Bada Lee x Nam Jihyun AU 💕✨
Jean and Bada met 12 years ago in Incheon International School.
As adults, they are both successful in their chosen fields. Jean, as an actress and Bada as a choreographer.
They were not always this serious.
12 years a...
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Bada
I pulled Jean closer, leaning into our kiss.
I knew I was risking a lot by doing this and it's not like I planned it.
But of course I have been thinking about it.
A lot.
For weeks now.
—
It started 3 months ago, when I was still reeling from the breakup up with Lucy. I first time I cried in front of someone else. I remember feeling comforted by Jean's gentle touch as she caressed my hair softly while I embarrassingly bawled my eyes out.
I felt safe with her. I felt calm.
As we grew closer, I couldn't help but notice just how kind she is. Palatawa, laging nakasmile, ang saya saya nya tignan. During my darkest times, those after school practice sessions kept me going.
I've never met anyone na kasing perfectionist ko. I saw myself in her. A softer version of me.
Jean had an easy laugh and was always quick to notice how things affected me. She was considerate that way. No one cared for me like she did. Kapag asa bahay nya ako, all my favorite food will be served. I don't know how she knew about them, I guess she pays attention.
Without telling her, I began looking out for her too. That's what friends do right?
"Hala, ano to?" She said one day as she pulls out a pink paper bag from her locker. Nakayuko ako sa phone ko but I can't hide my smile.
Inside the paper bag is the perfume she tried at the mall last week. Pinilit ko syang bilin yun kaso ayaw nya. So I went back there and bought it myself.
"Bada!!! Hala ka. Ang mahal nito. Bayaran kita!" Jean gushed, covering her face. "Sino nagsabi sayong sakin galing yan?" I said pulling a straight face. "Eeeeh. Ikaw lang naman kasama ko nung nakita natin to." Jean's face was bright red. "Bayaran kita, promise!"
"Nako, wag na. Naawa kasi ako sa itsura mo nung di mo yan binili." Seeing her happy was enough for me. I also notice how she never spends for herself but doesn't think twice about buying gifts for Andeng and I.
"Aww thank you talaga." Kumapit si Jean sa braso ko. I'm taller than her, so she fit snugly in my arms as she wraps me in a semi embrace. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Jean looks up her eyes shining brightly as she thanks me again. "Kahit san mo gusto kumain after practice, sabihan mo lang ako."
Now, every time I get a whiff of that strawberry vanilla perfume, my heart skips a beat. The way she looks that day will remain etched in my memory forever.
2 weeks before the party, I was at home when suddenly Jean called me. A random question on our history homework turned into a 5 hour phone call. I didn't realize how long we have been talking. We talked about everything, conversation just flowed freely.
After that, I thought of every excuse I can to talk to her. Madalas nakakatulog kami na magkausap. I found comfort in those moments, too. Kulang ang gabi if di ko sya makasama or makausap.
One day at school, kasama ko sila ni Andeng maglunch. Biglang tumayo si Jean kasi nakalimutan daw nya bumili ng juice. Bigla rin akong tumayo para ako nalang bibili since kumakain na kami.
"Hindi, ako na. Mabilis lang naman." Jean smiled as she ran to the vendo. I felt Andeng's eyes glued to me.
"Tigilan mo na yan." She said as she munches on her sandwich. "Alin?" Tanong ko sa kanya habang nakakunot ang noo. "You know what I mean." She said as she laughs.
I saw Jean coming back and decided not to say anything more. Pero simula nung araw na yun, di na nawala sa utak ko yung madami pang tanong.
Is Andeng right? Ano ba tong nararamdaman ko? Ano ba tong ginagawa ko?
Don't tell me I like Jean. I wouldn't believe it.
Plus, she's straight. Right?
Not this again. Please.
But of course what you resist, persists. Everytime I instinctively do something nice for Jean, andyan si Andeng to bring me back to reality. Habang pinapansin nya, mas lalo ko ring pinapansin na nakadepende na kay Jean bawat galaw ko.
I tried avoiding it. I really did.
But our connection was pulling me in.
One night, while we were at a sleepover at Jean's house, nakatulog na si Andeng. Kaming dalawa nalang ang gising. We decided to go to the kitchen to get snacks.
"Tignan mo to, Bada." Jean said as she pointed to our photo on their refrigerator. It was taken during one of our rehearsals. My arms around her, while she was looking at me.
Natigilan ako. I've I couldn't help but overthink bat yung picture lang namin ang andun.
Does she like me too? Could there be hope?
Bago pa man ako umasa, binasag na agad ni Jean. Bigla syang napatili habang nakatingin sa cellphone.
"Bada, inadd ako ni Lance sa FB!" Jean shoved her phone in my face, I immediately swatted her hand. "Ang liwanag! Grabeng brightness yan, nakakabulag!" Irita kong sinabi.
Lance? Yung pulpol na basketball player?
Jean naman! Itaas naman natin ang standards natin.
"Eh di ba madaming nililigawan yun? Baka ikaw na next." I said as I munch on a bag of chips.
"Wala naman ata! Nakasabay ko sya one time sa stairs, tinanong nya if okay lang daw ba i-add nya ko." Kinilig pa nga. Nananahimik nalang ako since wala naman akong magandang sasabihin.
If type nya si Lance, then wala na nga akong pag-asa. I better quit while I'm ahead.
The next morning, umuwi agad si Andeng. Naiwan ako kila Jean since wala pa namang tao sa bahay. We spent the whole day together. Just hanging out, reading. I love how we can stay still and silent, doing our own thing while still being in each other's company.
Suddenly, Jean sat up and looked at me. "Bada, I think you're my best friend." She says as she puts down her magazine. "You are so random!" I laughed but her eyes tell me she is serious. "You're mine, too." I said, nodding. Jean gave me the biggest smile then she laid back down and continued reading.
My felt my heart break a little at the sound of that word - best friend. But of course I did not let it show.
It was in that afternoon that I confirmed I'm in love with Jean.
Now as I pick Jean up to go the that house party, all I can think of is how I wanna see her. Her mom opened the door for me. She smiled and told me to just go upstairs.
Bumungad sakin si Jean na nagaayos sa salamin. I caught my breath as I soon as I saw her.
Ang ganda nya talaga. In her simple but alluring way. Like she doesn't know just how beautiful she is.
It's my first time to see her really dressed up and I don't know how I'd react.
"Ano ba yang suot mo? Kitang kita yang dibdib mo." Tinaas ko yung damit nya. "Ano ba! Ganyan talaga yan! Daig mo pa si mama eh!" Sagot ni Jean habang tinataboy ako.
"Bahala ka ubuhin dun." Umiling nalang ako habang paupo sa kama nya. I couldn't help but stare at her.
I saw her staring at me too. Jean paused as slowly lifted the lipstick she was putting on. "Gusto mo?" She offered.
Yes, gusto ko.
I don't know what got over me. I didn't answer instead I stood up, took her in my arms and kissed her.
Friendship be damned.
All my worries left my body as I felt Jean kissing me back.
