THE WHOLE marketing department was supposed to attend the annual company Christmas Party but everyone had prior commitments. Si Ma'am Val ay may kikitaing kaibigan na kauuwi lang galing Canada. Marv was to spend Christmas in the province. Yulo, who was now a permanent employee, promised to spend the holidays with some childhood friends.

        With only the three of them left, Annie, Heidee, and Nio made up an excuse. Ayaw din naman kasi nilang um-attend sa company party nang wala sina Ma'am Val. Sayang lang at medyo bigatin na naman ang raffle prizes.

        Annie heard two iPhone 15 units were up for grabs.

        "Wala pa rin bang paramdam?" Napamaang si Heidee sa tanong na iyon ni Annie. She turned to Nio's empty cubicle. They were supposed to have their own Christmas party at Troy's. "Na-message mo na ba? Don't tell me nahihiya ka pa ring mangulit?"

        Heidee made a face. "Ako?" Nakatawa niyang itinuro ang sarili. "Mahihiyang mangulit? As if!"

        Pinagulong ni Annie ang inuupuang swivel chair papunta kay Heidee. "Really? 'Di ka pa najijirits niyan sa lagay na 'yan?"

        Heidee followed Annie's gaze. Sa picture pala nila ni Nio ito nakatingin. Nang silipin niya kasi ang phone at 'di pa rin nagre-reply ang boyfriend niya, ilang beses niya itong binaril ng stapler sa picture. Rolling her eyes, she gave her best friend a sarcastic smile. "Ayaw kasi gumana ng stapler ko kanina, okay?"

        "Ewan ko sa 'yo, Heids." Annie rolled her chair back to her cubicle. "For sure naman, 'di nakalimutan ni Nio 'yong inuman later. Ilang beses kaya 'yon pinaalalahanan ni T."

        "Worried ako, okay? It's just not like him." Heidee bit her lower lip. "Never 'yon nag-absent nang ganito na walang pasabi."

        "Worried ka pero tinadtad mo ng stapler 'yong mukha?" nakatawang tanong ng kaibigan niya.

        "Bawal?" She scoffed. "P'wede namang maging worried at jirits nang sabay, a?"

        Annie raised her hands in defeat. "Natanong mo na ba si Sir Julian or si Pauie?"

        Umiling siya. "Ayokong mag-alala sila. Baka mamaya, low batt or dead batt lang 'yon." Nag-unat siya ng mga binti sa ilalim ng mesa. "Puntahan ko na lang kaya mamaya? Troy's picking you up, right?"

        "Teka, so pass na kayo ni Nio later?"

        "I don't know," Heidee mumbled, sighing. "Feeling ko, may sakit 'yon, e. Kung may sakit 'yon, baka pass na kami talaga. What's with that face?"

        Nakanguso kasi sa kanya si Annie. "Naglinis pa kaya si Troy. Nag-redecorate pa nga yata 'yon tapos 'di naman pala tayo makukumpleto."

        "Nagsama kayo ni T na madrama, 'no?" natatawa niyang tanong. "Kaya naman next week, a? Next Sat pa naman uuwi si Bastien. Kaya 'yan."

        "Okay, so pa'no tayo later? 'Di ka na sasabay sa 'min?"

        Heidee shook her head. "Mag-Grab na 'ko diretso sa condo ni Fiorello."

        The rest of the day was dull. Tahimik sa office. Wala si Marv, e. They finished everything the week before to give way to the holidays. Pumasok na lang sina Annie at Heidee sakaling may pahabol na inquiries at requests ang mga client sa e-mail.

        Nauwi silang magkaibigan sa pagtunganga maghapon.

        When it was finally time to go home, Heidee tried calling Nio again. Wala pa rin. He hasn't even read her messages.

        "Kalma ka nga, Heids," Troy told her. Saglit siyang sumakay sa kotse nito habang hinihintay si Annie at iyong Grab driver niya. "For sure naman, may explanation 'yan si Nio kung bakit MIA siya today."

        "'Yong totoo, sino bang kaibigan mo sa 'ming dalawa?" nakasimangot niyang tanong.

        Troy grinned. "Paskong-pasko, papipiliin mo 'ko?"

        "It's December 20. Wala pang Pasko."

        Bago pa makasagot si Troy, may kumatok sa bintana ng kotse. Si Annie. Troy quickly got out of the car and opened the door for her. Nang makaupo na ang huli sa passenger seat, saka lang muling pumasok sa sasakyan si Troy.

        "Sorry, ang haba kasi ng pila sa CR," nakangiwing sabi ni Annie sa boyfriend.

        "Ano ka ba, Ann?" naiiling na sabi ni Troy. "Don't apologize. Worth the wait ka naman lagi, e."

        Matalim ang tinging ipinukol ni Heidee sa mga kaibigan. Troy and Annie have always been like that. Parang may sariling language. Heidee groaned in frustration when minutes passed. The two talked in hushed voices, seemingly forgetting that she was in the backseat.

        "Oh, my God!" Heidee crossed her arms over her chest. "Okay, fine, gets ko na. Sabi ko nga, ito na, aalis na 'ko." With that, she got out of the car and slammed the door behind her.

        "Dahan-dahan naman, Heids," pumapalatak na sabi ni Troy. "Malapit na ba Grab mo?"

        She quickly opened the app. "Five minutes away. It's fine, iwan niyo na 'ko dito. Baka lalo pa kayong ma-traffic. Yari na naman tayo niyan kay Bastien."

        "Sure ka, a?" Si Annie. "Try ko ring i-message si Nio."

        "No need. Pupuntahan ko na lang. Bahing nang bahing 'yon last week."

        "Ay, weh? Dapat uminom na siya agad ng gamot. It's flu season." Binuhay ni Troy ang makina ng kotse. "Dapat inagapan na niya agad."

        "Pinainom ko naman." Inayos ni Heidee ang pagkakasabit ng bag sa balikat. She stepped to the curb. "Sabi ko, bahing siya nang bahing. Alam niyo kung anong sabi sa 'kin?"

        "Ano?" tanong ni Annie.

        "Sabi niya sa 'kin, 'what's bahing'."

        Bumulanghit ng tawa ang dalawa sa ikinuwento niya. "Cute-cute talaga ni Nio," nangingiting sabi ni Troy. He waved his right hand. Her best friend did the same. "Una na kami, 'ha? Message mo sa GC natin 'yong screenshot ng sa Grab, okay?"

        Heidee nodded. "Paki-explain na lang kina Bastien kung bakit wala kami, 'ha?"

        "Kalma ka lang, Heids," pahabol ni Annie. "Baka mamaya, may surprise lang 'yon sa 'yo."

        Sighing, she waved goodbye.

        The two drove away. Bumalik siya sa lobby ng building. Three minutes away na lang ang layo ng Grab car niya. It was understandable. Traffic naman kasi talaga 'pag ganoong oras – lalo na kapag malapit na ang Pasko.

        Isang matayog na Christmas tree ang nasa gitna ng lobby.

        It was adorned with garlands and candy canes. Sa tuktok naman niyon ay isang gold star. Heidee was certain Pauie was somehow involved. Kamukha kasi ng puno iyong Christmas tree sa bahay ng mga Ramos.

        She glanced at her phone again. Still, nothing from Nio.

        Nang mapagtantong isang minuto na lang ang layo ng Grab car niya, muli siyang lumabas ng building. She was about to walk through the sliding doors when she spotted a familiar face.

        Sa 'di kalayuan, nakatayo ang isang babaeng hanggang baywang ang kulot na buhok.

        "Oh, my God!" Heidee's outburst garnered a lot of attention. "Ate Linnie?" Parang bata siyang tumakbo papunta sa babae. "Kumusta na? Same building lang tayo pero halos 'di na tayo nagkikita."

        Her Ate Linnie was a senior from a few years back. Dahil lamang ito sa years of experience, mabilis itong na-promote. They had a farewell party even though she was transferred just a few floors above their department.

        "I'm good naman," nakangiting sagot sa kanya ni Ate Linnie. "Ikaw, kumusta? How are things with the team? Si Ma'am Val pa rin head niyo, right? Kasama niyo pa rin ba si Marv and Annie?"

        "Grabe naman sa tanong, Ate," she joked. "Yep, si Ma'am Val pa rin po department head. Yes din po kina Marv and Annie pero may bago po kami ngayon, si Yulo."

        "How are things with Nio?" Ate Linnie asked with a knowing smile.

        Heidee felt her cheeks warm up. "Alam mo, Ate?"

        "Of course, ha-ha. I saw on Instagram. You weren't exactly secretive." Nang-aasar pang itinaas-baba ng babae ang mga kilay. Tuloy ay lalong pinamulahan ng mukha si Heidee. "I'm good, aren't I? I called it years ago, so invited ako dapat, 'ha?"

        "Invited saan, Ate?"

        "Sa wedding," she answered in a matter-of-fact tone. "Anyway, bakit ikaw lang nandito? Are you waiting for Nio?"

        "Actually, Grab po hinihintay ko. Pupuntahan ko po siya sa condo niya. Absent po today, e." Tiningnan niya ang app. Malapit na iyong kotse sa pinned location niya. "Ikaw, Ate? Are you waiting for your boyfriend? Ay, shit, sorry. Fiancé po pala."

        Lumawak ang kaninang mahinhing ngiti ng babae. "Yeah, but he's driving from work so he's running a bit late."

        Sabay nilang sinundan ng tingin ang kararating lang na kotse. The black Toyota slowed down as if looking for someone. The driver opened one of its windows, prompting Heidee to check the app on her phone. Pagkatapos niyon, sumulyap siya sa katabing si Linnie.

        "Ate Linnie, it's really nice to catch up with you but—" Gamit ang hinlalaki ay itinuro niya iyong bagong-dating na kotse. "—I have to go na po. Daan ka po minsan sa 'min kung 'di ka na busy. Promise, 'di ka namin sisingilin sa utang mong libre no'ng pandemic."

        "Grabe, you remember that?" Ate Linnie chuckled. "But sure, when I'm not busy. For now, you take care, Heidee. Say 'hi' to Nio for me."

        Heidee nodded, smiling as she inserted her phone in her bag. "Merry Christmas po in advance. Advance congrats din po sa kasal."

        "Merry Christmas and advance congratulations to you, too."

        Ate Linnie's comment was all Heidee could think about the whole drive to Nio's unit. Bibihira kasi silang magkita pero agad nitong nabasa ang pinakakatago na niya ng ilang buwan. Hindi naman kasi niya alam kung kailan iyon pumasok sa utak niya.

        Heidee must have begun wondering about it when Nio met her father a few months ago.

        Lumala noong bigyan siya ni Nio ng duplicate keycard ng unit nito. Nasemento noong nagkaroon siya ng sariling cabinet niya roon. Nio bought it himself.

        "For your clothes and 'hanash', Babe."

        He even made quotation marks with his fingers.

        They have been dating for a few years now and nothing has changed. To others, that may sound like a doomed relationship but for Heidee, things were good. Kung mag-aaway man sila, laging maganda iyong dahilan at intention.

        Their last huge fight was when Nio did some of her tasks behind her back.

        Ilang araw na kasi siyang walang tulog noon. It was her fault for taking more than what she could chew anyway. Ready na siyang magpuyat nang isang linggo noon biglang kabayaran sa ilang araw niyang pagpapa-extend ng deadline.

        Concerned for her well-being, Nio took on all her assignments besides his.

        It was really touching but Heidee got mad. Kasalanan naman kasi niya kung bakit umabot sa ganoon. Despite being her boyfriend, she didn't want Nio to shoulder the consequences of her procrastination.

        "Ma'am, dito na po tayo."

        Heidee fished her wallet out. Naglabas siya ng dalawang 100-peso bill. "Thanks, Kuya. Keep the change po." Natawa siya sa loob-loob niya dahil sampung piso lang naman ang sukli.

        Kung makapagsabi siya ng "keep the change", parang nasa singkwenta ang sukli.

        As soon as the elevator doors opened, Heidee almost ran to Nio's unit. Nagmamadali niyang inilabas ang keycard. The door beeped. Her whole face twisted into a frown as she went inside.

        Sarado kasi ang blinds. It was past 8 PM.

        Her eyes quickly scanned the room. When she couldn't find Nio, she went straight to his bedroom. Madilim din. Gayunpaman ay may naaninag siyang isang bulto sa ibabaw ng kama.

        She bit her lip upon realizing it was him.

        Nakatalukbong si Nio ng comforter na parang giniginaw. His hair was a mess. Even the bed was a mess. Nakakalat sa ibabaw niyon ang maraming nakabilog na tissue paper. Heidee quietly checked for his phone under the pillows.

        She was right. Empty nga ang battery niyon.

        Knowing Nio, he must have set an alarm before sleeping. Sadyang hindi lang iyon tumunog dahil nakalimutan nitong mag-charge. He couldn't have forgotten about the party.

        Nakabili na kasi ito ng regalo para kina Bastien.

        Heidee cleaned the bed as quietly as possible. Maingat niyang kinuha ang nakarolyong tissue paper. Nang maitapon ang mga iyon sa trash can, kinuha niya ang thermometer sa nightstand ni Nio. Napabuntonghininga siya.

        "Babe?" bulong niya.

        There was no response.

        Heidee inched closer. Isa-isa niyang inalis ang mga hibla ng buhok na tumatabing sa noo ng boyfriend. Gently, she placed her hand on his forehead. He felt warm. Left with no choice, she patted his right cheek. "Babe."

        Nio groaned.

        "Kumain ka man lang ba the whole day?" nakangiwing tanong ni Heidee.

        Nio just shook his head lightly. Nanatili itong nakapikit. Napabuntonghininga na lang ulit si Heidee. She, then, turned the lamp on. He mumbled something. Nagreklamo yata ito sa ilaw.

        She didn't bother asking. Maingat niyang isinara ang pinto ng kuwarto. She went outside, scoured his fridge, and made him soup.

—

        THE FAINT smell of crab and corn soup lingered in the air. That woke Nio up. Earlier, he thought he dreamt of Heidee arriving. Mukhang hindi panaginip iyon. Nakapikit niyang kinapa ang ilalim ng mga katabing unan. Nang hindi mahanap ang phone, saka lang siya bumangon.

        It was on his nightstand, plugged in, charging.

        Sinilip niya ang oras. It was almost 10 PM.

        Umuubo niyang binalot ang sarili sa comforter. With his eyes still heavy, he dragged his feet outside. He spotted a casserole on the stove. Sa ibabaw naman ng sofa niya nakita ang girlfriend.

        The TV was on with Netflix asking: "Are you still watching?"

        Carefully, he approached her. "Babe?"

        Heidee's eyes fluttered open. Kinusot nito ang mata. "Buti naman, gising ka na. 'Di ako sure kung gigisingin kita para kumain or hahayaan kitang matulog, e. I guess I ended up doing the latter. Sorry. Dapat ba, ginising muna kita?"

        Nio quickly moved away when he felt a sneeze coming on. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you worry."

        "'Di mo na kailangan mag-explain. Pagdating ko, walang battery phone mo, e." She sat up straight. "Let me guess. Nagising ka nang maaga, then you decided to sleep again. After no'n, may sinat ka na paggising mo pero akala mo, kakayanin ng tulog kaya natulog ka na lang ulit."

        That was exactly what happened. Hindi naman kasi niya inasahang lulubha ang sipon niya. Hindi niya inakalang papuntang trangkaso na pala iyon. Nio smiled lazily. "Sorry."

        "Kain na lang tayo."

        They shared two bowls of crab and corn soup. Heidee could cook but she definitely used the soup packets they both love. Wala naman kasing ingredients na p'wedeng lutuin sa unit niya. They were supposed to go grocery shopping the next day.

        Mukhang 'di matutuloy dahil sa flu niya.

        Nio sipped from his bowl. "What time did you arrive?"

        "Hmm, after work so around 8 PM?"

        "Did Troy drop you off?"

        "Nope." Humigop din si Heidee ng sabaw. "Nag-Grab ako. Pinadiretso ko sila ni Annie kina Bastien. I didn't know kung nasa'n ka kaya sabi ko, mauna na lang sila. I told them you were sick so no worries. 'Di nila iisiping ghoster ka, ha-ha."

        "You didn't tell Kuya, right? The last thing I want is to make him worry because Pau would also get worried."

        "Nope," pag-uulit ng babae sa kaninang sagot. "I didn't tell them anything. I considered texting Kuya Julian kasi nga, 'di ko alam kung nasa'n ka pero sabi ko, 'wag na lang. I decided to come here instead."

        Nio hummed. He dropped his spoon back into the bowl. Ipinatong niya ang mga kamay sa gilid niyon. "Babe, are you mad at me? You sound like you're reporting, e, ha-ha."

        Heidee's lips parted open. "No, ano lang. . . worried." She sighed. "Wala kang chat or text the whole day. I didn't know what to think. 'Di ka kasi gano'n, e. I knew something was wrong because you were looking forward sa party, tapos biglang absent ka?"

        "Okay, uh—" Despite shivering, he reached for her hands on the table. "—how can I make it better?"

        Nalukot ang noo ng babae. "Ano? What do you mean?"

        "You're obviously pissed, Evangelista." Mahina siyang natawa nang lalong nangunot ang noo nito. "It's your noo. It's giving you away."

        "Fiorello, you can't make this better." He pursed his lips on instinct. "Natural lang na mag-aalala ako kasi girlfriend mo 'ko. But for now, maybe you can make it better by feeling better. Ikaw 'tong may sakit tapos ako inaalala mo."

        "Well. . ."

        "Well?" nakatawang tanong ni Heidee.

        "I love you, so naturally, I worry about you, too." Upon hearing him say that, Heidee's smile vanished instantly. She pursed her lips, avoided his gaze, and sipped from her bowl. "You're cute when you try to hide your red cheeks."

        Heidee put her bowl down. Lalo itong nangamatis. Dahil sa hinigop na sabaw, nakalobo kasi ang mga pisngi nito. "Tinago na nga, e. Why are you bringing it up?"

        Nio's smile widened. He leaned forward. Nagdikit ang mga tungki ng ilong nila. He cupped her cheeks and pecked her lips afterward. "I love you."

        "Ew, Babe~" Heidee whined. Gamit ang kanang kamay ay itinulak siya nito palayo. "May sakit ka, tapos iki-kiss mo 'ko? Yuck naman, Fiorello."

        "You're such a heartbreaker." Pinakawalan niya ang mga kamay nito at saka siya muling humigop ng sabaw. "I just told you I love you."

        She made a face.

        After washing the bowls and utensils, Heidee boiled water. Nilagyan din nito ng asin ang tubig na iyon. Nang kumulo ang tubig, dali-dali siya nitong pinasalampak sa harap ng kalderong umuusok pa.

        "Alam kong medyo unconventional but trust me on this," panimula ng girlfriend niya habang umaayos ng upo. "Suob tawag dito."

        "Okay, and what's suob?" Nio asked in between sniffles.

        "Sorry, alam kong genuine question pero—" Heidee burst out laughing. "—kaunti na lang, ikukuha ko na kayo ni Pauie ng tutor sa Filipino."

        "Is this still about me asking about 'bahing' last week?"

        She nodded, holding her laughter in. "Sorry, sorry. Okay, uh. . . so basically, suob is steaming. You inhale the smoke coming from this." Itinuro nito iyong kaldero. "Pero 'di 'to gamot, a? This is just to clear your sinuses, para makatulog ka nang mas kumportable."

        Binuksan ni Heidee ang kaldero. Pinanood nila ang pag-akyat ng usok. She gestured him to inhale and he did. When his nose began feeling hot, he leaned back.

        Pumalakpak si Heidee. "Galing, a? Sasabihin ko pa lang sa 'yong 'wag mo singhutin lahat kasi masakit sa ilong, e." Ngiting-ngiti pa nitong hinaplos ang buhok niya. "Okay, repeat the process for a few minutes."

        Nio did what he was told. His nose began feeling runnier. Nang mapagtantong kusang bumababa ang sipon dahil sa usok, tinakpan niya ang ilong.

        "Ten to fifteen minutes dapat 'to para sure na 'di barado ilong mo, Fiorello."

        "Don't look at me muna."

        "Why?"

        "I feel the sipon running down my nose and I can't stop it."

        "That's the point?" Bumulanghit na naman ng tawa si Heidee. Tumatawa itong kumuha ng isang roll ng tissue. "Here you go. Sa 'kin ka pa nahiya."

        "Look away muna, Babe. It's gross."

        "Para kang baby magkasakit, 'no?"

        "No kaya? I just don't want you to watch me blow my nose."

        "Fiorello, isa. Lumalamig na 'yong tubig, e."

        "I'm just asking you to look away or maybe you can cover your eyes," he whined.

        Heidee grimaced. "Dalawa."

        "Fine." Nio grabbed some tissue paper. He blew his nose. Wala naman kasi siyang nagagawa kapag nagbibilang na ang girlfriend. Sa totoo lang, hindi naman niya alam kung anong mangyayari kapag umabot ng "three".

        He never intended to find out, though.

        Before going back to bed, Nio had a warm bath. He got out of the shower with a towel around his waist. Gusto niya kasi sanang asaran si Heidee. Agad naman niyang pinagsisihan iyon. Giniginaw siyang bumalik sa kuwarto.

        Nadatnan niyang nagpapagpag ng unan ang girlfriend niya. Her brows furrowed as she eyed him from head to toe.

        Nio smirked, crossed his arms, and leaned against the doorway. "Like what you see?"

        "Tigilan mo 'ko." Heidee threw him a hoodie and a pair of striped pajamas. "Cover up. Kitang-kita ko 'yong goosebumps sa biceps mo, babe."

        Pouting, Nio did as he was told. Muli siyang humiga sa kama pagkatapos. Hinila rin niya ang comforter hanggang sa dibdib. Heidee, on the other hand, went out and returned with medicine. May inabot din ito sa kanyang baso ng tubig.

        Hindi na siya nakipagtalo. He could just feel her patience wearing thin.

        "Thank you for taking care of me," Nio mumbled. "I'm really sorry for annoying you today, ha-ha. Sorry for making you worry, too."

        Heidee heaved an exasperated sigh before sitting beside him. "You keep apologizing. 'Di mo naman ginustong magkasakit."

        "Still—" He pulled her closer. Tuluyang humiga ang babae sa tabi niya. Tumagilid din ito at humarap sa kanya. "—I'm sorry. I'm sure you were expecting to get drunk today with your friends. Instead, you're stuck with me."

        "It's not so bad," Heidee said, smiling. "I like taking care of you. Ako madalas na nakadepende sa 'yo, e. It's nice to know na 'di laging gano'n; na p'wedeng ako naman 'yong magbigay sa 'yo."

        "You know what, babe?"

        "Hmm?"

        "I have something in mind that you can give me right now."

        "Shut up, ha-ha. You're sick. One of us needs to work. Pa'no tayo magdi-date niyan? Isa pa, ang dami ko kayang pinapaaral? 'Di ako p'wedeng magkasakit nang dahil lang sa wala akong self-control."

        "Self-control?" Nio chuckled. "So you finally admit you've been controlling yourself around me since kanina, yeah?" Heidee shot him a look. She was about to get up when he pulled her closer. Lumundo ang kama. Sumiksik siya sa leeg ng girlfriend. "You know you can lose control around me naman, 'di ba?"

        "Mm-hmm, but not right now."

        "Really?" he hummed against her skin. Mahina siyang natawa nang maramdaman niya ang pagiging tensyonado ng girlfriend. He took that as an opportunity to catch her off-guard. Slowly, he nibbled on her neck. "What about now?"

        Heidee looked so red. "Fiorello, ano ba? May sakit ka, e. Kadiri kaya."

        "Okay, okay," he said, laughing softly. "I'll stop teasing you na. Let's just cuddle."

        "Cuddle lang, a?" Gamit ang mga hintuturo ay bumuo pa ng maliit na krus ang babae.

        Hindi na naman napigilan ni Nio ang pagtawa. "Baby, what are you doing? I'm not a vampire."

        "Nangtutukso ka, e," ungot ni Heidee. "Can't we just sleep? Imbis na nagpapahinga ka na para gumaling ka agad, nang-aasar ka pa."

        "Okay, I'm sorry." He snuggled into her neck again, grinning. "We'll sleep na."

        "Good," he heard her say. "By the way, don't worry about the party. Maiintindihan naman nila Troy kung bakit 'di tayo nakapunta."

        "I know that naman. They're good people. You're good people."

        "Tingnan mo, mambobola pa."

        "Sorry, sorry. Ito na po. I'm sleeping na po."

        Nio closed his eyes. They almost immediately fluttered open. Naramdaman niya kasi ang pagkayakap ng isang braso ni Heidee sa kanya. Hindi iyon natapos doon. Nang tumunghay siya, ang matamis na ngiti ng girlfriend ang bumungad sa kanya.

        Slowly, Heidee leaned in and kissed him. The lines on his forehead quickly dissolved. The kiss lasted only for a few seconds, though. Hindi dapat nakaramdam ng pagkahapo si Nio pero gano'n pa rin.

        Her effect was all the same: breathtaking.

        "I thought you didn't want to get sick?" he asked.

        "Inom na lang ako agad ng gamot mamaya," nakangiti nitong sagot. "Now, can you stop pouting? P'wede na ba tayo matulog for real?"

        Smiling softly, Nio nodded. "Goodnight, babe."

        Once again, he rested his chin on the crook of her neck. He felt her hand on his back again. Magaan ang pagkakapatong ng kamay ni Heidee sa likod niya. Maingat siya nitong tinapik. It was as if she was afraid of squeezing and hurting him.

        Nio didn't mind, though. He just wanted her closer.

        Ang init kasi ng sulok ng leeg ni Heidee. Pati iyong kamay nitong tumatapik sa likod niya, parang tumatagos ang init sa tela ng suot niyang hoodie. Napabuntonghininga siya nang mapagtantong magkahumpong din ang mga binti nila sa ilalim ng comforter.

        It was the good kind of warmth Nio used to feel when his mother was still alive.

        He, Julian, Pauie, and their dad would gather around the tree. Dumarating naman nang may bitbit na mugs ng hot chocolate ang Mommy nila. Nio would drink from his mug and exhale. Saglit na nananatili ang usok niyon sa mga labi niya.

        Having Heidee near him felt like that kind of warm. Muli niyang hinalikan ang leeg ng yakap na girlfriend.

        Christmas might be a few days away but it definitely came early for him.

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