Roman dreamt of his girlfriend. In his dream, they were in a park filled with Sakura trees, conversing about whatever whilst people-watching. They were both older versions of themselves—Clara had dyed her red brown and her luscious locks now reached the middle of her back.

Dream Roman had lifted their clasped fingers to his lips, where he placed a delicate kiss on her ring finger adorned with a gorgeous diamond ring.

"Will you marry me?" He grinned.

Clara laughed, lightly tapping his cheek. "Ang tagal ko nang sinagot 'yong tanong na 'yan, ah."

He stretched his arms out to gather her into his arms.

The real Roman had stretched his arm out and came in contact with cool, smooth sheets. His dream dissolved, but what happened in the dream remained etched in his mind.

Roman slowly opened his eyes. He had expected Clara to be still beside him, but she wasn't and he immediately missed her warmth. The time on his phone read 5:31am. He woke up before his alarm rang. Bumangon na siya so he could freshen up and start preparing to leave.

They were going to Batangas for their Valentine's day celebration. Weekend getaway na rin nila.

Exiting the bathroom, Roman found her in the kitchen, dressed in nothing but his black shirt that reached a few inches just above her knees, leaving little to imagination. His throat was suddenly and evidently dry, and it had nothing to do with him just waking up.

Clara's back was to him as she chopped up some onions and tomatoes. Walking over to her, he slowly slipped his arms around her waist and pressed a kiss to her temple.

"Ang aga mo naman bumangon." Sambit niya. Bihira siyang maunahan ni Clara sa paggising. His girlfriend was not a morning person.

Clara puts down the knife as she leaned back into him. "I set an alarm. Himala nga na I didn't press snooze, eh." She laughed. "Morning, Xav. Happy Valentine's Day."

"Morning. Happy Valentine's Day, Josie." Cupping her chin, Roman kissed her lips, slowly at first, until Clara had captured his bottom lip between her teeth and glided her tongue alongside it before releasing him with a soft tug.

Fuck.

Roman's resolve grew thinner and thinner by the second.

Grasping her waist and turning her around so she was facing him, he claimed her lips once more, seeking entrance. He groaned when she opened up for him, pressing her body against his in the process.

Clara's wrists settled on top of his shoulders, but she wasn't holding onto him. Like usual. Like he wanted her to do.

"Why aren't you touching me?" Roman asked, out of breath, curious and practically desperate.

Suddenly, she giggled. "Xav, I was cutting onions. I don't want to get the smell on you."

Okay lang. Ila-laundry ko naman 'yong damit ko. Maliligo pa naman ako.

"Right." He said instead and took a step back, but not before giving her one last kiss. He just couldn't get enough of her. Her taste. Her laugh. Her smile. Her caring nature. Lahat na.

Mamaya na lang ulit. Babyahe pa sila. Ayaw naman nila sumabay sa nakakaumay na traffic.

"Later, Xav." She smiled. Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

Roman raised a brow. "You know I'm going to collect, right?"

"Hmm."

He smirked. "What can I do to help?"

"Whisk the eggs, please."

They prepared breakfast side-by-side. He got used to this a long time ago, always wishing that this was something that would go on for a long time.

-//-

After breakfast, Roman walked Hazel and Loki to the small park so they could run around for a bit and do their business. As usual, he brought wipes and plastic with him. Kasama rin sila sa byahe. Mabuti at may nakita siyang airbnb na pet-friendly.

Tapos na si Clara maligo nang makabalik siya sa condo unit. Ngayon, inaayos niya sa isang ecobag ang mga snacks nila. He proceeded to load their other things into the car. Konti lang naman: Clara's small luggage, his duffel bag, and their dogs' bag. Nasa trunk na rin naman 'yong stroller nila.

"Xav, were you able to buy your anti-histamine meds?" Clara called out. She was currently packing their other essentials into a smaller bag.

"Yeah. I bought your pills, too." He replied.

"Thank you!" She gave him one of her angelic smiles. "How much? Bayaran kita mamaya through GCash."

He shook his head. "'Wag na. Sagot ko this time. You paid for your pills last time."

"Thanks, love!"

"No problem."

He didn't mind at all. It was both their responsibility, anyway.

Roman quickly took a shower and did a final check around his unit to ensure that they didn't forget anything. Roughly thirty minutes later, nakarating na sila sa SLEX. Kumain sila saglit sa KFC bago bumili ng coffee and additional snacks. Hindi na sila nagtagal do'n.

For the most part, it was a quiet yet comfortable drive. By this, he meant that for half of the ride, his passenger princess was asleep, so the only sounds that filled his car was from his playlist or his dogs. He was amused; his girlfriend sure loved her sleep. Tuwing naalimpungatan si Clara, he would reach across the console and caress her hand or thigh.

Nakarating sila sa airbnb around nine am. After putting away their things, Clara laid down on the bed, still drowsy from the trip. Roman chuckled at her tired state before occupying the spot beside her and pulling her into his arms. She nuzzled her face into his neck, causing her lips to brush against his skin.

Roman's heart skipped a beat. He slowly rubbed her back in circles.

Clara sighed with contentment. "Xav, if you want to go ahead and swim, you can. I'm going to sleep some more."

He kissed her forehead. "I won't be able to enjoy the beach if you're not there with me. Sabay na tayo mamaya. Tulog muna tayo ngayon."

Falling asleep next to your person is truly one of the best feelings in the entire world.

-//-

Roman was glad for their dogs because if they hadn't jumped on the bed and started licking their faces, they would've slept the day away. Atat na 'yong mga anak nila maglaro sa dagat.

"Ang lamig ng tubig!" Sigaw ni Clara, pero hindi pa rin siya umahon. Tuloy tuloy pa rin siya hanggang umabot na ang tubig sa kanyang beywang. Clara let her head fall back, drenching her hair in the process. He couldn't take his eyes off her. She was simply ethereal.

"Love, halika na!"

"Papunta na!" He then whistled their dogs over

Roman recalled his dream from this morning. They've been together for three years already. They were both working now. Nag-iipon na para sa iba't ibang bagay. Insurance. Bahay. Kotse. Travel. Kasal. Well, Roman was. He didn't know about Clara. He hasn't asked. Yet. He had opened a separate account the day after they had that certain discussion on marriage.

Yes, she was sure about him. Yes, she couldn't imagine a future without him in it.

Roman had never felt so relieved.

Because he felt the same. He wanted nothing more than to unite himself wholly to her, build a family and grow old together.

Someday, he was going to make that dream a reality.

-//-

Note: Roman currently does not have any tattoos.

Instagram

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Tagged: josieclara

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xavierroman Her.

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josieclara 🖤

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anayapau: PRETTY

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josieclara Happy place 💙🏖️

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josieclara I am writing to officially tender my resignation—

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xavierroman: Let's do it hahaha
— josieclara: Mawawalan tayo ng funds niyan HAHAHAHA

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josieclara and xavierroman

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josieclara Just the two of us.

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xavierroman: I love you, my aqua flask thief :)
— josieclara: USO MAG-MOVE ON, XAVIER ROMAN SANTIAGO
— xavierroman: Hahaha never

harbordiaz: dapat talaga hindi ako nagbukas ng IG today

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xavierroman and josieclara

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xavierroman Perfect.

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russellmc_: Where's Loki? Hahaha
— xavierroman: Tumatakbo sa likod haha he couldn't stay put for more than ten seconds

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xavierroman Ending the perfect day with you.

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josieclara: I love you!

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hazel.the.dog fun time with fam ! 🐾 #dogsofinstagram #happyvalentinesday

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harbordiaz: ANG CUTE TALAGA NG MGA INAANAK KO!!!!

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Belated Happy Valentine's Day!