entice | jeonghan

34 | New Year's Eve (2)

Jeonghan

"Aw come on kuya! It's the last day of 2017, it wouldn't hurt kung ibibigay mo na sakanya christmas gift nya. Don't be such a wuss."

How can she know about these things? She's just a kid. Mga natututunan nya kanonood ng animes talaga.

"No."

"Lolo mo No. Ano ka ba kuya! Ayaw mo yun? Kapag binigay mo na yung gift mo, pwede mo na sabihing 'don't mention it, last year pa yun' sakanya!"

If I give Khaleesi's gift, she might think I have feelings for her of some sort. I can't afford that.

"No."

"Then bakit ka pa nag bother na bumili ng christmas gift for her kung hindi mo naman ibibigay?! Kuya, wala naman siyang ibang iisipin. It's a christmas gift! Hindi mo naman sya binilhan ng something for nothing. Christmas is your gate pass."

"Why do you care so much? You don't even know anything about her."

Bakit niya ako pinipilit sa taong hindi niya naman kilala? What's in it for her?

"Ang judgemental ng tingin mo sa akin. Of course I would want you to be happy! You deserve some happiness despite our situation. And besides, I think it's about time you do something about... that hair"

Ahh. My hair.

"N-No offence kuya! You look good and all pero.. Um— I don't think she'll come back... anymore."

As if I didn't know that. Another part of me had always been perfectly aware that she won't. The minute she walked away from me, I knew for sure.

"You really think so?" tanong ko kay Jeonghee.

"I know so."

Tinignan ko siya ng ilang minuto bago ako tumuloy pumunta sa labas at mag-ligpit ng mga pinagkainan namin. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit pa ako naglu-luto ng marami, eh dalawa lang naman kami ni Jeonghee na kumakain.

"Are you going to give it to her?" tanong niya bigla habang sinusundan ako mag-ligpit.

Maybe she's right. It wouldn't hurt to give Khaleesi her present. After all, it was christmas.

"No."

"Wooot, Bakit?! Hindi ba effective yung inspirational talk ko?"

"Maybe. Try some other time. And besides, it's New Year. There will be a lot of fireworks even on tbe street. Delikado mag-drive." I said and gave her a smile.

"Epal mo! Happy New Year! Matutulog na nga ako. Nakakadismaya manood ng anime dahil sayo!" sabi niya habang nagdadabog papunta sa kwarto niya.

"Happy New Year. Goodnight!" sigaw ko.

Jeonghee

Pagka-pasok ko sa kwarto ko, ni-lock ko kaagad yung pinto at ni-on ang laptop ko. Sinuot ang earphones, at pumwesto na sa kama. Pagkatapos ay ni-play ko na yung pinapanood 'kong anime.

Pinipigilan ko tumili sa mga pinapanood ko dahil andito pa din si kuya't baka marinig niya akong tumitili. Teka nga— tinanggal ko yung earphones ko at lumapit sa pinto para pakinggan yung mga nangyayari.

I hear a LOT of footsteps everywhere.

Pfft he's panicking. Then I heard his car keys rattling, footsteps ulit, and then nag-fade yung sound hanggang sa— "Yes!"

I just heard the sound of our door locking. It's not the sound of keys, i mean literally. Tumutunog yung door namin kapag nalo-lock at unlock. May maliit na mac— Why bother explaining?!