Bitter Holidays in Jeju

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Nagpaalam kami ni Chini sa parents ni BJH na lalabas muna kaming dalawa. Hindi na naman ako nakapagpalit ng damit, I just had to go what I wore earlier. It doesn't smell sweaty kahit na tumakbo kami kaninang umaga. Hindi rin naman madumi so I chose not to change. Kakaunti na nga lang din ang damit ko rito, pahihirapan ko pa ang sarili kong maglaba.

Chini had been here before kaya hinayaan ko siyang dalhin ako kung saan ideally niya gustong pumunta. While on our way, she's talking a lot about the things she did back in Seoul para lang ma-push through 'yong ibang project for BJH. Ang sabi kasi ng ilang client, kung hindi available si BJH at this time, they would go for another one—hindi pumayag si Chini. Masyadong determinado kaya naman pinursigi niya ring mapuntahan kami rito sa Jeju ngayon.

As soon as we reached the place she's talking about, the place is located somewhere in Jeongbang-dong na ilang minuto lang din naman ang layo mula sa bahay ng mga Baek. It's Pub41 café and it's quiet and nice to be in this area. Pagkababa namin kanina ng bus, nilakad na lang namin papunta rito.

When we walked inside the premises, it looks very aesthetic and with a touch of modern style. It has dining al fresco—the umbrellas are folded and not many people are staying outside. Chini and I decided to walk inside and then we look for our table and take our orders.

"What are you getting, Jelay?" Chini asked.

"Oh... I think I'll just get a coffee. Pampainit na rin."

"True. Kakaiba nga ang lamig today. I'll be getting a coffee na rin. Should we get some pizza or pasta? What do you think?"

"Kakakain lang din natin ng lunch, a?"

Napasinghal naman 'to. "That was thirty minutes ago. Ayo slang 'yan. Busog lusog. We should get the pizza na lang para hindi masyadong mabigat sa tiyan."

Chini stood and went to the counter to place our order. She waited until our order is done and she carried the tray all the way back to our table. She gave me my order and I immediately just took a sip on my cup and it burned my tongue. My face scrunched from the pain. Chini was shocked about what happened, but she just laughed it off. Tumungo ako sa counter to get a cup of water and they have me one at mabilis namang napawi iyon, but still it lingers in.

"So, Jelay, tell me where you guys have been earlier? Maaga raw kayo umalis?"

Dahan-dahan naman akong tumango. "Galing kami sa Sunrise Peak kanina..."

Her eyes wide opened. "Oh, for real?! Anong ginawa niyo ro'n?"

"Pinanood lang namin 'yong sunrise. It was Jin-Hyeong's idea. Gumising talaga kami ng maaga para lang do'n. Though our experience wasn't that good as we imagined..."

"Because?"

"May mga fan na lumapit kay Jin-Hyeong tapos nakilala pa siya ng paparazzi hangga't sa habulin kami nito." She was about to react hysterically pero agad ko na siyang pinigilan sa pag-angat ng kamay ko para hindi niya ituloy 'yon or else, I wouldn't be able to tell her what really happened there. Gladly, she let me talk. "Jin-Hyeong and I hide behind a store and fortunate of us, hindi kami nilaglag no'ng vendor do'n and then we headed down back at the base and there are a few fans recognized him there."

Umiling-iling naman si Chini. I expected that will be her reaction. Uminom muna ito sa kape niya bago siya magsalita. "You know why I put a tracker app on Jin-Hyeong's phone kasi ayokong naiiipit siya sa mga gano'ng sitwasyon. Ang sabi nila, it'll be good if laging nakikita o nababasa sa mga article. Kasi nga magiging relevant siya at pag-uusapan. But I don't condone that kind of way. Good thing, hindi kayo nakita nan g paparazzi after that... but they would totally look for the photos from those fans of him, right?"