[DIALOGUE]

< EVIE'S RESIDENCE. MORNING. >

Jachin hasn't even parked but he could already see Evie outside her house, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

Her eyes sparkled when she saw his car approaching.

He parked as fast as he could.

Jachin
Ba't nasa labas ka na agad?

Instead of answering, agad itong tumakbo sa kanya, wearing her slippers and an oversized pink hoodie.

She wrapped her arms around him a tight, warm, and meaningful hug.

Evie
You're here. . .

Jachin rested his chin on top of her head, embracing her with the same affection he could no longer hide.

Jachin
Sabi sa 'yo pupunta ako.

Jachin
May gusto akong marinig. . .

Evie buried her face even more on Jachin's chest.

Evie
(incoherent)

Jachin
Ha?

Evie
(incoherent) . . . you.

Jachin smiles.

Jachin
'Di ko marinig. Pwedeng isa pa?

Inangat ni Evie ang mukha niya para tignan si Jachin.

Evie
I said. . . uhm, I like you.

Jachin's smile widens even more.

Jachin
I like you too.

He reached for Evie's face to softly caress her cheek.

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa mga labi nito.

Evie's eyes widened and she immediately covered her lips with her hand.

Evie
No, I just ate something with garlic!

Napahagalpak ng tawa si Jachin.

Jachin
Tinignan ko lang naman. 'Di naman kita hahalikan.

Napalabi ito and Jachin resisted the urge to squeeze her cheeks.

Jachin
At least not yet.

Evie felt all her blood come up to her cheeks.

She lightly slapped his chest.

Evie
Jachin!

Jachin
What? At least may warning ka na ngayon.

Jachin
You'd know when I'm angling for a kiss. . . like this.

Jachin angled his head closer to Evie, their breaths mingling with each other.

Evie could feel the fast beating of his heart beneath her hand that mirrored hers.

Jachin
And you'd know when I would kiss you.

Jachin placed both his thumbs on her lips, and then bent his head to place a soft a kiss on it.

Evie couldn't help but close her eyes even if it wasn't a real kiss.

Because it felt like a real one.

It lingered.

It stayed.

It left a mark.

Jachin
That kind of warning.

Evie
I—I think I get it na.

Ngumiti si Jachin at ibinalik ang yakap niya kay Evie.

Jachin
You feel so soft.

Evie
(laughs) It's my hoodie that's soft. Favorite ko 'to.

Umiling si Jachin.

Jachin
No, ikaw mismo. Sobrang sarap ng yakap mo.

Jachin
Baka masanay ako.

Kumalas sa yakap si Evie, but kept her arms around his waist.

Evie
Then I'll always hug you. I'll hug you 'pag masaya ka. I'll hug you 'pag excited ka. I'll hug you 'pag kailangan mo.

Jachin
Tayo.

Evie
Hmm?

Jachin
'Pag masaya tayo. Gusto ko kasama ka.

Jachin
Gusto ko masaya tayo. Not just me, Evie.

Evie slowly nodded.

Evie
Okay. Tayo.

Jachin
It's your birthday tomorrow. May plano ka?

Evie
Wala naman. I don't really plan anything for my birthday. Minsan kumakain lang sa labas with Mimi.

Jachin
Too bad for you, ako meron.

Napangisi ito nang manlaki ang mata ni Evie.

Evie
What?! Anong plano mo?

Jachin
Clear mo lang sched mo bukas ng hapon hanggang gabi.

Kakalas na sana si Jachin sa yakap nang hapitin siya ulit ni Evie. She clung to his shirt like a koala.

Evie
Okay, but what did you plan?

Her big round eyes stared at him with both wonder and worry, and maybe even excitement.

But mostly worry.

Jachin
'Wag kang mag-alala, hindi kita itatanan. May pupuntahan lang tayo tapos kakain at may activity.

Jachin
Sorry pala. . .  sorry kasi 'di naman sobrang garbo.

Evie's eyes darkened with annoyance.

Evie
Don't say that!

Jachin
Simpleng tao lang ako.

Evie
Hindi kita bati if you say that again.

Yumapos si Jachin sa kanya, letting his head rest on the space between her neck and shoulders.

He'd like to think it has become his new version of comfort.

Jachin
Okay, sige na. 'Di na po sasabihin ulit. Basta bukas, may pupuntahan tayo. Dress comfortably. Tapos kung gusto mo magbaon ka rin snacks kasi medyo malayo ang byahe.

Evie
Really? Saan ba kasi? Tell me!

Jachin
'Di pwede. Ano pang silbi ng surprise? Kulit mo, meow meow.

Jachin untangled himself from Evie but she wouldn't let it rest. She tugged the hem of his shirt.

Evie
But what if I can't do it? Iyong activity?

Jachin
Kaya mo 'yon. Pareho nating gagawin.

Evie narrowed her eyes at him.

Evie
Baka illegal 'yan?

Jachin
Huy, 'di ako gano'n ah! Promise, masaya nga 'yon. . . yata?

Evie
Bub!

Evie froze. And so did Jachin. Evie covered her mouth.

Jachin
Ha? Ano 'yon?

Jachin couldn't stop himself from smiling.

Evie
W-Wala!

Jachin
Anong tinawag mo sa 'kin?

Evie
Nothing! Guni guni mo lang.

Jachin
Evie. Can you say it again. . . please?

Evie quickly shook her head that she feared she broke her neck.

Jachin took a step towards her to reach for her hand.

Jachin
Please?

Evie
Bub.

Jachin squeezed his eyes shut, a smile lingering on his lips.

Jachin
Yes, bub?

Evie
Nooooo. It sounds. . . nice kapag ikaw.

Jachin
Bub?

Evie
Hmm?

Jachin
So that's our endearment? I like that. I really do.

Despite being shy, Evie nodded.

She'd been calling Jachin that in her head for far longer.

And yet, it was different to say it loud.

It felt like a finality.

It felt like a boundary that's been crossed.

Evie
Okay, bub.

* * *

#ATSWHIwp