THROUGHOUT THE night, Teo kept himself awake. January pa kasi noong huling nagkita sa personal at nag-inuman sina Linnie. Dagdag na rin siguro ang stress nito sa trabaho. For sure, she would take advantage of the occasion and drink to her heart's content.

        "Tingnan mo 'to," Eli mumbled through his left earphone. Isa lang ang isinuot niya, sakaling kailanganin siya ni Linnie. "Mag-aaya ng movie marathon tapos 'di naman manunuod."

        "Sorry na, ha-ha." He glanced at the time. Wala pa ring reply sa kanya si Linnie. "May iniisip lang."

        "Besides, we watched this countless times, Eli," Enzo complained. "Are you heartbroken again?"

        "So, kapag gustong mapanood si Bela Padilla, heartbroken agad?"

        "'Yong totoo?" tumatawang tanong ni Teo. "Movies kaya ni Bela takbuhan mo 'pag gusto mo na namang umiyak."

        "It's always either Bela Padilla or that one with Maja—" Enzo snapped his fingers. Sinusubukan atang alalahanin 'yong title ng pelikulang tinutukoy. "—a, 'yong 'I'm Drunk, I Love You'."

        "Aw." Pumalatak si Eli. "I love you din, Daddy Enzo, but no, 'di pa ako lasing. Strong kaya 'to."

        Teo scoffed in disbelief. "Strong pero nag-relapse?"

        Napapalatak na naman si Eli. "Relapse ka d'yan? Hindi kaya!"

        "Drop the act, Tagle. I saw Charlotte's picture with her new boyfriend earlier. You commented 'congratulations' with a smiling emoji."

        "Yeah, nakita ko rin 'yon," sagot ni Teo. "Pucha, nag-heart react pa nga 'yan, e."

        "Hoy, ano? Friends pa rin kayo sa FB?" Eli gasped dramatically. "'Tangina niyo, mga traydor."

        "Kakasabi lang na napadaan lang sa feed, 'di ba? Maka-'traydor' ka, parang wala tayong pinagsamahan? In case you forgot lang, Eli, nasa tabi mo na 'ko no'ng si Princess pa lang iniiyakan mo."

        "Who was that again? The yoga instructor or the scriptwriter?"

        "None of the above, ha-ha. Org president nila dati pero editor na sa Philippine Star ngayon."

        "Oh, her. She's the one who told Eli she's not ready for a commitment after having sex with him, 'di ba? Tama ba pagkakaalala ko?"

        Natatawa siyang tumango kahit 'di naman kita sa voice call. "Casual kasi usapan nila tapos biglang nag-'I love you' si Eli."

        "Parang wala ako dito, a?" Si Eli.

        "Wala namang pumipigil sa 'yong magsalita. Besides—" Teo fixed the earphone. "—totoo naman na 'yon 'yong nangyari, 'di ba? Inuulit ko lang naman kay Enzo."

        "But really, there's nothing to be ashamed of. At least, you learned something, right?"

        "Oo, ha-ha. Anyway, going back, in my defense, 'di naman niya nilinaw agad na casual lang. Akala ko, 'di lang kami exclusive. Okay pa 'yon, e. Sinabi niyang casual lang gusto niya ilang days after naming mag-sex."

        "Mm-hmm." Muling binuksan ni Teo ang conversation nila ni Linnie. "Kasi nga, days after niyong mag-sex, nag-'I love you' ka kahit wala pa kayong one month na nagdi-date."

        "Akala ko, mutual, e. Bakit ba, 'ha?"

        "Sus," pumapalatak na sabi ni Teo. "Puro ka 'akala'. Marami kayang namamatay sa maling akala."

        "Sumbong kita kay Linnie, e," ungot ni Eli.

        Itinuon niya ang atensyon sa pelikula sa laptop. Nando'n na pala sila sa parteng nagkita ulit sina JC at Bela matapos ang ilang taon. They're almost at the end.

        "She's on a call. Birthday ni Pau, 'di ba?"

        "Ah, so that's why you called us." Enzo heaved a sigh. "They're drinking, aren't they? Binabantayan mo si Linnie?"

        "Alam niyo naman kung pa'no malasing 'yon. She rarely drinks so kada may occasion, nilulubos talaga."

        "So, binabantayan mo nga?" Malakas na pumalatak si Eli. "Dinamay mo pa kami. May lakad pa 'yan si Daddy Enzo kasama mommy niya bukas, o."

        "'Di ko naman kayo pinilit saka hoy, Eli. Ikaw kaya nagsalang no'ng pelikula."

        "Kasi sabi mo, movie marathon. May movie marathon bang walang pelikula, 'ha?"

        Sabay na tumawa sina Eli at Enzo.

        "But seriously asking—" Enzo cleared his throat. "—how are things with you and Linnie?"

        "Enzo naman, o. 'Di na nga ako sumama kina Linnie kahit inaaya ako ni Pau para 'di ko sagutin 'yan." Bumuntonghininga si Teo. "Ikaw naman tuloy magtatanong."

        "Tinatanong lang naman kung kumusta kayo saka okay, nahihiwagaan na rin talaga kami sa kung pa'no niyo natitiis isa't isa."

        "What do you mean 'natitiis'? Nag-uusap pa rin naman kami. Sinabi ko 'yon sa inyo, 'di ba?" Nakarinig si Teo ng kalabog galing sa kuwarto ni Linnie. Quickly, he removed his earphone. "Bye muna. Parang may nabasag kasi sa kabila."

        Agad niyang sinara ang laptop. Bumangon siya at saka, nagsuot ng puting sando.

        Magaan ang bawat hakbang niya papunta sa kuwarto ni Linnie. He knocked on the door.

        "Pasok ka lang," narinig niyang sabi ni Linnie. "Why?"

        Teo rushed to her. Nakasalampak kasi ito sa sahig. Binuksan niya iyong desk lamp na nakapatong sa nightstand. He sighed when he saw the comforter.

        Sumuka na naman si Linnie. Medyo basa rin ang damit nito.

        "Hey." He crouched beside her, then he held her wrist gently. "Come on. Let's stand up in three, yeah? One, two, three."

        Linnie leaned against him as they stood up. Paniguradong naliliyo ito. Mahigpit kasi ang kapit nito sa kanya habang humahakbang.

        Teo chuckled softly.

        "Ba't mo 'ko tinatawanan?" Linnie asked, annoyed.

        "Akala ko, alam mo naman limit mo. Sinagad mo naman porket dito ka lang sa bahay."

        "Pagod ako, e," she confessed. "I've been tired for months. Ngayon ko lang na-realize."

        Teo wanted to hug her right then and there. Baka-sakali kasing maibsan ang pagod na noon lang nito idineklara. Nagpakawala siya ng buntonghininga. "Do'n ka muna sa kuwarto natin matulog, 'ha? Okay, lalabas na tayo."

        "Mm-hmm." Mariing pumikit si Linnie. She tightened her grip on his arm when they passed by the bathroom. "Wait. Wait lang."

        "Po?"

        "Skincare."

        Muli iyong ikinatawa ni Teo. Here was Linnie, drunk as a skunk and yet, she managed to make him laugh.

        Sober Linnie would probably object against his decision to carry her to their room but Teo didn't care anymore. Lasing kasi ang Linnie'ng kaharap niya.

        She buried her face in his chest until they reached their room. Tama nga ang hula ni Teo. Naliliyo na nga si Linnie. Initially, she didn't even want to let him go. He had to assure her that he needed to get a glass of water and a change of clothes.

        "You're taking care of me," Linnie said, her hand around the glass.

        Napabuga siya ng hangin. "Bakit naman 'di kita aalagaan?" Ikinibit lang nito ang balikat. "Ubusin mo 'yan, 'ha? Para mahimasmasan ka kahit papa'no."

        Linnie raised the glass. Napamaang naman si Teo. Masyado kasing mataas. As expected, she spilled some water on her shirt. She glanced at Teo. "I didn't mean to. I'm sorry."

        "Why are you apologizing?" He tried his best to smile. Parang anumang segundo kasi ay iiyak na si Linnie. "Babe, 'di mo naman sinasadya, 'di ba?"

        Sniffling, she shook her head.

        "Ayon naman pala, e."

        "Pero nasaktan kita. Shouldn't I apologize for that?"

        "A, ha-ha." Teo took the glass. May laman pa kasi iyon. "Babe, go ahead and apologize if you feel like it, pero para lang alam mo, wala ka namang dapat ika-sorry. Normal naman 'yon, na masaktan mo 'ko."

        "Hindi kaya. You never hurt me."

        He bit the inside of his cheek. Mukhang iba ang tinutukoy ni Linnie. Hindi na pala iyong simpleng pagtapon nito ng tubig ang pinag-uusapan nila.

        "But if I never hurt you, bakit umiiyak ang baby ko, hmm?" The urge to kiss her tears away surfaced. "'Wag ka nang umiyak, please?"

        Linnie nodded. After that, she gave Teo her damp shirt. Inabot niya iyong malinis na damit pero umiling ito at humiga. Binalot nito ang sarili sa comforter.

        "Babe, bihis ka muna. Baka lamigin ka, e."

        "No, I'm okay sleeping like this."

        "Balik ako, yeah? Kunin ko lang 'yong comforter sa kabila para maibabad ko na."

        "What? No." Linnie reached for his hand. Nahigit ni Teo ang paghinga. Napaupo rin siya sa gilid ng kama. "Dito ka lang."

        "Cute mong malasing pero kunin ko muna 'yong comforter. Need 'yon i-pre-soak, babe. Mai-stress ka bukas niyan, sige ka."

        "Ayaw mo na ba 'kong katabi?"

        Teo playfully pinched her nose. "Para ngang ayaw mong magpatabi, o. Sakop mo three-fourth ng kama. Sa sala na lang ako, babe. You get our bed tonight."

        "No." Linnie pulled him again. Mas may puwersa na sa pagkakataong iyon. Nakubabawan tuloy niya nito. "Dito ka lang, please?"

        Teo inhaled sharply. Lalo siyang nahirapang huminga nang magdikit ang tungki ng mga ilong nila. Inilabas kasi ni Linnie ang mga braso sa comforter, mahila at mayakap lang siya.

        Mariin siyang napalunok. He was certain she noticed. Ngumiti kasi ito nang bahagya. Nanatili siyang nakatitig sa mga labi nito.

        Teo was about to cross the little distance between them when Linnie leaned closer and reached for his lips. Siya naman ang napangiti nang maliit.

        Naunahan kasi siya, e.

        But because he was caught off guard, all Teo could do was count in his head to calm his poor heart. Sa tantiya niya ay tumagal ng tatlong segundo ang mga labi ni Linnie sa kanya. Hindi naman siya uminom. He made sure not to drink any of the soju Paulo sent.

        Alam kasi niyang kakailanganin siya ni Linnie. For him, it's actually the best feeling ever.

        Her needing and wanting him.

        It's why he partially agreed when she called him out for hovering over her all the time. Nahirapan lang siyang ipaintindi kay Linnie na walang kaso sa kanya iyon.

        Gusto niya, e.

        Three seconds.

        All Teo could remember was feeling so fucking warm. Sigurado siyang hindi alcohol ang dahilan. Hindi naman siya nakainom. Gayunpaman, para na rin siyang nalasing sa mga labi ni Linnie. She reeked of soju. She tasted like soju.

        Hindi naman mahilig si Teo sa soju — lalo na iyong strawberry-flavored. However, those three seconds made him thirst for more.

        Linnie slightly pushed him away, prompting him to open his eyes. Sunod-sunod ang ginawa nitong pagkurap. Bagaman naguguluhan, umayos ng upo si Teo. "Babe, what?"

        "I'm sleeping." Nagmamadali nitong itinalukbong ang comforter pagkasabi niyon.

        Natatawa namang napahawak si Teo sa pang-ibaba niyang labi. "Ano 'yon?" Lumuhod siya sa gilid ng kama para harapin ang nakatalukbong na si Linnie. "Babe? Baaaabeee~"

        He heaved a sigh when she didn't answer. Alam naman niyang gising pa ito. Bahagya pa kasing lumolobo ang comforter na tumatabing sa mukha nito. She was definitely breathing heavily under the fabric.

        "Babe," he whispered.

        Still, there was no response. Hinanap niya ang dulo ng comforter. Slowly, he pulled the thick fabric. Linnie's eyes welled up upon meeting his. "Baby, please don't cry na. 'Di naman ako galit."

        Linnie always appeared confident but whenever they were together, she turns into this gentle lap cat. Nawawala iyong talim sa mga titig nito. Bigla itong nagkakaro'n ng Snapchat puppy filter.

        Teo always considered that an honor: being one of her safe spaces. Ganoon din si Linnie para sa kanya, e.

        "'Di ka talaga galit?" Itinaas nito ang comforter. Only her eyes were visible. "Really?"

        "Mm-hmm." He tucked a few strands of her hair into her right ear. Nanatili ang kaliwa niyang kamay sa pisngi nito. "Never naman akong nagalit sa 'yo," he whispered as he leaned closer.

        Linnie hummed an "okay". Teo kissed her right cheek. After that, the corner of her lips. Tatayo na sana siya para lumabas ng kuwarto nang hawakan ng babae ang kamay niya.

        Sa ilalim ng malamlam na ilaw na nakapatong sa nightstand, kitang-kita niya ang naipong pagod sa ilalim ng mga mata ni Linnie. Napasinghap si Teo. Napalunok siya pagkatapos.

        E, pucha naman kasi. Ang ganda-ganda ni Linnie.

        Tahimik siyang humingi ng pasensya sa mga kaibigan. Both Enzo and Eli advised him to occupy himself with other things. 'Wag daw siyang masyadong mag-focus kay Linnie.

        Bago niya ipikit ang mga mata, nakita niya ang maliit na ngiti ng girlfriend.

        Wala na.

        Naglaho nang parang bula iyong mga suhestiyon nina Eli.

        Chuckling softly, Teo pressed his lips against Linnie's. She quickly caught up with his pace. Lasang strawberry pa rin.

        Iyong strawberry'ng mapait.

        Teo ran his fingers through his hair. Naramdaman niya kasing kumapit sa batok niya si Linnie. Her mere fingertips sent him reeling.

        Dalawang minuto na yata ang lumilipas.

        Saglit na kumunot ang noo ni Teo nang maramdamang gumagalaw ang mga kamay ni Linnie. At first, her fingers played with his wavy hair. They began caressing his back later on. Unti-unting bumaba ang mga kamay ni Linnie sa laylayan ng sando niya.

        Doon niya naisipang bumitiw at huminga. He reached for her hand before looking her in the eye. "What?" she mumbled, eyes still hazy.

        "Saka na." Nakangiti niyang hinalikan ang tungki ng ilong ni Linnie. "When you're sober."

        She was about to retort when he pulled the comforter. Sumuot siya sa ilalim niyon. Ipinagsiksikan niya ang sarili sa kama. Napilitan tuloy itong umurong. "Wait. What's happening?" she asked, stifling a yawn.

        "Sabi mo, 'wag akong aalis, 'di ba? This is me saying okay." Teo threw the comforter over their heads. He breathed in deeply. "Dito lang ako, yeah?"

        Linnie just hummed in response. Nang mapansing mapungay na ang mga mata nito, hinaplos ni Teo ang buhok ng babae. Sumiksik ito sa dibdib niya. He planted a kiss on the top of her head afterward.

        No matter how hard he wished against it, the next day came. The sunlight seeped through the window. Mataas na ang araw nang maalimpungatan si Teo.

        His brows knitted. Natulog kasi siyang nakaharap kay Linnie. But at some point through the night, he turned his back against her and now, he was the little spoon.

        Hindi naman siya nagrereklamo. Nakayapos kasi si Linnie sa baywang niya. From behind, she rested her chin on his shoulder.

        "Babe?"

        "Hmm?"

        "Wala po, ha-ha."

        Dahil paniguradong maghahanap ng makakain si Linnie, dahan-dahan niyang inangat ang mga kamay nitong nakayakap sa kanya. He was careful not to wake her up. After he crawled out of her arms, he wrapped her in the comforter again.

        Nagmukha na naman itong burrito.

        Napangiti siya nang maluwang.

        Linnie just looked so perfect with the yellow sunlight bouncing off of her pale cheeks. Nang mapagtantong baka magising ito dahil sa liwanag, bahagyang sinara ni Teo ang blinds.

        Still, the room seemed to burst with orange hue.

        Outside, Teo began scrambling for food. Wala na siyang pupuwedeng maluto. They could eat the leftover carbonara but it probably won't last until dinner time. After rummaging through the fridge, all he could find was an orange.

        Bumulanghit siya ng tawa.

        P'wede na muna siguro iyon.

        Matapos balatan iyong prutas, mabusisi niyang inalis iyong mga puting hibla na mapait. There were a total of 11 segments. He put them in a bowl before getting a shirt.

        Afterward, he grabbed his keys and peeked into their room. Tulog na tulog pa rin si Linnie. Nilapag niya sa nightstand iyong mangkok ng orange.

        Teo quickly wrote a post-it note: "munch on these muna, babe grocery lang po ako hehe morning <33"

        He thought of adding an apology for making Linnie cry but decided against it. Baka kasi mahiya ito. He wouldn't want her to wake up and immediately feel embarrassed.

        Honestly, her forgetting the night before would be the best case scenario. Iwas kumplikasyon kasi. Gayunpaman, may kung ano sa loob niyang humihiling na maalala nito ang nangyari noong gabi.

        Teo took note of every minute of that night. Sana lang ay ganoon din si Linnie.

        "Goodmorning, baby," he whispered as he kissed her temple.

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