"MANANG," Migo calls, grinning and leaning against his car, "sinagot na 'ko nito!"

"Shut up!" Jiya hisses, opening the driver's door and pushing him inside, bago pa lumabas si Manang at maghingalo sa narinig. "Go, go!"

Migo's laughing, and hirap na hirap si Jiyang ipasok siya sa car kasi nakahawak pa siya sa door, torso leaned back, grinning down at her. "Bakit, babe? Kinakahiya mo na 'ko?"

She forcefully pushes his chest and glares at him, tilting her chin up. "Ano ba, Manang's already planning our wedding. If she hears you, hindi ako titigilan n'on."

His eyes brighten. "Wedding?"

Jiya flushes, but she raises her eyebrow at him and states, "Kakasagot ko lang sa 'yo, Migo, 'wag kang advance mag-isip. Go inside."

He grins and leans closer, one hand snaking down to her waist to squeeze it. His head is bowed, eyes locking to hers, lips curled to a smirk. "Kiss mo muna 'ko."

Rolling her eyes, she leans up and gives him a quick one on the lips.

Migo blinks, surprised, smile fading. He looks dazed.

Jiya grins and pushes him, and this time, he falls into his seat.

"Bobo," she mutters endearingly, shaking her head, and moves around the car to get to the passenger's side.

"Akala ko ba sasapakin mo 'ko sa kaba," Migo mutters, scoffing, pulling out of her driveway when their seatbelts are both strapped. "'Di ka naman kinakabahan. Ako lang. Ki-ni-kiss mo na 'ko agad, sira. Baliw ka talaga sa 'kin."

Hindi man naririnig ni Migo puso niya, no'ng Saturday pa siya kinakabahan, when they last spoke to each other. Kagabi bago siya matulog. Kaninang umaga pagkagising. When Migo texted her to say he was outside to pick her up.

Pinagsasabi neto. Wala naman siyang alam. She scoffs loudly and lets out a ha! "'Nyeta ka, you were the one who threw yourself on me last Saturday! Sinundan mo pa 'ko and you grabbed my face pa and everything!"

"You grabbed my belt! 'Tsaka hoy, if you're forgetting, ikaw umupo sa lap ko no'ng first kiss natin—"

"Ikaw yung maingay no'n!" Jiya argues loudly.

"Natural!" Migo shouts, glancing at her. "Sinong hindi magiging maingay e nakaupo ka nga sa 'kin?"

Jiya blinks.

Migo's eyes widen. He clears his throat and looks straight ahead, gripping the steering wheel. "Okay, basta, mas baliw ako, sige na. You want breakfast?"

Jiya clears her throat. "Starbs."

Migo parks the car in front of the coffee shop, but before they can get out, Jiya blinks and snatches his wrist, looking out the window. "Wait. Pumasok si Addie and Isco."

Migo raises his eyebrow. "So?"

"So!" Jiya shakes her head firmly and leans back against the seat. "Hindi pwede. They can't know nga."

Migo looks at her. "Na?"

Jiya clenches her jaw. "Na...'yon. Alam mo na."

He blinks and shakes his head. "Bobo ako."

Jiya glares at him and snaps, "Na tayo nga! Ano ba, umalis ka na, baka makita nila car mo!"

Migo's laugh is loud. "Sure ka ba? Wala kang coffee today."

"Ugh." She sighs and shoulders her bag. "Fine. Bababa na nga ako."

Migo catches her hand, eyes wide in disbelief. "Iiwan mo na 'ko? Ano 'yon, ginawa mo 'kong driver? Bastos ka, ah."

"Clingy mo. And magsusungit ako buong araw," she warns him, raising her eyebrow.

"Clingy talaga ako, ilang years na 'kong naghihintay." He glares at her and pushes her away, crosses his arms over his chest. "Bakit nga ulit natin kailangan 'tong itago? Underage ka ba? Kasal ka na?"

The corner of her lips quirks up, but she sighs. "Nakakahiya kaya. I've been telling all our friends I hate you for five years, kaya nga ayokong malaman nila about the kiss, 'di ba?"

He scoffs. "Kasalanan mo na 'yon."

"Migo," she whines. "Ma-pride akong tao."

"Alam ko," he says, rolling his eyes. "Fine," he relents, taking a deep breath. "For how long? Ayokong tinatago na girlfriend kita."

Her heart jumps, but her face doesn't change. She purses her lips. "Kahit sandali lang, and then we show them we're not actually...enemies anymore, and then we can tell them."

"You tell them."

Jiya glares at him, frowning. "Fine. Whatever. Basta hindi ngayon."

It makes Migo grin. "Okay." He leans over and kisses her on the cheek. "Go. Text mo 'ko."

"Ayoko nga," she sings, smiling, and then leaves the car.

Inside, Addie waves excitedly. "Jiya babes!"

Isco leans closer to her once she sits down, pushing her hands inside her pockets. He examines her face, frowning and scrunching his eyebrows together.

Jiya stares at him, raising her eyebrow.

"Parang 'di ka masungit today," he notes. "Did something good happen?"

"Nope." She shrugs and leans further back against her chair. "Umalis ka sa pagmumukha ko bago yung something good is masuntok kita."

"There she is." Isco nods, grabbing his drink. "All is right in the world."

After their morning classes, while Isco goes to MVP, they walk all the way to Gate 3 to cross the footbridge to Regis 3rd. When they find a table, Jiya lines up kay Ben & Jen's Food Corner, fishing her phone out of her pocket when it buzzes.

Pogi: so hindi mo nga ko tinext :(

Jiya smiles.

CLINGY MO pls. ganito ka
bang boyfriend, migo salas

Pogi: sayo lang, may problema ka
baby? san kayong lunch pinipilit ko
 sila inggo na puntahan kayo

She bites her lip.

regis caf. wag ka masyadong
obvious ok

Pogi: i'll try my best princess :)

"Who's that?"

Jiya almost tosses her phone in the air, blinking rapidly, catching it with fumbling fingers. Van blinks at her, surprised.

She stammers, "Ah, um, wala."

Her friend raises an eyebrow. "You were smiling at your phone kasi wala lang?"

"I was smiling kasi sinabi ng groupmate kong tapos na siya sa contribution niya sa presentation namin," she mutters, pocketing her phone and leaning against the stall. "Alam mo naman na ayoko sa mga freeloaders."

Thankfully, even with her shit excuse, Van lets it go.

Kumakain na sila when the guys join them. Cas kisses Addie's cheek and scrapes back the chair beside her, Inggo dumps his things beside Van's chair, tapos si Anton naman nakangiting ibababa na 'yong bag niya sa tabi ni Jiya when Migo tosses his own first on the space beside her, pushing past Anton's shoulder. "Sorry, Buenca. Una ako."

Jiya clenches her jaw. So much for not being obvious.

Anton smiles lightly and takes the seat in front of him instead. To Jiya, he grins and says, "'Di tayo nakasayaw last Saturday, ah. And I wanted to take you home sana but you were sleeping over kila Addie pala."

Uneasy, knowing Migo's just right beside her, knocking her knee with his, arm over the couch behind them, she laughs a little. "Yeah, well, medyo," she clears her throat and stabs her chicken, "maraming nangyari no'n."

Like getting kissed against the wall. Getting herself a boyfriend.

"You owe me a dance next time then," he says, grinning, leaning forward to take her iced tea to sip on it.

Migo shifts on his seat. Shit.

Anton continues, "And yeah nga e, Migs brought a date pa."

"Buenca," Migo says, grinning and tilting his head. "Friend ko nga lang si Rose."

Anton raises an eyebrow. "Friends don't try to kiss friends. O so ano, you didn't call her after Saturday na?"

"No." Migo stands up and gets his wallet. "Kuha tayong food." He drags Anton with him.

While they're eating, they don't say a word to each other. Inggo notices this and raises his eyebrows, pointing his chopsticks at them. "Ba't hindi kayo nag-aaway? Magkatabi pa kayo. Dapat by now Jiya is growling with annoyance and Migo's laughing his ass off."

Puta. Internally, she flinches. Inggo de Paz, papatayin kitang gago ka—

"Mahahawa lang ako sa sungit niya, dark clouds and everything," Migo says, chewing.

Jiya huffs and rolls her eyes. "And wala akong iwa-waste na energy or time para mag-entertain ng bata."

"Okay na pala," Inggo says, shaking his head. "Okay na, okay na."

On the way back to school, habang nasa escalator sila pababa from the cafeteria, all their friends ahead of them, Migo stands behind her and slides his hand to her waist, squeezing it.

Jiya's breathing stops. She reaches her arm back and slaps his hand. "Hoy!" she whispers, not turning her head.

Migo's face is close to hers, though. Sa ear niya, he whispers, annoyingly, "Ano?"

Akala mo naman 'di alam ni gago kung ano ginagawa niya.

Jiya slaps his hands away when he tries to touch her again. "'Wag mo nga akong landiin!" She goes down a few steps to put distance between them, heart racing.

Napakagago talaga nito.

Sa footbridge, when he snatches her hand and interlaces their fingers together, habang nasa likod silang lahat ng friends nila, and Cas almost turns to look at Migo, Jiya pushes him. Hard.

Parang natumba na si Migo.

"Huy!" Inggo laughs. "Okay ka lang, bro?"

Jiya winces and swings her arm around Addie, pulling her along.

In class, he texts her.

Pogi: aray ang sakit non :(

She bites her lip.

SORRY NA shfhsf landi ka
kasi ng landi sakin i told u
let's keep it a secret muna

Pogi: UGHHHHHHHH THE HELLLLLL

It makes her laugh.

Pogi: tapos nakakainis pa si buenca
and mga nyetang kaibigan natin
feeling nila may mali kapag di kita
ininsulto

kasi nga weird pag hindi,
that's how we've been for five
years

Pogi: kaya nga ill kiss u na lang sa
harap nila para mag shut up na silang
lahat lalo na si buenca.
Pogi: tapos you owe him a dance raw?
tangina??? EDI WOW

Jiya can't stop herself from grinning, reading his texts under the table.

hoy di ko gusto sa mga seloso
ah. umayos ka

Pogi: ikaw ang umayos!!!

Jiya laughs again, shaking her head, cheeks burning.

Pero hindi rin na-realize ni Jiya how hard it would be to hide from their friends, especially when she's scrambling for an excuse to get out of karaoke with them kasi lalabas sila ni Migo.

"'Di ka sasama?" Addie asks, pouting, hugging her arm. "Wala ka namang plans, ah! Plus, it's a Friday!"

"Oo nga, ang tagal na nating 'di lumalabas na us lang," Van adds, peering at her. "Today lang, b! Relax ka muna sa acads, we all know you're ahead naman."

Jiya feels guilty, pero gusto na rin niya makita si Migo, mag-o-one week na silang 'di nagsasama! Aside from the morning sundos na hindi naman nila ginagawa every day kasi sketchy, hindi pa sila nagse-spend time together kakatago sa barkada nila.

Sorry, girls. She sighs and says apologetically, "Pagod na 'ko, guys, sorry. I'll treat lunch on Monday sa Frankie's to make up for this, promise. Uwi na 'ko, bye!"

Ayaw ni Jiya sa mga babaeng di-ni-ditch ang friends nila for their boyfriends, pero kailangan niya ring makipaglandian. 'Tsaka one whole week na silang magkasama ng friends niya, ito lang tonight for Migo, okay?

Buti na lang umuwi na si Inggo sa kanila. Sinundo siya ni Migo and they go to his unit.

Pumasok si Jiya sa bedroom niya. May isang single bed lang sa tabi, and then a dresser full of messy clothes, and then may mga books na nasa floor. "I've never been here before," she mutters, realizing it just now, crossing her arms over her chest and moving to the desk.

Migo follows, standing behind her, reaching up with one hand to move her hair away from her shoulder, fingers brushing her skin. Jiya shivers. "No other girl has been here before," he whispers, leaning down, pressing his lips to her neck.

Jiya inhales sharply, feeling his hands go to her hips, his breath on her skin. "Kahit si Tasha?" she breathes, pursing her lips, tilting her head further to the side.

"Kahit siya," he mumbles, and goose bumps fill her skin from his lips moving upwards, kissing the curve of her neck slowly, up to her ear. He walks her forward, setting her down on the desk, pushing his books away.

Jiya puts her hands on his hair when he steps between her legs, palms on the table. "Dapat lang," she mutters, licking her lips.

Migo grins and tracks that movement, leaning forward to knock their foreheads together, brushing his nose over hers, brushing his lips over hers, but not pressing further. Teasing.

Jiya leans up to chase his mouth, but Migo moves back, smiling, squeezing her thighs. "Needy," he comments teasingly, clicking his tongue.

"Ass," she mutters, fisting her hands in his shirt, pulling him to her, capturing his mouth in a week-long, much, much anticipated kiss.

Migo lets out a little gasp, hand coming up to grip her chin, pressing as deep as she is, mouths moving together slowly, sweetly, deeply, it makes Jiya's belly dip in want and desire, and oh, God—Migo drags his tongue along the seam of her lower lip and coaxes it open, and Jiya lets him, making a tiny noise at the back of her throat. She tangles her hands in his hair, tugging, when he slides his hands down to her back, pushes his palms on her bottom and slides her body forward to the edge of the desk, slotting his leg in between her thighs.

He leans back, panting, and tilts his head, pushing the strap of her tank top aside, lips moving to the wings of her collarbone, sucking and licking and Jiya leans back, catching her breath. "Migo," she groans, pulling him back to her, kissing him hard, open-mouthed, desperate.

"Fuck," he whispers in her lips, and Jiya clamps her legs together sa knee niya, and he hisses, catching her mouth again. It's a dirty kiss, a wet and filthy one, and Migo actually whimpers—whimpers into her mouth when she slides her hands under his shirt and scrapes her fingernails along his back. "Valle," he whispers, breathless, skin flushing hot.

Jiya's hands move along his skin and Migo hisses when she reaches his belt, slotting her fingers inside his waistband, kissing him again, swallowing his gasp.

Migo has his hands on her hips and he says, "Move," and Jiya actually groans, almost does what he says kahit ang bossy niya, putangina, but they freeze when they hear the sound of keys jingling outside.

Jiya's heart jumps in her throat as she jumps off the table and pushes Migo away, eyes wide. "My bag is outside!"

He runs without a second to waste, and Jiya closes the door of his bedroom, locking it, heart racing.

"Uy!" Inggo says, surprised. "Kala ko umuwi ka na, bro."

Hindi na alam ni Jiya kung san tinago ni Migo 'yong bag niya. She hears him say, "Bukas pa. Akala ko nga umuwi ka na rin."

"May pinuntuhan lang," Inggo says, his voice moving closer down to the hallway, and Jiya hears his door opening. "I'll get my bags na. Also, why are you sweating? And out of breath?" He pauses. Then: "Bro, nagjajakol ka ba?"

"Gago," Migo snaps. "Hindi!"

"Namumula ka e. 'Tsaka parang ang sikip ng jeans—"

"Umalis ka na, putangina mo."

Inggo laughs out loud. "Oo na, sige na, iiwan na kita for your alone time. 'Wag lang sa couch or sa room ko."

"Tarantado ka talaga." Migo shuts the door, and Inggo's laugh rings down the hallway.

Jiya opens the door, peeks her head out and grins. "So masikip na jeans mo?"

Migo throws a pillow at her.

And hindi lang sa unit ni Migo na roommate niya si Inggo, but also in Jiya's house, where they thought they would have at least some sense of privacy.

"It's just colds!" Jiya snaps, kicking her blankets. "Bakit ka pa pumunta, hindi naman malalang sakit."

"I brought food." Migo raises the paper bags in his hand, grinning, and puts it down on her desk. He whistles, looking around her room. "First guy din ba 'ko dito?"

She sniffs. Panget siya, may sipon siya, naka-sweater and joggers lang, pero ang kulit kasi nitong boyfriend niya. Jiya sneaked him in pa habang nasa laundry si Manang. "No."

His jaw drops, eyebrows scrunching together when he looks at her. "No?"

"Isco was here," she answers, shrugging. "And Anton came inside na rin—"

"Ah sige," Migo says, scoffing. He turns around. "Isa pang 'Anton' sa bunganga mo I'll shut you up."

"You asked!"

"Nakakairita ka, bwiset," Migo snaps, throwing a tissue roll in her direction that lands right in her face. "Punasan mo 'yang ilong mo."

She bites her lip. "Pumasok ka na dito, 'di ba? When I was drunk?"

"Oo, no'ng mukha kang Groot. And then you grabbed my hand and asked me to stay, pero magpa-panic ka paggising mo so I didn't."

"Ulol! Fake news!" Jiya flushes.

"Oo nga," he says, scoffing. "Why do you think I was so confident flirting with you? Alam ko na no'n, ang tagal mo lang aminin. Naiiinis na 'ko sa tagal."

She glares at him.

Migo laughs and comes close to the bed, wrapping his arms around her. Jiya huffs and buries her head on his shoulder, legs wrapping around his waist. "Uminom ka na ng gamot?" he mumbles softly in her hair.

"Mm."

"I'd kiss you pero ayokong mahawaan."

Jiya grins wickedly and pulls back, grabbing his face.

Migo's eyes widen, leaning backward. "Hoy, Valle, 'wag—"

"'Lika dito!" Jiya shouts, laughing when he slaps her hands away and crawls off the bed. "Kiss muna kita!"

"Ayoko!" Migo runs to her closet, palms out. "Valle!"

Jiya runs after him, giggling. "Ah, ayaw mo? Kiss na lang ako ng iba?"

"Gaga!" He stops against the door, shaking his head. "Ako lang, pero 'wag ngayon. Ayoko magkasakit, colds are a bitch. Sit down."

Jiya laughs and opens her arms, stepping closer to him. "Sige na, sige na. I won't na. Cheek lang."

Migo puts his hands down, skeptical. "Promise?"

"Oo nga, promise."

He lets her slide her hands around his waist to hug him against the wall. Jiya leans up and kisses his cheek. "There."

Migo's hand comes down to her hair, and he's panting, swallowing thickly.

She raises her head and looks at him with furrowed eyebrows. "Okay ka lang?"

"Kinikilig ako," sabi niya.

"Ah." Jiya laughs and hugs him tighter. "Cute mong gago ka."

They both jump when three knocks come at the door. "Jiya, anak? Your friends are downstairs, sila Addie and Van."

Migo blinks.

"Manang!" Jiya squeals, digging her nails into his arm. "Um, 'wag mo silang papasukin, please!"

"Ayaw mo kaming makita?" Van's voice asks outside the door, teasing. "Hoy, Jiya! We brought food!"

"We just wanted to check up on you since you said masakit ulo mo!" Addie adds, giggling.

"Go," Jiya whispers to Migo.

He blinks at her. "Go? Go saan?"

Jiya pushes him to the closet. "Tago ka muna, please!" she whisper-shouts, parang nanunulak siya ng brick wall sa bigat ni Migo.

"Babe, 'wag na—"

"I'm sorry," she whispers, pushing him inside her closet. Kasya naman siya. Slight. "Diyan ka muna."

He clicks his jaw and glares at her. "Hoy, hindi ako kabit na kailangang itago—"

"Oo, boyfriend kita." She leans in quickly and gives him a quick one on the mouth. "Pero diyan ka muna, five minutes, baby."

Then she shuts the closet door and opens her room.

Addie and Van tackle her in a hug. "Okay ka lang ba, b?"

"We brought you medicine and food!"

Jiya nods, smiling. "Thanks, guys. I don't feel well talaga, so thanks. And sorry kasi magpapahinga na talaga ako dapat."

At that, her friends don't stay long naman. They just stand near her doorway, tapos itong si Addie, may sinasabi na blind date. Tangina.

"So one of my orgmates saw your photo daw tapos nagandan sa 'yo, so I told him g ka naman to meet!"

Jiya stares at her, then glances at the closet, and back at her friend, clenching her jaw. "Anong g? Kailan ko sinabing g? Hindi ako g, Ads."

She whines, pouting, hugging her arm. "Why not? You want a boyfriend, 'di ba?"

"I was being sarcastic!"

"And wala ka namang boyfriend right now—"

"Meron," Jiya hears from the closet.

Addie continues, "—So what's the problem?"

"Ang problema is ayaw ko," Jiya snaps. "Sabihin mo hindi ako g."

"Ah, sige, si Anton na lang," Van says. "Sweet 'yon sa 'yo."

"Pwede rin si Inggo, baka you can make him commit," Addie says, wagging her eyebrows. Then she laughs. "Wait, iniisip ko si Migo and you but sobrang absurd kasi you can't stand him."

Jiya winces and pushes them out the door. "Thanks sa bisita, guys, love you both. Bye."

Pagkaalis nila, Jiya sighs, bites her lip and opens the closet door.

Migo's eyes are narrowed, glaring at her.

Jiya pulls him up and drags him to the bed. Sunod naman si Migo. "Sorry," she whispers, hugging him. "Sorry, are you mad? Don't be mad."

He sighs and hugs her back, and Jiya's body sags in relief. "I'm not mad."

Jiya feels guilty. She wraps her legs around his torso and brings him down on the bed, laying him on his back. Jiya curls her body around his and buries her head on his neck, kissing his skin. "Sorry," she whispers again, squeezing him to her. "Promise I'll try to tell them soon."

"I don't get it, Valle," he whispers, hands on her waist, "kinakahiya mo ba 'ko?"

Jiya's eyes widen. "No! No, no, no—I promise. Hindi ko lang..." she sighs, threading her fingers in his hair, "Grabe naman 'to. Kahiya agad? 'Di ba pwedeng ayaw muna kita i-share?"

"Valle, sa 'yo lang ako. Sa 'yong sa 'yo."

"Putangina!" Jiya covers her ears and rolls off him, hiding in the blankets. "Ang corny! Wait, kinikilig ako, diyan ka muna, 'wag ka gumalaw—sabing 'wag gumalaw!"

Migo tugs the blankets off her, laughing. "Ang cute mo, tangina ka."

She swallows thickly and looks at him. "Totoo ba?"

He nods, grinning. "Oo. Kaya ipagsabi na natin sa lahat 'pag kaya mo na." Migo's hand reaches out to touch her cheek, and his thumbs brush her skin. "Isa pang reto ni Addie sa 'yo sa iba, magwawala na ako."

It makes her laugh. "Seloso ka talaga."

Pero hindi lang si Migo—si Jiya rin.

"Car daw ni Migs," Cas says, papunta silang Gonzaga. "He's parked here lang."

They're going to Charlie's Grind and Grill for unli burgers sa Kapitolyo after class. It's Cas, Addie, Jiya, and Anton lang. Susunod daw 'yong iba later sa car naman ni Isco.

Hindi siya sinundo ni Migo kaninang umaga kasi may pupuntahan raw siya during the morning na wala siyang class, so ngayon lang sila magkikita ulit. She's wearing his cap on her head, the rim facing backward, a sleeveless crop top in white and cargo pants. Labas ang tiyan niya, pero wala namang siyang pake.

Cas takes the passenger seat while Addie goes in sa backseat first. Bago pa pumasok si Jiya, Anton grabs her wrist and smiles. "Ako na mauna, I know you stick to the window when Migo's driving."

Internally, she flinches. Tama nga naman siya.

He squeezes in the middle and Jiya goes in last. In the rearview mirror, Migo catches her eye and he winks.

She rolls her own and looks away bago sila mapansin.

"Gago talaga 'to," Cas laughs, holding up his hand. "Sino pinuntahan mo kaninang morning? May naiwan pa na lipstick!"

Jiya freezes. Migo snatches the lipstick in his hand and says, "I went to get the aircon fixed, bobo. 'Tsaka nagpasakay lang si Tiff papasok ng school kasi late na siya."

"So hinatid mo tapos ano ginawa n'yo dito sa car—hoy, madumi ba 'tong inuupuan ko, bro?"

Anton laughs loudly. "Migs! Action so early in the morning? Tagal ka nang gusto n'on ah—"

"Hindi nga!" Migo nearly shouts, tossing the lipstick in his glove compartment. "Naiwan lang niya, babalik ko sa kanya. Okay na? Alis na tayo, pwede?"

Jiya pushes her tongue inside her cheek and crosses her arms, looking out the window.

Addie whistles. "Good for you, Migo."

"Shut up."

Cas smacks him sa shoulder.

"Sorry, Ads," Migo mutters, pulling out of his parking space. "Tara na nga."

Sa restaurant, Jiya eats three whole burgers, eating away her irritation, while the rest of her friends talk and laugh. Si Anton na kaharap niya, watches her with a smile, and leans forward to swipe the sauce off the corner of her lips with his thumb. "Slow down, Jiya," he laughs.

"Gutom na gutom," Cas jokes. "She's not talking anymore, e."

Jiya feels Migo's eyes on her, but she doesn't look at him. Manigas si gago kakatitig sa kanya.

Her annoyance stays with her until he parks in front of her house and tells her he's outside.

"Hi—"

She slams the door of the passenger side and opens his glove compartment, then tosses a couple of her things inside—ballpen, concealer, lip gloss. "Asan na?"

"Nabalik ko na," he mutters meekly, rubbing the nape of his neck. "Naiwan nga lang niya talaga dito."

Jiya scoffs and slams it closed, twisting around her torso to glare at him. Migo clears his throat and backs up. "So gusto ka niya tapos sinakay mo dito sa car mo tapos naiwan niya lang lipstick niya? Coincidentally?"

"Yes."

"Wala siyang Grab app?" Jiya snaps, inis na inis. "'Di siya marunong mag-tric? Bakit she called you pa? Iniwan niya 'yon on purpose!"

Migo's silent.

Jiya raises her eyebrow, jaw tightening. "What?"

"Akala ko ba ayaw mo sa masyadong selos," he says, lips curling upward, raising his eyebrow.

"She likes you," Jiya snaps. "And ayokong nagsasakay ka ng iba dito."

"Okay, ikaw lang sasakay sa 'kin."

"Dapat naman talaga." She huffs and crosses her arms over her chest. "Tangina, ah. Isa pa lang si Tiff na 'yon. Meron pang si Hannah, si Irish, si Alexie, mga blockmates and orgmates mo—actually, batchmates natin na lahat may gusto sa 'yo. Ang dami kong kalaban ah, gwapo ka?! Bwiset."

Migo's laugh is endearingly cute and loud. "Valle! Puso ko, wait lang."

She glares at him. "Kailangan na natin ipagsabi. 'Di ko 'to kaya."

He grins, eyes twinkling. "Feeling ko nga papatayin mo na 'ko kanina. Medyo nakakatakot ka."

"I was planning it," she admits, huffing. Then she glares at him and mutters, "Okay lang ako if friends mo sila. Kausapin, kasamahan, gano'n. Pero 'wag ka lang manundo or maghatid ng mga girls na gusto ka. Even though I trust you, naiilang ako. Nainis na nga ako no'ng sumakay dito si Rose, e."

"Okay," Migo relents, nodding and smiling. He reaches over and puts his hand on her thigh, squeezing it. "Okay, don't be masungit na, I got it." His other hand flicks his cap on her head. "Cute naman nito, who gave you this?"

Jiya clenches her jaw and mutters, "Si Anton."

Migo lets go of her thigh and grits his teeth. "Ah sige, puntahan ko na si Tasha—"

Jiya grabs his hand and glares at him. "Bawal rin si Tasha dito. Mga exes and ex-flings."

He purses his lips and interlaces their fingers. "E 'di bawal ka sumakay sa car ni Anton."

"Fine," she mutters. "Fine."

"Okay, we're good." Migo brings her hand to his lips and kisses her knuckles. "Cute mo, tangina. You want food?"

So selosa nga rin si Jiya kahit hindi niya aminin. Last year pa. And ganito rin malalaman ng friends nila na sila.

On another Friday night sa bahay ni Cas kung saan sila dapat magchi-chillnuman, nag-invite sila Inggo ng mga blockmates and ibang batchmates nila. The house is full of people with red cups and bottles, and Jiya sticks with Van sa may couch sa loob kasi kasama ni Addie sa Cas sa may poolside, and the other boys are busy playing King's Cup.

Jiya shakes her Smirnoff and looks at her friend. Nakasimangot siya buong gabi, watching Isco talk with a girl outside.

"Puntahan mo na kase," Jiya says, rolling her eyes. "Stake your claim. Maiinis ka lang if you just watch."

"'Di ako naiiinis," Van denies, swinging her leg over Jiya's knees. "Whatever. He'll find me later to dance with me naman."

In her pocket, Jiya's phone buzzes. She takes it out with one hand while sipping her beer and reads her message.

Pogi: hot mo tangina

Jiya bites her lip, mouth curling up into a smile. Tonight, knowing na magkikita sila, she opted for a lace pink bralette with short shorts, and may checkered polo with rolled-up sleeves na nakapatong. She's also wearing the lipstick Migo bought for her.

On the other side of the room, she catches her boyfriend's eye, leaning back against his chair, legs spread, eyes twinkling. He winks at her and chugs his beer.

Naka-white shirt lang si Migo and jeans, a ball cap on his head. She types her reply.

you like? :)

He looks down at his phone and smiles, then types his reply with one hand.

Pogi: sobra. layuan mo si buenca kanina pa
nakatitig sayo.

Van bumps her shoulder, startling her, and she locks her phone to black its screen. "Labas tayong pool."

Jiya lets herself be dragged by her friend, cheeks heating when she sees Migo's eyes follow her.

"Oy, ikaw na!" Inggo shouts, pushing Migo. He blinks and leans forward to spin the bottle. Tapos na pala sila sa King's Cup.

"Uy!" Isco grabs Wendy's hand and leads her to Van and Jiya. "Wendy, si Grinch," he says, pointing to Jiya, "and si Van Andres. Friends ko. Grinch, Van, this is Wendy, my orgmate."

"Susuntukin kita," Jiya tells Isco, but nonetheless tips her chin at the girl. "'Sup, I'm Jiya."

"Hi," Van says tightly, narrowing her eyes, shaking her hand once. "So, uh, are you AB PSY rin?"

"Uy, careful," Inggo says from inside the room, pushing Migo. "Isa mo pang spin that lands in between Em and Hannah, you have to kiss them both."

Jiya's head twists around, clenching her jaw. The whole group is cheering and shouting a chorus of yies. Both Em and Hannah are smiling at Migo, who tilts his head to the side, wincing, and reaches again for the bottle.

"Jiya!" Anton puts his hand on her waist, smiling down at her. "You look great. Kamusta? You want another drink?"

"Hi," Jiya says, blinking, but she turns around again just in time for the bottle to land in between the two girls.

The cheers and claps are loud and deafening. All of them turn to the room at the commotion.

Inggo is pushing Migo out of his chair, while the two girls stand up. Migo is shaking his head, jaw tight, mouthing, "No, 'wag na, Inggo, ano ba—"

But everyone else don't hear him, and his friends say it's a rule of the game.

"Jiya?" Anton's voice says, concerned.

She doesn't hear him. Nang lapitan si Migo ng bitchesang Hannah na 'yon, ang laki ng ngiti, Jiya shoves her bottle in Van's hands and snaps, "Wait lang, tangina, hawakan mo 'to."

Without a second thought, she stalks over, shoves everyone out of her way, and pushes Migo's shoulder to face her when she reaches him.

"Valle," he says, blinking, eyes wide.

Jiya flips his cap around so the rim faces backward, grabs his face, and kisses him.

She barely hears everyone's howls and gasps of surprise and just registers Migo's grin on her lips, kissing her back as deeply, hands squeezing her bare skin around her waist.

She pulls back, then kisses him again, and then her friends' reactions go like this:

"Putangina!" Inggo shouts, laughing.

"Holy shit," Cas says sa tabi nila.

"Oh my God," Addie whispers.

"Oh," Anton says.

"Get it, Jiya!" Van yells.

"Sabi na e," Isco mutters.

"Way to tell them," Migo whispers, eyes twinkling with happiness.

Jiya grins at him and kisses him again—and again, and again—to shut him up.