Memories That Won't Fade

Chapter 2

Shu-ji

"Hmm, hindi ko pa rin gusto ang lasa, pero healthy daw to kaya go na" 

I heard the woman sitting on the other table of the convenience said that while eating gimbap. I passed by to buy an energy drink and rest for a while before I come back to our dorm. 

I am a k-pop trainee. I left America and went here in South Korea to pursue my dreams in music. I looked at the woman again. She's from Philippines, I can sense that she is also new here in Seoul. I don't know, I just sense it in her vibes.

"Bakit ko ba naisipang dito mag-college? Gaga Ijja, ang dami namang university sa Pinas!" she's still talking to her self. I can't help to laugh a little, she looks stupid, but cute.

She glanced at me and caught me laughing, even if it's just a seconds. I fixed my expression to emotionless.

"Excuse me, are  you laughing at me?" she frowned and focus her attention on me

For a foreigner, she's full of confidence. She should thank me I am not a native Korean. 

I frowned at her too, indicating that I don't understand her.

"Mwoya?" 

"Ay pass, mukhang di marunong mag-english. Mi anhae, sorry sorry"  she stood up and bowed two times at me before leaving. 

I didn't realized that I am still smiling  even if I can't see her anymore. That stupid woman, I hope she won't get in trouble while studying here. 

"Kailan kita naging kaibigan?"

Ijja is looking at me intently. We are still at her hospital room, there are papers that we need to settle first before going home. Tita Akira left so it's just the two of us.

"On your first year here in Seoul" I am being careful to my answers because I don't want to shock her

"Nag fi Filipino ka ba? Hindi pa kita narinig magsalita ng Filipino"

"Marunong ako magsalita ng Filipino"

The shock on her face is plastered. I smiled a little, it's the same expression she gave me when she heard me talking in Filipino. 

"Woah! May lahi ka bang Pinoy? Paano ba tayo naging magkaibigan?" 

I stood up from the couch where I am sitting and go near the table where fruits are placed.

"What do you want to eat?" I asked her

"Mangga"

I nodded before I prepared the mango. After I washed and sliced it, I gave her the part she only eats in mango.

"Matagal na pala tayong magkaibigan kung 2022 na ngayon. Tingnan mo, alam mong buto lang kinakain ko sa mangga" she laughed as if she was amazed by that fact, then eat the mango heartily.

I am always silent, I am afraid to spit some information that might shock her.

"You are not answering me Mister. Paano tayo naging magkaibigan? Wait, hindi ko nga alam ang pangalan mo eh!" she put aside the mango seed after eating it, then got some wipes and alcohol. I helped her to do it.

"Shu-ji. Shu-ji Dong. We became friends when you are working as a part-timer at the company I am working too" 

"You're working at Miracle Entertainment too? Sabi ni mama doon ako nag-part time habang nasa college ako. Anong trabaho mo doon?"

"I am an artist, a singer. In a k-pop group to be specific"

Ijja became silent so I got worried. She frowned and hold her head.

"What is it? Does it hurt? Where? I'm gonna call the doc--" I got cut-off because she hold my hand, stopping me to press the button.

"Kumirot lang saglit, pero nawala na. Siguro madami akong nakatrabahong k-pop group kaya parang familiar noong nabanggit mo" she said smiling a little.

I breathed heavily, I got scared.

"Then why are you here? Hindi ka ba busy?"

"I'll come back to work when you can go home"

Of course, I'll assign a private nurse for her. I will not be at peace if I just left her unattended at her house.

"Huh? Kaya pala parang halos dito ka na tumira. Bestfriend ba kita? o ikaw lang talaga ang kaibigang mayroon ako, ikaw lang ang nabisita sa akin eh" she laughed again

I smiled, and get a stool to sit beside her bed. 

"You a have a lot of friends, but the doctor advised to not entertain more visitors as of now. Isha is taking care on the updates for them"

"Hmm. So, I am a make-up artist and you are a singer. Your security is amazing, does the media know that you are here?"

"No, don't worry about it. I'll take care of it"

Of course, I won't let the media know about this. In three years of my relationship with Ijja, it's just us together with my manager, members, and her family who knows about it.

We agreed to keep it private because we don't like the spotlight, and of course, not all will like our relationship. I have to protect Ijja from the negative comments of the people. 

"What is your group name?"

I was hesitant to answer it first, but I wanted to give it a try.

"Twilight"

"Twilight. Twilight.." she frowned

"Why? your head is aching?" I panicked

"Twilight.. I think.. I think I remember something.."

penseven