JIYA thought her days enduring Migo Salas were over in high school.

Ang saya niya pang pumasok sa Ateneo no'n. She's not the best with new environments and new people, but it's college and her dream school, and most importantly: no Migo. Bahala na if she's going to make friends or not—ang mahalaga is she graduates Summa.

During OrSem, she got to meet her blockmates, pero 'yon lang. Hanggang meeting lang. Hindi marunong si Jiya mag-carry ng conversation, and her blockmates didn't try to get anything more than her one-worded replies.

And then Vanessa Andres from St. Paul Pasig sits beside her, first day, first period, and says, "Lunch tayo together kasi ayokong magmukhang loser na freshie, g ka ba? Ah, also, hi, I'm Van."

Tapos nakiupo sa table nila si Addison Zacarias from Poveda. "OMG, hello blockmates! Is this seat free?"

Addie has a lot of other friends in their block—actually, in their batch. Pati sa mga orgs, she's very popular, but her circle lang talaga is Jiya and Van, and 'yong dagdag na bobo na si Francisco Cuenca II.

Van dragged him to Starbs one day for breakfast. Jiya looked at him and said, "Ano ka?"

Isco scowled.

Jiya turned to Van, chewing her gum, and said again, "Ano siya?"

Addie laughed. Van rolled her eyes and said, "Isco, Jiya, Addie. AB PSY siya, friend na natin. Ji, don't scare him away, please."

Hindi naman niya ginawa. Much. And okay na si Jiya ro'n. Okay na siya kahit kasama si Isco na walang ginawa other than to be Van's puppy. Mabait (minsan), nanlilibre. Goods na kahit annoying ipis.

And then Addie met Castillo Fuentes in one of their orgs together, BS Chem. Naging sila after two months, tapos: "Guys, I want you to formally meet Cas later, let's have dinner at Yellow Cab. It's our treat, and he's gonna bring his friends din."

Jiya wasn't even supposed to come. They had a test for Filipino on Friday, pero Addie pouted and sulked all throughout the day, muttering, "Sige. Be that way."

So pumunta na si Jiya begrudgingly. Unang pumasok sa Yellow Cab si Cas, na pinuntahan agad ni Addie with a squeal, tackling him with a hug.

Jiya and Van nodded.

"Cute naman like the pictures," Van commented.

"K na," Jiya said.

Tapos sumunod si fuckboy Domingo de Paz, tapos si charming Anton Buencamino, tapos—

"Tangina," Jiya hissed, turning away and grabbing her things.

"Valle?!" Miguel Salas gasped, pointing at her, jaw dropping before his mouth spread to the widest grin. "You followed me to Ateneo, 'no?"

Both Jiya and Migo passed UP Diliman and DLSU.

She knew na sa UPD siya pupunta. Akala niya nasa UPD na siya.

"You guys know each other na?" Van asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Addie, sorry," Jiya said, standing up. "Nice to meet you Inggo, Anton, Cas. Pero I'm out of here."

Migo put a firm hand on her shoulder as she moved past him, squeezing it, and he leaned toward her to whisper, "Let's leave high school in the past, Valle. 'Wag ka nang bitter nataasan kita ng .01 sa final GPA natin."

Jiya clenched her jaw and glared at him. Bwisit na .01 'yan. "Baka ako sinundan mo sa Ateneo."

"Bakit pa? E ang panget mo." He pushed her forehead harshly with two fingers and grabbed her bag, dumping it again sa seat niya. "Upo. Hello, I'm Migo. Van and Isco, right?"

To her friends, napaka-angel niya. Plastik, pota.

Jiya spent the rest of the dinner trying not to look at Migo while he stared at her with a lazy smirk.

"Same high school?" Inggo asked, pointing his fork between the two of them.

"Yep," Migo answered, keeping his eyes on Jiya. "Crush niya ako."

"Shut up," Jiya snapped, finally looking at him. "That's a lie."

Migo chuckled. "Sabi mo, baby."

"He tormented me," she told them, jaw tight. "He posted my confession letter to my crush sa bulletin board for our whole school to see."

"Ang panget kaya ng crush mo, putek. And she took my wallet so I couldn't go home," Migo countered, raising an eyebrow.

"He threw a basketball at my head when I passed by the court."

"Kasi she was cheering for someone else," he said with a shrug and an innocent blink, as if that justified his behavior. "Ah, and she punched me in the face," he continued, leaning back against his seat and spreading his legs. "Napunta ako sa clinic."

"Because you pushed me in the pool!"

"Oh my God," Addie said, slamming her hand down the table. "Both of you, quiet. Kung ayaw n'yo sa isa't isa, that's fine. Pero 'wag n'yo kaming idamay, please. Jiya, you're my friend, and Migo is Cas's friend. Please just try to get along."

Jiya huffed and blew her hair out of her face, slumping down on her chair. Migo grinned and winked at her.

Buong first year nila, Jiya had to endure his constant presence for Cas and Addie. Inggo and Anton got along well with Jiya, Van, and Isco, rin. It was just Migo that was the problem.

She can't believe he's still the problem now—after niyang sabihin kay Jiya that he was going to transfer schools. Sinungaling.

They're at Scout's Honor, playing Jenga sa UPTC, while waiting for their three o'clock movie. They finished class at ten, and Jiya didn't need to be back in school until six, and free 'yong mga boys—except si Migo.

Jiya just can't stop thinking about his blackmail. Ano pa? Ano pang gusto niya from her? Tangina naman.

"Shit!" Inggo shouts, raising his fists. "Muntik na! Bro, your turn."

Anton, beside Jiya, rubs his hands together.

"Ba't ang sungit n'on?" Cas asks Addie, biting on a cookie. "Migo's not even here, may date 'yon."

Date?

Her friend shrugs. "Ewan ko nga, e. Hey, Jiya babes. You look like you're plotting murder."

Pwede na rin. May body bag yata sila sa bahay.

"Fuck," Van whispers, shutting her eyes, just as Anton places a block at the very top. "Hoy, madaya!"

Anton grins and rests his arm around Jiya's chair, leans closer and says, "Okay ka lang?"

She nods once, not looking at him, and then she fishes out her phone to text the asshole while her friends are busy playing.

Kahit may date si Salas, wala siyang pake.

ok so anong gagawin ko para manahimik ka

She taps her fingers on the table, anxiously waiting for his reply.

Jiya doesn't have to wait long, though.

Pogi: hello, wife :)

Akala niya ba may date 'to, ba't ang bilis sumagot. She pushes her tongue inside her cheek and grits her teeth.

so ano nga

He reads that but doesn't respond.

Gago. Jiya sends him another message.

HINDI KA SASAGOT???

Migo's typing. Jiya glares at her phone.

And coughs loudly when he says:

Pogi: god you wanna kiss me again so bad

Her friends suddenly cheer. Talo si Van, nahulog na 'yong Jenga tower. Jiya turns off her phone screen, baka makita ni Anton.

"Huy, we should go get the popcorn na," Inggo says, glancing at his watch. "It's almost three."

"And I have to go." Isco stands up, grabbing his bag from the floor. "May org bonding pa 'ko."

Van furrows her eyebrows. "Na naman?"

"Invite ni Wendy." Isco shrugs on his jacket and leans down to kiss her on the cheek. "Text kita. Bye, guys!"

"E 'di umalis ka," Van grumbles while their friends wave at him.

They clean up their table and head to the cinema, and Anton slings an arm around Jiya's shoulder, ruffling her hair. "You're too quiet, Jiya. What's up?"

"Sorry," she mutters, walking alongside him. "It's nothing. Masyado ba akong KJ?"

"Nah." Anton grins, hand on her head. "Cute mo lang 'pag nakasimangot ka, and also sanay naman kami sa 'yo. But I know popcorn and drinks will cheer you up."

Their seats are at the back, sa may gitna. Siyempre, Cas and Addie sit together, tapos si Van sa tabi ni Addie, na parang nagsusungit pa rin at wala si Isco, and then Anton, and then Jiya.

"Are you cold?" her friend whispers to her, glancing down at her top. Naka-white crop top kasi siya.

Jiya shakes her head and smiles at him. "I'm good, thanks."

"Tell me lang," Anton whispers, and then focuses back on the screen.

Fifteen minutes into the movie and nilalamig na siya because of the Coke rin. Jiya hugs herself with her arms, and—agh. Nakakahiyang magtanong kay Anton—

Jiya blinks when something hits her face. A cloth—no, a jacket.

"Malamig," sabi ni Migo, taking the seat beside her.

Bakit ka nandito? 'Di ba may date ka?

Jiya looks at him in disbelief. "Did you just throw this in my face?" she whisper-shouts.

He pushes his finger on her lips, telling her to be quiet, and Jiya's eyes widen. Then the corner of Migo's mouth pulls up in a half-smile, and he takes away his hand, turning back to the screen.

"Uy, bro," Anton greets, leaning forward. "Tapos na date?"

"Oo, kita ulit kami mamaya." Migo laughs quietly, hanging his head back.

Jiya raises her eyebrows. "E bakit ka pa umalis?"

She winces when the words are out of her mouth, because Migo grins, leans closer to her space and whispers, "Kasi you wanted to see me. Ano, susuotin mo ba 'yan o ako magsusuot sa 'yo?"

Jiya tosses the jacket on his lap and crosses her arms, facing her other side. "Anton, can I—"

"Buenca," Migo calls. "So may kwento ako—"

"Puta," Jiya mutters, childishly putting on his jacket, not looking at him. Anton raises his eyebrow at them.

Migo whispers, "Aren't you flattered? Medyo clingy 'yong date ko but I left for you."

"Flattered ka diyan," Jiya hisses, glaring at the screen. "E 'di do'n ka na sa 'nyetang date mo, 'no ginagawa mo dito."

"Cute mo 'pag selos ka, Valle," Migo whispers in her ear, then he leans forward.

Jiya's eyes widen, and she sticks herself to the back of her chair as Migo reaches for her drink, spreading his torso in front of her, keeping his eyes on hers.

Jiya blinks at him, holding her breath.

Then he leans back and sits back down on his seat, taking a sip, smirking to himself.

She shuts her eyes, feeling her face burn, and shuts up for the rest of the movie.

*

Cas and Addie leave first. Pupunta siguro sila sa bahay ni Cas.

Van and Inggo want to roam around before heading home, but Jiya checks her phone and says, "I have to go back to school na. May event pa kami. Anyone riding with me sa tric?"

"Wow, tric," Migo muses from behind her, her drink in his hand. He shakes it, and the ice makes a loud sound. "Nagta-tric na pala si princess. Kaya mo pala?"

Jiya flushes. Natuto lang siya last year, may kasama pa siyang friends no'n. She watched how Van called for one sa gate from Ateneo, tapos saan pa yung mga ibang tricycle lanes if she's coming from McDo or from UPTC or from Regis. And then no'ng first time niyang mag-isa, proud na proud siya.

Hindi rin kasi siya marunong mag-LRT or MRT. Alam ni Migo 'yon.

"Hatid na lang kita, Valle," Anton offers with a smile. "I'm leaving na rin, pero I'll daan sa school."

"Out of the way pa," Migo mutters, swinging an arm around Jiya, almost squeezing her neck. "Sakay ako with her, balikan ko pa date ko sa RL. See you, bros."

Jiya pushes him away with a scowl. "Ano ba. Sumakay ka sa ibang tric."

"Sayang barya, 'wag kang magulo." He pushes her forward, sipping on her drink.

"Bye!" Van yells, blowing her a kiss. "Ingat!"

Jiya waves at the rest of her friends and huffs, walking in front of him.

Migo catches up and says, "So ano, tinatawag ka na din ni Buenca ng Valle?"

"What's it to you," she mutters.

He takes her laptop from her and carries it. "Wala naman. Gaya-gaya lang siya."

Jiya stops and twists around, staring at him. Migo stops suddenly, too, blinking. "I have terms."

He sighs and leans down, leveling his face with hers. "Yes, you can kiss me."

Jiya pushes him back and glares at him. "Pwede ba, be serious for once."

"I am serious," Migo says, smiling, eyes shining with amusement. "Pero fine, sige. Ano terms mo, panget."

"'Yong blackmail mo, nothing related to acads," Jiya says, holding up one finger. "Wala akong time to do your shit, I have a lot on my plate."

"Hindi mo rin naman kayang gawin yung shit ko," Migo counters, raising an eyebrow.

Jiya clenches her jaw. All their high school life, laging lamang si Migo sa math and science sa kanya. "Two. You're not allowed to hint at anything to our friends."

He laughs. "Ikaw nga ang halata e. Pero fine." Migo makes a show of zipping his lips, and then he pulls her towards him with a hand fisted in the collar of her jacket, and shoves the key inside the pocket.

Jiya steps back and clears her throat. "Last. Stop flirting with me."

"Can't," Migo says with a shrug, stalking away. "Anything else?"

She grits her teeth and pushes past him. "Bakit hindi? E may ka-date ka naman, 'di ba?"

She hears him laugh loudly behind her.

Anong nakakatawa? Agh.

In the tricycle, Jiya says, "Sa Leong Hall po sa Ateneo." And then she ducks and crawls inside the small cart, hugging her bag to her chest.

She blinks when Migo follows her. "Usog," he demands, gesturing with his hand.

"Do'n ka sa likod ni Kuya!" Jiya almost shouts.

"Ang gulo mo, tabi," Migo says, not even budging when Jiya pushes him, and sits across her. Ang liit-liit ng cart, punyeta, siksikan sila rito!

Migo slots her leg in between his para kasya sila. Jiya's neck flushes hot, and she looks away.

"Ito lang, hiya ka?" Migo laughs. "Samantalang wala kang hiya when you kissed me."

"Shut up. What will your date say if you keep bringing that up?"

"Akala ko ba hindi ka selos?" Puta. Jiya leans back when he leans forward on his knees, raising an eyebrow. "Kanina mo pa ni-me-mention date ko."

Jiya raises an eyebrow, defensive. "Baka kasi 'di siya aware na gago ka."

"Come with me muna to RL, ikaw magsabi," he says, grinning, and leans back.

Pagdating nila sa Leong, Migo gets out first and holds out his hand to her. Jiya ignores it and steps out, fishing for her wallet. Hati sila sa bayad.

She starts to take off his jacket, suot niya pa pala. "O."

"Mamaya na," Migo says, pushing her forward. "It's cold sa Leong auditorium."

"Malamig rin sa Rizal Lib," she argues stubbornly.

"Bakit, naka-crop top ako?" Migo asks, leading the way to the library. "Hindi, 'di ba?"

Jiya grits her teeth. Paano si date? "Fine."

They ride the elevator in silence, and Migo pushes the button to the second floor. Sa loob, diretso si Migo to her usual spot—wala namang nakaupo.

Jiya's eyebrows draw together while Migo puts down his bag. She whispers, "O, asan na? She bailed?"

"Hindi," Migo whispers back, eyes twinkling. He pulls out his book and lays it on the desk. He tells it, "O, gago raw ako."

Physics 2. Jiya blinks.

"Malapit na midterms," he whispers, scraping the chair back. "And I had a lot of studying to do. Demanding talaga physics sa time ko."

Jiya grabs her laptop and turns around to leave.

Puta! Nakakahiya! 'Yong date niya is physics? Bwiset!

Why did she even go with him in the first place? Agh!

Nahabol siya ni Migo sa stairs, leaning over the railway and snatching her wrist with his hand. "I didn't say that my date was a person."

"'Ge." Jiya yanks away her arm and stomps down the staircase, not looking at him.

Hinabol siya ulit sa landing, tumatawa. "'Di ba dapat you're happy na wala talaga akong babae?"

"Wala akong pake sinong babae mo," she snaps.

"So why did you come with me?" Migo raises his eyebrow, keeping a firm hand on her wrist. "Baka you wanted to see your competition."

Jiya snatches her arm away again. "Or baka gusto mo lang talaga ako ipahiya. Diyan ka naman magaling, Migo."

"Don't worry, Valle," he says, smiling. "Ikaw lang babae ko."

Jiya takes off the jacket and throws it in his face, then she gives him the middle finger and walks away, angrily tapping her ID sa exit.

*

"How's your academics?"

"Fine, Mommy," sagot ni Jiya, picking at her plate.

"Fine?" ulit ng nanay niya, arching one perfectly trimmed eyebrow.

Internally, Jiya makes a face. She corrects, "Malapit na po mag-midterms, so we're studying a lot."

Her dad reaches over for a napkin and asks, "Your orgs aren't in the way?"

"No, Papa," Jiya answers quietly.

Hillary nods, sipping her glass.

"I'm also looking at internships to add to my work experience," she says, biting her lip. "My grades won't slip naman po."

Gerard nods, chewing. "Sige. If that's what you say."

They finish their food without another word.

While Jiya helps Manang clean up, and her parents are wherever they are in this house, her phone buzzes on the table, and Jiya reads the message.

Pogi: balik kang katip, punta ka sa
burgundy na may milk tea. i want the
cheesecake flavor from black scoop.

Jiya clenches her jaw and tosses the towel she's holding on the counter, heaving an annoyed sigh as she types her reply.

may tinatawag na delivery.

Manang looks at her. "Si Migo na naman ba 'yan?"

"Manang! Forbidden word nga!"

"Si Gwapo na naman ba 'yan?"

Jiya rolls her eyes. Manang laughs.

Pogi: why would i do that when i have you?
:)

Jiya pulls at her hair and stomps up the staircase, irritated. "Napakagago talaga nito! Akala niya ba ang dami kong oras para maging servant niya?!"

Fifteen minutes later, she bangs her hand on their unit door. Si Inggo ang nagbukas, eyes wide, naka-boxers lang. "Uy, Jiya."

"Asan na si gago?" she snaps, raising an eyebrow.

Inggo steps back, leaving the door wide open. "Not me. Hoy, bro."

Migo steps towards the door, naka-sweater and boxers. Nakangiti. "Thanks, panget."

Jiya pushes the drink to his chest and turns around.

"Huy, wait lang!" Migo runs after her sa hallway, chuckling. "Share this with me, I can't finish it."

"Ayoko, nandiyan na laway mo," Jiya snaps, pushing her finger sa elevator button.

"Nag-share na tayo n'on, though," Migo points out calmly, taking a sip.

Jiya shuts her eyes. "Migo, pagod na ako. Please lang."

He drinks again before asking, "Did you drive?"

"Driver ko." She steps inside the elevator and crosses her arms over her chest. "'Wag mo na 'kong guluhin, mag-aaral pa ako."

Migo grins and waves. "Night, baby. Ingat."

Jiya rolls her eyes just as the elevator doors close.

In the car, she scrolls through her Instagram, and sees that Migo posted a new story.

It's a selfie with his milk tea.

@migosalas: sweet. thanks sa
admirer ko 😍

Jiya scoffs. Admirer, my ass.

She closes her eyes to sleep, but not before letting her mouth smile. Just a tiny bit.