WHEN IT WAS YOU

Tahan na

They saw Soonyang standing outside their house waiting for them.

"Soonyang, sa backseat."

Even though Soonyang doesn't have any idea of what's going on, she entered Cheol's car. "Ano pong meron?"

"Anong nararamdaman mo ngayon?"

"Confused? Kinakabahan?" Then looked at Woo beside him who's looking outside through the car's window.

"Gusto ka lang naming makasama sa road trip."

"Why all of a sudden, kuya Cheol? Bakit hindi nyo rin sinabi kanina nung magkakasama pa tayo?"

"Think of this as a spontaneous trip. Trip trip lang namin. Actually it was all Woo's idea." Hani said then winked at Cheolo.

"Saan naman po tayo pupunta? Sana pala nag bihis ako ng maayos. Dadaanan din po natin si Ji?"

"Maayos naman na yang suot mo, my dear. Nothing to worry. And, about Ji, hindi kasi sya nagrereply and we're left with just a few hours, we have to go without her na." But Hani was texting with Ji awhile ago, telling them their plan so Ji was fully aware of it.

As they reached their destination. Cheol and Hani told them that they will just buy their snacks and that Soonyang and Woo don't have to go outside the car.

"Soons, may sasabihin ata si Wonwoo sayo." Said Cheolo before closing the car's door and ran towards Hani who's walking her way to the convenience store.

Soonyang looked at Wonwoo.

Bakit ako kinakabahan ngayon? Both of them are really nervous as of the moment.

"Hala, bakit ka pinagpapawisan?"

"Wala 'to. Sa kaba siguro."

"Bakit ka kinakabahan, kuya? May sasabihin nga po kayo?"

"Soon, listen to me first please. And yes, I have something to tell you. Na sobrang tagal ko nang gustong sabihin sayo. I'm not saying this now kasi gusto kita i-rush, but I think this is my best opportunity and chance. So hear me out, okay? I'm not doing this because I'm taking advantage of you vulnerability because of Gyu."

"Okay po, I'll listen."

Before saying the words he's been desiring to say unto Soonyang, he got something from his bag. A gift wrapped beautifully. A Graduation gift of Woo to Soonyang.

"But before that, here. Take this. It's my graduation gift for you."

"Aww, thanks, kuya Woo. Sa bahay ko na po bubuksan ha?"

Woo nodded and took a deep breath.

"I like you, Soonyang. Ever since we met. Ever since Cheol introduced us to each other. Remember that day, Cheol convinced you to join the org, right? I joined the org because of you. I like it, no, I love it everytime I'm with you since then kahit di tayo nagkakausap. Kaya nga after we've talked in private, I always make it a point na I've got a conversation with you before the day ends."

"How? Bakit ako?"

"I don't know either. That's what my heart dictates e. Kaya nga masaya ako na hindi mo sinagot yung manliligaw mo. Akala ko, I'll experience a heartbreak from something na di parin naman nagsisimula."

That Soonyang already experienced because of Gyu.

"Kuya Woo, bakit mo sinasabi sakin ngayon 'to?"

"I just can't tame my heart. At syempre sa prompting narin ng mga kaibigan ko. Yes, matagal na nilang alam 'to. But I told them to keep this as a secret kasi I wanted to tell it to you personally. I was just too coward before. And syempre I considered that you already have Gyu."

Soonyang was too overwhelmed. She wanted to speak but she can't.

"Gusto sana kitang ligawan, Soonyang. If you would let me."

Soonyang cried after hearing it. She didn't know what to feel. She wanted to say that Yes, I will let you or Yes, I like you too but it looks like her heart is traumatized and is too afraid to say it as of the moment because of what had just happened.

"Don't cry, Soonyang. I don't want to give you confusion or to rush you. I just wanted you to know how I feel about you. Again, I like you. You don't know how hard it is for me to gain the confidence I have right now. But it's now or never. I don't want to lose the chance just as how I don't want to lose you. You can answer me whenever you wanted. Okay?"

Soonyang nodded. Wonwoo wiped Soonyang's tears with his handkerchief.

"And about that gift, I wanted you to wear that when you already have your answer. Be it a yes or a no. You'll wear that if you already have your answer. Tahan na."

Though Woo told her to stop crying, Soonyang cannot prevent her tears from falling down. Soonyang looked at Woo. She cannot explain how her heart was about to blow because of what is happening. But it calmed her when she looked at how a handsome and gentle looking man is beside her and comforting her. But still, it feared her that she knew she's not yet ready and that 'what ifs' are eating her up.

What if mapagod din sya sa paghihintay sa akin? What if makahanap din sya ng iba at iwanan lang din ako. Things that we're sure Woo will never do. He's too careful about this kind of things as well. He'll never take a risk for a matter that he haven't thinked of carefully.

"Huyy, Soons. Sinabi ko 'to hindi para ipressure ka ha. Promise. Walang magbabago sa trato ko sayo, sa inyo after this. Kahit pa maging 'No' ang sagot mo. Promise. You're still my Soonyang. Wag ka din maiilang sakin ha. Hanggat wala ka pang sagot, isipin natin na hindi nangyari 'to. I'll wait for you."

Soonyang smiled and nodded at Woo. If Woo would only know how Soonyang didn't want to hear the words 'I'll wait for you' just as how she wanted to hear it too. Her heart was on search for an answer. She's not that sure of what she should feel. The timing, the person, the feelings seems to be true and right, but her heart prevents her to go on.

Things can't go on easily even if you tried so much for it.