JIYA wakes up with a dry mouth and a throbbing headache—the usual hangover symptoms.

Her face scrunches in discomfort as the light from her window touches her face. She turns over in bed and wills herself to go back to sleep, Sunday naman, but her parched throat is yelling at her to go get water, and her stomach is saying sorry, nagsuka ako. Kailangan mo kumain.

Besides, she doesn't like waking up too late in the afternoon, parang nasayang na niya araw niya.

So kahit medyo nahihilo pa rin siya and pangit 'yong pakiramdam niya, Jiya sits up slowly, wincing and putting a hand on her forehead, and slides off to the edge of the bed.

Dumiretso siyang banyo, stumbling on her slippers when the ground almost tilts sa hilo niya, and she almost gets a heart attack looking at herself in the mirror.

Ano 'yan?! Nakakatakot! Ang gulo ng buhok niya, may leftover makeup pa siya na smudged sa eyes and lips niya, and she's pretty sure her breath smells.

Jiya makes a face of disgust and takes off her makeup first, regretting that she slept with it on her face. Then she brushes her teeth nang matagal, and immediately hops in the shower to take off her pajamas. Pagkabasa pa lang ng buhok niya, she already feels a thousand times better.

She puts on one of her huge shirts and boxer shorts and gathers her hair in a towel wrap para mag-dry. Her headache is still there, and she needs water and something to eat, so she trudges down the staircase and calls lazily, "Manang?"

Ang alam niya kasi, both her parents are out of town from today until next week. Her dad has to close a deal with an important client sa probinsiya, tapos mom niya has to fly out for an important conference. She doesn't mind naman, she's used to it.

But Jiya freezes when she hears two voices in the kitchen—hindi mag-isa si Manang.

"Ang bango naman!" Manang says in glee. "I haven't smelled this in so long. Hindi kasi talaga kumakain ang mga 'to ng Filipino breakfast."

"Ayaw po ni Valle, 'no?"

Jiya shuts her eyes and tightens her grip on the staircase.

Bakit siya nandito sa loob ng bahay niya? Cooking with Manang pa?

She rushes down the stairs. "Hoy, what are you doing here?" she demands, stalking over to the kitchen.

Standing in front of the stove, Migo and Manang turn around. He smiles at her, face lighting up. "Good morning rin sa 'yo, Valle."

"I asked what you were doing here," Jiya snaps, raising her eyebrows. To Manang, she whines, "Manang! Ano ba! Pinapasok mo 'to?"

"Bastos ka ah," Migo notes annoyingly, pointing a spoon at her, clicking his tongue disapprovingly. "You should respect your elders."

"Hindi," sagot naman ni Manang, smiling widely. She puts a hand on Migo's arm, and Jiya's eyes widen. Traydor, putek! "Hindi ko siya pinapasok kasi natulog siya dito."

Jiya blinks. "Ano."

Migo clicks his tongue again, leaning against the counter. He crosses his arms over his chest and shakes his head. "Gan'to ka pala mag-thank you sa mga taong tumulong sa 'yo. I expected less hostility and more...I don't know, gratitude."

Jiya closes her eyes. Last night, sumayaw sila. Umalis si Migo. Uminom nang marami si Jiya, sumayaw siya with her friends and with Anton. Tapos...hinatid siya ni Migo rito? So dinala siya ni Migo sa kwarto niya? Sa kama niya?

A loud gasp escapes her lips as she hugs herself, eyes widening. Migo blinks at her, gulat. Horrified, she asks, "Paano damit ko?"

"Bobo," Migo says immediately, rolling his eyes. "Dinala kita sa kama mo—you're welcome pala, by the way—tapos Manang dressed you. Natural."

Jiya heaves a sigh of relief and swallows thickly, letting her arms fall. "O, tapos? Ba't hindi ka umuwi?"

Manang is still grinning. Isa lang sa kanila nage-enjoy dito, nyeta. "Hija, pa'no siya uuwi, e sinukuhan mo."

Migo raises his eyebrows at her.

Ngayon lang napansin ni Jiya that he's wearing a different shirt from last night—isa sa mga malalaking shirts niya.

Jiya's entire face flushes hot. She clears her throat. "Ah."

"Ah?" Migo mocks loudly, leaning forward. "'Ah' lang?"

"Sorry," she mutters, wincing. Then, angrily, she meets his eyes and nearly shouts, "Puta, you were the one who insisted to take me home!"

"Malay ko bang you'll vomit on me, buti nga hindi sa car ko!" Migo counters back, pointing at her. Then he blinks, as if a thought came to him suddenly, and he asks, "You remember the ride home?"

Jiya frowns. "Nakatulog lang ako, 'di ba?"

He nods once. "Yeah. Yeah, 'yon lang. And also, Valle." Migo clears his throat and turns around, finding the stove so interesting. "Pwede bang mag..."

"Mag-ano?" Jiya asks, swallowing. "Mag-thank you ako? Fine, yes, thank you. And sorry, I didn't mean to inconvenience you."

"Hindi 'yon," Migo snaps impatiently, still with his back to her. "Valle, mag...mag-ano ka."

"Ano?" Jiya demands, furrowing her eyebrows. She looks at Manang, and she shrugs, giggling, parang kinikilig. Luh.

Migo rubs the nape of his neck and sighs. "Fine. We're both adults here. Mag-bra ka. Tapos bumalik ka dito kasi may breakfast."

'Yong tawa ni Manang, rinig ni Jiya hanggang sa takbo niya paakyat sa room niya.

She slams the door closed and shuts her eyes, leaning against it. Her whole body is cringing. Puro kahihiyan na lang ba gagawin niya sa harap ni Salas?! Una, she makes a complete fool out of herself when he left her on the dance floor. Tapos, malaman-laman niyang she vomited on him when he took her home. Tapos ngayon! Wala siyang bra!

Jiya bangs her head on the door, feeling her cheeks flame hot.

Matagal before she finally composes herself, armed this time, wet hair falling over her shoulders, and heads back down sa dining area. She doesn't look at Migo or Manang when she opens a drawer and finds a mug for her water.

She mutters, just because she feels bad a guest is cooking in her home, "Can I help?"

"Sit," Migo says, not looking at her, focused sa niluluto. "This'll be done na. Besides, 'di ka naman marunong magluto."

"Tama siya," Manang agrees, and Jiya scowls. Ano ba, naging member na ba 'to ng Salas fan club?

Annoyed, she does as he says and sits down, gulping down her water.

Jiya watches them smile and talk to each other. Bakit 'pag sa iba, ang bilis makasama ni Migo? Siya lang ba ang ginaganito niya?

She blinks when he leans over her and sets a bowl sa harap niya. "This is easy to digest, and it helps hangovers raw," he says, setting another bowl on the table. "And I...well, you like chocolate, 'di ba?"

Jiya stares at the bowl. Brown siya na may white swirls sa taas, parang sabaw. Mabango naman, pero she scrunches her nose and looks up at him. "What's this?"

Migo laughs, taking the seat across her. "Champorado, princess."

Jiya raises her eyebrow. "Ano 'yon?"

"Prinsesa ka talaga," Migo mutters, smiling, and he hands her a spoon. Jiya takes it slowly. "It's chocolate rice porridge. Try mo."

Manang puts down a tray of warm pandesal and grins at her. "I told him 'di tayo kumakain ng Filipino breakfast dito masyado at hindi mo pa natitikman."

Migo's staring at her, waiting.

Jiya raises an eyebrow. "This isn't poisoned?"

A laugh escapes his lips. "Tanga," he says quietly, grinning. "Go na. Masarap 'yan, I made it for you."

Jiya ignores that last part of his sentence and bites her lip, and she sticks her spoon in the bowl.

It's like wet rice with chocolate and milk. Jiya blinks. Masarap.

Migo laughs, throwing his head back. "Sabi ko na sa 'yo, Manang!"

Jiya ignores him and eats another spoonful. Pinanood lang siya ni Migo nang nakangiti, his chin on his palm.

Halfway na siya to devouring the whole thing when Migo says, laughing, "Huy, slow down." He picks up a pandesal and hands it to her. "Kagat."

Jiya bites on the bread and almost moans. "Masarap," she mutters, going back to her bowl.

He watches her for a few more moments before he starts eating na rin.

Jiya puts down her spoon and slurps her bowl clean no'ng tapos na siya. He's grinning at her, chewing. Jiya blinks. "What?"

"Cute mo lang," he says, shrugging, licking off his spoon. Sinundan ni Jiya 'yon ng tingin. "Masama pa pakiramdam mo?"

She shakes her head slowly.

"Good," he says. "Tapusin ko lang 'to, then I'll bounce na."

Agad? She frowns. "May plans ka?"

He eats another spoonful before saying, "Sunduin ko si Tasha, then kailangan ko magpakita kay Meg 'tsaka sa parents ko, dinner lang kami."

Lahat pala ng babae sinusundo niya. Jiya rolls her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest. "'Ge."

Migo grins. "Bakit, are you going to invite me upstairs?"

"No!" Jiya snaps, swallowing. Migo laughs. "Ano ba, bastos ka."

"Hoy, ikaw 'yang bastos." He tosses a napkin in her face. "Ano ba iniisip mo? Ang iniisip ko lang is bibigyan mo 'ko ng tour. Ikaw talaga, Valle." Migo clicks his tongue, shaking his head at his bowl. "'Wag mo 'kong idamay sa thoughts mo."

She huffs and blows the hair out her face, scowling. "I don't have thoughts na gano'n."

He raises his eyebrow, skeptical. "Really."

Jiya smiles sweetly. "Involving you, wala."

He laughs once, breathless, eyes shining with amusement. "Ako, meron. Involving you, under you, on top of you..."

Jiya's eyes widen. "Migo!"

"Ikaw nagsimula," he defends himself, laughing. He bites the spoon in his mouth and leans forward to flick her forehead.

She clears her throat and looks away, pursing her lips. "Thanks sa breakfast," sabi niyang mahinhin. Then, she asks, "May...ano pang napag-usapan n'yo ni Manang?"

"Sabi niya gwapo ako. Tama naman siya."

Jiya huffs. "Anything else?"

Migo smiles and reaches for his glass. "Why so worried? Have you talked to her about me?"

"No," Jiya denies immediately, twisting around, only to find that their housekeeper isn't in sight. Ano 'yon, umalis para sila na lang dalawa ni Migo? Ugh. She faces Migo again, and he's wearing a smug smile. "Curious lang ako."

"You're a terrible liar," he says, snorting, "pero good sign 'yon." He looks at her, blinking. "Did you tell her about the kiss?"

"No! Ikaw?"

"Ah, so pinag-isipan mo lang. Ako rin naman, matchies."

"Shut up!" Jiya tosses him a napkin and stands, flushing. "Umalis ka na nga! May susunduin ka pa!"

Migo laughs again and stands, heading to the kitchen, bringing their bowls with him. "Meron pang champorado sa pot if you want more. Pwede mo rin i-chill, just add condensed milk when you eat it."

Jiya nods mutely, crossing her arms over her chest, following him to the gate when he picks up his stuff.

He opens the door and says, "Say bye to Manang for me. And 'wag mo 'kong i-miss masyado."

"In your dreams," Jiya says.

"Nando'n ka na." He winks at her and gets in his car, and the engine roars to life.

Pagbalik ni Jiya sa loob, Manang's gushing, hugging her arm. "Hay, anak! Ang gwapo-gwapo ng batang 'yon, tapos ang bait niya, 'tsaka ang sweet niya sa 'yo!"

"Sweet?!" Jiya lets out a big ha! "'Di mo ba kami narinig kanina, Manang?"

"Narinig," she says smugly, jumping on her feet. "May gusto 'yon sa 'yo. Kanina pa siya nagwo-worry na 'di mo magugustuhan champorado niya."

Ulol. Jiya heads to the kitchen to wash the dishes. "Hay nako, Manang. Delusions lang 'yan. Besides, friends lang kami." Friends ba sila? "'Ata."

"Sabi mo," she hums, giggling.

Jiya rolls her eyes.

Pagtapos ng breakfast, she goes back to her room and scrolls through her unanswered messages, and sa Instagram na rin.

May story si Migo kanina pa. Picture ng champorado na gawa niya sa bowl. Caption lang is a smiley face and a brown heart.

It makes her lips curve into a smile. Masyado siyang proud sa gawa niya.

*

Group: casaddie cake

Migo Salas sent a photo

Migo Salas: say hi to groot

Jiya Valle: TANGINA MONG GAGO
KA PUTANGINA MO

Inggo de Paz: lutong amp sigurado ka ba
dyan migs

Isco Cuenca: HDSHFSFH PUTEK kambing
tayo sir?

Van Andres: groot nga diba
AHHAHDSHAHSSD

Van Andres: sorry omg @Jiya labyu

Addie Zacarias: DELETE @Migo dont do
my girl dirty like this!!!

Migo Salas: asan yung girl

Migo Salas: di ko mahanap hekhek

Migo Salas: joke lang valle ❤️

Anton Buencamino: cute :(

Cas Fuentes: magtago ka na migs may
nararamdaman akong kakaiba

Private Message: migago

sungit: :)

migago is typing...

migago is typing...

migago: wait

migago: wait lang valle WAIT

Group: casaddie cake

Migo Salas unsent a message

Cas Fuentes: PUTA NATAKOT
AHHSSKFHSF

Isco Cuenca: saved tnx migo

Cas Fuentes: blackmail material ji

Addie Zacarias: bubba 😠 @Cas

Cas Fuentes: ok deleted

Addie Zacarias: thank u 😘🥰

Cas Fuentes: ❤️

Van Andres: pwede ba mga nyeta.

Isco Cuenca: inggit ka? sige na nga

Inggo de Paz: cuencs wag na

Isco Cuenca: @Van love u sweetie pie ❤️

Van Andres removed Isco Cuenca from the group

Inggo de Paz: sabi na e

Jiya Valle: so

Jiya Valle: naisipang gawin sakin
ni salas to

Jiya Valle: sabihin ko lang sa
inyong may video sya na

Migo Salas: WAIT

Migo Salas: WAIT WAIT WAIT

Cas Fuentes: ...na ano

Inggo de Paz: NA ANO???

Private Message: ipis

ipis: pabalik ako as group boss hehe

thanos: ano ulet gagawin mo sa
phone mo?

ipis: idedelete na po ang picture ni groot :(

ipis sent a photo

ipis: o ayan screenshot

thanos: puro pics ni van puta

ipis: natural

Private Message: migago

migago: VALLE walang ganyanan hehe 🥺

sungit: groot pala a

migago: baby naman wag ka nang
magtampo ❤️

migago: cute mo nga kaya sa pic 🥰

migago: lasing...tulog...may suka sa
mouth...

migago: plus, ikaw lang naman groot ko 😍

sungit: ah ganon

migago: father i am deeply sorry for i have
sinned

migago: princess

migago: hoy

migago: baby naman...

migago: VALLE

Private Message: ipis

ipis: hoy anona hinhintay ako ni van

ipis: tama na landian with migo

thanos: TANGA anong landian

ipis: defensive ampota.

ipis: juss say u wanna fuck him and go

thanos: para kang bubuyog dami
mong sinasabi

ipis sent a photo

thanos: HOY PUTANGINA ANO 
YAN

ipis: shirtless pic niya.

ipis: sabi mo di mo sya gusto

Group: casaddie cake

Jiya Valle sent a video

Private Message: migago

migago: PTANGINAAAAAAAA

migago: DLETEER

migago: DELETE

Group: casaddie cake

Migo Salas: MAY GINAWA SAKIN SI VALLR
MAY GINAWA KAMI

Private Message: migago

sungit: PTUANG GAGO

Group: casaddie cake

Jiya Valle unsent a message

Cas Fuentes: PUTANGINA MIGO ANO
YON!!!!!

Inggo de Paz sent a voice message

Van Andres: TANGINANG TAWA YAN
INGGO

Addie Zacarias: WAIT omg i didn't see :((((

Anton Buencamino: pakibalik di pa namin
na-save

Anton Buencamino: also @Migo ano
ginawa niyo ni jiya ano ginawa nya sayo

Van Andres: oo nga?

Van Andres: natatawa pa rin ako sa video
ahahdhda

Cas Fuentes: PUTANGINA!!!!!
HAHAHAHHAHH

Inggo de Paz: ganda ng anima cristi mo tol

Cas Fuentes: feel na feel ko emotions mo
bro

Cas Fuentes: hear me jesus 😩🙏🏻

Anton Buencamino: (jesus) 😩🧎🏻‍♂️

Inggo de Paz: hide me in thy wounds 😩☝🏻

Cas Fuentes: that i may never leave thy
side 😩🙏🏻☝🏻

Migo Salas: mga walang kwentang gago pakyu

Inggo de Paz: from all the evil that
surrounds me defend me 😔🧎🏻‍♂️

Cas Fuentes: (oh defend me) 🧎🏻‍♂️🙏🏻☝🏻

Inggo de Paz: reenactment g? @Anton @Cas

Private Message: migago

migago: sige.

migago: sige :)

sungit: IKAW NAUNA

migago: cute ka nga don e!!! AND HINDI
KA PAGTATAWANAN NILA INGGO KASI
TAKOT SILA SAYO

sungit: e kasalanan ko bang di sila
takot sayo

sungit: tsaka cute ka rin don tbh

migago is typing...

sungit: mukha ka nga lang tanga

migago: ganyanan tayo valle

migago: ill kiss you for that

sungit is typing...

sungit is typing...

migago: stomoyon noh

sungit: wag kang feeling. plus di 
mo ba kasama gf mo

migago: careful ka, valle

migago: pag narinig ko yang selos mo iba
na talaga iisipin ko

sungit: bahala ka diyan.

Private Message: ipis

ipis: HUY ANO BA nakipagsext ka na ba sa
kanya tangina naman

thanos: gago

thanos: also di ka hinihintay ni
van. ever.

ipis: aray ko putek 💔

Group: casaddie cake

Jiya Valle added Isco Cuenca to the group

Cas Fuentes: g

Anton Buencamino: g

Isco Cuenca: hi po ❤️ @Van pahingi po fansign

*

Bright and early Monday morning, Jiya wakes up with a text on her phone.

Pogi: gising na babe

She clenches her jaw in irritation and tosses it on her mattress, stretching. She stands up and yawns, and sleepily heads to her bathroom to wash up and shower.

Dahil tamad siya, she opts for a plain gray t-shirt and brown cargo shorts na may pockets. Nagsuot siya ng cap ('yong kanya, hindi 'yong kay Migo) para matago 'yong magulo niyang hair, applies a little bit of color on her pale face, and sprays perfume on herself.

Her phone on the bed lights up repeatedly. Jiya frowns and looks at her messages—all from Migo.

Pogi: ang bagal naman

Pogi: hellooooooo naliligo ka na?

Pogi: ok manang said naliligo ka na

Pogi: d2 lang ako bilisan mo naman
princess

Pogi: u can be excited na makita ako
kasi ako excited 🥰

Puta.

Jiya presses her lips into a thin line and grabs her tote bag and socks, rushing down the stairs.

"Hay, salamat!" Manang says with a sigh. "Bilisan mo, naghihintay si Migo."

She rolls her eyes and puts on her shoes, halatang pinagmamadalian na rin sa pagpu-push ni Manang sa kanya, parang gusto niya nang isubsob palabas. "Manang, wait lang! 'Di ko naman kasing sinabing magsundo 'yon, bwiset. Ano ba ginagawa niya dito."

"Ang sungit mo!" Manang laughs, hurrying to open the gate for her, grinning widely. "Ingat kayo, ah. Migo, anak, pakialaga naman 'tong si Jiya."

"Don't worry po!" Migo shouts, winking. "She's safe with me."

Napatili si Manang, halatang kinikilig.

Jiya scrunches her face in disgust and walks sluggishly over to him, crossing her arms. "Masyado ka namang clingy, nakakasawa ka na," she says flatly, raising an eyebrow. Her face masks the slight anxiousness creeping over her body when she remembers what he said to her last night: I'll kiss you for that.

Jiya knows he's not serious. Still, this is Migo Salas. Whatever Jiya is expecting, he always does it—or the exact opposite. 'Di niya rin alam minsan.

Gaya ngayon. He smiles wickedly and opens the passenger door. "Kain tayo breakfast, g ka ba?"

Stubbornly, Jiya sticks her feet to the ground and says, "No."

"Let me reword that. Kain tayo breakfast," he says, tilting his head to the side, raising his eyebrow.

Jiya sneers at him and gets in.

He settles in the driver's seat and flicks the rim of her cap, then pushes it downward on her head harshly before backing up the driveway.

"Aray, puta—"

"Bakit kahit ang simple lang ng suot mo nase-stress ako?"

Jiya huffs and leans further down the seat, crossing her arms over her chest. "Oo na, sa pagkalalaki ko, gets ko na. Tamad ako magbihis. Okay na?"

He furrows his eyebrows. "'Di naman 'yon 'yong ibig kong sabihin."

Jiya makes a face of annoyance. "E ano?"

He doesn't look at her and instead grips the steering wheel and sighs. "Never mind."

"'Ge," Jiya mutters, looking out the window. "Alam mo, you're only wasting gas picking me up. Nasa Katip ka na, aalis ka pa."

"Bakit sayang? I see you," he says nonchalantly. "And sabi ko sa 'yo I'll kiss you for what you did."

Jiya blinks and swallows, slowly turning her head to look at him.

Migo's lips only curve upward, catching her glance. "Don't tell me nakalimutan mo."

She scoots closer to the window and hugs her bag to her chest. "Shut up."

"Papahiya mo 'ko kila Cas tapos ganyan ka?" He laughs once. "Also, sa takot mong 'yan, baka you're forgetting we've done it na—"

"La, la, la, la," Jiya chants loudly, covering her ears and shutting her eyes. "Potek, how can I forget if you remind me every two seconds?"

"E 'di no big deal," he says, shrugging. "I'll collect soon."

"Wala kang i-co-collect!" Jiya almost shrieks. "Hoy, ano pang sasabihin ni Tasha niyan?"

"Tasha's not my girlfriend anymore," he reminds her, grinning. "Why? Are you applying?"

"No!"

"Hired ka na."

"Shut up!"

Migo laughs, loud and rich, shaking his head. "Puso ko, Valle...dahan-dahan lang."

Jiya's eyebrows furrow. "Ano?"

"Tanga," Migo says, chuckling. "Why was my video on your phone, anyway?"

"When I'm sad, I watch it to cheer me up," Jiya tells him, clearing her throat. "Works every time."

He rolls his eyes, but he's still smiling. "Fine. I accept the reason even though I know our friends aren't going to let this go."

Jiya purses her lips and turns her head, keeping from smiling. Ang funny talaga ni Migo panoorin do'n kasi serious na serious siya sa pagkanta and sa mga hand gestures. Cute pa kasi mukhang bata—they were just freshmen in high school no'n.

"Dapat lang," Jiya snorts. "Groot, ampota."

Migo lets out another loud laugh. "Totoo naman!"

"Tumahimik ka diyang 'nyeta ka."

"Oy, thanks to me, Buenca thinks you're cute," he says, keeping his tone light. Then, clearing his throat, he asks, "'Di mo ba 'yon gusto?"

"Anong pake ko kung sabihin ni Anton 'yon?" she says, snorting.

Migo seems satisfied with this answer. He grins, rolls back his shoulders, and says, "Tama 'yan. Wala ka dapat pake."

"Ha?"

"Ha? Hatdog."

"Bobo," Jiya mutters, rolling her eyes. When she meets her reflection on the side mirror, she's horrified to see that she's smiling.

She slaps her cheek. Nagulat si Migo, lips curling upward. "Ano 'yon?"

"Wala," she snaps. "Inaantok ako."

He shakes his head, clicking his tongue. "Sabi nga talaga nila 'wag kang kausapin until you haven't had your coffee. Ito na, princess."

"Stop calling me that."

"Okay, princess."

She huffs. Migo grins.

He parks in front of McDo Katip, and buong breakfast, hindi na nawala 'yong ngiting niyang 'yon.

*

Buong week, actually. Parang medyo ti-no-torture niya si Jiya.

Tuesday morning, hindi na siya sinundo, but he greets her with the same teasing grin on his face. "Morning, wife."

She rolls her eyes and takes her seat at the back row. Sinundan siya ni Van.

Like always, since high school pa sila, Migo turns his head during the lecture to stare at her with a smug grin, eyes twinkling. "Pogi ko," he mouths.

"Tangina mo," Jiya mouths back.

"In the same way that not everyone is called to be a priest, or a nun, or to live a life dedicated to Him," Mr. Seguerra continues, "not everyone also is called to marry. So in discerning your marital vocation, first basic thing to consider, and perhaps, the most important: choosing the right one."

Jiya rolls her eyes.

Van snickers. "Good luck sa future jowa mo."

"There is no right criteria for choosing your partner for life," the professor says, "but our reading says that we need to be holistic and realistic in discerning the one—such as, but not limited to: personality, character, behavior, background. So, I'm going to ask: what are you looking for in a spouse? Or, as you kids say: anong type n'yo?"

Migo's hand is in the air before the professor finishes his sentence.

Jiya's eyes widen. "Fuck," she whispers, shutting her eyes.

Mr. Seguerra leans against the table and calls on him.

Migo puts up his hand. "Matalino," he lists, putting down one finger, "selosa. Magaling makipag-banter with me. Has no idea what champorado is. 'Di marunong mag-parallel park. Maganda. Masungit. In other words po..." He twists his torso around and points at her, smiling. "Si Jiya Valle."

Hindi na nakatingin si Jiya sa kanya buong class, shrinking in her seat.

"Valle! Hold up!"

Jiya speeds up her pace. "Bwiset," she mutters.

Van is still laughing. "Napakagago niya sa 'yo, nakakatawa!"

Jiya pushes her away and mutters, "Tangina, umalis ka na nga."

"Huy!" Migo snatches her wrist, lips curved upward in amusement.

Their classmates passing by give them a few wolf whistles. Jiya raises her middle finger in the air and stares at him.

"Galit ka?" he asks, biting his lip to keep from laughing.

Jiya turns around. "Do you know what kind of rumors you're causing?"

Kasi hindi lang sa batch nila popular si Migo. Kahit sa course nila, kahit sa department, kahit sa buong SOSE. Puta, sa buong Ateneo.

He blinks at her innocently. "Anong rumors? I was stating facts."

Ugh. He's impossible. "Tabi," Jiya snaps, pushing him away.

Hinabol siya ni Migo, jogging up right in front of her with his palms raised in surrender. "Kain tayo."

Jiya narrows her eyes at him. "Kumain na 'ko."

"Pota, ang dense mo naman," he mutters, rolling his eyes, then he leans forward to grab her laptop and walk away. "If you want this back, eat lunch with me. Alam mong iuuwi ko 'to, Valle."

Oo, alam niya.

With smoke coming out of her ears, she angrily follows him.

*

Parang nawawalang aso 'tong si Migo. Nakakabaliw.

He meets her at SEC Walk with a full cup of iced coffee, shaking it. "Hello."

"Luh." Jiya moves past him.

Migo gives her the coffee. "Hatid kitang InTACT," he says, grinning. "Sweet ko, 'di ba?"

Jiya takes the coffee, not looking away from her phone and says, "Alis."

He doesn't. He pulls the door open for her and says, "Kain ka after."

"Boyfriend mo, Ate Jiya?" another freshie asks, different from last time.

Jiya rolls her eyes, setting her laptop on the table. "Hi—"

"Future," Migo says to her, winking. "Applying pa lang ako. See ya later, Valle!"

Tapos Jiya hangs around para panoorin 'yong dati niyang dance team nagpa-practice. Last year, nakipag-compete siya with them, her fellow dancers na naging friends niya, pero ngayon, wala na siyang oras to practice and stay late given her orgs.

Jeremy, the captain, rushes over to hug her. "'Di ka na nagpakita, ah!"

Isa sa mga pinakaclose niya si Jeremy, nakakausap pa rin niya kahit sa social media and when they cross paths. Tumawa si Jiya, hugging him back. "Practice na, manonood ako."

He lets her go, eyes twinkling. "Dinner tayo after, tapos hatid kita."

Jiya nods, sitting down. "G!"

Late na rin silang pauwi kasi nag-catch up pa sila during dinner.

Kanina pa may text si Migo sa phone niya. Jiya rolls her eyes, bored na bored na 'yong walang inaasar.

Pogi: pst.

Pogi: uwi buhay

Pogi: hoy umuwi ka na ba

Pogi: nagtatanong lang ako wag kang feeling.

Pogi: HOY VALLE

Jiya types her reply.

pauwi na po sir :)

His chat bubbles appear. Disappear. And appear again. Until:

Pogi: ge.

Tapos he's standing outside Rizal Lib, twirling his keys in his finger, smiling at the students passing by who greet him.

Jiya rolls her eyes and walks past him. "Ano na naman?"

"Uwi ka na ba?" he asks, skipping beside her. "Sa'n sila Van?"

"She and Isco went somewhere. Addie and Cas went somewhere."

"You and I can go somewhere," Migo adds, nodding. "G ako."

Jiya sighs. "Gym ako with Anton."

"Sama ako," Migo immediately says.

She laughs once. "Thing namin 'yon. Umuwi ka na."

"Anong thing? Bakit may thing? Gusto ko ring maging thing. Sama ako."

In the end, hindi siya pinasama ni Jiya, kahit anong sungit niya. After three hours of boxing and sparring, Jiya leans back against the wall, panting heavily, gulping down her water.

Anton's catching his breath, too. He wipes the sweat off his face and laughs. "Ang tagal na rin, 'no? It feels good."

Jiya nods, chest rising and falling repeatedly. Inside her bag, her phone lights up and buzzes twice, so she frowns and squints at it, fishing it out. May tatlo na siyang missed calls and four texts—all from the same annoying person.

Pogi: hoy

Pogi: valle.

Pogi: urgent to emergency SOS sumagot ka.

Pogi: VALLE. answer me.

Grunting in annoyance, she pushes her finger down on the call button. Anton blinks at her. She says, "Aso ko."

"Valle!" sigaw ni Migo unang ring pa lang.

"What?" she snaps, worried. "Ano ba, ang kulit mo! Pati phone ko naiiinis na rin sa 'yo."

Migo stays quiet.

Jiya blinks, taken aback. Bakit hindi siya sinasagot nang may flirt? Or tinutukso? "Wait, what's so urgent? May emergency talaga?"

"Oo," he says quietly. Seryoso. "Valle...may gusto akong malaman. I need to know this."

Bakit gano'n? Bakit ka-boses niya 'yong boses niya when he asked to see her before leaving Korea—when he told her he was going to move away?

Jiya stands up to walk away from Anton, face scrunching. Puta, nakakakaba naman 'to. "What?"

"I need you to be as honest with me as possible," he continues softly. "No lies, please. Just...be honest this time."

Shit. Shit, shit, shit. Ano 'to?! Ano na? May nalaman ba siya? Itatanong na niya ba—or i-co-confirm—finally kung bakit siya hinalikan ni Jiya last year? Puta naman!

She swallows the lump in her throat, pulse jumping, and shakily, "Okay."

Migo takes a deep breath.

Jiya clenches her free hand into a fist, digging her nails into her palm, eyes squeezing shut.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck—

"Gatas na choco o choco na gatas?"

Jiya opens her eyes. Parang mababali na ang phone sa kamay niya when she tightens her grip, and her fingers are still shaking, and feeling niya she's about to break her jaw from gritting her teeth into it sa galit at inis.

"Valle, ano ba, this is serious," Migo says, sighing. "So, for me kasi, gatas na choco talaga—"

"Migo," Jiya says quietly. "Wala akong time for this."

"Kay Buenca may time ka," Migo says.

Jiya blinks. Ha?! "May issue ka ba with him or something?" she demands, angry. "'Yang ka-tropa natin? 'Wag n'yo akong idamay, Migo, ano ba—"

"May issue ako na kasama mo siya," he says.

Jiya raises an eyebrow. Lagi silang magkasama ni Anton. Second year na sila. 'Tsaka: "Wala ka namang pake no'ng freshies tayo."

"'Di mo pa 'ko hinalikan no'n."

"O, so?" Jiya hisses. "So anong point mo?"

"Agh!" Migo growls. "Puta, bahala ka. Bye."

"Tangina—"

Anton frowns at her when Jiya comes back, blinking at her phone, 'di maintindihan kung ano nangyari. "Was that Migo? What happened?"

Jiya looks up at him and blinks. "Uh, wala. Wala."

Walang-wala.

Kasi next day, sinundo siya ni Migo. All smiles. Parang the phone call yesterday didn't happen. "So na-realize kong ang hirap talaga 'pag gwapo."

As usual, Jiya rolls her eyes and gets inside the passenger seat, only to find a bouquet of flowers sitting there. She holds it and sits, furrowing her eyebrows. "Tapos na VIA, ah," she says, looking up at him when he gets inside the driver's seat.

He grins and glances at her. "Lagay mo lang sa likod. Hatid lang kita sa school then I'm meeting someone for breakfast."

Jiya looks at her watch. Nine pa lang—ah, and it's a Thursday. Afternoon pa klase ni Migo.

She carefully puts down the bouquet sa backseat and clears her throat. As far she knows, Migo has never given flowers to anyone—kahit 'pag VIA, kahit 'pag Valentine's, kahit sa girlfriend or fling niya. First time 'ata 'to—apart from the flower he gave her as an apology. Of course, that doesn't count.

Of course, hindi rin counted na akala niya siya lang ang niyayaya nito mag-breakfast. In her normal tone, she asks, "Date?"

"Ang hirap maging gwapo." Migo sighs. "Anyway, sa'n first class mo? Can I drop you off at Leong lang?"

Alam ni Migo 'yong first class niya on Thursdays is at SEC C.

She bites the inside of her cheek and looks out the window. Sana hindi na lang pala siya sinundo. Para siyang hassle rito.

Paano nagagawa ni Migo na ipa-feel sa kanya ang mga ayaw niyang i-feel kahit kailan?

"Yeah," she says instead, kahit na ang layo ng Leong sa SEC. "Actually, 'wag ka na umikot. Drop me off kahit saan sa Katip para 'di na pumasok ng school."

Binaba siya sa harap ng Starbucks. Jiya grabs her bag and laptop.

"Don't be masungit—" Migo calls as a goodbye, but she already slams the door.

Tyler looks up, blinking. "The usual—"

"Yes," she bites out, curling her free hand into a fist. "Pakidoble po ang espresso shot."

She goes with her friends to UPTC after class.

Isco bumps her shoulder. "Hello? Nandito po ba si Chewbacca?"

Jiya pushes him away with one hand and doesn't talk. Addie slings her arm around her neck and cheerily says, "Ikain na lang natin 'yang bad mood mo, babe!"

Addie and Van pull her along. Parang doll si Jiya na sumunod sa kanila.

*

Group: casaddie cake

Inggo de Paz: so guys

Inggo de Paz: wala akong alam sa mga
gusto ng mga babae dahil u know naman
bed 'em and leave 'em aq 😋

Addie Zacarias: ugh inggo please.

Isco Cuenca: same

Jiya Valle: mf shut up pinulot ka
lang ni vannie tapos di ka na
umalis

Isco Cuenca: shhhhhhhhhhh

Inggo de Paz: kaya may tatanungin ako

Inggo de Paz: say 'kuya 2 points po para
kay @Migo' if bobo move ang pagbawi ng
flowers after niyang binigay

Cas Fuentes: HA?

Addie Zacarias: NOOOOO

Van Andres: um kuya 5 points

Migo Salas: puta @Inggo i trusted u

Inggo de Paz: sabi ko sayo tanga ka e

Van Andres: offending yon!!!

Addie Zacarias: ^^^

Van Andres: bat mo binawi? @Migo

Migo Salas: tinanggap nya agad e.

Isco Cuenca: ANO RAW POTA
SHHDAHHAHA

Inggo de Paz: @Jiya?

Jiya Valle: ha

Jiya Valle: ah

Jiya Valle: idk

Inggo de Paz: u've received flowers na
right

Anton Buencamino: from me :)

Private Message: migago

migago: from me rin

sungit: alam ko.

migago: galit ka ba babe 😣

migago: tsaka baka nakalimutan mo lang
😔🥺

sungit: no, why would i be mad?

Group: casaddie cake

Inggo de Paz: so ano maffeel mo if binawi
yon ni anton

Jiya Valle: uh idk di naman ata
ako maooffend

Cas Fuentes: pero kung gusto mo sya

Jiya Valle: matatawa na lang kasi
nagdelusion akong parang tanga

Anton Buencamino: dont worry di ko
babawiin

Inggo de Paz: @Migo jury has decided di na
kita mapagtatanggol bro

Cas Fuentes: sabi ni ads mag-apologize ka
raw

Isco Cuenca: ANONG ORAS NA
MAGKASAMA PA KAYO kayo ah yie

Cas Fuentes: you're talking like you're not
next to vannie at this very moment 🙄 -ads

Isco Cuenca: ano to expose isco day???!!???

Inggo de Paz: cinucrucify na si salas nyan
sa groupchat nila yanna hahahahaha

Migo Salas: OK GETS KO NA happy? kala
mo kailangan ireport sa lahat e. tsaka di ko
sya type, ok na?

Cas Fuentes: e bat ka pumayag

Anton Buencamino: may type ka pala?

Inggo de Paz: BRO OMG baka hung up ka
pa kay kinginang tasha?

Migo Salas: no, over na kami matagal na.
wala na. at all.

Migo Salas: goodnight.

Migo Salas: also kuya 3 points po para kay
@Inggo kasi wala syang kwenta.

Inggo de Paz: aray

Migo Salas: 2 points po para kay @Cas
@Addie @Isco @Van kasi nakakainis sila

Cas Fuentes: HA

Van Andres: WHAT HAHAHAHHA

Migo Salas: also kay @Anton 4 points po
kasi wala lang.

Anton Buencamino: ??????

Private Message: migago

migago: fyi hindi na ako hung up kay tasha.
friends lang kami

sungit is typing...

sungit: ok? I didn't ask

migago is typing...

migago: bat parang galit ka 😣💔

sungit: hindi nga e. kulit???

migago: ok kung hindi labas ka, nakapark ako

sungit: ayoko. also, baliw, 11 na.

migago: drive thru tayong starbs libre ko.

sungit: pababa na

Wala nang pake si Jiya kahit naka-gray knee-length cotton shorts lang siya 'tsaka naka-sweater na malaki. She ties her damp hair into a ponytail and grabs her phone, wallet, and keys, slipping on her flip-flops.

Manang and her parents are asleep already, so the rest of the house is quiet. She steps out through the front gate, locking it, and catches Migo's grin, waving at her from the window.

She rolls her eyes and gets in the passenger seat, dumping her things on her lap. "Sabi mo libre mo."

"Oo naman." Migo chuckles, flicking her forehead before backing out of the driveway. "Addie said you were in a bad mood today, so I thought Starbs might cheer you up."

Snitch 'tong si Addie?! The fuck, sino ba talaga kaibigan n'on?! "Baka meron kasi ako," she snaps, crossing her arms over her chest.

Migo sucks in a breath, shaking his head and clicking his tongue. "So I need to be extra careful pala around you, medyo mas demonyo ka 'pag meron ka."

She gives him a flat look. "Extra careful pero ninakaw mo bag ko na may pads."

Migo bites his lip, not looking at her. "Past is in the past, princess."

Jiya rolls her eyes, clenching her jaw. She remembers how close she was to tearing his head off when she couldn't find her bag. Kung wala lang extrang pad si Van no'n, pinatay na niya si Migo.

It was a cruel joke. Hindi niya kinausap o tiningnan si Migo for a week kahit anong kulit niya.

He clears his throat, obviously itching to change the subject. "So you're not mad at me?"

"Migo, paulit-ulit? Bakit nga ako magagalit?"

"Ewan." He shrugs, keeping his eyes on the road. "Na-sense ko lang."

Jiya huffs. "Curious ako, though. Bakit mo nga binawi?"

The corner of his lips lifts up, and he glances at her, eyes shining. "Hindi ko nga type."

Jiya has no idea what his type is. "So you chose to embarrass her when she liked you and was probably really excited for your date?"

"'Di ko naman sinadya," Migo mutters, wincing. "But when you put it like that..."

Jiya sighs, shaking her head. "You're harsh. Harsh ka rin no'n when you broke up with Tasha."

"Mas harsh ka no'ng ni-reject mo sila Dan, Kline, Rex, Shawn, 'tsaka si George."

Jiya flushes, immediately defensive. "OA ka, akala mo mas marami akong ni-reject kesa sa 'yo na every day someone asks for your number or if you're free. Well. Sa bagay, hindi ka naman umaayaw."

"Who said so?" Migo counters, raising his eyebrow. "This morning was my first and only date—kung counted pa as 'date' 'yong disaster na 'yon—this year."

Skeptical, Jiya looks at him flatly. "Ulol."

"Oo nga!" Migo almost shouts, drawing his eyebrows together. "E ikaw na every day may date?"

"Bobo," Jiya snaps, rolling her eyes. "Wala akong dates, I don't have time for that."

"So why are you here?" he asks, turning to her, grinning.

Jiya makes a move to punch him. Migo moves back, laughing. "Hoy, 'wag, I'm driving!"

"Hindi 'to date!" Jiya says, incredulous. "Bwiset. And I only came for the free Starbs."

"Okay." Migo chuckles. "Sure. Iwan na natin do'n, babe."

Jiya sneers at him, and Migo laughs.

He pulls up at Starbucks and relays both their orders. Jiya sips on hers, happy, and shakes the ice in the cup. To Migo's drink, she asks, "What's yours ulit?"

"You," is his annoying answer, winking at her. Wala nang reaction si Jiya sa mga kalokohan niya.

He hands her his cup as he pulls the car back to the main road, heading back to her house. "I doubt you'll like it kasi it's tea. But wanna try?"

Jiya leans over and takes a sip, wrapping her lips around the straw. Then scrunches her face. "Ugh."

He laughs and puts it down sa cupholder. "Sabi na."

They fall into comfortable, but not awkward, silence during the ride home. At some point, nag-picture pa si Jiya ng drink niyang nasa background si Migo, who's making a silly face. She rolls her eyes and just captions it with his username.

Her phone immediately blows up with replies.

@itsvan: ???!?????

@adzzz: OMG? ARE U GUYS FINALLY
BONDING?

@yoisco: sex na yan

Jiya rolls her eyes and messages their group chat.

Group: powerpuff team

buttercup: ang sagot ko sa lahat sa
inyo: libre niya lang kaya ako sumama.
no bonding na nangyayari :)

blossom is typing...

professor utong is typing...

bubbles is typing...

blossom: ok makes sense

bubbles: AW but still im so happy :') you guys
have been spending so much time together
rin!!! ❤️

professor utong: sex na yan

buttercup: @blossom

professor utong: DI NA DI NA PROMISE wag nyo
na akong ikick hekhek ingat ka @buttercup ;D

Migo pulls up in front of her house and parks the car. "Mag-aaral ka pa?"

"I'll finish my paper lang," she says, pocketing her phone, wallet, and keys, and shaking her coffee before taking another sip and raising it to him, turning away. "Thanks sa libre."

Before Jiya can unlock her door to step out, Migo locks it and faces her.

She blinks. "Ano?"

Migo takes off his seatbelt, and to her horror, leans close to her, over the center console. "Sabi ko I'll collect."

"Uy, uy, uy, puta, Migo," Jiya says, panicked, sticking herself close to the door. Pero kahit na abot niya 'yong lock, her hands stay frozen on her chest na hawak ang drink niya, heart beating so loud and fast it's threatening to rip out of her ribcage. "Migo."

His eyes stay locked with hers, just staring, habang palapit nang palapit 'yong mukha niya kay Jiya.

Unconsciously, her eyes drop to his lips. Patay.

And then she closes her eyes.

Jiya waits, face crumpled, eyes shut closed—pero wala namang dumating.

Migo's shoulder brushes hers, and then he moves back to his seat. "Binuksan ko lang pinto mo. Why are your eyes closed?"

Jiya turns around and jumps out of the car, face flaming hot.

Tangina. Tangina, tangina, tangina.

Bakit siya pumikit! Ano ba, Jiya Valle?!

Migo's triumphant and satisfied laugh is loud in the car. "So hinihintay mo nga. Good to know."

Burning with humiliation, Jiya slams open the door and runs inside.

When her back hits the door, she closes her eyes.

Puta. Umiiyak siya.

Her phone rings. Kasi ang ingay ng ringtone, she snatches it with trembling hands and answers his call. "O?" she snaps, trying to keep her voice from shaking. "Ang clingy mo naman, wala pang five minutes."

"Valle," he says quietly, ignoring her teasing. "Are we okay? Are you mad?"

Jiya forces herself to laugh. Parang absurd. With her other hand, she angrily swipes away the wetness on her cheeks. "Ba't ako magagalit? Ang weird mo. We're fine."

"Okay," he says, sounding unconvinced. "If you're sure. Goodnight."

"Night," she says. "Thanks sa libre." She hangs up.

And sinks to the floor, face in her hands, and sobs.

*

migo i love u but stop hurting jiya

thank u for reading :<