THE ON1Y ONE (某某) [ TAG/ ENG ] FANFICTION

ACS 96

A CERTAIN SOMEONE FANFIC ''THE ON1Y ONE ''

JAMESVINCE

Chapter 96: Nonsense

Sheng Wang had always believed that if he navigated the world well enough, he might one day run into Jiang Tian by sheer coincidence. The idea of their paths crossing again, given their shared history and mutual connections, had often occupied his thoughts.

But when that day finally came, the words he wanted to say—"I dreamed of you this morning"—got stuck in his throat. Instead, he found himself standing in stunned silence.

Si Jiang Tian, na parang nakatayo mula sa alaala ni Sheng Wang, ay nakaupo sa bay window. Suot niya ang kaswal na asul at puting uniporme ng paaralan, na mukhang pamilyar at malayo. Ang araw ay sumisikat sa labas, nagbubuga ng mainit na liwanag na sumasalungat sa malamig na hangin sa loob. Si Jiang Tian ay abala sa kanyang trabaho, may headphones sa tainga, tila hindi naapektohan ng mundo sa paligid niya.

Ang panaginip ni Sheng Wang ay nagbago sa isang Jiang Tian na nakasuot ng madilim na coat, madungis at malayo, isang tanawin na labis na surreal na nag-iwan sa kanya ng kaunting kalungkutan. Napagtanto niya, sa sandaling iyon, kung gaano karaming mga bagay ang nagbago sa pagitan nila sa mga nakaraang taon.

"Hindi mo ba kinuha ang isang tao? Bakit ka nakatayo dito na parang estatwa?" isang boses ng kasamahan ang gumising sa kanya sa realidad.

Pumikit si Sheng Wang at umiwas mula kay Jiang Tian, ang kanyang isipan ay nahihirapang iproseso ang sitwasyon. Tiningnan niya ang kaguluhan habang ang mga doktor at propesor ay pumapalibot kay Jiang Tian, nag-uusap at nagtatawanan.

Bumalik siya sa kanyang pwesto, malito, at kumuha ng sipi ng tsaa na sobrang init, sumakit ang dila niya sa pagkasunog. Ang isipan niya ay mabilis na sumusunod sa pag-uusap sa paligid niya, at hindi maiwasang sulyapan si Jiang Tian, na ngayon ay nakaupo sa tabi ng propesor, na ang coat ay tinanggal na nagpapakita ng maayos na shirt sa ilalim.

Sheng Wang felt a pang of nostalgia mixed with discomfort as the conversation shifted to their high school days. A colleague, oblivious to the tension, asked, "So, do you two know each other?"

The table fell silent, everyone's curiosity piqued. Sheng Wang, feeling awkward, nodded stiffly while Jiang Tian replied with a simple "Hmm."

"College classmates?" someone ventured.

"No," Sheng Wang said, shaking his head.

"University overseas?" Jiang Tian's classmate asked casually.

The silence that followed was thick with unspoken words. Sheng Wang's heart sank as he wished for the crowd to dissipate so he could focus solely on Jiang Tian. Gu Hai, ever the conversationalist, quickly filled the gap with a story, momentarily easing the tension.

As the evening wore on, Sheng Wang couldn't shake the feeling of being disconnected. His attention was pulled between the lively conversation at the table and the quiet moments with Jiang Tian. The professor praised Jiang Tian's accomplishments, and the others chimed in with admiration. Sheng Wang listened intently, piecing together fragments of Jiang Tian's life that he had missed.

Eventually, the room cleared out, leaving Sheng Wang and Jiang Tian alone on a corner sofa. Jiang Tian sat beside him, their closeness both comforting and disconcerting.

"You're back," Sheng Wang said softly, his voice barely audible over the hum of the air conditioner. He tried to steady his trembling hands by holding the cup of water.

Jiang Tian looked at him with a gentle smile. "For a while. Half a year, maybe."

Sheng Wang nodded, his eyes lingering on Jiang Tian's face, still unable to fully grasp the reality of their reunion. His mind swirled with questions he couldn't bring himself to ask.

Jiang Tian's voice broke the silence. "Is it uncomfortable to drink so much?"

Sheng Wang blinked, caught off guard by the question. "I practiced secretly," he admitted. "But I didn't mean to drink so much."

Jiang Tian chuckled softly, a hint of his old self showing. "You've had more than five cups."

Before Sheng Wang could respond, the box door opened, and the chatter and laughter returned. The moment between them was abruptly broken as the crowd filled the room once more.

As Sheng Wang prepared to leave, Gu Hai pulled him aside. "You and Dr. Jiang were high school classmates? It seems like there's more to it."

Sheng Wang hesitated, his mind racing. He glanced at Jiang Tian, who was now caught up in conversations with the others. The cold night air brushed against his face as he pulled his scarf tighter.

"It's more than that," Sheng Wang finally said, his voice quiet but firm.

Gu Hai's eyes widened. "How more?"

"My former boyfriend," Sheng Wang admitted, feeling a mix of relief and vulnerability.

Gu Hai choked on his words, astonished. "Hey, what..."

Sheng Wang managed a small, bittersweet smile. As the night came to a close, he realized that some connections, no matter how distant, could never truly fade.