I Brought My Heart To Hong Kong

Chapter Twenty-One: Problem

Chapter Twenty-One
Problem

He wanted me to forget it because that's not the way he wanted to confess to me? Ibig sabihin, gusto niya talaga ako at hindi niya lang matanggap na mapapaamin siya noong gabing 'yon?

Naisubsob ko ang mukha ko sa unan ko. The hiking concluded earlier in the morning. Madaling araw nang mapagpasyahan naming bumaba. Pagkauwi namin sa mansyon, pagod ang nagpatulog sa'kin agad.

'Paggising ko, unang pumasok sa isip ko ang mga sinabi ni Jayden kagabi. Kahit pa gusto ko pang matulog, hindi ko na nagawa! I've been feeling sleep-deprived but he's like caffeine making me wide awake. Now, I'm even holding Jayden and I's picture in the Oceanpark on my hand.

"What are you looking at?"

Halos mapatalon ako nang marinig ang boses ni Won na nagsalita mula sa pintuan ng kwarto ko. Itinago ko ang film sa ilalim ng unan ko nang makita siyang pumasok. Umayos ako at umupo.

"Can I go inside, Hails?"

"Oo naman."

I breathed deeply. Naupo siya sa gilid ng kama ko. His sight craned towards my pillows. Bumalik din sa'kin habang naniningkit.

"Is that too confidential not to show me?"

It wasn't threatening. May ngiti pang kumawala sa labi niya. I groaned on that and immediately pulled the film from the pillow. Hinarangan ko ng kamay ko para hindi niya makita ang picture pero hinawakan niya ang kamay ko para kunin sa'kin at tingnan naming dalawa.

I looked at Won nervously, wondering what he might be thinking. Hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman niya ang pag-iwas na ginawa ko kay Jayden, 'di kaya ang pag-amin niya sa'kin, o ang nangyari kagabi. O lahat nang nararamdaman ko ngayon.

We sometimes talk about boys. He once said he won't care whoever I date but he wanted me to make sure I'll tell him who that boy is.

During junior high, someone tried to court me. Nabanggit ko kay Zywon at kilala niya. In the end, he told me it's someone who courts lots of girls and settles with the one who says yes. Like a playboy. He saved me from that.

There was one during senior high too, who asked me to be his date in a Valentine concert. Zywon knows the guy too. Sinabi niyang isang beses ding in-invite si Chloe noong nakaraang Valentine's at nambastos. I was mad about that, I even planned to continue the date just to get the chance to kick him where it hurts the most. But then, I was pretty sure Won already did something about that, if we'll talk about Chloe.

On my end, I'll say all the attempt dates were.. unsuccessful but not regrettable.

It was Zywon who crossed them out but I have a fair share of thoughts and impressions. Won still gives me room to choose but I'll end up deciding like how he did. Sasabihin ko sa kaniyang hindi rin naman talaga 'yun ang mga tipo ko.

"What's your type, then?" Natatandaan kong tinanong niya sa'kin.

I don't exactly have any specifics in mind. During those times, it was him I liked.

"Just someone I can annoy but will never get tired of me," I remember saying.

But now, when I recalled that time being, ibang tao na ang pumapasok sa isip ko. Hindi na si Zywon.

"You're growing fond of Jayden, Hailey."

That snapped me back to reality.

I instantly scoffed in the air. It's not even a question from Won. He said it like a conclusion.

And from the way he looked at me intently, I knew I can't lie. Hindi ko kayang magsinungaling kasi kailangan ko ang advice niya. He's my best friend. I can't let him be the last to know.