The room was eerily quiet and it was the most uncomfortable New Year Dara ever had. Ilang beses n’yang sinubukang magbukas ng topic upang mapag-usapan pero parehas na unresponsive ang dalawang kasama n’ya. The two are killing each other with their stares and if Dara wasn’t there, they might’ve slit each others throats already with the bread knife they’re holding.
Dara was aware of how awkward and uncomfortable the dinner was, but she can’t do anything to ease it. Hindi n’ya naman pwedeng paalisin si Jiyong dahil nga wala ‘tong kwarto na matutuluyan. And as if she can do that?
“Who wants wine?” she brought up when they’re almost done with the food. “I’ll just call for a bottle, huh?” iniwan n’ya ang dalawa upang tumawag.
As soon as Dara’s earshot, the two dropped the utensils they’re holding with an annoyed clang.
“Nawala mo susi mo? May mas ba-baduy pa ba sa excuse mo?” Kiyong started.
“Meron naman, ikaw.” Jiyong mocked back.
But Kiyong was confident instead of annoyed. “Itong baduy na ‘to ang boyfriend ni Dara,”
“Ngayon... but who knows on the next days?” Jiyong leaned on his chair, totally looking relaxed but annoyed inside. He was close to grab the fork again and shoot it on Kiyong’s forehead.
“I bet it’s still me, or even on the next lifetime. Dara’s still mine.” Kiyong grinned, but he was just as annoyed as Jiyong inside. He also wanted to grab the fork again and strike him on the face.
“She was never yours,”
“As much as yours.”
“She’s mine.”
“Matagal na s’yang wala sa’yo,”
“And I’m getting back what’s mine,”
“Why?” Kiyong turned serious.
As well as Jiyong. “There’s no whys. She’s just mine.”
“What about Komatsu?”
“Fuck off,”
Kiyong smirked. “You’re making my Queen your mistress again?”
“She was never—“ Jiyong stopped himself even before he can shout. “You know nothing.”
“I know everything,” Kiyong confidently smiled. “How you made her your fake girlfriend to protect your real woman, right?”
Jiyong was taken aback on how he knew that but he kept his silence.
“How you two-timed Dara and Komatsu,”
Jiyong’s breathing went ragged, he knew Kiyong’s just telling the truth, but hearing it from a man like him was nothing but unpleasant for him.
“How you proposed to Komatsu in Japan while Dara’s in Korea, waiting for your return,” Kiyong sympathetically smiled. “How you chose Komatsu over Dara.”
Jiyong was in torn, he knew he lost the battle of nerves with Kiyong but he will never admit his defeat. He’s Kwon Jiyong. He’s meant to win no matter what.
“And you’ll know more,” Jiyong smugly smiled, hiding the darkness he’s feeling inside. “Of how Dara will leave you for me.”
They stared at each other, their eyes filled with loathe and hate.
