chapter five: The one she forgot.

In the bustling district of Gangnam, where the pulse of Seoul beats with an electrifying rhythm, a hair salon buzzed with activity. Gavin, a young man with a vibrant personality and a penchant for dramatic hairstyles, sat in the styling chair alongside his boyfriend. The atmosphere was filled with the hum of hairdryers and the chatter of stylists flitting about the salon.

As Gavin settled in for his hair appointment, his attention was drawn to the figure seated beside him. Rowan, a friend who shared a complicated history with Gavin and his family, was also undergoing a hair transformation. The tension between them was palpable, simmering beneath the surface as unspoken words hung heavy in the air.

Gavin, known for his sharp tongue and quick wit, couldn't resist breaking the silence. "I've heard that you go to someone I know, that's why you're not participating in the supergroup collaboration," he remarked, his tone laced with a hint of annoyance.

Rowan, ever the master of deflection, tried to diffuse the situation with a light-hearted joke. "Woah, news spread faster than what I do," he quipped, attempting to lighten the mood. But Gavin was not one to be easily swayed, his frustration bubbling just beneath the surface.

"Stop using me as an excuse to see my sister. It's been three months, and you're still hiding behind my name. Why don't you just tell her the truth? Ayaw ko nang madagdagan yung tinatago ko kay Eve," Gavin's words cut through the air like a sharp blade, leaving Rowan visibly shaken.

Rowan, usually so composed, found himself at a loss for words. The weight of his guilt and unspoken truths threatened to suffocate him as he struggled to articulate his emotions. "You know it's not that simple. Mahirap sabihin 'yon, Kuya Gav," he began, his voice tinged with a quiet desperation.

As Rowan spoke, the true depth of his inner turmoil began to unravel. "Her amnesia due to trauma erases all our memories... I'm the one she forgot, Kuya Gav," he confessed, a tear glistening in his eye. The raw vulnerability in his voice struck a chord in Gavin, who could sense the pain hidden behind Rowan's stoic facade.

"She was meant to be a performer, not me. I have ruined everything, pangarap niya 'yon eh," Rowan's voice wavered, filled with self-blame and regret. Gavin watched as his friend's inner turmoil spilled out, a floodgate of emotions that had long been suppressed.

Gavin's frustration softened into empathy as he listened to Rowan's confession. "Why do you keep on blaming yourself? What happened that day was no one's fault. Even if she can't dance or perform, it's not on you. Sometimes life throws us unexpected curveballs, and we have to navigate them the best we can."

The weight of unspoken truths hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the salon as both men grappled with the past and the uncertain future that lay ahead. Gavin's gaze met Rowan's in the mirror, a silent understanding passing between them.

"You've been acting as my best friend in front of her, when in reality, you're her boyfriend from before the accident. And yet, you support her new relationship. Why do you torture yourself like this? Why carry this burden alone? Isipin mo din naman ang sarili mo, And do you think my sister will like it once she knows the truth? Do you think about it?" Gavin's voice was laced with a mix of frustration and concern.

Rowan's shoulders slumped, his facade cracking under the weight of his emotions. "I just want her to be happy. What if the truth triggers her, and she retreats back into her pain? I can't bear to see her hurt again, " he admitted, his voice heavy with emotion.

Gavin let out a sigh, a mixture of exasperation and compassion. "I understand your intentions, but this charade is hurting all of us. Lying to her only prolongs the inevitable. We can't keep living in a web of deceit, Malalaman at malalaman din niya ang katotohanan, gusto man natin 'to o hindi," he urged, his voice filled with a sense of urgency. As the hairstylist worked on Rowan's hair, the salon seemed to hold its breath, a tense silence enveloping the room. Gavin's words echoed in the air, a stark reminder of the truth that lingered just beneath the surface.

Rowan's gaze met Gavin's in the mirror, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. "Kuya, Hindi pa po ako handa, hindi ko pa kaya. It's only been three months, and she's still fragile. I can't force her to choose me, especially based on a past that has been wiped clean by her trauma," he confessed, his voice edged with resignation.

Gavin's frustration mingled with a deep sense of sadness as he watched his friend grapple with his inner demons. "I don't know what to do with you, but this charade can't last forever. Eventually, the truth will come to light, whether we're ready for it or not, " he warned, his words heavy with implications.

Rowan's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he met Gavin's gaze. "I know Kuya, but I need more time. I need to wait, to let her heal before I can rebuild what once was ours," he whispered, his voice filled with a sense of longing.

With a heavy heart, Rowan rose from the styling chair, the weight of his secrets and unspoken truths still clinging to him like a heavy cloak. "Thank you for today, Kuya. Kailangan ko na po umalis," he murmured, his steps heavy with the weight of his unspoken burdens.

He watched Rowan leave, his heart heavy with a mix of emotions - disappointment, anger, and a profound sense of helplessness. It was like watching a part of his carefully constructed plan crumble before his eyes.

Landon, Gavin's boyfriend, approached him cautiously, his expression a mixture of concern and understanding. As Gavin vented his pent-up feelings, Landon listened quietly, his calm presence a soothing balm to Gavin's turbulent thoughts. The air around them crackled with unresolved tension, hanging heavy with unspoken words and buried emotions.

"I don't know why I'm playing Cupid just to make my sister happy," Gavin hissed, his voice laced with bitterness. Landon shook his head gently, his eyes meeting Gavin's with unwavering support. "Cupid doesn't throw two arrows for one heart, hon, isang pana lang ang ibinabato sa isang puso," he murmured softly, trying to reason with Gavin.

Gavin, however, was adamant. "Tinutulungan ko lang naman sila na magdesisyon. They both love my sister, but they can't seem to use their brains, I thought they were genuises," he defended, frustration etched deep into his features. Landon sighed, knowing that there was more to the situation than met the eye.

"You know the truth, Gavin. Stefan loves your sister, but you also know who," Landon spoke, his words hanging in the air like a heavy cloud of truth. Gavin's eyes widened in realization, the weight of Landon's words hitting him like a ton of bricks.

"And Rowan isn't the only one Genevieve forgot. She forgot someone important to all of us too," Landon's voice was gentle yet firm, his gaze piercing through Gavin's defenses. Gavin felt a wave of sadness wash over him, memories long buried resurfacing like ghosts from the past.

"I know everything. Of course, I'm your Gavin Tiu, and that's what our parents want - to act like that person never existed, and you know how hard it is for me too as their older brother," Gavin's voice was barely above a whisper, raw vulnerability seeping through his carefully constructed façade. Landon's heart ached for him, knowing the pain Gavin had carried for so long.

"Kasama na kita noong panahon na 'yon kaya nga ako nakasurvive," Gavin's voice was filled with emotion, a rare vulnerability shining through his usually stoic exterior. Landon reached out, cupping Gavin's face in his hands, his touch gentle and reassuring.

"Hon, you're doing too much for your siblings. But know that it's not only the two boys you will end up hurting. This will hurt Genevieve as well, once she knows that you went through all of this for their happiness, hindi siya matutuwa," Landon's words were a gentle reminder of the bigger picture, a sobering reality check for Gavin.

As Gavin looked into Landon's eyes, he saw understanding and unconditional love reflected back at him. In that moment, he realized that maybe, just maybe, he needed to prioritize his own happiness and well-being over constantly trying to fix everyone else's problems.

The salon was filled with a heavy silence, broken only by the soft sound of their breathing and the gentle hum of the air conditioner. In that moment of quiet contemplation, Gavin felt a sense of clarity wash over him, like a storm finally passing and leaving behind a newfound sense of peace.

With Landon by his side, Gavin knew that he could weather any storm, face any challenge that life threw his way. And as they stood together in that dimly lit salon, their intertwined hands a symbol of their unwavering bond, Gavin felt a flicker of hope ignite within him - a promise of brighter days ahead, filled with love, understanding, and the courage to choose his own path.

Although his mind, burdened with a heavy yet noble responsibility, pondered tirelessly over his sisters' happiness. As he strolled, the faint fragrance of blooming jasmine mingled with his thoughts, creating a surreal ambiance.

Gavin had found solace in Landon, a steadfast companion who stood by him through thick and thin. His heart ached at the sight of his sisters, devoid of such unwavering support. The thought of their loneliness pierced him, igniting a fierce desire to see them cherished and protected just as he was.

As he reached the old, weather-beaten bridge, Gavin paused, gazing out at the tranquil river below. The reflection of the moon danced on the water's surface, casting a mesmerizing glow. In that tranquil moment, a resolve strengthened within him.

With a resolute heart, Gavin vowed to find a man like Landon for his sisters, someone they could rely on and confide in. 'Mahirap man pero para sa mga kapatid ko, I'll have to do anything before I can be fully happy in my relationship,'