MY FOSTER SON

What If I Like You?

Jojo was silent for a while, trying to remember how lately he was thinking of someone who caught his attention. But today, his feelings became even weaker because of Merlinda's words.

"Well, who's the lucky guy?" ask Kalingga.

"Nothing, Brother. I mean, nothing yet. I haven't found it yet" Jojo replied.

Kalingga was quite fond of hearing that answer, at the very least, he still had a great chance of winning the heart of the girl beside him.

They had reached the mall, Kalingga took the girl to the location where vegetables, fruit and kitchen ingredients were on display.

When Jojo was about to push the trolley, Kalingga banned him. He asks Jojo to walk and take whatever they need. While Kalingga was in charge of transporting the girl's groceries.

"Sir, today my campus is excited because they saw me in the infotainment news and live broadcast during the opening of the store last night" said Jojo. The girl walked back and faced Kalingga while telling a story.

"really? You're the new artist, as it turns out," seduced Kalingga.

"Ah, Brother. Not everyone likes me, you know. So, a lot of people are jealous of my achievements. They don't believe that what they see is me."

"The more you grow into a tall tree, the stronger the wind will be and try to knock you down."

"I don't want to be a tall tree. I want to be a big, shady tree. Sturdy with roots that are tied. Shed anyone who wants to be with me."

Jojo spoke by continuing to walk backwards, the girl looked very happy. Kalingga feels comfortable with Jojo, their small talk always brings a different impression when Jojo reveals it with an adorable expression.

When Jojo was very enthusiastic about telling stories, the girl accidentally tripped over a cardboard drink that would be arranged by mall officials. Jojo fell down and almost fell down. Luckily, Kalingga caught him quickly. The distance between the two faces was so close, just a few seconds, making Kalingga's heart almost detached from its place.

Kalingga helps Jojo stand up. The girl apologized to the mall clerk for being careless.

As they continue hunting for necessities, Kalingga realizes Jojo is walking uncomfortably. The man asks Jojo to stop and checks on him immediately.

"Is this sick?" ask Kalingga.

"Slightly, it seems like kesleo, Brother."

"Other times be careful. Fortunately, the injury is not bad." Kalingga was worried but the girl assured him that it was okay.

Jojo buys a variety of vegetables, fruit, cut chicken, meat and all the knickknacks of kitchen spices. He felt happy because Kalingga was different from Kai. If Kai usually protests every minute when Jojo is too long to vote, then not with Kalingga. The man patiently pushed the trolley and followed it wherever he walked. Not one bit Jojo heard Kalingga complaining.

"Sister, I'm glad you're with me" said Jojo.

"really? Why?"

"Either, if Kai were with me, he would have protested a hundred times."

"Then, why is the person you love the most among us only Kai, why not me?" ask Kalingga. Finally, this question came out of the man's mouth.

Jojo just shrugged, not giving Kalingga an answer. But the man was so looking forward to it.

After a trolley filled with Jojo's assortment of groceries, Kalingga paid him to the cashier. The man easily paid for all the groceries with only one card. Regardless of how much the total amount of goods Jojo bought.

"Where else are we?" ask Kalingga.

"Where are you going?" ask Jojo back.

"You wait here, I'll put the groceries in the car. We can walk around for a while" said Kalingga.

The man walks away leaving Jojo to put their groceries into the car. After a few minutes, Kalingga returned and saw Jojo chatting with a man he had seen.

"Jojo" said Kalingga. He stood beside Jojo and stared fiercely at Leon.

"Oh, yeah. We met at your college a while ago" replied Kalingga.

"Well, I go first" said Jojo to Leon, the girl holding Kalingga's arm and taking the man to hurry away.

"Did he bother you?" ask Kalingga when they've walked far enough away from Leon.

"No, just mince words."

"When she was in college, she confessed to me that she was your ex-boyfriend, Jo. Is that true?" ask Kalingga. Instantly Jojo stopped his footsteps and looked at the man.

"Sister, I told you. I never had a boyfriend!" emphatically.

"Why? He seems to be unyielding to get you."

"Not my type!" exclaim Jojo. The girl explained everything about Leon, about how the man used to be famous as a playboy and dated many juniors on his campus.

"Then what kind of man do you like?" search Kalingga.

"It's definitely not like Leon."

"As Keenan?"

"It can be."

"Are you not like Kylan?"

"No, he's a playboy!"

"What if it's like me?" ask Kalingga again. He is trying hard to extract all information for the sake of his capital to fight.

"It could be, you're the man of all women's dreams, brother," replied Jojo. For some reason, that answer made Kalingga's fighting spirit rise to the highest level. The man walks confidently beside Jojo and takes the girl around looking at the latest clothing collection.

Kalingga offers Jojo some clothing models, but the girl refuses for various reasons. When he saw a dolphin-shaped doll, the girl was intrigued.

"Bring it up, I'll pay it to the cashier" Kalingga said. But Jojo refused after seeing the price hanging on the neck of the doll.

"We'd better get home, before my meat and chicken are rotten in the car" Jojo said.

Kalingga stopped his steps when he saw a knee-length pink dress.

"You like this? I think it suits you" said Kalingga.

"No, Brother. Next time, I want to buy clothes at your gallery. I prefer the Carnation collection," Jojo refused.

They finally decided to return to the parking lot after giving one large box of doughnuts with several flavors. During the drive to the parking lot, Kalingga continued to hold the girl's fingers.

Tonight, Kalingga is very happy. He can be alone and accompany Jojo for several hours. Nothing special, but he likes it.

As they arrive next to the car, Kalingga stops Jojo's hand which almost opens the door. The man flips Jojo's body and squeezes it between the bodies of the cars.

The distance of their bodies was so close, and Kalingga felt that there was a huge magnet pulling on him. The two looked intensely, this time Jojo felt his body ice-cold.

"Jo, what if I like you?" ask Kalingga. The eyes of the man showed an earnestness.

🖤🖤🖤