Rewritten

Courage

Jay, Jake and Sunghoon were in their usual spot killing time before their next class.

"So, what's the real score? Jake asked Jay.

"Hmmmm... I guess, getting there?"

"Wow, showbiz na sagutan ahh."

"Haha.. wala, Jungwon and I are doing fine. We're not rushing anything."

"Sabagay..."

"Eh, ikaw may napupusuan na ba?" Jay asked Jake.

"Haha...! Wala... strict ang parents."

"Wow!"

"Eto si Sunghoon gisahin natin... Ano na? May plano ba?"

"Huh? Anong plano?" Sunghoon said, surprised by Jake's sudden shift of the convo.

"Kay Sunoo, sino pa ba?" Jay interjected.

"Oo nga? Ano?" Jake added.

"Wala... mga loko." Sunghoon replied simply.

"Ay walang plano? So akin na lang?" Jake joked.

"Sige subukan mo." Sunghoon dared with a straight face.

"Haha! Ayaw din naman palang ipamigay pero walang plano." Jay laughed.

"Oo nga... hahahha!" Jake agreed.

"Pamigay? Ano yun, laruan?"

"Eh ano nga?"

"Wala nga. Di ko alam. Mukhang di naman yun seryoso." Sunghoon answered to Jay's prodding.

"Gagi, pano mo malalaman kung di mo susubukan?"

"Maunahan ka pa ng iba, sige ka." Jake smiled.

"May plano ka talaga dun Jake?" Sunghoon side-eyed Jake.

"Hindi, baliw... nakita ko lang last week, may kasabay pauwi."

"Huh? Sino??"

Di ko alam name pero SA din sa lib."

"Ahhhh yung kakulay ng buhok ko," Jay interrupted, "Si kambal?"

"Oo yun... may itsura din."

"Pinopormahan si Sunoo?" Jay asked.

"Ewan.... baka... parang. Sabay umuwi eh, siguro hinatid." Jake shrugged.

"Baka nagkasabay lang." Jay dismissed.

"Baka... but then again we wouldn't know."

"Oh... natahimik ka Hoon... yan kasi." Jay chuckled.

"Huh?" Sunghoon snapped as if returning to reality.

"Naku, patay tayo dyan." Jay shook his head.

"Ano nga kasi? need mo ba ng help?" Jake offered.

"Oo nga... alam naman nating first time mo pa lang, if ever." Jay added.

"Wow, parang nakakailan ka na ahh." Sunghoon answered.

"Oh... magpapangalawa pa lang if ever pero at least may experience na manligaw."

"Basted naman." Sunghoon snapped which made Jake laugh.

"At least may experience na manligaw. Eh kayong dalawa, wala pa..." Jay teased.

"Study first..." Jake said, acting coolly.

"Haha! Utot mo! Torpe ka lang talaga, kayong dalawa!"

"Study first nga!" Jake insisted.

"Ahsus... puro lang kayo papogi, takot naman pumorma."

"Di noh... wala pa lang talaga akong nagugustuhan. Eh 'tong si Hoon, meron naman pero ayaw lang."

"Di naman sa ayaw...." Sunghoon said softly.

"Eh ano?" Jake and Jay said in unison.

"Baka nga di naman ako gusto nun."

"EH PANO MO NGA MALALAMAN KUNG DI MO KAKAUSAPIN?!" Jay scowled.

"Galit ka?" Sunghoon answered.

"Hahah! Kausapin mo na kasi! Mas mabuting malaman mo kesa mag-isip ka lang ng baka-baka." Jake interjected.

"Oo nga, ikaw din." Jay added, "Maunahan ka nung kambal ko."

"Uy kilabutan ka! Mas may itsura yun kesa sayo." Jake teased.

"Wow haaa... patas lang kami. Mas matangkad lang yun konte."

***

While Sunoo was busy replacing the returned books to their shelves, Sunghoon entered the lib. He looked straight to the check out counter but didn't see Sunoo so he instinctively looked at his watch and wondered where Sunoo could be when it's already 20 minutes past his shift schedule.

He sat on the table across the counter and saw Ni-ki emerged from the lounge room carrying a box. He eyed him subtly and opened his notes and pretended to study.

After Sunoo finished organizing, he saw Ni-ki with the new box of books. He hurriedly walked towards Ni-ki without noticing Sunghoon.

"Last one?" Sunoo asked Ni-ki.

"Nope, there's one more."

"Ah okay... sige, ako nato. Ikaw na dun."

"Yes cutie." Ni-ki winked.

"Haha! Cuticle." Sunoo laughed.

Sunghoon saw all these. In fact, he looked up as soon as he heard Sunoo's voice. Their voices were not loud but loud enough for him to hear what they were talking about. He unintentionally clenched his jaw and fidgeted on the pen he was holding.

What he felt was foreign and he didn't know what it was and what to do about it pero parang gusto nyang mag-walk out and sumipa ng trash can.

Two weeks ago when he and Sunoo were having breakfast together, he suggested to have a dinner. He wasn't expecting anything but he got disappointed with Sunoo's reaction. Sunoo didn't say anything and looked awkward and wanted to get out of there. After that, he never attempted to ask Sunoo about it. But after witnessing Sunoo and Ni-ki being comfortable talking with each other, mukhang tama nga yung sinabi ni Jake sa kanya. Ni-ki might have feelings for Sunoo and baka pinopormahan na nga nito si Sunoo.

May laban kaya sya? Or is it too late now?

He then heard Jay's voice in his head, 'EH PANO MO NGA MALALAMAN KUNG DI MO KAKAUSAPIN?'

He decided that it's now or never.

Sunghoon walked over to the counter and saw Sunoo busily unpacking the books.

"Sunoo??"

"Yes po...?" Sunoo looked up and his face lit up, "Oh, hi Hoon. Ummmm... how may I help?"

"You're off at 7, right?"

"Right...."

"Ummmm.. A-are you free?" Sunghoon stuttered, "For... ummmm... dinner?"

"Huh? Uh, mmmm.. Yeah... sure. Seven?"

"Great. See you later after your shift." Sunghoon was trying hard not to smile.

"Sure... sige."

"Wait kita sa umbrella near the parking lot?"

"Sige...." Sunoo answered, in daze.

"Okay... bye... see yah." Sunghoon then hurriedly walked back to the table to get his things. He glanced over at Sunoo who was still slack jawed looking at him. He bolted out of the lib as fast and cool as he could. His chest about to explode.

On his way out, he noticed Ni-ki who was standing at the lounge's doorway na nakatingin din sa kanya. Sunghoon smirked.

***