A Bad Habit to Break

Epilogue

Para akong nanlamig sa nakita ko. This is the least expected thing that I'm thinking of—to see him.

I couldn't even feel my own feet, my mouth's dry I can't think of what to say. Malamig naman sa backstage pero pinagpapawisan ako ng malagkit.

Why? Just why are you here?

"Congratulations, Noona."

His voice. That same deep, baritone voice from him that I couldn't forget.

He's standing right in front of me like everything's surrounding us stopped for a while. Na walang ibang tao dito kundi kami lang. I want to move back but I can't even take just one step. I want to talk but I couldn't open my mouth to utter words.

He handed me a bouquet of flowers which is not very normal. I'd know, hindi siya sweet na tao. But why is he giving me that?

Nagpalipat-lipat lang ang tingin ko sa bouquet at sa kanya. Damn, hindi ko alam kung sino yung maganda. Kung siya ba o itong hawak niyang mga bulaklak.

Does my mind betrayed me just now? Damn, Kouren Park!

"Women like flowers, noona. Do they? Please take this. I'm sorry I don't know your preferences in flowers." at nagsalita na naman siya. God, why does he have to be dashing like that?

This is a formal event so he's wearing very formal too. He's wearing black tux and his hair is brushed up against his head. Did he watch me perform? Shit, bakit hindi ko alam?

I tried to open my mouth. "Ah-"

"Kouren,"

I heard Joonhyuk called my name and gently placed his hand on my arm like he's trying to assist me.

"H-hi, Joonhyuk." shit, ang awkward ko ba tignan? Pinilit kong ngitian siya pero yung lumabas yata e mukhang parang gusto ko nang magbanyo dahil najejebs na ako.

Joonhyuk looked at us as if he's confused. Gosh, oo nga pala. He knows about Karin but he didn't know what he looks like!

"Do you know each other?" curious na tanong sa akin ni Joonhyuk habang nakatingin siya sa amin ni Karin.

"Uh y-yes." I nodded and let out an awkward laugh. Yuck, I suck at this. Mukha akong palakang gutom.

I leaned into Joonhyuk and simply whispered, "He's my ex, Kyojin Karin."

Napa-'o' ang bibig ni Joonhyuk at saka tumango nang marahan. Jusko, baka biglang magkaroon ng commotion dito! Joonhyuk's standing apart with the person who caused him to be hospitalized two months ago!

Wait lang, paano kung biglang magka-commotion dito? Magkakagulo dito! Damn, dapat ko silang paglayuin. This is not the right place and time to talk!

I saw Joonhyuk offered his hand to Karin. Akala ko hindi niya papansinin kasi alam ko naman na suplado siya by nature pero na-shookt ako nung biglang nakipag-shake hands siya dito!

Na-abduct na ba ng aliens si Karin? Parang hindi siya 'to, wait lang!

"I'm Kyojin Karin." he introduced himself. Hindi siya suplado pero ang dark pa rin ng aura niya. Paano kung hindi niya bitiwan ang kamay ni Joonhyuk tapos bigla niyang i-suplex, di ba? Jusko, wag naman po!

"I'm Hwang Joonhyuk. Nice to meet you. Finally." he smiled. Aba naman Joonhyuk, bakit parang galak na galak ka pang makilala siya e utos nga niyang ipabugbog ka di ba?

"Noona," sabay sa pagbitaw ni Karin sa kamay ni Joonhyuk saka naman siya tumingin sa akin at inilapit sa akin ang bouquet. I was about to get it when I notice that Joonhyuk's also holding a bouquet of flowers as well.