JIYA and Migo move in their place after the NMAT results. Nakapasa sila both ni Inggo.

They do it after manlibre nilang dalawang tutuloy sa med school sa mga kaibigan nila sa bar sa BGC. Van wants to take a rest year to travel before she starts working as a copy editor. Addie is working now as a news writer, Cas is starting as a chemical engineer in a research facility, si Anton ay clinical scientist sa hospital, tapos si Isco ay nasa childcare work.

Si Jiya naman, sa isang malaking publishing company siya nagwo-work as an editorial assistant. Not Theo & Brom.

Gusto muna niyang makita if she'd be okay working in a company na wala si Gelo para at ease si Migo.

And so far, okay naman.

"Migo!" she squeals, laughing when he picks her up bridal style, dropping the boxes in his hands, and crosses the threshold. He's grinning so wide, abot ang smile niya sa tenga niya. "Ang corny mo talaga."

"This is something husbands should do to their wives," he mutters, gripping her chin to kiss her.

Jiya's toes curl. Magt-three years na sila, ganito pa rin siya around Migo.

May housewarming party sila this Friday, but this is the first time Jiya sees the apartment in whole. Ayaw niya kasi makita nang wala si Migo, and it's big and expensive—flooring, tiles, wallpaper, lights, countertops. The kitchen is huge, and there's a fireplace sa may flat screen, and stairs that lead up to the three rooms.

He whistles lowly behind her, rubbing his hands up and down his arms. "Tito didn't hold back."

"Is it okay with you?" she asks worriedly, biting her lip. "We can change the furniture or anything you don't like—"

"I love it," he whispers, kissing her temple. "For a temporary thing, while I'm still in school. It's perfect."

He loves saying that this is temporary. Jiya doesn't forget it, either.

When they're secure, they'll buy their own place using their own money. Ayaw nila na mag-depend on Jiya's parents.

But for now, this is nice.

Migo dumps the last of his box in front of the sofa, alongside the other boxes, and dusts off his hands. He looks at Jiya. "Ano gusto mo unahin, christening or wine? You choose one, we'll do the other afterwards."

She laughs out loud. Her chest fills with unexplainable warmth seeing Migo standing on a floor that's theirs—well, binili 'to ng dad niya for her...but still, it's something that they share now. A space for them both to sleep, to eat, to relax.

She walks towards him and loops her arms around his neck. "Christening," she whispers.

Migo's eyes shine. "First floor muna."

Their giggles and moans and gasps, the whispers and screams of their names, the pained and sincere 'I love you', the clumsy footsteps across the flooring when Migo forces her to slow dance with him and his loud and off-tune singing of "Isayaw mo ako, sa gitna ng ulan, mahal ko...kapalit man nito'y buhay ko..."—they echo all around the house, loud and vibrating.

Migo's laugh is her favorite. She wants to fill the house with it.

*

The first morning on their bed, Jiya wakes up first.

She strokes Migo's face with her fingers—eyes, lashes, nose, cheeks, lips.

Every time she wakes up before him, she tries to memorize his face, etch it into memory, imagine what it'll look like when there's wrinkles all over smooth skin, when the black of his hair gets washed out with gray and the strands start to fall from its roots like apples on a tree—and he'll still smile at her like the same Migo, and he'll still have eyes that admire her like the same Migo. He'll still have lips that kiss her like the same Migo.

Next, under the covers, she finds his hands. Very, very carefully, she traces his pinky with hers. She imagines how it'll feel like when it goes numb, unable to open glass jars like he used to, unable to drive like he used to, hindi na rin makapagluto like he used to—and he'll still have a hold that's unwavering and secure, matibay, and he'll still have hands that hold her like she's breakable and fragile and something precious.

Next, Jiya's hand travels up to the breadth of his chest, to the slow rising and falling of his breathing. She spreads her shaking fingers over the fabric of his shirt and imagines how it'll feel when his body's turned weak and brittle, when his breathing will become ragged with old age and the illnesses that come with it—and he'll still have a heart that loves her.

When she did this the first time, no'ng ilang months pa lang sila, it scared her. Kasi parang hindi bago ang nararamdam niya, parang ilang taon na—parang matagal nang nasa ilalim ng puso niya, matagal nang dormant sa loob-loob niya na noon lang nagpakita.

She cried then. Because ang saya niyang gumising una katabi ni Migo, and then nahaluan 'yon ng sakit that she didn't know na kayang iparamdam sa kanya ni Migo.

She felt happy waking up before him. Sad. Everything in between, everything in between the feeling of contentment, everything in between the feeling of pain.

Helpless.

She said she loves waking up with him kasi more at peace 'yon. Home.

Ngayon, kahit nauna siyang nagising kay Migo, she already feels like she's home.

Migo's eyes half-open. Squinting, his eyes find hers, and he rasps, "Oh, shit. Hindi siya panaginip."

She smiles. "You thought that moving here with me was a dream?"

"I was scared that it would be," he mutters sleepily. "Thank fuck." He runs one hand through his face and reaches out with the other for her. She crawls over his legs and wraps her arms around him.

"Kanina ka pa gising?" he asks, still raspy with his morning voice, stroking her back.

"No." Jiya's fingers softly thread into his hair. She breathes in his scent and whispers on the skin of his neck, "I love waking up next to you."

Before you, with you. Basta next to you.

His lips press to the bare skin of her shoulder, and even without words, Jiya knows he feels the same way.

*

"I look stupid."

Jiya giggles while she's buttoning his white collared shirt. First day niya sa med school and Jiya's driving him before she goes to work.

Migo says he looks stupid kasi a uniform for a YL5, a freshman in ASMPH (Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health), is a white collared shirt with white pants—but he's wrong, kasi as usual, ang cute and ang gwapo niya.

She tells him this, and he scrunches his nose, messing his hair up.

That small gesture makes her stomach churn. Kinakabahan na naman si Jiya sa mga batchmates niya.

Jiya fixes his nameplate on his pocket and smooths his shirt down, then leans up to kiss him. "You don't look stupid at all," she says again, knowing he still feels a bit weird about it. "Migo, baby, gusto na nga kitang itago dito, kinakabahan ako sa mga magagwapuhan sa 'yo. I'll make a bet with you that at least fifteen people will ask for your number."

He rolls his eyes, grabbing her skirt by the hem to pull her closer to him, and tumili siya na parang tanga when her underwear shows. "Migo!"

"Akala mo ba wala ang face, fingers, and dick ko diyan halos araw-araw?" He arches his brow at her flushed face from his words and puts his arms around her. "And fine, I'll make a bet with you. I say below ten lang."

Impossible. Jiya reaches up to stroke his hair. "Fine. I say above ten. What do I get if I win?"

He kisses her slowly. Jiya's hands go to his chest, feels the quick beats of his heart under her palms. "What do you want?" he murmurs, lowering his own hands to her butt.

"You. Always."

Migo's smile widens. "You have me."

Forever, gusto sabihin ni Jiya, but she bites her tongue. When he's done with med school.

She toys with the watch she gave him on his wrist. "I'll think about it. What do you want if you win?"

"When," Migo corrects her annoyingly with a smug smirk. "And I'll tell you later. You know, you're overestimating my looks. Alam kong pogi ako, pero OA ang fifteen."

Konti pa nga lang 'yon e. If Jiya saw Migo in med school, she'd stop whatever she was doing and stare at him, feel her heart beat twice as fast, and then walk up to him and demand his number if he were single.

Or maybe she'd run away sa sobrang hiya and they'd never...they'd never be here.

He flicks her forehead. "What are you thinking? You frowned all of a sudden."

She hugs him tight. Migo squeezes her. "If I were just another girl you saw on the street or in med school," Jiya mutters quietly, fingers in his soft hair, "you wouldn't stop and stare. But I would. If I saw you. I'd look for you in lecture rooms and hallways and freeze up if I ever tried to ask for your number, and then I probably wouldn't do it at all...and someone else finds the guts and does it—"

Jiya gasps when Migo pushes her on the bed, face down. "Migo!"

"Ang overthinker mo kasi," he grunts, annoyed, pulling her skirt up and underwear down. "I'll fuck you hard and good para you don't think like that. You don't think at all. Okay, Valle?"

Walang nagawa si Jiya except to fist the sheets.

Migo brings his breakfast with him to school kasi hindi na sila nakakain sa bahay ("Nakakain ako," Migo argued. Jiya smacked him). He cups her neck and strokes her cheek, raising an eyebrow. "You still thinking about that?"

Overthinker got fucked so good wala na siyang thinking.

She bites her lip and shakes her head. "No."

"Good. And for the record, you're wrong," Migo tells her, leaning in for a swift but sweet kiss. "I'd stop and stare. Always. Thank you for driving me, baby."

"Wait!"

Bago siya pumasok, hinabol siya ni Jiya and drags him in front of the sign ng school nila. "I wanna take a picture of you."

"Para kang si Mama," Migo whines.

"Please." Jiya kisses him.

"Fine. Pero kasama ka rin after, pa-pic tayo kay Kuya Guard."

Jiya grabs his things para hindi sagabal sa uniform niya and drops down on her knee with her camera open. "Okay, smile!"

After niya na may wacky pa, they ask the guard kung pwede silang dalawa and he agrees. Migo puts his arm around her shoulder and Jiya hugs him around the waist. Sa first picture, they're smiling. Sa second, Migo turns his head to kiss her temple.

"Okay, papasok na ako!" Migo laughs, pushing her back to the car. "Go to work, I love you!"

Jiya says the words right back, waving, and watches him go inside before she drives to her building.

When she gets to her cubicle, she has a text on her phone.

Pogi: hindi ko pinakita pero kinikilig
ako kanina pa. i also love mornings
like this with you, wife. sobra, agree
sa every day (kasama ang...quickie
HEHE) have a good day at work! <3

The note she left with him sa breakfast niya kasi was:

i love waking up next to you, showering with you, dressing you up...mornings with you.
let's do this every day. have a good day in school my love.

She zooms in the picture she took of him, grinning, feeling her chest fill with happiness and warmth. She wants to be there for him and support him every day he's in med school—from start to finish.

She'll print din 'yong nilang dalawa later to add to their other pictures sa bedside table nila.

*

"Thanks for your work, Jiya," sabi ni William, the editor, and leaves the office.

She can't help but think na sobrang magkaiba sila ni Gelo.

Gelo is very hands-on. Hindi lang siya overseer like her current boss, and his work is more meticulous. Si William, he gives Jiya her tasks, retires to his office, and they don't see each other until kapag may meetings or when Jiya submits reports.

He's a good boss. He also values her input and opinion, and they have a good working environment here, but Jiya doesn't feel the same thrill as she did while at T&B.

Pero kaya naman. She's still doing the work she loves.

Jiya meets some of Migo's new friends when she picks him up—aside from Inggo, who's still very much the same Inggo she loves and treats like a brother, there's Denzel, Maya, Gio, Dillon, Marc, Sabby, James, Kev, Colleen, and Jack. They're a big bunch, but they all seem nice and friendly and loud. They said Jiya's pretty and that she and Migo are cute together.

Jiya's not surprised. Migo's very easygoing and charming, tapos isama pa si Inggo. For sure, magkasama silang dalawa buong araw tapos nilapitan na lang sila both and everyone just...flocked to them.

Migo lies down on the couch when they get home, groaning. "You sit for four hours straight in the morning and in the afternoon for the lectures," he mutters, tired. "Except 'pag may lab. There are ping pong tables sa fifth floor din and the food in the cafeteria is good."

Jiya sits next to him after dumping her bag and keys on the counter and raises his head to her lap to massage his scalp.

"Mm." He snuggles closer to her stomach and hugs her waist. "How was work?"

"Good," Jiya says, smoothing his face with her fingers. "I like your batchmates, they're all nice."

"Mm. I think the important thing about AMPH is the community daw," Migo says. "So far, it's a warm welcome. By the way, I won the bet."

Jiya stops her hands. "Ulol."

His mouth quirks up, eyes closed. "Oo nga. And sabi ko taken na ako."

Jiya smiles. "Fine. What do you want, winner?"

"For you to go back to Theo & Brom."

Jiya holds her breath. "Baby."

Migo opens his eyes and takes her hand in his, clasping it. He stares at her face and says, "I know you want to. I know you're happier there. And I don't want to hold you back from that, don't let me hold you back. I said I'll support you and that's what I'll do. And I told you I have be okay with Gelo as your boss and I will, I'll learn to be okay with it, I promise. Besides, dito ka uuwi. Sa 'kin ka uuwi."

"You also told me na if I ever did something with him—which I won't—you'd still sit in our room and wait for me to come home."

"That's still true." Migo kisses her knuckles and smiles. Jiya's heart aches. "Umuwi ka lang sa 'kin, Valle."

Jiya leans down to kiss him slowly. "I will. Always. Kahit nasa work ako, I'm still yours. Only yours."

"Then work where you want," Migo whispers, stroking the outline of her jaw, the curve of her neck, her throat where his name is resting. "Okay?"

Jiya nods. "Okay."

*

Jiya decides to stay for one year muna sa current publishing house niya before she goes back to Theo & Brom.

In that year, Manang visits sa weekend to give them homecooked food and helps around the house. Migo wakes up at quarter to five in the morning para hindi siya maabutan ng traffic and so he can snag a parking slot. Minsan, sumasabay si Jiya sa kanya so they can have breakfast together and so she can drop him off, but most of the time, he slips out of bed alone, and when he's ready to go, he pulls up the covers to Jiya's body and whispers, "I'm going na, baby. Sleep more. I'll eat sa caf."

"Okay, have a good day," she mutters sleepily, hand falling to her side and burying her face deeper in his pillow.

She hears Migo laugh quietly and she feels his lips on her forehead. "I love you."

She hums sleepily and says the words back to him, and then the space where he lay kanina slowly becomes colder.

Sometimes, Migo picks her up from work and they go to dinner together, and other times, si Jiya ang nagsusundo sa kanya after his dismissal para makauwi sila agad without getting caught in traffic. Sometimes, she meets him sa Rockwell Business Center if he's eating there with his friends after class, or sa Megamall, Galleria, or Podium.

After his first day in his dark blue scrubs, he falls to the couch, face down. "Fuck, I'm exhausted," he groans. Wala na talaga siyang strength gumalaw kanina pa, natulog siya sa kotse.

It was their first day daw in anatomy lab. Nakwento ni Migo na the morning was spent for mass and giving blessings and flowers sa mga cadavers na gagamitin nila for the dissection in the afternoon.

When she picked him up, he, Inggo, lahat ng mga batchmates na nasa lobby—they all looked dead on their feet.

Four hours daw silang nakatayo straight, cutting skin, studying the human body.

Jiya puts his legs up her lap and he moans in pain, and she carefully massages his feet and calves.

"Ah, shit," Migo hisses with a sigh. "That feels good, baby, thank you."

Minsan, two AM na, nag-aaral pa rin si Migo. Jiya sighs and has to forcibly pull him away from the desk. "Wait, Valle, hindi pa ako—"

"You need to rest, you have to wake up in a few hours," she mutters, still dragging him to the bed. Walang nagawa si Migo kundi sumunod sa kanya.

On the weekends, natutulog si Migo hanggang after lunch and Jiya lets him be. She sees the strain in his eyes, the exhaustion in his body...but Jiya can see he's having fun. He's doing so well in med school and he has a lot of friends and Jiya can see he genuinely loves studying medicine.

"Tulog pa si Migo, anak?" tanong ni Manang while she's cooking lunch in their kitchen, and inabutan niya ng coffee si Jiya.

"Thank you, 'Nang," she mutters with a smile, sitting down on a stool sa island. "Opo, pagod po."

When he wakes up later, past six na, he trudges to the living room where Jiya is folding clothes from the laundry while watching TV and sits down next to her to hug her. Jiya almost jumps from the coldness of his skin from the aircon. "Morning," he grumbles.

Jiya smiles and pets his hair. "Morning, baby. Slept well?"

"Super."

"You hungry? Dinner?"

"Tulong muna ako." He lets her go so he can help fold the clothes. "And then dinner. I'll wash the dishes na rin."

Hati sila ni Migo sa mga chores nila, but doing them doesn't feel much like chores when it's with him.

Still, kahit na busy sila both, Migo and Jiya make time for each other especially kapag Sunday. They have a rule na bawal school and work kasi date day nila—even if they stay at home and watch a movie and cuddle, or go out to see their college friends, basta magkasama sila na walang trabaho or school.

Jiya also comes through on her promise to support him under the table. 'Yon lang, hindi siya nakakapag-aral.

He tugs her up to his lap and tosses his books away. "Fuck, I need you," he groans, head hanging back when Jiya sinks down on him. "Fuck, fuck, Valle."

After, Jiya rolls over the bed, satisfied and sleepy, pero si Migo, babalik sa desk niya.

She huffs. "Babe! Tulog na tayo!"

Migo gives her a sheepish smile. "Need to finish this lang, princess. Go sleep first, pagod ka yata."

Jiya tosses a pillow at him. Migo laughs.

She still sees her dad once a month. He asks about her work and Migo's school, and they talk like normal fathers and daughters do—in a way na hindi nila magawa before. She's caught herself looking forward to those meals with him.

Ang mom naman niya, since graduation niya pa nakita. She's been doing her work almost all around the world, kaya minsan, walang tao sa bahay. Kahit si Manang, natutulog na rin kina Migo and Jiya, and si Kuya Willy, nasa papa naman niya.

Migo and Jiya go to his family's house once in a while para magpakita kay Tita Sheryl. Magagalit daw siya kapag hindi, kaya they make time. Umaabot pa sila roon until early morning kasi ayaw sila paalisin ni Meg.

Minsan na lang niya nakikita sina Van, Addie, Cas, Anton, and Isco. When they do find time to get together, birthday na ni Inggo, tapos sa bahay ni Cas na lang niya gusto mag-celebrate para chill.

"Wow, chill daw," Cas snickers, grabbing Inggo in a chokehold. Anton smacks his head with the pizza box pagkapasok niya. "Anyare sa bro kong party nang party?"

"Med school," sagot ni Inggo, parang patay.

"Jiya babes!" Addie shouts, appearing behind Cas, squealing to hug her when she steps inside with Migo. "OMG, I miss you! Kamusta kayo?"

Si Van, nasa France. Magvi-video call daw sila with her later.

And si Isco naman...

"Asan na si Thanos?" he shouts pagpasok niya, habang nasa kitchen si Jiya with Addie. "Miss ko na si gaga!"

"Tangina mong ipis ka," Jiya mutters, but she shows herself to him and almost falls when Isco tackles her.

Nakakatawa na para silang mga matatanda na, drinking around the poolside, tinatamad na pumunta sa bar kasi maingay and magulo.

But at the same time, hindi rin makapaniwala si Jiya na they've all grown up.

It's a nice night with their friends. Stress reliever din for Migo na uminom, and kahit si Inggo.

Jiya finds out that Anton has his own condo, Cas and Addie are working on living together here, and Isco is looking for his own place na rin. Si Inggo, sa may school pa siya nagco-condo, at lagi siyang nagwhi-whine na nami-miss na niyang roommate si Migo kahit maingay sila ni Jiya, kaya lagi siyang nasa bahay nila.

Third night niya na rito.

"Umalis ka na," Jiya tells him.

"No," he says, flipping through his notes. "Kailangan ko si Migs, miss ko na siya. 'Di mo ba ako miss, bro?"

Sa totoo lang, miss. "Gusto mo tumira dito?"

Inggo sits up like a puppy. "Pwede?"

Jiya rolls her eyes and grins. "Ano magagawa ko, sinakop mo na 'yong isang room sa taas."

"Aw!" Inggo tackles her to the couch, ruffling her hair. "Love mo talaga ako!"

"De Paz!" she screeches, laughing. "Susuntukin kita!"

They always study here, silang dalawa. She's always reminded of their days sa Burgundy kapag nandito si Inggo.

"Tanga!" he shouts to Migo no'ng mali siya sa answer niya. "Bobo mo kase, ito yung sagot, o!"

"Bobo ka ren!" Migo shouts back, tossing his index cards in his best friend's face. "Tyrosine kasi, chem graduate ka ba? Tanga!"

Jiya resists laughing. She's working on a manuscript sa dining table nila.

Nakita siya ni Inggo na pinipigilan ang tawa. "Hoy!" he shouts in frustration. "Ikaw mag-aral ng biochem, anatomy, histology, physiology dito, tingnan natin kung tatawa ka pa!"

Migo pushes him. "'Wag mong sinisigawan si Valle, gago."

Nakakatawa tingnan si Inggo in their uniform. Siya lang. Si Migo kasi, cute.

Habang kumakain sila, mukha pa ring galit si Inggo kasi ayaw na niya mag-aral. Si Migo, pagod na.

Jiya squeezes his shoulder and takes a bite of fries. "You boys can invite some of your other friends here to study, you know? Hindi ba mas madali kapag group?"

Migo scrunches his nose. "Yeah, but magulo and madumi and maingay."

Jiya shrugs. "That's fine. Imbis naman na nagsisigawan kayo ni Inggo ng bobo every five minutes."

"Tanong ko sina Gio?" Migo asks his friend. "Matalino ba 'yon?"

Inggo snickers, reaching for his glass. Oo, may glass na rin si gago rito. "Oo, pero alam mo kung sino mas matalino? Si Hailey."

Migo rolls his eyes. "Hindi 'yon pupunta."

To Jiya, Inggo says, "Si Hailey, parang wala siyang ginagawa kundi mag-aral."

Jiya's eyebrows shoot up. "That's...well, admirable, pero she needs a social life."

"Meron naman," sabi ni Inggo, shrugging. "Matalino talaga siya and mabait. Kay Migs, though, hindi. Inis na inis siya kay Migo."

"What? Why?" Jiya frowns. "Ano problema niya?"

"Wala," Migo answers, and Inggo laughs. "I almost ran her over sa bike niya when I was backing up sa parking and she screamed at me. When I tried apologizing, she ignored me. Ah, and she says mayabang ako."

"Naiinis din siya kasi si Migs lang ang nakakataas sa kanya sa scores," Inggo says, scoffing. "Pero ayan, nabobobo na rin siya."

Migo shoots him the middle finger. "'Wag na nga, ayoko ng ibang tao dito. Bukas na lang tayo mag-review with them after class."

Hinatid ni Jiya silang dalawa sa school kinabukasan. Inggo leans over from the backseat and kisses her cheek. "Thank you, Ji!"

Migo pushes him out and grabs Jiya's face to kiss her on the lips. "Love you, see you later. Thank you for driving us."

Jiya grins at him. "Good luck!"

Kilala na si Jiya ng mga iba niyang batchmates who wave at her when they see her pick up or drop off Migo. They say hi to her and she says hi back.

On their third anniversary, they agreed on no gifts. Just that they'd spend time together, a weekend away sa Tagaytay villa.

"This is so nice," Migo groans, rolling over in bed, on the white sheets, naked. "Fuck, ayoko na umuwi."

Jiya crawls above him, smiling, and pecks his lips. She strokes the tired lines of his face and mumbles, "You okay?"

"Just tired," he answers with a sigh, putting his arms around her waist and squeezing tightly. "I needed this. I needed you, just to get away from school. I'm sorry lagi akong nag-aaral and busy, I live with you but we barely get to spend time together."

Jiya shakes her head, buries it in his shoulder. She kisses his neck. "Helping you study, picking you up or dropping you off, sleeping next to you, eating with you, trying my best to help you in the kitchen when you cook...I love all those moments, Migo. I'd be miserable if we didn't share a place together. Sa bahay, at least I know you're always going to come home to me. I look forward to every day kasi I'm with you."

"Wait. Shit. Kinikilig ako."

Jiya laughs quietly.

He turns his head to kiss her temple. "Hindi ka pa ba babalik sa T&B?" he asks quietly, brushing her hair away from her face. "I love med and I love what I'm doing and I know you support me, but I want to support you in your work, too."

She smiles and traces his collarbone with her finger. "I'll go back when you finish first year. It's for my experience din, baby. I promise I'll go back, gusto ko rin."

It makes Migo grin. "Okay. Can we swim sa pool na?"

After relaxing in the water and sa lounge bed, they shower together, and then they cook dinner (Migo cooks, Jiya stands there, looking pretty), and she hugs him from behind and refuses to let go.

They leave in the afternoon kasi baka gabihin sila sa traffic. Ayaw pa umalis ni Migo sa bed. "Ayoko," he whines, pulling Jiya back to him. "Please, let's stay."

Jiya giggles and kisses his jaw. "We need to go, may class ka pa tomorrow."

"Fuck class."

"Fuck me instead."

Tumayo si Migo and sinundan siya sa banyo. Naked na rin naman sila.

Pag-uwi nila, si Inggo ang nagbukas ng pinto, eating a bowl of cereal. Eyes dead, he says, "Welcome back, mga bobo."

Migo drops her off this time the next day with breakfast. His note says:

last weekend with you was exactly what i
needed. thank you for being my place of rest.
i love you so much, thank you for
three years and to many more.

Jiya texts him. Her stomach dropped from his message.

I love you so so much. Sobra. 
More than you can ever know.
have a good day in school my
 love

Pogi: AAAAAAAAAAAAAA ohmygod,
shut up im blushing hindi pwede

She laughs out loud.

Nang sunduin niya si Migo 'tsaka si Inggo (bwisit, ayaw na nito umalis ng bahay nila), tinatawan ni Inggo si Migo. "Feeling gwapo ka daw! Anak ni Shrek, ampota!"

"Shut up!" Migo hisses, slamming the door closed to the passenger seat, and he leans over to kiss Jiya. "Hi, baby."

"Bro, feeling gwapo lang daw 'yang jowa mo," Inggo says, snickering. "Nakakahiya kasi sinabi niya pa sa harap ng maraming tao."

"Who?" Jiya demands, looking at him. "Anong feeling gwapo? Gwapo naman talaga siya, ah. Sino 'yan, suntukan na lang."

Migo sighs. "Wala."

"Si Hailey," Inggo answers, snickering. "Natalo na naman ni Migs score niya tapos nagalit. Sinundan ni Migo para alamin problema niya and then she shouted, 'Feeling mo kase ang gwapo-gwapo mo, mukha ka namang descendant ni Shrek!'"

"What the hell is her problem? Insecure ba siya na matalino ka?" Jiya snaps, irritated. She grabs Migo's chin and inspects his face. Walang kapangitan dito, bulag 'yong bitchesa na 'yon. "And asan ang Shrek diyan? The fuck."

"Alam nating lahat 'yon, pero feeling niya yata lumalapit lang daw si Migs kina Maya and Faith para mangopya ng notes or kumuha ng reviewer," sabi ni Inggo, shrugging. "Ewan ko, hindi yata makapaniwala na may utak 'tong si Migs."

"Baby," Migo says, smiling at her angry face, taking her hand. "Pabayaan mo na."

"Gusto ko siyang hamunin sa suntukan. How dare she embarrass you?"

"It's not like people believe na panget ako." He shrugs. "And na lumalandi ako para kumuha ng reviewer. Just let her be, baka stressed lang, competitive din kasi culture kahit na tight ang batch."

Jiya lets it go, pero tatandaan niya 'yong name na 'yon when she meets her.

Pagkauwi nila, Jiya goes to the kitchen to reheat food, pero may nag-doorbell.

"Ako na," sabi ni Migo with a groan, dragging his feet to the door. "Sino—"

"Kuya!" Maureen screeches, hugging him. "I have dinner!"

"Mau!" He hugs her back. "Thank fuck. Pasok ka."

Jiya runs to the front door, brushing past a frozen Inggo. "Hi, Mau!"

"Ate Ji—" Her breath catches when she steps inside their home, blinking, and then she smiles again at Jiya. "Ate! I had time after class so naisip ko kayong dalawin. I have dinner. Hi, Kuya Inggo."

Inggo clears his throat and waves. "Hi."

Jiya hugs her tight and brings her to the kitchen. "How's school?"

"Wait!" Migo follows the girls. "Mau, paano ka nakarating dito? Nag-Grab ka ba mag-isa?"

Maureen rolls her eyes at her brother's anger as she and Jiya prepare the table. "Kuya, I'm not stupid. I asked a friend for a ride."

"O so paano ka babalik sa Katip?"

She shrugs. "I can call him—"

"Hatid ko," sabi ni Inggo. "My motorcyle's here. Tapos uwi na rin ako sa condo."

Jiya raises her eyebrow. "Wow, mag-e-evacuate ka na?"

Inggo gives her a lopsided grin. "Hindi. Babalik rin ako bukas."

Migo claps his back. "Salamat. May extra helmet ka 'di ba?"

"Siyempre."

Christmas and New Year, Jiya spends with Migo's family in Pampanga. Elois steers away from them. Good.

"Malagu ya pin," his lola says when she introduces herself. "O nanu, kapilan ing kasal?"

("Maganda nga. O ano, kailan ang kasal?")

Jiya's face heats kahit na 'kasal' lang ang naiintindihan niya.

"After the PLE, Lola," Migo says with a grin. "Sabi sa 'yo e."

They're loud and rowdy, but they're all good to her, all warm. They even include her sa boodle fight na tradition nila, and Migo laughs at her. "Kamusta?"

Jiya didn't know eating on a banana leaf with her hands is something she'd ever do, but it strangely feels nice being surrounded by Migo's family.

Migo hugs her on his bed and showers her face with kisses. "Thank you for being here," he whispers, and Jiya sees how grateful he is in his eyes.

She locks her legs on his waist and grins up at him. "Wala ka nang takas sa 'kin, pinakilala mo na 'ko sa buong Salas clan."

Migo grins and leans down to kiss her slowly. "Sounds like a good thing, baby."

His first year ends with Palarong Medisina, a yearly sports competition organized by the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges-Student Network. Nagt-train sila sa iba't ibang sports before the actual competition, and sinali si Migo and Inggo sa basketball.

After a tiring day at work, Jiya drives to the court kung saan sila nagt-train. There are other ASMPH students rin who are playing volleyball and badminton, and dumiretso si Jiya sa bleachers where the boys are.

He hasn't seen her yet, so Jiya admires the view. Last time niyang nakitang naka-jersey si Migo, college, that time na he rubbed his sweat all over her and they showered together. She bites her lip to keep from smiling as she sits down sa bleachers, crossing her legs kasi naka-skirt siya, and watches him.

Sweat is dripping from the side of his face and the ends of his hair, glistening his tanned skin. Jiya's heart pounds when he raises his jersey to wipe his face, and 'yong katawan niyang sobrang sarap ay nag-guest appearance.

Hindi lang sa kanya. Sa lahat ng mga nanonood sa bleachers.

Habang nagpupunas siya ng mukha, Jiya hears every girl seated on the bleachers sigh. "Shit, ang hot talaga ni Migo."

Jiya's head whips around. She narrows her eyes at the girl who just spok na naka-med uniform.

Ano 'to, sinundan si Migo ng mga students after class para lang panoorin siya? Bwisit.

The girl beside her with longer hair scoffs, and then the other one rolls her eyes. "Alam mo, gaganyan-ganyan ka, pero ang totoo is crush mo lang."

"Shh!" The girl with longer hair covers her mouth. "Ingay mo, shut up!"

Jiya rolls her eyes and huffs, trying to block out the other girls' whispers and stares. Alam naman niya na hot si Migo e. They have eyes.

'Yong iba naman, nandito para kay Inggo. Ugh. Sana kay Inggo na lang silang lahat.

But she feels smug when Migo jogs over after a play to grab water, and then his eyes widen when he sees her. "Valle!"

She grins.

Migo's face brightens, still panting from exhaustion, and he comes close. Sayang. Umalis na 'yong two girls kanina.

"Hi," he whispers when he's close enough, putting both hands on either side of her hips, greeting her with a kiss. Jiya smiles in his mouth and cups his cheek before he pulls away to prolong the kiss. Kahit pawis siya, gusto niya pa rin hawakan si Migo. "Are you staking your claim?" he asks in amusement when she pulls back, lips curling upward.

"Maybe."

His happiness to see her is evident in his face. Kahit every day silang nagkikita, Migo still brightens at the sight of her. Every time. "Will you be okay waiting? Hanggang eight pa kami."

"Don't raise your shirt again and I'll be fine."

His smirk is smug. "Sure ka ba? Ayaw mong ipakita na ikaw lang ang makakahawak and makakatikim?"

Jiya thinks about it. "Fine."

Migo laughs and kisses her head. Jiya takes his towel and wipes his face.

Inggo slumps down next to her and turns his sweaty face to her as well. "Ako rin, please."

Migo pushes his face with his palm. "Akin nga si Valle! Ayan o, ang daming magvo-volunteer diyan."

Inggo rolls his eyes and sits back. "Gusto ko rin si Ji, share tayo, Migs."

"No."

Jiya ruffles Inggo's hair, wincing at the sweat, and Migo slaps her hand, scowling at her.

She laughs and kisses him again.

"Kadiri kayo," Inggo comments, taking a picture.

"Airdrop," Migo demands.

Migo raises his shirt again during the game, eyes on Jiya's. Wala na siyang pake kung mag-swoon ang ibang babae, it's her who gets to go home with him.

He swings his arm over her shoulder at eight and leaves the courts, Inggo following behind them. Jiya can feel eyes burning at the back of her head.

On the couch, while they're watching a movie, Inggo snickers at his phone. "Tangina, boy. Akala ng mga batchmates natin boyfriend rin ako ni Ji." Ang lakas ng tawa niya.

In between Migo's legs, Jiya leans back against his chest and rolls her eyes. "Sabihin mo parang incest 'yon."

Migo grabs his phone off the table and taps the screen while Jiya snuggles deeper into his arms. He smells like body wash and shampoo pa rin. Sabay kasi silang lumabas ng shower.

Migo thrusts his phone in front of her face when he's done.

Jiya squints at the screen. He posted the picture of them kissing, yung kinuha ni Inggo kanina.

@migosalas: she's mine. akin
lang. :)

Inggo whistles lowly. "I think I should leave..."

Jiya tosses the phone on the couch and kisses him, pushing him down on the cushions.

"Okay, leaving." Inggo runs up the stairs. "'Wag masyadong maingay, please!"

"Bahay namin 'to!" Migo shouts back before his mouth is occupied again.

Tama lang 'yong post niya. When they go to the competition kasi, nalaman ni Jiya kay Inggo na maraming nagtatanong about him, marami ring lumapit at tinatanong ang number and Instagram niya.

Natatawa raw si Inggo sa mga itsura nila kapag nakikita nila 'yong feed ni Migo. Unang-una kasi picture nilang dalawa.

Jiya smiles, happy.

*

("Bro, may lalapit na naman."

"Tama na!" Migo hisses to Inggo, walking away from the stall where he was lined up sa cafeteria. "Ten na nag-ask ng number ko, hindi na pwede dumagdag!"

Inggo snickers, throwing his arm around him. "Nakakapagod talaga maging gwapo, kingina."

Nag-a-alternate ang mga nagtatanong sa kanilang dalawa, pero ten na ang lumapit kay Migo. Hindi na pwede. Kailangan manalo siya against Valle sa bet.

"Hi!"

Nagulat si Migo nang may sumulpot bigla sa harap nila, malapit na niyang matulak si Inggo.

"Uh, hi," he says, blinking.

Her smile widens. "I think you're—"

"If you're going to ask for his number, taken na siya," Inggo says.

Umalis siya.

Hindi lang batchmates nila ang lumalapit. Kahit mga older batches rin.

"Takpan na lang natin 'tong mga mukha natin, nakakainis na," Inggo grunts. "And bakit ba gustong-gusto mo manalo, ano ipapagawa mo kay Ji? Strip tease ba?"

Migo smacks him. "Shut the fuck up, don't talk about her like that."

"Sorry, sorry. Kapatid lang 'yon sa 'kin. Still, I'm curious. Ano nga i-a-ask mo?"

"Basta. Something that will make her happy. Bro, red alert, tara na."

Pagod na si Migo kakatakbo sa mga babae pag-uwi, but the smile on Valle's face when he told her what he wanted is so fucking worth it.)