JIYA lands an internship sa isang small literary agency just to keep her busy for the summer and to build her resumé, pero she's starting late May pa.

Buti na lang, kasi pupunta silang magkakaibigan sa Batangas to celebrate her birthday. Ito na rin celebration nila for ending sophomore year.

Last year, she had dinner with Manang, tapos nilibre niya ng pagkain friends niya 'tsaka nagpainom. She didn't invite Migo pero pumunta pa rin siya 'tsaka nagbigay ng vibrator. "O," he said, grabbing a bottle sa alak na hindi naman para sa kanya, "parang hindi ka inaalagaan ni Levi, e."

Jiya smiled at him and downed her shot, standing up. "Gamitin namin ni Luis 'to, salamat."

Migo watched her saunter away.

(Hindi naman nila ginamit, sinabi niya lang 'yon para mainis si Migo. Parang nag-work.)

This year, her dad knocked on her door and said, "I booked you three rooms to a resort in Batangas for four days during your birthday week. You can use the van, si Kuya Willy ang maghahatid 'tsaka sundo sa inyo. Your mom and I won't be here, so bring whoever you want. Ah, and I transferred ten to your bank account. Your new shoes are downstairs."

Jiya merely nodded and said, "Thank you po."

He leaned against the doorway and said, "Are you interning this summer somewhere?"

She nodded again, facing him in her chair. "Small lit agency lang po."

Her dad narrowed his eyes and scratched his chin. "And you don't want to try working at our company?"

Jiya pursed her lips and looked away. "I'm sorry, Pa."

Gerard sighed and closed the door, shaking his head.

Jiya pretends like that doesn't sting.

Later, her mom texts her.

Mommy: jiya, i bought you a gucci bag
and jacket for your birthday,
kakadeliver lang.

Jiya receives the box and tosses it inside her closet, alongside all the other gifts from the past twenty years unopened.

She replies:

thank you, mommy.

*

Group: casaddie cake

Jiya Valle: o mga puta punta tayo
batangas sino g

Jiya Valle: may 15-18 magdala
kayo ng damit

Inggo de Paz: ...pati ba pera

Anton Buencamino: PARE BAKIT YUN
YUNG UNA MONG TANONG BOBO

Anton Buencamino: also, @Jiya, g!!!
EXCITING yie 21 na siya

Inggo de Paz: GUSTO KO LANG MALAMAN OK

Isco Cuenca: ahm commute ba mahal ang
gas ngayon...

Van Andres: ggg!!!! @Jiya may dress code
ba for ur bday dinner

Jiya Valle: walang dress code
dress code

Jiya Valle: @Inggo no need

Inggo de Paz: YOWNNNNN!!! SALAMAT
LODI SHET HAHAHAHHAAH @Migo
SWERTE KA

Jiya Valle: @Isco maglakad ka.
the rest sa van. punta kayo dito
8am ang wala maiiiwan.

Isco Cuenca: this is discrimination

Isco Cuenca: see u @ 8am 🥰

Addie Zacarias: OMG WAIT LANG HUHU
@Cas can u talk to my parents pls bubba
they trust u

Cas Fuentes: oki luv

Inggo de Paz: simp

Anton Buencamino: simp

Cas Fuentes: @Jiya g na kami. papayag
na parents ni ads pag kinausap ko mamaya

Jiya Valle: k. alam nyo yung rule 
diba

Addie Zacarias: hay. yes po.

Van Andres: wala rin akong pera so yes

Inggo de Paz: ano yung rule bobo ako

Isco Cuenca: bawal gifts. papalayasin niya
tayo

Jiya Valle: yup

Jiya Valle: AH TSAKA 3 ROOMS
LANG TAYO KAYA BAWAL
MAGKASAMA ANG MAGJOJOWA
except kami ni migo kasi ako
nagbayad

Jiya Valle: BAWAL RING SEX SA
KWARTO papalayasin ko kayo!!!

Isco Cuenca: 👋🏻 ahm so sa banyo ok lang

Jiya Valle: HINDE RIN KASI
SHARED wag kayong bastos!!!!!
@Isco @Van!!!

Van Andres: ohmygod nananahimik ako
dito ALSO this is discrimination bakit hindi
tagged si @Cas tsaka si @Addie TSAKA
KAYONG DALAWA kung bawal kantutan
bawal rin sa inyo @Jiya @Migo

Inggo de Paz: sige kami na lang ni @Anton

Anton Buencamino: 🧍‍♂️

Anton Buencamino: bro sorry mahal kita
pero

Inggo de Paz: di mo ko type?

Anton Buencamino: hinde, parehas ata
tayong top e ano gagawin naten

Cas Fuentes: putanginaaaaa baket ko
kayo kaibigan.

Addie Zacarias: and hindi kami tagged bc
we...haven't yet :) diba

Van Andres: ah oo nga pala

Anton Buencamino: solid

Inggo de Paz: so the warning goes to
@Jiya @Migo and @Isco @Van

Inggo de Paz: pero wait si jiya ang
nagbayad tsaka bday niya so she can do
whatever she wants 💅

Migo Salas: tama.

Isco Cuenca: WAIT LANG HINDI LANG
NAMAN ALL THE WAY YUNG MERON SA
SEX AH SO it also goes to casaddie!!! what
exactly constitutes sa bawal, your honor

Jiya Valle: ohmy fucking GOOOOD
basta please just remember
you're all sharing rooms + the
bathrooms so just be respectful
mga puta!!!

Isco Cuenca: fine

Van Andres: fine

Addie Zacarias: fine

Cas Fuentes: fine

Inggo de Paz: fine

Anton Buencamino: bro baket ka nag-fine
wala tayong gagawin ah

Private Message: migago

migago: wait bakit the rule is no gifts

migago: e nagbigay ako sayo last yr

sungit: vibrator

migago: OO NGA ginamit nyo ba :( :( :(

sungit: hindi. ginamit ko lang.
after our kiss.

migago is typing...

migago is typing...

migago: haha shit gamitin natin

sungit: na-pack ko na

migago: WOOOOOOOOOOOO

sungit: idiot 😘

migago: wait so bakit nga siya rule

sungit: hindi naman seryoso yon
na gift. u gave it to me pang-asar.
if i got anything from our other
friends i would've disowned them

migago: wait why nga baby

sungit: basta ayoko lang ng gifts.

migago: HA SO ANO GUSTO MO sa bday mo
:(

sungit: ikaw. may sarili tayong kwarto hehe

migago is typing...

migago is typing...

migago: oh

migago: okok wait so 3 rooms na tayong
lahat? for everyone na?

sungit: yes

migago: so wala parents mo

sungit: baby sa tingin mo ba
papayag ang nanay at tatay kong
magsarili tayo ng room habang
nasa kabila sila

migago: dont blame me idk what ure
capable of. movie night na movie night nga
nasa harap natin mga kaibigan naten e

sungit: IBA YON hindi ko sila
magulang

migago: fine ok so that means no, they're
not coming with us

sungit: yep

*

(Private Message: the simps

jiya's simp: BRO BRO SOS

addie's simp: ano

jiya's simp: KASE

jiya's simp: ok

jiya's simp: sa tingin kasi ng iba
ginawa na namen ni valle

addie's simp: ah so virgin ka pa pala

jiya's simp: SHHHHHHHH

addies' simp: BRO ANO BA AKO RIN
NAMAN special ka??? di naman tayo
pagtatawanan wala silang pake tsaka hindi
sila gago. ano problema mo

jiya's simp: I KNOW THAT

jiya's simp: ang problema ko

jiya's simp: AHM hindi sasama
parents ni valle sa batangas tapos
she said na she wants me as her
bday gift (kilig putek) tapos diba
may sarili kaming kwarto

jiya's simp: ANO IBIG SABIHIN NON

addie's simp: 🍆👌🏻😺🥛🥛

jiya's simp: TANGINA

addie's simp: bro here's an idea

jiya's simp: ano yon bro puta
kinakabahan ako ohmygahd

addie's simp: tanong mo si jiya.

jiya's simp: nakakahiya ayoko.
WAIT SO ako ba dapat
magpprepare ng condom
ganon??? O SYA???? ANO PA
KAILANGAN KO????

addie's simp: camping ampota?

addie's simp: tsaka pare sa tingin mo ba
alam ko

addie's simp: VIRGIN DIN AKO BOBO

jiya's simp: WALA KANG KWENTA
mag-aaral ako goodnight.

addie's simp: sa pornhub? sa pillow?

jiya's simp: BOTH goodnight.)

*

"Gerard Valle po," Jiya says at the front desk.

At the name, the receptionist's eyes go wide. "Oh, hello po, Ms. Valle. Let me just double-check your reservation," she says hastily.

Jiya scrunches her nose but says thank you nonetheless, and when she turns around, she's offered a glass of dalandan juice. She takes one and drinks, watching her friends na nakakalat sa couches ng lobby.

Si Addie tulog pa sa shoulder ni Cas, hugging his arm, while Cas scrolls mindlessly through his phone. Si Inggo 'tsaka si Isco, nag-iikot na sa balcony, nagse-selfie na pinapakita 'yong dalandan juice nila 'tsaka yung seashell necklace na nilagay sa kanila pagpasok sa hotel. Si Anton 'tsaka si Van pinapakialaman 'yong jukebox machine 'tsaka 'yong pool table, tapos si Migo nakaupo lang, staring into space, bouncing his leg habang kinakagat ang labi.

Jiya frowns. Kanina pa gano'n boyfriend niya. Pagdating niya sa bahay, naka-white polo shirt with the first two buttons undone (yum) 'tsaka navy shorts (yum) 'tsaka may shades (YUM), he kissed her on the mouth tapos nag-load na ng mga bags nilang lahat sa van, tapos tahimik lang din siya on the ride, laying his head on her shoulder, stroking her knee. No'ng dumaan sila para mag-breakfast sa Pancake House, ang tahimik din niya masyado.

"Here you go, ma'am," the receptionist says, pulling her out of her staring, and hands her three room keys with a smile. "Your bags will be brought up na po to your rooms. Enjoy your stay and happy birthday!"

Jiya winces and mutters, "Thank you po," and then she rushes over to her friends. "O, keys."

Cas takes one key habang si Van naman ang lumapit for the other. While they pick up their things to go up the stairs, Jiya shakes Migo gently and waves their key in front of him.

Migo blinks, and then he smiles. "Oh, we can go up na?"

Jiya takes his hand and pulls him up. "Is there something wrong?" she asks quietly, wrapping an arm around his waist, while his arm goes around her neck. "Kanina ka pa tahimik, parang ang lalim ng iniisip mo."

He shakes his head once and kisses her temple, pulling her close to him. "Iniisip ko lang na kakabahan ako sa bikini mo."

It makes her smile.

Isco drops on one of the double beds in the first room and sighs loudly in contentment. "Shit, ang sarap! Thanos, kami na lang ni Van dito, please?"

"Bawal sex," Jiya says, rolling her eyes. Hindi na niya alam kung ano ang naging arrangement ng mga kaibigan niya sa mga kwarto, basta dire-diretso siya with Migo to the last room sa connecting doors.

Isang king bed lang with red sheets.

Jiya drops her bag on the chair and lies down, exhaling deeply.

Migo slumps down beside her, stomach on the mattress, and grins. "Happy birthday."

Jiya slides her hand around his neck and kisses him.

He threads his fingers in hair, rises up on his elbows to press her further down on the bed, pero biglang bumakas door nila. "Bihis please! Beach tayo! And reminder: bawal chukchakan!" Isco yells. "Nahihigop ka na ni Migo, hoy!"

Jiya hurls a pillow at him. "Ako nagbayad dito, umalis ka!"

Isco shuts the door bago siya matapunan ng unan.

"Beach!" Van yells behind him. "Bihis na!"

Migo laughs breathlessly, lying back down on the mattress. He turns his head to smile at her. "Beach muna. Go change first."

Do'n lang nalaman ni Jiya that her parents went over and beyond—they rented a private cabana pa sa beach where they have a menu of fruit shakes and towels and even chips served. Titingin pa lang si Jiya around for a waiter for a refill, may lalapit na agad sa kanya. Parang nakahanda na silang i-serve sila.

They really had to do this pa to compensate for their absence.

Bitter, Jiya slurps her buko shake, lying down on the lounge bed with her shades on. Anton and Migo are building a sandcastle out of Isco, tapos si Van, Inggo, Cas, and Addie are playing beach volleyball.

Jiya lets the sun soak her skin, pero it doesn't last long. With a rowdy group of friends like hers and an equally annoying boyfriend, hindi sila papayag na hihiga-higa lang 'yong birthday girl dito kahit 'yon lang ang gusto niyang gawin.

A shadow falls over her shades. "Migo," she snaps, sitting up. "Don't—don't—Migo!" she screeches when she's picked up by the waist with one arm, and Migo hurls her over his shoulder and runs on the sand toward the beach.

Her friends are whistling, tapos narinig ni Jiya na tumili rin si Van—kinuha na rin siguro ni Isco.

"Migo!" Jiya hisses. "Malamig, ayoko mabasa!"

"E ba't ka pa nag-bikini?" he snorts, slapping her ass with one hand, and then his finger traces the line of her bottoms. "Ang liit nito, Valle, tangina ka."

Bago sila lumabas ng room, medyo binigyan na siya ng maraming hickeys ni Migo. Wala na rin siyang pake no'ng pagtulak-tulakan sila ng mga kaibigan nila. He looked smug, stroking her neck with his fingers.

Gusto rin naman niyang malaman ng iba na taken na siya.

"Easy access 'yan," she whispers in his ear.

Without warning, he dumps her in the water.

Pag-angat niya, sputtering, he's guffawing with his head thrown back, hair wet. "Shit, babe, sorry!"

"Halika dito." Jiya steps closer to him with a glare. Migo steps back, chuckling, raising his palms in the air. "Halika dito, Miguel Salas!"

Migo grins sheepishly and swims away.

From a distance, Van screeches, "Putangina mo, Isco!" Isco laughs.

Jiya rolls her eyes, running a hand through her wet face, pero nabasa na naman siya when water comes splashing right in her eyes, and she sputters, jaw dropping.

"Happy birthday, Jiya!" Anton yells, laughing.

Jiya swims after him and grabs him in a chokehold when he tries to get away.

"Aray, aray!" Anton taps her arm, coughing. "Tap, tap!"

"Walang tap tap!" Inggo yells, and then the scream gets stuck in Jiya's throat when she sees him jumping towards them with his arms wide, dunking them both in the water.

Nag-chicken fight pa silang lahat—Jiya kay Migo, Addie kay Cas, Van kay Isco, Inggo kay Anton. Migo tightens his grip around her ankles as he moves in the water. "Hoy, Valle. Bawal pabebe, show no mercy."

"Babe, hindi mo ba 'ko kilala?" she snaps, flipping her wet hair over her shoulder. "Hindi ako pabebe."

Migo laughs. "Game!"

Dahil pareho silang competitive, offense agad si Migo sa weakest—si Addie. Sumigaw siya when she sees them coming closer. "Cas, Cas, go!" Her hands flail around in the air, eyes wide.

"Anong go!" Cas shouts back, laughing. "Saan ako pupunta, bubba?"

"Umalis ka, oh my God!"

Jiya pushes Addie and dusts her hands off. "Sorry, Ads!"

Cas pushes Migo, and Jiya almost falls off, pero hinigpitan niya 'yong hawak niya sa shoulders ni Migo. "Hoy, putangina, bawal 'yon!"

"Aray ko, Valle!" Migo shouts when her fingernails dig into his skin.

"Suntukan!" Jiya shouts at Cas.

"Babe, sa likod!" Migo yells, turning around, tapos nakita na lang ni Jiya na attacking na pala si Inggo. Van and Isco are down.

Jiya puts her palms out to meet Inggo's, clenching her jaw. He pushes back with so much force, feeling ni Jiya matutumba na siya, pero nakahawak sa kanya si Migo and hindi pwede, hindi sila magpapatalo! "Give it up, Jiya!" Inggo hisses, hirap na hirap na sa pagpu-push.

"In your dreams," Jiya growls back, pushing back just as hard.

"So nakatayo lang tayo dito," Anton says below Inggo.

"Moral support," Migo offers. "Go, princess!"

"Paano ako!" Inggo shouts, groaning, and Jiya pushes back with a force that makes Anton stumble.

"Pota!" Anton shouts. "Hoy, galingan mo!"

"My pamilee!" Inggo says back. "Pressure, gago, ikaw dito, stomoyon?! Ba't ang lakas nito, putangina!"

Migo says, "Hoy de Paz, crush ka raw ni Anton."

Inggo stops pushing. "Ha?"

Jiya pushes him. Inggo and Anton fall to their demise.

"Ha!" Jiya shouts, pumping her first in the air. "We win!"

Migo puts her down and gives her a fist-bump, and then they do a little happy dance together.

"Ang daya n'yo!" Anton slaps the water angrily and stalks forward.

Migo splashes water in his face. "Aw, sore loser."

Anton chases him. Nag-water fight sila.

Jiya and her friends watch them, laughing. Pero karma gets her when Inggo and Addie pick her up from her lounge bed when she dries off and throw her in the water as payback.

They spend the rest of the afternoon on the beach, pumasok lang sila para mag-lunch ng liempo and barbeque. Pagkatapos, they dress up for dinner sa may boardwalk, walking along the sand.

Pagdating nila sa mga kwarto nila at past one, Migo crashes on the bed without changing his clothes. "Pagod na 'ko," he whines.

Jiya hugs him and runs her hands in his hair, kissing his forehead. "Did you have fun?"

"Mm." Migo nods once, closing his eyes, wrapping his arms around her. "Best summer so far. Joke—a close second. Best summer ko pa rin 'yong when you kissed me and I spent three whole months thinking about it."

Jiya grins, tangling her legs with his. "Every time you watched my Instagram story ko in Korea, pinapatay ko phone ko."

"Why?" he asks sleepily.

Jiya kisses his head again. "Natakot ako na baka i-message mo 'ko."

"I wanted to," Migo rasps, burying his head on her chest. "Pero sabi ko na lang better if we talked about it in person. Pero good to know you were just as nervous as I was."

Jiya massages his scalp with her fingers. Migo sighs contently, his own running along her bare back. "Thank you for being here," she whispers quietly.

Migo opens his eyes. He pulls back to look at her, tilting his head up. He looks so tired and sleepy, ang cute niya. Jiya resists the urge to kiss him senseless. "Why would you thank me for that?" he murmurs back, reaching up to stroke her cheek.

Jiya leans against his hand and shrugs once. "Wala lang. I'm just thankful. Na nandito ka, na nandito sila Addie, Inggo, lahat ng friends natin...even if..." She swallows thickly and doesn't continue.

Migo gets it. "Even if wala parents mo."

Jiya hugs him again para hindi niya makita mukha niya, closing her eyes. She exhales deeply. "Last year, I had dinner with Manang lang at home," she decides to say. Parang ang lakas ng boses niya in this quiet room, sa kabila ng ingay ng mga kaibigan nila outside. "And my mom sent me a happy birthday GIF a day before my actual birthday, and hindi na nagparinig dad ko after gifting me my car."

Migo's quiet, caressing her back, spanning his fingers over her skin. "Has it always been like that?"

Jiya makes a noncommittal sound, tracing circles on his chest. "Mm. As far as I can remember. Kaya parang desensitized na ako to it. No'ng bata ako, si Manang ang nagbibigay ng surprise cake for me—she told me it was from my parents, pero it was obviously from her." She shrugs. "Baka binigyan siya ng pera tapos sinabihan siya na bumili ng cake."

"Valle," Migo says, taking a deep breath, "I'm sorry, I—I didn't know."

She shakes her head and looks at him. Nagulat si Jiya.

Kasi Migo looks sadder than she is.

Jiya cups his face in alarm, eyes widening. "Migo, baby, oh my God, don't be sad! I'm okay, oh my God, don't—"

"Hindi ako okay," Migo says, burying his head on her shoulder, squeezing her tight. "Ako kasi, Valle...I had surprise parties planned for me by my family. Every year, may birthday dinner ako with my favorite food, and every year...my family celebrates me. Ikaw—you—" He swallows thickly, gripping her waist. "Nasanay kang walang nagce-celebrate sa 'yo."

"It's okay," Jiya tries to tell him, worriedly, kissing his jaw. "Hindi naman ako torn up about it, I'm happy you guys are here with me, tapos binayaran na rin ni Papa lahat 'to, and I'm grateful na you're here—"

Hindi na natapos ni Jiya 'yong sasabihin niya. Migo pulls back and kisses her to shut her up.

Jiya falls slack in his arms, in his touch, in his kiss. He brushes their lips together, once, twice, presses once, twice, and then pulls back, and Jiya chases after his mouth. Migo smiles.

Then he presses their foreheads together. His thumbs stroke her cheeks, and he whispers, "Valle."

Shit, shit, shit. Jiya shuts her eyes.

"Alam mo naman na, 'di ba?"

Hindi na niya sinabi.

Mutely, Jiya nods.

Migo gently holds her face and kisses her forehead. "I'll celebrate you," he whispers. "Every day. Hindi lang 'pag birthday mo."

Jiya hugs him, pressing her lips to his pulse point.

Bumukas 'yong pinto. Anton's eyes widen when he sees them, and then he backs up and closes it again.

She hears him say, "'Wag n'yo istorbohin."

Hindi nang-asar mga kaibigan nila. Alam nila when to tease and when not to.

At hindi talaga sila nang-istorbo buong gabi. Jiya and Migo fall asleep with their legs, limbs, and hearts tangled in each other's.

*

Late si Migo and Jiya bumaba to the poolside, hand in hand.

"Kumain na kayo?" Cas asks from the pool, raising his eyebrows. "Patapos na breakfast kanina, wala pa kayo."

Migo sits down on a lounge bed and pulls Jiya in between his legs, back to his front. "Tapos na," Migo answers, grinning, wrapping his arms around Jiya's waist.

Hindi sila nakaabot sa breakfast. Jiya's cheeks flame, and she smacks his arm (ginamit nila 'yong vibrator), but she leans back against him and lies down on his chest.

They spend the rest of their days on the beach under the heat of the sun and basking in the sand and water, nag-waterskii sila, parasailing, ATV race, pagandahan ng necklace sa jewelry-making workshop na in-attend nila, tapos nakisali pa si Isco and Inggo sa fireball dance during dinner.

Hindi na rin namalayan ni Jiya na dumating na birthday niya until hinila siya ni Migo for a walk sa beachside after their drinks. Hawak nila shoes nila sa kabila nilang kamay kasi lumulubog toes nila sa sand, while the other is intertwined.

Ngayon lang napansin ni Jiya na suot-suot ni Migo this whole time 'yong anklet na bigay niya. Her heart leaps in her throat. "Don't you take that off? Ever?"

Migo looks down at his foot. When he raises his head, he smiles at her. "'Pag naliligo lang ako."

"Cheesy," she mutters, looking away.

Migo stops walking, so Jiya stops too, blinking at him.

He stares at her, swallowing nervously. "Uh, Valle."

"Hmm?"

Migo's Adam's apple bobs up and down. "I want to..." he sucks in a deep breath, jaw tight. "I want to apologize."

Jiya blinks. "Ha?"

"Uh...I was trying to think of something that you'd like, but what do you give a girl who can afford it all?" He chuckles.

"Migo," Jiya snaps, pulling her hand away. "Ayoko ng gift."

"So hindi mo 'to tatanggapin?"

Jiya stares at him. Migo keeps his eyes locked with hers.

Then, she finally whispers, voice breaking, "Migo, the rule was no gifts, ayoko ng gift, please lang."

Migo watches her face. "Why?"

"There's no reason," Jiya says, jaw clenching.

"Ayoko sa sinungaling, Valle," Migo says quietly. "Why?"

"Wala nga, Migo," she says, voice shaking, clenching her fists. "Please, wala nga. 'Wag mo na tanungin."

"Pa'nong hindi ko tatanungin e naiiyak ka?"

"Migo," she says, bottom lip trembling. Jiya shuts her eyes, face crumpling, and oh, God.

"Valle," Migo mumbles, may halo nang concern sa boses, and he steps closer to her and moves his hands up on her face. "Huy, kausapin mo 'ko."

She steps back, slapping his hands away and looks at him with hot tears in her eyes. "Ano binili mo?"

Migo blinks at her. "What?"

"Ano binili mo, ano 'yong gift?" she snaps, voice shaking. "Binili mo sa pera, 'di ba?"

"Valle, I—"

"My parents have been giving me gifts all my life," Jiya says in controlled anger, hands shaking, voice shaking. "May isa akong closet na puno ng putanginang gifts—jewelry, watches, bags, clothes, shoes, limited edition items—lahat dinaan nila sa pera, pati pagmamahal nila sa 'kin, kaya when I said I don't want gifts, Migo, this is what I mean!" She puts on her sandals hastily. "Ayoko ng gift, ayoko ng kung ano binili mo sa pera—"

Migo snatches her arm before Jiya could walk away from him. He grabs her palm harshly, and she hisses when cold metal touches her skin.

Migo stares at her, face blank. "I didn't buy this," he says quietly. "But if you really don't want it, then I won't force you to accept it."

Jiya stares at the key in her hand.

"I told you I was going to give you a key to my condo," Migo says. "So I had one made. It's not—I still live with Inggo, and it's not our house, kung mangyayari 'yon sa 'tin, but I wanted you to have a key to a place that's mine."

Jiya laughs weakly, dropping to her knees on the sand, bowing her head. "Tangina," she whispers, clutching the keys in her hand.

Migo sighs. "Valle—"

"'Wag ka lumapit," Jiya says, shutting her eyes. "Don't, I'm crying because I know I hurt you. Wait lang."

Hindi gumalaw si Migo.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Jiya stands up, wiping her cheeks. She holds up the key and asks, "Babawiin mo na ba?"

"No," Migo answers softly, staring at her.

She nods once, sniffling, holding it tightly, like she's afraid mawawala when she loosens her fingers.

"Can I hug you now?" Migo asks quietly.

Jiya nods.

She exhales deeply when his arms come around her. Hot, fresh tears come running down her face.

"I'm sorry," he whispers in her hair. "It wasn't my intention to make you feel like I was buying your love."

"I clearly have issues," Jiya says, snorting, fisting his shirt. "I know. I know that wasn't your intention, pero I reacted like it was. I'm sorry."

Migo takes a deep breath. Jiya feels the expanse of his chest against hers. "So gifts bought are a hard no for you to receive, but okay for you to give?" he murmurs. "For future reference. So I know, Valle, and hindi tayo nagkakasakitan."

Jiya sniffles and nods once. "Gifts bought na meaningless are a hard no," she says.

"Okay." Migo kisses her forehead. "Okay, I got it."

Jiya hugs the key to her chest when they finally pull away after what feels like hours, and then they walk back together to the hotel.

And akala ni Jiya okay na sila—nagkaintindihan na sila.

Pero may gusto pang ibigay si Migo sa kanya.

He holds her face as gently as possible, walking her back towards the bed, kissing her slowly and deeply. Jiya fumbles with the buttons of his shirt, slipping it off his shoulders, running his hands all over his body.

Migo takes off her tank top and unclasps her bra, pushing her on her back, trailing kisses to her chest, unbuttoning her shorts.

Jiya lifts her hips for him, breathless, and pulls Migo back up to kiss him desperately. Her fingers go to his waistband and don't hesitate to pull his shorts and boxer briefs down.

Migo grabs her hair and pulls her down to the floor. Jiya kneels and takes him in her mouth, gripping his thighs.

"Touch yourself," he mutters, watching her bob her head up and down.

Fuck, fuck, fuck. Jiya's hand goes down to her stomach, inside her underwear.

"Basa ka?" Migo asks quietly.

"I-check mo," Jiya says, groaning, lips wet and swollen.

Migo pushes her head back. "Sagot."

Fuck, fuck, that's so fucking hot. "Oo," Jiya whispers, looking up at his face.

Migo pulls her off him and pushes her on the bed. "Spread your legs," he says, grabbing his wallet off the bedside table.

He tosses it aside, gripping her thighs, and uses his hand and mouth to prep her.

Jiya's fisting the sheets. "Migo, fuck me, please, please, please."

Migo pushes up on his palms on either side of her face and kisses her. He jolts, a broken gasp escaping his lips when his length brushes her. "Fuck," he mutters, head bowing. "Fuck, Valle."

Akala ni Jiya he's teasing her. He's rubbing up and down, groaning, there enough for her to feel the slide, pero not exactly what she needs.

"That's the plan." So she hooks her ankles around his back, pulling him to her. "Pero condom muna," she whispers.

Doon parang nagising si Migo. "Oh, um." He swallows, stilling.

"Ako na." Jiya kisses him and grabs his wallet, takes the condom and tears it easily. She slides it on him, and muntik na niyang ipasok when Migo grabs her wrist, face scrunched together.

"Wait lang," he breathes, shaking his head once, twice. "Wait lang, please."

Jiya stops moving. She lets go of him.

Migo pants above her, eyes squeezing shut. "Shit, I'm sorry," he whispers. "I'm sorry, give me a second."

Jiya watches him with furrowed eyebrows.

And then—

"Migo," she says quietly. "Ayaw mo?"

"No, I want to," he whispers kaagad, shaking his head. "That's not—"

"Migo, you're forcing yourself," Jiya snaps, sitting up. "Stop forcing yourself, you're uncomfortable, we stop. Stop lying to me."

"Gusto ko," Migo whispers. "Gusto ko, I'm okay, wait lang, we can—"

"Migo, tumigil ka," Jiya says firmly, a harsh edge to her voice. She clasps his face, and oh, God. What has she done? "Ano ba, why are you forcing yourself? Kung ayaw mo ngayon, that's fine, I'm sorry hindi kita in-ask muna, but I thought gusto mo rin, I'm sorry—"

"You said you wanted me," Migo tells her. "You said—this room. I gave you my key because I wanted to, but you said you wanted—this. Me."

Jiya stares at him. "You—I meant, as in you—not your virginity! Ano ba, Migo, I meant you as in your presence! Na makasama ka! You—" Jiya stands up. "Anong akala mo sa 'kin?"

"That's not—" Migo grabs her before she can step further away. Hindi makatingin si Jiya sa mukha niya because he looks so, so helpless. "Valle, I'm sorry, hindi ko muna 'to mabibigay—"

"Hindi ko siya hinihingi!" Jiya nearly shouts, yanking her arm away. "Stop apologizing! Hindi kita boyfriend para lang sa sex, Migo, I'm sorry I gave you that implication, I'm sorry hindi muna kita in-ask kanina, pero hindi ko hinihingi—never kong hiningi na pilitin ang sarili mong gawin ang ayaw mo para sa 'kin," she says, grabbing a towel from the chair. Dire-diretso siya sa bathroom without looking at him.

The most painful cries daw are the ones that you try to keep silent. Jiya clutches her chest and sinks down to the floor, slapping a hand to her mouth.

Tahimik rin sa kabilang side.