niya ang sarili niya dahil alam niyang walang patutunguhan 'yong inis niya. Sinisi pa niya ang sarili niya kasi kung hindi sana siya nag-walk out, mahahatak niya kaagad si BJH paalis ng building, but then she put her anger on the top of her head kaya ayan, may ibang humatok sa alaga namin.

"Narinig mo ba kung saan sila pupunta?" tanong ni Chini. Umiling naman ako saka siya napasingal. "Naku, Jin-Hyeong. Good thing, na-modify ko rin 'yong phone na gamit niya ngayon and I can trace him so we're good pero stress na stress na ako ngayon, samahan mo ako magpagupit, kailangan ko ng matinding self-care ngayon."

"Hindi natin susundan si Jin-Hyeong?" taka kong tanong sa kanya.

"Akong bahala ro'n," aniya. "Let's just pamper ourselves muna... let's give him the taste of what his post-military would look like. Matatauhan rin 'yan."

Before we go, Chini talked to the staff, and then we just left the building right after. Mabuti na lang ay nandiyan ang driver namin kanina at hindi iyon ang sasakyang ginamit nila. They might've used Mi-Sun's car. Nang makapasok naman kami sa loob ay tahimik lamang ako sa kinauupuan ko at saka ko ininuman ang water bottle na hawak ko. Muntik ko pang mabuga ang tubig na nasa bibig ko nang ma-realize kong boteng ininuman pala 'to ni BJH at para nag-indirect kiss kami sa lagay na 'to. So, I just put the cap back to the bottle and breath in so stress won't be so much a burden for me.

I guess Chini's right... it's time for BJH to realize that getting in touch with Mi-Sun is a dangerous playful thing.

***

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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