KABILANG BUHAY | markhyuck

four

"It's been so long since we last watch movie together."

Mark looked at the person leaning on his chest. The bright light coming from their tv screen gives him a different kind of glow. He'd seen Donghyuck in different angles, with different light touches, with make-up on, bare-faced, with blemishes. Hindi alam ni Mark kung paanong, kahit saang anggulo niya tingnan ang kasama, there's only one word that comes in his mind. Ethereal.

He held his boyfriend's chin and made him look up. Dahan-dahan niyang idinampi ang mga labi niya sa labi nito. Hyuck wasn't even shock. Animo'y sanay na sanay na siya sa mga ganitong galaw ni Mark. But doesn't he? Every time Mark sees a chance to kiss him, he will. At proud na proud naman si Donghyuck na siya ang paborito nitong papakin.

The younger boy cut the kiss before it even go hotter. Kasasabi niya lang na matagal na simula noong huli silang nanood ng movie nang magkasama. He wanna make the most of this. Who knows when will be their considered last. Sa bawat araw na magkasama sila ni Mark, he does his best to spend it like there's no tomorrow.

"How about we watch horror? Let's see kung duwag pa rin ang boyfriend ko."

Mark clicked his tongue on the idea. Dahil sa totoo lang, oo, takot pa rin siya. Although unlike before na talagang sumisigaw siya sa bawat jump scare, napipigilan na naman niya ngayon. But the fear is still there. He doesn't like the feeling of being paranoid just because he watched something that made him really uncomfortable. Pero si Donghyuck ang nag-suggest. Who is he to say no?

They chose on a lot of horror movies, some of it si Donghyuck na mismo ang kusang tumanggi. Hindi pa man sila nanonood ay dama na ni Mark ang kabog ng dibdib.

Isinalang na ni Hyuck ang napili nila. Mark forgot to look at the title but Donghyuck said it's an exorcism movie. They haven't tried watching something like that. Kadalasan kasi ay tungkol sa zombie apocalypse o kaya killing sprees ang pinapanood nilang horror.

Mark was so focused on the movie that he didn't notice how tight he was clutching on Donghyuck's arm. Hindi naman umaangal si Donghyuck dahil aware naman siya na matatakutin talaga si Mark. Even him is scared, it's just understandable kung takot na takot na si Mark sa pinapanood nila.

"Matulog na kaya tayo?" Mark asked him.

In regular nights, he already laughed at Mark. Pero takot na rin siya kaya tango na lang ang naisagot niya. Mark probably sensed how scared he is too kaya ito na ang nagpatay ng tv at nagtapon ng mga kalat nilang balat ng chips at naghugas ng bowl ng popcorn. Naabutan niya pang tulala si Donghyuck sa kawalan noong balikan niya ito sa couch.

He called for Donghyuck's name softly so he won't startle or scare the younger more. When Hyuck looked up on him, he offered his hand, which Donghyuck held tightly.

Magkahawak-kamay silang umakyat ng hagdan papunta sa kwarto nila. Donghyuck held Mark's hand like his life depends on it. He held it with both of his at tahimik lang na nakasunod sa paglalakad nito.

Mark guided his boyfriend to their bed, let him lay first and put a blanket over him. Pinanood lang siya ni Hyuck magpatay ng ilaw at bumalik sa kama nila. When Mark laid beside Hyuckie, the younger quickly wrapped his arms on Mark and snuggled on him.

"Sleep na, mahal. Ikaw naman kasi, ang dami-dami nating pwedeng panoorin, 'yun pa talaga isinalang mo."

They stayed like that for an hour or two. Sa totoo lang, dinadalaw na si Mark ng antok. He'll probably fall asleep after a few counts of Hyuck's heavy breathing. But Donghyuck started sobbing a quiety, wetting Mark's shirt with his tears.

Mark quickly lifted his head up to turn the bed lamp on. Tumambad sa kanya ang mugtong mata ni Donghyuck at ang mapula nitong ilong.

"You're scared, mahal?"

Donghyuck nodded, not being able speak. Bumangon si Mark sa pagkakahiga at sumandal sa headboard ng kama. He pulled Hyuckie with him and let his boyfriend lay on top of him.

"You want me to sing for you?"

Donghuck looked up and bit his lower lip, "yes, please."

Mark smiled when saw the pout on Hyuckie's lips. He kissed the pout away and messed the younger's hair even more. Mark removed Hyukie's tight hug to get the scared kitten's guitar on the side of their bed. He sat straight and held the guitar close to his chest. Donghyuck get up and sit in front of him.

Mark strummed randomly to play different korean songs. They both like singing on sad korean songs and up-beat english songs. They just love singing with each other.

Mark have played six songs already when Donghyuck decided to sing along. He seemed to forget what he was afraid of earlier. Mark loves Donghyuck. He might not say it as much as his boyfriend does but he probably loves his boyfriend more than Hyuck loves him. He liked him for his beautiful voice. He loved him deeper after knowing there's more to that pretty face and sweet voice.

After singing till their throat hurts, they finally stopped with smiles plastered on their faces.

Yakap-yakap pa rin ni Donghyuck si Mark sa pangalawang beses nilang pagsubok na matulog. He have a smile on pero sa kabila ng dilim na bumabalot sa kwarto ay kitang-kita ni Mark ang lungkot. Kitang-kita niya ang nangingilid na luha. Kitang-kita niya ang panginginig ng labi nito.

"You're still scared, love?"

Donghyuck looked up again. He nodded his head again. Mark can feel his heart breaking when the tears rolled down the apple of his cheeks. Isa-isa itong nagpatakan sa braso ni Mark na ginagamit niyang unan.

"What are you being scared for? Nandito lang ako oh," Mark told him while wiping his tears.

Donghyuck shook his head, "I know you're always there. It's me, Minhyung. Natatakot ako na baka dumating 'yung araw na 'yon nang hindi mo pa kaya."

Mark immediatey shushed him, caging his head on his arms and burying his face on his chest.

"Donghyuck, 'wag namang ganito."

Hyuckie sniffed and hugged him back.

"I'm afraid. I'm so afraid that no one will hold your hand for me. You won't be able to watch horror movies anymore. I know how stubborn you are. I know how much you hate skinships. You'll probably reject Jaemin's hand. I'm afraid you would miss me so much."

"Matulog na tayo, please. Please, mahal."