𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗢𝗨𝗧 [𝙴𝙽𝙷𝙰𝚂𝙴𝚁𝚈𝙴 #1] 𝙹𝙰𝚈

27.

Christine's

This is the first time I saw him looking so sad. Sunghoon was always seen as the perfect guy. Intelligent, rich, responsible and can always handle things right. But now he looks helpless and lonely.

Wala ako sa lugar makiaalam pero it's his eighteenth birthday today but he treated this day as if it's just a normal day. We all know Sunghoon isn't the type to throw a party but his family is. He's not telling anything to us since morning yet I can feel that something's bothering him.

The moment I look at his eyes, I felt like he needs someone right now, at this moment. As if leaving him like that will broke him apart.

"Of course." I answered. Sunghoon is always there whenever I need someone. As his friend, I should do the same too. He may look strong on the outside, but there's something within him that is so fragile. Something that everyone cannot see. Something he has been hiding from the people around him.

Hesitantly, I held his right hand. Sunghoon, I'm here.
He smiled at me but his eyes can't lie.

Nang makarating kami kung saan siya sinusundo ay medyo nagulat pa nga si Mang Kanor nang makita niya ako na kasama si Sunghoon. I greeted him.

"Mang Kanor, to my fave place." I saw Mang Kanor nodded and smiled. I wonder where it is.

"Sorry." Sambit ni Sunghoon nang makasakay kami sa loob ng van. "Is it really okay?" Tanong niya.

"Sunghoon. It's okay." I gave him an assuring smile. I'm going with him to his favorite place, on his birthday. That's a bare minimum of what a friend can do.

"Thank you." Anytime, Sunghoon.

Sandaling tumigil ang van sa dapat ng flower shop. Si Mang Kanor ang bumaba para bumili ng bulaklak. They are pretty. I am not into flowers but I don't totally hate them.

"I don't know what to give to you since you hate flowers." Sambit niya.

"Ikaw ang may birthday. Ako nga dapat ang magbigay sayo ng regalo, but I'm not sure what you like, so I end up having nothing." Sagot ko. Halos ilang oras rin ako nagpaikot-ikot sa mall kahapon pero wala talaga akong maisip na ibigay. I know Sunghoon would appreciate everything naman.

"You throw a party for me earlier." Tumawa siya ng mahina. Yeah, I came up with the idea to surprise him. Ate Bea and some of our classmates helped me. Sunghoon isn't materialistic, I know he'll be happy with that.

"I mean, it's V-" Sambit niyang muli pero tumigil siya sa gitna. I waited for him to speak more. "Valentine's." He continued and looked away.

Hindi ko mapigilan na tumawa. Tinignan niya ako nang mabilis. He looked so shocked.

"Why are you laughing?" Tanong niya.

"You look so shy." Natatawang sabi ko. Iniwas niya ulit yung tingin niya.

"I am." Narinig ko rin ang mahinang pagtawa ni Mang Kanor.

I waved my hand while shaking my head. "No no, it's okay. Hindi naman big deal sa akin ang Valentine's Day." Pagpapaliwanag ko.

Ilang mintuo pa ay tumigil na yung van sa isang harapan ng isang malaking gate. Kinausap saglit ni Mang Kanor yung guard at pumasok na yung sasakyan sa loob.

We're in a cemetery. I looked around and I can't help but to be amazed. This place is too beautiful to be a cemetery. Para siyang park kung hindi mo mapapansin yung mga tombstones. Sobrang lawak niya na grassland. Medyo madilim na kasi hapon na but still, kitang-kita parin ang pagkagreen nito.

"Hintayin ko na lang kayo dito, Sir." Bilin sa amin ni Mang Kanor at niyaya na niya ako bumaba.

So this is his favorite place.