"AHA!" Jiya yells, smugly pointing at the scoreboard. "Loser ka pala e!"

Cole pushes her out of the way and drops two more tokens in the basketball machine. "Isa pa."

"Madaya ka, tangina mo!" Jiya laughs, pushing him. "Kanina mo pa sinasabi na isa pa!"

"Isa pa nga, 'wag kang maingay. Nakakahiya, I'm the athlete."

Jiya rolls her eyes and sticks her tongue out at him.

Pagtapos nila do'n (natalo naman si Jiya this time), nag-air hockey sila, tapos ayaw ring tanggapin ni Cole na talo siya, tapos naglaro sila sa may mga guns and ang ingay nila kasi pota, namamatay sila dito, tapos nag-Dance Dance Revolution din sila and magaling pala si Cole sumayaw. Slight.

Pagod, kumain sila after sa Pepper Lunch. Cole smiles at her pagbalik niya sa counter. "May tanong ako, Elorde."

"Ano." She gulps down the water, sweating. Naka-white shirt lang siya, cuffed jeans, and cap.

"Isn't your boyfriend mad na kasama mo 'ko?"

Jiya blinks.

Kaninang lunch, sabi niya, "Labas lang kami ni Cole."

"Sino 'yon?" Migo said.

"Si Cole! 'Yong naka-volleyball natin."

"Ah." He scoffed and put down his soda can forcibly on the table. The sound made Jiya wince. "The one who likes you."

"Fake news ka."

"The one who wants to fuck you."

Jiya's jaw dropped. "Migo!"

"Ako rin naman, pero ang difference sa 'min is ako, magagawa ko 'yon." He leaned over to kiss her. "Go, labas ka with him. Wala akong pake kasi alam kong akin ka."

She says, "Hindi siya galit and wala siyang karapatan magalit."

Cole grins, leaning forward on his elbows. "Hindi ako threat?"

"Hindi."

"Dapat oo."

Jiya grabs her bag.

"Sorry na, sorry na, hindi na, promise," Cole rushes to say, standing up to grab her wrist. "Shut up na 'ko."

Jiya makes a move to punch him. He lets go and flinches back in his seat. "Isa pa at uuwi na talaga ako. Alam ni Migo kaibigan lang kita, pero kapag may ginawa ka sa 'kin na hindi pang-kaibigan lang at hinayaan ko, I'm disrespecting him. Okay?"

Cole watches her talk, staring at her face, and then he says, "Okay."

"Good." She glares at him again.

After nilang kumain (Cole keeps to his promise, wala nang flirty remarks), Migo tells her that he, Inggo, and Cas are outside Mercato na. Magg-grocery shopping sila for the condo and si Cas naman for Addie.

"Mercato ako."

"Hatid kita," Cole says, walking beside her.

It's ridiculous how her stomach fills with butterflies nang makita niya si Migo kasi kakikita lang nila sa isa't isa a few hours ago. It's ridiculous how her face brightens, her smile grows wider, her heart soars to her throat.

Tangina naman.

Cas sees her first and gives her a salute. "Uy, Ji."

Jiya stalks up to Migo before he turns around, and she cups his face, tiptoes, and kisses him on the lips.

She feels his surprise against her mouth but he kisses her back anyway, hand sliding to her back.

Jiya pulls away. "Hi," she murmurs.

"Hi," he whispers back, smile so impossibly wide it reaches his ears.

"Kadiri, 'nyeta," Cas says somewhere behind him.

"Bro, wala 'yan," Inggo tells him.

Migo's eyes go above her head, and he smiles, slinging an arm around her neck. "Cole."

"Migo," sabi ng kaibigan niya with a tight smile. To Jiya, he says, "See you around, Elorde."

She gives him a fist bump before he leaves.

"Akin na akin ka nga." Ngiting tagumpay si gago.

Jiya rolls her eyes and interlaces their fingers together, stepping inside the grocery store. Nakasunod naman si Cas and Inggo.

They get a lot of food and sumasakay si Inggo sa cart habang tinutulak ni Cas, tapos si Migo naman hinila siya sa mga toiletries.

He gets a purple toothbrush and three tubes of toothpaste. Jiya raises an eyebrow. "Sira na toothbrush mo?"

"Para sa 'yo 'to," Migo casually answers, tossing them in the cart. "You have a key nga pero wala ka namang gamit."

Jiya stares at him.

"Shampoo, conditioner. Okay lang 'to? Wala akong alam sa mga nilalagay sa mga buhok n'yo."

Dove and Cream Silk. Jiya nods slowly. He tosses them in the cart.

"Um, pads?" Migo rubs the nape of his neck. "Actually, I was meaning to ask—ano ginagamit mong brand? Kailangan ko mag-stock up."

Jiya grips the handle of the cart. "Um, Modess. Day and overnight. With wings."

He tosses them in the cart. "Ano pa?"

"Migo."

"Shaver and deodorant?" he asks, nose scrunching when he looks at her. "Uy! Kuha na rin kaya akong makeup remover?"

"Migo, ano ginagawa mo?"

Her boyfriend looks at her and blinks. "I'm buying your stuff para sa condo."

"Oo nga," she answers in frustration, gritting her teeth. "Pero bakit? E bahay mo 'yan with Inggo and I—"

"I love you," he says, staring at her eyes. "I love you and I want your stuff in my condo. You know you rarely leave your shit around?"

Jiya stops breathing.

"You never forget anything," Migo says, scanning the aisles, tossing a makeup remover in the cart. "You never leave a trace of you—walang lipstick, walang charger, walang damit, wala. Parang hindi ka palaging nando'n and it annoys the shit out of me, kaya gusto ko nando'n gamit mo."

Migo said it like it's ordinary. Like it's normal for him to love her, like it's been a truth universally acknowledged for a long time—grass is green, sky is blue, Migo loves Jiya.

"Para na rin hindi ka nagpa-pack 'pag aalis ka na, nakakainis kapag nagpa-pack ka, parang 'di ka na babalik," Migo continues, squatting. "Lotion, Valle? Ano gamit mo?"

"Migo," she whispers, bottom lip trembling.

"'Wag kang iiyak, maiiyak din ako," he snaps, not looking at her. "Lotion?"

"Um, Nivea."

He tosses that in the cart and pushes it. "Tara."

They're silent when Cas and Inggo find them, snacks in their hands. They're silent when they pay for the groceries, and when Migo pays for all the stuff—Jiya's stuff, and she feels her chest tighten and hurt, and when they're in the car.

Hinatid nila si Cas sa Blue kasi tinatamad siyang maglakad bitbit lahat ng groceries. Pagbalik nila sa condo, dumiretso si Inggo sa kitchen para ayusin 'yong mga kailangan i-ref, tapos si Migo naman dumiretso sa banyo.

Jiya follows him. May space na sa side ng cabinet niya, and pinanood siya ni Jiya na do'n ilagay 'yong mga pads, lotion, deodorant and shaver. Tapos pumasok si Migo sa shower para doon ilagay ang shampoo and conditioner. Sa toothbrush holder niya nilagay 'yong purple toothbrush niyang bago.

Migo faces her and exhales deeply. "That's...better."

Slowly, she wraps her arms around his neck and hugs him tight.

"Pasensiya ka na, Valle," Migo says. "Sana mapatawad mo 'ko. Dinamay na kita sa mga plano ko sa buhay, hindi ka na pwede umalis."

Jiya fists her hands in his shirt.

"I want your love," Migo whispers, breath staggering, and Jiya feels his chest vibrate with every word, every syllable, every consonant and vowel and he's asking her to love him—like she hasn't yet. "I need it. I am starved of it, I am helpless for it."

Jiya shuts her eyes.

Migo turns his head to the side and kisses her temple. "You make me helpless, Jiya Valle."

She takes in a shaky breath. Then she whispers, "Migo..."

"Sagutin mo 'ko kapag sigurado ka na," he murmurs, smoothing his hand down her hair. "Kapag mapaubaya mo na ang puso mo sa 'kin. Aalagaan ko, Valle, I promise."

Jiya swallows thickly and nods. "Okay. Aalagaan ko rin yung sa 'yo. I promise."

She hears Migo's smile when he whispers, "Okay."

*

Nag-aaral si Jiya with Addie, Isco, and Van sa Discord when her mom knocks. "Jiya?"

"Wait lang, guys," she tells her friends, mutes herself, and turns off the camera before she opens the door.

Hillary is in her pajamas. Maaga siyang nakauwi kanina after a court hearing, she ate dinner with Jiya, and now she's going to sleep.

Ang dami niyang wrinkles and her eye bags are dark and heavy.

"Yes, Mommy?"

"May I come in?"

Jiya frowns but moves aside.

Her mom sits down on her bed. Doon lang napansin ni Jiya na may hawak siyang papers.

Jiya hears her pulse hammering.

"So," Hillary starts, pursing her lips. "Wala kaming grounds for annulment ng tatay mo, so we're going for legal separation. We have the papers and your dad already signed them."

She expected it, pero bakit napakirot 'yong puso niya?

"Okay," she mutters.

"Before I sign them, I wanted to talk to you."

Ano naman ang magagawa ng pakikipag-usap sa kanya?

Jiya fiddles with her fingers behind her back. "About?"

Hillary stares at her, a worried expression crossing her face, and she says, "This was not what I imagined when I married Gerard, Jiya. It's not what I want, but please know that we tried very hard to make it work."

They did. Noong bata si Jiya, masaya naman sila. Hindi nga lang niya alam when things started to go south, when they started bedding other people, when they started coming home drunk and not coming home at all, when they prolonged their trips abroad just so they didn't have to come home.

"I understand," sabi ni Jiya. "Gaano po katagal 'yong processing?"

Hillary searches her face, as if expecting a different reaction, but she answers, "The case can only proceed to trial after six months. Six months to take steps towards reconciliation."

And wala silang balak for that. Jiya nods once. "Okay. Who's moving out and who do I live with?"

Her mom purses her lips. "Your dad is, but we will both agree on a custody agreement and develop an acceptable visitation schedule between you and the non-custodial parent. For now, we both think pwede ang free access with no fixed schedule, so you can see him whenever you want and vice versa."

"That works," Jiya says.

She nods once. "Okay. That's it."

Jiya steps aside. "Goodnight po."

Her mom leaves her room and closes the door quietly.

She unmutes herself sa Discord and says, "Sorry, game."

Wala pang ten minutes after she continues studying, she hears the front gate shut close. Makikipagkita siguro mom niya sa lalaki niya right now.

Biting her lip, she leans back against her chair and picks up her phone.

soooooo...my mom went out
and wala si papa.

Migo reads that and replies instantly.

Pogi: sooooo ano gusto mo gawin ko
princess :)

The corner of her lips lifts into a smile.

sleep over? sabay na tayong
pumasok tomorrow?

His three dots are dancing the instant she sends that.

Pogi: omw

"Oy!" Van calls out. "Focus!"

"Nagse-sext siguro sila ni Migo," Isco comments, not looking up from his reading.

"Shh," Addie scolds him, typing.

Jiya rolls her eyes, focusing back on her homework, and tries not to look out the window para abangan si Migo.

When she hears his car outside, she jumps out of her seat. "Wait lang." Then she runs downstairs.

Manang is watching TV on the sofa with her hand in a bag of chips. "Anak, sorry, parang ang sarap kasi—"

"'Nang, ano ka ba, alam mo naman pwede ka kumain ng kahit ano dito," she tells her flatly, and then she bites her lip. "Tulog po dito si Migo, please don't tell sila Mom na lang."

"Basta safe kayo, wala akong alam diyan," Manang says, wagging her eyebrows.

Jiya blows her a kiss and steps out the front door. "Thank you!"

Migo has KFC in his hands. He locks his car doors and grins at her. "Dinner?"

"Yes please." She brushes her thumbs on his jaw and gives him a quick kiss. Jiya feels his smile in her mouth. "Missed you," she breathes.

Busy sila pareho these past few days kasi midterms. Ngayon lang sila ulit magkaka-alone time.

"Sino ka at ano ginawa mo sa girlfriend ko?"

She rolls her eyes and takes the food from him. "E 'di 'wag."

"Joke lang," he murmurs, eyes glinting, tipping her chin up to kiss her again quickly. "Go inside, may dala rin ako for Manang so we can all eat together. Kunin ko lang gamit ko."

She and Manang prepare the table, tapos pagkapasok ni Migo, he kisses Manang on the cheek. "Alam mo, 'Nang, parang bumabata ka every time I see you."

"Mambobola," Manang tells him, smacking his shoulder. "Salamat sa pagkain, anak. Kain tayo."

"Opo, akyat ko lang po 'to."

Jiya follows him up the stairs, cheeks hurting from smiling. She loves how close her boyfriend and Manang are.

"Wala ka namang pake kahit hindi ako naka-bra, 'di ba?"

"Wala, pero mate-tempt akong hawakan 'pag nakita ko 'yong twins. Magsuot ka muna."

"Mga gago!" Isco's voice suddenly shouts from Jiya's computer. "Hindi kayo naka-mute, puta, kadiri!"

"Hi, Migs!" Addie squeals, waving.

Van gives him a salute. "Lucky night?"

Jiya closes her eyes, massaging her forehead. Sa excitement niyang makita si Migo, nakalimutan niyang mag-disconnect sa call.

"Uy!" Migo comes close to the camera and waves, grinning. "Sorry guys, steal ko muna si Valle."

"Yuck," Isco says.

"Go, steal away!" Addie waves her off. "See you guys tomorrow!"

"Yuck mo mukha mo!" Jiya snaps to Isco. "Bye." She disconnects from the call and walks to her closet to get a bra. She raises her shirt and rounds her hands to her back, where the strap is. "Pa-lock ako."

Migo dumps his bag on the floor next to the bed and stands behind her, fingers brushing her skin. Jiya shivers. He lets out a little chuckle. "Were you studying?"

"Mm. Ikaw?"

Migo locks her bra. "Mm."

Jiya puts on the straps under her sleeves while one of Migo's hands roams downwards, stroking her spine, down to the waistband of her shorts. The other goes to gently move her hair away from her shoulder, and he drops his head to press his lips to her jaw.

"Hinihintay tayo ni Manang," Jiya whispers under her breath.

Migo lets out a small laugh, hugging her around her waist. "Okay. Tara."

Habang kumakain, Migo takes the chance to ask Manang about Jiya's childhood. "Bully po ba siya? Parang bully e."

"Oo, nakikipag-away palagi 'yan," Manang says, dipping her fries into gravy. "Inaaway niya lahat ng gusto makipag-kaibigan sa kanya."

"Gusto lang nila crayons ko," Jiya defends herself, huffing and stabbing her chicken. "And my lunch."

Manang shakes her head. "Bossy rin. Matigas ulo."

"'Nang naman!"

Migo laughs. "Ano pa, 'Nang? May pictures ka?"

Wala nang nagawa si Jiya habang pinagtatawanan siya ni Migo and ni Manang sa mga pictures niyang panget ang haircut, mukha siyang dugyot, parang Bugs Bunny ang ngipin.

"Ang cute mo, potek," Migo mutters fondly with a smile, pulling out his phone to take a picture. "Pwede pa-scan?"

Jiya rolls her eyes and tosses a pillow in his direction.

Naghugas sila ni Migo ng dishes para makapagpahinga na si Manang. He bumps her shoulder while rinsing and says, "Manang has been with you since you were a kid pala talaga. She's in all of the pictures with you."

Jiya nods. "Siya 'yong naghahatid-sundo sa 'kin sa school, elementary pa lang. Naglalagay ng towel sa likod ko 'pag pawis ako, nagti-tie ng shoelaces ko. She's been taking care of me ever since."

Migo puts the plates in the dish rack. "And sila...Tito and Tita, they..."

"Were always working," she tells him with a smile. "But they were there naman. Mas kilala lang talaga ako ni Manang kasi siya ang nagpalaki sa 'kin."

Migo nods once. "She raised you well."

"Say that to her and she'll cry."

He laughs, nodding. "Yeah, I don't doubt it."

Jiya turns off the lights when they're done. Sa kwarto, since kailangan pa nila mag-aral, Migo studies on the bed, and Jiya stays seated at her desk.

But then he asks, "Valle, where did your mom go?"

Jiya shrugs, eyes on her photocopied readings. "Don't know."

He's silent for a moment before he asks again, "May...reason ba why you asked me to sleep over?"

Jiya furrows her eyebrows and looks at him. Migo blinks at her, waiting for her answer. "Ayaw mo?"

He gives her a flat look. "Hindi ko 'yon sinabi."

"Na-miss lang kita and gusto kitang makasama," she says, still frowning. "Why?"

Migo shakes his head once. "I just...baka lang meron."

Jiya sighs. When did Migo become so attune to her that he knows something is wrong?

Still, what she says is, "Frustrated lang ako."

"Sexually? 'Lika, ayusin ko."

She manages a small smile but she shakes her head. "Sa acads. Natatambakan na ako but I'm tired."

Partially true.

"Power nap?" Migo suggests, scooting over. "I have to finish studying for a quiz rin. Fifteen minutes then we go back to it."

Jiya drops her readings and stands up, crawling over the mattress to fit her body beside his. Migo's arms come around her and he swings his leg over hers, cuddling her to him. He exhales heavily and buries his head on her neck. "Mm. I missed you," he murmurs, his lips brushing her skin.

Jiya squeezes him. "Kamusta ka sa classes?"

"Study groups are helping," he mutters lazily. And then, as if remembering something, Migo raises his head to look at her, a scrunch in between his eyebrows. "I...I saw Luis kanina sa lib. Habang study group namin."

Jiya keeps her face blank.

Migo strokes his hand down her arm before he quietly asks, "Did you...did you love him?"

"No," Jiya answers. "Not at all. Not even close."

He exhales, swallowing thickly. He nods. "Okay."

Jiya bites her lip and cups his cheek, stroking her thumb on his skin. "Si Tasha?"

"No," Migo says, staring at her. "Not at all and not even close."

Jiya feels her chest grow lighter. She nods. "You...did she ever ask you to—you know."

"Yes," Migo answers. "Ilang beses. Naiinis na rin siya minsan 'pag umaayaw ako. It's why I broke up with her."

She sits up, her features drawing together. "Oh my God, Migo. Bakit hindi mo sinabi? Kaya pala you were—our fight—"

"Sorry," he mutters, bowing his head. "Kaya siguro I tried to force myself no'ng birthday mo...pero you're not Tasha, Valle. I know that. And I know that you respect me enough to wait."

Jiya nods, biting her lip. "I'm sorry I got mad."

"You had every right to be," he assures her with a smile. "Thank you for waiting."

Jiya buries her head on his chest. "Wait for me rin, Migo," she whispers, tracing the spot where his heart is, over his shirt. "Makakarating din ako do'n."

Hanggang sa masabi ko na mahal kita, mapaubaya ko na puso ko sa 'yo.

"Okay," Migo whispers, kissing her forehead.

Jiya falls asleep to the beats of his heart.

*

Kinabukasan, Migo and Jiya cook and eat breakfast together, get ready together (habang naglalagay ng makeup si Jiya nang nakaharap sa mirror, Migo presses his front to her backside while drying his hair, winking at her sa glass), and go to school together.

Binaba siya ni Migo sa Gonzaga. "I'll park and see you lunch."

Jiya shoulders her bag and kisses him quickly. "Text me where we'll meet."

"Okay, I love you."

Jiya's hand freezes on the handle, eyes wide as she stares at him.

Migo's lips slowly turn up to a grin. "Ano?"

She smacks him with her bag.

"Aray! Ano ginawa ko?!" he shouts, laughing.

"Miguel!"

"Scream my name, baby, yes."

Jiya shakes her head incredulously and opens the door.

"Bye, mahal kita!"

"Oh my God!" Jiya slams the door and runs away, cheeks and neck burning.

Nang makarating siya sa upuan niya, she has a text waiting for her.

Pogi: love you love you love you so
much

NAKAKAHIYA KA

Pogi: hehehehehehe love u :****

Jiya's cheeks hurt from smiling and she sinks into her seat, covering her face with her hands.

"Luh," Isco's voice says, knocking her head with his knuckles. "Kilig ka masyado, ah."

"Lumayo ka sa 'kin bago masira good mood ko."

"Opo," he says, sitting beside Addie.

Addie gives her a beso. "Natulog and nagising kasi with Migs," she sings, winking. "Cute n'yo, in fairness. He makes you so happy, nag-lessen na taray mo."

Jiya bites her lip and turns on her phone.

sabi nila ads u make me happy
daw.

Pogi: sabihin mo horny and happy, o
diba kilig and dilig sabi nga ni lola

Jiya laughs out loud.

*

On a Friday night, may plans mag-inuman and karaoke barkada nila.

Wala lang siya sa mood kasi kinausap siya ng tatay niya bago siya umalis ng bahay.

"So your mother talked to you," he said two hours ago, standing in the middle of her room. "She signed the petition already, we're filing it."

Jiya nodded. "Okay po, Pa."

Gerard pressed his lips into a thin line. "Jiya, you can live with me. I have the condo, I'm buying a house rin sa BGC, it's closer to work and—"

"Closer to your affair?" Jiya said quietly, raising an eyebrow.

Her dad didn't deny it. "My point is," he said with a bite to his tone, "you can train for the company already and you can stay with me. You'll have a room."

Sinabi niya 'yon na parang utang na loob pa ni Jiya na bigyan siya ng kwarto.

She took a deep breath. "I'll think about it, Papa."

He left without another word.

"Vodka," Jiya orders, pushing away her finished shot glass. "Penge isa pa."

"Uy, slow down!" Inggo tells her, frowning. "Kanina ka pa tuloy-tuloy, bro."

"Hayaan mo siya!" Van yells from the other side of the table, nakaupo kay Isco. She raises her glass. "Minsan lang 'yan mag-relax!"

Si Addie and Cas ang kumakanta right now, sobrang off-tune. Si Anton and Migo hahabol daw from an org meeting.

Inggo slides her a glass with a sigh. "Lagot ako kay Salas, pota. Next song, next song!"

Jiya ignores him and drinks, the alcohol burning her throat.

Habang nagkakantahan and nagtatawanan mga kaibigan niya, Jiya stares into space, swaying a bit. Nahihilo na siya nang slight and parang nasusuka, pero gusto pa niya uminom hanggang makalimutan niya mga sinabi ng tatay niya. Pati na rin ng nanay niya.

She downs another shot, and then she rests her head on the table, shutting her eyes.

Beside her on the couch, Isco puts an arm around her shoulders and shakes her. "Kaya mo pa, Grinch?"

Jiya nods, cheek on the dirty wood.

Without warning, her face crumples, and then there are tears running down her face.

"Oh, shit!" Isco shouts, standing up, putting his hand away like she suddenly burned him. "Hindi ako 'yan! Wala akong ginawa—!"

"Shut up," Jiya hisses, pulling his sleeve harshly, forcing him to sit back down. "Diyan ka muna."

She uses Isco's shoulder so she can cry, shielding her face from the rest of their friends. Kunyari nahihilo lang siya, ayaw niya rin sirain 'yong night nila.

Isco doesn't move. He sighs and leans down to look at her. "Oy, Thanos. Baket, ano ginawa ni Migo?"

"Walang ginawa si Migo," she mutters, sniffling, wiping her cheeks. "Quiet ka muna."

Isco shoots her a look na para bang nadidisgust siya and lets her use his shoulder. "Don't be sad, what the fuck. Ang panget mo."

"Nakakahawa kasi mukha mo."

Pagdating ni Anton and Migo, diretso siya kay Jiya with a kiss and a grin, taking off his jacket. "Hi, princess. Akin na next song! Tara, Buenca!"

Jiya pushes herself off Isco and grabs another drink, clinking glasses with her friends.

Bago sila umuwi, Jiya goes to the bathroom nang medyo maraming inihi. Pagharap niya sa mirror, mukha siyang lasing, pero waterproof naman makeup niya kaya hindi naman siya mukhang umiyak. She splashes water on her face to sober up a bit and runs her fingers through her hair. Then, taking a breath, she steps out.

Nagpaalam sila ni Migo sa mga kaibigan nila. Exhausted, she settles into the passenger seat of his car and slumps against the window. "Pagod na 'ko, shit."

"Nahihilo ka pa?" Migo asks softly, reaching out to tuck her hair behind her ear.

She makes a sound and closes her eyes. "No na."

Migo starts the car, but he doesn't reverse out of his parking space. Quietly, he says, "Marami ka yatang nainom."

"Mm."

Migo sighs. "Isco told me you cried and wouldn't tell me why. Hindi rin daw niya alam."

Traydor. Jiya clenches her jaw and opens her eyes.

Migo looks worried, torso facing her. "Don't get mad at him, he's worried about you. And I needed to know na you weren't feeling okay pala."

"No, you didn't," Jiya says. "I was feeling fine. I was just stressed."

Her boyfriend doesn't look convinced. He raises an eyebrow and looks at her flatly. "Habang nasa karaoke?"

"Can we just not talk about it, Migo, please? I'm tired," she mutters, turning around to face the window.

Migo only mutters, "Okay." And pulls out of his parking space, driving onto the main road.

Hindi namalayan ni Jiya na nakatulog na pala siya. She's only woken up by Migo's hands on her shoulders, leaning over her from the open passenger door. "Hey," he whispers, stroking her cheek. "Home na. Want me to carry you?"

Jiya shakes her head, squinting, and sits up. "No, my dad's home," she croaks out, head heavy and throat parched. She takes Migo's hand and steps out of the car, and he walks her to the gate.

She faces him and wraps her arms around his waist, hugging him and breathing in his scent. Migo hugs her back just as tightly. "Text me when you're home," she mutters in his shirt, squeezing him. "'Di ka naman uminom, 'di ba?"

Migo nods, dropping a kiss on her head. "I'll text you, baby. Pasok ka na."

Jiya leans up to kiss him. Migo kisses her back, tenderly cupping her face.

She pulls back and gives him a small smile. "Night."

"Goodnight." He catches her hand and kisses her knuckles before he steps back, smiling at her. "I love you."

Jiya watches him drive away without another word.