Letters to my Bestfriend

.26.

Gino's pov

Hindi naman ako galit kay Jimin, yung as in galit na hindi ko sya papansinin. I was just shock with the unexpected reunion with Ian. Kinabahan na ako nung nakita ko sya sa gallery, tapos dumagdag pa to.

Hindi ako handa. Naiinis pa rin ako kapag nakikita ko sya. Naiinis ako sa sarili ko kasi nandun pa rin yung sakit kapag nasa harap ko sya. Kelan ba dadating yung araw na kahit marinig ko yung pangalan nya, wala nang dating. Hindi na ako magiging apektado. Kelan dadating yung araw na wala nang sakit?

"Dada.. wook! Big twuck!" My train of thoughts were cut with Asher's excitement. Nasa condo na kami at una nyang pinabuksan yung regalo ni Ian. Na kahit pagbubukas ng regalo na galing sa kanya, kumakabog yung dibdib ko.

Hindi nakakatuwa Lord I swear.

"Baby, it's LOOK. Not wook. Okay?" I said as i caressed his soft curls. Pero dahil sa excitement nya sa truck, hindi nya masyadong pinansin yung sinabi ko.

"Dada.. I should thank the mascot.. Ash yavs big twuck!"

I giggled as he hopped on his new toy. "Careful baby."

"Dada.. let's go to mascot!"

I tried my best to ignore him saying anything about Ian but it seems like he can't forget the mascot thing. Dagdagan mo pa nitong truck nya. I know I taught him to be thankful to people who is kind and nice to him but how can I tell this kid that I am avoiding the mascot guy.

KASALANAN MO LAHAT NG TO JIMIN! HINDI TULOY MAKALIMUTAN NG BATA!

"Love, we can't go to the mascot guy.. Kasi he's.." Nag isip pa ako ng pwedeng sabihin sa bata. "He's far from here. And he's working."

Asher pouts just like how Ian does when he doesn't get what he wants. "But dada.. how can I thank him?" 

I pulled him out of the truck and put him in my lap. I fix his hair and kissed both his cheeks. "Dada pwease.." he said, still pouting and almost sobbing.

"Okay, okay po. Dada will do something. Dada will ask nanang Jimin. Hm?" Asher nodded. "Don't cry na."

"Stop sulking na love. Nanang will come later and you two will go to the mascot guy. Okay?"

His face lights up in an instant. "Yey!!! I yav u dada!!!" My sweet boy.

"I love you. But promise dada you'll behave ha? Don't  ask nanang for anything. You got so many toys here na." He nodded willingly. Biglang hindi na sya mapakali. Gusto na nyang sunduin sya ng nanang nya.

The things I'd to for you Ash.

After an hour of waiting, Jimin arrived. Hindi na rin sya pumasok sa unit para makaalis na daw sila agad. I told Jimin ako na ang susundo kay Asher para hindi na hassle sa kanya. He's done so much already.

Kung ibang tao lang yung mascot, hindi ako papayag. But it's Ian and I know the kid's safe with him and he won't let Asher get hurt.

Ako lang naman kaya nyang saktan eh.

I decided to clean the house after Jimin picked Asher up. Especially the toys being scattered around since a lot of gifts were given to Asher. I stack them all into his play room that's supposed to be his bedroom. Pero ayaw naman nya matulog doon. Sakin pa rin sya tatabi.

Well, I still want to cuddle by sweet boy too.

I spent couple of hours cleaning and organizing everything in the condo kaya naman dama ko yung pagod pagkatapos. I checked my phone and there's still no update from Jimin.

I sent one message to him asking how's Asher and while I wait for his reply, I rested on the couch leaning my back against it. I feel like I need a massage. Sa pag aantay ko kay Jimin, hindi ko namalayan na nakaidlip na pala ako.

I almost jumped out the sofa when I realized it's late in the afternoon already and I didn't fetch Asher yet. I grabbed my phone hurriedly calling Jimin but he still hasn't answered yet. Kinakabahan na ako and I started fidgeting around the place until I heard I rang in my doorbell.

Patakbo akong pumunta sa pintuan para pagbuksan yun. To my surprise, it was Ian carrying a sleeping Asher.

"Hey." He said, waking me up from reality.

"Ah— ano pasok ka. You can lay him down there." Pointing him out the bedroom. My heart beats so fast but I hate how the familiarity warms me. My ex bestfriend walking around my house just like the old times.

"Sobrang napagod sa paglalaro, nakatulog agad sa byahe." I overheard him say as he fixes Asher's pillow. But truth is, I'm not really paying attention. My mind was busy staring at him doing these domestic things for me.

I gasped as Ian turned to face me after putting Asher to sleep. "I'm sorry. Alam ko na ayaw mo akong makita but Jimin had an emergency and I can't leave the child alone. And Jimin said he can't contact you, so I volunteered to take him home instead."

I took a deep breath before speaking. I don't know if I'm being nervous because Ian was looking at me or because he's with me here in my room. Or maybe both. I broke the eye contact and said, "It's okay. As long as it's for Asher. I can take it."

Awkward silence surrounded the room so I had to think of other ways to get out of it. "Ah, thank you. For taking him home. And for being the mascot nung birthday nya. He wanted to thank you personally, so I asked Jimin. Pasensya na sa abala."

"No, I don't mind. It's okay, Gin." He said with that little smile on his face, his dimples showing. And I hate how my body reacted to it. "I actually had fun. Especially today. That boy's so sweet and kind. Exactly just like you, Gino."

I glanced at the sleeping boy and smiled. "Yes, he's one sweet little guy. Medyo hyper but manageable naman. Right?" I said as I turn my sight back to Ian again just to be greeted by his warm smile. Titingin palang ako sa kanya, pero nakatingin na sya sakin. Again, I hate how my heart jumps because of it.

I walked my way to the main door so he can follow me. "Uhm— I think I'm using much of your time already. Thank you ulit." I said, as I open the door for him.

He scratched the back of his neck as he stepped outside my unit. I was about to close my door when he called my name. "Gino." I raised my brow as I face him. "You can use all my time." And he walked away.

———