"BABE, what happened sa inyo ni Migo? Bakit hindi kayo nagpapansinan?" Addie whispers during breakfast.

Maga 'yong mga mata ni Jiya. "Wala," she hoarsely whispers. "Can you get me orange juice rin? Thanks."

Umupo siya sa tabi ni Van. Migo doesn't look at her from his place sa tabi ni Cas sa kabilang side.

Pagkalabas niya kagabi sa banyo, wala na si Migo. She dressed in her pajamas and went to bed, hugging her pillow.

Paggising niya, tulog si Migo on the other side of the bed, malayong-malayo sa kanya.

Nauna na naman siyang nagising, pero mas marami 'yong sakit sa saya this time.

Their friends obviously notice, pero aside from Addie, wala nang nagtanong.

Jiya checks out of their hotel and they load their bags in the van. Jiya sits sa shotgun so she can sleep and para hindi na rin mamroblema si Migo kung saan siya uupo na malayo sa kanya.

Isa-isa niya silang binaba. They all give her a hug and a thank you bago sila pumasok sa bahay. Pagdating kay Migo, he merely says, "Salamat," and Jiya hears her chest break kasi ngayon lang niya ulit narinig boses niya after he kept apologizing—and then he's gone.

Natulog si Jiya pag-uwi niya. Didn't bother unpacking as she usually does pag-uwi from a trip.

Tapos umiyak siya.

*

Sa apat na araw na hindi sila nag-usap ni Migo, inisip ni Jiya kung saan sila pareho nagkamali. Nagkasakitan.

Ilang beses niya na ring tinitigan ang number ni Migo sa phone niya para tawagan, pero hindi niya magawa.

Parang nasaktan siya na gano'n ang tingin ni Migo sa kanya. Kahit na na-imply niya in some way somehow that she was asking for his virginity...hindi ba siya kilala ni Migo?

It hurts that he tried to force himself para sa kanya, that he was apologizing.

Wala naman siyang pake kung ayaw pa ni Migo. If he needed more time, if he wasn't ready. Jiya would've waited—she would've waited until he was, until he wanted to.

Ang sakit na Migo thought otherwise.

Katatapos niya lang mag-shower galing boxing para maglabas ng galit when her phone buzzes. Akala niya si Migo, so she dives for it, heart sinking in disappointment no'ng hindi siya. Her eyebrows draw together when she sees it's from Maureen.

Mau: ate jiya, uuwi na kaming
pampanga today. i just thought i'd let
u know because you and kuya won't
be able to see each other until august
and i think he misses you.

Jiya's jaw clenches in anger. She tosses the phone on the bed and throws open her closet. Plano ba talaga ni Migo na umalis lang nang hindi sila nag-uusap, nang hindi sila ayos?

She puts on a tank top and shorts, ties her hair, grabs her wallet, phone, and keys, and rushes downstairs. "Manang, I'll be back, I'll use the car."

"Ingat ka, anak!" she worriedly shouts after her. Simula pagbalik ni Jiya from Batangas, alalang-alala sa kanya si Manang kasi ang hina niya kumain, hindi siya lumalabas ng kwarto, and wala siyang gana. Dala-dala niya phone niya everywhere she goes—kahit sa toilet.

Parang sasabog na ulo ni Jiya sa galit as she drives, pressing on the gas. So gano'n, hindi man lang sasabihin ni Migo na uuwi siya today, wala siyang balak na kausapin siya?

Jiya barely parks the car when she slams the door shut and stalks up the gate of his house, punching the doorbell with her finger.

"Kuya, pakuha!" Maureen shouts from inside.

"Ma, ako na," Migo's voice says. Jiya's knees buckle.

Pagbukas niya ng gate, Jiya pushes his chest with one hard shove. Migo stumbles back in surprise. "So aalis ka na lang without telling me?" she snaps, hands curling into fists. "Aalis ka nang gan'to tayo, na sa August pa kita makikita? Ha?"

"Valle," Migo says quietly. "I—I was going to text you."

"Text me what?" Jiya demands angrily. "'Uuwi ako sa probinsya today, see you in three months. Bye.' Gano'n? Gano'n, Migo?"

His jaw clenches. "I didn't know that you still wanted to see me."

"Tanga!" Jiya says, voice breaking. "Ilang araw kitang hinintay tumawag, mag-text, pumunta sa bahay, magparamdam, Migo, I was waiting for you—!"

"Nasaktan kita, Valle," Migo cuts her off harshly, stare hardening. "Nasaktan kita and hiyang-hiya ako sa 'yo, I didn't know that you still—"

"Hindi ka pwedeng magtago na lang when we have problems," she snaps, gritting her teeth. "Oo, nasaktan mo 'ko, pero sa tingin mo ba hindi ako mas lalong masasaktan na aalis ka na lang nang gan'to tayo, nang wala kang paalam?"

Her voice cracks at the end. Ah, shit.

Jiya's shaking fingers go up to her face, and she presses them to her wet eyes, shutting them closed. "Ang sakit, Migo," she chokes out in her sob. "Nasasaktan ako sa 'yo, Migo."

Her knees turn into jelly when he finally, finally touches her.

Jiya's breath comes out in pain and relief and anger and comfort when he pulls her into his arms, squeezing tight.

"Valle, I'm sorry," Migo whispers. "I'm sorry."

Jiya cries harder, soaking his shirt. "Saan ka sorry? At ayusin mo 'yang sagot mo kasi kapag sinabi mong sorry na hindi ka pa ready no'n, na hindi natin nagawa, susuntukin kita hanggang sa mahimatay ka."

Migo inhales shakily. "I'm sorry I tried to force myself," he murmurs. "And I'm sorry I implied na you were just in this for...for sex. Aaminin ko na na-pressure ako kasi wala akong experience kumpara sa 'yo," he says quietly, rubbing her back. "Aaminin ko na na-iinsecure ako kasi first ko and every time naiisip ko na hindi mo na first, naiiyak ako kasi gusto ko ako 'yon."

Jiya fists his shirt in her hands, throat closing up.

"And I'm sorry naduwag ako," he whispers. "I didn't know paano ako magpapakita sa 'yo kasi I felt shameful and sorry. I didn't know how to apologize kasi parang sorry wouldn't have sufficed."

"A hug like this would've sufficed," Jiya murmurs weakly, sniffling. She drags her nails along his shoulders and mutters, "You being with me and acknowledging what happened and apologizing sincerely like this—would've sufficed."

Migo hugs her impossibly tighter—it's hard to breathe. "I guess I was afraid na you were going to say tapos na tayo."

She manages a snort at the absurdity. "Hindi 'yon mangyayari. I haven't even read your wedding vows."

Migo lets out a breathless laugh. "Valle," he murmurs. "I really am sorry."

Jiya sniffles. "I'm sorry I pressured you, and I made you think I was forcing you to be ready. And I'm sorry I didn't ask kung gusto mo."

"I did," Migo says quickly, pulling back to meet her eyes. "I did, Valle, but..."

"Maghihintay naman ako e," Jiya whispers brokenly, face crumpling again at the verge of tears. "Oo, gusto kong mangyari, Migo, pero kung gusto mo lang rin, and maghihintay ako until mangyari 'yon, until hindi mo pinipilit sarili mo. Ayokong—ayokong isipin mo na wala akong respeto para sa 'yo and na minamadali kita kasi hindi na ako virgin."

"Okay." Migo hugs her again, kissing her forehead. He rubs his hands all over her back soothingly. "Shh, okay. I'm sorry."

Jiya buries her head on his shoulder. "I'm pretty sure you will still feel like my first, Migo. What Luis and I had doesn't come close to what you and I have. And God, you—" She swallows thickly, takes a shaky breath and whispers, "You don't know how much power you have over me, Migo."

Those words hang over them like a thread.

Migo understands what she's trying to say.

Jiya doesn't open her eyes when he pulls back, hands on her face, gently wiping away her tears.

"I have a pretty good idea," Migo whispers, brushing his fingers over her eyes.

Jiya understands what he's trying to say, too.

Jiya's own hand comes up to cover his on her cheek, and she turns her head to kiss his palm. "You can't go without saying goodbye. Ever. You understand me?"

He nods once. "Yes."

"Promise me."

Migo leans down to press their foreheads together. His fingers are shaking on her skin, and he takes a deep breath before he whispers, "I promise."

Jiya seals it, stamps it with salt and a kiss.

*

"Nagparamdam na si gaga!" Van announces loudly with a mouth full of food. "Oy, mga puta, buhay pa."

In the background, Addie squeals before she finally comes into view, sipping on a milkshake. "Jiya babes, OMG! Ngayon mo lang kami tinawagan! How are things with Migs?"

"Asan na katawan?" Isco drawls lazily, showing up on the screen. Then his eyes widen and he howls in laughter. "Tangina, anong suot mong 'yan!"

Van smacks him.

Addie shakes her head, grabbing the phone from Van, wide eyes so close to the camera that Jiya can see every eyelash. She gasps. "Oh my—are you wearing a pencil skirt?!"

"Ha?!" Van yells, grabbing the phone again, squinting at the screen. "Oo nga, 'no! Ganyan ba type ni Migs? MagF-FaceTime din ba kayo kaya ka nakabihis?"

Isco laughs louder. Addie snickers.

"Mga bobo," Jiya mutters, squirming in her shoes and leaning against the wall. She puts the phone close to her face. "Okay na kami ni Migo, walang katawan, and I'm at work. You know, the internship thing."

"Right!" Addie says, grinning. "I love it. You look sexy, kita legs mo."

Jiya flushes. "Ads naman."

"Agree ako," Van hums, nodding. "Sorry, kala ko may thing si Migo sa mga ganyan."

Isco whistles lowly and looks at Van from head to toe, a smirk pulling up at his lips. "Ako meron."

"Tumahimik ka," Van says.

"Nakita na ba niya? Ano reaction?" Addie asks with a grin.

"Hinde." She purses her lips and crosses her ankles. Kinakabahan siya sa magiging reaction niya kasi ngayon—ngayon lang siya nagsuot ng ganito. Ever. It's cute and professional pero tama si Addie—kitang-kita legs niya.

And wala si Migo sa Manila para i-appreciate sila nang tama.

"Anyway, sorry ngayon lang. I was busy..."

"Bawling," Van supplies.

"Bitching," Isco says.

"Wailing," Addie says.

"Gets ko na," Jiya snaps. "Pero okay na kami, and sa bowling invitation, 'di pa ako sure kasi I have deadlines na agad and I might get held up at work, so una na kayo. Sunod ako if kaya. If kaya."

"Try, please!" Addie begs, pouting. "Miss na miss ka na namin."

Van echoes that. Pati na rin si Isco kahit ayaw aminin ng gago.

She hangs up, pockets her phone, and returns to her desk.

Pero tama si Jiya—masyado nang late para makasunod sa mga kaibigan niya when she looks at the clock, pero sinabi niya sa mga 'to na babawi siya sa weekend, libre niya.

May forty pages pa siyang kailangang i-check and masakit na mga mata niya. Jiya leans back against her chair and massages her forehead.

Her boss knocks on the window. "Bukas na 'yan, Ms. Valle."

Jiya sits up straight and smiles. "Okay lang po, sir. I'll lock up na lang po, thank you."

He gives her a worried glance. "One more hour. Then go home. I'll let security know, ha?"

"Yes po, ingat po kayo."

Iniwan na siya ng boss niya, and mag-isa na siya sa office.

Ayaw rin naman umuwi ni Jiya kasi kababalik ng parents niya. Baka kung anong mauwian niya do'n.

Saktong bago siya bumalik sa binabasa, her phone rings. Jiya smiles. "Ano."

"Opu, keta ku pung kwarto," Migo says to someone from behind the phone. Jiya rests her chin on her palm and listens to him talk in Kapampangan. "I Jiya pu, girlfriend ku." He laughs a little.

("Opo, I'll be in my room. Si Jiya po, my girlfriend.")

Jiya stares at him, smiling.

"Malagu? Matsura ya?" the old voice of his grandmother reaches Jiya's ears.

("Maganda? Panget?")

Migo looks at the screen at her, grinning. "Malagu pu. Buri ko neng akit." He laughs a little again, rubbing the nape of his neck.

("Maganda po. I want to see her already."

Jiya raises an eyebrow.

"Didiligan me?"

("Dinidiligan mo?")

"Lola!" Migo shouts with a scoff and a gasp and his face is quickly turning red. "Daramdaman da ka!"

("Lola! She can hear you!")

"Nanu? Ali naman na ku antindyan!" his grandmother says in a loud voice. "Ena ka marine, kutang ku mu. Balu mo, Miguel, keng relasyon enaman puro kilig, dapat atin mu rin dilig! E ka mu paysira buntok!"

("Ano? 'Di naman niya ako maintindihan! 'Wag kang mahiya, tinatanong ko lang. Alam mo, Miguel, hindi puro kilig sa relationship, dapat meron ding dilig! 'Wag ka lang papasira ng ulo!")

"Oh my God," Migo whispers under his breath, and he takes the phone away while running up the stairs. "Paynawa na ku pu!"

("I'm going to rest now!")

"Mangan ka pa?" the grandmother shouts.

("Kakain ka pa?")

"Pota!" Migo shouts back, closing the door.

("Later!")

Jiya's eyes widen. "Did you just—did you just swear at your grandmother?"

Migo puts the phone down on the table and runs both hands through his face, groaning. "No, that means 'later' in Kapampangan."

Jiya blinks. "Really?"

"Yeah."

"Well, what did she say?"

"Hmm?" Migo blinks at her.

He's so, so cute with his messy hair and boxers and agh. She wants to kiss him. She grins at his confused face. "You were blushing."

"No, I was not."

"Tell her that yes, nadidiligan naman ako sa 'yo."

"Oh my God, shut up," Migo says, laughing, running both hands through his face. "Shut the fuck up. Where are you? Office pa? Late na, Valle."

Natatawa na lang si Jiya sa lola ni Migo kahit 'kilig' and 'dilig' lang 'yong naiintindihan niya do'n. Pareho naman siyang binibigyan ni Migo n'on. "May tinatapos lang," she tells him, looking at her computer screen. "What else did your lola say?"

"Nothing."

Jiya looks at her computer screen and hums. "Buri da ka," she says slowly, testing out the words.

That means 'I like you'.

Migo chokes. He coughs violently.

"Did I say that right?" Jiya asks innocently, smiling at him.

"Tangina mo," Migo breathes, looking at her incredulously.

"What else did she say?"

"She asked me if you were pretty or ugly. And you already know my answer to that."

"Muli na ka," Jiya says again. That means 'come home'. "A-miss da na ka." That means 'I miss you already'.

Migo grabs the phone. "Hoy, Valle, ano ba!"

She's laughing. "How do I say, 'I want to eat you'?"

"No."

"Miguel!" Jiya scolds. "So ano pa sabi mo?"

"Sabi ko I want to see you, and sabi niya 'wag ako magpakabaliw sa 'yo pero too late na," he says. "Baby, go home na. Masyado nang late."

She smiles at him, brushing her thumb over the screen. "Pota."

Migo rolls his eyes and sighs. "Then can I stay with you until you leave? 'Di ako mag-iingay, maglalaro lang ako."

Jiya bites her lip. "Bakit ang clingy mo?"

"I miss you," he says easily, shrugging. "Mas lalu dakang paninintunan patye aisip daka."

("Kapag naiisip kita, lalo kitang nami-miss.")

Jiya blinks. "Wait, you said a lot of things. What does that mean?"

He grins, winking. "Buri da ka murin. Sobra sobra."

("I like you too. Sobra sobra.")

"Wait, stop!" Jiya shouts. "I don't understand!"

"Kalugaran da ka, pakasalan da ka," Migo continues, singing. "Mamumurit na ku keka, Jiya Valle."

("I love you, I'll marry you. Nababaliw na ako sa 'yo, Jiya Valle.")

"I hate you," Jiya breathes. "I hate you. Don't propose."

Migo bites his lip and smiles.

Her heart lurches.

Migo leans back against his chair. "Can you move back a bit?"

Jiya blinks. "Ha?"

"Move your chair. Back up a bit."

She blinks again and does as he says slowly. "Ang weirdo mo."

Migo turns away from the camera, shutting his eyes. He runs a hand over his jaw, eyebrows furrowed. He looks tortured. "Tapos ikaw, unfair. Kung kailan wala ako d'yan, do'n ka magpe-pencil skirt? Tangina ah. Tangina mo."

Jiya laughs out loud. "Ang bastos mo!"

"Bastos talaga ako. Buri da na kang kanan. Maranup na ku."

She raises an eyebrow.

Migo's still grinning when he looks at her—shamelessly runs his eyes from her eyes to her open buttons, to her legs—and stays there. "I want to eat you and I'm hungry."

Jiya's pretty sure her laugh can be heard all the way down the hall.

*

"Ma, dito na lang!" Migo whines on the phone, and his hand stops caressing Jiya's hair. On his lap, Jiya frowns and slaps his hand. He gives her a sheepish smile in apology and continues massaging her scalp. "Ma naman, baka kasi...opo, nakatira doon si Addie."

She looks up at him when he sighs in frustration. "Okay po. Sige." Then he tosses the phone on the sofa. He looks annoyed. "Bibilhan si Maureen ng unit for rent sa Blue."

Jiya's eyebrows raise up. "She's studying here?"

"Yup." He sighs and hangs his head back. "Sabi ko dito na lang, may third room naman na empty, pero ayaw daw ni Maureen because I'll be breathing down her neck."

Jiya reaches up and strokes his throat. "Babe...let's agree na you are an overprotective kuya."

His eyebrows scrunch together. "Baka kasi ano mangyari sa kanya. 'Tsaka baka may iuwi siyang lalaki do'n."

"Like how you're bringing me here..."

He scowls.

"And like how Inggo brings his flings here..." she trails off. "You know, you can't protect her forever, she's in college. She's going to want to explore the world and try new things, you can't breathe down her neck, you can't background check every guy she brings to her place."

"She's my younger sister," he huffs, jutting his bottom lip out.

"And she'll go to you if she needs you," Jiya says with a smile. "'Tsaka gusto mo ba mawalan tayo ng alone time?"

Migo shakes his head quickly.

She grins and kisses his cheek. "See?"

Sinamahan nina Migo and Jiya si Maureen sa enrollment niya, hand in hand sa likod habang umiikot siya ng campus.

"Umuwi ka kaagad after class," Migo says.

"Baby," Jiya says, raising her eyebrow.

He groans and says, "Update mo na lang ako kung nasaan ka paminsan-minsan."

Maureen grins and sticks her tongue out at him, then hugs Jiya with one arm.

Tumulong din sila during her moving in day. She's three floors below Addie sa building.

Migo even drags Inggo sa pagdala ng mga gamit.

"There," she says, dropping the smile when she points at the corner to Inggo. "Thanks."

Migo frowns, panting, dusting his hands off. "Mau, thank him properly."

"It's fine," Inggo says with a smile. To Maureen, he says, "Um, good luck sa first year."

"Thanks, Kuya Inggo," she mutters, and then she kisses Migo and Jiya on the cheek.

While Maureen gets settled as a freshie, Jiya and the rest of her friends go through their junior year.

"I'm free tomorrow at eleven, okay lang ba sa 'yo?" Jiya asks her partner for their presentation next week habang inaayos niya laptop niya sa kamay niya. "Or would you rather meet at a different time? Sorry, I'm not familiar with your sched."

The guy, si Hugo, smiles at her. "No, eleven is fine. We can also get lunch if you want, kahit sa Xocolat? It's good there."

Jiya shrugs, fishing out her phone from her pocket. "Sure. Palagay na lang ng number mo so—"

"Hi," Migo's voice whispers in her ear and his hands come around her waist from behind. Jiya's stomach drops and her heart races—puta naman, hanggang ngayon pa rin ba? He tips his chin up. "Carry on."

Jiya bites her lip to keep from smiling and hands her phone over. "Sorry, please put your number in na lang so I can contact you agad."

Hugo keeps his easy grin and does as she says, head bowing.

"How shameless, asking for another guy's number in front of me," Migo mutters in her ear, clicking his tongue. His hands go further down her hips to her bottom, where her skirt ends, and his finger traces the seam of it. Jiya has half a mind to sock his face, siya 'tong shameless dito! "Free ka na ba for me, Valle?"

She rolls her eyes and elbows him in the stomach, turning her head to whisper, "Hands, please."

Migo smiles and puts his hands back on the appropriate place of her hips, but not before he squeezes her butt harshly.

Jiya sends him a glare but he only winks at her.

"Here," Hugo says, giving her phone back. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you then." She waves, and he waves back before disappearing down the hall.

Migo grabs her hand, interlaces their fingers together, and takes her laptop from her to hold it by his side. "So may two hours lang tayo before you have to go back to the office. When is your internship ending ulit?"

"Next week," she says, smiling up at him. "Hahatid mo ba ako?"

"Oo. Buti na lang naka-skirt ka na."

Jiya smacks his shoulder.

Migo slings his arm around her neck and kisses her temple. "Masaya ka naman sa lit company? Do you enjoy the work?"

She hums, nodding. "I like reading and editing manuscripts. Nakakapag-pitch in rin ako sa meetings and I get to meet authors. Small company, but it's a good working experience and environment."

"That's good."

"Ikaw, ano plano mo?" She realizes they've never talked about Migo's plans after graduation. Jiya frowns. "After next sem, we're going to have our OJT na and then graduation after that."

Her boyfriend keeps his smile when he tells her, "Med school."

Jiya pulls back, stunned, and blinks at him. "Med? Really?"

He grins. "That was the plan naman talaga. 'Di ba I walked in first year high school before in a white coat with a stethoscope no'ng Career Day?"

Jiya does not want to remember Career Day.

"Model ka no'n."

"Shut up!" she snaps, flushing. Nakakahiya naman, potek!

Migo laughs, eyes shining, tapos malapit na mag-buckle knees ni Jiya kasi putangina, ang sarap pakinggan ng tawa niya. That's her favorite sound. Make it her ringtone. "Cute ka naman, babe."

"Tumawa ka nang malakas no'ng nagse-speech ako sa harap ng class," she snaps angrily.

"Ang funny kasi ng makeup mo."

"Tapos tinulak-tulak mo 'ko sa heels ko!"

Migo laughs harder.

Jiya leaves.

"Valle, wait lang!" he shouts, laughing, running after her. "Nainis lang ako kasi ang daming nagpa-picture sa 'yo!"

"Bobo!" Jiya smacks him.

Migo slings an arm around her waist and squeezes it, still chuckling. "Okay na, sorry na. Catwalk ka na lang for me sometime."

"Isa pa, Salas."

He leans down to kiss her quickly.

Jiya rolls her eyes. "So med nga talaga?"

Migo hums. "Gusto ko pa rin, yes. Mahirap nga lang kasi may med school pa." He sighs, looking at her. "Kaya mo bang suportahan ang isang ako after graduation habang nag-aaral pa ako?"

Jiya pulls him to JSEC where his car is parked. "I'll support you by cheering you on from under the table."

"Under the—"

Jiya smiles at him sweetly, standing by his car.

Migo's eyes widen. "Bastos ka, puta!"

"Ayaw mo?"

"Gusto, natural." He throws open the car door for her. "Bilis, may kakainin pa ako bago ka pumasok sa office."

Bumalik muna sila sa condo at masarap nga naman yung kain ni Migo. He pulls her underwear up and smooths her skirt down with a wolfish grin, lips wet and red, and he leans over her to kiss her.

Jiya strokes his face with her hands and moans in his mouth. Nalalasahan niya sarili niya sa dila ni Migo. "Thank you."

"Sakit ng panga ko."

Jiya laughs. "Pa'no ka?"

He pushes her back on the bed, swiftly takes himself out of his boxers and wraps his hand around himself, head hanging back. "Upo ka lang diyan," he mutters breathlessly, chest rising and falling rapidly.

Jiya bites her lip, watching him. Migo looks so glorious and devilishly handsome and sexy when he's pleasuring himself.

Pero mas gusto ni Jiya na siya ang mag-pleasure sa kanya.

She pulls her underwear down again, sticky, closes her legs together and turns her back to him, lying sideways on the bed. "Pasok mo."

Tumigil si Migo, panting. "Ha?"

"Fuck my thighs."

"Ah, shit," he hisses, like he's in pain, and lies behind her, kissing her shoulder. "Taas mo 'yong isa."

"'Wag mo 'kong inuutusan."

He slaps her thigh. "Taas mo."

Shit, shit, shit. Jiya does as he says, and Migo thrusts his hips in between her thighs. "Ah, fuck," he groans out, breathless. "Basang-basa ka."

"Ikaw rin." May pre-cum na sa thighs niya.

He teases her entrance a bit and Jiya shudders, voice breaking into a moan. "Putangina, Valle, fuck, you feel so good."

Migo's arm wraps around her middle and Jiya holds on to his bicep, digging her nails into his skin, and Migo fucks her faster.

"Migo, Migo, Migo, fuck, please," she moans repeatedly, face scrunching in immense pleasure, hips pushing back against his.

He bites into her neck, hand going under her shirt, and Jiya's back arches. Roughly, he says, "Shut up."

Jiya moans.

Migo slaps her thigh again before his hips stutter, and he spills all over her skin.

Migo slumps down on the pillow, breathing heavily on her nape, and then he cups her neck to kiss her.

"Hoy, mga puta! Tapos na kayo?" Inggo's voice shouts outside the room. "Ano gusto n'yo sa Frankie's, I'm ordering."

"Oh my God," Jiya whispers, burying her face in her hands.

Migo laughs. "Ngayon ka pa mahihiya?"

"Oh my God, Migo!" she whisper-shouts, smacking him, utterly embarrassed.

He laughs and kisses her sweetly, running his hand down her arm. "Salted egg wings!"

"Same please," Jiya whispers to him.

"Ikaw magsabi."

"Migo!"

"Makikita mo rin siya paglabas natin. Ano, magtatago na ka na lang dito?"

She glares at him. "Same!" she shouts to Inggo.

Migo laughs again, running a hand through his face. "Ang cute mo, Valle."

"Linisin mo 'ko."

"Ayoko, angat mo lang skirt mo, pumasok ka nang ganyan."

"Oh my God." Her face is burning. She smacks him.

"So cute," he murmurs, chuckling. He kisses her cheek and moves off the bed to grab a towel. "Next time."

"Walang next time next time!"

Paglabas nila ni Migo, Inggo whistles, giving them a knowing look. "So stroke game good ba? Ingay mo e." He clears his throat, and in a high-pitched voice, says, "Migo, Migo, fuck, please—"

Jiya runs and tackles him on the sofa to strangle him.

"Putangina, aray!"

"Gagawin mo pa, de Paz, ha?! Papatayin kita!"

Inggo coughs violently. "Salas, tulong!"

Migo is laughing behind them and makes no move to help his friend.

*

"Delivery for Jiya Valle!"

Tumalon puso ni Jiya. Van pushes her. "O, ayan na yung from Migo."

Valentines in August na naman, and as usual, kanina pang umaga, pagdating na pagdating pa lang ni Migo sa first period niya, marami na siyang deliveries.

After lunch na. Sure si Jiya marami nang laman 'yong bag n'on, gaya kahapon. And the other day.

Pero from him na ba 'to? Third and last day na, and ayaw ni Jiya sa mga flowers kasi namamatay din naman sila, pero wala bang balak si tanga?! Gusto niya ng flower!

She meets the delivery girl and accepts the single, red rose, reading the card.

di ka na nagpaparamdam elorde! hang tayo :)

Van looks at her and blinks. "Sino 'yan?"

Jiya sighs, shoulders slumping. "Cole. Kaibigan ko."

Before class starts, she messages him.

mabilis tong mamatay alam
mo ba yon

He reads that immediately.

Cole: ouch! first time na ganito
reaction ng girl who received flowers
from me ah

Jiya rolls her eyes.

thank u, nonetheless. and
sorry naging busy ako, malay
ko bang gusto mo mag-hang

Cole: sabi ko nga keep in touch tayo.
free ka ba kahit timezone lang and
kain next friday?

kasama sina carlo?

Cole: no, tayo lang :)

ill let u know.

Cole: ok ;)

Jiya turns off her phone.

Binigyan din siya ni Inggo:

labyu bro

Pati ni Anton:

wag masungit, jiya!! Smile, oki?

Pati mga ilang freshies niya last year, pero wala from Migo.

At all.

She slams her locker door closed with a shut jaw.

Addie takes out the lollipop from her mouth and blinks. "Uh, murder spree na ba tayo?"

"Mukha," Isco scoffs, arm around Van's shoulder. "Baka bored na sa 'yo."

Jiya smiles at him and steps closer. "Ano 'yon, Cuenca?"

He hides behind Van and mutters, "Wala po."

Van smacks her shoulder sympathetically. "Sama ako kung papatayin si Salas."

Jiya huffs. "'Wag na, sayang sa oras."

During her last class, a few minutes before the bell, he texts her.

Pogi: jsec ako nakapark baby

Baby mo mukha mo, Jiya thinks, rolling her eyes.

ge

But all her annoyance dissipates when she meets him leaning against his car, in his black shirt and ball cap with the rim facing backwards, hand curled around a small—no, a mini bouquet with white wrapper and a peach ribbon.

"Holy shit," Jiya says.

Migo raises his head and smiles. "Galit ka ba? Sungit ng reply mo e."

She can't help but smile back as she steps closer to him, biting her lip. "Wow."

"Nag-expect ka, 'no?"

Her face heats. "Shut up."

Migo laughs heartily and hands her the bouquet. It has a single, pink rose surrounded by bunny tail grass and crystal statice. "Sabi mo ayaw mo sa mabilis namamatay," Migo says, shoving his hands inside his pockets. "So ayan, preserved siya. You don't have to water it, it will last for one to three years, ewan, 'yon yung sabi ng research ko—"

Jiya grabs him by the back of his neck and kisses him.

Migo melts into her, hands sliding to her waist to squeeze her hips. "Mm," he hums in her mouth. "So 'di ka na galit?"

Jiya laughs and hugs him, the flowers in her hand, and she buries her head on his chest, feeling the strong and fast beats of his heart. "Thank you," she whispers. "Sweet mo naman."

"Siyempre. And pinadalhan mo 'ko during class tapos kinilig ako."

Siyempre nagpa-deliver siya sa kanya, may message na:

like u so so much. -v.

Sa dinami-dami ba naman ng nagpadala sa kanya, dapat 'yong kay Jiya lang 'yong kikiligin siya.

She leans up, props her chin on his chest, and Migo smiles down at her, tucks her hair behind her ear.

Tumalon puso ni Jiya. "Baby, favor."

"Mm?"

"'Wag ka mag-smile kahit kanino, nakaka-stress." She kisses him one last time and gets in the car.

Migo's laugh is loud. Jiya savors the sound and holds it to her heart.

Nag-dinner lang sila sa UPTC and nag-uwi ng frozen yogurt sa condo. Wrapped in a blanket, Jiya lies down on Migo's chest, in between his legs sa sofa, and watches the movie habang kinakain dessert niya.

"Valle."

Jiya hums, licking her spoon.

"Aren't you...aren't you planning on inheriting your family's company?" tanong bigla ni Migo. "Or taking up law?"

Jiya shakes her head. "Nope."

"Can I ask why?"

She turns her head to look at him and props herself on his stomach. Migo is staring at her with a serious expression on his face. "Kasi ayaw ko lang both. Kasi magiging miserable lang ako, I won't be able to find any fulfillment in my work if I don't choose lit. I know I'm privileged to have those options, na pwede ko na lang angkinin 'yong tinayo ni Papa and I have my mom's name to get me through law school if ever, pero I see myself in those shoes and I laugh kasi I know I'd rather die than do that to myself."

Migo brushes his knuckles on her cheek and asks softly, "And your parents are okay with that?"

"No." She kisses his hand. "Pero wala rin silang magagawa, so they're trying hard to accept it."

He grins at her. "I admire you for choosing what you want to do."

Parang gusto maiyak ni Jiya. Never siyang in-admire ng mga magulang niya for choosing her course. She holds Migo's palm to her face and leans into it. "And you, Doc? Sure na 'yon 'yong gusto mo?"

Migo nods once, exhaling heavily. "I can't see myself doing anything else, either. Malayo and mahirap, pero aabutin ko."

Jiya grins up at him. "I will support you hanggang maabot mo."

Migo kisses her sweetly. "Me too," he whispers.

They watch the movie in silence, cuddled against each other, and Migo doesn't know this, but Jiya listens to his heart.

Hears it screaming those words, and she hopes he can also hear hers.