Chapter Text
“Buntis ka.” seryosong saad ni Heeseung nang makatapak siya sa loob ng mumurahing inn na tinutuluyan ni Sunoo. Walang halong biro sa kanyang tono, at mas lalong walang bakas ng alinlangan sa kanyang titig.
Sunoo’s eyes widened, nanigas ang katawan niya as if the weight of those two words was heavier than the humid air of the small room. Naknampucha. Paanong…? Paano siya natunton ni Heeseung dito.
Wala siyang pinagsabihan. Kahit sino. Even Jungwon and Riki had no idea where he went. He left silently, taking only what he needed, trusting no one, telling no one.
But then, he remembered.
Jay.
He mentioned it once. One careless confession through Telegram in the middle of a sleepless night. “I’m just staying in this run-down inn. Malapit lang sa terminal, mura pa.” He never expected Jay to say anything, much less tell Heeseung.
Mahinang napamura si Sunoo sa kanyang isipan. Putang ina. Si Jay talaga. Napapikit siya sa inis, kamay ay kusa na lang gumapang sa sentido niya.
He tried to compose himself, fixing his face into something neutral, calm, kahit na parang may bagyong naghuhumiyaw sa loob niya. Then he turned to face Heeseung.
“Pinagsasabi mo, tanga. Anong buntis? Kilabutan ka nga.” Hilaw na tawa ang pinakawalan niya, sabay lakad papalayo, pilit pinapalakas ang loob kahit nanginginig ang tuhod niya.
Pero Heeseung wasn’t having it.
“We’re really doing this, Sunoo? What? Itatago mo sa’kin?”
His voice was steady, low, threatening—but not in a violent way. It was the kind of voice that demanded truth. That peeled layers off without needing to shout. Then, in one swift movement, Heeseung reached out and pulled his wrist, making Sunoo stumble slightly paharap sa kaniya.
Sunoo’s breath hitched.
Oo. Buntis siya. Oo. May plano siyang itago ang bata. Oo. May plano siyang lumayo. And yes, to all the things Heeseung might assume… yes, it was his.
Pero paano? How did he know? That’s what disturbed Sunoo the most. Because he made sure—walang makakaalam.
He clenched his jaw. Tumitig siya kay Heeseung. Kahit gusto niyang matakot, kahit gusto niyang umatras, hindi pwede. This was his life now. This was his decision.
Hinila niya ang pulso niya palayo mula sa pagkakahawak ni Heeseung. At kahit may bahid ng panginginig ang boses niya, pinilit niyang maging matatag.
“Oo, buntis ako. Ano naman sa’yo?” His voice cracked at the beginning, but recovered at the end. “If you're worried na baka ipaako ko sa'yo ang bata, don’t worry. I’m gonna raise this child myself. May gusto ka pa bang sabihin?”
He turned his back, shoulders tense, voice dropping into something barely audible.
“Gosh, how did you even know I’m pregnant…” bulong niya sa sarili, hindi inaasahang maririnig pa rin ni Heeseung iyon.
But before he could even take a step away, Heeseung’s arms found his waist.
A firm, unapologetic pull. Enough to make Sunoo gasp and stumble backward into his chest.
“A-Ano ba!” Nauutal niyang sambit, halos hindi makahinga.
Heeseung’s breath was warm against his nape. His hand was cold—at least, colder than the heat rising through Sunoo’s skin.
“Don’t talk like I’m not part of this.” Heeseung’s words were quiet. Mababa, buo. “You think I’ll just let you disappear like this? You really think I’ll let you carry this alone?”
Natawa nang mapakla si Sunoo sa sinabi ni Heeseung, isang tawang wala sa tono, walang kasamang tuwa, kundi pagod, bahagyang pandidiri sa sarili, at pait na hindi niya maipaliwanag. Hindi niya aakalain na maririnig niya niya ang pananalitang iyon mula sa mismong bibig ni Heeseung.
After all, they’re just fuck buddies. Nothing more, nothing less. And the child that he’s carrying is none of Heeseung’s business.
Oo, anak din nito ang dinadala niya, pero wala sa usapan nila ang mabuntis siya. Hindi iyon kasama sa kasunduan. Hindi iyon bahagi ng kabaliwang pinasok nila. Kaya nga he’s doing Heeseung a favor by not telling him the truth. He’s protecting him. Protecting them both, actually.
Sunoo stared at Heeseung with a dull ache sitting heavy in his chest, but he masked it with defiance. Tinakpan niya ang sakit sa dibdib ng kapal ng mukha.
“Why are you like this, Hee? Eh, fuck buddy lang naman kita, ‘di ba? Why are you acting like we’re together?” Aniya, at tumitig nang matalim sa lalaki, as if daring him to disagree. As if saying come on, lie to me. Tell me this was more.
Hindi niya napansin ang saglit na pagdaan ng kirot sa mga mata ni Heeseung.
Heeseung didn’t answer. Instead, he reached out and grabbed Sunoo’s wrist, a little too tightly, a little too suddenly, na ikinagulat ni Sunoo.
“W-Wait, saan tayo pupunta? Bitawan mo nga ako!” pag-alma niya, pilit na pinipiglas ang kanyang braso mula sa hawak nito. May kaba sa dibdib niya, hindi dahil natatakot siya kay Heeseung, kundi dahil natatakot siyang bumigay.
“You’re staying with me,” Heeseung replied firmly, dangerously calm. “I can’t let you stay in this… cheap place…”
May halong disgusto sa boses niya, at ikinuyom ni Sunoo ang kamao sa narinig. Napalunok siya. Napalingon sa paligid ng inuupahan niyang maliit na kwarto. Oo, luma. Madilim. Malamig. At minsan may leak sa kisame kapag umuulan. Pero ito lang ang meron siya.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Sunoo, his mouth parting slightly as if to argue, pero bago pa man siya makapagsalita ay hinila na siya ni Heeseung palabas. Hindi na siya hinayaang makuha ang kahit ano, kahit ang cellphone, ang mga prenatal vitamins niya, at kahit ang maliit na teddy bear na nasa unan.
“Teka, ‘yung mga gamit ko!” Saad niya habang pilit na lumilingon pabalik.
But Heeseung didn’t answer. He opened the car door, pushed him gently but firmly into the passenger seat, and closed it behind him with a soft but resolute thud. The kind of silence that ends an argument.
Sunoo stared blankly out the window. He didn’t resist. He didn’t scream. He didn’t cry.
Because he’s tired. Pagod na siyang magpaliwanag, pagod na siyang lumaban.
Kilala niya si Heeseung. Alam niyang kapag may sinabi ito, wala nang atrasan. Kaya kahit alam niyang hindi siya dapat sumama, kahit alam niyang mas gugustuhin niyang maglakad pauwi kaysa sumama kay Heeseung ay wala siyang ginawa kundi ang huminga nang malalim at tanggapin ang kapalaran.
He'll think about the consequences later. For now, bahala na.
May magagawa pa ba si Sunoo? Eh kahit anong pilit pa niyang tumakas, kahit saang lungga pa siya magkubli, hahanapin at hahanapin pa rin siya ni Heeseung.
Parang may kakaiba itong radar na nakatutok lang sa kaniya—built-in, personal GPS kung tawagin ni Riki noon habang binibiro siya. Pero ngayon, hindi na biro. Pagod na siyang magtago. Sa totoo lang.
Kaya nanatili siyang nakaupo, mata ay nakatanaw sa manibela na may ukit pa ng fingerprint ni Heeseung.
He always drove with his bare hands, ayaw nitong mag-gloves kahit may shoot.
It’s been weeks. Ilang linggo na ang lumipas mula nung huli silang nagkita, kaya’t kahit ayaw man niyang aminin, naiintindihan niya kung bakit ganito kagalit sa kanya si Heeseung. Naiintindihan niya, oo, pero hindi ibig sabihin nun ay wala na siyang sariling nararamdaman.
Inilibot ni Sunoo ang tingin sa loob ng kotse ni Heeseung. Porsche Cayenne. Sleek black, matte finish, leather seats, and that faint scent of bergamot and vetiver. Alam na alam niya ang sasakyan na ‘to. At hindi lang dahil ilang beses na siyang sinundo rito ni Heeseung o dahil kabisado na niya ang mga shortcut sa playlist nito. He knows this car very well…
Paanong hindi? Halos lahat ng sulok ng sasakyang ito, may alaala silang dalawa. From the clumsy kisses sa driver seat habang red light pa, hanggang sa gabi kung saan tinulak siya ni Heeseung sa backseat, hinubaran ng dahan-dahan habang umuulan sa labas. The most shameless of all, the memory that made Sunoo's ears burn at the thought was when Heeseung took him on the car hood.
Yes, on the damn hood, barely shielded by the shadows of the hotel’s private parking lot, with nothing but their moans and the sound of cicadas breaking the stillness of the night.
Sunoo almost choked on his thoughts. Really, Sunoo? You’re literally being taken away like a runaway teen, and here you are thinking about how good he was at unhooking your belt with one hand? Get a grip.
Naputol lang ang kanyang paglalakbay sa memorya nang makita niya si Heeseung na lumabas ng inn, hawak-hawak ang dalawang dambuhalang bag na siyang mismong dala ni Sunoo nang pansamantala siyang tumuloy doon. Magkasalubong ang mga kilay nito, parang may bubugbugin, habang pinupuwersa sa katawan ang dalawang pink na maleta.
Kung ibang araw siguro ito, kung wala lang siyang iniisip na guilt o tampo, baka natawa pa si Sunoo. Sino ba namang celebrity actor ang makikitang may pasok pa sa pelikula pero may bitbit na Hello Kitty suitcase? But there was no room for laughter now. Hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala na pati mga gamit niya na nakuha pang balikan ni Heeseung. What is he planning? To kidnap me permanently?
Heeseung opened the trunk with practiced ease, pinasok doon ang mga bag at saka mariing isinara ito, na para bang sinasara na rin ang lahat ng posibilidad para kay Sunoo na makatakbo pa. He then walked to the driver’s seat, slipped in, and without a word, started the engine.
The tension in the air was thick. Oppressive. Walang nagsasalita, kahit ang makina ng kotse ay parang nagpipigil ng hininga. And Sunoo, he didn’t want to speak first. Naiirita siya. Not just at Heeseung, but at himself, sa buong sitwasyon, he hated himself for not resisting.
At oo nga pala. Tangina. He was craving mangoes. Not just any mango. Yung hinog sa puno. ‘Yung dilaw na dilaw at tamis na tamis. And if he was going to be childish about it, gusto niyang si Heeseung mismo ang aakyat sa puno at mamimitas para sa kaniya. Kaya lalo siyang nainis. Because he knew, in his heart, that if he asked, Heeseung would do it. And he hated that. He hated that Heeseung still had that kind of power over him.
So instead, he leaned his forehead against the cold window, letting his gaze drift past the rows of vehicles and taillights. Sa bawat ilaw na lumilipas, sa bawat kotse na kasalubong nila, parang unti-unting nauupos ang galit niya. Or maybe, not really. Maybe, he was just trying to distract himself from the fact that he was back in the car of the one person he swore to avoid.
Sunoo’s eyes wandered until he saw it, the towering billboard along EDSA. There he was. Standing tall, in a perfectly tailored black suit, lips slightly parted, gaze piercing even from dozens of feet high. Lee Heeseung. National heartthrob. Commercial king. Ang lalaking sinusundan ng milyon-milyong tao sa social media.
How could he have forgotten?
His fuck buddy is a goddamn celebrity.
Sunoo shut his eyes for a moment. Hindi niya alam kung matatawa siya o maiiyak. Maybe both. To think that it felt surreal. What started as a one-night stand turned into months of entanglement, of secrets, of sneak-outs and morning coffees and subtle touches beneath the table. Hindi niya rin kasi sinasadya na mahulog. Hindi niya ginusto. Pero hindi rin naman siya binigyan ng pagkakataong umiwas.
At ngayon, he was back here. In this damn car. In the middle of traffic and a thousand unsaid words, beside the man who looked like sin and salvation rolled into one.
Heeseung glanced at him briefly. Just enough for their eyes to meet in the reflection of the window.
Sunoo remembered how they first met and what led them to being fuck buddies in the first place.
Sunoo had just officially graduated a week ago; he’s a tambay with a degree right now. Ang susunod na aatupagin niya ay ang pag-aayos ng mga papeles para makapagreview na siya sa wakas. He’s planning to take the board exam soon, to finally become a CPA. Medyo nangangapa pa siya kung saan hihingi ng tulong o kung anong review center ang kukunin niya, but for now, hindi muna ‘yun ang iniisip niya. For now, Sunoo just wants to breathe. He deserved a momentary escape.
Kaya nung inimbita siya ni Jay sa party nito sa Oasis, hindi na siya nagpakipot pa. Jay told him he rented the whole place for a night—yes, the entire venue. That’s how loaded Jay is. But Sunoo wasn’t surprised. Sa dami ng kaibigan ni Jay, at sa connections nitong para bang galing sa teleserye, it made sense.
Jay also mentioned that he invited someone big, like celebrity-level big. Pero wala nang inusisa pa si Sunoo tungkol doon. Hindi siya mahilig sa chismis pag hindi directly involved. And truthfully, his mind was somewhere else. Somewhere more… chaotic.
Sunoo smiled faintly at the mirror. Patapos na siya mag-ayos. A small tint glossed his lips, it was barely red, pero sapat para bumagay sa natural na mapula niyang pisngi. Nilagyan din niya ng konting glitters ang gilid ng mga mata niya, it was subtle, but enough to catch the light. Nakasuot siya ng black crop top that hugged his waist just right. It was revealing, but not vulgar. He paired it with fitted slacks and chunky black boots.
He knew he looked good.
Pagkatapos ayusin ang buhok ay lumabas na siya ng bahay. Mabuti na lang at wala ang mama niya, siguradong napagalitan pa siya nang dahil lang sa suot.
The moment he arrived at Oasis, he was greeted by pulsing neon lights, bass-heavy music, and bodies moving in sync to the beat. The air smelled like alcohol, perfume, and smoke. It was overwhelming, yes, but it was also something he’s grown to love.
He thrived in chaos. He’s always been like that.
His college memories came flashing back—lalo na ‘yung isang beses na nagpunta siya sa party habang may quiz kinabukasan. Dala-dala pa niya noon ang librong taxation, and he remembers being tucked in a dimly lit corner, reviewing while sipping soda. At kapag natapos na niya ang isang chapter, tatayo siya’t sasayaw as if nothing else existed but the music. That was his way of living a balance between responsibility and rebellion.
Sunoo smiled at the memory, naputol lang ang iniisip niya nang may umakbay sa kaniya at nang lingunin ay nakita niya si Jake na may malaki at nakakaaliw na ngiti sa mga labi, parang bata na nakakita ng paboritong kendi.
“Sunny! Sabi ko nga ba pupunta ka, you never missed any parties, right?” bati nito habang mabilis siyang hinila sa isang yakap at hinalikan sa pisngi. Napasimangot si Sunoo at mabilis na pinunasan ang pisngi pero hindi na rin umangal pa.
“Of course, I’m Kim Sunoo. I’m always present!” sagot niya sabay taas ng kilay, tapos ay kinuha ang basong hawak ni Jake at tinungga iyon na parang matagal siyang nauhaw.
Napahalakhak si Jake at umiling. “You never change.”
“I do. I got hotter,” sagot niya ulit na may kasamang kindat, at muling tumawa ang lalaki habang iginiya siya palapit sa mesa kung saan naroon ang iba pa nilang kaibigan.
Sa mesa, agad niyang nakita ang pamilyar na mukha nina Jungwon, Riki, Hoon, at Jay. Nang makita siya ng mga ito ay nagsilabasan ang mga ngiti at pagbati. Ang ingay ng party sa paligid ay parang nabawasan kahit papaano dahil sa sigla ng grupo nilang magkakaibigan.
“Congrats nga pala, Sun! Sheesh, our cum laude!” sigaw ni Hoon sabay abot ng baso niya para mag-toast.
“Thanks, Hoon! Ako lang ‘to,” sagot ni Sunoo sabay abot ng baso na hawak ni Hoon at saka ito ininom, dahil doon ay naghiyawan silang lahat.
Nagkuwentuhan sila ng kung anu-ano lang. Kahit pa noong nakaraang linggo lang sila huling nagkita, parang ang dami pa ring kailangang pag-usapan. Sunoo was deep in conversation with Riki about Valorant —yes, he finally caved in and started playing at kahit ilang beses na siyang natodas sa game ay excited pa rin siyang ikuwento ang karanasan niya.
“It’s fun to play pala kahit ilang beses akong namatay,” reklamo ni Sunoo sabay pout, tila ba siya ang pinaka-kawawang karakter sa buong lobby nila.
Riki snorted. “Sun, you died ten seconds into the match and blamed the grass.”
“It was suspicious,” sagot niya agad, “Bakit may damo sa corner ng hallway? That’s suspicious behavior.”
“Not the grass being sus,” tawa ni Riki, at halos mapasigaw na ang lahat sa kakatawa.
Sunoo was about to add something pa sana, some witty clapback or another exaggerated excuse, pero naputol siya nang marinig niya ang boses ni Jay mula sa tapat niya.
“Ethan, pre! I’m glad you came,” tawag ni Jay habang tumatayo at kumakaway.
Dahil doon ay napalingon si Sunoo sa likuran niya, curious kung sino ‘yung tinatawag. At para siyang nalunod sa sariling hininga nang makita ang lalaking bagong dating, tahimik na nakatingin na pala sa kaniya. May awra itong hindi niya maipaliwanag, parang isang karakter na lumabas lang bigla mula sa TV screen—at literal na ganon nga, dahil ang lalaking kaharap niya ay walang iba kundi si Lee Heeseung.
His eyes were sharp, intense but calm, and his face—good God, parang hindi makatao ang ayos. Parang sinadya ng langit na magmukhang sining ang pagkakabuo ng mukha nito. Tall, perfectly styled, dressed in all black, and just screaming “celebrity” without trying.
Naputol lang ang staring contest nilang dalawa nang lapitan na ito ni Jay at tinapik sa balikat. “Guys, this is Ethan. He’s that friend I was telling you about.”
Hindi na kailangan ni Jay na ipaliwanag pa. Ethan was Lee Heeseung. As in the Lee Heeseung. The country’s golden boy. The face of half the billboards in the metro. The same Lee Heeseung na hinahangaan ng mga tita, ng mga college girls, even ng mga lolo’t lola. He’s the talk of the town, and now he’s standing just a few feet away from Sunoo like it’s nothing.
Sunoo blinked slowly, at parang doon lang nagsink-in ang realidad.
Putangina. What the fuck is happening right now?
Hindi siya makakilos. Hindi niya alam kung dapat ba siyang tumayo at bumati, o dapat na lang siyang maglaho sa hangin. He felt his pulse quicken, and his skin warm.
Tangina, sobrang gwapo.
Sobrang tingkad ng kulay pula nitong buhok na sa pagkakaalam ni Sunoo ay parang last week lang ay itim pa. For someone like Sunoo who prefers the understated elegance pf black, he still had to admit: the red suited Heeseung in a way that felt dangerously captivating.
May angas, may dating, at may kung anong bagay na hindi kayang iwasan ng kahit sinong titingin.
Kahit sobrang ingay ng bar, ‘yung tipong sng tugtog ay umaabot hanggang sa dibdib mo at bumabayo sa ilalim ng mesa, Heeseung seemed to walk in with his own gravitational field. He was not just walking.
He made the space move for him.
Sunoo felt his breath hitch for a moment, fingers tightening subtly around the base of his glass. A shallow part of him wanted to scoff, brush it off as typical charisma. It was the kind that forces you to notice, makes you feel small, conscious, and somehow… seen.
Sunoo’s friends began introducing themselves, each one more excited than the last. Sunoo, meanwhile, froze. For a few seconds, parang hindi siya makagalaw, hindi siya makasalita. His mouth opened, then closed, like he was buffering. Pero agad din siyang nakabawi.
“I’m Sunoo,” he said, soft but steady. And he smiled, like he wasn’t just screaming internally.
Heeseung turned to him slowly, one brow raising ever so slightly before tugging his lips into a smirk. “I’m Heeseung, but you can call me Ethan,” he said in a low voice.
Then, his fingers wrapped around Sunoo’s hand, warm and firm, just the right pressure for a shake… except it wasn’t just a shake. Heeseung’s thumb brushed the side of his knuckles, then squeezed— deliberately.
Sunoo nearly choked on air.
Agad niya itong binawi, trying his best to keep his expression calm, nonchalant. But deep inside, may sumisigaw. Shit. Shit. Shit. It felt like something just shifted. Na para bang may invisible string na biglang humila sa pagitan nila, at hindi siya sigurado kung siya lang ba ang nakakaramdam nun.
Heeseung didn’t seem to notice, or he was just pretending not to. He took the empty space beside Sunoo like it belonged to him, casually leaning back with an arm resting at the edge of Sunoo’s seat. The scent of his cologne floated between them—earthy, spicy, fresh. Masculine, yes, but not overwhelming.
It wasn’t suffocating. It was inviting.
Sunoo tried to shake it off, refocused his eyes on the conversation around them. Their friends were already chatting, getting more comfortable with every drink and laugh. Si Sunghoon ang unang nagtanong kung hindi ba busy si Heeseung. With a relaxed grin, Heeseung answered, “I’m on a break. First one in months.”
Tumango si Sunoo at nanatili siyang tahimik. He just nodded along, smiled politely when needed. Hindi siya nakikisingit, hindi rin nagpapansin. For once, gusto lang niyang makinig.
At sa totoo lang, nahihilo siya, pero hindi dahil sa alak. Nahihilo siya sa presensyang nasa tabi niya.
Jay, who sat across the table, casually mentioned that he and Heeseung had been friends since college. Sunoo blinked, caught off guard. He knew Jay had a lot of connections, pero he didn’t expect this one .
Sabagay, hindi pa naman sila ganun katagal magkakilala. Heeseung, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease with everything. He even thanked Jay for renting out the bar for the night, kahit sinabing pupunta naman siya kahit punuan.
And then there was silence. Not literal, but the kind that made Sunoo feel removed from the moment. His friends were laughing, talking, and sipping their drinks. Pero siya? He was still stuck thinking about that handshake, that smirk, that accidental but purposeful closeness.
It was too much. Yet not enough.
Parang gusto niyang tumayo at lumabas para makahinga, pero ayaw rin niyang gumalaw. Baka mapansin. Baka lalo siyang mapagtuunan ng pansin. Or worse, baka sundan siya.
Heeseung leaned closer, his breath brushing against the shell of Sunoo’s ear. “Are you always this quiet?” he asked, voice low, almost teasing.
Sunoo flinched slightly. “Not really,” he replied, and to his surprise, his voice didn’t crack.
“You should talk more. You’ve got a nice voice.” Then Heeseung leaned back like he didn’t just say anything that made Sunoo's heart skip so hard it could've leapt out of his throat.
Tangina.
He’s fucked, isn’t he?
Nararamdaman ni Sunoo ang pagtitig ni Heeseung sa gilid niya pero ni isang beses ay hindi siya lumingon. Inabala niya ang kanyang sarili sa mga kwento ni Jungwon, na laging may kasamang sound effects at exaggerated na hand gestures. Ngising-ngisi si Sunoo, tumatawa sa mga hirit ni Jungwon kahit ang totoo, wala naman siyang naiintindihan. He just wanted to appear occupied, distraction was his safest armor.
It seemed that Heeseung was already comfortable with his friends. He blended in so well that you wouldn’t think he used to be the aloof one at every gathering. At kahit ganoon, the gravity of his presence never left Sunoo.
Laging may panibagong bigat sa dibdib niya tuwing nariyan si Heeseung, kahit pa nakikipag-usap ito sa iba o tumatawa sa jokes ni Jake, he always felt like he was the only one in Heeseung’s line of sight. And tonight, it felt especially overwhelming.
Sunoo laughed again, this time mas malakas, when Riki added a corny line to Jungwon’s joke. Inangat pa niya ang palad at marahang hinampas sa balikat ni Riki, a gesture too familiar, too innocent. He leaned in to see Riki’s face, red from alcohol and laughter, and giggled once more.
But then, he felt it , the slight warmth of someone’s breath barely brushing his nape.
Tumindig ang lahat ng balahibo niya sa batok.
Sunoo doesn’t want to turn back. So he didn’t. Nanatili siyang tuod, pilit pa ring pinapakinggan ang huling sinabi ni Jungwon kahit wala na siyang naririnig.
“I’m just getting the drink,” Heeseung’s voice was close enough to stir the air beside his ear. Malamig pero mabigat.
And with that, Sunoo took a small, almost mechanical step back, away from Riki.
He didn’t say a word.
Heeseung didn’t either.
But the message was loud. Loud enough to replace the music, the noise, and the laughter around them. Hindi na siya lumapit kay Riki. Heeseung didn’t need to do anything more; he just stayed beside him, towering like a warning, and Sunoo simply stayed . Because whatever this was between them, Sunoo didn’t know if it was control or just attention in disguise, and he was too tired tonight to challenge either.
Nahihilo na siya. Not quite drunk, but enough to make the room tilt slightly. He tried to keep still, closing his eyes for a second para mawala ang hilo. And when he opened them again, he caught Heeseung glancing his way, eyes narrowed, sharp, concerned, or maybe assessing.
Sunoo stood up, brushing imaginary dust off his pants. “CR muna ako,” paalam niya sa mga kaibigan niya, forcing a quick smile.
“Samahan na kita, Sun,” alok ni Riki, but Sunoo raised his hand a little too fast, eyes wide in sudden panic. “No need! Balik din ako kaagad,” sambit niya agad-agad, at kahit pa may konting pag-aalinlangan sa mukha ng kaibigan, he didn’t wait for anyone’s response.
He walked away.
No, ran would be the better term. He needed out. As if staying there longer would drain what was left of his composure. Hindi na siya lumingon. Bawat hakbang niya, pinipigilan niyang hindi tumakbo, and when he finally turned the corner of the hallway where the lights were dimmer, saka lang siya huminga nang malalim.
Pero ang hindi niya alam ay may isa pang tumayo mula sa kinauupuan.
Heeseung.
“Are you following me?”
Heeseung’s lips curled slightly, almost as if amused. “Maybe. But you didn’t exactly look like you wanted to be alone.”
“That doesn’t mean I wanted to be with you.”
Ouch. That one hit. But Heeseung didn’t flinch.
“Then why didn’t you push me away?”
Sunoo didn’t respond. He looked away, arms crossed now like a shield. “You think too highly of your effect on people.”
“I don’t,” sagot ni Heeseung, mas malumanay na ngayon, “I only think highly of my effect on you .”
Sa pagkakaalam ni Sunoo ay nag-CR lang siya upang mag-retouch ng kanyang makeup, konting ayos ng blush, lip tint, at pulbo. Mabilis lang sana, discreet even, para hindi mahalata ng iba na medyo nag-panic siya sa init na naramdaman niya sa katawan noong nagkatinginan sila ni Heeseung habang nasa hallway.
One thing he knew, he was just checking his reflection. Then the next thing he knew, si Heeseung na ang nasa likuran niya, tahimik, matalim ang mga mata, at ang kinikimkim nitong pananabik ay parang nagsisimulang kumawala.
“Do you think you can escape from me?” bulong ni Heeseung sa tenga niya, and even before Sunoo could formulate a proper answer, marahan na siyang isinandal nito sa pader ng cubicle. The soft click of the lock echoed faintly, but his loud heartbeat easily drowned it out.
Napaigtad siya nang maramdaman ang mainit na labi ni Heeseung sa kanyang leeg. “Hmm, fuck… yes, there…” halinghing niya, sinasandalan ang malamig na tiles habang dumidiin ang bawat sipsip ng nakatatanda sa balat niya.
It wasn’t just lust—it felt like hunger. Rabid, urgent, and inexplicably personal.
Sunoo’s knees almost buckled when Heeseung bit lightly, then licked the spot as if soothing the mark he just made. He tried to speak, maybe to protest, maybe to say his name, pero naunahan siya ng labi ni Heeseung na lumapat sa kanyang labi.
Sunoo couldn’t help but respond. Napakapit siya sa batok ni Heeseung, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss with a desperation he didn’t know he had. Heeseung groaned lowly, a sound that made Sunoo's stomach flip, especially when he felt the boy's hand crawl up his bare waist.
Napapikit si Sunoo nang maramdaman niya ang init ng kamay ni Heeseung sa balat niya. His breath hitched, his pulse quickened.
Heeseung pulled away from the kiss for a brief moment, hinahabol ang kanyang hininga. “You taste so fucking sweet,” bulong nito, sinundan ng marahang pagdampi ng kanyang ilong sa pisngi ni Sunoo, who could only whimper as he felt the heat pool between his legs.
“Stop…” aniya, mahina, parang siya mismo ay hindi kumbinsido. But his grip on Heeseung’s arms only tightened, not to push away, but to stay grounded.
“Hmm? But your actions say otherwise, baby…” Heeseung’s voice was sultry. His kisses now peppered Sunoo’s jawline, pababa, at ang kanyang kamay ay unti-unting dumadako sa maselang bahagi ng katawan ni Sunoo.
Sunoo's eyes fluttered shut. Kumapit siya nang mahigpit sa braso ni Heeseung habang ang isa nitong kamay ay dahan-dahang pumapasok sa kanyang pantalon.
He tried to protest again, his voice trembling. “Heeseung… someone might come in…”
“Then be quiet for me, baby,” Heeseung murmured, at sa sandaling iyon ay parang may pumutok na sensasyon sa dibdib ni Sunoo, something between panic and exhilaration.
Sunoo felt his thighs twitch when Heeseung’s fingers brushed against the thin fabric of his underwear. Nang tuluyang idikit nito ang daliri sa kanyang ari, he gasped, his back arching slightly. His mouth formed a silent ‘O’ as electricity surged from where Heeseung touched him all the way to his spine.
“You’re so fucking wet, baby…” bulong ni Heeseung habang nilalaro ang labi ng kanyang panty, teasing him just enough to make Sunoo tremble.
Hindi na siya nagsalita. His breathing was ragged, shallow. The air inside the cubicle felt too thin, too hot.
At kahit pilit na sinasabi ng utak niyang mali ito, na may makakahuli sa kanila, na delikado ito, na hindi niya dapat gustuhin ito, his body told another story. His hands, instead of pushing Heeseung away, were gripping his shirt tightly, drawing him closer. His hips, instead of retreating, leaned into the touch.
Heeseung’s lips found his again, slow and deliberate this time. Parang pinapakalma siya, pero sa totoo lang ay mas lalo siyang nawawala sa sarili. Sunoo knew he was in trouble, deep trouble, and yet…
God, he didn’t want to be anywhere else.
“Hngg… Hee… please…” Sunoo moaned when Heeseung’s fingers played his clitoris.
“Please what, love?” he whispered softly on Sunoo's ear habang hinahalikan niya ang gilid ng labi nito na ngayon ay bahagyang nakaawang.
Instead of answering, Sunoo slowly grinded his already dripping cunt on Heeseung's fingers, it seemed that Heeseung got the message kung kaya't pinasok niya sa puke ni Sunoo ang daliri niya.
“H-Hee… aahhh…” halinghing ni Sunoo sa tenga niya.
“I easily slid my finger on you, ganoon ka kabasa?” saad ni Heeseung sa kanya at saka natawa.
“Sikip mo, tangina,” bastos na bulong nito sa tenga niya at saka inilabas pasok ang daliri sa kanyang puke.
Sunoo's eyes rolled back in pleasure, mahigpit siyang napakapit sa likod ni Heeseung habang patuloy pa rin siyang finifinger nito. His body rocked helplessly against the strong rhythm of Heeseung’s wrist, sweat clinging to the nape of his neck, and in that moment—parang wala nang ibang naririnig si Sunoo kundi ang sariling ungol at lalim ng paghinga ni Heeseung.
“Hmm? Do you want another finger?” Before he could resist, he had already inserted another finger within him. The stretch was uncomfortable, causing Sunoo to arch his back and moan louder.
“T-Tangina mo….” Sunoo glared at him slightly, but his resolve was weakening.
Heeseung just chuckled, the sound low and rich, as if he could drink Sunoo’s helplessness like wine. “You say that,” he murmured, “but look at you, Sunoo.”
His fingers curled, hitting that one sensitive spot that made Sunoo whimper through gritted teeth. His head fell forward, lips brushing against Heeseung’s collarbone as he tried to stay upright, but his legs were already shaking. He felt like he was going to break apart, split open under the pressure of Heeseung’s deliberate, knowing touch.
And then, just when his thighs started to tense, when that unbearable tight coil in his stomach was about to snap—
He stopped.
He fucking stopped.
Sunoo whimpered, blinking back tears of frustration. Heeseung pulled his fingers out slowly, watching as his slick coated his skin, glistening under the sterile bathroom lights.
“W-why did you stop?” Sunoo weakly asked him, his voice barely above a whisper.
Heeseung didn’t answer right away. He just raised his fingers, licking them, one, then the other, like it was some divine delicacy. His tongue dragged over the pads slowly, his eyes never leaving Sunoo's face.
"Because," Heeseung said quietly, then moved without warning.
Inisang hakbang lang at buhat na niya si Sunoo, the younger yelping softly in surprise as he was lifted and placed on the cold marble sink counter. The cold made him gasp, but that shock was quickly replaced by something hotter, needier, when Heeseung fell to his knees in front of him.
Sunoo barely had time to react before Heeseung shoved his thighs apart.
The next thing he knew, Heeseung's mouth was on him.
“Fuck!” Sunoo screamed at what he did, both hands flying down to grab his hair instinctively.
"I don't want to waste your juices, baby. Your first cum should be in my mouth," Heeseung murmured against his core, his breath hot and damp.
Sunoo shuddered violently when Heeseung’s tongue slid against him—slow at first, teasing licks, tracing the length of him, then a focused flick to his clit that made his hips jerk forward.
“A-Ang sarap… Hee…” he breathed, his fingers curling tighter into Heeseung’s hair. He didn’t know if he was pushing him away or pulling him closer. Maybe both.
Heeseung groaned into his cunt like he was addicted. “Tastes even sweeter than I imagined, love. You always act so fucking bratty but down here? You're soft. You're honest.”
Sunoo whimpered again, back arching when Heeseung’s tongue circled his clit in tight, devastating swirls.
“N-not too fast…” Sunoo choked out, but Heeseung ignored him.
Or rather, he heard him—and deliberately didn’t care.
Heeseung’s hands gripped Sunoo’s thighs tighter, thumbs pressing bruises into soft flesh. He buried his tongue deeper, nose brushing Sunoo’s mound, and the vibration of his soft moans against his cunt made Sunoo gasp louder, eyes fluttering shut.
His vision started to blur. Ang mga hita niya ay nanginginig na sa sarap. Every nerve ending in his body felt like it was lighting up, like all his shame and secrets were being worshipped at the altar of Heeseung’s mouth.
“Heeseung… I-I can’t—” Sunoo cried out, voice breaking as his orgasm slammed into him like a crashing wave.
His body bucked, his legs tried to close, pero pinigilan siya ni Heeseung, keeping his mouth locked in place, lapping up everything he had to give.
Sunoo's toes curled. His hands lost strength, falling to the edge of the counter to support himself. The room was spinning. All he could hear was the thudding of his heartbeat in his ears and the wet, obscene sounds between his legs.
When it was over, and Heeseung finally pulled away, his chin was shining with slick, his lips swollen. He looked up at him with a half-lidded gaze that made Sunoo’s stomach flip all over again.
“See?” Heeseung said softly, breathless. “Told you I’d take care of you.”
Sunoo just stared at him, chest heaving, throat dry, words failing to come.
But his silence didn’t go unnoticed.
Heeseung slowly rose to his feet and cupped Sunoo’s cheek gently, brushing a thumb under his eye as if wiping away a nonexistent tear. “Wanna talk now, or do you need another round before you find your voice again?”
“Putangina mo talaga…” Sunoo whispered hoarsely.
Heeseung grinned, then leaned in to kiss him on the lips, slowly this time, sweetly, like he hadn't just torn Sunoo apart moments ago.
And Sunoo let him.
“You think we're done? Let's go to my place,” Heeseung whispered to him.
Sunoo wasn’t sure if his legs were still trembling from the intensity of his release or the sheer absurdity of what just happened.
There was a moment, an odd, heavy pause, right after they stumbled inside Heeseung’s penthouse, where the only thing he could hear was the thundering of his own heartbeat. He didn’t even get a chance to scan the expensive walls, the muted city lights that peered through the floor-length windows, or the faint scent of wood and something undeniably masculine. Dahil agad siyang kinarga ni Heeseung at inihiga sa kama—parang prized possession na kailangang ilatag ng maayos bago gamitin.
Sunoo tried to say something. Anything. But before he could even catch his breath, Heeseung was already on top of him again, kissing him like he was trying to suck the soul out of his lungs.
And then the fucking started.
Heeseung fucked him like he owned him. Like he had every right to pin his wrists down and thrust deep until Sunoo was crying again, pleading, sobbing against the pillows.
Heeseung didn’t speak much this time. Not until he was buried inside him, hand gripping Sunoo’s chin so their eyes met.
“You feel that?” Heeseung murmured, his breath hot, voice low. “That’s me ruining you.”
And God, he did. Every stroke was a curse and a promise, every moan that tore from Sunoo’s lips felt like a sin he was more than willing to confess. Hindi niya alam kung ilang beses siyang nilabasan, basta ang alam niya, bawat ulos ni Heeseung ay parang kinukuryente ang buong katawan niya.
The sheets were a mess. Sunoo's thighs were sticky with sweat and cum, and he couldn’t stop shaking. Heeseung came hard inside him, groaning his name like a prayer, and only then did his weight collapse beside Sunoo.
Heeseung didn’t cuddle. He didn’t coo. Tumayo siya agad, tumungo sa banyo para maglinis ng sarili habang si Sunoo ay nanatiling nakahiga sa kama, nakatulala sa kisame na parang bagong gising mula sa bangungot, o panaginip, hindi na rin niya alam.
His thoughts were racing. Were they seen? Did someone recognize him? Hindi naman siya kilala sa lugar na ‘to, but Heeseung?
Heeseung was someone . Not just some random rich guy with a nice car and a sharper tongue. Kilala siya. May pangalan. May reputation. And now Sunoo was just another boy who got fucked in his penthouse, soaked in his sheets, and left to wonder what the hell came after.
He closed his eyes, but the image of Heeseung’s face kept appearing, each one different. The way he looked at him while licking him out like he’d die without it. The smirk before he pushed in deep. The softness in his eyes for a brief second after he came.
Sunoo thinks that this is a one-time thing anyway, at least he gets to experience being fucked by Lee Heeseung.
Naputol ang pag-iisip ni Sunoo nang bumalik si Heeseung na may dalang towel, freshly laundered, still faintly warm from the dryer. Walang suot na pang-itaas si Heeseung, ang abs nito ay kitang-kita sa liwanag ng dim lamp sa kwarto, and for a moment, Sunoo forgot how to breathe again.
Wala nang lakas si Sunoo para gumalaw pa. His thighs ached and trembled whenever he moved. Parang mas lalo pa siyang lumubog sa malambot na kama, pinipilit na lang na huwag mapahiyaw muli sa pagod. Hinayaan niya si Heeseung na siya ang magpunas sa kanya, marahang dampi ng towel sa pagitan ng mga hita niya na ilang beses nang kinain, nilawayan, at pinaligaya.
Apat na rounds. Ilang beses siyang nilabasan kahit wala pang ipinasok sa kanya. Nilunod siya sa sarap, sa dila, sa daliri, at sa mga mata ni Heeseung na laging gutom.
Hindi niya inasahang may aftercare pa pala ito. Akala niya kasi pagkatapos siyang wasakin, ay iiwanan na lang siya nito. Akala niya si Heeseung ‘yung tipo ng lalaki na magbubukas lang ng pinto, magbibigay ng tamod, tapos aalis na parang wala lang. Pero hindi pala. Mali siya.
And it’s not that he hated being wrong this time.
Sunoo was too deep in his thoughts na hindi niya napansin na binuhat na pala siya ni Heeseung, carrying him bridal style like he weighed nothing, like his body hadn’t been trembling underneath him just an hour ago. He was already dressed, naka-shirt na ng oversized na cotton at boxer shorts, freshly washed, and smelling like mint and the same detergent Heeseung used on his towels.
Hindi na siya pumalag. He let himself be handled.
“Why are you doing this, Hee?” his voice was softer than a whisper, almost like a secret, habang inaayos ni Heeseung ang comforter sa kama.
Napatigil ang lalaki. Tumalikod ito sandali, pinatong ang kumot nang maayos, then turned to look at him, directly, dangerously.
“I’ve been thinking…” Heeseung started.
Sunoo blinked slowly, trying to read his tone. Wala sa boses nito ang kahit anong biro.
“I couldn’t get enough of you…” Heeseung trailed off. “Let’s be fuck buddies.”
Napatingin si Sunoo sa kanya. His breath hitched, but he quickly covered it with a soft laugh. Fuck buddies. A title he never thought he’d wear with Heeseung. Pero bakit hindi? Who is he to decline that kind of offer?
Still… he needed to ask.
“Why?” he whispered again, watching how Heeseung’s jaw twitched a little.
“I need a distraction. My girlfriend just broke up with me,” sagot nito, hindi niya mawari ang tono nito.
Sunoo’s brows furrowed. Girlfriend? Heeseung had a girlfriend? Wala siyang narinig kahit kanino, kahit sa mga tsismis, kahit saan. Wala. The guy was always single in everyone’s eyes, like an untouchable force no one dared to approach casually.
So sino ang babaeng iyon? Non-showbiz? Hidden sa lahat? O baka naman isa sa mga taong kaya niyang mahalin nang tahimik?
He almost chuckled at himself. Wala siyang karapatang magtanong.
Ano nga bang pake niya?
He shrugged lightly, turning his face away from the lamp’s dim light.
“Sure,” he said simply, cold lips curling into a thin smile. “I’ll be your fuck buddy.”
And that was how it started.
A whispered agreement between breaths and exhaustion. Between a towel and a bed that no longer felt like a stranger’s. Sa gabing walang bituin pero punong-puno ng tanong at katahimikan.
Ayan na. May kasunduan na sila.
Tangina, fuck buddies lang dapat sila eh. Walang usapan tungkol sa kung anong pwedeng mamagitan kung sakaling mapasobra.
Wala sa usapan nila ang mabuntis siya.
Napabalik si Sunoo sa huwisyo niya nang tapikin siya ni Heeseung, mahina lang, pero sapat para maputol ang malalim niyang pag-iisip. Napansin niya lang na matagal na palang nakahinto ang kotse, tahimik, malamlam ang ilaw sa labas, at malamig ang simoy ng gabi. Kanina pa pala sila nasa tapat ng isang malaki at pamilyar-na-hindi-naman-pamilyar na bahay.
He’d been daydreaming again, tumatakas sa realidad gamit ang alaala kung paano nga ba sila unang nagkakilala ni Heeseung. He was supposed to be hiding, and yet here he was, dragged somewhere he didn’t even recognize.
Wait lang. Bahay?
Napakunot-noo siya, napalingon sa bintana.
Kaninong bahay ‘to?
“We’re here,” saad ni Heeseung, habang kalmado nitong tinatanggal ang seatbelt at kaswal na bumaba ng sasakyan, parang wala lang.
“Wait, nasaan tayo?” Sunoo asked, his voice almost cracking with confusion.
Heeseung turned to him with a gentle smirk, the kind that always both irritates and confuses Sunoo. “It’s our house.”
Sunoo blinked twice. Tila hindi niya agad naproseso ang narinig. “Huh? Anong our? Kelan pa tayo nagkabahay, aber?”
“I bought this for us, what else? Ibabahay na kita, ” sagot ni Heeseung na parang ang kaswal lang ng sinasabi niya. Then he shut the door behind him.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Sunoo. Tangina, ano daw? Ibabahay? Did he just say ibabahay na kita ? Heeseung is insane. No, absolutely deranged .
Heeseung walked ahead, calling someone from the gate. Ilang segundo lang, lumapit na ang dalawang guard, parehong naka-uniporme, at walang imik na kinuha ang mga bagahe ni Sunoo sa trunk.
Putangina. Anong klaseng setup ‘to?
Bago pa man siya makatanggi o makatakbo pabalik sa kotse, bumukas ang passenger door. Naroon si Heeseung, naka-abot ng kamay, all polite and annoyingly warm. “Let’s go, come down slowly,” he said, softer this time.
Sunoo didn’t take his hand but stepped out anyway. Ayaw niyang magmukhang helpless. Pero habang naglalakad sila palapit sa pintuan, ay muli siyang tinanong ni Heeseung.
“Are you hungry?”
Tumikhim lang si Sunoo, pero hindi niya maikakailang kumalam na naman ang tiyan niya. Damn it. Naalala niya bigla ‘yung mangga matagal na niyang kinikrave. At kung pwede lang magpa-deliver ng cravings ng buntis via teleportation, matagal na niyang ginawa.
Pagpasok nila sa loob, Sunoo nearly gasped. The word house suddenly felt too small.
It looked more like a villa , with wide open spaces, marble floors, high ceilings, and a spiral staircase that screamed money. Ang una niyang naisip: this place feels lived in. May mga gamit na parang matagal nang naroon. Family portraits, books on the shelf, and a throw blanket lazily folded over the couch.
So... pinaghandaan talaga ‘to ni Heeseung?
Is he doing all this... for him?
Sunoo bit his lip, not out of guilt but out of confusion. Sa dinami-dami ng puwedeng gawin ni Heeseung, why go this far?
He remembered why this all started. Kung bakit sila naging... fubu. Heeseung was trying to get over an ex. He said he needed a distraction.
So is this still part of the distraction?
If yes, then... ang OA mo naman, Heeseung. Sino ba namang fubu ang bumibilii ng mansion?
Sunoo scoffed, trying not to show too much emotion. Whatever. Saka na niya iisipin lahat ng ito once nakaalis na siya rito. After all, this wasn’t permanent. He wasn’t staying.
Hell no.
Pero gaya ng isang traidor na alagad ng katawan, narinig niya ang tiyan niyang muling tumunog. Hindi lang siya ang gutom— pareho silang gutom ng anak niya. Hindi man niya gusto ang sitwasyon, gutom siya, at parang gusto na rin niyang maupo sandali.
“I had the kitchen stocked,” saad ni Heeseung habang tinatanggal ang coat niya, iniabot ito sa isang staff na ngayon lang lang napansin ni Sunoo.
“Let’s go to the kitchen. I’ll cook you some food, what do you want?” malambing pa rin na saad ni Heeseung habang hawak ang pulsuhan ni Sunoo, guiding him gently with each step toward the soft lights of the kitchen.
“I want adobo,” he answered, voice a bit hoarse, barely above a whisper.
Heeseung nodded, his hand still holding Sunoo’s for a second longer before letting go. “Alright. Chicken or pork?” tanong nito.
“Chicken, please.” Sagot niya habang nauupo sa bar stool na malapit sa counter, legs folding under him like a child trying to shrink himself smaller than how he already feels.
There was silence. And then…
Heeseung stared at him.
As in stared.
With no blink, no rush, no pretensions. As if trying to memorize Sunoo’s face, every soft curve, every flutter of his lashes, every downcast glance of his eyes as he slowly felt the heat crawling to his cheeks. Napaiwas siya ng tingin, hand twitching on the counter.
Putangina. He knows that look.
But what made him freeze was what came after.
Heeseung leaned down, crouched just slightly to Sunoo’s eye level. Then, he kissed him on the cheek.
No words were said. Just a kiss.
And then he turned around like it was the most normal thing in the world, heading to the fridge to prepare the ingredients.
Sunoo was stunned.
Natigilan siya, hindi makagalaw. Para siyang dinapuan ng lintik, pinigilan ang sariling humawak sa pisngi, pero naramdaman niyang namumula na siya.
What the fuck was that?
Bakit parang normal lang ‘yon kay Heeseung?
Hindi niya talaga maintindihan ‘to minsan. Hindi niya rin maintindihan ang sarili niya.
Kaya nga siya nahulog, diba?
At first, it was just a joke. Something thrilling and reckless—“let's just be fubus, walang label, walang rules, walang commitment.” Parang ang dali ng lahat. Akala niya safe siya. Kasi hindi naman siya tanga para umasa. Akala niya sapat na ang logic para mapigilan ang puso.
Tangina. Sino bang niloko niya?
Heeseung was never playing by the rules.
Kasi kung totoo ngang fubus lang sila, bakit siya ang pinipili nito gabi-gabi? Bakit kapag may lakad sila kasama ang barkada, lagi siyang hinihintay, laging may bitbit na jacket for him, laging may hawak na kamay na para bang hindi pwedeng mapahiwalay?
Sino bang fubu ang nanliligaw sa ina mo, just so he can be allowed to stay overnight sa bahay mo?
Sino bang fubu ang bibilhan ka ng damit, just so you won’t have to go home after spending the night in his penthouse?
Sino bang fubu ang nagtatampo kapag hindi ka nagrereply?
Kapag may ibang kasama ka, parang nawawala sa mood. Parang bata. Parang boyfriend.
Heeseung treated him like he was something more. Someone more.
And God, Sunoo let him.
And now… now he’s pregnant.
Pregnant with Heeseung’s child.
Sunoo laughed bitterly inside his head. Kung ito ‘yung consequence ng pagiging marupok niya, sana man lang sinabihan siya ahead of time.
He expected that this would be the breaking point. That Heeseung would take this as the final red flag, the final cue to leave him.
Pero bakit hanggang ngayon, andiyan pa rin ito?
Hindi siya iniwan. Ang mas nakakabaliw, Heeseung stayed. Stayed and kissed him and cooked for him like nothing changed.
Parang hindi nito ikinabigla ang balita.
Parang tanggap na tanggap nito ang lahat. Including the baby. Including him.
But the scariest part?
Hindi niya alam kung hanggang kailan. Hindi niya rin alam kung ano bang nararamdaman talaga ni Heeseung para sa kaniya.
Ayaw niyang itanong. Ayaw niyang marinig. Dahil kung sakaling hindi ito tugma sa gusto niyang marinig… he doesn’t know what that would do to him.
So he stays quiet. Pinipili niyang manahimik.
Because the truth is, he would rather cling to this illusion than lose Heeseung altogether.
And for now… the scent of garlic and soy sauce begins to fill the air. Heeseung is cooking for him, still humming a quiet tune under his breath. Tulad ng dati.
“Okay nga lang ako, Ma… Uuwi rin ako next week,” saad ni Sunoo sa telepono habang kausap ang mama niya.
“Siguraduhin mo lang, Nak. Miss na miss ka na namin, ilang linggo ka nang ‘di umuuwi, aba, baka nagtanan na kayo ng boypren mo, ah!” saad nito sa kanya, halatang biro lang pero may halong inis ng konti sa boses.
Sunoo laughed, a bit too quickly, almost as if he was trying to hide something with the sound of his own voice. “Anong tanan? Imbento ka! Wala nga akong jowa, tanan tanan ka diyan,” sagot niya habang marahang hinihimas ang tiyan niya.
“Hindi mo pa ba jowa ‘yung palagi mong dinadala dito? Si Ethan? Duda ako dyan, Nak. Hindi ka pa ba nililigawan non?” tanong ng ina niya, tumatawa pa rin.
Sunoo felt his throat tighten a little. His eyes stared at the ceiling above him, but all he could really see was the memory of Heeseung crouching down to kiss his cheek that one night, right before he cooked him chicken adobo like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Makakatawa pa kaya ang mama niya kung malaman nitong buntis siya at si Heeseung ang ama ng dinadala niya?
“Mama naman eh, kaibigan lang kami…” Sunoo whined, his voice dipping to a pitch lower than usual. “May sasabihin pala ako pag-uwi ko d'yan,” dagdag pa niya, this time a little quieter, almost as if hoping his mother wouldn’t catch the way his words trembled.
“Anong kalokohan na naman ‘yan?” tanong nito, medyo nananariwa ang boses ng nanay niya, and Sunoo could almost see her face, forehead creased, lips pursed as if preparing for the worst.
“Basta! Next week ko na sasabihin. Matutulog na ako, Ma. Good night, I love you po,” he said quickly, voice soft, almost afraid.
“Mahal ka rin namin, Sol. Mahal na mahal. Ingat ka d’yan, ah?” tugon ng ina bago tuluyang ibaba ang tawag.
The moment the line ended, Sunoo's hand slipped away from his belly and covered his eyes. His throat made a small noise, not quite a sob, but something close. Hindi niya na mapigilan ang pagpatak ng luha niya. Hindi niya inakalang dadating siya sa puntong kailangan niyang itago ang sarili niya sa mismong mga taong pinakamahal niya.
Gustung-gusto na niyang umuwi, pero paano? Paano kung umuwi siya at makita siya ng mama niya na may kaunting umbok na sa tiyan? What excuse could possibly explain that?
After he found out he was pregnant, kaagad siyang umalis sa dating tinutuluyan niya. He didn’t even finish packing properly. Basta nalang siyang nag-empake ng ilang damit, dala lang ang iilang gamit, at saka sumakay sa unang jeep palabas ng lungsod.
He booked the cheapest inn near the terminal, a place that smelled like old rain and cheap disinfectant. May bintana pero walang kurtina, kaya tuwing gabi ay natatabunan niya ito ng kumot para lang makatulog. Walang TV, walang heater, and definitely no Wi-Fi. But at least it was quiet. At least, walang makakakilala sa kaniya. At least, safe ang sikreto niya.
Ang naging pagkakamali niya lang… ay kung bakit sinabi niya iyon kay Jay.
Jay, who asked too many questions. Jay, who was always too concerned for his own good. Jay, who had that dangerously soft voice when he said, “Let me help you, Sunoo. Please.”
And Sunoo, in a moment of weakness, told him where he was staying. Not because he wanted help, but because part of him wanted someone to still know where he was. Just in case.
What he didn’t expect was for Jay to mention it to Heeseung.
Hindi niya rin maipaliwanag kung bakit mas kinabahan siya nang nalaman ‘yon. Wala namang alam si Jay sa kung anong meron sa kanila. Ang alam lang nila ay naging close silang dalawa. That was it. That was all they were supposed to be.
“I thought Heeseung was joking when he said that you’re pregnant,” saad ni Jay sa kanya nang bisitahin siya nito sa bahay nila o mansyon, kung tawagin ng iba.
Yes, bahay nila. Tanggap na niya.
It’s been weeks since Heeseung brought him here. Sa sobrang tagal, halos nakalimutan na ng balat niya ang pakiramdam ng malamig na tiles sa lumang apartment niya. Hindi pa rin siya nakakauwi sa bahay nila, kaya naman ang pamilya niya na mismo ang nagdesisyong bibisita sa kaniya. The only problem is: they don’t know. Wala ni isa sa kanila ang nakakaalam na buntis siya. At sa bawat araw na lumilipas na hindi niya nasasabi, mas lalo siyang kinakain ng guilt at kaba.
Parang narinig niya tuloy ang boses ni Jungwon sa likod ng isip niya, matalim pero totoo: “Pero hindi ka natakot nung nagpaputok ka ng tamod sa loob?”
Sunoo rolled his eyes at the intrusive memory before casually taking the food in Jay’s hands. “Surprise! I’m not joking,” he said in a tone so bored it could rival the deadpan dryness of a Tuesday afternoon. Sabay subo ng kutsaritang may suman na may latik. His cravings were unpredictable, but Jay always knew what to bring.
“Where are the others? Bakit ikaw lang?” tanong ni Sunoo, half-expecting na may kasunod pang makikitang anino sa likod ni Jay.
Something flickered in Jay’s eyes—barely a second, but noticeable. “Next time nalang daw sila bibisita,” sagot nito habang iniiwas ang tingin, busying himself sa pag-aayos ng mga kakanin sa lamesa.
Sunoo tilted his head slightly, eyeing Jay as if trying to read the spaces between his words. “By the way, I still can’t believe that something was going on between you and Heeseung. I mean, I know there’s something going on between you, but I didn’t expect that it would come to this,” Jay said habang pinapantay ang mga plastic containers ng kutsinta at sapin-sapin.
“Hmm, ako rin. Sino ba namang maga-akala na fuck buddies kami, diba?” Sunoo laughed, sarcastic and sharp, almost challenging.
Jay blinked, stunned. “Wait, you’re fuck buddies ?” he asked, eyes slightly widened, as if each syllable had pierced through whatever narrative he thought he knew.
Sunoo stared at him flatly. “Yes, why? Hindi ba nasabi ni Heeseung sa’yo?” tanong niya, his voice steady, almost too calm.
Jay’s lips parted, but no words came out at first. Something subtle yet telling shifted in his expression—surprise and confusion? Hindi niya alam. And then, he shook his head.
“No. Anyway, how did you come to an agreement?” mabilis na pag-iiba ng usapan.
Sunoo noticed it. Napansin niya ‘yung pag-avoid ni Jay sa diretsong sagot, but he let it go. For now.
“He was the one who offered it. Said he needed a distraction because his girlfriend broke up with him,” sagot niya, rolling his eyes as if he could roll away the lingering bitterness too. He popped a strawberry into his mouth, letting the taste linger longer than necessary. Gusto niya tuloy na palaging dumadalaw si Jay. Hindi dahil sa pag-uusap—pero dahil sa pagkain.
“Huh? Girlfriend ? Heeseung said that?” Jay’s brows furrowed, forming a crease right in the middle of his forehead.
Sunoo, who was now licking the sweet syrup from his thumb, raised an eyebrow. “Yes, bakit ba? Don’t tell me hindi mo alam na may girlfriend siya?” There was a subtle edge in his tone now. Not quite angry, but definitely daring Jay to say something more.
Jay stared at him, eyes narrowing ever so slightly. Then, as if pushing past some invisible line, he said, “What girlfriend are you talking about, Sun? Heeseung had never had a girlfriend.”
What?