Coming Home

EPILOGUE (PART 1)

I was crying alone in my room. Eomma just talked to me, saying I will go to the Philippines to study. I will stay with Halmeoni. That means I'm going to leave my friends here. I don't even know anybody there. I was still crying when eomma and abeoji went inside my room.

"Jisung, anak. Sorry kung kailangan naming gawin 'to. Hanggang matapos lang naman ang pag-aadjust namin ni Abeoji. And Lola Lucy is alone in the Philippines, too. I don't want you to go. You're my only son, of course," eomma said.

Abeoji didn't say anything but he hugged me. They explained everything to me. It hurts me that they're so busy, they don't even have time for me anymore. During those times, Kpop was my source of comfort.

So I vowed I will study hard, get a good job, so they won't have to work anymore.

Or be a Kpop idol.

The moment I landed in the Philippines, I immediately felt the heat. But it's nothing compared to the warmth of halmeoni's hugs. I felt welcomed and I think I can get used to this, even though it's temporary.

When I thought I could adjust well enough, the first day of school came. No kids would want to talk to me because I look so different. No one would play with me. And I think they're afraid to talk to me because I can't speak Tagalog.

Except for this one girl.

I was crying in the school's waiting area when she approached me. She had no necktie on, all sweaty, and her hair was all over her face. But she had the brightest smile I could ever see. She asked for my name, took my hand, and played with me.

Her name was Chelle and she was the first friend I made here in the Philippines.

She became my best friend along with Aira and Jason. Overtime, the bubbly little girl became someone different in my eyes. She became more beautiful. I'm convinced I'm having this little crush on Chelle.

I know because when I went back to Korea, all I could talk about was her.

"Jisung, if you want to stay here, you can. Dito mag-aral ng high school. You know we resigned from our jobs and focused on our restaurant so we can have more family time," eomma said.

She might have sensed my hesitation to say yes. "Okay lang naman kung gusto mo doon mag-high school."

"Can I eomma? I don't wanna leave Ch—I mean my friends there."

"Gusto ko makilala iyang friends mo, Jisung," I heard eomma chuckle.

Without even trying, Chelle brightens every room she is in. That's why when she cried on the way home back when we were in our sophomore year, I panicked.

"Pakiramdam ko di ako matalino. Sabihin mo nga, ang bobo ko ba? 'Di ko makuha 'yung algebra. Tapos isang linggo na lang mag-eexam na. Paano pag bumagsak ako? Paano naman 'yung scholarship ko?" she said while crying in the middle of the street.

"Hindi ikaw bobo. You just need help. Do you want me to tutor you?" I offered.

Her response was beyond my expectations. She suddenly jumped and hugged me. I couldn't breathe. Not because her hug was so tight, but because my heart beats fast big time and I'm not yet prepared for her to know that I like her.

I was still thinking about my feelings for Chelle when I was distracted by another problem: the Mr. and Ms. Intramurals thing. I already practiced for the talent portion but I'm still nervous. When I got to the classroom where Chelle was doing makeup for our section's contestants, I was amazed when I saw Micha's makeup. Chelle has talent. But she mistook my awe as admiration for Micha.

"You have pretty brown eyes." I wanted to kick myself for saying that.

Before I got on stage, Chelle grabbed my heart and it only increased my heart rate. When I was about to perform, I felt brave. Dancing made me feel like I'm not that shy boy everyone knows. When I saw Chelle focused on watching me, I can't help but wink at her.