JIYA is walking to Regis with her laptop open to review with Van when she stops at the guardhouse.

Nasa ilalim ng footbridge si Migo, may stick sa mouth niya, about to light it.

Alam ni Jiya nag-quit na 'to no'ng pa-second year na sila.

He looks up and meets her eyes, hand freezing.

She averts her gaze and focuses on her screen na nakapatong sa kamay niya and goes up the stairs.

Pero Migo's voice behind her stops her. "Valle, wait." Tinakbo niya 'yong unang steps paakyat na hinakbang na ni Jiya. His hair is over his eyes, the stick still unlit in his mouth, nakakagat sa ngipin. He takes off his jacket and steps closer to her.

Jiya stares at him as he wraps it around her waist.

"Naka-skirt ka," he mutters when he pulls back, not looking at her face.

"Thank you," she tells him, and then goes up the footbridge.

Sana hindi niya i-light 'yong stick.

Nag-review sila ni Van sa Black Scoop. In-ask na rin siya ni Inggo kaninang umaga kung kamusta siya, slowly reaching out to take her wrist with a small smile. Jiya smiles back at him and says, "Better," no'ng na-wrap na niya fingers niya sa wrist niya and she doesn't shake.

Pababa siya to the examination room for orals with her reviewer when she sees Migo at the stairs, wringing his hands, may hawak siya na can of coffee.

Jiya thinks about stepping back inside, pero Migo already sees her, swallowing thickly. "Hey."

"Hi," she says quietly.

He hands her the bottle, pursing his lips. Inalis ni Jiya ang tingin niya sa mukha niya. "Here. And good luck."

Free. Jiya takes it without touching his hands and brushes past without looking at him. "Thank you. Ikaw rin."

"Valle, wait, please."

He wraps his arms around her from behind bago siya makababa and breathes in shakily, dropping his head on her shoulder.

Jiya stands there, shutting her eyes.

"Can I touch this?" he murmurs close to her ear, hand going down to her arm.

She nods once, staring at his fingers.

Migo wraps them around her wrist gently. Then he turns her around, stepping back, and Jiya looks at him.

He brings her wrist to his mouth and kisses her skin, eyes on hers. "I'm sorry," he says quietly, parang whisper lang. "I shouldn't have put you in a place where you felt like you had to compete with Elois."

"Alam mo kung bakit ako galit? Kasi ikaw lang ang bobo na 'di makakita na gusto ka niya and she's taking advantage of your friendship para i-disregard and i-disrepect ako," Jiya snaps, chin held high even as shivers run up her spine nang i-brush ni Migo ang thumbs niya on her wrist pagkatapos niyang halikan. "Sinabi ko na sa 'yong ayokong makipag-agawan kahit kanino, hindi dapat ako nakikipag-agawan kahit kanino, I will not beg for you, Migo, I swear to God, and sabihin mo sa 'kin ulit na nauurat ka na sa inis ko, ikaw ang dadalhin ko sa ER. Naiintindihan mo, bwiset?"

He blinks at her. And then he nods once. "Yes po."

Jiya rolls her eyes with a sigh, curls her hand around his nape to bring his head down to her level, kissing him.

Migo grips her wrist, shutting his eyes, pero hindi tinanggal ni Jiya. She likes his hold on it.

"Hindi ka lasang sigarilyo," Jiya mutters, pulling away, brushing the hair away from his forehead. "Good. Don't smoke."

"One stick lang kahapon," he murmurs, staring at her mouth, and then leans in again. "I'm sorry."

Jiya can feel his regret in his kiss. She strokes his cheek and says, "I have to go to orals. Can you pick me up after, kain tayo before Burgundy? I'll tell you what happened."

Migo nods, kisses her wrist again. "Kailangan ko ring makipag-ayos with de Paz."

Jiya smiles. "He's a good friend."

"Yeah," Migo agrees, sighing. He steps back and gives her a small smile. "Go. Kill your orals. I'll wait for you."

Hindi naman maaayos ni Migo ang situation niya with her parents, but it's nice to have someone to open to and for someone to listen, and for someone to hold her wrist without breaking it.

*

"Rating the names my girlfriend calls me. One: Migo. Three out of ten. Everyone calls me that, walang special. Pero at the same time, ang sarap din pakinggan. 'Ge na nga, six out of ten."

Jiya rolls her eyes while Migo talks to himself on camera on the bed, bored na bored sa buhay niya habang nag-aaral si Jiya. Ang dami na namang tambak na schoolwork, gano'n na rin naman for Migo pero tinatamad pang siyang umalis ng bahay niya para mag-aral. Ang ingay pa niya.

"Two: Miguel. Eight out of ten. Hot, pero naiinis na siya 'pag gano'n. Also, my mom calls me that."

Jiya snorts. Migo grins at her, winking.

"Three: babe or baby. Two million out of ten. Gives me butterflies, parang mahuhulog puso ko."

"Baby," Jiya says, smiling at her book.

Migo throws a pillow at her. "Shut up."

She laughs. "Ikaw ang mag-shut up, ang ingay mo!"

"Four: bwiset, gago, tanga, bobo, puta ka. Eight out of ten. 'Di sweet, pero makes me feel like I'm her best friend."

"Corny mo!" Jiya throws the pillow back at him, blushing profusely. She huffs and focuses on her laptop.

Migo is laughing. "Five: my love. Once niya lang 'to tinawag sa 'kin tapos sa text pa, pero medyo namatay ako tapos umakyat ako ng langit."

"I hate you," Jiya mutters.

"Six: God, please, please. Hindi ako si God, pero feeling niya oo kaya five million out of ten, in bed, sobrang hot—"

"Shut up!" Jiya shouts, shooting up from her chair and tackling him.

Migo rolls over with a grunt, laughing loudly, clutching his phone. "Seven!" he shouts, "Salas. Seven million out of ten kahit inis siya, pi-na-practice niya kasi 'yan for her future last name."

He grabs her in a chokehold, locking her legs with his, tapos si Jiya naka-bury ang mukha niya sa chest niya wala siyang magawa. She punches him. "Miguel!"

"Shh, nasa camera tayo. Eight, husband. Joke lang, hindi pa niya ako tinatawag ng gano'n, sa pangarap ko lang. Mga ten million out of ten."

Nag-ring phone niya. He answers the call, naka-chokehold pa rin kay Jiya. "O, Buenca."

"...Ball and pool, g?" ang narinig niya lang sa kabilang line. "Busy ka?"

"Busy na nakikipaglandian kay Valle, pero pwede ko naman 'yon gawin ulit bukas 'tsaka kahit kailan. Sama ako." He hangs up.

Jiya rolls her eyes and huffs when he releases her, and then he leaves her alone with a heated kiss.

Jiya pushes him out the door. "Ingat, husband."

Natumba si Migo. "Putangina!" he shouts, twisting around. "Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you—"

Jiya shuts the door in his face and laughs.

"I hate you, Valle!" he shouts. "Halika dito, punyeta! Buksan mo 'to!"

"Umalis ka na, love you!" Jiya shouts back, laughing.

"Shut up!"

Migo doesn't text her all day. Pagkasundo sa kanya the following morning, galit pa rin.

Jiya leans over to kiss his cheek, natatawa na kasi ang cute niya, para siyang bata. Dati, 'pag umaga, naiirita siya kung kani-kanino kasi inaantok pa siya, pero ngayon...wala siya sa mood manuntok ng kahit ano dahil sa baby niyang boyfriend.

"Akala ko ba ten million out of ten?" Jiya can't help but tease, strapping on her seatbelt.

Migo pulls out of his parking space with a huff. "Tumahimik ka."

"Why are you mad?" Jiya asks, laughing, reaching over to rub his thigh.

Migo pulls his leg away of her touch, eyes narrowing. "Kasi inaasar mo lang ako."

Parang upset nga talaga si Migo sa ginawa niyang 'yon. She leans over to kiss his cheek again, cupping his face with one hand. "Sorry, hindi ko na gagawin."

"Tanga, hindi ko naman sinasabi na 'wag mong gawin!" Migo snaps, frustrated. Natawa na naman nang malakas si Jiya kasi may vein na pumuputok na sa neck niya. "Ano ba!"

Medyo galit pa rin si Migo pagbaba nila sa mall. Magsho-shopping si Jiya for her OJT clothes tapos si Migo gusto ring bumili ng mga games niya.

Mukha siyang galit but he grabs her hand and interlaces their fingers together when he leads her inside, tapos ang dami niyang input sa mga sinusuot ni Jiya.

"Mukang fuckable sa desk."

"Easy access ang skirt."

"Gustong lumabas ng twins. No."

"Ang laki ng pwet mo, parang baked buns."

"Kailangan mo ng necklace d'yan. Kamay ko."

"Fuckable sa desk lahat! Pumunta ka sa OJT mong naka-trash bag!"

Lahat naman 'yon binili ni Jiya and wala siyang magagawa, OA 'tong si Migo sa mga sinasabi niya. He leans over her shoulder while she hands her credit card to the cashier and mutters, hand snaking to her hip, "Magpasalamat ka we're not ever working together. Makita kitang ganyan sa office matakot ka sa 'kin, I'll rip those stockings off."

Feeling din ni Jiya wala siyang magagawang matino kung kasama niya pa sa trabaho si Migo na pinag-iinitan siya ng tingin. Wala siyang matatapos o mababasa na manuscript.

She turns around and tilts her head, looking at him from head to toe. Migo raises his eyebrow. "I'm curious about what you look like in a white coat. Baka people might purposely hurt themselves para lang makita ka sa hospital."

It makes him grin. "Easy money."

Jiya rolls her eyes, smiling, and turns back around.

Sinamahan niya si Migo sa mga video games niya and kahit wala siyang alam, nagtatanong-tanong siya kasi ang excited ni Migo magsabi sa kanya kung ano nga ba difference ng NBA 2K and NBA Live.

Nagbabayad pa si Migo ng game niya when Jiya goes outside to take a call.

"Ano," she snaps.

"Sabi ni Salas kasama mo siya, bakit ang sungit mo pa rin," Isco mutters.

"Ano," she snaps again.

"Fine. May problema ako."

"Ipis," Jiya says sweetly. "Tingin mo ba may oras ako sa problema mo e ang laki-laki mo nang problema sa buhay ko!"

"Oscar naman!" he whines. "Wait lang okay, tapos pwede ka na makipag-chukchakan ulit. May sinabi ba sa 'yo si Vanessa at ang distant niya?"

Jiya raises an eyebrow, leaning against the wall. "Ano ginawa mo?"

"Wala!"

"Meron, bobo. Imposibleng wala kung cold si Van sa 'yo."

"Wala nga!" Isco growls at her frustratedly. "Basta. May sinabi ba o wala?"

She clicks her tongue. "Kaka-COD mo kasi 'yan habang ginagawa n'yo."

"Bakit, hindi ba 'yon ginagawa ni Migo? Ang saya kaya, kayo in control habang naglalaro kami tapos Van doesn't let me come hanggang makapatay ako—"

Jiya hangs up and texts him.

do not contact me until may
totoong problema ka na

Ipis: FINE oscar the grouch puta

ipis puta

Ipis: 🖕🏽

🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽

Ipis: AH GANON 🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽
🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽
🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽

Jiya grits her teeth and types.

ANO BA TUMIGIL KA 🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽

"...Wanna eat?"

Natigil si Jiya sa typing niya when she hears that familiar voice. She looks up. Si Maureen na may kasamang lalaki!

Jiya's eyes widen and she turns around before Migo's sister can recognize her.

"Mukha kang ewan," Migo says, stepping out of the store with a bag. "Tara na—"

"Wait!" She grabs his face in her hands when he raises it para tingnan siya, eyes wide.

Migo blinks, raising his eyebrows. "Ano?"

Hindi pwede. Mamamatay si Maureen kapag nakita siya ni Migo.

"Migo," she says, unnecessarily loud, para marinig ni Maureen na palapit sa kanila. "Migo, Migo, Migo."

"Ano, ano, ano."

Behind his head, Maureen's eyes widen when they meet Jiya's. Jiya signals her with her eyes. Umalis ka na ditong bata ka bago ka patayin ng kuya mo!

Maureen nods shakily and turns around, taking the guy with her, pero Jiya feels her heart drop.

Si Inggo!

His eyes widen and his jaw drops bago siya tuluyang d-in-rag ni Maureen paalis.

Migo takes one of her hands away. "Ano tinitingnan mo—"

"Babe!" Jiya shouts, turning his face back to her. "I have to buy something pa pala. Sorry, nakalimutan ko. Come with me bago tayo kumain."

He huffs. "Valle, nabe-behead na ako sa hawak mo sa neck ko tapos 'yon lang pala. Ano bibilhin mo?"

She brings him to a lingerie store.

Ang pula-pula ng mukha ng boyfriend niya following her inside. "Um, Valle, sa labas na lang—"

"Ang dami mong sinasabi kanina tapos ngayon ka nahihiya?" Jiya rolls her eyes and drags him further inside. "'Tsaka kailangan ko ng opinions and tagadala ng shopping bags. Umupo ka."

Naka-cover ng bag ang gitna ng legs ni Migo whenever Jiya comes out of the dressing room in only a bra and underwear or a cami set. He stares, nods once, and then goes back to his phone, ears and neck red.

Dati, wala siyang confidence na gawin 'to, pero ang makita ang effect niya kay Migo, mas lalong naiisip ni Jiya na maganda nga siya.

Sabi ni Migo na babawi siya kay Jiya sa pagaapak niya to her self-esteem. Nagawa na niya 'yon.

Cheesy, pota. Jiya is grinning when she closes the door. Habang nagpapalit siya to her normal clothes, her phone vibrates. Nakailang text na sa kanya si Maureen 'tsaka ang puta na si Inggo.

Mau: ATE JIYA OHMUGOD PLEASE
DONT TELL KUYA
Mau: PLAEE PLEASE PLEAS KAHIT
ANO GAGAWIN KO
Mau: WALANG GINAWA SI KUYA
INGGO I SWEAR!!!!!

Do'n naman sa isang bobo, Jiya grits her teeth.

Inggo Best Bro: Ji...mahal kita. ikaw
yung pinakamagandang girlfriend ni
Migo sa buong mundo. Ikaw ang
pinakamatalino na bro ko. You are
irreplaceable.
Inggo Best Bro: you must not know
bout me you must not know bout me
Inggo Best Bro: joke lang hehe sana
maalala mo na funny ako and nandun
ako for you nung nag-away kayo ni
migs 👉🏼👈🏼 ako na lagi puntahan mo
pag bobo siya hehe 👉🏼👈🏼
Inggo Best Bro: please hehehe 🧎🏻‍♂️
Inggo Best Bro: and kung ano iniisip
mo wala akong ginawa sa kanya, i
took her home drunk last night (SA
BAHAY NIYA AH) and she wanted to
treat me as a thanks THATS IT

Jiya sighs, rubbing her forehead. Mga putang 'to. Ginawa pa siyang accomplice.

She decides to reply to Inggo first.

wala kang ginawa?

Inggo Best Bro: WALA CROSS MY
HEART HOPE TO...NOT DIE
😭🧎🏻‍♂️TINGIN MO BA GUSTO KONG
MAMATAY ICACASTRATE AKO NI
SALAS!!!

Jiya sighs.

bahala ka dyan wag mo
lapitan si mau sinasabi ko
sayo inggo

To Maureen, she says:

okay, i believe you. ingat ka
pauwi ok text mo ko

Mau: I LOVE YOU ATE

She smiles.

Bumili rin sila ng shampoo ni Migo for her bathroom bago umalis. Ang bilis masyado mag-drive ni Migo pabalik sa condo because of his horniness and he pushes her inside his room on the bed. Hindi pa nakakahiga si Jiya he's already yanking her shorts down.

Habang nasa banyo si Migo, Jiya puts on one of his shirts and steps outside. Nakaupo si Inggo sa couch, sitting straight and posture perfect, hands clasped together on his knees, parang hindi niya 'to bahay and naghihintay ng parusa.

"Master," he greets, bowing his head.

Jiya stalks over to smack his shoulder repeatedly. "Tanga! Tanga, tanga, tanga!"

"Kumain lang kami!" Inggo whisper-shouts, shielding himself from her hits, wincing. "Aray, tangina!"

"Hoy, de Paz." Jiya pants and points a finger at him. "I know you. Sinasabi ko sa 'yong off limits si Mau."

"Ayoko ngang mamatay!" Inggo insists, stomping, rubbing his shoulder. "Ji. I won't touch her."

Jiya smacks him again on the head for good measure. "Siguraduhin mo lang."

Bumalik siya sa room may dalang fries na dinala ni Inggo pang-bribe sa kanya and nakaharap na si Migo sa computer, naka-headset. Jiya rolls her eyes. Pagtapos nito maglabas ng tamod, laro-laro lang siya.

She leans over the table and waves a fry in his face. Migo opens his mouth and chews it without looking at her. "Thanks, baby."

Stupid as it is, her stomach erupts in butterflies at his voice. She sits down at the edge of the table and rubs her foot along his bare thigh.

Migo doesn't mind her, keeping his focus on his screen. "Go, go, go."

Jiya frowns and keeps eating, keeps rubbing her foot on his leg. "Babe."

Migo only blinks. Parang hindi rin siya narinig.

Jiya rolls her eyes and pushes her foot against his abdomen.

It makes him grunt and laugh while coughing, clutching his stomach. He finally looks at her. "Hoy, ano ba!"

"Pwede mo ba 'ko pansinin? Ano ako, baso?" Jiya snaps, annoyed nang 'di niya alam kung bakit, buong day silang magkasama tapos kalulunok niya lang sa kanya tapos ngayon parang gusto pa rin niya ng attention niya. Ano ba 'to, pukengina naman.

Migo's mouth slowly curls up. "Clingy ka, ah. Magpa-cute ka muna."

"Cute mo mukha mo, e 'di 'wag!" Jiya slams the cup of fries on the table and stands up. "Puta. Uwi na nga."

"'Wag!" Migo laughs, and then Jiya squeals when she's tackled from behind. Parehas silang nahulog sa kama. "Clingy naman ng baby baby ko," he coos in a baby voice, pinching her cheeks. "Wawa naman si baby—"

Jiya pushes him. "Uwi na 'ko, sabe!"

"Hindi na, hindi na," Migo says, laughing, tightening his arms around her and swinging his leg over hers para 'di siya makatakas. "You're so cute," he mumbles fondly.

Jiya suppresses her smile and hugs him, sighing in content. Bakit ba ang sarap sa hug nito?

When he drives her home, ayaw pa bumitaw ni Jiya sa arm niya.

"Ano, tulog na 'ko dito?" he asks, raising his eyebrow at her fingers gripping his forearm, legs on his lap over the center console. He shuts off the engine.

Jiya huffs. Kung pwede lang sana, e nandiyan yung kotse ng mom niya so nasa bahay. "Next time," she grumbles. "My mom's home." She pulls his arm so he can lean closer to her, and she cups his nape, pressing her lips to his neck. His pulse jumps.

Jiya smiles.

Migo moves back and takes her chin in his fingers and teasingly squeezes it, making her head move around. "Hoy, what's with you? You're not usually like this."

Hindi rin alam ni Jiya kung ano nangyayari sa kanya. Gusto niya lang kasama si Migo.

"Dapat ba may mali sa 'kin para gusto ka pang makasama?" she snaps, smacking his hand away. She glares at him. "E 'di 'wag."

"Valle!" He snatches her arm before she can open the door, still smiling but worried now. "I didn't say that. I'm just asking kung ano meron."

"Wala nga!" Jiya almost shouts, inis na inis. "Gusto nga lang—ugh."

"Okay, okay!" Migo concedes, laughing, pulling her to him. "Sorry na, kinikilig kasi ako masyado and kinakabahan ako na parang tanga."

"Tanga ka talaga."

"Sweet sweet mo naman," Migo coos in a baby voice again, clutching her head to his chest. Jiya hugs him. "I...I can stay pa, you know? Meet...meet your mom?"

Kinabahan bigla si Jiya.

Of course, naisip na niya gawin 'yon, ipakilala si Migo sa kanila ng dad niya...pero hindi siya sure kung ano magiging reaction nila. Kinakabahan si Jiya na baka ano sabihin nila kay Migo na ikahihiya niya and...and gusto niya siyempre na magustuhan si Migo ng parents niya.

Pero kung hindi, ano magagawa nila?

Still...ayaw rin ni Jiya na mapahamak si Migo sa mga sinasabi ng parents niya about her. Baka kapag bumaba ang grades niya, sabihin na kasalanan ni Migo. Kapag hindi pa rin niya tanggapin ang position of heir sa Valle Holdings when she graduates, baka sabihin na kasalanan ni Migo. Kapag ayaw niya lumipat ng bahay, kasalanan ni Migo.

Kahit hindi, ayaw niyang i-subject si Migo sa gano'ng posibleng contempt ng parents niya.

"Not now," Jiya mumbles instead, shutting her eyes while hugging him, hoping her understands. "Next time. They're still dealing with the...the petition. Malapit na rin i-approve."

"Okay," Migo says softly agad, kissing her temple. "Okay. Sunduin kita on Monday."

Jiya pulls back and kisses him hard. Migo gasps in surprise from the aggressiveness but kisses her back, stroking her face.

Agh. May butterflies na naman siya.

"I love you," Jiya tells him quietly, kisses him again. "I wish there was a better word for what I feel for you, but love will do for now."

"Stop, oh my God," Migo whispers, struggling to catch his breath, dazed and dizzy and intoxicating. "Baka umiyak ako."

Jiya laughs and kisses him one last time. "Text me pag-uwi. Drive safe."

Migo texts her habang nagpe-prepare si Manang ng dinner nila. Jiya sits down at the table and grins.

okay. nalagay ko na shampoo 
mo in my bathroom.

Migo types. And then it stops.

Jiya frowns.

He types again, and it stops again.

Jiya raises an eyebrow.

uy ano

He types again and sends it this time.

Pogi: Gusto kong bumalik para
makita. Nasestress ako putangina,
yung stomach ko kanina pa parang
nahuhulog. ANO BA

Jiya laughs.

ANO BA KA REN BAKIT KA GALIT

Pogi: NAKAKAINIS KA KASE bat di
mo na lang ako pakasalan puta ka
duwag

She laughs even harder. Para siyang personally wronged by Jiya talaga.

pasukan mo muna ako

Pogi: HOYSFK GSFKSGFF GAGO
HAHAHAHHAHAHA PUTA KA!!!!

"That looks good, Manang."

Malapit na matapon ni Jiya phone niya in the air hearing her mom's voice. Naka-pambahay na siya with her hair tied, tinitingnan ang luto ni Manang. Tapos kumuha siya ng plates from the drawer.

Jiya puts away her phone and grabs the utensils.

Sabay silang kumain ng mom niya after months.

"I heard you're interning at Theo & Brom," she says, halfway through their meal. "Is that a good company?"

Ang narinig ni Jiya ay is that a good enough company. "Yes po, very well-established," she answers quietly.

She hums, pouring water on her glass. "How are your grades?"

"Good po," is the automatic answer. "Still running for Laude."

Her mom nods. "You know the petition is about to be approved, right? Your dad and I talked about it na again, free access ang visits niya, pero most likely he'll see you every month."

Jiya nods. "Okay po."

"Here." Her mom passes her the asparagus na kasama ng salmon.

Hindi kumakain si Jiya ng asparagus. Kaya nga ginawang 'onti lang ni Manang kasi alam niya 'yon.

Walang alam ang nanay niya sa kanya. Still, she takes it. "Thank you po."

Pagkatapos kumain ng mom niya, she wipes her mouth with the napkin and says, "Study na after. If you're not going into law, make sure your grades are up."

Jiya only nods and watches her go up the stairs.

Tinulungan niya si Manang magligpit. "Ito, anak." Manang gives her a piece of Hershey's chocolate.

Jiya smiles at her and takes it. "Thank you, 'Nang."
 Naligo siya pagkatapos and humiga sa bed with her readings in hand, pero she replies muna kay Migo.

pakakasalan kita kapag
doctor ka na and fiction editor
ako. mayaman ka na non.

Migo reads that agad. Jiya smiles.

Pogi: sabi mo yan ah. screenshot ko
for proof.

and if you buy the tagaytay
house from your dad and ask
me there. dapat maganda
nails ko and dapat maganda
ako.

Pogi: daming demands ni wife.
tsk pano ba to

Jiya laughs, heart bursting.

I will marry you, Migo. ikaw
lang.

Pogi: bakit sino pa bang iniisip mo na
i-marry ha? suntukan na lang
punyeta

Ang lakas na naman ng tawa niya.

mag-aaral na ako but just so
you know i'm smiling really
wide.

Pogi: pics or it didnt happen

She rolls her eyes and sends him a selfie lying down in bed.

Pogi: i'll do my best to make you smile
like that every day we're together.
pangako.

Jiya feels her chest tighten.

i'll do my best, too.

Pogi: KILIG PUNYEMAS GOODNIGHT
NA NGA BABE LOVE U

Nakailang tawa na dito si Jiya. She didn't know she could be this happy being with someone.

No. Being with Migo.

*

"Would you call me insensitive?"

"Not to your face," sagot ni Jiya kay Van, nakabantay sa phone habang umiinom ng milk tea.

Addie smacks her. "No!"

"Salamat," sabi ni Van, rolling her eyes. She throws her index cards on the table and leans back with a sigh. "Tinawag akong insensitive ni Isco when we fought."

Addie blinks. "Weh? Paano si Isco sa away, 'di ko maisip kasi loko siya."

Van scrunches her nose. "Seryoso pero kalma. He...he just thinks I'm avoiding him pero hindi naman talaga. Porke't hindi kami nag-sex nang ilang araw, avoiding na agad? 'Di ba pwedeng ayoko na muna?"

Jiya frowns when her phone hasn't lit up yet. Why isn't Migo texting her?

Lumabas kasi silang batchmates sa bahay ni Cas para lang mag-unwind after a long test kanina, and ang last niyang text is nakarating na siya with the boys.

Hindi alam ni Jiya kung ano in-e-expect niya na i-text sa kanya ni Migo kasi wala naman talagang dapat, pero gusto niya na siyang makita and hindi pa ba siya tapos? Ugh.

"So you're not avoiding him?" Jiya asks flatly, tapping her phone screen distractedly pero wala pa ring notifications. "Walang problema?"

"Hindi, pero meron."

"O, so what nga?" Addie asks, raising her eyebrows. Binaba na rin niya yung readings niya.

Van heaves a deep breath. "Agh, I don't know. Nasasakal ako sometimes sa kanya and I need breathing space. Minsan naman, I feel like he's with me just for sex. Parang wala kaming ibang ginagawa besides that. Plus...I don't know, para kaming fuck buddies lang pa rin, like before."

Jiya stops sipping her drink. Nasasakal ba minsan si Migo sa kanya?

This past week kasi, text siya nang text kay Migo kapag nasa class siya and pinupuntahan kapag break niya. Lagi siyang nakahawak kay Migo kahit saan sila and ayaw niyang umuuwi kapag magkasama sila.

Tinawag na siyang aso ni Inggo. Jiya smacked him for that.

"Do you want to go back to before?" Addie asks.

"Ewan!" Van answers, throwing her hands up in the air. "Puta, bahala na. Kausapin ko mamaya. Ji, you wanna run your presentation?"

She nods and sits straight, opening her presentation file.

Pagkatapos niyang mag-run, binigyan siya ng comments ng friends niya, and they take a short break bago naman si Van.

Migo texted her. Kung nasasakal siya, sabihin niya, pero ngayon, miss na siya ni Jiya and gusto niyang ipaalam sa kanya para mag-take siya ng responsibility.

I miss you :( are you enjoying?

Pogi: pakibalik ang girlfriend ko, mga
one week ko na siyang hindi nakikita.
hindi kasi siya ganito ka-clingy.

Jiya sneers and doesn't reply to him. Nag-scroll siya ng Instagram.

At malapit na niyang i-spit out inumin niya nang makitang may picture na naka-tag si Migo. Angel 'yong name ng girl. Parehas silang nakangiti sa camera at may hawak na drinks, pero 'yong isang kamay ni ate nasa waist ni Migo.

Masyadong masaya ang ngiti ni ate girl. Jiya balls her hands into fists.

Alam din niyang nando'n si Tasha ngayon, pero gets na ni Migo na hindi na niya bibigyan ng reason si Jiya para suntukin siya, kaya wala siyang nakitang picture nila or anything.

Migo texts her again.

Pogi: you want me to go home, baby? :)
beg mo muna ko, sabihin mo, 'uwi
ka na, baby loves'.

Nasa Burgundy kasi silang tatlo.

She replies angrily and then tosses her phone on the table.

Magstay ka dyan. Nyeta.

"Game?" tanong ni Van.

Jiya and Addie nod.

When they're done and ready, they pack their things tapos inask ni Van, "Sino g uminom, libre ko."

Friday naman. And sigurado hanggang mamaya pa si Migo with his friends.

"G! Then uwi tayo kila Cas to see the boys after their party. Sila Anton are sleeping there daw."

Jiya puts on her shoes with a frown. "Pati si Migo?"

Addie blinks at her. "Yeah. Aren't you staying? 'Di ka ba sinabihan? Mags-stay ako kaya akala ko ikaw rin."

Wala namang sinabi si Migo sa kanya.

Jiya huffs angrily and picks up her bag, throwing open the door. "Let's go to my house first, magpapalit ako."

Her friends whistle when she steps out of the bathroom. Nagsuot lang siya ng lace bralette, 'yong paborito ni Migo, and jeans. 'Yon lang.

"Shit ka!" Van shouts, throwing a pillow at her. "Ano balak mo kay Migs, ha?"

"Wala, bawal niya akong hawakan," Jiya snaps in determination, tying her hair up in a high ponytail. Manigas siyang nakatingin lang.

Addie whistles again and laughs. "Magwawala 'yon."

Alam ni Jiya. Kaya nga siya nag-bralette.

They go for quick drinks, nagkwe-kwentuhan lang. Nang paubos na ang nasa glasses nila, nilapitan sila ng waiter and ni-refill. "Sagot po ng kabilang table," sabi niya.

Jiya leans back against her chair and looks over. Dalawa silang boys, mukhang mga taga-Ateneo din o La Salle, naka-Uniqlo e. They raise their glasses to them and smile.

"Free," Van says, shrugging, downing it.

Addie bites her lip. "Won't they think na we're single? Well, they're not for me. Kanina pa nakatitig sa 'yo."

Sa kanilang dalawa ni Van siguro. Lagi naman when they're out. "Free," Jiya says, downing it in one shot.

Maya-maya bago sila umuwi, nilapitan sila ng dalawang lalaki, and to Jiya's surprise, tama si Addie.

They both ask for her number.

Jiya blinks. "Um, sure."

Siniko siya ni Van. Her friends look at her with wide eyes.

Jiya smiles at the boys' eagerness and types Migo's number in.

Van drives them sa bahay ni Cas. "Won't Migo get mad? Seloso 'yon e."

"Number niya binigay ko," Jiya says.

Addie cackles loudly. "I love it!"

Van sighs. "Shet, buti na lang. Akala ko may world war ulit e."

Jiya smiles and opens her phone. Baka nga magkaroon, kanina pa may text sa kanya ang tanga niyang boyfriend.

Pogi: joke lang princess hekhek
Pogi: huy ayaw mo ba talaga akong
umuwi? kala ko miss mo ko. hmp
Pogi: VALLE ano ba napikon ka ba
:((((( wag ka na magtampo hehe miss
na rin kita yieeeee
Pogi: sabi ni castillo pupunta kayo
dito? are you?

She doesn't reply to him. Pagdating nila sa bahay ni Cas, buhay pa with music and loud chatter, ang dami pa ring tao.

Kumuha siya agad ng Smirnoff bottles from the cooler pagpasok nila sa bahay and inabot 'yon sa mga kaibigan niya.

"I'll go find Cas," Addie says, winking at them.

Van loops her arm around Jiya's and lumabas silang poolside. Jiya tries very, very hard to ignore all the looks her way. Ngayon lang siya ginanito pagkatapos no'ng bago pa lang sila ni Migo. Noon, Jiya's sure they were thinking: bakit siya? E ang panget niya, mas panget pa kay Tasha.

Ngayon, tinitingnan siya from head to toe, stunned.

Van sighs. "Hirap talaga 'pag ang ganda ng kaibigan mo."

Jiya rolls her eyes, face heating. It's usually Van and Addie kasi na pinapansin ng mga tao. Ang weird naman ngayon.

Pagkaupo nila sa lounge chair nilapitan sila agad ng two guys. One of them is holding a bottle opener, grinning widely. "Need a hand with that?"

"Thanks." Jiya gives him hers and Van's bottles.

Pagkabalik sa kanila, the other one says, "Taga-Chem ba kayo? Parang I've never seen you girls around. I would've noticed."

"AB Lit," sabi ni Van with a smile. "I'm Van, this is Jiya."

Jiya hangs her head back, drinking her bottle.

"Ah." Lumayo silang dalawa, blinking. "Jiya Valle? Girlfriend ni Migo?"

"May problema?" his voice says coldly from behind them. Hindi tumalikod si Jiya pero naramdaman niya siyang lumapit. "Dukutin ko mga mata n'yong gago kayo e."

Nagsialisan ang dalawa, swallowing thickly.

Jiya rolls her eyes.

"Hoy, Valle. Pagkatapos mo 'kong i-ignore, pupunta ka dito na ganyan ang suot mo?" Migo hisses, hahawakan na dapat ang arm niya pero lumayo si Jiya.

"You're not allowed to touch," she tells him coldly, drinking again. Tangina, ang gwapo naman niya, nakakainis, tapos hahawak-hawakan siya ng mga babae?!

Migo blinks at her, mouth dropping. "Seryoso ka ba."

Van snickers. "Mukha bang nagjo-joke?"

Jiya turns around to head to the kitchen. Her boyfriend follows her. "Valle, ano ginawa ko? Tangina naman, nakaganyan ka tapos bawal akong humawak? Anong punishment 'to?" galit na galit niyang tinatanong.

She puts down her bottle and looks at the food. "Uy, pizza."

"Valle," he hisses, blocking her way. His eyebrows are furrowed and his face looks pained. His eyes go down to her neck, to her chest and stomach, tapos sa mata niya ulit. "E, ano nga ginawa ko? Puta," he whines, scratching his head, inis na inis.

His fingers open and close in a fist.

Jiya almost smiles. "Are you sleeping here?"

"No," he answers quickly, clenching his jaw. He slams his hand on the table and clutches the edge. "Uuwi akong Burgundy kaya hindi kita sinabihan. Matutulog ako with you. Ano pa?"

"Inggo!" Jiya shouts, sidestepping around him to sling an arm around Inggo's shoulders, hugging him. "Miss na kita!"

"Baliw ka," Inggo says, laughing, but he hugs her back. "Grabe 'to ah." He traces his finger along her strap and grins. "Ito lang? Pang-easy access?"

"De Paz!" Migo shouts behind her. "Babaliin ko 'yan!"

Inggo raises his hands in surrender. "Sorry, bro."

Jiya leans in to whisper, "Oo."

Inggo nods at her.

Migo pushes him away.

Walang nagawa ang boyfriend niya kundi sundan-sundan siya nang hindi humahawak, inis na inis na.

Pagdating nila sa kotse at past two in the morning, he slams her door closed after she gets in. Jiya bites her lip. Sinobrahan niya yata si Migo.

She also hugged kasi pati si Anton na nilagay ang hands sa bare back niya nang sobrang saglit. Pati rin naman si Cas and Inggo, gano'n ang ginawa, pero naiinis pa rin si Migo kay Anton.

Before he starts the engine, Jiya crawls across the center console and sits on his lap. Tinitigan lang siya ni Migo, hands on his sides.

"Umupo ka do'n," sabi niya harshly.

Jiya grins, looping her arms around his neck. "You don't want to touch me?"

"So ngayon, pwede na?" he snaps angrily. "Hindi ako natutuwa sa 'yo, Valle. Nakakatawa ba?"

Jiya pouts. "E kasi...nainis ako na you keep on joking about yung clinginess ko."

"Kasi hindi ako sanay! 'Yon lang!"

"E yung picture na nasa waist mo yung arm ng Angel na 'yon?" she snaps childishly, crossing her arms and huffing. "Kung ayaw mo humawak, 'wag na!"

"Valle." He grabs her wrist before she can move off him, raising his eyebrow. "Are you seriously mad at me about that picture? Tingin mo ba I put her arm there?"

"Hindi," she snaps, scoffing. "Pero kasi...agh. Hindi ko alam, okay? I know I'm acting crazy and hindi ko gets pero nainis ako sa picture na 'yon and I just wanted to see you."

"So why punish me?"

Not being able to touch her was punishment for Migo.

Hindi rin alam ni Jiya. Hindi niya alam kung bakit siya biglang na-i-insecure and natatakot na iwanan siya ni Migo, and this sudden—this sudden need to be close to him, to be with him all the time.

Ano ba, mayro'n na ba siya? Punyeta naman.

"I wanted you to know how frustrating it feels when I'm not with you," she mutters, avoiding his stare. She swallows thickly. "'Di ko alam, okay?"

Migo sighs and reaches out to touch her face, tucking her hair behind her ears. "I already know how frustrating it feels, Valle," he mumbles, lips pressed to a thin line. "Hay. Ang cute mo naman."

Jiya leans forward and hugs him tight. She exhales heavily, shutting her eyes.

Migo puts his hands around her and she shivers with his touch. Wala sa kanya na hinawak-hawakan siya ng maraming tao sa balikat o sa likod o sa arm, pero kapag si Migo...dumating na naman ang mga butterflies.

"Walang reason?" Migo asks again. "Remember when you asked me to sleep over when nangyari yung petition?"

Jiya shakes her head. That's not the case now. "Wala bukod sa mahal kita," Jiya whispers, squeezing him.

Nakakasakal naman magmahal nang ganito. Puta.

"Good to know," he whispers, kissing her temple, "na hindi lang ako ang palagi."

Jiya leans back to look at him. He's smiling. "Ang palaging ano?"

"Hmm..." He takes a deep breath and slides his hands around her bare stomach to her back, tracing her spine with his fingertips. "I love you more, Valle," he mumbles, tracing the strap of her bralette with his other hand. "So naturally, I want to see you more, I want to be with you more, I want your attention more."

Jiya stares at him. "More than me?"

Migo grins. "It's good to know that sometimes, ikaw ang more."

Jiya is bothered sa sinabi niya.

Does he mean he loves her more than Jiya loves him? Hindi niya ba masyadong pinapakita na gusto rin niya siyang makita and makasama enough?

Pero...nadudurog puso niya 'pag magkaaway sila, and ang lakas tumibok 'pag hindi. Kapag nasa class siya, iniisip niya kung ano ginagawa ni Migo, ano pinag-uusapan niya with his friends, kung kumain na ba siya o hindi pa. Kapag matutulog na siya, she thinks of his arms around her and uses a pillow as a substitute. Sa panaginip pa nga nakakarating si gago.

SO ANO PINAGSASABI NIYA NA HE LOVES HER MORE? Bwiset.

"Huy!" Migo shouts in surprise, cradling her face when she suddenly starts crying. "Valle, bakit ka umiiyak?" he asks, panicked, hugging her.

"Don't say that," she chokes out in a sob, weakly hitting him. "'Wag na 'wag mong sasabihin na mas mahal mo 'ko kaysa sa mahal kita. Pwedeng nauna ka pero that doesn't mean na mas mabigat ang sa 'yo. I may not have shown it enough and I need to work on that, pero ang sakit na sabihin mo that I don't love you as much as you do me."

Migo pauses. "That's not what I meant—"

"Binasa mo ba talaga vows ko?!" she shouts, pushing him. "Ano ba!"

"Valle—"

"And hindi 'to competition! Ano ka, first place tapos ako, runner up?!"

"I know, I know, shh." Migo cups her face and brushes her tears away, worried. "Sorry...it came out wrong. I know you love me, Valle. I feel it every day. Natatakot lang ako minsan na baka mas madali sa 'yo ang wala ako kaysa the other way around...because it will crush me. If you decide to stop loving me."

"Walang decision na gano'n na mangyayari," she says firmly, sniffling. "Okay?"

Migo smiles, still caressing her cheeks. "Okay," he whispers. "And I read your vows every night before I go to bed. I memorized it word per word."

Jiya sniffles again and nods. "Okay. Pwede na ba tayong umuwi? I wore this for you."

Migo rolls his eyes and quickly kisses her before tapping her butt to move her off him. "Don't do that to me again. It was fucking torture."

Jiya giggles and kisses his cheek. "Okay."

Hindi inalis ni Migo 'yong bralette niya pero binaba niya jeans niya. He kisses her chest above the fabric, pulling the strap back and forth so that it slaps against her skin.

Mamaya, when they're both sated, Migo frowns at his phone habang hawak ang twalya panlinis sa kanya. Nasa chest niya kasi yung nilabas ni Migo. "Sino 'to?" he demands, showing her his screen.

Unknown: Hi, Jiya! This is Ken.
Thanks for giving me your number,
sobrang kinabahan ako kasi you're so
pretty. :)

May isa pa.

Unknown: hi, this is liam. you're
really hot.

"Si Ken and Liam." Jiya chuckles, reaching for the towel.

Migo pushes her face away with his palm. "Tanginang mga gago 'to ah."

He swings his leg over her hips and kneels over her, pulling up his camera and swiftly taking a picture.

Jiya's eyes widen. Her flushed face has dried tears—and her chest!

"Migo!"

"Send ko 'to sa kanila, gusto mo?"

"Oh my God, 'wag!" Jiya shouts, neck heating. "Migo!"

"I'll keep this picture for me, but I'll crop it para mukha mo lang ang i-se-send ko." He grins devilishly.

Jiya huffs, biting her lip. "Fine."

Migo attaches the picture of her flushed face and mutters while typing, "Alam ko...dash, boyfriend niya."

Halatang nasa kama siya and katatapos lang nila.

Jiya pushes him. "Linisin mo na 'ko!"

"Parang gusto ko ganyan ka na lang. Punishment mo sa ginawa mo sa 'kin today."

"Migo!"

He laughs and kisses her. "Okay. Next time na lang, sa panty mo."

Bastos talaga 'to. Hinampas niya si Migo and he laughs, cleaning her gently with the towel.

"Hay, Valle," he whispers when he's done, gripping her chin to kiss her slowly. "Masyado kitang mahal. 'Di na kita titigilan nito hanggang mamatay tayo."

Jiya smiles. "Not a problem with me."