Retrograde | Jicheol

다섯

Funk this sheet.

Never in his entire life has he imagined himself doing such horrifying and disgusting thing. Charms? What charms? Jihoon stared helplessly at the length of the line for the cashier. Kakaunti lang naman ang mga binili niya, siguro naman ay may magmamagandang loob dito na magpapasingit sa kaniya diba?

He studied the faces of the people queuing up. Halos lahat sa kanila ay matatanda na, 'yung iba naman ay nakabusangot na dahil siguro sa tagal ng pag-usad ng pila. That left him no choice then. He started walking to where the line ends but then the image of his aunt scurrying all over the shop made him stop his pace. His Tita needs him right now. Fuck dignity.

Muli niyang tiningnan ang mga mukha ng mga taong nakapila-looking for a potential victim for his plan.

Ah, there he is. A guy who he thinks is slightly taller than him but with somewhat gentle features making him look easy to deal with. He's quite cute, Jihoon thought to himself but then shaking the notion away immediately. Compared to the other people on the line, mas mukha namang approachable ang isang 'to. At malapit pa ito sa counter. Jackpot. Kung mapapapayag lang ito ni Jihoon na pasingitin siya, makakauwi siya nang maaga para matulungan ang tita niya.

Wearing what he thinks his most innocent and kind smile, he slowly approached the guy with a basket of groceries in his left hand. It took him all of his willpower to maintain that stupid smile on his face. Hindi siya agad napansin ng lalaki kaya naman kinailangan pa niyang tumikhim muna para maagaw ang atensiyon nito.

"Yes?" That damn smile almost made Jihoon's heart skip a beat. Okay, focus Jihoon.

"Um, hi. My name's Jiho-Woozi."

"Okay? Hi Woozi."

"Um, I'm actually in a bit of a rush right now so I was wondering if I could-"

"-cut into the line? Sorry kid, but we've been waiting for the longest time now. Don't you think it's a bit unfair for those who waited patiently back there?" Wait, did he just call him 'kid'?

Napabuntong-hininga nalang si Jihoon. Pakshet talaga naman oo. Time to execute Plan B. His secret weapon. Jihoon bowed his head a little, putting on his most pitiful look with teary-eyes and to complete the aegyo, a cute pout on his lips.

Kaya mo 'to, Jihoon.

"P-pretty pleaaaase?" Fuck this.

"I really should be heading home right now." Fuck life.

"P-please let me cut into the line." Putangina.

"P-pretty pretty pretty pleaaaaase?" Goodbye, dignity. You will be missed.

Napansin niya ang kaunting pamumula ng pisngi ng lalaki at pagkabigla sa mukha nito. Umepekto ba? Jihoon tried to maintain his front...until the other guy burst into laughter.

Poonyeta. Matapos kong ipahiya ang sarili ko sa kaniya, tatawanan niya lang ako? Siraulo pala 'to eh.

Iiwanan niya nalang sana ang lalaking halos mamatay na sa kakatawa dahil sa kahihiyan nang may maramdaman siyang isang kamay na humila sa pulso niya papasok sa pila.

"Alright. Since you're obviously super desperate to get home to your mommy," he ruffled Jihoon's hair a bit. "I'll let you go just this once, okay?" The dumbass said with a gummy smile plastered on his face.