"Hey," Cole greeted Callum as soon as she arrived at the parking lot.
Callum looked at her and pulled her closer for a hug. He rested his face on her neck. Cole's hand caressed his back.
"I'm sorry. . ." He whispered, "I can't face you. Bebi, ang bigat."
Cole hummed. "Tell me everything. I'll listen," she replied.
Callum broke the hug and she saw how his eyes were forming tears. Pinunasan n'ya ito at pinapasok siya sa loob ng kotse.
She's still clueless as to why he ghosted her. Pagkatapos ng pag-uusap nila ay hindi na siya kinausap nito. Gano'n pala ang pakiramdam ng ma-ghost. Masakit. Pero she didn't believe that Cali ghosted her.
"Talk." She uttered.
"Noong pumunta kami ng SK, maayos naman. They warmly welcomed us. And then, we had lunch. . ." he trailed off. "Bebi, I can't."
Cole held his hand. She squeezed it and smiled warmly at him. "You can do this, Cali."
Umiling si Callum, ang mga luha ay nagsimulang maglaglagan. Those tears from him shocked her. It's the first time to see him cry. Callum doesn't cry.
"My grandparents. . . wants me to marry someone," he dropped the bomb.
Tila tumigil ang lahat sa paligid ni Cole. Nakatitig lang siya kay Callum habang pinapakinggan ang sinasabi n'ya. Humigpit ang hawak n'ya sa kamay ni Callum nang magsimula itong humagulhol.
"I told them I don't want. . . My parents didn't want that idea, bebi. Ayaw nila. Ayaw ko rin." He sniffed. "At alam mo 'yung sinabi nila? That's the only thing that I'll make them proud of."
Shocked filled her body, and anger. How can they say that if Callum is doing everything for them to make them proud? Nag-iisang anak, at bunsong apo ng mga Jeon. Bakit kailangan nilang sabihin iyon?
Grandparents shouldn't tell those things, they should be the ones who'll guide their grandchildren.
"Dapat si Hwan hyung ang ikakasal, kaso may girlfriend. Paborito kasi siya kaya hinayaan. Ako rin naman, sinabi ko 'yon. Na may naghihintay sa akin sa Pinas at hindi ko gustong magpakasal," he confessed. "Ayaw ko nito. Tangina, ano na lang sasabihin ng pamilya mo." he whispered.
Cole gulped. "Si Haneul?" Tanong n'ya. Maybe there's another way.
"Ikakasal din," her heart clenched.
Dalawang apo, ikakasal na dapat ay ang panganay ang ikakasal para sa business. Dalawa ang aako sa dapat na para sa panganay.
"I don't want to marry someone that isn't you. If marrying you and not following what they want won't make them proud, I'll do it." His voice was firm even though he was crying.
Tumahimik ang paligid. Cole looked at their hands. She swallowed hard and intertwined their hands.
"Cali, sundin mo sila."
BINABASA MO ANG
rock with you | ✓
Teen Fictionan epistolary collaboration. to rock with him is her dream. to perform on the stage with their favorite songs, and to let the world see them perform with freedom in their dreams. but how can she face the man she ghosted years ago because of her fam...
