KABILANG BUHAY | markhyuck

five

“What would you sing, love?”

Mark shrugged his shoulders and flipped his songwriting notebook. He then hummed and strummed on his guitar again.

Donghyuck scoffed, placing a bowl of sliced watermelon in front of Mark.

Kagagaling lang nila sa mall. They went for grocery shopping at para na rin mag-inexpensive date. Donghyuck was the one to ask Mark to go. Sabi kasi nito, miss na miss na daw niya ang arcade dates nila at pagkain ng streetfoods sa tapat ng mall. Hindi rin naman makatanggi si Mark dahil aminin niya man o hindi, miss na miss niya na rin ang dati nilang ginagawa.

Hindi na kasi kasing dalas ng noon ang mga lakad nila. They can’t even go on tagatay trips or 3-day vacation sa batangas na quarterly every year nilang ginagawa with their friends. Aware din si Mark na sobrang nainggit si Donghyuck sa mga post ng pinsan niyang si Jeno sa instagram. Donghyuck’s same-aged cousin went on a mountain hiking with his boyfriend Jaemin. They even have pictures riding bicycles. Those are the kinds of date Hyuckie wants to do with his boyfriend. Ang kaso, their family doctor told them he has to lessen energy-sucking activities. At kahit magpumilit si Donghyuck na ipagpatuloy pa rin ang buhay niya normally, all of his loved ones just won’t let him.

‘Yung mga date sa mall at park, ‘yun na lang ang kaya niyang ibigay kay Mark. Donghyuck is giving his best everytime they go to dates. He at least want Mark to enjoy. He at least want to make Mark see that he’s still happy with him.

He wants enjoy each and every day he spends with Mark. He doesn’t want Mark to feel like there’s something they weren’t able to do during this time that they’re still together. Even reaching his dreams. Donghyuck wants to be there with Mark. He wants to be with his boyfriend’s side from the beginning and until he reach it.

Kaya nang may nakita siyang nakadikit na audition poster sa mall, agad niyang hinila si Mark sa tapat nito. Matagal bago niya nakumbinsi ang boyfriend niya at halos tumalon siya sa tuwa nang sinabi nitong susubukan niya.

Mark is a really talented man. Back then when he’s still in a band with Johnny, siya lang ang laging pinapanood ni Donghyuck sa practice nila at gigs. Mark doesn’t know him yet that time. He’s that younger brother na laging nakaupo sa baitang ng hagdan nila habang nagpa-practice ang kapatid niya at mga kabanda nito sa kanilang salla. Siya ‘yung kapatid na taga-timpla ni Johnny ng juice at taga-bili ng tinapay sa kanto. Mark never noticed him then. Kasi kumpara kay Johnny, sobrang liit ni Donghyuck at laging may takip na unan sa mukha kapag lumalabas ng kwarto. Si Donghyuck ‘yung kapatid na laging pinapauwi ni Johnny nang maaga kasi bawal abutin ng hating-gabi sa mga bar at restaurant na tumawag sa kanila para magperform.

Donghyuck heard from them one time that Mark’s type are those who can sing the songs he wrote. In short, marupok daw si Mark sa may magandang boses. Donghyuck was aware of his talent. He even join contests on his school. So when he had a chance to perform one song on the bar Mark’s band performed, he did his best to catch Mark’s attention.

Johnny was furious back then. Isa ata sa mga ala-alang dadalhin ni Donghyuck ang reaksyon ng kapatid nang makita siyang nakaupo sa tapat ng mikropono nung gabing ‘yon.

Since that day, Mark tends to visit their house more often even though they don’t have practice. Hanggang sa nagsabi na siya kay Johnny at sa mga magulang ni Donghyuck na aakyat siya ng ligaw sa bunso ng pamilya.

That was their start. Simula noon, kasama na niya si Mark sa halos lahat ng yugto ng buhay nito.

Donghyuck was there noong makagraduate si Mark ng college. Donghyuck was there sa unang laban ng banda nina Mark out of town. He was there noong isa-isang kumalas sa grupo ang miyembro ng banda nila. He was there when Mark had his breakdowns, noong akala niya ay sinayang niya lang ang ilang taong pag-aaral ng musika para sa wala.

Donghyuck was the one to convince him that it’s not the end of his dreams. Donghyuck was the one to tell him that he’ll help him get there.

He knows that he doesn’t have all the time in the world. That’s why when he saw an opportunity for Mark to finally fullfil his dreams, he grabbed it quickly.

“Kumanta ka kaya ng self-composed song? It’ll give you extra points. Magaling kang tumugtog, magaling kang sumulat, maganda din ang boses mo,” Donghyuck said while counting on his fingers the good qualities Mark has that can give his extra credits.

“Ang gwapo mo pa, mahal. Mas gwapo ka pa sa mga artista nila doon eh. Kapag ‘di ka nila tinanggap, baka nai-insecure na lang sila sa’yo.”

Mark can’t help but laugh. Donghyuck really knows a lot of ways to boost his confidence. Si Donghyuck lang talaga ang may alam kung paano tanggalin ‘yung mga pag-aalinlangan at kakawalan niya ng kompiyansa.

“Kailan nga ulit ‘yan?” he finally paid Donghyuck attention.

Donghyuck let his mouth hang open in disbelief, “putangina ka, kanina pa ‘ko dumadaldal dito tapos hindi ka pala nakikinig.”

Mark gave him a peace sign and then a kissy face.

“Next week ‘yung mismong audition pero pwede ka nang magpasa ng application form ngayon to secure a queuing number. Madami ata ang magpupunta kasi malaking talent agency.”

Itinabi ni Mark ang gitarang hawak sa gilid ng couch bago kumuha ng isang slice ng pakwan na inihanda ni Donghyuck para sa kanya. Tumabi naman si Donghyuck sa kanya at kumuha din ng isa.

“’Wag na lang kaya? Sa ibang agency na lang. Hindi naman ako matatanggap sa mga ganiyang sikat. Hayaan mo ‘kong mag-umpisa sa ibaba.”

Inirapan lang siya ni Donghyuck. Hindi pa man nalulunok ang kinain ay binatukan na niya si Mark at sinigawan.

“Anong ‘wag ka d’yan! Ako na ang nagpasa ng application form mo kanina via email. Pwede bang ‘wag mo na lang akong ipahiya? Masyado kitang ipinagmalaki sa mga inilagay ko doon.”