bakit ang haba ng chapters ko. im so sorry.

if ure here and reading this thank you so much! tweet me: arrowheadswp

*

ON Monday, Jiya does as Gelo says—pretend like she heard nothing and act as she normally does around him.

Gelo does the same. "We can talk to marketing about this, but I doubt it's going to be much of an issue. What about design?"

Jiya nods. "I'm coordinating with them now."

"Great! I can move to our next pitch," Claire says, grinning widely. "Good job, Jiya."

Jiya smiles at her. Umupo si Gelo sa couch with his laptop, focused on the screen.

Walang pinagkaiba sa actions niya throughout the day, and Jiya is relieved.

Migo picks her up at five with a smile. "Hi."

Jiya leans over to kiss his cheek. "Hi, baby."

He doesn't ask about work, and Jiya doesn't say anything, either.

Nakarating na siya sa Burgundy Saturday morning kasi hindi siya pinaalis ng mga magulang niya after Gelo left. They kept pestering her about him, asking questions, happy about his confession...habang nasusuka lang si Jiya.

Jiya told Migo what happened. Everything...quickly moving past the part about the confession, and he only listened, nodded, and said, "Ah. Okay."

She blinked. "Okay?"

"Yeah." He grinned and kissed her quickly. "It's fine. You're here now, I have you to myself until tomorrow."

Nag-cuddle lang sila and nanood ng movies and kumain. Migo didn't try to do anything other than hug her, and pagkahatid sa kanya Sunday night, he stayed in the car and kissed her cheek.

Jiya asked him to come upstairs.

"You said your mom's home," he said, and then he drove off.

Ngayon, kumain lang din sila ng dinner. Migo talks and smiles like there's nothing wrong, but Jiya knows him by now. Halata rin sa tension between them.

"Migo," she says, swallowing thickly. "Are you...are you mad?"

"No," sabi niya, smiling and shaking his head. "No, I'm not."

Hindi nagawa ni Jiya na i-push kahit obvious na may something wrong dahil sa mga mata ni Migo. They're pleading her to let it go, for them to end this night without an argument.

Her chest feels heavy. Pagkahatid sa kanya sa bahay, she leans over and kisses him. Migo kisses her back, pero ang sakit kasi Jiya doesn't feel anything. Parang he's doing it to get it over with.

Before bed, she texts him.

I love you. so much.

Migo reads that.

Pogi: I know. :) i love you too.

Umiyak si Jiya sa reply niya, pillow stained with dry tears, kasi for the first time—para siyang nagsisinungaling.

No, he's not. It's the truth, pero it's a truth that doesn't feel welcome.

Pagkagising niya, there are Louis Vuitton paper bags on the floor. Ah. Oo nga pala. Birthday niya today.

While she's brushing her teeth, she finds an envelope on her desk from her dad and Aliya. Two nights sa isang yacht this weekend.

Wala siyang gana, pero sayang din. She'll tell her friends mamaya kapag...kapag ayos na sila ni Migo.

She texts him on the way to work.

good morning, baby. otw to
work have a good day!

Lagi naman 'yon 'yong text niya sa kanya. His reply comes not a minute later.

Pogi: good morning and happy
birthday :) have a good day also, i'll
pick you up at five kung hindi ka
magoovertime.

She feels her eyes starting to burn na naman.

i won't. okay see you

Migo reads that and doesn't reply.

Wala siya sa sarili niya at work even as she smiles at her friends' messages and greetings, and Claire greets her gets her a small cactus pot for her desk with a cute note. It's one of the plants that she grew in her garden, and Jiya feels her heart warm at the gesture.

Gelo doesn't greet her until she knocks on his door to leave.

"Happy birthday," he says, smiling, and may inabot sa kanya na maliit na blue box.

Jiya's jaw clenches at the gift. "I don't think I can accept that."

"I bought it for you."

"I refuse, sir."

Gelo sighs, pursing his lips. "I know you're drawing a line and I'm trying not to cross it, but I bought this for you as your friend because that's what we are. Okay? Nothing else. Just...throw it away if you don't like it, it's yours."

Jiya stares at the box and then at him, and then snatches it. "Thank you."

She looks at it in the elevator. It's a simple necklace with a tiny plated CZ pendant in rose gold. She grits her teeth and stashes it inside her bag.

Migo smiles at her when she gets inside the passenger seat. "Happy birthday."

Jiya doesn't say anything and looks out the window. Paanong happy kung ganito sila?

"Valle."

"Just take me home," Jiya says. "Ayoko kitang kasama nang ganito."

Migo is silent. Jiya doesn't bother looking at him, and tears fall down her eyes.

He starts the engine and drives.

Kanina pa siya nagpupunas ng luha niya with her wet fingers, not once looking at him.

Wala siya sa bahay niya when the car stops. Nasa parking sila ng Burgundy.

Migo shuts off the engine, but neither of them moves or talks.

After what feels like hours of silence, Migo finally asks, and his voice fills the whole car, "What did he give you?"

Jiya pushes her hand inside her bag and grips it. She snatches his hand and presses the box in his palm, and then finds the window again. "Sa 'yo na since obsessed na obsessed ka sa kanya."

He sighs in frustration. "Valle."

"Kung makikipag-ayos ka kasi birthday ko today, ayoko. I don't want you to talk to me dahil do'n, you had plenty of chances since the weekend. Iuuwi mo 'ko or hahanapin ko si Inggo and magpapahatid ako sa kanya?"

"Call Gelo na lang, he'll be here in a second."

"Putangina, Migo." She looks at him behind her wet eyes. Her fingers are shaking in anger. "Galit ka kasi nauna niyang nakilala ang mga gago kong parents? Gano'n ba?"

"No," he says calmly, but a vein ticks in his neck as he stares at her. "I'm mad and hurt because you didn't bother to tell them you have me, hinayaan mo silang ireto kayo ni Gelo."

Jiya feels her heart drop.

Kasi tama siya. Hindi niya 'yon ginawa.

He looks at the box in his hand. "Swarovski...kapag binigyan ba kita ng ganito, masasabi mo na sa parents mo?"

She feels those words stab her. "I didn't tell them because I was afraid of what they'd say about you, they'd blame you—"

"Kasi kinakahiya mo 'ko," Migo says.

"Hindi kita kinakahiya," Jiya argues brokenly, barely able to keep her sobs, "I didn't want them to belittle you!"


"Because I'm not from a rich family like him." Migo tosses the box back in her bag. "Because I don't have a Benz. Because I don't have a career yet. Kapag ako ang sinabi mong boyfriend, they'd blame me for your failures, for pursuing your dream. Pero kapag si Gelo, they'd praise you for your achievements and for pursuing your dream with him. 'Yon ang difference, kaya you didn't say anything about me. You didn't want them to be more disappointed in you—kahit sa lalaki mo."

Jiya feels sick.

What he said makes sense—in his perspective. Pero wala sa isip niya na ipag-compare silang dalawa ni Gelo nang gano'n, she was just trying to protect Migo kasi ayaw niya na i-regard siya with contempt ng parents niya...because that would've crushed him. Because she knows he wants them to like him for her.

She wasn't thinking about herself.

Pero ganito ang tingin sa kanya ni Migo. "Kung gano'n pala ako ka-selfish sa 'yo," she whispers, "kung wala ka palang tiwala sa 'kin, break up with me, then."

Migo stares at her. "That's what you want?"

"It's what you want," Jiya nearly shouts. "It's what you want, Migo, you can't trust me enough to say na wala akong pake kung Jollibee, kung Mang Inasal, kung walang Bluetooth ang sasakyan mo, you keep comparing yourself to Gelo and you keep pushing me to him!"

"What do you expect me to do when it's obvious to you, to me, and to your parents that he's the better option?"

"Mahal kita!" Jiya shouts, kicking the floor. "My God, Migo! Hindi ka option, putangina, ikaw nga lang. When will you get it, when will you stop doubting me?" she sobs, shoulders shaking, burying her face in her hands. She tries for a breath, but it sounds hollow and desperate. "You're right, I'm sorry. I should've told them, pero natakot ako that they'll hurt you—not me. Kung saktan nila ako, what's new? Pero kapag ikaw, hindi ko kakayanin."

She faces the window and curls in on herself, hugging her knees.

It's still for God knows how long.

Her chest feels like may drill na bumabaon into it every second that passes in hurt between them.

And then Migo says, "Akyat tayo."

"No. Take me home."

"You're mad and hurt and I'm mad and hurt, too. But I love you and you love me, and if I take you home, magkakasakitan lang tayong dalawa."

Masakit nga ngayon e, pero tama siya.

Silently, she gets out of the car, wiping her cheeks. Migo follows her. Sumiksik siya sa dulo sa elevator, and Migo stands at a distance.

Inggo jumps up from the couch to hug her. "Happy birthday, bro!"

Jiya hugs him back. She feels bad kasi wala siyang gana. "Thanks," she says quietly.

Inggo puts his hands on her shoulders and pulls back, blinking. And then he looks at Migo, eyebrows furrowing. "Do I need to leave?"

"No, sa kwarto lang kami," Jiya tells him with a small smile. "Aalis rin ako mamaya."

Dumiretso siya sa room ni Migo. She sits down on the edge of the bed, and Migo sits beside her.

"Can you try to understand why I'm hurt?" Migo asks finally. "Put yourself in my shoes."

Jiya tries to imagine it.

Kunyari...kunyari his parents are like her parents, and ayaw pa siyang ipakilala ni Migo. She'll think na he has a good reason for it, na ayaw niyang masaktan si Jiya, pero maiisip rin niya na maybe...she's not good enough. More than a year na siyang tinatago, e. Maybe kinakahiya siya ni Migo kasi wala siyang magandang maipapakita sa parents niya.

And what if...what if ipakilala niya una si Elois or si Tasha. Kahit accident—the way it happened with Gelo. And then his parents like her, because she's pretty and rich and smart. Tapos she blatantly confesses that she likes Migo in front of them, and Migo doesn't say na taken na siya, na he has Jiya already. Hinayaan niya sila sa mga pinagsasabi nila about them.

Maiisip rin ni Jiya na hindi sinabi ni Migo kasi nahihiya siya, kasi wala si Jiya compared kay Elois or kay Tasha. Para hindi mas lalong ma-disappoint ang parents niya sa kanya when it comes to his partner.

"I'm sorry." Walang masabi si Jiya na iba. Ito na lang. "I put you in a position where you had no choice but to compare yourself to Gelo when I stayed silent, when I didn't fight for you. I was trying to protect you, but I hurt you more instead."

Hindi siya makatingin kay Migo sa sobrang hiya.

Baka nga selfish siya. Sarili lang niya ang iniisip niya.

"I know you didn't mean to," he says. "I know, Valle, I know you were trying to protect me. I know you love me, I know you'd choose me, you told me wala kang pinipiling iba kundi ako and I believe you. I'll try my best to believe you every day kahit mahirap kasi nanliliit ako sa sarili ko compared kay Gelo and ito lang—ako lang ang mabibigay ko sa 'yo."

"That's all I want."

"Not to your parents."

"You're not marrying my parents. You're marrying me," Jiya grits out, turning her head to look at him. He's watching her face. "'Di ba? O binabawi mo na?"

His Adam's apple bobs up and down. "No, of course not."

"Then choose to believe me, Migo," Jiya mutters, shutting her eyes closed when she feels them burn again. "Ikaw ang pipillin ko araw-araw. Kaya please...forgive me for this. I'm sorry I wasn't braver, I'm sorry I hurt you. Wala si Gelo kumpara sa 'yo, ikaw ang mahal ko."

Migo puts his arms around her. Jiya cries silently in his shoulder, fisting his shirt.

He sighs and kisses her head, stroking her back. "I'm sorry I was hostile," he murmurs back. "And for making your birthday a shit one when I promised you I'd celebrate you."

"For shutting me out. For saying you love me when you didn't mean it."

"I mean it every time I say I love you," Migo argues quietly. "Walang kasinungalingan do'n, don't ever doubt that. And I...I was trying to be okay with it, I was trying to understand your reasons...but every time I looked at you, my heart hurt."

Shit. She messed this up. She hurt him bad.

"I'm sorry," Jiya whispers miserably. "I'm so sorry. Please don't leave me."

He cradles her head and kisses her forehead. "I'm not. And don't ever tell me to break up with you again kasi hindi ko magagawa. My heart is yours. 'Wag na 'wag mong ibabalik sa 'kin."

She won't. Pero nakakatakot na baka si Migo ang gumawa n'on.

*

Migo slides in behind her on the lounge bed and gathers her hair in one hand, pushing it over her shoulder. He leans down to kiss her skin near her bikini strap, and then he squeezes sunblock on his hands.

Jiya bites her lip and inhales shakily when he touches her bare back, fingers tracing her top.

"Cas!" Addie squeals in the pool, trying to dodge Cas's water gun and running away, pero nahabol siya agad.

Isco and Inggo are sunbathing on the lounge beds opposite them. Pagdating nila rito, naghubad sila, uminom ng buko juice, and humiga na sila diyan and 'di na gumalaw.

Van and Anton are seated sa bar sa likod nila, downing their drinks.

Si Jiya naman, kanina pa nakatulala sa sky while waiting for Migo to get changed into his board shorts. They have a room to themselves ulit.

He carefully spreads the sunblock over her arms and stomach. "Dito ka lang?"

Jiya leans back against his chest, pulling his arms around her and closing her eyes. "Mm."

He's smiling when he mutters in her ear, "Gusto kitang hubaran." He bites her earlobe.

Jiya grins. "And what will you do 'pag nakahubad na 'ko?"

"Magdadasal. Dasal muna bago kain, 'di ba?"

A loud laugh erupts from her chest, and then a squeal when Migo picks her up like she weighs nothing and runs to the pool. "Migo!"

Their friends spend a relaxing weekend sa yacht with cards, booze, good food, and a breathtaking view. At dinner, they all raise a toast to Jiya, presenting to her a cake, and she rolls her eyes but blows the candle anyway.

Migo cups her neck with his palm and kisses her hard pagkasara ng door ng kwarto nila, pushing her against the wall, and Jiya falls pliant in his touch, moans and opens her mouth when he pushes his tongue in. Obnoxious, needy, desperate.

These past few days after nilang magbati, Jiya was very careful and anxious with Migo because she still felt guilty sa ginawa niya. She vowed to herself na babawi siya kay Migo, and habang hindi niya pa magawa 'yon, mahihiya muna siya sa kanya.

Kahit okay na si Migo. Back to himself. Pero nainis na si Migo no'ng nagtatanong siya about work and she kept answering him vaguely and changing the subject.

He dropped his spoon and sighed. "Valle, you can talk about work. I'm asking because I'm genuinely interested and curious kung anong ginagawa mo."

Jiya blinked at him and swallowed hard. Parang buong week niyang iniiwasan na pag-usapan ang work para lang hindi ma-bring up si Gelo.

"I know," sabi ni Jiya quietly. "Um, we're—I'm preparing for our launch..."

Tapos sa susunod na araw, gusto niya sanang mag-overtime kasi busy sila, pero Migo texted her.

Pogi: baby, dinner? sunduin kita at
five? or are u busy?

i'm not. yes pls :)

Pero at half past five, nag-text siya ulit.

Pogi: princess sorry. hindi pa kami
tapos sa group work, bukas na kasi to.
we're ordering dinner here na and
late na ako makakauwi, can we rain
check? :( im so sorry, can u call kuya
willy na lang? you didn't bring your
car today.

Kapag hindi siya biglang masundo ni Migo, wala ang car niya, at nasa mom niya si Kuya Willy, she takes a Grab.

yes no worries baby. eat a lot
and take care. text mo ko pag
pauwi ka na :)

Migo took a few moments.

Pogi: diba u said kaninang morning si
kuya willy nasa mom mo?

Jiya bit her lip and began to type:

no, wal

But before she could send that, Migo sent another text.

Pogi: ayoko sa sinungaling, valle.

She sighed.

I can take a Grab naman.

Pogi: no. okay lang if sabay kayong
uuwi. at least i know you're safer than
sa grab.

Ayaw niyang bigyan ng rason si Migo na mag-alanganin pa about Gelo.

I'm not staying late and he is.
ill send you the grab link.

Pogi: imposibleng hindi ka busy, valle.
please, feeling ko sinasakal kita sa
mga gusto mong gawin sa work
because of me. i promise it's okay, i
forgave you na, we're okay. kung
sabay kayong uuwi sumama ka na sa
kanya. if not, tatawagan ko si inggo
and papasundo kita.

Ayaw niyang istorbohin si Inggo kahit alam niya he'd drive over and pick her up kahit busy rin siya. She called Migo.

"Babe," sabi ni Migo. "Maiinis na talaga ako sa 'yo if you tiptoe around me one more time about work and about him. Feeling ko mas may tinatago ka when you do this kahit wala naman talaga. I feel worse sa ginagawa mo. Alam kong nagui-guilty ka pa rin but I'm telling you to stop it, please. I forgave you no'ng birthday mo pa, since nag-usap tayo. Ayoko ng ganito."

She bit her lip and said, "Okay lang if I accept a ride from him?"

"Siyempre it's not ideal for me, pero I know he'll take you home safe," he said quietly. "Ayokong mag-Grab ka mag-isa. Ang daming news na nangyayari sa mga mag-isang babae sa Grab...please, kinakabahan ako. And okay lang if mag-overtime ka, if busy ka, just tell me. Hindi ko naman maiisip na may ginagawa kang kalokohan e."

She swallowed hard and muttered, "Okay."

"And nakakainis ka sa text, feeling ko nakaluhod ka kapag nagre-reply ka," he snapped.

It made her laugh. "I thought you liked me on my knees."

"Oo, kapag sinusubo mo 'ko, pero hindi kapag nahihiya ka sa 'kin. Okay?"

Jiya smiled, feeling her chest expand in relief. "Okay."

"Tell me you love me," he demanded.

"I love you," she said. With everything that she was. "So much."

"Okay. Text mo 'ko 'pag uuwi ka na and when you're home, mahal kita. Sobra."

Nagulat si Gelo when he saw that she was still in the office. He knocked and entered. "Hey, finish that tomorrow na. It's late. May sundo ka?"

Jiya smiled at him. Para lang silang normal ni Gelo, pero alam niya that he was trying to keep his distance so as not to make her uncomfortable. She appreciated that. "Actually, no. Wala rin car ko. Can I hitch a ride?"

He looked surprised. "Sure, of course."

Easy lang ang conversation nila sa car. He didn't bring up the necklace na nakatago sa ilalim ng drawers ni Jiya, or what he said during the dinner. They talked about work and things friends talked about.

She thanked him pag-uwi niya and called Migo to let him know she was home and safe.

In the present, Migo unbuttons her shorts and pulls it down, sliding his hand around her back to untie the strings of her bikini. Jiya cups his face and kisses him hard. "Migo, please," she whimpers when she's bare from the waist up in front of him. His hands roam around her chest, pinching and pulling, tracing the seam of her bottoms and teasing inside. "Please, please, please."

"Please what?" he asks in her ear, kissing her jaw, trailing down to her neck and shoulder, biting and licking and sucking, and his fingers dip inside, touching her. "What do you want, baby?"

"You," she says pathetically, catching her breath. "You, I want you, I want you so much."

"You have me," he murmurs, and he pulls her bottoms down in one move, kicks her legs apart, kneels in front of her. Migo grins wickedly when he looks up at her and makes the sign of the cross.

Jiya's face heats. "God, please, please."

"Shut up," he says, and dives in. Jiya threads her fingers in his air and gets lost in him.

The following morning, nakahiga siya sa bed nang hubad under the blankets. Nakatitig sa kanya si Migo from his side. "Good morning, wife."

She sits up and straddles him.

His hands fly to her hips. "Whoa, sandale, good morning, twins."

"Morning kiss raw," sabi niya, taking his shirt off.

Tumawa si Migo nang malakas.

When she comes back to work, a little bit tanned, she brings with her yung birthday gifts ni Migo sa kanya na binigay niya bago sila umalis sa yacht. One is a glass frame with a polaroid picture of them, isa sa mga selfies nila, naka-kiss si Jiya sa cheek ni Migo and they look so happy. He wants her to have him on her desk raw para ma-motivate siya. The other is a little message bottle ornament with a butterfly sa loob made of birch plywood, hand painted in her favorite color, blue, suspended on a silver thread. It came with an engraved birch ply label attached to the bottle's neck:

you give me this every day. i'm yours. - m.s.

She puts the frame beside her computer and the little message bottle beside Claire's cactus plant. She takes a picture and sends it to him.

He replies not a minute later.

Pogi: one day, i'll lay you on top of ur
desk sa office mo with those and make
you mine.

Her neck flushes and her stomach dips.

i'm already yours.

Pogi: heart and soul, yes. body...soon
enough.

She grins.

can't wait. i love you forever.

Pogi: duwag. pakasalan mo na ako

Jiya's smile stays with her the whole day. After work, she picks up Migo from school with takeout and milk tea, and he kisses her with a wide grin. They spend Thursday night together and Jiya clings to Migo while he tries (and fails) to pack kasi aalis sila ni Inggo to one of their bro trips. Sasama sana si Anton and Cas, pero marami silang hindi pa natatapos sa school. Nakapag-pack na lang siya no'ng tulog na si Jiya.

On Friday, Jiya, Claire, and Gelo prepare for a long meeting in the afternoon. After lunch sa cafeteria, Migo texts her.

Pogi: baby alis na kami see u on
monday :(

Jiya smiles at her phone.

okay pls take care, pasabi kay
de paz na kapag hindi siya
safe mag-drive papatayin ko
siya. text me pag nakarating
na kayo, i love you.

Pogi: copy, wife. i love you more.

?

Pogi: i love you *too. :)

Inggo also texts her.

Inggo Best Bro: oo na oo na iingatan
ko tong alaga mo. pahingi namang 'be
safe rin, inggo' diyan :(

She rolls her eyes, but she sends him a message, anyway.

be safe rin inggo. labyu

Inggo Best Bro: YIE ok ok alis na kami
boss :D

She puts her phone away and focuses back on her screen, but the glass frame catches her eye. Her smile widens and her heart fills with unexplainable warmth looking at their picture.

She goes to lunch with Isco on Saturday.

"Kala ko lantang gulay ka na e," he says annoyingly, snatching her fries. "Wala kasi si Migs."

"E ikaw, wala na sa 'yo si Van?"

"Aray. Well, 'di niya talaga ako mahal e. Plus, better na friends na lang kami ulit. Kasi..." He looks at her face, unblinking.

Jiya raises her eyebrow, unimpressed. "Kasi?"

"Jiya...I like you."

She stuffs napkin in his mouth. "Peste."

He spits it out. "I'm not joking," he says, eyebrows furrowed.

Jiya laughs. "Bobo mo, kumain ka na nga diyan."

"Jiya." He grabs her hand. She freezes in shock. "I like you. Alam kong lagi tayong nag-aasaran, but I'm being serious. For once."

Jiya stares at him, not finding any humor in his face.

She snatches her hand back when his lips start to twitch and pushes his face with her palm. "Tanga!"

Ang lakas ng tawa ni Isco. He bends over, wheezing. "Mukha mo!" he wails, guffawing, slapping his knee. There are tears in his eyes. "Ikaw, ah! Susumbong kita kay Migo!"

"Anong isusumbong mo, puta ka!" She pulls his hair.

Nag-Timezone sila ni Isco tapos nag-boxing siya with Anton after. Ang tagal na niyang hindi pumapasok ng gym.

He hands her a water bottle and pants beside her, smiling. "Felt good."

She nods once kasi wala na siyang lakas, she's sweaty all over, naka-ilang rounds sila of sparring ni Anton.

Bago siya magbihis, she takes a picture of herself with her handwraps and sends it to Migo. Naka-sports bra lang siya and shorts, may towel sa shoulder niya.

done sa gym baby how r u and
inggo

Nabasa na lang ni Migo no'ng nakapagbihis na siya and tumuyo na pawis niya.

Pogi: what the fuck ure so fucking hot.
punch me in the face

She smiles, but then it fades when he follows it up with:

Pogi: nandiyan si buenca?

She rolls her eyes.

nag-box kami together. :)

Pogi: UGHHHHHHHHHHH ure so hot
fucking hell. nakakainis ka naman
puta ka

Jiya laughs and follows Anton downstairs sa parking para magpaalam.

e ikaw? ilan na lumapit sayo?

Migo types, and then stops. He types again.

Jiya sits back against the backseat and asks Kuya Willy to drive her home.

i dont like liars either, migo. :)

Pogi: baby...if it makes u feel better
hindi lang ako, pati si de paz.

Nag-send siya ng selfie nilang dalawa kanina and Jiya almost screamed at his face kasi sobrang cute niya. His hair looked soft, jet-black strands falling over his forehead, tapos naka-cream sweater siya na manipis and shorts. He looked so handsome, so alam niyang nilapitan na siya ng maraming babae. Bwisit. Wala naman siyang pake kay Inggo kasi alam niyang fuckboy 'yon, itsura pa lang.

Pogi: sorry. ang hirap ng buhay mong
gwapo ang boyfriend mo.

pati ikaw, ang ganda kasi ng
girlfriend mo.

Pogi: *wife, bulag ka ba

Jiya laughs.

miss u :(

Pogi: matchies. <3 text me when ure
home, princess, take care.

Bago pa niya mababa phone niya, may tumawag na unknown number. Jiya scrunches her eyebrows and answers it. "Hello?"

"Jiya?" a gentle, deep voice asks. "Is this you?"

"Who is this?"

"This is Michael Salas, Migo's dad. We met last Christmas if you remember."

She slaps a hand to her mouth and her eyes widen. "Yes po, Tito, hi. Sorry, I didn't know you had my number..."

"No, it's fine," he says, chuckling. "I got it from Sheryl. I wanted to ask Maureen, pero I doubt that she'd give me your contact details...I'm sorry for calling so suddenly."

"No, no." Jiya clears her throat. "It's fine po. Is there anything I can do for you?" Like...bakit ka po tumawag?

He pauses. "Well, I'm home for a week and Migo isn't here pala, he gets back Monday. And I didn't get a chance to talk to you then, so I wanted to know if you were free for dinner."

Jiya makes a face. Hindi niya alam kung okay lang kay Migo, pero as if naman makakatanggi siya sa tatay niya. Pakakasalan niya anak niya e. "Yes po, I am."

"Great!" His smile is evident in his voice. "I'll text you na lang kung saan, is six okay?"

So imbis na matulog siya and magpahinga, she gets ready to meet Migo's father for a one-on-one interview. She can feel her anxiety and nerves as she gets dressed in fit high-waisted jeans and a cropped V-neck cashmere cardigan in cream.

"Pasalamat kang mahal kita, Migo Salas," she mutters, rushing to her dresser to fix her hair and put on makeup. "Tangina mo talaga, pinagpapalit ko tulog ko for you."

Pero hindi rin niya sinabi kay Migo na aalis muna siya. Baka mag-away sila and...ayaw ni Jiya na magkaproblema sila while he's supposed to be having fun. She'll tell him pag-uwi niya.

His dad asks to meet her sa isang small restaurant along Katip. He greets her with a warm smile and a handshake pagdating niya ten minutes before seven. O, 'di ba, Tito. Punctual ang daughter-in-law ninyo.

They order, and Jiya gulps down a glass of ice-cold water when the waitress leaves. Migo's dad smiles at her. "Thank you for coming to meet me, Jiya. I also wanted to apologize for what happened last Christmas, napaalis ka bigla."

"No, it's completely fine po," she assures him with a smile of her own. "I understand."

He leans back against his chair, forehead wrinkling with his age. "I heard from Sheryl na you're working right now?"

"Ah, yes, I'm an intern po for a publishing company," she tells him. "Required OJT po namin for fourth year."

"Ah, is that what you want to do? Sa publishing industry?"

Her smile grows wider. "Yes po."

Migo's dad nods thoughtfully. "And my son...I know he wanted to go to med, pero high school pa kayo noon. Is it still the same?"

Ah, gets na ni Jiya. He asked to meet her kasi hindi niya makausap si Migo—or more likely, hindi siya kinakausap ni Migo.

It's sad that he has to resort to her. She feels sad for the both of them. "Yes, from what I know po," she answers him quietly. "Med school daw po after graduation."

His smile is warm as he nods. "Jiya, I don't know what you heard from Migo, but it's true that I left him and his sisters and his mom years ago. I've been trying to make amends, but I know it's not easy for him and Mau. Most especially for Migo, siya ang nag-alaga sa mga kapatid niya and sa mama niya."

Jiya knows that. Her heart aches. "He told me," she says quietly.

"I was ecstatic when he messaged me for the key do'n sa Tagaytay villa," he shares, shoulders slumping. "And nagulat ako na girlfriend ka na niya. He had a crush on you first year pa lang kayo, did you know? He told me that."

Jiya feels her cheeks heat. "Yes..."

Michael laughs at her blushing face. "Sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you. I'm happy for him, I'm happy my son has you. He trusts you, and you care about him."

Tito, I'll marry your son po.

"Sorry?"

PUTANGINA.

Jiya violently coughs. "Sorry, lumabas lang po, I didn't mean to say it out loud. Please forget about it."

Gusto niyang mamatay. Gusto niya ngayon na.

Natawa si Michael, and he offers her water. "Okay," he says, grinning, and buti na lang dumating na pagkain nila. "Eat a lot, Jiya."

Migo's dad is surprisingly easy to talk to—if she ignores her humiliating slip-up.

He even hugs her pagkahatid niya sa kotse niya. "Thank you, Jiya," he says warmly, smiling. "I'm glad I had the chance to get to know you. Please take care of Migo."

Jiya gives him his assurance that she will.

In the car, Maureen calls her. "Mau."

"Ate! Did you eat with my dad?" she spits out, incredulous. "Bakit? Why? Stay away from him!"

Jiya sighs. "Mau, I know you guys aren't on good terms, pati sila ni Migo, pero hindi ko rin kayang tumanggi. I'm sorry."

She pauses. "Does Kuya know?"

"I'll tell him pag-uwi niya," she says quietly. "Are you mad at your Ate Jiya?"

"Ate naman e," she whines. "He's just trying to get close to you para may malaman about Kuya kasi hindi siya kinakausap."

"I know that," Jiya tells her gently, endeared. She wishes she had a sibling like Maureen. "But he was also grateful he got a chance to get to know me. Ano ka ba, magiging daughter-in-law ako n'on."

That earns her a small laugh. Maureen sighs. "Fine. Kamusta raw sila ni...ni Kuya Inggo?"

"Mau, wait. Are you free?"

"Huh?"

"Nakabihis ako and sayang if umuwi na lang ako. You wanna catch a movie and a manicure? Kahit sa UPTC lang, let's go on a date."

Migo's sister squeals. "Really? Wait." Her voice drops to a serious one. "You're not bribing me para hindi ko sabihin kay Kuya na you and our dad ate together, are you?"

"Bakit ko gagawin 'yon if may pang-blackmail ako na I saw you and Inggo together that one time sa mall?" she asks sweetly.

"Alam mo, Ate Jiya, madali akong kausap, magbibihis na ako," Maureen says decisively. Jiya laughs. "I'll meet you there! Mwa!"

She links arms with Maureen as they roam around the mall. Nag-shopping pa sila while waiting for their movie, and Jiya buys them popcorn and drinks. Pagkatapos, nagrelax sila by getting their nails done, and Jiya sends Migo a selfie.

Pogi: WOW my 2/4 favorite girls are
bonding?????

She grins. The other two, obviously, are Meg and his mother.

cute. yes, girls date kami hehe

Pogi: valle may problema ako.

Jiya frowns.

?

Pogi: miss na kita and ang ganda mo
and you're hanging out with my
sister. it's stressing me out.

She laughs out loud, and Maureen throws her a disgusted look. "Ate, same kayo ni Kuya na kinikilig 'pag magkausap kayo sa text."

"Really?" Her grin widens.

Maureen rolls her eyes and lies back down on her chair.

umuwi ka na ngayon

Pogi: pag umuwi ba ko sasalubungin
mo kong nakahubad?

Bastos 'to kahit kailan. Her cheeks heat and she bites her lip.

Pogi: as tempting as it is, save it for
tomorrow baby. we'll leave at 12 and
get there at 3/4. puntahan mo ko sa
burgundy after work.

okay :) have fun and take
care, i'll text you kapag
nahatid ko na si mau and im
home. ill bring meg and tita
some donuts, what do they
like?

Pogi: anything sweet. baby, nasstress
pa ron ako na you're hanging out with
my sister and may iuuwi ka pa for
meg and mama. lagi mo silang iniisip
and i love you so much for that. i told
myself before na hindi ako papayag na
ikakasal sa taong hindi mabait sa mga
kapatid at mama ko and i'm so happy
na close kayo and they consider you
their family na and vice versa. i love
you i love you i love you.

"Maureen," Jiya calls.

"Ate," Maureen says back.

"Nakakainis ang kuya mo."

"Oh my God, Ate Jiya! Are you crying? 'Wag! Magagalit si Kuya sa 'kin!"

you're mine, migo. your family
is my family.

Pogi: FUCK AYOKO NA text mo ko
mamaya naiiyak ako nakakahiya kay 
inggo

She wipes her tears and smiles.

Meg hugs her happily pagkahatid niya kay Mau na may dalang sweets and she also hugs Tita Sheryl bago siya umuwi.

On Monday, Gelo slides a coffee mug on her desk. "Good morning."

She smiles at him gratefully. "Morning. I have updates for you from our author and marketing."

He sits down on the couch. "Shoot."

Tuloy-tuloy and meetings nila hanggang lunch. At quarter to noon, she texts Migo.

baby text me kapag otw na
kayo back to manila. drive
safely please.

He reads that ten minutes later.

Pogi: car na kami, princess. will do :)
eta is 4:06.

Hay. Gusto na niyang dumiretso sa Burgundy, pero five pa ang tapos niya sa work.

okay, i'll get there at five,
pahinga ka pag-uwi. take care,
drive safely.

Pogi: will do hehe kinikilig ako. love
you so much.

She answers that with a kiss emoji.

Pogi: ay shit may kiss pag-uwi ko.
marami.

Jiya laughs.

marami. <3

Gelo leans over her monitor while they're revising a document after lunch, squinting at the screen. "Here, delete this. I think it's better if we leave it out, we'll just make the necessary adjustments."

Jiya nods and does as he says. Bumalik na naman siya sa sayang ang paper kaya ipakita na lang daw sa kanya sa screen.

"The rest looks...good." His voice sounds way closer than behind her. "Well done."

"Thank you—" She stops mid-sentence when she turns her head and Gelo's right there, blinking at her. Hindi rin niya namalayan that he went closer to look at the screen.

"Sorry." He moves back, clearing his throat, standing straight. And then his eyes move to her desk and he stills. "That's...cute."

'Yong picture nila ni Migo. She swallows thickly, uncomfortable, and focuses on her screen. "Thank you."

She hears him sigh behind her and walk away.

Hindi na namalayan ni Jiya na 4:15 na when she takes a small break. She grabs her phone, pero walang text si Migo. Are they still on the road?

She texts him.

baby san na kayo?

Jiya frowns when he doesn't read that after five minutes and ten. Baka nagd-drive pa, turn na niya e.

So she texts Inggo.

Inggo, road pa kayo?

Kinabahan siya lalo when he also doesn't reply.

Thirty minutes na, hindi pa rin nila both nababasa and nare-reply-an. Jiya feels her anxiety creep up. Paano kapag may nangyari sa kanila?

Parang hindi niya kinaya katitingin sa phone niya as she tries to finish her work hanggang five.

Claire notices while she's packing. "Ji, you okay?"

"H-huh?" She blinks. "Sorry, yes. I'll see you on Monday."

Nagpaalam siya kay Gelo in a haste, still staring at her phone, desperately wishing for a text from either of the boys to come through. In her car, she calls Migo, pero hindi nakakarating sa kanya. Baka namatay ang phone?

Silang dalawa ni Inggo? She calls him, too. Nagri-ring, pero walang sumasagot.

Nahuhulog ang puso ni Jiya papunta sa Burgundy, heart racing. No. Walang nangyari sa kanila. Traffic lang, lowbatt lang si Migo...tulog si Inggo. Or baka nasa Burgundy na sila both.

She runs up the stairs instead of the elevator kasi hindi siya makapaghintay, and her heart stills when the door is still locked. Ibig sabihin wala pa sila.

With shaking fingers, she opens it, and she's greeted by a cold and dark and empty atmosphere.

Jiya sinks down on the coach and runs her fingers through her hair. She wants to call Maureen, pero ayaw niyang ipagalala ang kapatid ni Migo. Tatawag ba siya ng pulis? Fuck!

Jiya starts pacing the living room, calling Inggo's phone over and over. Naiiyak na siya sa dami ng texts na iniwan niya sa dalawa, kinakabahan siya. Sinabi ng mga kaibigan nila na baka traffic lang and wala lang silang batt, they're fine, maghintay lang daw si Jiya. Magse-search din daw sila kung may aksidente or what sa daan nila.

Her blood runs cold sa word na accident.

"Oscar, kalma," Isco scolds her. Tinawagan siya nito no'ng hindi na siya nag-reply sa group chat. "Deep breaths."

"Isco," she nearly sobs, cheeks wet. "I'm worried, I'm so worried."

"Kailangan mo ng kasama?"

"Kailangan kong okay sila," she says, choking on her tears. "Kailangan ko silang umuwi, siyang umu—"

Jiya hears the jingling of keys sa labas and his voice. She feels the relief spread everywhere in her body. "Tangina."

"Nandito na sila," she hurriedly says to Isco and hangs up, running to the door, opening it wide.

Migo blinks, eyes wide. "Valle—hmph!"

He stumbles back in surprise, barely able to catch her when she throws herself at him and hugs him, crying. "Ang gago mo, ang gago mo talaga," she whimpers, weakly hitting his back. "I was going out of my mind, akala ko kung anong nangyari sa inyo!"

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Migo says with a sigh, stroking her hair. "Sorry, I know we're late—"

"Two hours!" Jiya almost shouts.

"Si Inggo ang suntukin mo," Migo says, defensive. "He left his phone tapos bumalik pa kami pero hindi namin nahanap. And then my phone died and traffic, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to worry you."

Wala kasing pang-charge sa car niya. Jiya has this urge to slap him. Sila ni Inggo. Her red eyes go to him.

He bows his head and steps back. "Master, I'm so sorry po."

"God," Jiya says breathlessly, squeezing him tight. Migo groans, parang hindi makahinga. "I told you to bring a powerbank!"

"Nakalimutan kong i-pack," Migo mutters helplessly. "I'm sorry, princess."

She's still crying when Migo carries her to his room. He kneels in front of her and wipes her tears, worry on his face. "Baby, stop crying, please."

"You don't know what I went through these past two hours!" she shouts at him, punching his chest. "God, Migo!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." He hugs her kahit inaaway siya ni Jiya and kisses her head.

Jiya stands up, brushes past him, and opens the door. Tumayo si Inggo sa sofa. "Umalis ka muna."

He blinks and points to himself. "Ako? Bakit?"

She glares at him. "Gusto mo kaming marinig? 'Tsaka mag-self-reflect ka sa ginawa mo, bumalik ka dito after an hour."

Inggo takes his things. "Ayoko ng nightmares sa mga ingay n'yo. Copy po."

She closes the door, pushes Migo on the bed, cups his face and kisses him hard.

Migo puts his hands on her waist, kissing her back, pero Jiya pushes his hands off. "Don't touch me."

Migo stares at her, eyes wide. "You're fucking kidding."

She slaps his hands again when they try to go around her body. Jiya glares at him. "Don't touch me, I'm mad."

"Baby..."

She sits on him and unbuttons her blouse one by one. She watches Migo's eyes follow her fingers, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

Jiya takes it off, pati na rin ang bra niya, and she slides her skirt off, tosses it somewhere behind her, and says to him, "Next time, I'll leave it on."

"Fuck, please," Migo whines, hanging his head back. "Valle, please."

"No. You worried me to tears for hours, so bawal kang humawak." She takes off his shirt and unbuttons his jeans, sliding them off him, pati briefs niya. He's hard already.

He looks pained. "Hindi ko sinasadya. Please, baby, the twins are in my face."

"You can kiss me, but you can't touch." He does, and Jiya arches her back, hands in his hair. Then she tilts his head up and kisses him hard. Migo moans in her mouth, tongue finding hers, and normally, he'd pull her hair to tilt it to the side or palm her neck to give it a slight pressure, but he can't do anything with his hands fisted in the sheets.

Jiya smiles and leans down to kiss his jaw and neck, hands on his chest and torso. She feels him kick his hips up to rub against her underwear and he gasps in her mouth when she finds his lips again.

Jiya crawls back against the bed and looks at him, mouthing at his tip.

"Fuck, fuck."

She puts him in her mouth, loves how he's looking at her with so much heat and want, and he can't touch her. Loves the sounds he makes, the rise and fall of his chest.

When he bucks his hips up again, Jiya knows he's close, and she pulls off him.

"Fuck! Baby, please, please, I'm sorry."

He's so cute. Jiya grins and kisses him, straddles him again. "You're going to watch me."

Migo groans loudly when she slides her underwear off. "Putangina mo, please." His knuckles are white from fisting the sheets.

"Are you getting mad?" Jiya asks, raising an eyebrow.

"No, I'm sorry," he says quickly, eyes wild, watches her bring her hand down to herself. All he can do is watch.

Jiya's mouth parts when she touches herself. Migo watches her and groans, "Isa lang?"

She leans forward an inch, eyes on his, and says, "Two now."

"Valle," he hisses, watching her hand. "Please. Mas mahaba fingers ko sa 'yo. Wanna feel you."

"No."

He hangs his head back and it hits the headboard. Migo looks at the ceiling, hard and leaking pre-cum.

Hindi pwede. She uses her other hand to tilt his chin down. "Look at me."

"No, I'm upset," he hisses, glaring at her. Migo's jaw is clenched. "You're playing dirty."

Jiya bites her lip. "You're sorry?"

"Yes, I am. Magdadala na ako ng powerbank everywhere," he says in a rush, desperate. He groans helplessly when she slides her hand out and puts it in his mouth. Migo sucks them.

She grins and kisses him. "You love me?"

"Yes, so much," Migo breathes out, bucking his hips up to ache the pressure. "Let me touch you. I wanna—" He swallows hard and stares at her. "Wanna be inside you, wanna fuck you, wanna make love to you."

Jiya stills. Hindi naman 'yon ang ginagawa niya kay Migo, she was just teasing him. "Migo."

He whines, "Please, please, please—"

Jiya grabs his hands and puts it on her body. He groans and crushes their mouths together, and he grabs her around the waist and lays her down on the bed.

"Migo, I wasn't trying to—"

"Shut up, I know," he says roughly, spreading her legs. "Been thinking about it for a while, been ready for it. I want to. Ngayon na. Fuck."

Jiya hisses when he pushes three fingers inside her to stretch her open. "Baby, sure ka...ba?" Her questions falls breathlessly out of her lips, and Migo grins.

"Ayaw mo?"

"Gusto, natural!"

He hurriedly opens his bedside drawer. Takes out a condom, tears it open.

Jiya sits up and rolls it on him, kissing him hard. "Please be absolutely sure," she whispers. His mouth is red and wet and Jiya tastes him again. "I don't want you to regret anything."

"Because it's you, Valle," he murmurs, spreading her knees apart, kneeling in between, "I won't regret anything. I want you, I need you, and I love you."

Jiya nods, loops her arms around his neck, wraps her legs around him. "I'm yours," she whispers.

"Mine," he murmurs back, pushing in. "God, fuck."

Tama si Ads. Iba talaga kapag mahal mo.

*

"May sasabihin ako sa 'yo."

Migo hums, dazed. He's still sweating, pagod na pagod. "Hmm?"

"'Wag kang magagalit, nakailan ka sa 'kin, ang bilis pa."

Migo smacks her. "I hate you," he mutters, cheeks flaming, embarrassed.

Wala pa kasing two minutes, nilabas na niya, pero pinasok naman niya ulit agad.

Jiya laughs and hugs him. "Sorry, sorry, 'di na kita aasarin." She knows he felt too good and too overwhelmed. Siya rin naman kasi puta—ang laki niya, ah. "Tell Inggo na 'wag na umuwi dito, gusto ko ng round two."

"Ako rin," he says lazily. Para siyang high. "Shit. Wait, naninigas na naman ako kakaisip."

Jiya laughs out loud. "Kaya mo pa? Or ako magtatrabaho?"

His eyes shine in interest. "Wait, tell me muna para out of the way. Then yes, want you to ride me."

Jiya kisses him. "I went to dinner with your dad last Saturday."

Migo blinks and stares at her. "Oh."

"Please don't be mad, love," she whispers, cupping his face, stroking his cheeks. She's using his post-orgasm (na tatlo) glow to lessen his anger...kung galit man siya. "He just wanted to get to know his future daughter-in-law...and he's happy you have me raw. Are you mad?"

He wraps his arms around her waist and sighs, burying his head on her shoulder. "Ang hirap magalit when I feel high. Para akong nabaliw sa ginawa natin."

Jiya laughs quietly, threading her fingers in his hair. She kisses his head. "Ang cute mo."

"Okay, I'm not mad. But don't meet with him anymore," he mumbles, tracing his thumb on her bottom lip. "I don't want him to think na okay na kami kasi hindi pa. And hindi ko alam kung magiging okay ever."

"Okay," she whispers, pressing her mouth to his slowly. "Okay, I love you."

"Show me."

She swings her knee over his hips and grabs another condom. While she's putting it on him, Migo snatches his phone and hurriedly texts Inggo.

Jiya laughs when he tosses it away, then her eyes widen. "Oh, shit! Wait, 'di ba nawala phone niya?"

Migo groans loudly. "Fucking hell."

She kisses him and smiles. "Be quiet. Baka umuwi na 'yon any second."

Migo glares at her. "Paano ako magiging quiet e ang sarap?"

Jiya laughs out loud. Hindi nga niya kaya.

*

"So magkaka-nightmares ako," sabi ni Inggo, chewing his food. "Pero feeling ko enough punishment na 'yon for me. Ganda ng punishment mo, bro."

Ngiting tagumpay 'tong si gago. Ayaw niyang pakawalan si Jiya sa lap niya kanina pa. "Sobra." Tumawa pa si Migo na parang kinikilig.

Jiya smacks him, rolling her eyes, but she's smiling.

*

(Group: the boyz

Inggo de Paz: congratulations to our new
member, @Migo 👏👏👏💯💯💯

Cas Fuentes: PUTANGINA BOI
CONGRATS!!!! HAHAHAHA SHEEEEETT
HAHAHAHHAHAA

Anton Buencamino: SHET CONGRATS

Migo Salas: GAGO MO @Inggo

Migo Salas: pero salamat salamat
🙇🙇🤤🤤 it's an honor to finally be
a part of this honorary society

Cas Fuentes: o nakailang minutes ka lang

Migo Salas: tarantado ka BWISIT
SINABI BA SAYO NI VALLE

Cas Fuentes: hindi gago kasi ako ren
mabilis lang HAHAHHAHA

Inggo de Paz: WEAKSHIT

Anton Buencamino: WEAKSHIT

Migo Salas: makasabi kala mo
naman may mga jowa

Cas Fuentes: tama tama

Anton Buencamino: stfu

Inggo de Paz: stfu

Migo Salas: hehehe 🖕)

*

(wife: baby san na kayo
wife: migo?
wife: migo im getting worried. kung
prank to hindi nakakatawa
wife: MIGO ASAN NA KAYO ANO BA
NAKAKAINIS KA NAMAN
PUTANGINA
wife: ALAM MO NAMANG BAWAL KA
PANG MAMATAY DIBA lagot ka
talaga saken kapag napano ka ako ang
magpapatay sayo bwisit
wife: migo please please come home
im waiting for you pls love
wife: come home to me. i love you.
please migo.)