Third Person's POV

"It's you, Hyung. Yung taong nasa puso ko, simula ng makilala kita hanggang sa pag-alis ko. Ikaw lang."

March 2020

"Di ka sasabay saakin?"

Jungkook heard him say, iniwas niya ang tingin sa doorknob ng pintuan at tumingin sa pinsan nito. He was still in his pyjamas it will take time kung hihintayin pa niya ito, isa pa, he enjoyed walking early in the morning.

"Di na, Hyung. Mauuna na lang ako." Namjoon nods his head at di na quinestion pa ang desisyon nito.

Lumabas na ito ng bahay at papalabas narin ng gate when someone passes by. Hindi niya pinagtuunan ng pansin 'yon at naglakad sa likuran niya. Jungkook notices the person's hair, he has dyed it blonde.

They both stopped, the traffic light has turned red. Jungkook darted his eyes back at the shorter male who is now turning his head from left to right, looking at the people around him. He busies himself minding other's business that he misses the green light has turned on.

Bothered by it, dahil nasa harapan niya ito at ayaw niyang patuloy itong magmasid, he took a step, Jungkook tap his shoulder it was harder than he expected, at tinabihan ito.

Jungkook had his eyes ahead of him. He could see in his peripheral vision na nakatingin ito sakanya ngayon, he's not fully facing him yet he could easily tell, the blonde haired male is pretty.

"Green light na." Saad ni Jungkook dito, not missing the way his eyes widened, then he walked ahead of him.

Jungkook assumed the blonde male was walking behind him, as they probably go to the same University, he caught himself smiling as he recalled his silly expression earlier.

Nakarating narin siya sa wakas at dumeretso sa department nila. Nadatnan niya si Taehyung, his friend, inside the classroom. Taehyung waved at him, he just nods and took a seat, tahimik lang itong nakaupo.

Taehyung caught him playing with his pen, smiling. Tinabihan siya nito and nudges his shoulder.

"What's up?" Tanong niya sa binata, the other looked at him confused, mouth hanging open.

"Anyare? Mukhang good mood ka ata." Aniya. Tinignan lang siya ni Jungkook na animo'y nagbibiro ito. Taehyung rolled his eyes at di na muli itong inusisa blurting "boring".

His class ended earlier, brushing Taehyung's suggestion na umalis ng University, dumeretso ito library. He took a nap there for a while and then afterwards decided to leave.

Binuksan niya ang glass door, one hand holding his phone, nakatutok ang mga mata niya dito, reading his girlfriend's text for him. He pressed the reply button and starts typing his response.

He was walking down the stairs nang mapansin nitong may nakasalubong ito, not breaking his eyes on his phone, Jungkook moved to the other side, it appears the other person did same way.

As if sensing na walang planong gumalaw ang taong nasa harapan niya, he moved, para padaanin ito. He erased his reply and changes it and misses how the male student already walked past him.

Tila bigla siyang nagkaroon ng interes na tignan ito, he looked behind him and sees him walking upstairs. He realizes, it was the blonde haired male, he then shrugged at tumingin ulit sa phone nito, typing again and resumed walking.

***

Jungkook eventually went to see the game, even when he said, he wouldn't. The screams were loud, nagsimula na nga ang laro. Jungkook walked down and sees the empty space just close to the railings.

Hindi ito nag aksaya na pumunta duon, nakita naman ng mga mata niya sina Taehyung, he smiled. Jungkook's phone vibrates, he opened the message, he smirked, tsaka umupo na rin, naaawa na rin kasi siya sa taong nasa likuran niya, he probably blocked their view.

"Hoy, Park andito ka!"

Dinig nitong sambit ng isang student sakanyang likuran, itinuon naman niya ang atensyon sakanyang phone.

"Nagtatanong lang naman ako ah!"

He decided to ignore them pero sa sobrang lakas ng boses ng isa sakanila ay hindi niya tuloy maiwasan na mapatingin sa kanila. They were four of them, tumigil ang mga mata niya sa isang lalakeng familiar sakanya.

One of them was the blonde haired male, inalis niya rin agad ang tingin niya.

It was just a glimpse yet he admits, he's prettier up close. Jungkook smirked and scroll through his phone.

Now he understood why they wanted his attention.

***

It was the third day, nang mapansin nitong may nakasunod sakanya it was the second time around. Jungkook turned to look behind him, it was the blonde haired male, again. He looked tensed, na para bang he was caught red-handed.

Napaisip bigla si Jungkook, kung nagkataon lang ba talaga na magkasabay sila ngayon, naalala niya kasing nakabuntot rin ito sakanya kahapon. Kung sa bagay, they were heading to the same university, siguro nga.

Jungkook halted, waiting to cross, he's aware na nasa likuran niya ang binata. Binalewala niya na lang 'yon.

Nang makapasok sila pareho sa University, sinadya ni Jungkook na huminto. He then turned to look at the shorter male, nagmamadali itong naglakad, probably heading to his class.

He did the same as well.

Jungkook met the others at the hallway, he was standing kasama si Namjoon, sinalubong naman sila nina Yoongi at Taehyung, na kakalabas lang ng men's room.

"Let's go." Yoongi said, inviting them. Akmang lalakad na sila ng mapansin nilang hindi 'yon narinig ni Namjoon.

They both looked at each other, signalling one another na kunin ang pansin ni Namjoon. Taehyung tap him, he won't budged. Sinundan ni Jungkook ang tingin nito, he was looking at the blonde haired male.

Again, he looked tensed, head hanging low with his hands clenched tightly habang naglalakad palapit sakanila. His behaviour confuses Jungkook then he looked back at Namjoon, hindi na ito nakatingin sa binata.

"Should we go?"

Afterwards, bumalik na sila sa kani-kanilang klase. Taehyung walked inside the classroom, whistling, habang nagi-scroll sa phone nito. He looked suspiciously, happy.

Tinignan nito ang phone niya to check the time, five minutes bago magsimula ang klase. He tightened his hold on his phone tsaka tumayo.

"Saan ka pupunta?" Taehyung suddenly asked, nakaupo na ito ngayon habang ang lapad ng ngiti.

"Magpapa-hangin lang sa labas." Tumango naman ito, tsaka finocus ang atensyon sa kanyang phone.

Binuksan ni Jungkook ang pintuan, agad naman niyang napansin ang isang student na nakaupo sa labas ng classroom. Nakasandal ang likuran nito sa pader habang nakayakap ang mga braso niya sa binti niya at mukhang kilala niya kung sino 'yon, he just need to confirm it.

He walked towards him at huminto sa harapan niya. Dahan-dahan nitong inangat ang ulo niya, eyes pressed shut tightly, with his nose scrunched up.

A smile appears in Jungkook's lips, he looked silly yet cute, Jungkook opened his camera and took a picture of him. He put it back inside his pocket, still looking down at the smaller.

He opened his eyes, painfully slow, when he realizes it was Jungkook, bumilog ang mga mata nito na para bang nakakita ito ng multo. He looked stressed for some reason, Jungkook furrowed his brows, confused.

Maybe it bothers him that Jungkook was looking at him, he then pulled out his phone, pressed his phone against his ear and then look at other direction, pretending he was talking to someone.

"Yeah," Aniya.

Jungkook gazes back at him, nakayuko na ito ngayon, staring at his own shoes.

Hindi niya alam kung ano 'yung sadya niya, if this was another coincidence too, afraid of stressing the smaller, pinili niyang hindi magsalita at naglakad pabalik sa classroom.

Huminto siya sa harapan ng pintuan and sighs, tinignan niya ulit ito, for some reason he pity him but knowing talking to him won't help, tuluyan na lang niyang binuksan ang pintuan at pumasok.

***

Lumabas si Jungkook at tumingin sa paligid niya. He looked at his watch, usually, ganitong oras naglalakad na ito papunta sa Uni pero mukhang hindi 'ata niya ito makakasabay ngayong araw.

He plugged his air pod inside his ear, played a song then he stopped, 'yung picture na tinake niya ay biglang nag pop-up sa isip niya. He bit his lower lip at binuksan ang gallery nito.

Jungkook chuckles, tsaka ipinasok ang phone nito sa loob ng bulsa niya.

Akala ni Jungkook ay hindi niya ito makikita, he assumed he was absent not that he mind. Jungkook saw him during break time, he was just passing by nang makita niya itong may binabasa sa garden.

Aalisin na dapat niya ang tingin niya ng bigla itong pumikit and it looks like he's praying and he's really into it, nakikita sa facial expressions nito, hindi halatang relihiyoso ito, Jungkook chuckles at the silly thought.

Iniwas niya ang tingin dito at tumuloy na ito sa paglalakad, shaking his head as the wind blows his hair and bangs covering his eyes.

***

Nakatingin si Jungkook sa binata ng punong-puno ng pagtataka. They found him hiding behind his cousin's car.

"Ano bang trip mo at nakaupo ka dyan?" It came out really harsh, nag-alala namang nakatingin si Jungkook sa binata. Nakayuko ito ngayon, he looked extra small like this.

Jungkook stared at his cousin, "Tara na." Pag-aya nito sakanya, worried na baka ay mapaiyak pa nila ng wala sa oras ang binata.

"Kinakausap ko pa siya."

"Dont mind him and let's go." Jungkook snaps, he finally convinces Namjoon.

Pumasok na silang dalawa sa loob ng kotse, Jungkook noticed his cousin looking at the side view mirror, checking the other male bago niya pinaandar ang sasakyan.

Later that night, Jungkook couldn't sleep, he was craving for snacks and they are out of stock.

A stranger held Jungkook's hand, he pulled his hand away almost immediately and when the taller looked down, he was shock to see him.

Jungkook then suspiciously looked at him, maybe Jungkook was right after all, the blonde haired male was stalking him.

Jungkook was about to speak but halted, he looked stiff, he was struggling as he walked backwards, it looks so funny that if only Jungkook wasn't bother by him stalking him late at night then maybe he's laughing so hard right now.

Tinignan niya lang ito hanggang sa makaalis ito, binitawan niya ang chocolate chips at tinignan ang kamay niya.

May lalake bang sobrang soft ng kamay?

***

Jungkook was standing at the third floor, nakatanaw ito sa baba while listening to music.

Nakita niya 'yung stalker niyang tumatakbo and there was three guys following him, the blonde haired male halted, inalis niya ang sapatos niya at hinawakan iyon tsaka humarap sakanila.

He raises his shoe and pointed it at the three of them, Jungkook smiled scrunching up his nose, trying hard not to laugh, how is that supposed to scare those guys? This is a whole joke, sa isip niya.

He heard stalkers were scary but this one built differently.

Hindi naman napigilan ni Jungkook mapatawa ng binato niya 'yung sapatos niya sa tatlo tsaka tumakbo, they all followed with one of them picking up the shoes.

No one would win his heart at this point, they are obviously scaring him... Napahinto si Jungkook, kumunot noo ito, no way, were they actually bullying him and not the other way around?

Jungkook hurriedly run down the stairs, following them, hindi na niya ito naabutan kahit 'yung tatlong lalake kanina. Nag-aalala itong nagpalipat-lipat ng tingin sa paligid, his heart was pounding hard and fast.

Maya-maya pa ay nagpasya itong pumasok sa gymassium, walang laro ngayon, posibleng sa loob ito nagtago at kung mamalasin baka nasundan pa siya ng tatlong humahabol sakanya.

Jungkook opened the door where the locker room is located, Jungkook took a heavy breaths, ngayon lang niya na-realize 'yung pagod sa paghahanap sa binata only to find him safe and sound while pulling his hair out for obviously unknown reason. He harshly closes the door.

He crosses his arms, still steadying his breaths, brows knitted together. He was annoyed, this hoobae was obviously stalking him yet he can't believe he's worrying over him, hindi niya alam kung anong pumasok sa isip niya and he had this thought of saving him instinctively, he did that without a second thought at ang mas nakakainis pa, he had this urge to step forward and check if he's really fine. As if just looking is not enough, Jungkook drops his hands and clenches his jaw as he steps forward.

At mukhang hindi tama ang naging desisyon nito, nakikita nito ang takot sa mga mata niya, the shorter lowered his gaze as he might have thought Jungkook had enough and was now trying to hurt him, the way he had pressed his thighs together in fear made Jungkook's heart shrink.

Tumigil naman agad si Jungkook, nagdadalawang isip na lumapit. Napatingin ito sa baba, questioning his decisions— napukaw naman ng atensyon nito ang madumi nitong medyas. Tila napansin rin niyang duon siya nakatingin and he was now trying to hide it from him.

Lumingon ito at tinignan ang locker, Jungkook pulled out his key, para kunin ang spare slippers nito. He wasn't a player but sometimes he would joined them during their practice, lalo kapag kulang ang Red team ng manlalaro, si Namjoon ang nag offer ng locker na ito para sakanya.

Isinara niya 'yon at lumapit sa binata, nakayuko parin ito. He kneeled down and carefully reached out his ankle. Jungkook wondered if it hurts, ipinasuot niya ang slippers sakanya.

He sighs and got up.

Tumalikod si Jungkook dito and then left afterwards.

***

Jungkook opened the gate, lumabas ito at napatingin sakanya. He was there standing with his back facing Jungkook. Was he hiding his face? That was so silly of him when his blonde hair poking out proudly.

He was obviously waiting for him and Jungkook could tell, the way his body tenses that he's anxious, it displeases Jungkook knowing his presence made him feel that way. He never relaxes when Jungkook is around, but why?

Ba't mo parin ako sinusundan? 

Jungkook is confused, kung matatakot ba siya sa inaakto niya o matatakot siya para sakanya?, he's good for now pero baka sa kakasunod nito sakanya ay eventually mapahamak siya and that thought annoys Jungkook, he's confused why it bothers him that much.

Paano ko ba sasabihin na tumigil ka, politely?

He sighs, tumingin ito sa baba at nakita ang paper bag na hawak-hawak niya, ignoring that Jungkook closed the gate tsaka ito naglakad palayo.

Nang makapasok sila sa loob ng Uni, hinintay muna nitong maglakad ang binata sa kanyang department, eyes following the blonde haired male.

As expected,

Jungkook found him in the hallway looking for him, dala-dala parin 'yung paper bag. Nasa third floor ulit ito at nakatingin sa baba, he looked silly, si Jungkook ang napapagod para sakanya.

And it was unexpected,

na makita niya itong naghihinaty sa tapat ng gate, it was a bold move. Nakatalikod ito kay Jungkook, the shorter probably didn't know he's already there.

"Sasama kaba?" Jungkook flinches, hindi man lang niya napansin na katabi niya si Namjoon, he turned to look at his cousin.

"Hindi na." he answered and averted his gaze. "I'll go ahead." Namjoon just nods, and walked past by the smaller.

Sinundan naman agad siya ng binata hanggang sa tumigil sila pareho, waiting for the green light and when it turns, Jungkook crosses, binagalan niya ang lakad niya ng mapansin nitong hindi na ito nakasunod sakanya.

Tinignan niya na malapit na itong mag red light ulit, Jungkook halted and immediately looked behind him, heart pounding.

He was tying his shoelaces and then took his paper bag and stood up, the loud beeping sound woke Jungkook's senses, napatingin ito sa kotse at mabilis na tumakbo sa pwesto nito, Jungkook hugged him and turned them over, Jungkook was scared for his life, few inches away and they were about to get killed.

Halos ng tao duon ay nakita ang buong pangyayare at nakatingin silang lahat ngayon sa kanilang dalawa, it didn't stop Jungkook from getting angry. Tinulak niya ang binata, he hasn't fully recovered from the shock, but he's fucking mad.

"Nag-iisip kaba?!" Jungkook harshly asked, he only looked at him with confused eyes, that irritated Jungkook more, malapit na silang mamatay at may gana pa siyang magtaka sa inaakto ni Jungkook ngayon? He took a step forward and hardly pushed his chest again, waking him from his senses, making him stumbled backward.

"Magpapakamatay kaba?!" Pasigaw nitong tanong at itinulak ulit ito, Jungkook wasn't aware how hard it was, he only realizes that ng makita niya itong bumagsak. Nangingilid ang mga luha nito habang nakatingin lang sakanya but Jungkook doesn't care.

"Hindi mo ba alam na sa ginagawa mo, pinapahamak mo ang sarili mo? Hindi mo ba naisip yon?"

Jungkook scoffed nang makita niya itong umiiyak, sobrang pissed off ito ngayon para kaawaan ito.

But then he kneeled down and clasped his hands, mouthing how sorry he was, Jungkook's eyes widens, he's mute.

Regret written all over his face. That explains why he didn't heard him say anything the whole time. The blonde haired male looked down, ashamed hands above his lap, crying silently.

"Tumayo kana dyan." Jungkook said.

Pinunasan nito ang luha niya using his sleeves, sobrang pula ng mukha niya. Jungkook patiently waits nagtaka naman ito ng may parang hinahanap ito, napatingin naman ito sa slippers na di kalayuan sa pwesto niya. Jungkook felt his heart sinking as he picked and put the slippers inside the paper bag— realization hit him, he looked away.

Tahimik silang naglalakad hanggang sa tumigil sila sa isang convenience store, "Wait here." Bilin niya, tsaka pumasok sa loob.

Nagmadali nitong binayaran ang kinuha niyang bottled water sa counter. Nabigla siya ng paglabas nito ay wala na siya, agad naman niya itong nakitang naglalakad medyo malayo na sa kinatatayuan niya, hinabol siya ni Jungkook.

Jungkook held his arm, he tenses and looked at him, and soon relaxes.

"I told you to wait, didn't I?" Jungkook asked him softly, he blinked his eyes confused, mukhang hindi 'yata siya nito narinig.

"Here drink this." Sabay bigay sakanya ng bottled water, he bowed his head politely and take it.

"I'll walk you home."

He lifted his head in question, "Let's go?" Jungkook said and smiled at him.

Nang maihatid na siya nito ay nagpaalam narin siya, nakatingin siya sa paper bag na dala dala niya.

The image of him asking for forgiveness plays in his mind. Jungkook sighs. He could've been nicer. Jungkook is disappointed in himself.

***

Jungkook sees him again two days later, nakatalikod ito sakanya. Kahit na nagtataka ito ay hinayaan na lang niya ito at hindi na rin niya tinawag. He averted his gaze at naglakad na, akala niya pagkatapos ng nangyari ay ayaw na nitong makita ulit si Jungkook. The dark haired male wasn't bothered by it, pinagsisihan niya 'yung inasta niya dito last time but that's it, it was better kung napag desisyunan niyang tigilan ang pagsunod sakanya.

But part of him... was happy, realizing na, hindi ito galit sakanya, he's happy na nandito ito ulit, nakasunod sakanya.

Jungkook sighs, heavily and stopped. He turned to look at the smaller, his lips curved into a smile and laughs. Paano ba naman kasi, nakatakip ang paper bag nito sa mukha niya.

Ibinaba niya nang kaunti ang paper bag tsaka tumingin kay Jungkook. He was contemplating but eventually removed the paper bag from hiding his face. Nagtataka itong nakatingin kay Jungkook, sinubukan pa nitong tumingin sa paligid para siguraduhin na sakanya ito nakatingin.

Jungkook motioned him to come over, Jungkook chuckles dahil natataranta itong lumapit sakanya at huminto sa harapan niya, bewildered. The younger pat the smaller's head, mangha-mangha kasi siya sa ginagawa nito.

"Tara na?" Mas lalo itong nagulat sa sinabi ni Jungkook sakanya. The younger then took his wrist and pulled him closer, sobrang lapit nila sa isa't-isa. "Sabay na tayo." Jungkook said casually, as if reading his mind.

Nang makita niya ang namumuong ngiti sa labi niya, it was decided, Jungkook is now obligated to protect him at all cost. Bukod kasi na harmless stalker niya ito, he's mute, and Jungkook has soft spot for them.

Naaalala kasi niya si Hyemin sakanya, his friend who share the same disability as him.

Jungkook knows, they are easy to pick on, get bullied, kaya kailangan niya ng isang kaibigan na magtatanggol sakanya.

The blonde haired male nods his head eagerly, earning a soft chuckle from Jungkook.

Habang naglalakad sila ay napansin nitong panay ang titig sakanya ng binata, hindi naman maiwasan na mapangiti si Jungkook. Nang mapansin nitong hindi na siya nito tinitignan, pasimpleng nilingon siya ni Jungkook, he caught him smiling, Jungkook turned away.

"From now on, you don't have to hide from me." Jungkook said, "Lapitan mo lang ako, I won't ignore you." He said chuckling.

Hindi ito sumagot, palaisipan kay Jungkook kung bakit parang nagtataka siya sa sinabi nito. Hindi ba't iyon ang gusto niya? Bakit parang na disappoint siya sa sinabi niya?

Did he read it wrong?

No way. This hoobie was obviously stalking him, Jungkook caught him stalking, he's interested, he must be a fan of him, he admire Jungkook or something. Pero bakit parang hindi naman ata tama 'yung binigay niyang reaction, Jungkook is baffled.

Nang makarating sila sa University ay bigla niyang tinap ang arm ni Jungkook, the younger looked at him confused. Inilagay niya bigla ang paper bag na dala-dala niya sa kamay ni Jungkook habang nakayuko. Magsasalita pa sana si Jungkook pero agad siya nitong kinawayan at patakbong umalis.

"W-wait, what..." Jungkook laughs loudly, "What was that?" Tanong niya na ngayon ay manghang-mangha.

"Thank you, you silly." Jungkook breaths out, nakangiti itong naglakad papasok sa classroom niya.

Pagkapasok niya ay umupo agad ito, opening the paper bag. It was a box of cookies, he chuckles.

"Jeon, ano 'yan?" Biglang bulyaw ni Taehyung, agad niyang ipinasok 'yon.

"Wala." Jungkook lied.

"Tangina ang damot, kita kong cookies yan eh!"

"So?"

"Share it with me."

"No."

After ng buong klase niya ay umuwi na rin ito agad, habang naglalakad ito papalapit sa gate ay bigla niya itong naalala. Napakamot ng ulo si Jungkook, tumingin ito sa paligid at wala pa rin siya. Siguro ay may ginagawa ito ngayon kaya hindi siya nito nasundan, Jungkook was now contemplating kung hihintayin niya ang binata, nag-aalala siya na baka mapahamak siya ulit.

Jungkook waited.

Hinintay niya ito para magkasabay silang umuwi.

Few minutes later nakita niya itong naglalakad palapit sa gate, Jungkook's face lit up and wave his hand by accident, agad naman niyang binaba ang kamay niya dahil nakayuko ito at hindi siya nakikita.

Huminto siya and plugged his air pod and walked, yumuko naman si Jungkook, suddenly feeling shy. Minumura niya ang sarili niya dahil sa naramdaman nito. Nang pakiramdam niya kalmado na siya ay inangat ang ulo niya,

and their eyes met, nginitian siya ni Jungkook, he was a meter away from him.

"Tara na?" Aya ni Jungkook, then he realizes quickly na di siya nito marinig dahil nakikinig ito sa music, napatingin naman si Jungkook sa taong nasa likuran niya, the other guy wasn't looking where he's heading and eventually bump into Jimin.

Jungkook jogged towards him pulling him to his side, "Ayos ka lang?" He looked stunned, hindi naman mapigilan ni Jungkook na mapangiti.

"Kanina pa kita hinihintay akala ko nga, umalis kana." He looked at him bewildered and for a second akala ni Jungkook ay natakot siya sa sinabi niya pero ng nakita niya 'yung unti-unting pag ngiti nito ay nawala naman agad 'yung takot na 'yon.

"Anong nginingiti-ngiti mo dyan?" He teases and shook his head rapidly.

"You're going to break your neck if you keep on doing that." Jungkook told him playfully, the smaller sracth the back of his neck and shyly looks away, adorable.

"Tara na."

He smiled and nodded his head, eagerly. It was decided that his smile was Jungkook's favorite thing about him.