Rock With You (Boys Planet Epistolary Series #2) | Zhang Hao

42

“Zihao already left?” Zhang Hao asked after Eris told him everything.

Eris nodded, “Yeah, I wasn’t expecting that he will leave. Kaya pala gusto niya akong makasama ngayon kasi aalis na siya.” Sagot nito, “Umalis na rin siya ng Prism. He told me that he will continue his studies in China and pursue his dream there, to be a dancer.”

Eris sighed, “Alam mo, akala ko nga nung una inutusan siya ni Mom na isama ako papuntang China because Mom wants me to have an arranged marriage with him. Botong-boto siya kay Zihao kaya nga he even tried to court me but I rejected him.”

“Why did you reject Zihao?” Tanong nito, “I mean, your Mom wants him for you and Zihao is nice.”

“But I don’t want him.” Eris said, “I can decide who I want to marry, ako ang magde-desisyon para sa sarili ko hindi ibang tao.”

“You have a point.” Umayos ng upo si Zhang Hao at humarap siya kay Eris, “Bakit mo nga pala naisipan na dito pumunta sa condo ko?”

Eris shrugged and leaned on the couch, he gazed at Zhang Hao na nakatingin din sakanya, “Ikaw unang pumasok sa isip ko kaya dito ako nagpahatid sa driver ni Zihao.” She smirked.

Zhang Hao didn’t expect her answer pero agad siyang nakaisip ng kanyang isasagot, “Should I be thankful na naisip mo ako?”

“Of course, dumbass.” She rolled her eyes, “Hello, ako na ‘to oh. Hindi ka pa ba magiging thankful?”

“Hindi kasi may palamunin ako at ikaw ‘yon.” He said nonchalantly.

Eris rolled her eyes again, “Whatever basta makikitulog muna ako dito ngayong gabi.”

“Sige, basta ikaw dito sa couch.” Zhang Hao smiled at her mischievously.

“Bakit ako?! Dapat ikaw ang dito matulog sa couch hindi ako kasi bisita mo ako.” She retorted.

”Sinuswerte lang? Ikaw na nga lang makikitulog ikaw pa demanding diyan.” Tinaasan ng kilay ni Zhang Hao si Eris.

“Fine, I’ll sleep here on the couch.” Eris said in defeat, “Hindi manlang maging gentleman.” She whispered.

“Oo na, sige na ako na dito sa couch. Doon ka sa kama.” Zhang Hao sighed, “Galing mo talagang mangonsensya eh.”

“Hindi mo lang ako matiis.” Eris smiled playfully.

Napailing-iling lamang si Zhang Hao, “Do you want anything? Coffee? Tea?”

Umiling si Eris, “No need, gusto ko lang magpahinga. Ang daming nangyari ngayong araw.”

The concern in Zhang Hao’s eyes was evident, “May gumugulo pa rin ba sa isip mo?” He asked.

“I suddenly feel empty.” Eris quietly said, it almost came out as a whisper, “Ever since Zihao left just an hour ago, I felt empty again. Pakiramdam ko may nawala sakin. He was my bestfriend since we were in Grade 6...” She trailed off.

“Naaalala ko pa dati parehas kaming umaakyat sa puno ng mangga ni Aling Janette para pumitas ng mangga kapag hinog na, he’s also my first dance nung JS prom namin, tsaka kapag naiiwan ko ang wallet ko dati, he would always treat me for lunch para hindi ako magutom. Minsan, he would share his packed lunch with me.”

“He is one of my few friends who are genuine to me and knows me well. But now, he left me.” Eris sighed.

Zhang Hao tried to reach for her hand, “But you still have me.”

Tiningnan muna ni Eris ang kamay nilang magkahawak bago siya tumingin sa mga mata ni Zhang Hao, “Wala man si Zihao dito, nandito pa rin kami. Nandito pa rin ako.”

“You’ll stay?”

Zhang Hao nodded, “I’ll stay.”

He smiled at Eris.

And Eris swore her heart didn’t skip a beat because of that smile.

But in that moment, Eris knows that it is what she needs right now. The warmth, gentleness, caring, and pure joy that Zhang Hao is giving her.

In that moment, she knows that Zhang Hao is one of the few people that she can let out her true self. The one who she can trust and joke around.

And in that exact moment, Zhang Hao’s heart skipped a beat and finally came to terms that he’s falling for her each second. In the proximity between them, that is what love feels like.