Rewritten

What Gives?

For days, weeks and months to come Sunghoon never stopped nor got tired of going after Sunoo. Not until they could have a proper talk.

During the holiday season, Sunghoon's parents decided to spend it New York and Sunghoon, left on his own, was invited by Sunoo's Aunt to spend the holidays with them. He was welcomed by Sunoo's Aunt wholeheartedly while Sunoo declared that it's the most boring holidays he ever had.

After the holiday break, Sunghoon's daily visit to the library resumed. Most of the time, he would bring snacks for Sunoo which would always end up with Ni-ki and Heeseung.

Valentine's day.
Boxes of gourmet chocolates, dozens of pink and white roses, and several bags of plushies were delivered to Sunoo's house.

March.
Heeseung's last month before he graduates.
He organized a small celebratory party at their house with friends and among the attendees were Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Jungwon, Ni-ki and Sunoo.
Sunoo, Jungwon and Ni-ki entertained themselves by enjoying the foods.
As the night was about to end, Sunghoon offered to bring Sunoo home but the latter refused. Sunoo tagged along with Jay and Jungwon while Jake already left earlier, which made Sunghoon and Ni-ki the only two left behind.

"Okay... Sunoo - 1, Sunghoon - 0." Sunghoon said to himself. Ni-ki heard him who seemed to be confused and curious.

"Ummmm... ako, di mo ba oofferan ng ride?" Ni-ki smirked

"What?" Sunghoon asked, "Oh yeah, san ka ba? Gusto mong sumabay sakin?"

"Sure.. kahit sa may sakayan lang ng bus or somewhere I can take a cab."

"Di, okay lang. Ayoko pa namang umuwi. I have a plan pa sana with Sunoo but I guess di ulit matutuloy."

"Okay... let's go." Ni-ki said. They then drove off after saying goodbye to Heeseung. Both didn't feel any tension between them anymore but it was more of an awkward atmosphere.

"Ummm... gusto mo mag-sound? Ang tahimik eh." Sunghoon offered.

"I prefer the quiet. Pero ikaw, kotse mo naman to."

"Ah sige. Quiet na lang." Sunghoon agreed.

"May tanong ako..."

"Yep? What about?"

"Para san pala yun?" Ni-ki asked.

"Ang alin?" Sunghoon answered, confused.

"Yung sinabi mo kanina na scoreboard nyo ni Sunoo?"

"Ahhhh... Sunoo - 1, Sunghoon - 0?"

"Yep."

"I'm just keeping tabs of the times sa kung sino yung nasaktan."

"Hmmm... So, si Sunoo nasaktan na once and ikaw NEVER pa?"

"Nope. It's not like that."

"Then what?"

"To be honest, every time Sunoo treats me like I don't exist or kapag sinusungitan nya ko or di nya ko pinapansin. Maskait." Sunghoon smiled, "Nakakapanghina ng loob minsan. Yung gusto ko nang mag-give up na lang? Mahirap eh. Yung di ko na alam kung anong panunuyo pa gagawin ko."

"So bakit zero score mo?"

"To remind myself na kahit gano pa kadaming beses nya kong ayawan or di pansinin or tabuyin or saktan... never yun magiging katumbas nung isang beses na nasaktan ko sya. Nung iniwan ko sya. Kaya forever zero ako."

"Hmmmm... ano bang gusto mong mangyari? Patawarin ka nya tas maging kayo ulit?"

"Noon, oo. Yun yung gusto kong mangyari. Pero ngayon di na ko umaasa."

"So bakit ka pa rin hahabol-habol sa kanya?"

"Gusto ko lang mag-sorry. Kahit yun na lang. Bahala sya kung patatawarin nya ko o hindi, basta gusto ko lang mag-sorry. That's the least I could do and he deserves that." Sunghoon said as his eyes glistened against the street lights.

***

Jay dropped both Jungwon and Sunoo at Jungwon's house. Sunoo would sleepover as usual.

"Bye luv... ingat ahhh? Text me as soon as you're home." Jungwon said to Jay.

"Opo, bye mahal ko. Good night sa inyo."

"Ang tamis! Bye na!" Sunoo waved.

After freshening up, the two put on their beauty masks and propped up their feet against the headboard.

"Grabe, 3rd year na tayo next school year tas sila Jay 4th year na. Ang bilis." Jungwon said.

"Oo nga noh? Pero ang galing din ng timing kasi sabay tayo ga-graduate. Ang saya! Exciting!"

"Oo nga... hay! I just hope na hindi kami maghihiwalay. Haha!"

"Bakit naman? Baliw ka... think positive. Di nyo ba napapag-usapan ang future?"

"Hay naku, pag nag-usap kami puro biruan lang. Titira daw kami sa States para we can legally be together, tas bibilhin nya daw ang Statue of Liberty for me."

"Hahah! Parang di talaga makausap ng matino yung boyfriend mo."

"Hay naku, sinabi mo pa. Pero minsan kapag nag-seryoso na yan, ako naman yung nag-bibiro... hahah!"

"I can imagine."

"Pero for some reason nagkakaintindihan kami sa kung ano yung expectations namin sa relasyon namin. What we both know is we're happy now and that's what matters. Kung anuman mangyari sa future, saka na lang namin yun haharapin. Importante, sabay naming haharapin."

"Wow... pangseryosohan na talaga..." Sunoo giggled.

"Haha!! Eh ikaw? Hanggang kelan mo ba papahirapan si Hoon?"

"Huh? Di ko naman sya pinapahirapan ahhh..."

"So anong ginagawa mo? Nagpapaka-hard to get lang?

"No... I didn't ask him to do those things. Di na rin ako nag-eexpect pa sa kanya."

"Then tell him para tumigil na sya."

"Di nya pa ba gets sa pandededma ko sa kanya?"

"Alam nya na yun, for sure. Pero not until kausapin mo talaga sya ng seryoso and tell him to stop. Di yun titigil until you do that."

"Hmmmmm...."

"Or baka ayaw mo din syang tumigil?" Jungwon side-eyed his bestfriend.

"Di ko alam..." Sunoo answered, "or baka alam ko na, di ko lang kayang aminin."

Jungwon just smiled.

***