Chapter Twenty-seven

Tatlong araw matapos ang mga pangyayaring iyon sa hospital ay nagkalat pa rin sa social media ang larawan namin ni Jiro, maging sa ilang mga online articles. That childish jerk had really made a big fuss! I just didn't know how his other members and his management were coping up with it. I just hoped they were working on cleaning up the ridiculous issue though Jiro still wasn't deleting the post.

Maraming fans ng Hunters ang curious sa larawang iyon, o mas maiging sabihin na curious sila kung sino ang kasama ni Jiro. Actually, maraming mga haka-haka ang nagsisilabasan from the people of Korea. Others said Jiro was just too nice to let a fan take a photo with him, that was after the jerk took a photo of me… ni hindi nga ako nakaharap sa picture e! Kalahati lang ng mukha ko ang kita roon! Some said I was just a patient in the same hospital he was confined into and it was just an accident that Jiro had taken a photo with a lucky patient.

At least, the later one sounded more nice, logical and possible. I just wanted to thank those who thought logical and stayed in the box.

Luckily, it didn't reach the biggest news of showbiz industry in Korea. Nananatiling nasa social media at sa pagitan lang ng Hunters at Archers ang issue, dahil kapag nagkataon, hindi ko na alam kung anong gagawin ko sa kabi-kabilang issue na kinasasangkutan ko.

BTS wouldn't let me read comments. Ang iba kasi roon ay puro pagmumura at death threats since Hunters also had international fans. Fans now were very scary. The boys had also been doing things just to cover up the issue. That was why they had also advised me not to open my social accounts. Iyon pa ba ang aatupagin ko? Baka kapag binuksan ko ang Twitter account ko ay baka sabog na ang message box ko ng mga mensahe mula sa mga unknown sources.

Though, it was a luck that they didn't know me yet. Hanggang pagka-crop lang sila ng mukha ko sa larawang ipi-nost ni Jiro dahil hindi sapat ang kalahati ng mukha ko para makilala ako, well, not unless someone I knew would see that photo. I was sure, makikilala agad ako nito.

Jungkook had released a new cover English song to get the attention of the crowd. Nag-film din sila ng laro nila at pinost sa YouTube as a BTS Bomb. Nag-live din sila sa isang Live Application. Really, they were trying to put so much effort just to take it down. Nakakatawa lang kasi sumobra ata ang effort nila para sa simpleng issue lang na iyon.

Bumalik ang hectic na schedule ng BTS at parati akong naiiwang mag-isa sa bahay. Boring pero medyo nasasanay na ako. I just had to do some things just to keep myself busy. Minsan ay ginagamit ko ang Polaroid ko para kuhanan ang kahit na anong matipuhan ko, tipong naglalakad na langgam sa sahig ay kinuhanan ko para lang may magawa. Kung minsan ay nanunuod ako ng TV.

Pagpasok ko ng kitchen para maghanap ng makakain ay sa refrigerator agad natuon ang tingin ko. Naroon kasi nakaipit sa isang carrot magnet ang isang larawan…

"What? No! I won't!" Agad akong umiling nang magsuhestiyon si Jin na mag-groufie kaming lahat dahil kanina niya pa napapansin si Jungkook na nilalaro ang polaroid ko.

All of them found his idea amazing except me. Siyempre hindi puwede iyon. The only thing I could do to stop any rumor and issue between us was to avoid all the possible evidences. In order to start a fire, you have first to light a match and don't, if you don't like fire at all. Simple.

Pero dahil sila na yata ang pinaka-persistent sa lahat ng mga persistent, they were able to drag me in their crowd.

And as Jungkook stretched his arm and raised the Polaroid camera, taking a picture of us… a flash almost blinded me.

Natawa ako sa sarili kong reaksyon sa larawan pagkatapos ay nag-init ang dalawang pisngi ko. Pinagigitnaan nila akong lahat. Nakapatong ang kamay ni Jin sa ulo ko at nakasimangot ako habang nakapikit ang isang mata ko. But the reason of my heating face was… what was really happened behind the camera.

Nasa likod ko sa Jimin sa larawan at hindi man nakikita sa picture, but during that moment, Jimin was firmly holding one of my hand, behind the camera, behind the eyes of his other members but in my face and during my heart-beating fast situation.

That was a take from my Polaroid and my first ever photo with BTS. Ironic. I was just hoping to see them before and now, I had even had a photo with them. Panigurado maiinggit si Holly kapag nakita niya ito. She would cry and nag at me.

BTS had agreed to just leave me in the house. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit bigla na lang nagbago ang isip ng mga iyong gayong ayaw na ayaw nila akong iwan noon. Pinipilit nilang isama ako noon kahit na sinasabi ko sa kanilang okay lang na mag-isa ako.

"We're just avoiding another Jiro to see you," RM vaguely reasoned out to me before they left… that was while Jimin was avoiding any eye-contact with me, again.

Nitong mga nakaraang araw ay napapansin ko ang pag-iwas sa akin ni Jimin. Nariyang magtatago siya sa likod ni RM sa tuwing nasa harap ko silang lahat at kinakausap ako pero madalas ko siyang nahuhuling sumusulyap sa akin. He would leave whenever there were just the two of us in one place. He would hide and run from me.

Nahihiya ba siya sa akin? Matapos niyang paguluhin ang buong sistema ko dahil sa ginawa niya sa akin noon sa hospital? He was avoiding me!

Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng paggawa ng sandwich nang tumunog ang doorbell, which was by the way, ngayon ko lang narinig na tumunog, dahil kung BTS man ang nasa labas, hindi na magdo-doorbell ang mga iyon.

Natigil ako sa ginagawa at saglit pang pinakinggan ang tunog. Baka naman cleaners ang nasa labas? Hindi ko kasi alam kung anong schedule ng cleaners nila, ni hindi ko pa naabutang may dumating na cleaners dito. I had been doing the cleaning of the house, of course. Sa loob ng halos dalawang buwan kong pananatili rito sa bahay ng BTS ay nasaksihan ko kung gaano sila kagulo, hindi lang sa mga sarili nila kung hindi maging sa bahay.

Though, I understood that aside from being men, they were all idols. They were so busy as they were, wala na silang panahon pa para maglinis. But then, they always had time with themselves. Siguro nga, one of the reason why I got here was to really become their maid. Seriously, hindi ko pa nagagawang maglinis sa bahay ko katulad nang ginagawa ko rito.

I bet, my mother would be very proud of me if she would see this. Though, I couldn't still cook. Jin wouldn't just let me.

Nang hindi pa rin humihinto ang tunog ay nagpasya na akong silipin ang pinto. From the little screen near the door where I could see the outside, there was a slightly familiar woman standing behind the door and on her hand was a behaved white dog, that I recognized as Pomeranian.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Bisita?

I decided to open the door. Mula sa maaliwalas na mukha ay unti-unting kumunot ang noo ng babae nang magtama ang mga mata namin. Ang maliit niyang mga mata ay nag-umpisang titigan ako na para bang kinikilatis ako ngunit kababakasan pa rin ng pagtataka.

"H-Hello," I said smiling, hesitantly as I suddenly felt intimidated. Medyo nakakatawa dahil sa akin madalas maramdaman ng ibang tao iyon. They were just too aloof of me because they were intimidated by me.

Napakapamilyar ng mukha ng babae pero hindi ko matandaan kung saan ko siya nakita.

"Who are you? You look familiar," aniya sa pamilyar ding tinig.

Pinigilan ko ang mapakagat-labi. Hindi ko alam kung ano iyong sinabi niya at hindi ko rin alam kung paano ko sa kaniya ipapaliwanag iyon nang hindi ako magmumukhang pa-importante. In Korea, not because I didn't know their language didn't mean they were obliged to speak English for me. Hindi parating sila ang mag-a-adjust para sa akin. Masyado na akong namimihasa. Mabuti na lang at mababait ang BTS kaya pinipilit nilang mag-Ingles kahit na nahihirapan sila.

In the end, niluwagan ko na lang ang bukas ng pinto. "Please come in," I told her softly as I smiled a bit.

She lightly gaped her mouth before gracefully walking into the house, still holding the little puppy on her arms. Hindi rin nakalagpas sa pang-amoy ko ang elegante at matamis niyang amoy, I could only state brand of Victoria Secret with how she smelled, nang lagpasan niya ako.

Napagmasdan ko ang kasuotan niya. She wore a simple white blouse that she covered with a shining gray coat, black long skirt and a chained bag was hanging on her shoulder. I had seen this somewhere. I had seen this simplicity somewhere… at nakaka-inis lang dahil kahit anong pag-aalala ko ay hindi ko talaga matandaan.

Dumiretso siya sa sala at tahimik na sumunod lang ako sa kaniya. She could be the mother of one of BTS. Right. Dapat lang na ganito ka-ganda at elegante ang isa sa mga nanay ng BTS. It would only be fair.

Pinaglaruan ko ang mga daliri ko habang pinipilit pa ring alalahanin kung saan ko nakita ang babae. The elegance hidden in simplicity, it was familiar. Pakiramdam ko ay sasakit ang ulo ko kapag hindi ko pa aalalahanin ngayon kung saan ko siya nakita. Nahinto lang ako sa pag-iisip nang huminto siya at mabilis akong nilingon. I quickly got distracted when the dog leaped out from her arms. Tumakbo ang aso sa kasulukuyang kuwartong tinutuluyan ko since naiwan kong bukas ang pinto.

"Please have a seat. I'll prepare you something to eat," banayad na wika ko habang inilalahad sa kaniya ang couch sa living room.

Just then, her face gleamed as she smiled widely, a smile of recognition. Nawala ang masungit niyang aura at napalitan ng pagkatamis-tamis na ngiti ang mga labi niya habang kumikislap ang mga matang nakatitig sa akin.

Somehow, I felt like being enchanted for a while and she surely looked familiar but her smile, the way her lips stretched resembled someone's smile, someone so special in my heart.

"That is why you look familiar," aniya, ang malambot niyang tinig ay muling nagbigay sa akin ng pakiramdam na… something was really familiar about her. Even her soft voice!

Kumunot ang noo ko. She also found me familiar! Sabi ko na e. Nagkita na kami somewhere.

Umupo siya sa mahabang couch at tinapik ang espasyo sa tabi niya. "Come here," aniya sa tonong nakikipag-usap sa taong matagal na niyang kilala.

Nagtataka man ay lumapit ako sa kaniya at naupo sa tabi niya. She was surely easy to talk to because she knew already how to converse with me. She obviously could speak English.

"I bet you cannot remember me…" Her smile widened ever more. Hindi ko mapigilang isipin kung paanong ipinapaalala sa akin ng ngiti niya ang ngiti ng lalaking iyon…

"I'm sorry. I just also find you familiar," mahina kong sagot.

"We met on the road. You and your friend helped me cross the road after being almost hit by a car," pagpapaalala niya sa akin.

Napanganga ako nang tuluyan nang maalala ang tinutukoy niyang kaganapan. Hindi lang dahil sa naaalala ko na siya kung hindi dahil sa diretso niyang pag-sasalita ng ingles kahit na medyo iba sa pandinig ko ang tono niya at usage niya ng bawat salita.

The elegant lady we had met on the road! That was why she was familiar! The elegance hidden in simplicity. I suddenly remembered the moment when Chelsea and I were both enticed by her and I was enticed all over again!

"So you mean… your son you were supposed to visit that day is one of BTS?" I asked, stunned. Naalala kong sinabi niyang galing siya sa Busan at nagtungo lang siya rito sa Seoul noon para bisitahin ang anak niyang sobrang busy. I bit my lower lip as I again being driven by my thoughts.

Thinking of it, Jungkook and Jimin were both from Busan. Isa lang sa dalawa ang posibleng anak niya. And now that I was having a hint… her sweet smile said it all. Hindi ko na kailangan pang marinig ang sagot niya dahil kilala ko na pero gusto ko ng kumpirmasyon.

Nakangiti siyang tumango. "Park Jimin," saad niya.

My jaw mentally dropped. Oh my gosh! What was more shocking and nauseous than knowing all this ridiculous coincidence? Wala. Nakakagulat pa rin pala kung sa kaniya ko mismo maririnig.

I just stared at the lady, still shocked. Paanong nangyari ang lahat ng ito? How could fate create such an amazing and heart leaping twist? Pakiramdam ko, para akong nasa isang nobelang punong-puno ng twist. Pakiramdam ko, noon pa lang, sa simula pa lang gusto nang sabihin sa akin ng tadhana kung saan ako mapapadpad, kung saan tutungo ang buhay ko at saan iikot ang mundo ko.

Fate had long ago given me hints that I didn't really mind. Anong alam ko? Malay ko ba! At ano pa? Ano pa ba ang mga hint na inakala kong coincidence at wala lang?

I wondered what would Chelsea think if she would know this? Kakayanin kaya niya? Kasi ngayon pa nga lang na nalalaman ko ito, parang gusto ko nang sapakin ang sarili ko para tuluyan ng magising.

I then wondered again, if we just had asked the lady before about her son, would I go this far? Would I be able to meet BTS? Would I be able to meet Jimin? Were we really supposed to meet? Kasi hanggang ngayon iniisip ko pa ring pagkakamali lang ang pagtatangka naming pumasok ni Chelsea sa Bighit Entertainment noon.

All just a wrong turn.

"I think the rumors about my son are real. I'm happy that he is not just focusing on his career. I want him to slack off sometimes, go on dates and meet nice girls," masayang sabi niya sa akin na para bang napakatama ng kung anong tumatakbo sa utak niya.

No! She got it all wrong! Hindi niya dapat sinasabi iyan! Dahil baka kamuhian niya ako kapag nalaman niyang ako ang dahilan kung bakit may malaking problema pa ring kinakaharap si Jimin at ang buong BTS ngayon!

"I'm sorry," I told her sadly. Yumuko ako dahil nahihiya ako ngunit naramdaman kong hinawakan niya ang baba ko at marahang inangat ang mukha ko para masalubong ko ang mga mata niya. Bakit ngayon ko lang napansin? They had the same eyes. Jimin must have taken his eyes from his mother. Hindi lang pala ang ngiti ng nanay niya ang nakuha niya…

She quickly shook her head. "You shouldn't be! You are a nice girl… even after we met, I hoped that my son could find someone just like you and your friend," aniyang binibigyan ako ng matamis na ngiti.

Napangiti ako. Parang hinahaplos ang puso ko dahil sa mga sinabi niya. Pakiramdam ko, kung may love story mang mabubuo sa pagitan namin ni Jimin, isa ang nanay niya sa susuporta sa amin.

Sige na nga. Hahayaan ko nang kontrolin ng tadhana ang buhay ko. Sumuko naman na ako noon pa. Tinanggap ko na. Kailan ko ba naging kontrolado ang takbo ng tadhana ko, maging puso ko nga ay hindi ko kontrolado?

I smiled back at her, sweetly this time. If being a nice girl for her was making his son's life a mess, then I thought, I was a nice girl. If she wanted a nice girl for her son, then I thought, I was perfect for Jimin.

Marami kaming napag-usapan pagkatapos tungkol sa BTS at alin pang mga bagay na pareho naming gusto. And I just couldn't believe that I just met Jimin's mom. Sa lahat ng mga turns and twists sa buhay ko, it was what I loved the most.

Tinapos ko ang sandwich na ginagawa ko kanina at pinagsaluhan namin ang mga iyon sa living room. Aniya ay narito siya para ibalik si Ippi, the dog's name. Pagmamay-ari kasi iyon ni Jimin. Madalas niya raw itong kunin at dalhin sa Busan dahil parati naman daw mag-isa ang aso rito at walang kasama. Dagdag pa niya, mukhang hindi na niya kailangan pang gawin iyon dahil may makakasama na raw ito since nasa bahay lang ako ng BTS.

When she was about to leave, I told her to stay and wait for BTS. Umiling lang siya at sinabing hindi ang BTS ang ipinunta niya rito. I sent her off well with thoughtful 'take care's and 'see you's. Naalala ko na naman tuloy si Mamang. Mamayang gabi ay tatawag ako sa kaniya para mangamusta.

Nang dumating ang BTS kinagabihan ay nagulat sila nang makitang kalong ko si Ippi habang nanonood ako ng TV sa living room.

"Celine eommeoni went by?" RM asked me as they gathered around the living room, crowding me. He was referring to Jimin's mother, Tita Celine. The good lady had told me to call her that.

Tumango ako. "She brought Ippi back," sagot ko habang hinahaplos ang balahibo sa likod ng puppy. Hindi ako kailanman nagkaroon ng alagang hayop, mapa-aso man o pusa. Hindi kasi gusto nina Mamang at Papang pero gusto ko sila.

Nanlalaki pare-pareho ang mga mata nila dahil sa sinagot ko. RM shifted uncomfortably on his seat while he exchanging knowing looks with his members. Nadako kay Jimin ang tingin ko na matamang nakatitig sa akin pero nananatiling malayo sakin ang distansya niya. Nakatayo siya sa may gilid ng TV at matamang nakatitig.

Seriously, akala ba niya kakagatin ko siya? What the hell was wrong with him?!

"And she talked to you?" Jimin asked, confused, in a slow English as usual. Gusto kong mapangiwi sa paraan ng pagkunot ng noo niya. I didn't know if it was because he was having a hard time constructing an English sentence or he just didn't want to talk to me.

Muli akong tumango. "Yes," simple kong sagot habang napapayuko para iiwas ang tingin ko mula sa kaniya. Itinoon ko na lang ang atensyon sa cute na puppy na nasa kandungan ko. I smiled as the puppy licked the side of my palm.

"Woah! Celine eommeoni is a different person. She won't talk to you unless she… likes you," Jin said in an amused tone.

Ngumuso ako habang hinahayaang paglaruan ng kamay ko ang mga tainga ni Ippi. Parang hindi naman ito ganoon. Ang sweet nga nito e. Para lang itong si Mamang madaldal pero napakalambing. Hinaplos ko ang balahibo sa likod ni Ippi bago tumayo at binuhat siya. I slowly walked towards the direction of the television, kung nasaan si Jimi . Napansin ko ang bahagyang pag-atras niya nang makita akong palapit sa kaniya.

Napa-awang ang mga mapupula niyang labi habang nakatitig pabalik sa akin. Alam kong miss na niya itong aso niya at kung ako ang dahilan kung bakit ayaw niya itong lapitan, then I would give the puppy to him.

I carefully stretched my arm towards him while holding the puppy in my both hands. He stared confusedly at me before he stared down at his dog. Nang bumalik sa akin ang mga mata niya ay nakitaan ko ang mga iyon ng pananabik… at pagkataranta?

I didn't know really. Hindi ko na siya maintindihan

"I'm sure you missed him," sabi ko sa kaniya. I pursed my lips to calm my chaotic insides because of our nearness. Naaamoy ko ang pamilyar niyang bango. Mixture of sweet and minty scent.

He scratched the back of his pink head and slowly and very carefully took Ippi from me. Agad na nanlambing ang aso sa kaniya. The dog went under his palm as if wanting to be caressed. Ngumiti si Jimin, reminding me of his mother's smile.

No doubt, he really did take after his mother.

"Good boy," aniya habang hinahaplos ang alagang aso. Inangat niya pa ito para halikan na nagpa-init ng mga pisngi ko. Ilang beses ko bang hinalikan si Ippi kanina noong wala pa sila rito? And he just kissed Ippi…

So adorable but so heart-hammering.

Crap, insides, stop the race! You won, alright! I've already raised the white flag! Hindi na ako magmamatigas. Gusto ko siya, okay?! Tumigil na kayo!

Kulang na lang ay dukutin ko na ang mga lamang-loob ko para matigil na sila sa pagwawala sa loob ko.

Minsan ko nang nakita ang asong iyan sa isa sa mga video clips nila sa YouTube. Sa pagkakatanda ko, ibinigay sa kaniya ng isang fan ang aso as a gift at natutuwa akong makita ang attachment sa kaniya ng aso… for a busy idol, wala na dapat sa oras niya iyan.

"Anyway, have you eaten?" Si RM ang pumutol, sumira I might say, sa moment na nagpapahina ng mga binti ko. At hindi ko alam kung dapat ko ba siyang kainisan o pasalamatan dahil doon.

Mabilis ko siyang nilingon. "Not yet. I was actually planning to pass tonight," sagot ko. Since sanay naman akong hindi nagdi-dinner lalo na at wala naman akong kasalo. "And the fridge's empty," I added as I shrugged.

"Ah right!" RM said as if he just got reminded of that fact.  Siya kasi ang toka sa pagmo-monitor kung may laman pa ba ang fridge, siya rin ang nag-mo-monitor ng weekly grocery.

I rolled my eyes. They had filled the fridge with sweet foods but always forgetting about ingredients and meals. Napakasaya. Hindi naman mapupunan ng mga matatamis na pagkaing iyon ang mga gutom naming tiyan. Napansin kong bagsak na sina Yoongi, Jungkook at Taehyung sa mga sofa. Alam kong pagod silang lahat and I couldn't help but feel guilty.

Bakit kasi hindi ko man lang naisipang ipaghanda sila ng makakain? Ah right! I didn't know they were coming home! Hindi naman kasi sila umuwi kagabi. And who said I could maneuver the kitchen?

"You all stay here. I'll buy some foods," sabi ko sa kanila at hindi na sila hinintay pang makasagot. Tumakbo ako sa kuwarto ko at kinuha ang wallet at phone ko. Nilagpasan ko sila sa sala at dire-diretsong nagtungo sa pinto. I was about to squeeze the doorknob when I heard RM call me. Nilingon ko siya agad.

Nasa tabi niya si Jimin na nakatitig sa akin, he wasn't holding Ippi anymore dahil hawak na ni RM si Ippi.

RM turned to Jimin. "You tell her," ani RM kay Jimin na bahagya pa siyang siniko.

Kumunot ang noo ko dahil nagsisikuan pa sila. I clutched my phone in my hands. Should I start my Voice Google Translate? I really downloaded it so that it could be of use for me.

Ngumuso si Jimin na tipong nahihiya. Napapayukong nagkamot siya ng ulo habang nag-iiwas siya ng tingin sa akin. Nasa mukha niya ang paghihirap. When his eyes went back to me, it already had a hint of determination and a portion of… shyness. He was about to open his mouth but closed it too.

Nahihiya ba siya? At kailan pa siya nahiya sa akin?

"Yah! Make it fast!" sigaw sa kaniya ni Yoongi na halatang naiinis na. Tulog na siya kanina kaya nagulat ako nang makitang masama ang titig niya kay Jimin at pagkayamot ang nasa mukha niya.

"Aish!" Jimin frustratedly messed his hair and walked towards J-Hope and Jungkook's room. Mabibigat ang bawat hakbang niya habang napapangangang pinanood ko lang siya hanggang sa mawala siya sa paningin ko.

What again?

RM chuckled softly. "Our Jiminie is cute inlove," aniya saka itinoon ang pansin sa aso. Pinanggigilan niya ito. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang isipin na masyadong manly si RM habang hawak ang maliit na puppy.

He was just too manly for the soft puppy. Naisip ko ulit, hindi bagay kay RM ang mahina at malambot na babae, though she would balance him, kaso masyado talagang intense ang leader ng BTS. He would suit those strong and independent girls, those would surely match his intensity, never mind if they imbalance each other.

Nang bumalik sa sinabi ni RM ang isipan ko ay mas kumunot ang noo ko. I bit my lower lip as my heart started running a race inside.

Jimin was in love? With whom?

Nagtatakang sinundan ko na lang ng tingin ang pinto ng kuwarto nina J-Hope at Jungkook. Though sure, I wanted to see a Park JM in love.

"Anyway Hanselle, you wait for Jimin. He'll go with you," RM added that drummed even more already chaotic heart.

Tahimik lang kami pareho ni Jimin habang tinatahak namin ang gilid ng kalsada patungo sa malapit na convenient store. I could sense him wanting to talk to me, wanting to say something but he couldn't just do due to something I didn't know. Nakakagulat talaga ang bigla niyang pagbabago. Nagsimula ang ganito niyang ugali noong na-confine ako sa hospital. He was never the same since the embracing moment, since he kissed me on my forehead on the rooftop of that hospital.

Hindi naman iyon ang unang pagkakataong hinalikan niya ako kaya nagtataka talaga ako. May ba akong mali sa kaniya? May nagawa ba akong hindi niya nagustuhan?

To be honest, I hated confrontations. They seemed awkward.

Dahan-dahan ko siyang nilingon. Sanay akong tahimik lang, but I couldn't let this dead atmosphere between us to continue, I couldn't stay longer with this deafening and torturing silence in between us. Nakakabaliw. Nakaka-suffocate. And as long as I wanted to be with him, I wanted us to talk, to share a peaceful yet funny conversation. That would make him give justice to this stupid little heart of mine because he still was, my illegal man. He might not good for me, for my over all existence, I still liked him to depths.

Tama nga sila, masarap nga ang bawal.

"Uhm… h-how's your week?" I said just to light up the dead atmosphere. Buhay na buhay nga ang puso ko pero patay naman ang koneksiyon sa pagitan namin.

He slowly turned his head to me. Bahagya pang nahawi ang ilang tusok ng kulay pink niyang buhok na tumatabing sa mga kilay niya dahil lang sa simpleng galaw ng ulo niya. His hair must be so soft and smooth. Dahil mas matangkad siya sa akin at hanggang leeg niya lang ako, I had to look up at him as he had to look down at me. I once again met those gorgeous and lively yet so shy eyes.

The eyes that only Jimin of BTS possessed.

Sabi ko nga, sumusuko na ako. I already surrendered. If his eyes were just a sea I would cross, then I wouldn't mind getting drowned because it was worth it. If his eyes were just a cliff I would fall into, then I wouldn't mind falling deeper because it was worth it. If his eyes were just a sky I would fly into, then I was opened arms because he was all worth it.

If it was not Jimin then I would rather not fall in love anymore, I would rather not love at all.

Lumunok ako at yumuko… just then, I felt his both palms gently catch my jaws. His hot palms softly cradled my face, my skin feeling sensitive upon the felt of his hot and soft palms. Iginaya niya ang mukha ko pataas at muli kong nasilayan ang isa sa mga perpektong likha ng Diyos.

Yeah, he was one hell of an evidence that God was so talented.

He bit his lower lip, nevertheless I had glimpsed of his sweet smile that he wanted to hide. Ang mga kumikislap niyang mga mata ay paniguradong sinasalamin ang parehong kislap ng mga mata ko since nakatitig siya pabalik sa akin.

Kusang gumuhit ang hindi maitagong ngiti sa mga labi ko. Just seeing him smile, hiding a smile from me leaped my heart. Lalo na at masyado ko siyang na-miss nitong mga nakaraang araw.

We were not talking, we were just staring at each other, hiding each other's smile but I could feel the overflowing emotions between us. Ako, noon pa ako nagtatago ng emosyon sa kaniya. I just couldn't hide it anymore. I just couldn't take my back on it, and I was ready to face my own feelings. Sana ganoon din siya.

Fate brought us here and so… I was happy.

"Should we date?" he asked shyly. Ngumuso siya dahil lumalabas na naman ang ngiting pinipilit niyang itago. Ang mga palad niya ay marahang sinasalo ang mga panga ko para panatilihing magkahugpong ang mga mata namin.

Pumikit ako ng mariin habang dinadama ang mas bumibilis pang pintig ng puso ko. When I opened my eyes, there was only one answer that my mind could accept. It was what my heart was long ago shouting.

"Should we?" I asked back, almost inaudible to my ears due to the loud and hard beats catered by my heart inside my chest.

Tumango siya. "I think… we really should," aniya saka tuluyan nang pinatakas ang matamis at malapad na ngiting kanina pa gustong kumawala mula sa mga mapupula niyang mga labi.

His palms disappeared from my face as I felt his both hands holding mine. The moment felt so magical, felt so surreal yet so real. Kung panaginip pa rin ang lahat ng ito, hahawakan ko ng mahigpit ang mga kamay niya para kung sakali mang magising ako at mapagtantong hindi totoo ang lahat ng ito… ay maisasama ko siya sa reyalidad ko.

I wanted him not just as a beautiful dream, I wanted him real and vivid. I wanted him to be my beautiful reality.

And so, with him holding one of my hand firmly, we walked towards the convenient store. Mabuti na lang at deserted ang road kaya hindi namin kailangan magtago. He wasn't wearing any disguise. Suot ko nga ang dala niyang hoodie jacket dahil tingin niya ay masyadong malamig para sa akin ang lumabas na tanging pantulog lang ang suot. That left him with only a white T-shirt and black cargo shorts.

Matutulog na dapat kasi ako kanina nang dumating sila at nagmamadali ako sa paglabas kanina na hindi ko na naisipan pang magbihis.

We bought foods. Aniya ay cooked meals na lang ang bilhin namin since Jin would be too tired to cook. Pumayag ako dahil hindi ko rin naman aakuin ang pagluluto. Hindi rin naman siguro sila papayag matapos ko sila timplahan ng napakapait na kape.

Nag-uusap kami habang pabalik ng bahay.

He had asked me about few words in tagalog… like 'Mahal Kita', 'Pasensya', at 'Akin Ka'. Medyo nahihirapan siya sa pagbigkas ng mga salita. Nagagawa kasi niyang letter 'R' ang dapat ay letter 'L'. He was really cute as he was struggling with every word. Tinuruan din niya ako ng ibang Korean na salita which was by the way, mga alam ko na dahil nga mahilig ako sa K-Dramas.

Kinabukasan, ginising ako ng mga mahihinang pitik sa noo. Maiinis na sana ako at sisigawan ang sadistang pumipitik sa akin pero bumungad sa akin ang pinakaguwapong lalaking nilikha ng Diyos. Sa lahat talaga ng mga magagandang likha ng Diyos, siya ang pinakagusto ko. He was just my only favorite. Nakangiti siya habang nakatunghay sa sakin.

"Breakfast," aniya. Agad kong nasamyo ang mabangong singaw ng bibig niya. Mint, the flavor of his mouth wash and his aftershave. Kaya ang lakas ng loob na lumapit sa akin ng ganito kasi ang bango-bango niya.

Bumangon ako at tinakpan ang bibig ko. Mabango siya, pero paano naman ako? I nodded at him as I signaled him to get off me dahil bahagya siyang nakadagan sa akin. I could really feel his weight on top of me.

Kumunot ang noo niya. Hays. Kagigising ko lang. Hindi naman ako bad breath, at kahit kailan hindi ako na-conscious sa hininga ko pero dahil si Jimin ang kaharap ko, kailangan matched ako sa pagiging perpekto niya. Lalo na at langhap na langhap ko ang mabango niyang amoy.

"J-just go," I told him vaguely since my hand was covering my mouth.

He chuckled that rang softly in my ears. Nahihiyang nagkamot siya ng ulo bago gumapang paalis sa ibabaw ko hanggang pababa ng kama. Nang makatayo siya sa gilid ng kama ko, far enough for me to just stare at his handsome face without minding how I smelled, he creased his forehead because I kept on shooing him.

"Out…" Inginuso ko ang pinto sa kaniya.

He sighed deeply and before walking to the door he gave me a pout. When he realized I didn't have plans on letting him stay, he went out the room with down shoulders. Natatawa na lang ako nang maisara na niya ang pinto. Thanks for that wonderful sight to see in this early morning… a good vibe to start this day.

When I said I wanted to see a Jimin in love, I didn't thought it was this fun and well, so heart leaping. Masyado pang maaga para sabihin kong in-love na siya. He maybe liked me, and that was fine for me.

And that I wanted to go all the way just to really see a Park Jimin in love.