KABILANG BUHAY | markhyuck

six

Mark can hear Donghyuck screaming at the top of his lungs from outside their house. Mark went to buy Donghyuck’s prescribed medicines. The younger needed those to stay lively and healthy. Although alam naman nilang lahat na for maintenance lang talaga ang mga iyon at hindi naman talaga nakakatulong na mapagaling siya ng tuluyan.
But it helps him look like he’s okay. Katulad na lang ngayon. Mark caught him dancing on their living room while holding a broom. Paikot-ikot sa salla nila at ginagamit na mikropono ang hawak na walis.

Mark did not interrupt him and just listened. Donghyuck is singing Meghan Trainor’s Dear Future Husband. He sounds so good. Just like when Mark first heard his voice. Sweet, calming, soothing. Sobrang sarap pakinggan kahit na mukhang nagwawala na ito at nagh-headbang.

Napansin ni Mark ang nakaaslis sa pwestong mga furniture nila. He guessed Donghyuck is having his quote general cleaning unquote. Napailing si Mark nang makitang pawisan na ang likod nito. Tagaktak na rin ang pawis nito sa mukha at dibdib. He’s also already chasing his breath while singing.

Mark closed the door a little hard that made Donghyuck turn to face him. When Donghyuck saw him having a displeased look, the younger only swayed his hips and pointed the broom to Mark’s direction.

“you gotta know how to treat me like a baby even when I’m acting crazy”

Mark let out a soft chuckle and run to tackle Donghyuck down. He held Donghyuck’s waist tightly and let themselves drop on their couch with a loud thud. Mark’s on top of Donghyuck, looking at him in the eyes. Donghyuck giggled and kissed Mark repeatedly until the older decided to get up and pull Donghyuck with him.

Halos itapon na ni Mark ang dala-dalang paper bag at ang walis na hawak ni Hyuckie. Hinila niya si Hyuck padapa sa kanya at agad na hinakan ito.

The kiss is a little aggressive. There are tongues and teeth involved. Mark let his hands travel on Donghyuck’s wet body. He can feel the moist of the younger’s sweat under his palms. Donghyuck look the hottest when his hair is all soaked up.

When donghyuck felt Mark reach to pinch his nipple, it was his cue to separate himself from the older. He pulled away from Mark and smirked when he saw Mark catching his breath. Halata sa mukha ni Mark ang pagkabitin. Itinaas ni Donghyuck ang hintuturo para ipakita kay Mark na hindi niya makukuha ang gusto niya.

“Tagal mo, love. Nambabae ka pa ata eh. Ang dami ko nang nagawa oh.”

Inabot ni Donghyuck ang paper bag na nahulog sa coffee table nila matapos nagmamadaling ipatong ni Mark kanina. Kinuha niya rin ang walis na sa sahig sa pagitan ng couch at coffee table. Ambang itutulak ni Donghyuck ang malalaki nilang speakers nang pigilan siya ni Mark.

“Ako na. Ibabalik na lang naman sa mga dating pwesto ‘di ba? Magpahinga ka na lang sa kwarto at maligo kapag pwede na.”

Habol ang hiningang tumango si Donghyuck sa sinabi ni Mark. Itinabi niya ang walis na dala sa lalagyan nito at bitbit ang paper bag na umakyat sa kwarto nila para magpahinga.

Inumpisahan ni Mark ibalik ang mga gamit nila sa dati nitong pwesto. Matapos niyang buhatin ang ilang furnitures at magtulak ng malalaking gamit.

When he went to the kitchen to wash his hands, a stain of blood on the edge of the sink caught his attention. It looks like a hand full of blood grabbed on the edge. Medyo nanunuyo na ito pero kitang-kita na noong araw lang na iyon nagmarka.

Mark wants to cry when he saw that. Alam niya naman kung anong kalagayan ni Donghyuck at alam niya rin kung gaano na ito kalala. Pero kahit ilang beses ata ipaalala at ipamukha ‘yon sa kanya, hindi niya pa rin makakaya na aktwal itong makita. He can feel his knees shaking. Parang hindi niya ata kayang harapin si Donghyuck ngayon dahil alam niyang iiyak vang siya sa harapan nito.

“Love, you wanna eat something?”

Pigil-pigil ni Mark ang mga luhang gustong kumawala bago abutin ang pinakamavapit na basahan sa sink. Binasa niya ito at mabilis na pinunasan ang dugo sa gilid ng sink.

“Nakapagluto na ‘ko kanina eh. Gusto mo initin ko muna?”

Mark faced Donghyuck ang nodded, the younger smiled and went near him. Kinuha nito ang itinabing pagkain sa ref at iniinit sa stove at microwave.

Donghyuck was stirring the soup he’s reheating when Mark gave him a backhug.

“Donghyuck, marry me?”

He didn’t hear it the first time because Mark’s voice was vow and shaky so he hummed for Mark to repeat his question.

Mark held him on both his shouders and turned him around, “Mahal, pakasal na tayo.”

It’s not a question anymore. Mark is aready pleading him. His eyes, Donghyuck can’t look at his eyes. Nagmamaka-awa na si Mark sa kanya at hindi na niya alam kung paano pa siya tatanggi. Ilang beses na siyang umayaw sa proposal ni Mark. Ever since that day they discovered what donghyuck had been suffering, halos buwan-buwan na siyang inaaya ni Mark magpakasal. There are times that his boyfriend even involve their families and friends. Naging matatag si Donghyuck noong mga panahong ‘yon. He was so determine to turn Mark down. Kahit minsan naiisip na niyang bumigay at um-oo na lang. kasi ‘yun naman talaga ang isa sa mga pangarap nila. Isa ‘yon sa mga pangako nila sa isa’t isa. Na sabay silang tatanda. Na mag-aampon sila at bubuo ng pamilya nang magkasama. Pero hindi niya kaya. Hindi niya kayang ikulong si Mark. He love him so much that he’s willing to let go of that dream so that Mark can do it with another person.

Mark has a lot of time on his watch. He has a lot to spend. Hindi hahayaan ni Donghyuck na puputulin na lang din basta ni Mark ang kung anong meron siya para sa kanya. He’s not that selfish. He can’t be that selfish to the one he loves the most.

Kaya kahit hirap na hirap at hindi na niya matingnan ang mga mata ni Mark na nagmamakaawa, nagawa niya pa ring umiling.

“Mahal, kahit ito na lang. ibibigay ko lahat ng gusto mo, please.”

Umiiyak na silang dalawa, walang tumutigil kahit alam nilang nasusunog na ang pagkaing iniinit ni Hyuck. They both don’t have the apetite to eat anymore anyway.

“Hindi ko kaya, love. Hindi ko kayang itali ka sa taong kakawala din naman.”

Mark slowly let himself sit down on the floor. He’s crying so hard. He has his palms together whive looking up to Donghyuck.

“Please…”

Donghyuck wiped his tears and turned. Pinatay niya ang stove at tinanggal sa microwave ang food container na inilagay niya kanina. Hindi na niya pinansin ang pag-iyak at pagmamakaawa ni Mark. He just went straight upstairs to their room and slept.

Donghyuck woke up without Mark beside him. He’s not even sure if Mark slept beside him. Ito na naman sila. They’ll probably spend a night or three without talking to each other again. Hindi naman masisisi ni Donghyuck si Mark kung magtatampo man ito. Alam naman ni Donghyuck kung gaano na niya nasasaktan si Mark. He’s actually thankful that he’s still there beside him. He’s thankful that Mark still choose to stay even though he pushed him away for so many times already.

Pero sa totoo lang, mas gusto pa ni Donghyuck na sumuko at lumayo na lang si Mark. Para hindi na siya masaktan pa. Donghyuck wants Mark’s pain to stop already.