#meron art | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

ontowanderlust · 2 years

Text

What kind of future?

SYPNOSIS. When you can see everyone’s future but your own, do you dare wonder if you had one to begin with? And while the heavens offered no answer, will you still ask which future is the right one when the person you love had someone waiting for him?

PROMPT. Fortuneteller!AU where you can see everyone’s future but your own.

TROPES. idiots in love; F2L, I swear; the art of waiting can sometimes be painful.

WC. 9k words.

WARNINGS/TAGS. Svt filo fanfic; slight angst (sobrang super slight parang kagat ng maliit na dinosaur. Rawr.); Some grammatical errors na I swear I’ll edit when I get to it; Unsolicited filo jokes (mentions of maintenance as in drugs but like in a light hearted way); food mentions;

NOTES. So. This is actually a product of a random conversation. I didn’t exactly think it would bear a fanfic out of it pero welp, here we are. Been tapping into writing in taglish again but who knows, maybe I’ll try to translate it into cohesive english din? Anyway, this is for you @moonwonuu Also, the title came from the song, What kind of future by Woozi. Kaya kung masakit man tong fanfic na to, kasalanan talaga ni Woozi yan tas damay niyo na rin si Cel kasi siya nag reco sakin nyan.

MORE NOTES. Happy birthday, Jeonghan. (I know wala kang masyadong role dito sa fic pero since birthday mo ngayon, shoutout ko na lang ikaw dito.)

You were descended in a clan of fortune tellers.

Syempre, hindi yung typical na naiimagine ng mga tao when they hear the word fortune tellers, ah? Katulad siguro ni Madam Auring (Not to be that person pero, buhay pa ba yun?) or si Master Hanz (Jusko naman yung tagline nun na "Hanz-on sa future mo" or something will remain living rent free sa utak mo every time napapadaan ka sa edsa) or that old lady sa isang morning talk show (Kabisado na nga ng pinsan mo yung spiel niya) or heaven forbid, yung mga manghuhula sa Quiapo. (Di ba gayuma yung specialization nila?)

Point is, other fortune tellers use divination as means of seeing ahead. They have techniques (tricks daw sabi ni Chan) like Astronomy, Tarot Card readings, reading tea leaves, or even looking through a crystal ball pero kayo ng family mo? You could say your family's way of foreseeing is different from the norm.

All it takes is a glance, after all.

One glance, and you'd know the person's future. Ang kaso lang, meron siyang pa-catch- terms and conditions ba, ganun.

First, you have to look into the eyes of the person. As in: mata sa mata. Would you need the other person to look at you? Hindi naman. Basta ang importante nakikita mo yung mismong mata ng other person. Although, isang malaking perk kung magkatitigan kayo. Mas clear yung vision mo.

Second, you could only take a look for certain amount of time otherwise, magkakaroon ka ng information overload and it will leave your head hurting for days. Basically, the amount of time you can garner sa pagtingin sa future ng ibang tao can only last from three seconds to three minutes. Why three? Wala lang. Gusto mo lang. You're not really the type of person to look someone in the eyes for quite too long. (Actually, trial and error din talaga ang timing ng pag tingin into the future sa family mo. There was once a rumor, according sa cousins mo na may someone na nakatagal daw ng twenty minutes. Shocking. Who even in their right mind would look someone in the eye for that long? "Did they even blink?" you had asked that one time, only for your cousin to shrug at you. "Di ba pag nagblink, you'd lose train of sight? I don't think they did." "Wow." "Di ba? Amazing.")

Third, the future you could see doesn't have a fixed timeline. Just because you've been staring at a person for three minutes straight, doesn’t mean you’ll see what will happen in the next three years or so. Minsan, your vision would take you to three minutes in the future, minsan naman it might take you three years, minsan thirty years. Point is, you could only see what will happen pero as to when it will happen? Nako. Wag mo nang isipin. Migraine lang abot niyan sayo.

Fourth, just because you saw doesn't mean it's established. Humans are fickle beings, after all. Di sila madidiktahan kung anong gusto nilang gawin sa buhay. At the end of the day, humans faced choices and it will be up to them as to what kind of choice they will make in order for the vision you saw come to fruition.

Fifth, the more attached you are to the person, the harder it is to see their future. Some elders in your family said na maybe it's because the universe still wants to find balance in everything- and by balance, they meant para daw di makapagcheat in life and abusuhin ng family mo yung ability bestowed upon you. Which is kinda bullshit kasi by bestowing this ability is already giving your family a way to cheat the system. So bale, the closer your relationship is with that person, the harder it is to foresee. It doesn't mean you won't totally see the future but more like, makikita mo nga pero it's kinda blurry and di as clear as strangers'.

And lastly- and this one sucks for you because apparently, you could see people's futures. Other people- people na wala talagang kinalaman sayo. At all. You can see anyone's future... except your own.

Di ba ang saklap? Kasi ibang tao ang nakikinabang ng ability mo. Well, depende rin siguro kung good thing ba yun or bad thing. Because on one hand, at least you're free to do your own thing. Walang looming pressure for you to take certain kinds of decisions to end up where you should be. Pero at the same time, parang di ba pwedeng kahit may onting assurance lang naman kahit papaano na may mararating ka rin in life? Na despite the struggles and challenges, may kahihinatnan naman ang buhay mo?

"And where exactly is this coming from again?" Seungkwan asked as he brandished the popsicle he was eating as he stared at the bustling quadrangle whilst the rest of his companions shared the same knowing look. "I mean- di naman sa pagaano ah? But like, you've been reciting your family's manifesto for like what, twenty times?-" he looked at their friends for back up to which they all nodded at. "- in the years of our friendship. And we're what, twelve years nang magkakaibigan?"

"Try fifteen," Soonyoung corrected to which they all simultaneously nodded again, settling in a more comfortable position.

"See?” Your lavender haired friend acknowledged. “So, really, what’s new? Kahit pa yata pagbali-baliktarin mo buong universe, yang terms and conditions niyo hindi na magbabago. Which boils down to one thing-" he stared you down with those same judgmental glare every time he felt suspicious of you. "What's got you like this?"

“Means ano daw nakita mong future bakit bigla kang nagspiral ng ganyan.” Chan pointed out, earning him a pointed look from you.

Of course, you understood what Seungkwan meant. Your friends knew you all too well, after all. You wouldn't be reciting all those shitty terms and conditions if there's nothing wrong- if you didn't see a future worth your attention.

But you did. And it's eating you deep down. Which scared you. Kasi normally di mo naman pinapansin lahat ng mga visions mo- not even when this one random dude got rejected during his public proposal. But this particular vision had your thoughts spiraling, stomach churning just by thinking about it.

"Wonwoo's gonna meet his lover soon.”

“Whoop and there it is.”

You loved Soonyoung. You really do. But sometimes this dude can really run his mouth before his brain can even catch up with it.

Turning your head, you watched as his eyes widen just as your words had sunk in his brain. "Wait, ha?" you would've found his reaction funny and you can't really blame him that his brain had short-circuited for a minute there- not when all your friends were also looking at you as if you had spoken the unspeakable.

"Wait lang," Vernon decided to finally join the conversation he had been contently listening to, raising his hand as if he's physically trying to slow down everything. "Repeat that, pero slowly."

“Exactly what I said. Wonwoo’s gonna meet his beloved soon.”

“‘The future you could see doesn’t have a fixed timeline.’ Di ba yan yung sabi mo?” He quoted after few minutes of silence as if he's arguing on your behalf. “‘You could only see what will happen, not when.’”

“Article four of your terms and conditions, just because you saw doesn’t mean established na yun.” Soonyoung proudly added. “You know, for someone who memorized the terms and conditions, bakit parang nakakalimutan mo yun? And here I thought, nasa’yo ang group brain cells for the week.” He teased, earning a smack on his arm to which he cradled in pain.

“Tsaka di ba the more attached you are, the harder it is to see?” Seungkwan added, his hands gesturing as if he was presenting a lecture. “So bakit parang certain ka na he’s gonna find someone soon?”

"Kasi." you breathed out as if you're gathering all your courage. "Paulit ulit ko na siyang nakikita.” You shrank to your seat, leaning towards Vernon who simply placed a comforting hand on your shoulder. “Aside from that, every time our eyes meet, yung scene na yun ang bumubungad sakin. And I really don’t want to keep replaying the scene over and over.”

“Kaya pala di ka na makatingin sa kanya!” Soonyoung exclaimed as if it all made sense, making the rest of them frown at him, Chan going as far as to reaching over to smack him at the back of his head lightly.

“Yeah,” you said, voice flat as if you’re trying to hide the misery behind your voice. “It’s a good thing we don’t have that much classes in common. Mahahalata niya agad eh.”

“Uh, no offense pero if Hoshi noticed it, what are the odds na di niya mapapansin?” Chan asked, sympathy etched upon his face, knowing the answer to his question.

“None. Zero. Mas observant kaya yun kesa kay Kwannie kapag naghahanap ng mach-chika.” Vernon answered as he tapped your shoulder in silent apology. “And- I know this doesn’t help at all pero when it comes to you, all his senses seemed to heighten.” He added much to your distress.

“Hmm, di kaya ikaw yun?” Seungkwan asked after few minutes of silence, which isn’t like him at all. “Yung nasa vision mo, I mean. Baka lang naman kasi kung paulit ulit ba naman-”

“She can see anyone’s future except her own,” they all chorused as you groaned, sinking further into your seat.

“I’ve never seen my future before, Kwannie. Why start now?”

“You tell me. You haven’t seen Jeon’s future sa years of your friendship din naman. And how long have you been friends? Fifteen years?”

“Eighteen,” you mumbled.

“Oh. Eighteen na pala. That's longer than the rest of us pa. So you mean to say all those years, wala ni isang vision ka nakita? So bakit ngayon lang?” Seungkwan challenged.

“Just because hindi ko makita ang future niya doesn’t mean wala na siya nun. Maybe ngayon lang nagmanifest or something di ba? Humans are fickle beings. Di mo sila madidiktahan. Same goes to visions like this. Just because I've known him most of my life, doesn't mean I have access to his future.”

“Di kaya dahil you like Wonwoo?” Soonyoung offered, pointing his popsicle stick at you. “Or baka nga kasi borderline mahal mo siya? I don't know, ano ba status ng feelings mo sa kanya?”

Soonyoung means well. They all mean well. You know that, they know that. Kaya lang, the thing about emotions, you tend to shy away sa topic na yun especially when you’re in the center of it. Okay lang siguro kung katuwaan, kung light hearted emotions ang pinaguusapan. Pero this kind of emotion? Parang you’d rather choke na lang than to unearth these feelings that had been buried deep down.

“May kinalaman ba ang feelings sa pagdetermine ng future ng isang tao?” Chan wondered as you sighed in relief, knowing he’s trying to at least lighten the burden from you. “Nai-influence ba ng feelings mo yung future?”

This, you can answer.

You shook your head. “I don’t think so. Kasi if that were the case then sana matagal nang na-disintegrate yung future nung kaaway ni kuya Hannie.” you mused, Soonyoung looking aghast as he looked at you (It’s no secret he’s afraid of your elder cousin). “But from what I’ve heard mukhang wala pa naman nakakagawa nun. Again, we’re just seers. Di naman namin kayang maginfluence ng future ng iba.”

“So if that were the case, anong gagawin mo?” Vernon asked, softly and quiet as if he was threading lightly. “When Wonwoo found that someone?”

“Be happy for him I guess,” you shrugged to which earned you a flick on your forehead by Seungkwan making you cry out in protest as you glared at him. “What the hell, Seungkwan?”

“Ano ka, martyr?” He scoffed, glaring at you in return. “Di ka namin pinalaking duwag, __. You either step up your game, or confess. Hindi yung magmumukmok ka sa gilid just because of a future that may or may not happen.”

“Pero what if this person will be the one to give him his happiness?” You couldn’t help but wonder. “What if siya pala makakapagbigay ng unyielding love and support kay Woo? What if this person’s the one he truly needed?”

“Bakit, di mo ba kayang gawin yun? You, who knew him for so long? Di mo din ba kayang magbigay ng happiness?” The thing about Seungkwan, once you challenged him into a battle of wits, he’s the type to never back down from it. Especially if it’s to defend his friends even from themselves. “Hindi mo pa ba ginagawa yun? In those eighteen years of your lives, where were you? What are you to him?”

“His freak of a best friend.” You answered, slumping down in defeat as he sneered not because of you, but rather of your answer.

Shaking his head, his eyes softened as he reached over to pat your head, you couldn’t help but feel as if he’s knocking instead. “No, that’s not the question you’re supposed to answer.”

The thing about those terms and conditions your family had, not only they served as guide but throughout the years, they also served as a grounding point for you.

Ang weird man pakinggan but the reason why you were able to memorize the absurdity of it all was because you kept mumbling them whenever you needed a clearer mind. Pero syempre, you do it in a subtle way otherwise napagkamalan ka nang member ng cult sa mga pinagsasabi mo.

So. What was the first one again?

First, you have to look into the eyes of the person. As in: mata sa mata.

“I thought,” Wonwoo spoke up, breaking you out of your reverie and back into the café where you both decided to eat out. “We established na kahit anong titig ang gawin mo, you won’t be able to find anything?” He asked, the interest in his voice didn’t go unnoticed. “Or have you just realized na you can’t seem to get enough of my eyes?”

Despite the rapid thumping of your heart, you couldn’t help the giggle coming out of your mouth as you shook your head at the absurdity of his statement. “At saan mo naman napulot yan, Jeon Wonwoo? Masyado yatang nasosobrahan na ang pagdikit mo kay Soonyoung ah?”

“And there you are,” he chose to ignore your statement, resting his arms on the table as he tilted his head at you, faint traces of smile can be seen upon his lips. “You know, kala mo di ko napapansin pero these days you seem so down. Is there anything I can help with, my beloved bestie?”

Ah, really. Whatever will you do with him? Paanong hindi ka magkakaroon ng feelings when he’s like this? When he makes you feel like you’re important and that whatever it is that you think matters to him?

How can you stop these feelings that had taken place inside you and made a home out of it? How can you ignore the growing excitement when he does this- when he gave you all his attention? His worries and care for you?

Just as you were about to open your mouth, another scene is bleeding through your sight, overlapping the warmth in his eyes- a scene of him flashing the same warmth, maybe even warmer than what you’re used to, the faint smile on his lips growing every second until it erupted into deep, hearty laugh.

Everything seemed to be hazy but you could never miss the look in his eyes as he stared onto the person who was supposed to be right in front of him.

Could you see it? The person he was supposed to be like this? The person he can be carefree with?

Blinking, you shook your head, willing a small smile to creep across your mouth so as he won’t notice the shift in you. “Pagod lang, Wons.” You settled instead, swallowing the words that threatened to escape your lips. “I think nagcatch up lahat ng sleepless nights ko. Heh.”

Eyebrows furrowing, his eyes ran through your features, studying your expression intently as if he was trying to figure the lie in your statement. Deep down, you knew he knew you’re being dishonest but you knew he would never pry- not when you’re closing yourself from him.

Truthfully, you knew it hurt him. Kasi si Wonwoo yan eh. Even if he looked aloof and distant, he is easily the kindest person you’ve ever known in your life.

“Say, Wons,” you try to backpedal, earning his attention. “What will you do when you find the person na destined for you?”

Squinting his eyes, he looked at you as if you sprouted another head. “Ang random ah?” He remarked as you gestured for him to roll with it. “Is that what’s bothering you? Akala ko ba your family specializes on fortune telling at hindi matchmaking? Nag change career na ba kayo?”

Contorting your facial expression into one of a disgust, he couldn’t help but smile at you. “Okay first of all, yuck. Bakit ako magch-change career into that? Meron pa bang matchmaker sa panahon ngayon? Parang nag regress buong diwa ko dun, Jeon Wonwoo, ah?” You protested much to his amusement, letting out a full-blown laughter that caught attention from the patrons of the coffee shop as you kept going on and on about your disdain with matchmakers.

Leaning over the table, he placed both of his hands over your cheeks, gently shaking your face, effectively catching your attention. “Oo na, ayaw mong tawagin kang matchmaker-”

“Kasi di naman yun yung purpose ko!” Your words came out slurring due to his hands pressed on your cheeks but did you mind? No, not at all. “Isang malaking insultong tawagin akong matchmaker, Jeon Wonwoo. Tandaan mo yan.”

“Yes po, kamahalan. Masusunod po.” He grinned, poking your cheeks one more time before he released you. “And to answer your question, I think… I’ll give that person my all. My unconditional love.” His voice turned wistful, a secretive smile forming on his lips as he averted his gaze towards the cooling beverage he had ordered earlier before snapping out of it as he turned back to you. “Pero parang wala pa naman siya sa point na…” he trailed off, shrugging as he effectively ended the discussion right there.

Something about your exchange had your stomach turning. What was that all about?

“Normal bang nangyayari yung matagal mo nang kilala yung tao tas wala kang makitang future niya ni minsan tas out of nowhere bigla ka na lang nagkaroon ng vision?” You asked, watching your cousins bicker over the last dumpling, your question making them cease their movements as they looked at you.

Seems these days people who are close to you kept on watching you as you voice out your thoughts. Was it really that unusual? Do you always keep these things close to you while you figure out what to do?

“Is this about your best friend dilemma?” Jeonghan asked as he wrestled Joshua out of his arm, sneakily taking the last dumpling before popping it into his mouth much to the latter’s exasperation.

“You know about it?”

“No offense, pero ang daldal ng mga kaibigan mo, __.” Seungcheol shrugged, answering for him instead as he offered you his drink to which you graciously accepted. “They had actually beaten you with that question a week ago pa.” He said, making you slightly frown at his statement.

Hay. Minsan di mo rin talaga alam kung matutuwa ka at meron kang concerned na kaibigan or maiinis kasi masyado silang nosy. Pero either way, you couldn’t help but feel grateful at their concern for you- no matter how excessive it would seem.

“Di rin naman namin masagot yung tanong, just so you know. Wala rin naman kaming nasagap na rumors about this happening in the past before. Di katulad nung sa twenty minutes rumor.” Joshua offered much to your dismay. “Kaya I don’t think you need to-” just before he could even finish his sentence, he was elbowed by Jeonghan, whose eyes narrowed as they both shared glares.

Just as you were about to ask what was that all about, you felt a presence at your side, standing behind the empty chair beside you.

Blinking, you turned your head only for your eyes to widen in surprise. Namamalikmata ka ba? Because there, beside you was none other than the person you had been talking about to your cousins earlier.

“Hi,” Wonwoo had the audacity to grin at you as if he wasn’t crashing your cousins’ lunch out before turning to your surprised cousins. “Hi kuyas. Pwede makitable?”

“Hi Jeon,” Seungcheol, the ever quick thinker was the first to recover, gesturing for him to take a seat to which your friend had graciously accepted. “Napadaan ka?”

“Ah, yayayain ko sana si __, kain kami ng lunch kaso sabi ni Nonie kasama niyo daw.” He recounted, trying to catch your gaze as he talked. Even as his attention was directed to your cousins, he was still trying to include you. “Tas sakto nakita ko kayo from the outside so it must be luck to run into you, di ba?”

Jeonghan studied him for a moment before flitting his eyes towards you. “Luck or fate?” He asked, earning a groan from you and a small laugh from your friend. “I don’t think swerte din Jeon. In case di mo nakikita, tapos na kaming kumain.”

“Di pa daw tapos si __,” Joshua was quick to interject before Wonwoo’s expression take a dip. He then turned to you as if to reiterate his statement. “Tsaka di ba sabi mo gutom ka pa?”

“Di ba sabi mo gusto mo pang umorder nung dessert nila?”

“Sige wait, order na ako para sainyong dalawa ni Jeon,” Seungcheol’s tone wasn’t taking no for answer so instead of arguing, who are you to refuse free meal? “Anyway, okay lang ba iwan na namin kayo?” He asked after talking to the waiter, making you turn your head sharply towards him. “I still have class after this while Han and Shua naman-”

“-thesis,” your cousins who were sitting across you chorused while you gave them pointed look. You know for sure these three were lying. If it weren’t for your friend’s unexpected appearance, they would’ve pushed through their plans of ordering the aforementioned dessert.

Di naman sila halata masyado no? Kung pwede lang silang bigwasan right here, right now, you would’ve done it already.

Kaya lang since they are going as far as to treat you another helping of food and paying for your best friend’s lunch even if they didn’t have to just so you could spend more time with your friend, you decided to lay them off.

“Eat well kayo guys,” Shua was the first out of his seat followed by Jeonghan who simply offered a salute to the both of you but not before throwing a wink towards your direction and a look that says he wanted to know what happened once you get home.

Seungcheol was the last to leave, placing a kiss on the crown of your head. Unknown to you, he had also been staring down at your best friend with a silent threat should there anything befall unto you in his absence.

“Pakabusog kayo,” he said with a close lipped smile. Beside you, you could feel your friend stiffening as he reached over to pat him on the back. “See you at home, insan.” He bid you as he went on his way.

Once he was out of your sight, Wonwoo took the opportunity to occupy the seat Jeonghan was previously sitting on, tapping at your shoulder to catch your attention. "Be honest, busog ka na ba? Kasi if yes, I don't mind eating all of these pero you have to accompany me nga lang." you would've swoon over his concern if it weren't for the mischievous glint in his eyes as if he was challenging you to agree with him.

"Hah," you let out a small scoff, picking up the dessert spoon, much to his amusement. "Minsan na nga lang manlibre si kuya Cheol tas ikaw lang makikinabang? Swerte mo naman, Jeon Wonwoo." you muttered, earning a chuckle from him, watching you eat your heart out.

"Oo, swerte talaga ako- wag mo sabihin kay kuya Han pero he was wrong. Isipin mo, akala ko di kita mahahanap pero guess what? Nakita agad kita tas nakalibre pa ako ng lunch from kuya Cheol- out of all people? Must be my luckiest day." he placed a hand on his heart as he bowed down at the food before him.

Chuckling, you were reminded of the question that was hanging on the tip of your tongue earlier. "Bakit mo pala ako hinahanap?" you asked absentmindedly, making him turn to you as you held his gaze. "Wala naman tayong scheduled lunch ah?

Second, you could only take a look for certain amount of time otherwise, your head will perceive it as information overload and it will leave your head hurting for days.

"Wala, gusto lang kita makasama." he said, oh so casually as if the answer was as simple as that, the rush of feelings inside you making you falter in your movements as the colors bled in your line of vision, the familiar sensation of pushing you into the future overpowering your senses. “Tsaka we haven’t had our-”

You couldn’t hear him as his voice blended into the background of voices filling your ears, muffled voices overlapping each conversation that even if you strained your ears to focus onto anything, you couldn't make sense of what was being spoken as the rush of air passing you by so quickly that you couldn't even sense if you're staying still or not.

And as for your sight? Everything seemed so blurry that you couldn't see anything at all.

The only thing that made sense was the cool sensation brushing upon your arms every once in a while, trailing down until you could feel it settle onto your hands, giving you that sense of relief. And if you concentrated hard enough, it almost felt like it was grounding you back, anchoring you once more into reality.

Remember when you had to set a limit kung hanggang kailan ka lang tititig sa isang tao? This, is exactly why- to be able to protect you from the onslaught of sensations. Pero minsan kasi may pagkamatigas din ang ulo mo no?

Cold hands engulfed your hands making you jump in surprise, breaking you out of the barrier that separated reality from the future. And despite being cold, you couldn’t help but feel the warmth behind the gesture, his thumb rubbing against the back of your hands, patiently waiting for you.

Blinking rapidly, your gaze found Wonwoo’s concerned look wash over your features, sighing in relief once he knew you were back.

“You okay in there?” his tone had became quieter and lowered than usual, his eyes searching for any hint of discomfort in yours. “I lost you there for a moment.” He may be joking but the tremble of his hands upon yours said otherwise. “What goes on that pretty head of yours at di mo pinapansin yung pagr-rant ko sayo? Minsan na nga lang ako magrant, di mo pa ako papansinin.”

Squeezing his hands, you let out a small laugh before sweeping your gaze from his eyes towards the bridge of his nose- your safety net whenever you’ve had your fill of staring into people’s eyes but still not wanting to be rude. Oh, to hell with it. Si Wonwoo lang naman ‘to, di ba? Eyes darting from his nose to his cheeks- and maybe even his lips- before you settled your gaze on his forehead, you raised your free hand, pausing on mid-air.

Sensing your hesitation, he bent down once he realized your intent, silently prodding you to continue as your hands seemed to have a mind of its own, running through his hair, wordlessly responding to the meaning behind his words.

Thank you for your concern, I’m here now. I’m okay.

“…just some boring stuff, Wons.” Still, you answered, offering him a bite of the dessert you were enjoying earlier. “Ano nga uli yung sinasabi mo?”

“Okay so meron lang akong di ma-gets sa family manifesto niyo,” Seungkwan suddenly announced as he made a beeline towards the seat next to yours, ignoring the glares thrown his way from being too loud in the private room of the library.

Plopping into the seat next to you, his eyes bore into yours for a moment making you reel back from his sudden actions. “What?”

“Paano mo nalalaman na hindi instant yung future na nakita niyo? Like, how certain are you na mangyayari talaga sya? May pa-feedback ba kayo sa mga customers niyo?”

Furrowing your eyebrows, you turned to Vernon, sharing the same confused look before the latter decided he’d rather not get involved, shrugging at you before going back to his notes, leaving you to deal with this Seungkwan.

Gee, what a great friend you are, Chwe.

Flicking his forehead slightly, feeling small satisfaction from his small cry of protest, you push him gently, deciding to indulge him for a bit.

“One, wala kaming customers, uy. Bakit namin to pagkakakitaan in the first place? Eh sakit nga ng ulo yung inaabot namin dito plus- ang hassle kaya?” You mused, tapping on the table rhythmically. “Also, sa tagal nating magkaibigan- hell, sa tagal ko ba namang pag rant ng family manifesto namin, ngayon mo lang yan na-realize?” You pointed out, his mouth curling into a sheepish grin while you rolled your eyes at him. “Nakikinig ka ba talaga o sadyang tumatango ka lang para matapos na ako?”

He brightened, “Kasi ba naman bhie, kahit naman tumango tango kami hanggang sa maputol ulo namin di ka pa rin umaawat,” he rolled his eyes. At your periphery, you could see Vernon nodding along at him, silently agreeing. “So saan kami lulugar di ba?”

“Tama,” Vernon muttered, making you throw a crumpled piece of paper towards his direction to which he had dodged easily, sticking his tongue out at you. Really, Vernon. Isa kang tunay na kaibigan.

“Eh di sige, fault ko talaga to guys. Ako lang naman ang nagpupumilit na magrant sa inyo. Sorry di ako nagpaalam sa inyo bago ako mag rant. Sino ba naman kasi ako sa buhay niyo no?” You harrumphed, making Vernon snicker at your dramatics while Seungkwan looked at you fondly, shaking his head. “Sana di niyo na lang tiniis no? Ako lang naman ang nasaktan dito, opo.”

“Gagi,” Vernon guffawed, looking up at you as he earned annoyed groans from the background. “Ang drama mo today, ah? Di ka nakainom ng maintenance?”

Rolling your eyes, you stuck your tongue out at him to which he responded by giving you a finger heart.

“So paano nga?” Your lavender haired friend insisted, drawing you both back to the topic at hand. “Eto na lang, was there an instance ba in your life na na-delay yung predictions mo?”

“Ano to, job interview, Kwannie? Ano ina-apply-an ko at magkano ang sweldo dito?”

“Uhm,” Vernon raised his hand. “Di ba perfect example yung kay kuya Wons?” He asked, making you falter momentarily before schooling your features back to neutral as you snap your fingers and point at him to reiterate, ignoring the way your stomach dropped.

So eto na naman tayo, no? Bakit ba pag yun ang na-topic nagiging ganto ka? Bakit ba ang lakas ng effect sa’yo at bakit ka masyadong affected every time nab-bring up yan? Ano ka ba? Ano ka nga ba?

Di ba sabi mo best friend ka lang?

Right. Apparently, Seungkwan felt the same way, raising his eyebrows at your reaction. Before he could even open his mouth- probably to call you out, a deep voice had beaten him to it.

“Ano sakin?”

“Ay kabayong palaka,” he jumped at his seat, diffusing the tension momentarily as you watched Wonwoo take the vacant seat next to Vernon- just across from you, smiling at you in greeting before nodding to your companions, blinking at an affronted Seungkwan who was clutching his chest. “Kuya pwede ba magpasintabi ka naman bago ka magsalita? Para ka kasing ninja.”

Seriously. Some people should be fined at how good they look even when they're not doing anything. Bakit ba mas lalong nakakagwapo mga ngiti mo, uy?

"Kuya Wons, wag mo kong daan daanin sa mga ngiti mong ganyan, di na yan nagw-work sakin. Hindi por que gwapo ka may karapatan ka nang manggulat. Mag sorry ka sakin, dali."

Bless you Seungkwan, for calling him out. Hindi katulad ng isa dyan, ikaw talaga ang tunay na kaibigan.

Letting out a sheepish smile, Wonwoo bowed his head solemnly towards the boy beside you. "Sorry na, bebe Seungkwan, di ko po sinasadya. Next time dala na lang ako warning bell para alam mo andito ako."

"Wag mo rin akong daanin sa bebe, baka sa kanya nagw-work yan pero sakin hindi. I need suhol." Seungkwan scoffed light-heartedly as he pointed at you, making Vernon snicker at his boldness.

Before you could even stop yourself, you felt your hands clutching Seungkwan's arm in a- what you hope- death grip as you stared at your notes. Never mind. Isa kang alagad ni Satanas, Boo Seungkwan. Tandaan mo tong araw na ito. The boy in question jerked on his seat, leaning towards you as he buried his face on your neck to prevent himself from crying out in the library and risk being thrown out.

"Shuta ka, bhie," he rasped out underneath his breath, making you curl your lip in a satisfied smirk.

"Sige may utang ako sa'yo Kwannie pero first, pwede palit tayo seats?" your best friend's deep voice broke you both out of your bubble as you both looked up only to be met with an unreadable expression on Wonwoo's face.

Huh?

"Ha?" Seungkwan was the first to recover, eyebrows furrowing at the sudden request, his eyebrows furrowing as you can feel his body faltering in his seat.

"Nagf-flare up kasi yung notes ko underneath the lighting so di ko rin mabasa plus masakit din kasi sa ulo." Wonwoo coolly explained before rounding towards the space between you and Seungkwan, pushing the boy upright before taking his seat. If you didn't know any better you'd say that it looked as if Wonwoo had exerted more force than necessary when he pushed the boy out of his seat.

You then turned to Vernon, who was simply looking on at the exchange with the same interest in his eyes. Did the two of you just witnessed that?

Looking up, he then smiled gratefully to your lavender haired friend as if he hadn't rudely took his seat. "Sorry sa abala and thank you Kwannie, libre kita milktea mamaya."

And just like that, it seemed all protests dancing on the tip of his tongue had vanished from the mention of free drink. Well.

"So ano yung sakin?" Wonwoo asked again, turning to you as Seungkwan took the seat he was previously sitting on. "Been talking about me behind my back?"

Your two companions shared a look before looking at you, who simply turned to meet Wonwoo's gaze- the familiar sense of haze occupying your periphery before looking at the bridge of his nose.

“You’ll meet your lover soon, Jeon Wonwoo.” you blurted out, better ripping out the bandaid, right? Your statement earned a squeak of surprise from Vernon while Seungkwan's eyes widened at the sudden burst of courage from you. "Kita ko sa mata mo." you added, searching for any reaction coming from your best friend.

"Shuta ka bhie." you heard Seungkwan mutter underneath his breath as he watched the exchange intently while all of your attention simply focused on the boy beside you.

What are you looking for anyway? Elatedness? Pure joy? Relief? Bakit parang gustong gusto mo talagang sinasaktan sarili mo?

“I see,” your friend solemnly nodded as he looked at his notes before yours. "Have you finished your essay last night? Nag all-nighter ka na naman ba? Di ba sabi ko sa'yo tumawag ka sakin para ma-proofread ko?"

What.

Out of all reactions-

“Wait wait." Apparently, Seungkwan felt the same because he was reaching over the table, waving in front of Wonwoo's face- does this boy even know the meaning of personal space? "Wait lang talaga kuya. Di mo ba siya narinig? Sabi niya you’re gonna meet yung uhm how to say this without sounding too cheesy?” he asked, turning to Vernon helplessly.

“In short magkakajowa ka na kuya,” he spoke up, hands pausing at his notes, coaxing a reaction from your best friend.

He looked at you, tilting his head as if he's studying you. What exactly is he looking for? “Okay,” he said, slowly as if he's trying to appease the two before he shook his head, tapping onto their notes, silently telling them to go back to reviewing, much to their dismay- Seungkwan going as far as rolling his eyes before pouting in his seat, leaving you dumbfounded.

How should you take this kind of reaction from him?

Fidgeting in his seat, for a moment there he looked as if he's wistful over something- as if he was contemplating on something. Shaking his head, it looked as if he had decided because then added, "Mukhang matagal tagal pa bago mangyari yan."

“Kuya, may instance ba na you wished you never had this ability in the first place?” You wondered, kicking your feet high in the air as you watched Joshua’s hands fly over the canvas, stroke after stroke with such interest, despite hanging yourself upside down on his loveseat. “Yung ano, makita yung future ng iba every time na magkakatitigan kayo ng ibang tao, ganun?”

Your cousin let out a small hum as he turned to look at you, acknowledging your words, "Meron pa ba tayong ibang ability aside from knowing the future?" he asked, mirth dancing in his eyes before turning back to his project. "Why'd you ask ba?" he asked over his shoulder as you basked in the lull washing over.

It was one of those days where you just want to hide away from the world and whenever you felt like escaping, you knew you'd find solace in your cousin and in his humble private studio located outside of your university, away from prying eyes and meddling people.

It was always like that with your cousins, you mused. Even when they always band together to annoy you sometimes, they would still drop everything in an instant whenever you needed help. And that goes also with whenever you needed a reprieve. Their personal safe haven is always open to you.

It’s funny how fitting their personal spaces to their personalities.

Often times, when you feel like you needed to scream out to the void and let your emotions out no matter how raging it is, Seungcheol’s doors are wide open for you.

Whenever you needed to stare out into the open without the need to interact with any individuals, you always find yourself running into Jeonghan’s side.

And when you don’t want to be alone in unraveling all these tangled thoughts and emotions, Joshua would be there, patiently waiting as you wade out in too deep waters, helping you up should you reach for his hand.

“Have you,” you ignored his question, averting your gaze when you saw him pause in his movements, knowing definitely something was up with you. “Ever wished that you could be selfish just for once that you'd want to see what your future holds instead?”

You were never one to express your emotions really well, preferring to bottle everything up and locking it in before anyone could even see through you. That’s why your cousins had to familiarize themselves with your tells.

And so for you to ask directly had truly surprised your cousin.

You know very well he's studying you, trying to get past the defenses you had unknowingly put up the moment you asked the question, the both of you knowing very well the reason why.

“You know, in the years you’ve complained about our family’s... curse, this is the first time I’m hearing you asking to be selfish,” he commented, placing his brush gingerly back into the cup, palette joining thereafter as he rubbed his hands on a washcloth before nudging you as he joined you on his loveseat. “What goes?” His voice gently prodding you to open your heart just like how it’s always been whenever it’s just the two of you.

“Wala naman,” your voice shuddering, hands trembling as he placed his hands over them in small offer of assurance. “Dapat wala naman kasi. Kaso I can’t help but feel like this is not fair. I didn't ask for much- hell, I didn't ask to be like this, and I didn't ask for something more than what was given but why does it feel like the moment I wished- asked for something-- someone, why does it feel like the entire universe is against it?”

“I told Nonie na magiging masaya ako for Wons the moment he found his someone,” you continued, squeezing his hands as your lips curled into a bittersweet smile. “And wala naman problema, actually. Kasi I really would be happy if I know na yung someone na yun makakapagpasaya sa kanya kaso these days, it seemed as if all these pent up emotions are threatening to burst out. It’s as if parang gusto kong maranasan kung paano ibigay ‘tong pagmamahal kong ‘to sa kanya, you know?”

“And as I continue to wonder and dwell with all of these, I can’t help but ask- meron din ba akong future?” you paused as you looked your cousin in the eyes, his warm brown eyes greeting you with the same comfort his presence brought. “Meron din ba akong space sa future niya?”

Heaving out a deep breath, he pulled you back into upright position, before shifting your weight making you lean towards him, his arm automatically finding its way around your shoulder as you tilted your head onto the junction of his neck.

“Fourth,” he breathed out, reciting the same words you’ve memorized all these years. “Just because you saw doesn't mean it's established.” His voice quiet and somber, slowly rolling the words out as if he’s asking you to remember why the rules were there in the first place.

“Humans are fickle beings especially when it comes to emotions. Just because you tried to close yours doesn’t mean immune ka na dun. You love him for quite some time now and maybe it’s your inner self’s way of saying na it’s time to give these emotions to the person cause you’ve endured it for quite too long na.”

“I find it hard to believe that after all these years between you two, Jeon would just carelessly cast you aside because he found his someone.” He mused, his hand hovering over your head, gently patting. “So to answer your question, yes. May space ka sa future niya. I don’t need my own fancy ability para i-confirm yan. And while I never had the need to know my own future, minsan nakakatakot yung hindi mo alam kung meron ka ngang patutunguhan sa life.”

“So what you do,” he pulled away for a moment, poking your forehead then your cheeks before bopping your nose, reflexively scrunching at his touch. “Is to forge your own.”

Silence engulfed you both with him studying your features. Once he was satisfied with your expression, he reached over the loveseat for the box that you hadn’t paid attention to when you crossed his studio that was resting on the table. “If it helps- and I think it really will, someone left this for you,” Joshua announced as he placed the box of pastries on your lap. “It doesn’t really take a genius to know who this came from.”

Your eyes widened as you saw the post it note on top of the box bearing that familiar handwriting as you open to see your favorites greeting your sight.

‘A little pick me up for a gloomy day. Don’t finish these all in one sitting para di rin sumabay yung tiyan mo sa pagiging upset natin today.’

His handwriting is atrocious. Kulang ng dalawang pastries yung nasa box. But it still elicited a small smile from you- the sweetest after weeks of keeping up pretenses. It really did help, you mused.

“Ay,” Joshua called over, catching your attention once more as if he had just remembered something. “Kung kulang yan, singilin mo si Han.”

“Hinay hinay baka mabilaukan ka dyan, Jeon Wonwoo,” you watched him fondly as his cheeks puff out from stuffing his mouth with the food you two had ordered.

“Ah, nga pala.” he said slowly as he swallowed the last bit of his food, while you automatically reached over to wipe his mouth before he turned towards you, catching your hand with his while his eyes displayed nothing but seriousness. “Why do you call me like that?”

Is it because your emotions are going haywire these days? Or is it because of the looming pressure of what you’re about to do had you thinking that something in the air had possibly shifted.

What it was, you don’t know. But you just knew from the way Wonwoo imposed his question, something inevitable will happen.

Is this perhaps the end of the ticking bomb that had started the moment you saw Wonwoo’s future? Or is this perhaps the rush of the falling sand of a half empty hourglass?

Should you acknowledge it? The change that had happened without him knowing anything?

“Call you like what, Jeon Wonwoo?” You feigned innocence, tugging your hand free only for him to slightly tighten his grip, catching your attention.

“Exactly like that,” his voice drowning from the bustling sound from your background, the warm sunny disposition of the school quadrangle in contrast of the air shifting between you two. “Jeon Wonwoo,” he repeated, face contorting into repulsion as if he had tasted the most bitter food he had ever eaten.

“Grabe naman, bakit ganyan hitsura mo?” You laughed, trying to change the course of your conversation as he threw you a pointed look. Why do you keep running away from him? You both knew that's what's going on with his mind right now. So decide. Do you continue to run or do you stop and face it?

“Di mo ba gusto pangalan mo? Gwapo kaya pakinggan, tsaka what else will I call you but your name?”

“Sa tagal nating magkaibigan,” he started as he leaned back on the trunk of the tree. “The only times you called me by my full name was when you needed to point out something, when we're arguing, and when you've had enough. Tell me, have you reached your limit now? Have you gotten tired already?”

“Never,”

“Then why does it feel like you're putting too much of a distance between us? Why does it feel like you're trying to put me in such a pedestal that you couldn't reach?”

Minsan, it still surprise you how well Wonwoo knew you. From your thoughts to your emotions, he could easily tell the difference. Sometimes, it makes you wonder if he knew just how deep your affection for him ran- if he even knew of the existence of it in the first place or baka kasi sadyang ito lang ang kaya mong itago sa kanya sa takot na mawala siya from you.

“Because I want to protect myself,” you found your voice trembling as his breathing hitched, not really expecting you to finally stop running. “Kasi hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko once that vision of you comes true.”

Eyebrows furrowing, his eyes looked pensive as he patiently waited for you to finish. “Didn't I tell you? You're gonna meet that someone who will make you truly happy. In the words of Nonie, magkakajowa ka na and I know matagal mo siyang hinintay kaya imagine the elation you must've felt nung nakilala mo na siya in my vision. And I'm happy- truly, kasi it means that you're happy. Kaya lang din ako naging distant these days was because I had to deal with my own emotions. These same emotions that I have harbored for a long time for you.”

“Kumbaga, I just had to come in terms of the fact na I can't be the one to give you that amount of happiness,” you whispered, swallowing the sob that was threatening to come out. Your heart beating erratically against your chest and in the silence that crept between you two, you're almost too sure that he can hear it too.

Up until now, your cousin's advise is still hanging above you, making you wonder if it's alright to take his word for it and take the leap. But as you look at Wonwoo's dumbfounded expression, you finally had the answer you were looking for.

“Nevertheless, I'm still going to try.” with this small burst of courage, you dare continue. “I love you, Jeon Wonwoo. Always have been ever since you had approached me first in that small playground. And even if it won't be me who will be there by your side, can I still love you?”

And as your words left your lips, so had the courage that had possessed you momentarily in the heat of the moment. Eyes widening, you blinked as you scrambled to your feet, your picnic laid forgotten as you try and put distance between you and him.

But with the sound of pitter patter of his feet, you knew very well that it would only be a matter of time before he caught up to you. Kung hindi lang seryoso yung situation niyo, malamang napagtawanan mo na siya kung paano na naman siya tumakbo. However, with him catching up to you easily, holding your hand as he turned you towards him, teasing him was the last thing in your mind.

“Look at me,” Wonwoo's voice had dipped lower than his normal baritone, chest heaving from small exertion. “Did you mean what you had just said?”

“You know very well I don't say things that I don't mean,” you mumbled instead, head bowing low. Sorry, Woo pero expired na yung tapang ko kanina, you wanted to say but chose not to as you tried to wiggle yourself out of his grasp much to no avail.

“Look at me,” you could hear the desperation, the pleading that you couldn't help but raise your head as your eyes flitted immediately towards the bridge of his nose. Your safety net, as always. “Come on, look at me. What do you see?”

Fifth, the more attached you are to the person, the harder it is to see their future.

“Wonwoo,” you warned, shaking your head as he let out a small sigh as he pushed his forehead towards you, nudging you gently.

“No?” his voice close to crying- wait, what? “Dali na, please? Look at me and tell me, what do you see?”

Gathering the last of your strength, you gently moved your head, not wanting to pull away from his hold as you stared into his eyes, the familiar warm sensation lulling you into gentle assurance just as it always had been.

“What do you see?”

“Wait lang, ang foggy pa ka-”

“Way past that, love.” his voice firm and impatient. You didn't know what shocked you more- the fact that he's being impatient or the fact that- did he just called you..? “I know you can ignore the fog- dali na, what do you see?”

And just as what he had said, you ignored the fog that was creeping through your sight as you concentrated on what he had wanted to show you.

“...me.”

Letting out a small laugh of relief, his hands made its way towards your cheeks, finally allowing himself to caress you, shaking your head gently before tilting your face to capture your lips with his own.

And just like that, you could feel the cool sensation wrapping you once more- the same sensation that had anchored you before, the rush of air passing by you as the sight of series of his future flashed behind your closed eyes.

His laughter, and his frustrations, the longing, and the dejection, all of it comes down to one reason- you.

As the need for air arise, both of you reluctantly pulled back but not him going for another peck on your lips and on your forehead.

“Just like it's always been, my love.” Wonwoo whispered against your forehead. “Ikaw lang ang nakikita ko sa tabi ko for the rest of my life and I don't need to have your ability to confirm that. It's you and will always be you.”

Ignoring the rush of emotions blooming against your chest, you wrapped your arms around him. “Sorry it took me this long,”

You can imagine him smiling as he placed his head over your own. “Doesn't matter. You're here now, right?”

At loss for words, you simply nodded, letting yourself snuggle against his chest, not caring kahit magmukha pa kayong tanga sa gitna ng quad.

“I love you too,” he mumbled, catching your attention once more. “Please keep staying by my side, okay?”

“Okay,” you answered just as you felt his cool hands tightened around your waist, pulling you closer to him.

You may not know what lies in your future but somehow you had inkling that it would all turn out well.

You forge your own future, after all.

#seventeen scenarios #svt scenarios #seventeen fanfic #svt fanfic #seventeen filo fanfic #svt filo fanfic #svt filo fic #seventeen wonwoo #svt wonwoo #seventeen wonwoo x reader #svt wonwoo x reader #seventeen imagines #svt filo imagines #seventeen filo imagines #svt imagines

57 notes · View notes

anyalovesu · 8 months

Text

tolerate it.

vi. use my best colors for your portrait.

— “he said he wondered what it must be like inside my mind and i told him he’d rather not know. it was for the better.”

“Bakit ka andito?” Elijah’s tone was sharp from the door of the atelier, eyes boring holes into the back of her fiancé’s head.

“Madam Eli!” Kyle greeted her cheerfully, skipping towards her as he gave her a high five. Leon didn’t know when they got that close but he figured that maybe FC lang si Kyle. “Nakita ko ang entry mo sa page ng org n’yo! Angas!”

Eli smiled at him, flattered at the compliment, especially because Kyle really was impressed and has never seen anything executed like that.

“Magpapacommission kami ng art sa’yo one day, para sa album art namin!” he says with conviction.

“Album art agad,” Amir playfully hits the back of his head, chuckling at him. “Sumulat ka muna ng kanta.”

“Meron na ngang draft!” Kyle argued, reaching over to Amir’s head to get his revenge but Amir stealthily pulled away before Kyle could hit him. “Nasa flashdrive ko na, iplay ko pa ngayon!”

“Loophole,” Leon replied to her, before slowly turning back to face her. “Bakit Loophole?”

“Hindi ako nagpapapasok sa atelier, lumabas ka d’yan,” Elijah sneered at him, pointing the way out of the room.

The room was messy and there were a lot of unhung canvases lying around the room that she has been planning to hang around the house but she hasn’t been home for most of the time to do the task. She would be lying if she said that she enjoyed working overtime. She’s not afraid of admitting that she has been avoiding Leon, that’s why she has been staying up late in the office. But more than that she hasn’t been drawing well the past few days, that even Hwangs have noticed how dark her designs have been getting which puts Santi in a position to worry if his little sister’s situation is triggering her to have a mental breakdown.

“Why the loophole?”

“Matagal na ‘yan.” Elijah was getting agitated the more Leon tried to press for information.

Wasn’t it obvious? Or was it that Leon is playing stupid?

“It’s good!” Eli clapped as Kyle stopped the seventh and last track from the mini album. “Anong pangalan ng album?”

“Loophole,” he proudly replied. “Homage to where the band started.”

“But nagsimula ang banda sa inyong lima,” Eli smiled at him, soft eyes looking at the gentle stares that her friends were giving her. “Ibang banda ang Loophole.”

“Walang Midnight Covey kung walang Loophole,” Amir agreed. “Maganda yung Loophole. Doon nagsimula ang lahat, doon rin magsisimula ang karera ng banda na ‘to.”

“Para saan? Para kanino?”

“Hindi ka naman yata tanga para isubo ko pa sa’yo ang sagot,” Elijah spat at him, before trying to force Leon out of the atelier. Trying, being the keyword. Leon was taller and heavier than she had anticipated, making it easy for him to stand still and pull her like she weighed nothing towards him. “Bitawan mo nga ako!”

“It was for the album ng MC, right?”

“You are on thin ice, Park,” Elijah hisses at him one more time, but Leon does not let go. Instead he pulls her into a hug, one that he was strong enough to hold even if Elijah was fighting for her life to escape. “This is not going to fix anything you did, Leon. Bumitaw ka na.”

Elijah was slowly beginning to feel like the world was closing up again. Cold was creeping from her fingertips to her arms, from the tips of her toes to the rest of her body. Her eyes began to cloud as her throat dried and closed up. “Bumitaw ka please,” she managed to sob out as she tried to push him again from another time. “Hindi ako makahinga, bumitaw ka, Leon.”

Leon releases the moment he hears that, cold engulfing him just as much as it did her. “Ellie,” he held her face to make him look at him as she breathed heavily.

“Bitawan mo ako sabi!”

He was taken back when she slapped his hand harshly away from her face. Elijah backed away from him until she hit the blank wall next to the door frame. Leon could only watch as Elijah clutched the hem of her shirt as she slid down the wall, sobbing.

“You can’t just go home na may dalang bulaklak tapos magkukunwaring may pakielam ka sa mga ginawa ko para lang saktan ako bukas,” Elijah whimpers, trying desperately to control her breathing. “Tangina naman. Gusto mo malaman kung para kanino ‘yan?”

Leon was speechless, he just stood there and nodded like a pathetic little boy. It made his heart squeeze to see Elijah sat there, in the midst of a mental breakdown, and he hit a dead end trying to figure out how to help her. She didn’t want anyone near her, that was the only thing clear for him.

“Para sa banda, oo,” she managed to croak out. “Para sa una n’yong album.”

Leon slowly drops to the floor, pulling his legs close to him as he tries his hardest not to scoot closer toward Elijah to hear what she was saying as some of the words rendered incoherent in between the sobs. “But you stopped being friends with me bago ko pa natapos. Bago ko pa maibigay.

“Bakit ilang araw na hindi sumasama si Eli?” Amir asks as Leon enters the room with Krizal, his girlfriend. Krizal sneers at him the moment Elijah’s name was mentioned.

“‘Wag n’yo na hanapin,” Leon brushes them off as he offers for Krizal to take a seat on the couch where Eli used to sit.

Kyle couldn’t help but feel the ick for the new girl.

Surely it wasn’t her fault that she was brought here by Leon, but she seemed uninterested the entire time she was there and it was a stark contrast to the enthusiasm that Eli always showed whenever she tagged along. He appreciated every comment Eli gave and the small revisions in the lyrics and the composition of the song that she thought would sound better. That energy was just absent now that Eli is not there anymore. He missed it. Surely, everyone did. Especially when there was a constant interference with their equipment because of the constant calls that Krizal kept on getting in the middle of their practice.

“Miss ko na si Madam,” Kyle mumbles as he scribbles on his notebook. Krizal had just left to meet with her friend, and there they were on the floor of Kyle’s studio, trying to brainstorm for the next song that’s going to make it in their album. “Kelan ba daw s’ya hindi busy?”

“Ayaw ni Krizal sa kan’ya,” Tobi rolled his eyes. “Hindi ko na rin nakikitang nagpapansinan ‘yung dalawa eh.”

“Ang fucked up mo naman brodi kung iniwan mo si Eli dahil ayaw sa kan’ya ng jowa mo,” Karlo laughed at him, thought secretly hoping it was a joke. But it wasn’t. That morning, Leon and Eli spoke about the terms of their friendship and technically ended it there.

Leon looked at him blankly.

“Bobo,” Kyle shamefully threw his notebook at Leon, making sure to aim for his head. “Bobo ka! Isa kang bobo!”

“What was I supposed to do? Eh nagseselos nga si Krizal sa kan’ya?”

“Si Eli ba talaga ang problema o ikaw ang suspicious gumalaw kapag kasama si Elijah?” Everyone stopped to look at Tobi.

Of all the people, Tobi knows Leon the most as he sees it, Leon has been denying an emotion that he fears to feel.

And that was, Leon, in fact, was unknowingly falling in love with Eli. And out of fear of what could result from that, he switches up to another girl and dumping Eli as if it would magically erase how he felt for his best friend.

“Anyway, kung makakaistorbo lang din ang girlfriend mo sa practice at wala namang itutulong dito, huwag mo na isama,” Kyle rolled his eyes at him, picking up the notebook that he threw at Leon. “Ilang beses tayong umulit kasi ugong ng ugong ang speakers. Akala n’ya yata nakakatuwa s’ya.”

Him and Krizal broke up a few months later and it didn’t take long before he was dating someone else already. Though they lasted longer than him and Krizal did, his relationship with Junia ended for the same reason. They couldn’t stop getting jealous over someone Leon had left behind already.

While Leon knows that he has already moved on, it seemed like the ghost of Elijah haunted him, because she was everywhere. Even their small fanbase searched for the girl who always stood in the bylines during their gigs, the one who always cheered for them and even went as far as writing songs with them. Maybe him constantly being broken up with because of Eli unreasonably planted that deep rooted dislike for his, now, ex-best friend.

Margot was there for them the same way Eli was, though she had a different role. She was there because she enjoyed whatever her older brother sang. It took a while before she and Leon got together because Amir did not like the thought of it. At the end of the day though, Amir knew that Margot could handle it. After all, Margot and Eli met each other once and did not have bad blood at all. Margot knew her worth and knew that Eli is not going to be a threat at all if it was up to her.

Margot trusted Leon very much and while it seemed pathetic that she knew there was someone else in Leon’s heart, she figured that there were two separate places for them and there was no point in competing with someone who respected Leon’s decisions a long time ago. Margot knew that there will always be love for Eli. From all of Midnight covey. She knew that Midnight covey wouldn’t have made it if she weren’t there during the beginning of it. Eli will always be loved, especially by her best friend, Leon, though he says he would rather die than say it.

And Margot was right all along.

It wouldn’t hurt this much if there wasn’t love.

It physically hurts him to remember that conversation with his friends, everything that had everything to do with Eli during the rise of the band, all his break ups — everything leads back to Eli.

And it wasn’t even her fault at all.

It was all his.

“Babes, may schedule ka pa sa Sunset vine,” Ynes called her softly, tapping the back of her very hungover best friend to try and wake her up from her slumber. “Sabi na kasing tama na kagabi eh, ayaw pa magpaawat.”

“I’m sick sabihin mo hindi ko kaya,” Eli whined, trying to swat Ynes’ hand away from her back. “Ayaw ko pa rin makita si Leon.”

“Kapag ba hindi ka pumunta, may mangyayari?” Ynes asked, pulling a chair to sit next to her. Craning her neck above the dividers of Eli's working space to see if there was anyone suspicious listening to them. “Kahit naman ayaw mo kay Leon, wala naman tayong magagawa. Jas messaged him last night, noong may tama na rin. He kept on apologizing, babes.”

“What is his apology going to do? Anong akala n’ya? Kapag suddenly binigyan n’ya ako ng acknowledgement bibigay ako? Am I that easy? Ganoon ba ang tingin n’ya sa akin?” Eli rises from her desk and looks at Ynes, tears beginning to glass over her eyes. “Ang babaw ko naman sa kan’ya kung ganoon. He couldn’t even apologize to my face! And then what? Ita-trato nanaman ako na parang basura kung kelan n’ya maisipan? Tangina naman kung ganoon.”

“Babes, I can’t go there on my own rin kasi,” Ynes sighed, finally admitting to the truth. “Nacontact na rin kami ni Kuya Tobi ng assistant ni Misis Park para samahan kayo as maid of honor at best man.”

“Dinadamay na rin kayo?” Eli wanted the ground she stood on to open and swallow her whole from 12 floors above the ground floor. Why did it have to reach to this point?

“I actually think it’s quite nice of them to bring us into the picture. Para hindi kayo magpatayan.”

Eli groaned, slamming her head on the top of her hand over the table. Dejectedly turning her head towards Ynes’ direction only to realize that they really are trying to make this work for her and Leon.

She really was hopeful that somehow it could work. Maybe some miracle out there would suddenly make him change… but the miracle came in the form of him being made aware of her diagnosis… and the sudden change wasn’t so nice at all. After his scene last night, there was nothing but sheer anger and annoyance for Leon for how he handled things.

“I actually think na dapat hindi na kayo sinasama dito,” Eli mumbled before hesitantly pulling herself up from her seat and grabbing her handbag from the table. “Tara na. Baka kung ano pang iba nilang ipagawa sa inyo.”

Ynes was there through everything. What’s next if Ynes doesn’t follow what they say? Take away her job? Take away from Eli? Losing Ynes is the last thing she wants. Ynes is the sole reason for her sanity throughout college when everything was turning shit because of school and her consistent family affairs that she did not want to involve herself in.

Ynes took Eli’s car keys before she could even argue. Eli was not in the best state of mind and driving for God knows how long will take during the deadly hours of city traffic has never had a higher chance of triggering yet another mental breakdown from her. Ynes took it in her hands before things got out of hand.

“Gusto mo na ba pagusapan kung saan nagsimula ang sigawan n’yo ni Leon kagabi?” Ynes asked once they reached where the traffic really got congested.

“Nasabi ko na kagabi,” Eli replied coldly, as if trying to avoid the subject though deep inside she knew that she had to talk about it at some point. She figured that talking about things helped her to figure out how to go around things better. The thing about that was that it was hard to relive moments that got too emotional for her liking. Emotions made her brain go haywire almost every time. There was a point where she thought she had an aversion towards feeling strong emotions but Isa always reminded her that it was okay to feel her feelings when he was around because she was safe.

She believed him.

She was safe with Isa.

But Isa is not here anymore.

“Sabi mo lang kagabi nagdala ng bulaklak tapos ang kapal ng mukha n’ya dahil akala n’ya kaya ka n’yang goyohin sa bulaklak,” Ynes gave her a slight shrug.

Ynes always thought rationally. Which made her jealous of that trait of her best friend because she never was. The highs were always too high and the lows were always too low. There was rarely a neutral ground for her to think things out properly. She was a cosmic ball full of emotions and ideas, always waiting for the most inconvenient moment to explode. They either turned into stars, her greatest creations, the very reason of her success or into black holes, that sometimes are strong enough to absorb every single reason for her to want to live.

Eli looked at Ynes, whose eyes glued to the road, before slumping back on her seat, letting out a heavy sigh to try and compose herself with enough courage to tell her best friend what had really happened.

“Pumasok s’ya sa atelier,” Eli sighed, looking down on her hands as she fiddled with the zipper of her designer bag sitting on her lap. Her light pink manicured nails scratched on the metal grooves of the zipper in hopes of distracting herself from crying once again.

“You let everyone in the atelier, Eli,” Ynes glanced at her curiously. True to her statement, Eli did let everyone into her working space ever since. She was always proud of the art that she creates, claiming that she has brought them to light from the highest and lowest points of her life and it was always worth being proud of because it was a reminder that she survived that part of her life. “Bakit ayaw mong papasukin si Leon?”

“I didn’t let him him. Pumasok s’ya ng kanya,” Eli quipped. “There’s a difference d’on, babes.”

“Bakit ayaw mo nga?”

“Nakita n’ya yung huli kong ginawa,” Eli glances out the window to try and avoid letting Ynes see her crying even though she’s seen her cry too many times to count already.

“Maganda naman?”

“I don’t know if he figured that half of it was from my grief noong sinantabi n’ya ako,” Eli mumbled.

Ynes felt a pang of guilt hit her when Eli admitted that.

'Half of it' was an understatement, more than half of it was Eli’s artistic take on Midnight Covey’s songs. They were basically what could’ve been MC’s album cover art over the past four years. She hasn’t listened to any of them directly, but Ynes played them all the time. She was friends with Kyle after all like Eli used to be too. Ynes was a big fan of Midnight Covey but out of respect for her best friend, she never opened up the fact that Eli has been keeping her word to Kyle that she will make them an album cover one day when they made it big.

“Now I feel guilty kasi nararamdaman ko pa rin yung grief na yon kahit na may Isaac na noon,” Eli continued. “But it was a different kind of hurt, you know? Akala ko kasi hindi n’ya maiisip gawin ‘yon but I turned out to be just as replaceable as everyone to him. Tapos what? Kapag nalaman n’yang may sakit ako, all of a sudden, maawa s’ya tapos gogoyohin ako gamit ang bulaklak? Ganoon ba kadali ‘yon sa kan’ya? I spent the past years grieving our friendship tapos ganon lang ‘yon sa kan’ya?”

Ynes had no more words to say but a sincere apology for pushing her to open up something so sensitive to her. Eli told her to not mind it, maybe it did feel good to let that thought go because it was true and it mattered a lot that she listened.

“He also called my best work yet childish and immature,” Eli added. “I don’t want to get scrutinized again by someone who used to be so proud of my work.”

“Maganda ang mga gawa mo,” Ynes argued. “He’s so lucky that he was the reason behind one of your best works. You always painted him in good colors. So much for someone na sinaktan ka ng sobra.”

“I don’t have the stomach to hurt his reputation and ruin his image for the band,” Eli replied, eyes following the parking lot lights that they were passing by, another of her useless attempts to distract herself from getting too emotional again. “He’s a shitty person, yes. But not that bad naman para sirain s’ya with my art. He still deserves the best colors for his portrait. Magaling naman s’yang musician. Let’s give him that.”

—

“Ruby,” Leon smiled, welcoming her into his arms before his arms made its way to wrap around her waist. “This is Chulia and Georgina. I met them kanina. Sila yung organizers.”

Shit.

Elijah could almost feel her entire skin crawl at the feeling of being intimately close to Leon. Things seemed to naturally spew out of Leon’s mouth. Like Elijah wasn’t screaming her larynx at him the night prior.

Nonetheless, Elijah offers her hand to shake both Chulia’s and Georgina’s hand politely. “It’s nice meeting you both.”

“We’ve met before,” Chulia smiled at her. “Sa VisuoCon two years ago! I didn’t know na si Leon Park pala ang boyfriend mo noong time na ‘yon!”

“Oh, he wasn’t,” Elijah blurted out before she could think of it.

Leon could not help but feel flustered at her slip up this early but he could not help but feel a pang against his chest being denied like that even if he knew very clearly that she was committed to someone else just a week ago. However, instead of showing how completely fazed he was by this, he only clutches her waist possessively as if to tell Chulia that he might not be the one with her back then but he’s the one here now.

And that’s what mattered.

Elijah, who was also shocked by her own reckless response, seemed to get the message. “He wasn’t. Life works strangely. Dito rin pala ako babalik.”

“We got together just this year, actually,” Leon chuckled, carefully caressing the area where his hand was. Elijah, though it scared her the first time it happened, seemed to be growing on Leon’s touch. After all Leon wouldn’t do anything to violate her that way… he’s not that kind of person, right? He changed but he’s not that bad, right? “Pero magkababata naman kami. Technically, there’s no need na magkaroon pa ng ganoon katagal na dating phase, right? We’ve spent almost our entire lives together.”

There was some truth to that. Yes. They got together this year, specifically roughly about a week and a half ago. They were childhood friends, correct again. They have spent their entire lives together,

Yes.

Except that for the past four years, they have been pretending to not know each other.

Though, for more than they liked to admit, they unconsciously did things that still lead back to each other.

“Ay ganoon ba?” Georgina seemed to be so amused by the unconventional love story that they were trying to sell. “So si Ma’am Elijah po ‘yung person in question noong sinabi n’yo na in a relationship kayo?”

No, hindi po. Elijah wanted to reply to her. Tempted to tell the truth right then and there but they were buying into everything that even Tobi and Ynes seemed to be impressed by how well they were playing into this. They were easily fooled into Leon’s charismatic smile when he nodded as they giggled and playfully slapped each other’s arms.

Elijah, getting a little too close for comfort, laid her head on Leon’s side, accentuating the height difference as Elijah only rose to graze lightly to his shoulder.

“We wanted to keep it private, right?”

Elijah didn’t know why she turned her head to look at him; it just felt right. But she didn’t know if it was a great move— maybe for anyone who didn’t know any better, it was— but for her sanity it wasn’t because Leon did the same exact thing and their faces came too close for their liking.

They stood there, faces inches away from each other.

And somehow that made Elijah’s heart race. It wasn’t the good kind. She got afraid.

Not by the closeness.

Not by the fact that he looked like he was going to kiss her.

She got afraid of the fact that for a miniscule second, she wanted to move closer and kiss him right then and there.

Elijah got too flustered and playfully pushed his face away, managing to hide how her face easily turned crimson by hiding her face on his chest. Again, too close.

“Ang cute n’yo po,” Georgina giggled, playfully slapping Chulia’s arm once again. “Dito po tayo, darating na po yung mga server maya maya ng kaunti.”

“While waiting, we should talk about you two’s preferences, ano? I heard from Miss Alcantara na napagusapan n’yo na raw po ‘yung mga gusto n’yo. So, doon po tayo magsisimula ngayon,” Chulia smiled, as the six of them walked towards the back room of the restaurant.

Leon managed to slip his arm away from Elijah’s waist, leaving her feeling cold after getting used to his warmth for that short period of time. But before Elijah could move away, the older man managed to reach for her hand just split second after he took his arm from around her body.

Elijah knew they were pretending.

Who knows how long it would last that Leon was this nice and intimate.

Her mind was racing with a million other thoughts about the impending engagement party, but the one that led them all was the fact that she never once attempted to remove her hand from Leon’s even when they were already sitting down. There were their hands, over the table, flashing the shiny ruby ring for the entire table to see.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ characters ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ previous ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ next ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

#enha angst #sunghoon angst #angst #sunghoon #jake #jay #heeseung #ni-ki #sunoo #jungwon #forced marriage #forced proximity #filo!enha #enhypen angst

2 notes · View notes