This is not a love story but a story about love, friendship and second chances.
Sunoo fell in love with probably the most handsome person he has seen in his whole life. Their story was going well until Sunghoon left him without saying goodbye.
Heeseung gathered all the SAs in the lounge area to introduce the new members assigned to the school's lib. Sunoo was grinning from ear to ear.
"Okay... everyone, let's welcome the new SAs and the not so new one." Heeseung said.
"Yay! Welcome back!" Sunoo exclaimed.
"Okay, Sunoo... easy..." Heeseung smiled, "So, same setup tayo. Buddy system pa rin per shift. And as per Sunoo's special request, he will be paired up with Ni-ki, again."
It has been a while since he was in the SAs lounge and it felt good to be back. He requested to be transferred back to the lib stating that he has weekend classes already and it's inconvenient for him to stay in the retreat house. Being the top SA last year, his request was approved without hesitation. But more than that, he's glad to be with Sunoo again. Their friendship has flourished and though it's not romantic anymore, they both knew that it's more special than before. Sunoo's a huge contrast to his personality but oddly enough they compliment and complement each other and have a lot in common.
"Dahil andito na ko ulit or dahil sa ensaymada...?
"Syempre sa ensaymada!! Duh!!"
The two being sophomores got to have an option to choose their shift schedule and they both agreed for the early morning shift where less students frequent the library. It was a good choice for them as they get to chill most of the time and just talk.
***
Weeks turned to months and it's almost the semester break again.
October.
Sunoo messaged Jungwon and later on added ni-ki in the convo.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The friends all decided to spend their break in Baguio. Jake wasn't able to come as he and his family went to Hongkong for a family vacation and Heeseung volunteered for the school's prep for the second semester.
Their week long stay in Baguio were spent in almost every corner of the city. Almost every morning, they would jog around Mine's View Park and would have breakfast in the café across the street. They would then drive around after lunch and would hangout at the Burnham Park. They also tried hole-in-the-wall restaurants unknown to tourists and visited the Diplomat Hotel, went strawberry picking, had fun exploring the Botanical Garden and pretty much went to every tourist spots.
It was a vacation well spent despite of Jungwon and Jay's frequent and cute bangayan and tampuhan. The two have been very comfortable with each other that Sunoo couldn't imagine Jungwon without Jay anymore or Jay without Jungwon. Something he thought he could've had with Sunghoon.
"Uy, naiinggit sya." Ni-ki teased Sunoo.
"Haha! Loko!"
"One year na din noh?"
"Oo nga noh??"
"Naaalala mo pa rin?"
"I remember the boy but I don't remember the feelings anymore"
"Wow haa..." Ni-ki laughed.
"Haha!! Actually, naiisip ko din minsan... what if binigyan ko ng chance... tayo?"
"Well..." Ni-ki treaded carefully.
"Siguro mas happy ako." Sunoo declared.
"Di tayo nakakasigurado dyan." Ni-ki replied.
"Bakit naman?"
"Well, if ever nga na naging tayo. Hmmmm... personally, I would make sure to make you happy. Gagawin ko talaga yun. Pero ayoko namang mag-settle ka lang sakin dahil lang di nag-work yung sa inyo ni Sunghoon."
"Hmmmmm...."
"And for what it's worth, naging happy ka din naman sa kanya di ba? Kahit di official na naging kayo?"
"To be fair... yes. Oo."
"So, let's not discredit the time you had with Sunghoon. Nasaktan ka man pero napasaya ka din naman. Dun ka na lang mag-focus." Ni-ki advised.
"Grabe ang mature." Sunoo smiled.
"Haha! That's what I learned... from us." Ni-ki paused then added, "Nasaktan man ako nung binasted mo ko, naging masaya din naman ako with you. Kaya siguro mabilis kong natanggap yung mga bagay-bagay and got to move on easily and naging friends ulit with you. Di ba mas masaya?"
"Ang galing mo talaga. Swerte yung mapipili mo."
"I would like to think so. And likewise, swerte din yung mapipili mo..." Ni-ki looked at Sunoo, "And yung napili mo before, kahit di nya man pinaglaban."
"Haha! Oo nga eh... well, okay na ko. I think napatawad ko na sya. I think haa..."
"Nice... naalala ko tuloy yung line sa Leaves na song."
"Leaves will soon grow from the bareness of trees and all will be alright in time?" Sunoo guessed.
"Nope, 'You never really loved someone until you learn to forgive.'" Ni-ki smiled which Sunoo returned with an even lovely smile.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
