Ang gabing iyon ay naging saksi sa tunay nilang nararamdaman. Ang init ng kanilang halik ay parang apoy na unti-unting lumalamon sa kanilang mga takot at alinlangan. Naramdaman ni Sheena ang marahang paghaplos ni Argon sa kanyang pisngi, tila sinisigurado nitong totoo ang lahat ng nangyayari. There's no rush and hesitation with their movements.

"Sheena," mahina ngunit puno ng damdamin ang boses ni Argon. "Hindi ko kayang itago pa. Mahal kita, higit pa sa inaakala ko. Gusto kong malaman mo 'yon."

Hindi sumagot si Sheena, ngunit ang ningning sa kanyang mga mata ay sapat na para iparating kung paano rin siya nadadala sa damdaming iyon. She simply leaned on Argon's shoulder, at hinayaan ang sarili niyang matunaw sa init ng yakap nito. Pakiramdam niya ay ligtas siya, parang sa unang pagkakataon ay wala nang anumang hadlang.

Sa pagitan ng mga halik at yakap, tila naging mas natural ang lahat para sa kanilang dalawa. Dahan-dahang bumagsak sa sahig ang polo shirt ni Argon habang marahang inabot ni Sheena ang leeg niya upang mas mapalapit pa ito sa kanya.

"Sheena..." muli niyang binigkas ang pangalan ng asawa, ngunit sa pagkakataong ito, ang boses niya ay puno na ng pagnanasa at pangako.

"Argon," sagot ni Sheena, habang ipinahinga ang noo sa dibdib nito. She could hear his heartbeat at that moment.

Sa gabing iyon, ang lamig ng hangin sa labas ng kanilang kwarto ay naging saksi sa mainit nilang pagsasama. Ang bawat galaw, bawat halik, ay parang sinadya upang burahin ang mga alaala ng kanilang mga nakaraan, kasama na lahat ng pagdududa, at takot. All that matters right now is their love for each other.

Ang mga halik ni Argon ay unti-unting bumaba mula sa noo ni Sheena patungo sa mga labi, pababa sa leeg nito. His eyes glistened when he carefully removed her shirt, exposing her curves.

"Sheena, I will never hurt you," bulong nito sa masuyong paraan

"I know," tugon ni Sheena, habang mas mahigpit pa siyang kumapit kay Argon. Ipagpapatuloy na sana nila ang nasimulan ngunit may kung anong bahagi ng isip ni Argon ang nag-udyok sa kanya para maging hesitant sa nangyayari.

"I think this isn't right." Dumistansya si Argon at halos masampal niya ang sarili dahil doon. "I think I violated our agreement. Hindi lang din pala agreement ang na-violate ko."

"I was the first one who made the move," pagtatama ni Sheena.

Her words lingered in the air, hanging like a fragile thread that could either snap or strengthen their connection. Argon stared at her, with a whirlwind of conflicting and combined emotions—desire, guilt, love, and a fear, all that he couldn't name.

"Sheena," mahina niyang sambit, habang pilit na inaayos ang kanyang paghinga. "This isn't about the agreement anymore. It's about us. Kung may mangyayari sa atin ngayong gabi, I want to make sure it's not because of the alcohol or the moment. Gusto kong sigurado ka."

Sheena moved closer, her gaze steady despite the faint flush on her cheeks. Her fingers brushed against Argon's chest, sending a jolt through his body. "Argon, do you think I'd let this happen if I wasn't sure? Ikaw? Kaya mo bang tanggapin na maaaring magbago ang lahat mula sa gabing ito?"

He swallowed hard. The weight of her words pressed on him like a tide rising too fast. Slowly, he cupped her face, his thumb tracing her cheekbone. "I don't want you to wake up tomorrow regretting this."

"Regret?" Sheena tilted her head, her eyes softening. "How could I regret this, Argon? You're not just my husband on paper—you're the only one who makes me feel this way. Safe. Seen. Loved."

The word hung in the air between them. Loved.

His resolve crumbled like sand under a strong wave. With a sharp exhale, he pulled her into his arms, his lips finding hers once more. This time, there was no hesitation. The kiss was slow and deep, speaking volumes of what they both had long kept hidden.

Argon paused for a moment, searching for something. Inside the drawer of the bedside table, he found condoms. He let out a deep sigh, his face showing a hint of embarrassment, and glanced at Sheena.

"We'll need this," he said. "Turn away for a bit. Nahihiya ako."

Tumawa ulit si Sheena, pero bumigay rin siya sa kahilingan nito at tumingin na lang palayo. She will see it later, so there's no need for her to be curious about what it looks like. And it doesn't matter. It's her first time to get intimate with a man; maswerte na lang siya dahil maiaalay niya ang 'first' niya sa taong pinakamamahal niya ngayon. Old-fashioned as it might seem, she appreciated the idea of saving intimacy for marriage. Gayunpaman, wala siyang hinuhusgahan sa mga pumipili ng ibang landas. Magkakaiba naman kasi ang dynamics ng mga tao when it comes to love.

"Pero 'wag ka nang masyadong kabahan," nasabi niya kahit siya ang mas kinakabahan sa sandaling iyon.

He paused briefly after putting on the required protection. He looked into her eyes as though seeking final confirmation.

"I'll never take you for granted, Sheena," he whispered. "This isn't just about tonight. This is about every day after."

"And I want that, Argon," she replied, her voice barely audible but firm. "Every day, with you."

The night unfolded like a symphony, a harmonious blend of passion and emotion, of unspoken promises and tender confessions.

"That hurts—a bit." A loud yet soft grunt from Sheena made Argon halt.

"I'm sorry," he whispered and held her hands for a while. "Nakalimutan ko."

Huminga nang malalim si Sheena at dahan-dahang bumukas ang mga mata niya upang salubungin ang nag-aalalang tingin ni Argon. Ang pagpapalitan nila ng tingin ay mas nagpaalab lamang ng kakaibang kiliti sa kanilang mga puso.

"Okay lang," mahinang sabi ni Sheena, puno ng encouragement ang boses niya kahit na may kaunting tensyon sa kanyang mukha.

The discomfort eased even more, replaced by a growing pleasure of connection between them. Sheena reached up, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw, her touch filled with affection.

"You're doing fine," she whispered, her voice carrying both reassurance and gratitude.

Tumango si Argon, ang mga kilay niya ay nakataas na parang tinitiyak na ang bawat galaw ay maingat at may malasakit. He brushed a strand of hair from her face; his touch was light and calming. "If it's too much, just tell me."

"I will." Her tone remained steady despite her vulnerability in the moment.

As they lay together afterward, moving closer while tangled in the sheets and each other's arms, a newfound sense of peace settled over them.

Sheena traced small circles on Argon's chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

"I think... I'm falling for you, Argon," she admitted softly, her cheeks flushing. They were about to finish, but it's not over for them. They want more.

Argon chuckled lightly, kissing the top of her head then down to her lips before saying, "Ako rin, I've already fallen—hard."

Tahimik silang nagtawanan, ang tunog ng kanilang halakhak at malakas na halinghing ay nagsanib pagkatapos ng espesyal na kaganapan. For the first time in a long while, both of them felt that they were exactly where they were meant to be.

At sa gabing iyon, hindi lamang pisikal ang naging konektado sa kanilang dalawa, kundi pati na rin ang kanilang mga puso at kaluluwa. Despite their agreement to pretend, love awakened like a long-hidden secret—and tonight they could no longer hide it.