JIYA stares up at the Theo & Brom building. Her palms are sweating.

She resigned from her dull job, applied agad when she saw there was an opening sa T&B with the same position, got called in for an interview. And now, first day na niya ulit.

She texts Migo.

baby im here na. kinakabahan
ako di ko sure kung bakit

Migo reads that. Hindi in-expect ni Jiya that he'd reply because he's in class. Second year na.

Pogi: it's because you're excited
princess ;) this is your dream job and
your dream company. go inside and
kill it :) have a great first day i love you so much.

Jiya swallows thickly.

ok i love u i love u i love u.

Pogi: stop im dying

She manages a small laugh before she chucks her phone inside her bag.

Buzzing her ID against the security panel makes her heart jump. 'Yon pa lang, ganito na siya kasaya. Grabe.

Wala pang two years since her OJT, but it feels like those dragged on while she wasn't working here.

There are familiar faces and not-so familiar faces that greet her, and those that are familiar smile widely and wave. "Jiya!"

Shit, iba 'yong excitement na nagth-thrum in her veins as she smiles back and waves, and before she can take a step towards the stairs, up to her office—her office!—the bell sa may stand rings.

Jiya's head whips around to find Gelo. His hair is slicked back, and he looks the same as he did that last time they saw each other—Christmas a year ago. He's wearing a dark green polo shirt tucked inside gray slacks with the first two buttons undone. As always, he looks expensive and handsome. "Everyone, please welcome our new editorial assistant, Jiya Valle. She already worked here before, but nonetheless, please do your best to make her feel welcome. Again," he says, gesturing to her, and then he starts clapping. His eyes stare intently at her face.

Pumalakpak rin ang lahat, big smiles aimed at her.

Jiya blinks and swallows thickly, thanks them, says she's excited.

Nilapitan siya ni Gelo. "Jiya."

"Gelo." She smiles at him, breathing in deeply. She can't explain how happy she is to be working with him again. Here. "It's good to be back."

His smile is blinding. "It's good to have you back. You wanna get settled in your office?"

Hindi mapigilan ni Jiya na tumili in her hands.

Gelo raises an eyebrow.

"Sorry." She clears her throat and fixes her posture, wincing. "Sorry, I didn't mean to. I'm just...I'm just happy and excited and nervous."

"Halata."

She can't help but roll her eyes. "Sorry na."

Gelo's mouth quirks up in a grin. "Come on."

It's the same office she used to work in with Claire, pero clear na ang desk niya of her things, and Jiya's desk before is now gone.

Claire texted her din kasi noong nag-resign na si Jiya.

Claire: JIYA im leaving T&B and
there's a slot to take my position! you
should apply! :D

So, uh, she did.

Gelo gestures to that desk. "All yours."

Jiya takes her time stepping inside, breathing in. She can remember the happiness she felt while working here. The thrill. The fulfillment. She puts her bag down on the table slowly, hand tracing the table...and sits down on the chair.

Gelo is watching her against the doorframe, grinning. "You look stunned."

"I..." She inhales shakily. "I feel like this is a dream."

His smile falters a bit when he asks, "If you're this happy, then why didn't you come back right after graduating? I was waiting for you to message...to email. Anything. I was sure you were going to come back."

Kahit wala bang opening, may ibibigay sa kanya na position si Gelo?

She purses her lips. "I wanted to have experience past T&B."

He stares at her for a long time. Na para bang alam niya 'yong totoong reason.

She wanted to see if she could work anywhere else. Anywhere na wala siya.

But she can't, she couldn't. Kahit na she tried again at another company and she felt the same culture and environment as here, Gelo will still be in T&B, and si Gelo ang gusto niyang boss. She wants to learn from him and work with him again.

"Okay," he says instead, shrugging. Letting it go. "I'm just glad you're back. Makes days here livelier, may kaaway ulit ako."

Jiya grins. "Gusto mo ulit na tinatapunan ka ng pen?"

His shoulder lifts as he turns around. "Kung ikaw, oo. Come on, I have to brief you in my office."

The morning passes like a blur. Gelo talks her through their current projects and current authors, where they are and what they're doing, shows her all the files she needs to look at and organize and rearrange, all the tasks she needs to accomplish. He keeps her up to speed with his current schedule and what it looks like over the next few weeks, and Jiya tries to contain her gasp kasi fully booked.

Gelo snickers at the look on her face. "Takbo ka na?"

"As if." Lumapit siya sa computer niya with wide eyes. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Good," he mutters. "I wouldn't want you anywhere else either."

They go down to the cafeteria for lunch. Treat ni Gelo.

"Congratulations on graduating," he says, offering her the ketchup. "I sent you a message, but I wanted to congratulate you in person. You should be proud of yourself."

Jiya smiles at him. "Thanks. And I am. Mahirap mag-Summa, 'no."

He laughs quietly, unwrapping his Subway sandwich. "I heard from Mr. Valle that you've become closer recently. That true?"

Oh. Pinag-uusapan siya ng dad niya? "My dad talks about me?"

"He was very proud when you graduated," Gelo tells her, giving her a smile. "And, yes. Sometimes. Well, kapag to me, a lot."

Jiya sighs. Baka iniisip pa rin ng papa niya na may chance maging sila ni Gelo. Gerard likes him for her—more than Migo. "Yeah, it's true. He's given up on Valle Holdings for me."

"That's good." Gelo pauses. Then he asks, "So you're living with Migo?"

Jiya nods, nonchalant. A friend asking a friend. "Mm. He's in med school right now, second year."

"Ah." Gelo nods. "Busy."

"I'll be busy, too. Soon." She snorts as she remembers his schedule. "Ang dami mong ganap sa calendar."

Gelo grins. "Excited ka lang e."

She doesn't deny it.

Before lunch break ends, Gelo goes downstairs to buy coffee for their packed afternoon. Si Jiya, pumunta sa library. Sa phone booth.

She takes a deep breath and looks outside the window, feeling her heart pound steadily in her chest. Her mouth hasn't stopped smiling since she got her, masakit na cheekbones niya.

Jiya texts Migo. Lunch na rin niya ngayon.

hi. i'm so happy.

He sends a reply not a minute later.

Pogi: i know. tell me all about it later,
wife. :)

She puts their picture on her desk and the little butterfly ornament in the glass jar beside it.

Jiya stays behind her computer for the remainder of the workday, catching up on all the things she needs to catch up on. Minsan, Gelo buzzes her through the intercom, calling her over, and dala-dala niya iPad nila, the same one she held when she went to that meeting with Fernando Ong, to his office.

Migo tells her he's downstairs at half past five. Jiya shuts off the computer and packs up her things, and then knocks at Gelo's door. "See you tomorrow, sir."

Gelo glares at her.

She clears her throat. "Rules haven't changed, then. See you tomorrow, Gelo."

He gives her a smile. "Thank you for today, Jiya. I...I missed working with you, and I'm excited moving forward."

Jiya narrows her eyes at him. "Ako rin, but until what time ka dito? Pwedeng umuwi ka na? We're packed with meetings bukas and you should be well-rested."

"I hired an assistant, not a nanny."

Jiya chucks a pillow in his direction.

Gelo laughs loudly. "Okay, okay! I'll go home in an hour. Leave na, you're annoying."

Jiya rolls her eyes and waves, and then she skips to the parking lot.

Migo catches her in his arms when she steps out the elevator. He's still wearing his YL6 uniform, and her heart jumps. "Hi, baby."

Jiya grins and kisses him, arms around his waist. "Hi."

Migo strokes her cheek, smiling as he stares at her. "There it is."

Jiya blinks, raising a questioning eyebrow.

"That happiness," Migo mumbles, brushing his thumb over her lip. "Ngayon ko lang ulit nakita. You haven't been this happy since your OJT."

"I'm always happy with you."

He grins and shakes his head. "That's different."

Tama siya. Ngayon lang ulit nakaramdam ng ganitong saya si Jiya.

"Can we celebrate my first day?" she asks him.

Migo tips her chin up and kisses her again. "Of course. Tara, kwento ka."

Migo listens to her with a smile on his face when she tells him about her day, and Jiya listens when he tells her about his, and then they go home together, make love to each other, and then sleep in each other's arms.

"I love this day. Para na tayong mag-asawa," Migo mutters against her nape, pulling her to him.

Jiya smiles and tangles her legs with his. "Doctor. Editor," she reminds him.

He laughs quietly, and his breath burns on her skin. "Preview, preview."

*

Every day looks a little more like that preview.

Some mornings, they wake up together, have breakfast together, drive the other to school or to work. Go about their day—Migo, studying medicine, listening to lectures, working on lab sessions, playing ping pong during his breaks—and Jiya, working behind her desk, going to meetings in and out of the office, reading manuscripts, more work behind her desk. Some nights, Migo will eat with his classmates sa mall, and Jiya will grab dinner from the cafeteria or sa delivery nila ni Gelo, and then they'll pick each other up and go home together while telling the other about their day—or mauunang uuwi si Migo, or mauunang uuwi si Jiya, and they'll still talk about their day and end it in each other's arms.

And it repeats like a looped video.

May time na dinalhan ni Migo sa Jiya ng dinner, a surprise visit sa building niya in his uniform. She kisses him in thanks, and he gruffly greets her boss with an arm around her waist. "Gelo."

His smile is tight. "Hi, Migo."

"Text me when you're on the way home," sabi ni Migo sa kanya, kissing her quickly. "Take care and drive safe. I love you."

"I love you more."

"Impossible." He winks.

Jiya watches him until the elevator doors closed.

Tapos bumalik siya sa trabaho with Gelo after eating the food he bought.

May time naman na umuwi si Jiya, may dalang takeout, naabutan yung mga classmates niya sa living room nila with books and index cards and papers strewn all over the floor. May mga bukas din na chips and energy drink bottles.

They all howl with greetings. "Hi Jiya!"

Inggo grabs her in a chokehold and ruffles her hair.

Nagulat si Jiya sa dami ng tao kahit nagpaalam naman si Migo. Parang nakaka-intimidate na puro med students ang nandito. "Hi, guys."

"Sorry ang gulo!" the one she remembers as Maya says. "But don't worry, we'll clean up before we leave!"

"It's fine," she says with a smile, taking off her shoes. "Good luck sa studies—"

Migo grabs her by the waist and kisses her in front of them.

Lahat sila nagtilian. "Yie!" May nagsabi pa na sobrang cute talaga nila.

Jiya smiles in his mouth even though she's a bit embarrassed, pero bahay naman nila 'to.

"Kadiri," Inggo comments, but Jiya knows he's smiling.

"Hi," Migo whispers with a bright smile. "You ate dinner na?"

Jiya nods, wrapping an arm around his waist and squeezing him. "Yes, I'll go wash up na. Go study."

She holes herself up in their room when she dresses in his shirt and her boxers. Medyo may ingay pa sa baba but it's not too loud, makakatulog naman siya. Besides, Migo is studying with them for their quizzes this week.

Kakahiga pa lang niya, Migo opens the door and crawls on top of her, hugging her. "I wanna kick them out and sleep," he mutters in her neck, nosing at her skin. "Wanna sleep with you."

Jiya threads her fingers in his hair and smiles, locking her legs around his waist. "Literal na sleep? Or not?"

"Both," he mutters grumpily.

Jiya laughs and hugs him tighter. "You have a lot to study for. I'll reward you after, I promise."

Migo pulls back with a smile. "Okay, sabi mo 'yan." He kisses her goodnight and crawls off her. Jiya instantly misses his warmth and touch. "Sleep na, baby. I'll follow later."

"I love you, study hard."

"Shh, oh my God, mapapatili ako nang wala sa oras, nandito mga kaibigan ko."

Jiya laughs, and he winks at her before he shuts off the light and closes the door.

Kahit nakatulog si Jiya nang wala siya, she knows he'll have his arms around her later.

*

Gelo hands her a mug of coffee. "And what do you think of the potential for marketing?"

"Risky, but very much possible," Jiya answers with her eyebrows furrowed, scrolling down her iPad as she takes the mug from him. "Thanks."

"I agree. Look at the numbers here." Gelo leans over and scrolls down further the screen, pointing. "Inconsistent. Too inconsistent."

Jiya sighs, biting her lip. "But her audience demographic is exactly the kind of readers we should be chasing. Gelo, we're focused on T&B's established authors, but newer and younger voices like this one could be like Fernando Ong. We'll come up with a better strategy, but the hits on this one...plus, the manuscript was brilliant—what?"

Her voice comes out in a whisper when she looks at him and he's staring at her with an unreadable expression on his face.

He shakes his head. "Nothing, go on."

"No, I was finished," she mutters, suddenly shy. "You already read my comments."

"I did. I agree with all of them." Gelo sits down on the sofa across her and smiles. "I'll pitch it. How's the deck?"

"Going. I'll finish it tonight." Jiya closes the iPad and stands up with her coffee to return to her office. "I'll include this in the proposal."

"Pati the stats, the numbers...you know what the other senior editors ask for," Gelo says, rubbing the nape of his neck. "I'll come by later to finish it with you."

Jiya nods and leaves him alone.

She has a text waiting for her on her phone when she's back on her desk.

Pogi: am i seeing u tonight or no na
naman

Jiya purses her lips. He sounds angry.

baby i'm sorry. u know the
pitch i was talking about?
 that's tomorrow na to the
senior eds, and i have to finish
the deck and the proposal. are
you mad? :(

More than a week na siyang nags-stay late sa office and hindi na natutuwa si Migo. He's also busy studying, pero lagi na siyang tulog when Jiya comes home.

He hates sleeping without her, pero wala rin siyang magawa because he's exhausted from studying and he needs to be up before five AM.

Pogi: no. text me pag pauwi ka na. eat
dinner

Jiya sighs. He's mad because he misses her.

baby dont be tampo,please?
after this pitch, u have me
buong weekend.

Pogi: may field trip kami this
weekend, diba? i told you this

Shit. Jiya shuts her eyes. They're going nga pala to one of the public hospitals na partner ng ASMPH.

right im so sorry i forgot.

Migo reads that.

Fuck, ano ba 'to. As if naman gusto niyang mag-stay!

it's not like i don't want to see
you, migo, it's unfair na you're
lashing out on me. i just have
a lot of work

He takes a minute to reply.

Pogi: okay. i just miss you. sorry.

Nanghina si Jiya.

Pogi: text me pag otw home ka na.
take breaks. i'll shower lang and go to
bed.

Dati, masusundo siya ni Migo kahit anong oras if he wants to see her, pero ngayon, sa sobrang demanding ng med school sa energy and time niya, hindi niya kakayanin. He needs to sleep.

okay. i love you.

Migo sends the words back, but Jiya's chest still feels heavy.

She and Gelo manage to finish their work nearing midnight. Sabay silang pumunta sa parking. "Get some rest," Gelo says, exhausted, heading to his car. "Goodnight, see you tomorrow."

Jiya waves at him and turns on the engine. She texts Migo.

i'm otw home na, my love.

Nagulat si Jiya when he reads that.

Pogi: okay drive safe

Jiya calls him sa Bluetooth speaker as she pulls out of her parking space. "Migo?"

"Mm?" he hums sleepily. "What?" His voice fills the whole car. Jiya's toes curl, pero...

"Why are you awake?" He has four hours na lang to sleep!

"I was waiting for you," he mutters. "I wanted to see you before I leave for school. Mag-o-offer sana ako manundo pero baka makatulog ako on the road."

Shit. "Baby, alam mo naman na you have to wake up early, you shouldn't have stayed up—"

"Wanted to see you," he says again. Firmer this time. "I haven't seen you in a week."

Magkasama sila sa bahay pero hindi na sila nagkikita na gising sila pareho.

Jiya purses her lips and sighs. "I'm sorry."

"I don't want your apology kasi hindi kailangan," Migo mutters. "I want you to drive safe and come home to me and sleep beside me."

Jiya nods, guilty. "Okay, I'll be there in a few."

Nakarating siya malapit na mag-one.

Migo is barely keeping his eyes open when Jiya steps in their room. She takes off her jacket and crawls beside him, and Migo wraps his arms around her, breathing in heavily. "Shit," he whispers. It sends shivers down her spine. "I missed you."

Jiya can feel it in his hold. Masyadong tight. She'll wait for him to fall asleep before she showers and changes. "I missed you too," she whispers, hugging him.

Migo's breath slows and his arms loosen. Wala pang ten minutes.

Jiya takes her time admiring his peaceful face, waiting until he's absolutely asleep before she carefully slips out of bed to head into the shower as quietly as possible.

When she wakes up from her alarm, seven, nagulat si Jiya when Migo was still beside her.

She shakes him awake. "Baby. Migo, wake up!"

He stirs and groans, squinting, making a sound.

Jiya shakes him. "Migo, seven na, you have class in thirty minutes!"

His eyes fly open, panicked. "Fuck, fuck!" He jumps out of bed and dashes to the bathroom.

Jiya stands up and grabs his uniform, hanging it sa closet nila, wincing when she hears Migo's frustrated curses sa pagmamadali niyang shower. Baka hindi na siya umabot sa first lecture niya.

Fuck. She feels so guilty. She snatches her phone to text Inggo.

inggo pa record ng first and
second lecture today pls baka
ma-late si migo. alam mo
naman yon pagdating sa
lectures and notes niya.
please.

Inggo Best Bro: si salas late???

Jiya sighs.

he was waiting for me. late na
nakatulog.

Inggo Best Bro: ah, shit. okok gotchu
bro.

She takes a deep breath in relief. Sa baba, Manang has breakfast ready. She smiles at her gratefully and packs it in a brown bag along with a handwritten note.

im so sorry i made you late.
have a good day, i love you.

Nagtimpla rin siya ng coffee pampagising sa kanya in a tumbler.

His footsteps are rushed as he runs down the stairs, buttoning his uniform, bag swinging over his shoulder. Jiya hands him his breakfast and tumbler and he takes them. "I'm leaving," he mutters, kisses her cheek in haste, and heads to his car.

Biting her lip, she trudges up the stairs and gets started on her own shower.

Nasa office na siya, kinakabahan pa rin siya na baka nasa traffic pa rin si Migo and he might have missed two lectures instead of one.

Heaving a heavy breath, she texts him.

school na? or not? im so
sorry. i asked inggo to record
the lecture.

Ten minutes past nine na when he replies.

Pogi: school. and it's fine baby. i was
the one who wanted to wait for you.
thanks and good luck sa pitch mo.
love you

She still feels guilty kasi alam niyang very meticulous si Migo when it comes to his notes. Gusto niya siya mismo ang nakikinig sa lecture because that's how he learns. Sana okay lang sa kanya na ni-record.

Uuwi siya mamaya nang maaga to make it up to him. Tapos na rin naman ang pitch nila by today.

Gelo knocks at her door after lunch with a smile. "Ready?"

Jiya stands up and brings her laptop with her, smiling back at him. "Ready."

The meeting doesn't seem to drag on for hours kahit alam niyang mga ilang oras na sila nandito. When it's Gelo's turn, her heart soars listening to him talk. When Gelo speaks, it's very concise and clear, and he has a way of sounding intelligent without being cocky, parang may pull na authoritative but not intimidating.

She can't really explain it. She also can't contain her happy grin seeing their work up on the projector.

Na-approve ang proposal nila. Under the table, Gelo gives her a fist bump. Jiya's cheekbones hurt from smiling.

She's skipping pagkalabas nila ng conference room. Gelo grins. "Congratulations."

"You did all the work," Jiya counters, clearing her throat. "You were the one who talked."

"You were there with me the whole time, Jiya, it was your work, too," he argues, shaking his head. And then he looks at his watch. "Let's celebrate with one drink? Are you free?"

Jiya wants to celebrate with Migo, but achievement din niya 'to with her boss.

"One drink," she decides.

Gelo grins. When he smiles really wide like that, he looks boyish. Younger. "Game."

She texts her boyfriend pag-upo nila sa bar around the corner and Gelo orders for them.

ill be home in an hour, one
drink lang with gelo. are u
free for dinner and wine to
celebrate my pitch approval?
:D

Jiya watches the chat bubbles dance.

Pogi: congratulations baby :) im home
na. what do you wanna eat ill
order/cook

Jiya heaves a sigh of relief.

you

She swears she hears his lazy and smug grin when he replies.

Pogi: dessert.

Jiya laughs.

okay. and ill eat anything na 
gawa mo hehe

Pogi: okay :) let me know kung
papasundo ka na, don't drive

okay baby

"Here." Gelo slides her a glass. "Don't know much about your taste, but I made a wild guess." He raises his own glass to her and smiles. "To the approval."

She grins back and toasts with him. "Congratulations, boss."

He snorts, drinking.

Jiya sniffs it before she drinks. It's bitter and strong, but her face doesn't change. Okay naman.

Their one glass is filled with easy and comfortable conversation, like they're friends, like they haven't stopped talking in the year that Jiya was trying to avoid him. It's nice.

Nagulat na lang siya when she feels cold hands on her waist and lips on her cheek. "Hi."

"Oh, my sundo's here." Jiya grins and leaps off her stool, shouldering her bag. Gelo's smile falters for the first time that day. "Thank you for the drink, boss."

"Congrats on the pitch," Migo says, sliding his arm around her hip. Jiya's heart skips a beat—bagong ligo siya in a sweater and shorts. Casual. Out of his uniform. He looks so good. "You guys worked really hard on it."

Gelo nods in agreement, and his eyes go to Jiya. "Well, I have a brilliant assistant. I had no doubts about the approval."

Jiya rolls her eyes. "He's giving me all the credit," she tells Migo, and then takes his hand. "See you on Monday! Thank you for the drink, get home safe!"

He waves at them from the bar.

In the car, Jiya leans over and kisses him. "Hi."

Migo's face scrunches. "What did you drink? Ang tapang."

She pouts and sinks back in her seat, pulling on her seatbelt. "Sorry."

"No, it's fine." Migo turns her face to him and kisses her again. "Surprised lang. I didn't know you liked that kind of taste."

"You're my favorite taste."

"Shut up, dinner muna." He puts his hand on her knee and strokes it as he drives to the main road.

Ang sarap ng luto ni Migo na oven risotto with crispy, roasted mushrooms, and the wine tastes amazing.

Especially on Migo's tongue.

"Shit," he rasps in her mouth, tugging her blouse off her, pulling her skirt down in one move, barely closing the door.

Jiya feels lightheaded. She needs him. Ang tagal na rin kasi sobrang busy nila.

Migo slaps her thigh before he gets rid of her bra and underwear. He's not going slow, he's too desperate na rin. Too impatient.

He drags her by the ankles to the edge of the bed, head hanging off the mattress, and he stands over her, thumb and forefinger on her jaw. "Open your mouth. You want me?"

"Yes," she whispers. "Always."

"Open it."

Jiya's stomach ties in knots in anticipation when she does, and he slides inside, groaning. "Fuck, yeah."

She concentrates on her breathing as he thrusts in deeper, and his hands go around her neck, feeling himself in her throat, tracing his name, and the other goes to her chest, squeezing and pinching. He pulls off and rubs it around her lips. "You're so pretty," he breathes. "Want you to see yourself."

Migo has her in front of the mirror sa bathroom, and Jiya grips the sink when he teases her, lips on her neck. "What do you want, baby?"

"You," she begs pathetically, pushing back on him, head bowing. "You, please, I want you, want you to fuck me, want you to fill me up."

"Tangina," he hisses, pulling her hair back. "Look at yourself in the mirror, look at who's fucking you. I won't let you cum if you look away."

Shit, shit, shit.

The image is so, so lewd.

Migo's arm goes around her abdomen as he thrusts in and out, the other on her chest.

"Please," Jiya whimpers, meeting his eyes in the mirror. Wild, hungry, desperate. "Please, faster."

"I love it when you beg." He shoves himself in deeper, moaning when he bottoms out, slamming into her with desperation. "Say you're mine."

"I'm yours, Migo, I'm yours," Jiya gasps, body jolting when his hand goes down to rub her. She wants to shut her eyes from the pleasure of it, but she can't look away from them in the mirror. "Ah, fuck, you feel so good."

She can barely hold herself up. Buti na lang hawak siya ni Migo.

"Go on," Migo whispers in her ear. "Let me hear you scream my name."

She does. Her body jolts, breaths coming quick as she reaches behind her to dig her nails in Migo's shoulder and neck as she rides her high.

"Baby," Migo murmurs in her ear, still thrusting inside her. "Can I? Inside?"

Jiya nods. "Please."

"Fuck." He yanks her head back with a hand in her hair. "You're mine, Valle."

Jiya feels him push as deep as he could, shutting his eyes as he ground his hips against her, moaning brokenly. "Ah, shit. Fuck."

His head lolls down to her neck, panting heavily as he hugs her from behind. His breath is hot and his sweat is on her skin, and he looks absolutely glorious fucked out and satisfied.

Jiya smiles in the mirror, dazed, hand reaching back to thread her fingers in his hair. "That was some congratulations," she whispers, still catching her breath.

"It was also an I need you, I miss you, and I love you," Migo mumbles in her skin, kissing her neck sweetly, hands rubbing up and down her sides. "Always."

Jiya turns her head to kiss him.

Migo pulls out of her slowly and she winces, trying to keep it from dripping down her thighs. Migo's fingers travel there, pushing it back inside with his fingers, rubbing.

She can feel him starting to get hard again sa likod niya.

Jiya turns around with her jaw dropped. "Isa pa?"

"Nagrereklamo ka?" Migo mutters, dragging her to the bed. "Shut up. Dito naman."

Jiya laughs, but it's short-lived and replaced with moans of his name.

*

"I'm sorry I made you late," Jiya mutters sleepily, tracing his chest with a lazy finger, leg over his. "And I'm sorry for coming home when you're already asleep."

Migo plays with her hair and shakes his head. "Don't apologize. You were right," he murmurs. "I was being unfair because I missed you kahit hindi mo kasalanan. I know it's work. Clingy lang talaga ako and stressed."

She manages a small smile. "Were you able to catch up on the lectures you missed?"

"Mm. Thank you for asking Inggo to record. 'Tsaka may nagpahiram din ng notes sa 'kin."

"Good." Jiya sits up to run her hand on his face. He's smiling at her. "I love you."

"Marry me."

She grins. "Soon."

He groans. "Ayoko na mag-med school, ang tagal pa."

Jiya laughs and hugs him tight, kissing his jaw. "I love you, Migo," she repeats, and hopes he can hear her breathing sounds, the beats of her heart, the sincerity and truth in them when she says those words. "Heart, body, soul...I'm yours. You own me."

He kisses her slowly. Gently, holds her face like it's going to break. "I believe you," he whispers.

Jiya falls asleep to his heartbeat in her ear.

Steady. Loud.