coffees + jeno

xxxvii.ii

（   LILAC   ）

"Yes," he breathed.

His gaze sent shivers to my spine. Suddenly I'm in front of the athlete I was so scared of since day 1. But when I looked deeper into his eyes, it was. . . lonely. Sad. Longing. Like a sea full of emotions yet sadness managed to conquer him.

I hugged him tight. He must be jealous of Harris. I admit that I kind of didn't mind Jeno's feelings when I let Harris join me all throughout the trip. We're friends and I enjoy his company, but it's not the same for Jeno for sure. I don't need to be a man to know that. I'll keep my distance from now on. Ayokong nakikita si Jeno na ganito.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, still hugging him tight. "We're just friends, baby. I love you, okay? I won't be here if you aren't here."

"What did you say?" tanong niya kaya naguguluhan naman akong tumingin sa kanya at nagtanong, "I-I won't be here if y-you aren't here?" Umiling naman siya at ngumisi.

"Before that."

Naiilang akong tumingin sa gilid at nagpapadyak. "Wala!" sigaw ko at tumawa naman siya. Naramdaman kong niyakap niya ako sa baywang ko kaya napangiti ako. Finally back in his arms again.

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N

ang maggabi na, inaya niya ako papunta sa gazebo ng hotel na tinutuluyan namin ngayon. I didn't find any reason to go there since tapos naman na lahat ng gagawin namin and we can just chill on the balcony yet he wants to go to the gazebo. Well, what Jeno wants, Jeno gets!

Nang papalapit na kami doon, tinakpan niya ang mga mata ko at hinila ako papunta doon. Buti na lang hindi niya binitawan ang mga kamay ko kundi nagsisigaw ako dito at nagising na lahat ng nasa hotel.

Nang tinanggal niya ang kamay niya sa mga mata ko, ang bumungad sa'kin ay ang isang kulungan na may mga ibon. Lovebirds, to be specific. It's designed with lilacs, shaped as a tiger being pierced by an arrow.

"You were the one who pierced me, actually," he said, as he started to face me. He took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm just really hoping for something tonight," he whispered.

"What is it?"

"Can you, Lilac. . . let your yellow heart be pierced by the arrows covered in green and white that belong to me?" tanong niya at naluha na ako. Damn him, he really wants to make use of our teams.

"You already pierced me, Jeno," bulong ko at agad niya akong niyakap. I never felt so safe like this before. His arms will always be the only place where I fit in perfectly. My first and last, Lee Jeno.