amor's glow (jianxin)

SPECIAL CHAPTER I

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PALAWAN

After the Jetski game

"Ang angas mo talaga, Xin! Nakakabanas ka!" Everyone laughs their heads off when Randall, in a flash, snatches Xin by the neck and smacks him on the noggin, playfully using the middle tumb of his fingers.

Randall genuinely greets his teeth as he tries to play with their younger, now pushing him off. Xin shot back a look that everyone knew could've melted ice caps — it's a death glare, for sure, but the young Yoon ignored it like he used to.

"It's not my fault you're a loser, pub owner! It's rhyming, right? 'Cause that's how weakling you are—aray! Damn it, Randall!" Xinner curses and painfully holds his head as he pushes his friend off.

"I'll kill you, you piece of-" The Watanabe's fist is already clenched back, ready to throw a punch that would've surely left a mark. But just as the tension is about to explode, Zion interrupts in—and becomes the hero of the day. Everyone listens to him scolding the two of them. With matching sighs and eye rolls, they reluctantly called a truce, looking as if they'd just been told bedtime stories were canceled forever. They literally shut their mouths seeing Zion's glare at them.

It didn't take long before Jianuary decided to call it a day, and soon they found themselves cozily nestled inside the hotel, sharing a delightful dinner. Jianuary playfully encouraged everyone to savor every bite - softly reminding them to indulge and enjoy the meal to the fullest. Eshang and Tailor were also at the table, joining in the dinner time.

"Sus! Inlove na inlove kasi sa'kin 'tong si Red-hair e! Nakakainis, dinaan pa sa pustahan ang pagpropose sa'kin?!" Natawa ang lahat nung inikot ni River at mata at doon masamang tinignan si Chester na ngayon ay nakangisi sa kanya.

"Doon din naman tayo pupunta, kiddo." Chester smirks as he munches the fruits. "Hoy! 'Wag ka ngang pakampante d'yan, red-hair! 'Di porket patay na patay ako sayo nun!? Para sabihin ko sayo, people change! 'Di na ako ganun ngayon!" River didn't show any kidding to his lover who smiled handsomely at him. Inis siyang umiwas ng tingin.

"Ang arte mo, Jade, 'di bagay," Ngiwi naman ni Dart.

"At nagsalita ang panget!"

"Hoy! Sinong panget?! Excuse me?! Alam mo bang ako lang ang walang retoke sa NEXUS dahil sabi nila, natural na ang kagwapuhan at kagandahan ko!"

"Saana ang kagwapuhan at kagandahan 'dyan? Ang nakikita ko lang naman ay pwet ng baka!"

"Urgh! Nakakainis ka, River So!" Dart slams the table, making Yuan gulps like a fish out of water, eyeing the storm clouds gathering on his lover's face. Meanwhile, River's over there pulling a Picasso with his facial expressions.

"Guys! 'Wag nga kayong maingay sa harap ng pagkain!" Wren scolds them as River pouts his lips, Dart rolls his eyes and turns his eyes to Jianuary—who's silently eating, looking down at the foods on the table.

"Woi, Jian. Ba't ang tahimik mo naman dyan?" Untag niya dito, dahilan para mapatingin ang lahat sa kanya. Nag-angat naman siya ng tingin at doon napakurap nung makitang nakatingin ang mga kaibigan sa kanya.

"Ha?"

"May sakit ka ba?" River asks as Jianuary tries to hold his own neck, trying to find if he's really sick. "Wala." He answers after and signals them to eat.

"Kain pa kayo. Gusto niyo pa ba? Teka, magpapakuha pa ako—"

"Huy! Ang dami na neto!" Pigil sa kanya ni Wren at doon nag-aalala siyang tinignan. "Ikaw ang kumain, mukhang kailangan mo 'yon." He adds, making Jian blink his eyes again and nods his head.

Everyone tries to keep the atmosphere from getting too awkward, even though there's a bit of a weight in the air due to Jianuary and Xin's unexpected quietness. It's clear something's up with those two, but nobody wants to be the one to rock the boat by bringing it up. They're all just kind of playing it cool, hoping that by not acknowledging the elephant in the room, they can keep things from getting even more tense.

Sighs linger discreetly, pretending that everything is just fine as before.

After an hour, dinner is finally done and now they're back to their rooms one by one. "Thank you, Jian! Hehe, goodnight!" Max lastly waves goodbye as Zion nods his head towards Jian, then shifts his gaze to the spot where Xin is standing. He offers Xin an encouraging look, silently giving him a 'goodluck' look.

Xin blinks his eyes, as a sign of reply, and it doesn't last too long when the two enter the door in front of them.

Jianuary takes and deep breathe and was about to walk away when Xin spoke. "Don't leave without even looking at me." He pauses his movements as he looks back and tries to smile at him.

"Tara? Hatid na din kita sa kwarto mo," Aniya at kaswal na tumalikod, hindi na niya hinayaan pang magsalita ang nobyo at doon nauna na sa paglalakad doon sa kasunod na kwarto. Agad niyang kinuha ang susi at doon binuksan ang room.

"Here," He hands him the key, but Xin didn't even look at it.

"Jianuary? Why the hell are you doing this?" Natigilan si Jian sa narinig, kunwari ay nagtataka siyang tumingala kay Xin, na ngayon ay bagaman kunot ang noo, hindi mawawala ang pag-aalala nito sa mukha.

"W-what is it again this time?" Jianuary didn't appear to be wanting the direction the conversation is taking, which really bothers Xin. He feels upset, but doesn't want that emotion to take over. It is important for him to maintain his patience as long as he can. After all, he doesn't want to upset his lover even more, especially considering he understood Jianuary's perspective.

"Are you tired of me?" Xin's words hit Jianuary, who didn't speak and just sigh. "Pagod ako, kaya matutulog na ako." Aniya at walang alinlangang tumalikod. Hindi na siya sinundan ni Xinner at tinitigan lamang ang paglayo ng kanyang nobyo.

Isang butil ng luha ang pumatak sa kanyang kaliwang mata, at ang isipan ay bumalik sa nakaraan - nung mga panahong kumikislap pa ang mga mata ni Jian 'pag nakatingin ito sa kanya.

Wala na iyon.

Wala na.

At sobrang sakit non para kay Xinner.

***