Special Chapter 1

-Getaway-

Jinhyeong's concert here in Manila was a success. We never imagine that it would be successful since we're also thinking about the recent events, but it was a whirlwind of events, and how it goes made him believe in himself again.

Ang concert tour ni Jinhyeong ay isa sa mga anticipated sa kanyang project after getting out of the military. He thought people wouldn't accept him again or watch his performance because he has been gone for about two years and that was a long time for someone to get back on stage and earn people's attention.

And I was proud of him because he effortlessly did all of it.

Marami mang patuloy na nangbabash sa kanya at nagbabato ng mag bagay na wala namang katotohanan, hindi naman siya nagpatinag doon. Doon ko mas nakilala si Jinhyeong dahil hindi niya sinukuan ang pangarap niya... well he almost did, but I was glad he listened to me.

"Are we there yet?" tanong ni Jinhyeong sa akin.

We've been on the road for about four hours na papunta sa isang beach resort sa Batangas. Naka-ilang stop na rin kami sa expressway kanina at ilang gising na rin si Jinhyeong. Pagod na pagod siya sa two-night concert na ginawa niya. It was supposedly to be a one-night concert lang, but because of the huge support from his Filipino fans ay pumayag ang producer na gawin itong two-night concert which we all deserve and I can see that Jinhyeong loves doing it.

Hindi man na siya parte ng grupo nila before at isa na siyang solo performer, it was really a huge challenge for him to do this, but it all end so well kaya nakakaproud.

"I'm not sure..." sagot ko sa kanya. "Kuya?" pagtawag ko naman sa driver. "Malapit na po ba tayo or medyo malayo-layo pa?"

"Medyo malayo-layo pa po, ma'am," sagot nito.

"Mga ilang oras pa po kaya?"

"Ah, siguro mga isa't kalahating oras pa po," aniya. "Pero huwag po kayong mag-aalala. Makakarating din po tayo ro'n on-time."

"Oh, nice! Thanks, kuya."

Hinarap ko naman si Jinhyeong.

"So, we're still one hour and thirty minutes away from our destination," I said. "But I'm sure you'll love it once we get there. You tour me around the island of Jeju so it's my turn to show you around."

Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga saka niya ini-strech ang braso niya at pinatong ito sa balikat ko. He let me rest on his side. Hindi naman ako pumalag.

"I'm sure I'm gonna love it," aniya ng nakangisi. "Whatever you do for me, I never happen to ignore them or to disregard your effort for all the things you do. I appreciate them all... that's why I love you."

I giggled and I know I blushed. Pasimple pa ang ngiting lumapad sa labi ko.

"You know people still said things about us..."

"Shhh..." he hushed, trying to cease the conversation as he knows this topic won't do good. "Don't mind them."

"No, it's just that... people said that I'm after your money and all the things for that."

He sighed, shaking his head. "But you know that that wasn't the reason, right?" Dahan-dahan naman akong tumango sa sinabi niya. "You know yourself more than the others so don't believe what they would say to you. Believe in yourself and that's the most important thing you could do."

"Right... you're right..."

I rested my head on his shoulder and we were like that for some time. It really feels good to be in his arms and I've never felt like that before.

Time goes by as we didn't mind the travel and just then our driver announced our arrival at our destination. Sabik na sabik naman kaming dalawa ni Jinhyeong na bumaba ng sasakyan. We were the only ones sa sasakyan dahil sina Chini, Seung-Gi, at Seo-jun sa isang van na kasunod lang din naman namin. Chrizzle wasn't able to come dahil may klase ito at hindi ko siya papayagang mag-absent. Kaya iyon... nagtampo sa akin. For all I know, crush niya kasi si Seo-jun kaya bet na bet sumama.

As we jumped out of the car to meet the arrival of the others, as we all joined together ay sabay-sabay na rin naman kaming pumasok sa loob ng hotel accommodation namin.

There aren't many people around dahil weekday ngayon at karamihan ay nagsisibalikan na pabalik ng Manila. May mga naabutan naman kami pagkapunta namin sa reception at ang ilan ay napapatingin pa sa gawi namin at magsisimulang magbulungan dahil sa matangka na lalaking kasama namin.

He's just wearing a sweatshirt, and a sunglass that he thought was enough to hide his appearance, I just didn't argue with him that it wouldn't work dahil nakikilala pa rin naman siya unless they don't know him—but that's impossible since his concert has been all over social media and his face isn't hard to identify.

Kaya sa huli, may nakakilala pa rin sa kanya at nag-request kung pwede makapagpa-picture sa kanya. Hindi naman tumanggi si Jinhyeong at pinagbigyan ang mga excited na fans.

"Kailan po ang anniversary niyo?" tanong ng isang babaeng fan.

At dahil doon, narinig ni Chini ang usapan kaya mabilis siyang pumagitna sa amin. "Hi. Thank you for your love for Jinhyeong and Jelay, and I believe it's unnecessary for them to answer that question."

Mabilis namang nagpaumanhin ang fan na iyon at nirespeto na lamang ang privacy namin. Jinhyeong was laughing at what Chini did, but because she's just looking after everyone's safety and image, she's just doing her job and there's no problem with it.

Later on, we were assisted by the receptionist about our rooms. The boys would stay together in a room while Chini and I will have our own room as well. Buhat-buhat ni Jinhyeong ang gamit ko kahit sabi kong kaya ko namang buhatin, but he insisted.

He went to our room first before heading to their room. Inilapag niya sa tabi ang bag ko.

"Thank for you that," aniko na sinabayan pa ng ngiti.

"It would be better if Raijine and I are in the same room," Jinhyeong said.

"Ah, nope!" mabilis na pag-angal ni Chini. She immediately went to his side and push him away on his chest just to get out of the lady's room. "Jigeum bang-eulo gasibsio. geunyang jeomsimsigan-e mannaja." (Go to your room now. Let's just see each other at lunchtime.)

When she successfully pushed him out of the room, Chini immediately jumped on her bed.

"Gusto ko na lang matulog," aniya. "Kayo na lang kaya muna kumain."

"No. You should join us," sabi ko. "Pwede ka namang umidlip muna. We'll let everyone settle for thirty minutes then let's go for lunch, alright?"

"Hmm..." she hummed and then just a moment later, she just went snoozing.

Hindi rin naman ako makatulog dahil gigising din naman agad at masisira lang ang mood ko. May tumawag naman sa phone ko kaya nang tingnan kong si Chrizzle iyon, for sure, salubong ang kilay no'n na haharap sa akin.

"Hello, Chriz!" I giggled, greeting her.

Inirapan naman niya ako. "Epal ka talaga, ate. Dapat sumama na lang talaga ako sa inyo, e."

"E, may pasok ka nga kasi. Bawal ka um-absent, 'no. Malapit na exam niyo."

"Wala naman kaming professor kanina! O, 'di ba? Sayang!" Natawa na lamang ako sa pagkakaaburido niya. "Hindi nakakatawa, ate."

"Ewan ko sa 'yo, Chriz. Babalik naman kami riyan after three days. Makikita mo ulit si Seo-jun."

"Mukha mo, ate. Hindi naman si Seo-jun habol ko, e."

And then I started teasing her at puro pagtanggi lang din ang ginawa niya. We continued continue about everything and our plans. After this Batangas trip ay baka dumaan kami sa Tagaytay bago bumalik ng Manila. Gustong umikot ni Jinhyeong sa ilang historical places sa Manila. Wala namang problema ro'n at magagawa naman naming dalawa 'yon.

I ended the call with her when I realize we all have to get some lunch na. Ginising ko na naman si Chini para puntahan ang boys sa room nila. As we get into their room, tinawag namin sila and said Jinhyeong would like to rest for the meantime kaya naman kaming apat na lang ang nauna kasama ang driver namin kanina.

I'm sure pagod na pagod si Jinhyeong and I know he deserve those long hours of rest, but he's here in Batangas not to sleep all day though. Kutusan ko 'yon. Kung matutulog lang din pala siya, sana hindi na kami umalis ng hotel sa Pasay.

As we ordered our food and wait for it, hindi naman mapakali si Chini at gustong masilayan kung anong hitsura ng labas. We stayed in a hotel and spa which was inspired by a resort in Greece so it was actually nice around here and the air was so fresh when we arrived.

When our food has been served and we started eating, it was quiet as we feed our hungry stomachs. Just after that, we made a quick stroll outside to see the outside view and it was breathtaking.

Humugot na lamang ako nang malalim na hininga. Nag-eemote pa nga lang ako nang biglang higitin ni Chini ang kamay ko para kuhaan ko raw siya ng picture. She posed a lot to different areas and background and hopefully she would be satisfied to all the photos I have captured.

Later on, we didn't notice that Jinhyeong is walking toward us. Chini immediately asked him if he was hungry or what. He said it would be fine if he would take some smoothie or something to drink. Mabilis namang nag-utos si Chini sa staff.

"So... how's everything?" he asked as we stood behind the railings.

"This feels good," I said to him. Hindi ko naman mapigilan ang pagngiti ko. "I think it was really a good decision for us to have a little getaway from all the work stuff and chaos in the showbiz world."

Napangisi na lang din naman siya at saka niya pinatong ang braso sa balikat ko habang nakatanaw kami sa dagat.

"You're right... this is what we really came here for."

I nudged him on his stomach and he made a little moan for that. "And I thought you're just going to sleep and won't enjoy our quick getaway here. And I'm sure you'll love Tagaytay once we get there."

"I believe so... I showed you the wonders of Jeju and now, it's time for you to tour me around."

Sa pagkasabi niya no'n, saka ko lang din na-realize iyon. Totoo nga naman. He effortlessly showed me what Jeju can offer to me. It was beautiful, peaceful, and feels like home for me. Gusto ko ring iparamdam sa kanya 'yon dito. Na hindi siya magdadalawang isip o kaya naman wala na siyang balak pang bumalik just because of a not good experience.

Everything I've experienced in Jeju comes from low to high moments in my life. It was a rollercoaster journey and I'm happy that we were able to arrive at this destination where we mind our happiness and make other people happy.

"You know what, there's something I would like to do," Jinhyeong said.

I looked at him, creasing my forehead as I don't have any idea what was going on his mind until he carried me and brought me to pool jumping in it. Napasigaw na lamang ako at ang kasunod na pagkakita namin pag-angat sa tubig ay si Chini na iiling-iling sa aming dalawa.

"Mister Baek Jinhyeong, here's your smoothie," Chini said, putting the glass down on the floor. "And because we're on a vacation, I wouldn't mind this and everything you guys would do. Malaki na kayong dalawa. I'm just gonna mind my own business..." Ngisi pa nito.

But what she didn't know, Seung-Gi is planning something for her. Coming from her back, he just carried her like what Jinhyeong did to me and jumped on the pool. It was so much fun that we ended up taking off our clothes and leaving with only swimsuits so it wouldn't look bad.

Our first day went so well. Walang abala at problema. We're just enjoying all the things we could do around. It was really a good decision for all of us to go on weekdays and to an almost six-hour drive away from the city. Those people we met on our first day tagged us on their IG stories and we saw a lot of people commenting they will be coming to this place and all. As much as we worried about it, we know that they wouldn't do that and they will respect our privacy and they did.

May mga ilang new arrivals na nakakakilala talaga sa kanya. Minsan nga lumalayo na ako dahil si Jinhyeong naman talaga ang kilala nila, pero kapag nakikita nila ako ay gusto rin nilang magpapicture sa akin and I'm just going with it since it was just for fun for me... and then I saw people posting their picture and naming me that I'm Jinhyeong's girlfriend.

But... nope.

We're just dating at the moment and we're not that kind of people who are thirsty for validation of other people. Tahimik lang kami. Hindi naman namin pinagmamalaki iyon at sadyang nabubuking lang at kumakalat hangga't sa nalalaman na ng lahat.

I think coming into this world I know I should be prepared for that, but then for the past years I have experienced what it feels like, hindi na siya bago sa akin. Because I know I'm with the right person and I know this person doesn't invalidate my feelings at all.

Personal assistant lang ako... and I'm not ashamed of it because that helps me to provide for my family and meet the person who believes in me.

And there's more to see for him around the Philippines, but because we are on tour and we only have a limited time and day for a specific country, we cannot stay much longer, but we both promised that once his concert tour is done, we'll be back in the Philippines and show him the place where I grew up.

But next stop, Bali, Indonesia... here we come.

- End of Special Chapter 1 -