Chapter Text
——— START
“Renjun, anak!! Gabi na aba, laro pa ng laro,” sigaw ng nanay ni Renjun from their backyard.
“Ma, wait di pa kami tapos ni Jaemjaem,” Renjun replied as he was still playing with Jaemin’s nintendo.
“Tita oh, ayaw ibigay sa’kin yung nintendo,” sumbong ni Jaemin sa nanay ni Renjun.
“Eto napakasumbungero talaga,” Renjun rolled his eyes as he handed back Jaemin’s nintendo.
“Sorry na, tawag ka na ni Tita oh,” the 11 year old Jaemin caged the older one in his embrace, and the 11 year old Renjun just let him be hugged.
“Para paraan mo din ano? Oo na,” Renjun lightly flicked Jaemin’s forehead.
“Aray, Renren,” Jaemin pretended like he was hurt, but Renjun didn’t buy any of his tactics.
“Buti nga sa’yo, una na ako. Baka di na ako papasukin ni Mama sa bahay,” Renjun stood up from the treehouse they made in Jaemin’s backyard when they were 8.
“Hatid na kita, Renren,” Jaemin followed Renjun down the treehouse and walked the older one to the house beside them.
“Bukas ulit? Ganun plano ulit?” Jaemin asked, and Renjun sighed.
“Oo, pero sa bahay naman namin,” Renjun just pouted and yawned as he was tired from playing with Jaemin all day.
“Ano ulit gagawin?” Jaemin grinned teasingly, and Renjun groaned and crossed his arms.
“Pupunta ka sa bahay ng 9:30 am para makanood tayo ng Phineas and Ferb. Dito ka maglulunch and after maglunch, magsyesta tayo hanggang 4:30pm tapos laro tayo ng bahay bahayan sa bakuran namin, ayos na Jaemjaem?” Renjun yawned again, and Jaemin just chuckled.
“Okay, good night Renren,” Jaemin walked away right away.
“Hoy, wag ka malalate ha!!! Sasaraduhan kita ng gate!” Renjun shouted, and Jaemin just gave him a thumbs up.
“Renjun, pasok na nilalamok ka na,” aya ng Mama niya, and Renjun followed after.
——— 10 years later…
“Huang Renjun, gumising ka na!! Anong oras na oh,” Renjun groaned at the voice of his mom shouting at him. Renjun took his phone to see what time it was, and it’s just 8:00 am.
“Ma, ang aga pa please!!” Renjun closed his eyes again, hoping he could sleep again.
The 21 year old Renjun felt envious of his 11 year old self who still had time to sleep during siesta, but now, he couldn’t get enough sleep. As a third year architecture student, it was almost impossible to get the full 8 hour sleep.
Renjun doesn’t understand why his mom is waking him up this early on a Thursday when their summer break just started.
*Ping*
*Ping*
*Ping*
Renjun groaned as he was bombarded by text messages from his friends.
From: palamunin (lele)
“Hoy gagi, nandito na kami nina Hyuck sa baba. Akala ko ba tutulong tayo magready para sa fiesta?????”
From: palamunin #2 (yang)
“Huang Renjun, bumangon ka na!! Paghindi ko nakita crush ko sa plaza, pipitikin talaga kita sa noo ng malakas!!”
From: palamunin #3 (hyuck)
“Tangina, nalimutan mo ba agenda natin today beh? Bilisan mo oy, hinihintay tayo nina Jeno,”
‘Right,’
Renjun forgot about their annual summer fiesta, and since they were teenagers, it was their tradition to help decorate the village. Renjun, Chenle, Yangyang and Donghyuck are all living in the same village. Renjun is living with his mom while Donghyuck is still living with his parents. Chenle and Yangyang are cousins who are living together in a house their parents bought for them (na nasa village din nila). Let’s just say that Chenle and Yangyang’s parents are the ones who moved out and migrated back to China which is their hometown.
“HUANG RENJUN, BUHAY KA PA BA???” Renjun snapped out of his thoughts as he heard a series of loud knocks on his door. Renjun just lazily got out of bed to open the door and was met by 3 pairs of eyes scanning him from head to toe.
“Tinitingin niyo?” Renjun frowned at his friends as he yawned.
“Mag ayos ka na, tinext na ako ni Jeno,” Donghyuck showed him his phone, displaying Jeno’s messages.
“Bakit pormang porma kayo?” Renjun asked the 3 as he raised his eyebrow and crossed his arms.
“Syempre dapat pogi sa harap ni crush,” Yangyang answered as he smiled smugly.
“Kapal mo, Yang. Asa kang icucrushback ka ni Jeno,” napairap na lang si Donghyuck.
“Please, wag niyo naman pag awayan si Jeno. Ang aga niyong dalwa,” Chenle complained as he massaged his temples.
“Hintayin niyo na lang ako sa labas. Mabilis lang ako,” Renjun stated, and the three just nodded as they made their way down.
———
“Ba’t ang tagal niyo?” Jeno asked the group of 4, and Yangyang and Donghyuck just stayed silent.
“Tanong mo si Renjun, nalimutan niya ata,” Chenle answered, and Renjun just rolled his eyes.
“GUYS!!” Everyone's attention was caught by the loud voice.
“Mark, Jisung!!” Donghyuck hugged Mark as a greeting, and Donhyuck tried to hug Jisung, but Jisung pushed him away as usual.
“Grabe, nalate kayo ah?” Jisung snickered as he already knew why the 4 were late, updated ba naman lagi ng jowa niyang si Chenle.
“Late na nga, anak ng,” Renjun groaned again as he knew that Jisung was just teasing him.
“Gagi, maraming gagawin ngayon kaya sana ready kayo,” Jeno informed all of them as he already saw what they are doing for the day.
“Ba’t kasi parang last minute naman ang preparation though?” Yangyang asked Mark, Jisung and Jeno. Well, the thing is Mark, Jisung and Jeno are all active sa kaganapan sa village, and their dads are part of the council sa village.
“May plano silang icancel yung fiesta dahil may paparating na bagyo kaya dapat no ganap talaga,” Jisung explained as the 4 listened to him.
“It turned out na malayo naman pala tayo sa tatamaan ng bagyo kaya ayan tinuloy nila on the same date. Here we are now, last minute decorating,” Jeno ended the explanation, and everyone just replied with an “Ahh.”
“Anyways, let’s work na so first, need maglagay ng banderitas sa mga posts. We can divide into 3 groups naman and go to 3 assigned locations para mas mabilis natin matapos,” Mark started as he read the instructions on the clipboard he was holding.
“Tapos set the stage for the performances. Don’t worry, we have the materials na, and okay lang if simple lang yung design basta daw makulay. May iba pang tasks, but we can finish them tomorrow since the fiesta is on Saturday pa. Maliwanag?” Mark looked at the other 5 and scanned their reactions.
“Let’s do it,” Chenle was determined to finish their tasks today, and everyone agreed.
“Magkikita tayo dito ulit for lunch and sa pagset up ng stage,” Jisung added.
“Okay, divide na tayo into groups, and I’ll give each group a box na may banderitas,” Mark instructed them, and everyone just nodded.
“Akin na si Jeno,”
“Akin na si Jeno,”
Renjun just chuckled at Haechan and Yangyang’s remarks, and Jeno just awkwardly stood between them. Poor Jeno. Chenle and Jisung were automatically partners, so they grabbed a box and went to their assigned location.
“I’m good with anyone,” Mark shrugged as he was chuckling at the 3 as well.
“Actually, kay Renj na lang ako sasama,” Jeno voiced out as he smiled at Donghyuck and Yangyang, working his way kay Renjun. Renjun saw the frown on their face, and he couldn’t help but laugh out loud, earning a glare from the 2.
“So, tayong tatlo na lang, the more the merrier,” Mark hooked up both his arms around Yangyang and Haechan's shoulders as they went to grab what they needed.
———
“Haba naman ng buhok mo, Jeno,” Renjun laughed as he held the ladder where Jeno is climbing on.
“Sabihin mo nga sa’kin, Renj. Pinagtitripan ba ako nung dalawang yun?” Jeno asked as he was attaching the banderitas.
“Sa totoo lang, hindi ko din alam. Gusto mo tanungin ko?” Renjun handed Jeno the banderitas, and Jeno just placed it on the post.
“Gagi, wag,” Jeno climbed down off the ladder, and they both walked to the other side that turned out to be the side where Renjun’s house is.
“Nga pala,” Renjun hummed as he unfolded the ladder in front of an empty house where the next post is located
“Did you know na may titira na daw sa tabi niyo?” Renjun felt shivers in his skin as he heard Jeno ask, para siyang binagsakan ng langit at lupa.
Renjun noticed something… they are both in front of the house Jeno was talking about. The enormous house that has been empty for 10 years. Renjun stays quiet as he reminisces the memories he had with that house. Oh, how he wishes he could just forget the memories he had with the house this instant. But he knows that he cannot, especially it’s…
The home where “their” treehouse is located
The treehouse was the first and only witness on how Huang Renjun developed something special for his childhood best friend at the age of 11.
You can say na “ay ang bata niya pa ah” but Renjun believes that age doesn’t matter when it comes to love. Renjun admits that it was scary how he started to notice every little thing, every little action, every little word ng bestfriend niya. Renjun would always look forward to every day just to be with him, and he loved it when the latter would plan ways to spend their time together. Minsan ng nangulila si Renjun sa bestfriend niya noong nagbakasyon ito sa ibang bansa for 1 week, umiyak pa nga ito sa nanay niya. The 11 year old Renjun would just find himself staring at his best friend's sleeping face during their scheduled siesta since it was the only time when Renjun can observe his features. Renjun would often act like he doesn’t like physical touches pero pagdating sa kanya? He loved the way his best friend would hug him, ruffle his hair and hold his hand. However, he knew na it was only platonic for the latter pero para kay Renjun, iba na ito.
“Renj, ayos ka lang?” Renjun blinked when he felt a nudge on his shoulder, and Jeno was looking at him with worried eyes.
“Sorry, is it still a sensitive topic?” Jeno asked, and Renjun shook his head.
“It’s fine, Jeno,” Renjun assured the taller one as he continued to give him the banderitas. Renjun began spacing out as he was holding the ladder for Jeno.
“If there’s someone moving in diyan, edi may chance mawala ang treehouse?” Renjun thought to himself.
Renjun wanted to laugh at himself kasi he was making it a big deal na parang sa kanya yung bahay. Renjun is a very sentimental person as he was growing, and mukha man masungit at hot-tempered ito, he is a softie. He feels things more deeply and values memories and the people around him a lot kahit hindi niya pinapakita sa labas. Kaya ang 21 years old na si Renjun gusto umiyak dahil lang sa isang treehouse.
“Sabi mo it’s fine pero your face says otherwise,” Renjun hadn’t notice na tapos na si Jeno at nasa tabi niya ito. Renjun just stayed silent and sat sa sidewalk, and he felt Jeno sit beside him, too.
“You know na you can tell me anything diba?” Jeno asked, and Renjun just nodded. They both just stayed silent until Jeno decided to pull his phone to text someone.
To: Makoy
“Tol, sasabihin ko ba Renjun kung sino yung lilipat sa tabi nila?”
From: Makoy
“Wag. Sabi niya sa’tin, tayo lang makakaalam diba? Besides padating na din siya mamaya,”
To: Makoy
“Right, sige,”
“Hanap na ba tayo, Jeno?” Jeno put his phone in his pocket and shook his head in response.
“Kilala mo yung lilipat?” Renjun asked as he just stared at an empty space.
“Hindi eh, bakit?” Jeno felt bad for lying pero kasi it’s not his secret to tell din kaya tiis muna siya for now.
“May chance kaya na malipat yung treehouse sa amin?” Renjun asked, again as he played with the rocks under his shoes.
“The treehouse is really special sa’yo ano?” Jeno asked, and Renjun nodded.
“It’s where everything started,” Renjun answered as he sighed.
“Huh, akala ko ba 3 years old kayo nagkakilala?” Jeno asked again. If you may ask, everyone in their friend group knew about Renjun and his infamous ex childhood best friend because they all grew up in the same community and in the same circle of friends, sadyang mas close lang talaga yung dalawa.
“My feelings, I mean,” Renjun confessed, but Jeno already had a hunch about it dahil grabe naapektuhan si Renjun sa nangyari noon.
——— 10 years ago…
“Ma, punta lang ako kina Jaemjaem!! Sabi ko wag malalate, ano oras na?” paalam ni Renjun sa nanay niyang naghuhugas ng pinggan.
“Wait Renjun—,” Renjun didn’t hear his mom call him as he made his way sa bahay ni Jaemin
Renjun skipped happily towards Jaemin’s house, but there was something bothering him. There was a big truck in front of Jaemin’s house, and people carrying boxes out of it. Renjun stopped in his tracks and wondered what was happening.
Renjun tried to peek at the Jaemin’s gate to see if the taller one was there, but he didn’t find who he was looking for. Despite his introverted personality, he gathered his courage to ask one of the people carrying the boxes.
“E—excuse me?” Renjun tapped one of the workers there.
“Oh, bakit, iho?” The person placed the box he was carrying in the truck and accommodated Renjun.
“Nakita niyo po ba si Jaemjaem?” Renjun asked as he played with the hem of his shirt, and the person didn't know what Renjun was talking about.
“Jaemjaem? Sino iyon, iho?” The person asked nicely, and Renjun could feel the willingness to help in his voice.
“Na Jaemin, yung bata po dito, yung bestfriend ko po?” The person widened his eyes as he realizes na walang alam si Renjun sa nangyayari. The person was thinking about how he would break the news to the younger one in front of him.
“Uhm, iho…” The person crouched to match Renjun’s height, hesitant to tell the younger one but he knew na he had to, atleast.
“Umalis na yung mga nakatira dito,”
“P—po?” Renjun couldn’t believe what he just heard from the older one.
“Inutusan kami na iship lahat ng gamit nila papuntang Canada,”
“Iho, kakaalis lang ng mga tao dito kaninang madaling araw,” Renjun was shaking as he heard what the man told him, but he was in denial.
“Kuya, baka nagbakasyon lang sila diba?” Renjun tried to be positive, but the man in front of him didn’t show any signs of positivity.
Before Renjun knew, his tears started falling down, unable to process whether the news that was brought to him was true or not. Parang kahapon lang, naglaro pa sila ni Jaemin sa treehouse nila, pinlano pa nila ang gagawin para ngayon. His cries turned into sobs as he fell down the ground, desperately whispering Jaemin’s name pero walang dumating na Jaemin.
Walang nagcomfort na Jaemin, walang nagpatahan na Jaemin, walang yumakap na Jaemin.
Renjun ran from the scene and dashed back sa bahay nila, locking himself up sa kwarto niya. His mom just sighed as she decided to give Renjun space and time for himself, to process everything that happened. Kahit siya din ay kanina lang din nalaman, kaya hindi niya nasabi kay Renjun.
“Anak, nandito lang si Mama, ha?” Renjun’s mom assured her son on the other side of Renjun's door, and she was about to leave when Renjun opened the door for her. His eyes are bloody red, cheeks stained with tears, his hair disheveled. As a mom, it hurts to see her son cry like this. She knew how Renjun valued Jaemin so much and how Jaemin was the first person to break Renjun’s impenetrable walls. She is a single mom, and at a young age, Renjun witnessed his father leaving him for good. That’s why Renjun built walls around him and isolated himself from other people to prevent him from getting hurt again. However, as they moved in the village, Jaemin welcomed him with open arms and earned Renjun’s trust right away and eventually became his very first friend.
Now, the only thing she can do is hug his son and let him cry on her shoulders. Renjun is a growing boy, and he is a very compassionate and sentimental person, so she just lets Renjun feel the moment, instead of suppressing it.
“I’m sorry, anak. If only I knew…” Renjun felt his mom hug him tighter, and Renjun just cried even more.
“M—Ma,”
“G—Ganun lang ba ako kabilis iwanan at bitawan? M—May kulang ba sa akin, Ma?” Renjun muttered on his mom’s shoulder, and she felt her tears threatening to escape from her eyes.
She decided to pull away and scan Renjun’s face, wiping the tears that kept on falling from her son’s eyes.
“You are more than enough, anak. Hindi ka iiwan basta basta ni Jaemin ng walang rason. You are important to him as he is important to you. Trust me, anak,” Renjun felt like crying again from his mom’s words, trusting her na totoo nga,
“I—I like him, Ma. Not just as my best friend, paano yan?” Renjun felt a warm touch on his back and looked at his mom again.
“There’s nothing wrong with that, your feelings are valid, okay? I can’t give an answer to your question kasi ikaw lang ang makakasagot niyan. No matter what happens, I’m here, magsabi ka lang kay Mama,” The corners of Renjun’s mouth started to go up as he heard his mom’s reassurance.
“For now, I’ll let you be. If you want to cry, then cry. Hindi mo kailangan ipakita na malakas ka lagi. It’s better to let out your emotions rather than keeping it. Jaemin will come back eventually pero bangon tayo anak ha? I love you,” Renjun felt his hair being ruffled by his mom and all he could say at the moment is…
“Thank you, Ma,”
That night, Renjun cried to himself as he stared at the empty treehouse in Jaemin’s backyard. He let his emotions conquer him for the night, and his mom respected the space he needed.
———— PRESENT
Walang Jaemin na bumalik. Nakatapos na ng elementary at high school si Renjun, walang Jaemin na nagcongratulate sa kanya. Nakapasok siya sa school at course na gusto niya, walang Jaemin na nakicelebrate kasama siya.
After Jaemin left, Renjun’s walls were built even higher. He kept his circle of friends limited, and the only adults he trusts are his friends’ parents and his mom. Mali man ang nanay niya sa pagsabi na babalik si Jaemin pero alam niya naman na sinabi lang ito ng nanay niya just to make him feel better noon.
There wasn’t a drastic change kay Renjun except na naging mas masungit ito at secretive sa mga kaibigan. No one knows what he is thinking, ang alam lang ng mga kaibigan nito ay ayaw na ulit makita si Jaemin ulit. May sama ng loob, oo but by having this mindset, baka makalimutan na nito ang nararamdaman para sa ex childhood bestfriend niya.
But sabi nga nila… “ Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
Binaon lang ni Renjun ang nararamdaman pero hindi ito nawala. Lumala nga lang. Hindi siya nagkaroon ng crush, oo may mga taong nagagwapuhan pero mga artista lang. Hindi rin alam ng mga kaibigan niya na may pagtingin siya kay Jaemin. Ang alam lang nila sa kwento ni Renjun, umalis si Jaemin at hindi na bumalik.
“Inamin mo rin ano?” Jeno asked, and Renjun frowned.
“Na ano?” Renjun asked as he was confused.
“Na may gusto ka kay Jaemin,”
“Kayo lang ni Mama nakakaalam, manahimik ka,” Renjun threatened the taller one.
“Sus, halos lahat naman kami nakahalata na kahit di mo sabihin, your words are different from your actions,” Jeno stated.
“Oo na,” Renjun sulked, and Jeno just laughed at him.
“Mamaya daw hapon ang dating ng titira diyan,” Jeno pointed at the house.
“Swerte ah, maeexperience nila yung fiesta dito,” Jeno is not the type of person who lies. Gusto niya na lang sabihin na yung titira diyan, nakaexperience na ng fiesta dito pero nanahimik na lang siya.
“Halika na, lunch time na,” Jeno stood up and lent a hand kay Renjun which Renjun accepted.
The footsteps as they walked away from the house were heavy, according to Renjun.
———
To: pasalubong pls
“Asan ka na oy?”
From: pasalubong pls
“Wait, there’s traffic here wtf,”
To: pasalubong pls
“Puta, ineenglish ako,”
From: pasalubong pls
“Shut up, meet me by the village gate. I’m here,”
To: pasalubong pls
“Tangina, makautos ah. Si Mark ang susundo sayo,”
From: pasalubong pls
“Okay,”
“Hoy Jeno, puro ka cellphone, tumulong ka nga dito!!” sigaw ni Renjun as he was struggling to paste the stage designs.
“Eto na, atat lang?” Before going kay Renjun, Jeno stopped by Mark para sabihin na sumundo na.
“Oh, san punta nun?” Donghyuck asked as he noticed Mark leave the plaza.
“Chicks,” Jisung answered without looking up, busy kasi magcut the designs.
“NARINIG KO YUN, PARK,” Mark shouted from far away and stuck out his middle finger.
“Gagi, rinig niya yun?” Chenle chuckled.
“Pero san nga ba punta nun, Jeno?” Yangyang was the one who asked now.
“Uhm,” Jeno felt pressured on the spot when everyone's eyes were on him.
“K—kuha lang ng supplies yun hehe,” Jeno mentally slapped himself, hoping na naconvince niya ang mga kasama.
“Dami na natin supplies dito ah,” Renjun pointed at the clusters of coloured and glitter paper and more art supplies.
“Mas marami mas maganda. Magtrabaho na lang tayo,” Jeno changed the topic and continued to work on the designs.
———
“Welcome back?”
“Hi, Mark,”
“Tangina, pumogi ka aports ah,”
“Thanks, I know,”
“Di ka pa din nagbago,”
“Is that a compliment?”
“Welcome back, Jaemin,”
You may be wondering how Jeno, Mark and Jisung maintained the connection they had with Jaemin. They didn’t. Everyone didn’t have any form of communication kay Jaemin simula ng umalis ito until a year ago…
Jisung was just casually scrolling among his recommendations on Facebook when he saw one familiar name “Na Jaemin.” He quickly clicked the profile if it was legit or not kasi wala itong pfp, but the location stated “lives in Toronto, Canada.” Jisung sent a screenshot sa gc nilang 3 nina Mark and Jeno, and they immediately added the account and interrogated him.
Naconfirm nga nila na si Jaemin iyon, at dun na sila naging close ulit na tulad ng dati. Jaemin asked them to not say anything sa iba lalo na sa isang taong malapit sa kanya. It was only a month ago when they found out that Jaemin is moving back for good. The three didn’t say anything to anyone and just planned on how to welcome Jaemin warmly.
———
“Nak, kamusta ang pagdedesign?” Renjun just came back home after a long day and found his mom getting ready for dinner.
“Kapagod, pero it was fun hanging out with everyone, again,” Renjun answered his mom who was preparing the dining table.
“That’s nice, kain na tayo,” Renjun sat in front of his mom and started to inhale the homemade food, earning a chuckle from his mom.
“Ma,” Renjun called after clearing his mouth with water.
“Hmm?” His mom hummed in response.
“Did you know na may titira na sa tabi natin?” Renjun asked, and the woman in front of him widened his eyes.
“Talaga? Sino daw?”
“Hindi daw alam ni Jeno,”
“Oh, kaya pala nakita ko si Mark kanina, may binaba sa tapat,” Renjun was starting to doubt Mark’s actions earlier.
“Si Mark?” His mom just nodded.
“Oo, nak. Pinarada niya yung kotse niya sa tapat tapos may bumaba sa kotse, lalaki. Hindi ko lang nakita kasi muntik na masunog yung niluluto ko kanina,” His mom explained, and Renjun was in deep thought until he finishes his food.
Renjun kept on thinking even when he was washing the dishes, a lot running through his mind.
‘Kilala ni Mark yung lumipat?’
‘Lalaki?’
‘Ayun ba dahilan bakit umalis si Mark agad kanina,’
“Nak, after mo maghugas, tulog na. Maaga pa ikaw ulit bukas,”
“Good night, Ma,”
After taking a quick shower, Renjun took a peek outside of his window. First, he glanced at the abandoned treehouse. Renjun wished that he had the keys to the house and maybe cleaned the treehouse somehow.
Then, a ray of light caught his attention. The room that was parallel to his had its lights on. It was Jaemin’s former bedroom. Renjun opened his window to have a better look, but he just saw a silhouette. The silhouette was indeed a man with a towel around his neck, looking like kakashower din. Renjun tried to see the face but when the silhouette faced his direction, he quickly ducked.
‘Fuck, that was close,’
Renjun just decided to call it a night and let his thoughts run free. He just wants to sleep kasi maaga pa sila bukas and just worry about the treehouse tomorrow.
——— THE NEXT DAY
*RINGGGGGGG*
*RINGGGGGG*
*RINGGGGG*
Renjun groaned as he tried to feel where his phone was located and quickly answered the phone.
“Ano ba?” Renjun drowsily answered, clearly wala pa sa mood.
“Hoy, nandito na kami sa plaza, aber,” Renjun sighed as he heard Hyuck complain.
“Papunta na, 5 mins,” Renjun muttered.
“Anong 5 mins??? Kakagising mo lang ano????” Renjun heard Yangyang shout from the other side of the phone.
“Ingay,” Renjun wanted to end the call, but it was rude of him if he did.
“Pumunta ka na dito, may papakilala daw si Mark, tutulong daw sa pagaayos,” Chenle took the phone from Hyuck.
“M’kay,”
“Ingat ha, tanga ka pa man din,” Hyuck snickered, and Renjun felt himself frowned early in the morning.
“Tangina mo, sana di ka icrushback ni Jeno,”
———
“Ayan na si Mayor,” Yangyang stood at the stage as they welcomed the latecomer, and everyone clapped as Renjun entered the plaza.
“Tigilan niyo ako,” Renjun just sat on the stage and looked around. Mark, Jeno and Jisung are nowhere to be seen while Yangyang and Haechan are arguing about the placement of the podium.
“Sa right dapat!”
“Sa left nga sabi pota!”
Chenle is holding the task clipboard for today, so Renjun just decided to accompany Chenle and skim through the list.
“Hindi ba dapat na kay Mark ito?” Renjun asked the person beside him, pertaining to the clipboard.
“The thing is nauna na yung tatlo dito, sinundo lang nila yung sasama sa’tin,” Chenle replied.
“Ah,” Renjun replied shortly as they both silently read the list of instructions.
“GUYS ANDITO NA ANG MGA POGI,” a loud voice echoed in the plaza, and everyone turned to where the voice came from.
“KAPAL NG MUKHA MO BOI,” Yangyang replied by shouting back at Jisung.
Jisung and Jeno entered the plaza with some supplies in their hands, but Mark and the unknown helper are still nowhere to be seen.
“Ano agenda today?” Jeno asked Renjun and Chenle.
“Finish lang yung designs, set up chairs and tables, and double check yung mga food na inorder and yung mga performers. Also, the cue sheet for the pageant,” Renjun stated as he flipped through the clipboard.
“Nga pala, puntahan mo nga yung dalwa sa stage. Nag aaway kasi hindi alam kung saan ilulugar yung podium,” Chenle pointed at Yangyang and Donghyuck still arguing.
“Bakit ako?” Jeno asked.
“Tiklop agad yan sa’yo eh,” Jisung added and pushed Jeno papunta sa stage, letting him handle the situation.
“Kawawang Jeno,” Renjun whispered to himself and chuckled.
“Sina Mark?” Chenle asked his partner.
“Ah,” Renjun noticed how Jisung hesitated to answer. Kahapon pa niya napansin eh, si Jeno tapos ngayon si Jisung. Hindi siya ganun ka oblivious to not notice things, pero there’s something strange about this day.
“Nagbababa lang ng gamit,” Jisung replied as he started setting up the tables and chairs kaya naman sumunod na si Chenle at Renjun dito.
As Renjun was unfolding the tables, his heart suddenly started to thump faster. He was sweating, and he just felt something was off. However, baka naman dahil sa kape na ininom niya kanina tsaka mainit ang panahon.
“Guys,” Everyone except Renjun looked again at the entrance of the plaza and saw Mark with a figure they were all familiar with. Renjun didn’t seem to hear Mark as he was in his own world.
“What the fuck?”
“PUTANGINA?????”
“Hala pogi— ARAY POTA— WAIT FAMILIAR KA AH,”
The three had similar reactions to the figure beside Mark.
“Hi, everyone,” a deep low voice was enough for Renjun to snap back to reality.
“Mark, bakit ang tagal niy—,” Renjun turned and saw Mark with someone…
Someone familiar, but somehow a stranger to Renjun.
Someone who used to be his partner in crime.
His first friend
The first person he trusted after his mom.
Someone who left him out of the blue.
“Na Jaemin,”