Boyfriend
Avery's Point of View
It has been a month.
One whole month of Elliot's persistence, his patience, his quiet ways of proving that this isn't just a phase or a game. Kung paano siya manligaw?
Hindi siya 'yung tipong maingay o flashy na para bang kailangang ipangalandakan sa buong mundo. He's more like... sunrise. Constant and steady. Dumadating araw-araw, never asking for permission, never failing to show up.
Minsan, naiisip ko that every little gesture of his is like watering a plant. Hindi mo agad makikita ang pagbabago, pero unti-unti, mararamdamaman mo na lang na may tumutubong bago sa loob mo.
My walls, the same walls I built for so long, they've been cracking without me noticing. And somehow, Elliot made the cracks look like windows.
Never a day passes na hindi siya may ginagawa. Some mornings, may kape akong aabutan sa mesa. Other days, may sticky note with a random doodle, or a quote na obvious namang galing sa Google pero pinili niya dahil "it reminded me of you."
At kapag late akong magigising, he's there, gigisingin na niya ako dahil magkatabi lang naman kami, pretending na naiinip na siya pero halata namang hindi naman siya aalis hangga't hindi ako bumababa.
And I'm still waiting for the right time. Hindi dahil hindi ko siya gusto because God knows I do, but because I want to give the answer when I'm sure I can carry it, when I'm ready to embrace not just Elliot, but everything that comes with loving him.
Funny thing? The boys.
I thought this would be complicated, awkward even, but they've been cool. Too cool, actually. Parang walang bigat. Parang accepted na nila from day one that Elliot was going to try, and they were just waiting for me to acknowledge it.
Of course, may asaran involved. Especially from Tyler, the resident clown.
Every time Elliot would bring me something like the time he showed up holding my tote bag for me after class, Tyler would whistle loudly and say, "Uy, gentleman moves! Next time, buhatin mo na rin si Avery papasok sa classroom, bro!" And the whole hallway would burst into laughter.
Or that other time when Elliot opened the car door for me habang nasa parking kami ng school at magkatabi lang ang kotse nila, Tyler immediately leaned against his car and said, "Shet, ang pogi mo, Elliot. Ako rin kaya buhusan mo ng ganyang effort."
At one point, napapaisip tuloy ako kung may group chat sila na "Let's Tease Elliot and Avery Club."
But the surprising thing? Elliot never snapped. Never denied. He would just smirk, shake his head, and sometimes even play along. Minsan pa nga sasabihin niya kay Tyler, "Don't worry, may discount ka. Libre kita ng Yakult."
And that's what makes it different.
Hindi siya nagmamadali. Hindi siya napipikon. Hindi siya nangungulit ng sagot. He's just there. Consistently there.
At ako? I'm just here, silently melting every day, realizing na kahit gaano ko pang i-delay, my heart already knows the answer.
The question is... when will I stop waiting for the "perfect time" and finally admit what's been true all along?
୨ৎ
I knew this day would come.
For weeks, Elyza, Daphne, and Hazel had been bombarding my inbox. Hindi man araw-araw pero consistent sila on asking for details about my "soft launch." And for weeks, palusot lang ako. "Busy ako sa acads, promise kwento soon!" or "Next time na lang." Though yes, nagiging busy na nga kami dahil sa papalapit naming midterms examination. Pero kahit anong palusot, hindi sila tumigil. Kaya eto na nga.
Finally, I cleared a slot just for them. After a month of delayed hangouts, here we were inside our favorite coffee shop, the one with brick walls, hanging plants, and that cinnamon scent that clung to your clothes when you left 5 PM, golden hour light filtering through the glass windows, and I could already hear their voices from the counter before I even reached the table.
"Avery!" sabay-sabay nilang bati when they saw me.
And of course, I was greeted with exaggerated gasps and dramatic gestures as if I just returned from the dead.
"Grabe, you finally exist again!" Hazel said, flipping her hair as if offended. "Like, hello? Naiwan mo kaming lahat sa ere. I was this close to unfollowing you sa IG, swear."
Elyza crossed her arms, smirking. "Pero at least may pa-soft launch ka pala behind our backs? Wow, Avery. We waited for how many years? Centuries? Finally."
Daphne leaned closer, phone in hand, zooming into my IG story screenshot. "Girl, don't play dumb. Who's the silhouette? Sino ang nasa harap ng bouquet? Spill. Now. Dahil wala ka naman nang choice."
I swear, these girls could audition for teleserye kontrabida roles and win an award. Nakakaloka!
Huminga ako nang malalim, clutching my iced latte like it was a stress ball. Inside, my heart was sprinting. Part of me wanted to keep this mine for a little longer, but another part of me, the one who missed laughing with them knew I couldn't escape.
"It's... Elliot," I admitted, voice soft but steady.
The reaction was immediate.
"What?!" halos sabay silang tatlo, sabay-sabay pang tumama ang mga palad nila sa mesa kaya napatingin ang ibang customers.
"Wait lang, like Elliot? Mr. Suplado pero secretly pogi?" Elyza whispered dramatically, as if she wasn't loud enough to be heard by the entire coffee shop.
"Yes, siya nga," I said, fighting the urge to hide my face.
"Oh my god, at last!" Daphne squealed, holding my hand across the table. "All this time we were waiting for this tea and ngayon lang namin nakuha. You made us wait one month for this? Avery, grabe ka."
Hazel, on the other hand, leaned back and fanned herself with a napkin. "I knew it. From the first moment na nakita ko 'yung energy ninyo together, I swear I felt it. Alam kong hindi lang ako ang nag-i-imagine. My instincts never fail."
Internally, I was laughing. Out loud, I rolled my eyes. "Kayo talaga. OA niyo. Wala pang label. He's just courting me."
That only made them squeal louder.
"Courting?! As in ligaw?" Elyza's eyes widened, leaning even closer. "Grabe, Avery, this is the news of the century. We're literally in the ligawan stage era?!"
Daphne clasped her hands together like she was in church. "Finally, someone's consistent enough for our Avery."
Hazel tapped her phone like she was already writing a press release. "I can't believe this. Can I post? I feel like the world deserves to know."
"Don't you dare, Haze!" I laughed, shaking my head.
But inside... I was melting.
Listening to them react this way reminded me of how I felt the first time Elliot actually asked if he could court me. That mixture of disbelief and warmth, that sense of being caught between wanting to run away and wanting to stay forever. And the fact that my closest friends were celebrating this with me, parang na-seal 'yung moment.
"So, like, how does he court you ba?" Hazel asked, eyes twinkling. "What does Elliot do when he's trying to be sweet?"
I leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a second as my heart rewound the memories. "He's... different. He's not grand gestures or anything flashy. He's the little things. Like bringing coffee every morning, reminding me to eat, walking together to our class. He listens, kahit minsan tahimik lang siya. And when he says something, it's always... steady and honest. No games."
They looked at me like I was telling them a fairytale.
"Oh my god, Avery," Elyza said, half-mocking, half-genuine. "You're smiling while talking about him. Like literally, you're glowing."
Daphne nodded eagerly. "I swear, parang siya na 'yung first guy na hindi ka lang basta nililigawan—he's making you feel safe."
Hazel clasped her iced coffee dramatically. "The bar is in heaven and he actually reached it. Wow."
I laughed, cheeks heating up despite my attempt to play it cool. Inside though? They weren't wrong. Elliot was steady in ways I never thought I needed. And seeing my friends react this way only solidified what I already knew deep inside.
That sooner or later, I was going to say yes.
But for now, I just enjoyed the moment with my girls, and their over-the-top reactions. A reminder that while my heart was falling harder each day, I wasn't falling alone. I had people rooting for me, waiting with me, cheering me on.
And honestly? That made everything even more real.
The ride back to the dorm was quiet. I was seated in the back of the Grab, city lights flickering outside like tiny lanterns guiding me home.
My iced latte from earlier had already melted into a watered-down sweetness, resting on my lap, but I couldn't care less. My mind was still echoing with the laughter of Elyza, Daphne, and Hazel—how loud they were, how extra their reactions had been.
I missed that. I missed them.
Spending the whole afternoon with them felt like finally letting out a breath I didn't know I had been holding. Parang matagal akong nakulong sa mundo ng academics, dorm drama, and... Elliot, of course.
Kaya naman ngayong nakasama ko ulit sila, I felt lighter. Like a part of myself that I had tucked away came out again.
But now that I was alone, silence crept back in. And with silence came honesty.
Because the truth? I couldn't stop replaying their words in my head. "You're glowing when you talk about him." "He's making you feel safe."
And they were right. Elliot had been relentless. Hindi siya napapagod. Hindi siya sumusuko. It's been a month and never once did he fail to show up—not just physically, but emotionally. Every coffee cup he placed on my desk, every sarcastic remark that somehow turned into reassurance, every protective glance when we walked together... lahat 'yon, I felt them. I saw them.
And slowly, day by day, I was running out of reasons not to give in.
I stared out the car window, my reflection blending with the neon signs. What would it be like if I said yes?
My imagination betrayed me instantly. I could see Elliot walking beside me, not just as "the guy courting me," but as my boyfriend. Holding hands without hesitation. Eating dinner together without pretending it was just a friendly thing. Him introducing me not as his friend, but as someone who belonged to him, and I—smiling—because I wanted that, too.
Napakagat ako sa labi. Just the thought made my chest tighten in a way that was both thrilling and terrifying.
The irony wasn't lost on me. When we first met, I couldn't stand him. Ang sungit, ang suplado, and he always had this irritating way of making me feel like he knew me better than I knew myself.
I used to roll my eyes at his comments, mutter insults under my breath, and wonder why people tolerated his presence. But look at me now... sitting here, cheeks warming just by imagining being his girlfriend.
"Life's funny, Avery," I whispered to myself, tracing a finger on the fogged-up window. "You hated him once, but now..."
Now he was the only one I could see.
But then another thought sneaked in... one that pulled me back to reality.
I've never had a boyfriend. Ever.
Back then, bawal pa. My parents, specifically Dad were strict, and I always convinced myself I wasn't ready anyway. I used to laugh it off when my friends had their heartbreaks and flings, saying, "At least, wala akong problemang ganiyan." I was content watching from the sidelines, thinking love was something I could delay.
But now? It was here, sitting right in front of me in the form of Elliot Reyes Enrique who's persistent, annoying, patient, and honest.
What would it mean to actually have a boyfriend?
I pictured it. Late-night talks, stolen kisses before class, the warmth of knowing someone had chosen me, exactly as I was. I thought of walking into the dorm, the others teasing us, Tyler probably laughing the loudest.
I thought of my friends sending me those OA messages, celebrating every little moment. I thought of the quiet, too—the moments where it would just be us, Elliot's silence not heavy but comforting, me finally letting my guard down.
And I realized... I wasn't scared anymore.
The old Avery would have panicked, thinking of all the rules she was breaking, all the risks she was taking. But this Avery? The one staring out of a Grab window at the blur of city lights? She was ready.
"Maybe... sooner than later," I whispered again, a small smile tugging at my lips. "I'll finally say yes."
The car slowed down, turning into the familiar street leading to the dorm. My chest swelled with a mix of nerves and excitement. I could already imagine Elliot waiting, maybe with that signature scowl he used to hide his worry, or maybe with another corny attempt at making me laugh.
And me? I'd smile. Because for the first time in my life, the idea of having a boyfriend wasn't terrifying.
It was something I wanted.
Something I was ready for.
By the time the Grab stopped in front of the dorm, I realized I had been smiling the whole ride.
And I knew, deep down, that the countdown to my answer had already begun.
The past two weeks felt like one long marathon. Review sessions, endless scribbles of notes, and late-night coffee runs turned into our normal routine. Kung dati, ang ingay ng dorm na puro tawanan, asaran, at kalokohan, ngayon parang library na rin. The five of us moved like machines, programmed only for one thing... midterms.
Edward always had his laptop open, compiling all the lecture slides like some kind of walking USB. Tyron turned into the ultimate disciplinarian, nagse-set ng schedules for everyone, making sure walang makakalusot sa review time.
Tyler, surprisingly, was quiet—well, quieter than usual. No corny jokes, no distractions, just a serious face with his Business Math reviewer. Kahit siya, alam niyang hindi biro ang mga exams na paparating.
And Elliot?
He was my shadow.
Every day after classes, we'd go straight to the library. He'd pick the corner table, the quietest spot, unpack his notebooks, and give me that look. The kind that said, "Avery, if you even think of checking your phone right now, I'll confiscate it." And yes, he actually did it once. He swiped my phone and slid it into his bag, telling me, "Focus, Avery. Instagram can wait. Your GPA can't."
Nakakainis siya, sobra. Pero I had to admit that because of him, mas naging disiplinado ako.
Though sometimes... I'd catch myself watching him instead of my notes.
The way his pen tapped against the table when he was solving practice problems. The way he'd lean over my notebook just to point out a mistake in my accounting entries. The way he'd slide an extra biscuit toward me whenever napapansin niyang hindi ako kumakain.
Is this what it's like to have a boyfriend who actually makes sure you're okay? The thought slipped in, uninvited, and I'd quickly bury my nose back into my book.
But of course, he noticed.
"Stop staring," he'd say, not even glancing up.
"I wasn't staring!" sagot ko, at alam kong namumula ang mga pisngi ko.
"Sure," he'd smirk, flipping another page.
God. I wanted to throw my pen at him.
Still, the pressure was overwhelming. Midterms weren't something you could charm your way through. Kahit gaano ka pa ka-confident, if you didn't study, you were dead. My general education subjects felt okay. Tedious, yes, but manageable. I could handle essays and reflections.
But my majors? They were a different story. Basta mahirap.
By the time I finished, para akong nabugbog. My hand ached, my brain felt fried, and all I wanted was to collapse on the nearest bench.
I walked out of the room and sat down under one of the acacia trees near the campus garden. Around me, students were reacting in every possible way that some laughing, relieved, others crying, devastated. And me? I just stared at the blue sky, breathing in the crisp air.
"Okay, Avery. You survived," I whispered to myself. "Barely, but you survived."
For a moment, pride swelled quietly inside me. Because the truth was, I wasn't alone in this. I thought about Elliot, always pushing me to focus. Tyron, drilling us with mock quizzes. Edward, patiently explaining concepts I couldn't get. Even Tyler, who once joked that he'd sell his soul if it meant passing Accounting.
We had all pushed through together. Like soldiers in the same battlefield.
And maybe that's what midterms really tested. Not just memory, not just skill, but endurance, patience, persistence, and the ability to hold on even when your brain screamed at you to give up.
And somehow, against all odds, I did.
The air in the garden felt different after exams and it's lighter, almost celebratory. For the first time in weeks, I wasn't thinking about accounting ledgers or business math formulas. I just wanted to breathe, to sit under the tree and remember what it was like not to have numbers chasing me in my dreams.
But of course, hindi pwedeng hindi siya susunod.
"Avery."
I looked up and saw Elliot walking toward me, his usual confident stride a little less intense this time. His shoulders seemed more relaxed, and for once, he didn't look like the guy carrying the weight of the world.
"Hey," I greeted, a small smile forming on my lips. "Finally done, huh?"
"Yeah," he replied, dropping down beside me on the grass. "I thought Accounting would murder me."
I laughed, clutching my chest. "Same. Kanina, I swear, I thought my brain was melting. But look at us, buhay pa."
"Barely," he chuckled, shaking his head. Then, more softly, he added, "But I'm glad we made it."
His words lingered. We. Not I. Not you. But we.
And my stupid heart decided to flip again.
"You did great," he said suddenly, turning to face me. "I know you're doubting yourself, but I watched you these past weeks. You worked hard. You'll pass."
I bit my lip, unsure whether to thank him or tease him. Instead, I just whispered, "Thanks. Ikaw rin. Kahit lagi mo kong kinukulit na mag-review."
"Kailangan eh," he grinned. "Kung hindi, you'd probably be scrolling on TikTok right now instead of sitting here."
"Excuse me? That's my coping mechanism!" I laughed, smacking his arm lightly.
He leaned back against the tree, eyes fixed on the sky. "Coping mechanism or not, I'd still confiscate your phone again."
"Annoying," I muttered, but there was no bite to it. Only fondness.
Silence wrapped us for a few minutes, but it wasn't heavy. It was the kind of silence na parang comfortable. Parang after all the chaos of midterms, ito lang 'yung reward—sitting next to him, knowing we survived.
Then he turned to me, that familiar glint in his eyes. Uh oh. That look again.
"Let's go out tonight."
I blinked. "Huh? Where?"
"You'll see."
I groaned. "Elliot, not again with your mysterious trip thing. Kakapagod na kaya 'yung mga surprise mo."
"But admit it," he smirked. "You like them."
My lips betrayed me and curved into a smile. Damn it. "Fine. Maybe a little."
His smirk widened. "Then it's settled. Be ready. I'll wait for you at the dorm."
Back at the dorm, I opened my closet and stared at my clothes like it was a life-or-death situation. Okay, Avery. This isn't just "going out." This is Elliot we're talking about. And you know how he looks at you whenever you actually dress up.
I settled for a cream-colored off-shoulder blouse tucked into high-waist skinny jeans. Simple but flattering. I paired it with white sneakers para comfy, but still chic. For accessories, I wore small gold hoops and my silver bracelet—just enough sparkle without screaming I tried too hard.
Then, the final touch of a soft tint of red lipstick. I stared at my reflection. "Okay, not bad. Hindi ka mukhang sabog, Avery."
I stepped out of the room and nearly froze.
Because there he was standing just outside, leaning casually against the wall. White button-down shirt, sleeves rolled up, paired with dark jeans and that leather-strapped watch he always wore. His hair, slightly tousled, looked unfairly perfect.
Ampogi?!
He straightened when he saw me, and for once, his usual cocky smirk wasn't there. Instead, his eyes softened, lingering longer than I expected.
"You look..." he paused, as if searching for the right word. "...beautiful."
My cheeks heated instantly. "Wow. Compliment? From you? Are you sick?"
He chuckled. "I'm serious, Avery. You really are."
I rolled my eyes, trying to hide how my heart was thumping like crazy. "Well, you don't look too bad yourself, pogi na rin."
His smirk returned. "Don't I always?"
"Tss. Ang kapal."
We walked side by side toward the parking lot, and for the first time, I realized something... we really looked like a couple. Both of us dressed up, both of us smiling like idiots. And the way people looked at us? Confirmed it.
Inside my head, I was screaming. Avery, you are so screwed. Because you're falling. Again.
But I didn't mind. Not anymore.
The ride was quiet, but not awkward. The kind of quiet na parang may sariling rhythm. The hum of the engine, the faint music from his playlist, and the steady beat of my heart that refused to slow down. Elliot was driving, one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on his lap, and I kept sneaking glances at him, wondering what he is up to this time.
"Malapit na tayo," he said, catching my stare without even looking directly at me.
"Where exactly?" I asked, arms crossed but a smile tugging at my lips. "Elliot, if this is another one of your secret experiments, swear, I'm going back to the dorm."
He chuckled, low and amused. "Relax, Avery. You'll like this one. Promise."
I sighed, shaking my head.
When the car finally stopped, my jaw almost dropped.
We were on top of one of the city's hills, overlooking the entire skyline. From here, the city wasn't just noise and chaos because it was light. A canvas of twinkling stars above mirrored by a sea of golden dots below. Streetlights, buildings, moving cars, all of them tiny and alive. It was as if the world had shrunk into something I could hold, and for once, it felt... calm.
My chest expanded, the air cooler, fresher. After weeks of burying myself in notes, handouts, and sleepless nights, this felt like the exhale I'd been waiting for.
Parang lahat ng stress na kinarga ko buong midterms biglang bumagsak, iniwan ako rito sa taas. The view was like a reward, a gentle reminder that life wasn't just about exams and deadlines. There were stars, lights, and quiet places like this.
"Elliot..." I whispered, still mesmerized. "It's... beautiful."
"Not bad, right?" he said, his voice tinged with satisfaction. Then he stepped ahead, gently tugging me by the wrist. "Come on, there's more."
He led me toward a small clearing where a foldable wooden table was already set up. Two chairs, a checkered mat beneath it, fairy lights strung along the side fence. And on the table, neatly arranged the take-out boxes, containers, bottled drinks, all set like it was meant to be a proper dinner.
I turned to him, wide-eyed. "Wait. You planned this? Here?"
"Of course." He grinned, pulling a chair out for me like a true gentleman. "Picnic with the best view of the city. What more do you need?"
I sat down slowly, still in disbelief. "Seriously, Elliot. Ano ka ba talaga? You always have these surprises up your sleeve. And I always..." My voice trailed off.
He leaned closer, eyebrow raised. "You always... what?"
I rolled my eyes, heat rising to my cheeks. "...I always end up liking it."
He chuckled, clearly pleased with my answer, before settling across from me. "Good. That's the point."
The food was simple but perfect. Barbecue skewers, pasta in little boxes, garlic bread, fried chicken, comfort food na swak na swak sa gutom naming dalawa after exams.
I took a bite and groaned. "Oh, my God. Why does food taste a hundred times better after suffering?"
Elliot laughed, pointing his fork at me. "Because survival makes everything sweeter. Midterms almost killed us, so now this is victory food."
I shook my head, smiling. "You and your metaphors. Pero fine, I'll take it. Victory food it is."
He looked at me for a moment, then said softly, "You deserve it, Avery. You've been working hard. I wanted you to have a break. A real one."
I froze for a second, my chest tightening. Why does he always say things like that? Why does he always know exactly what I need, even before I admit it?
I tried to play it cool, but inside, I was melting.
After we finished eating, we just sat there in silence. The city stretched endlessly beneath us, and above, the stars blinked lazily as if watching us. The breeze was cool, brushing strands of my hair across my face. Elliot leaned back on his chair, one arm resting casually while his eyes stayed on the skyline.
"Relaxing, isn't it?" he asked.
I nodded, hugging my knees to my chest as I stared at the horizon. "Yeah. It's like... the world slowed down just for tonight. Parang kahit isang gabi lang, wala akong kailangang isipin."
He hummed in agreement. "That's why I brought you here. I wanted you to feel that."
My chest clenched again. This is so Elliot—full of surprises, annoyingly mysterious, but always ending up giving me something I didn't know I needed.
The night stretched endlessly above us, stars scattered like secrets waiting to be confessed. The city lights below flickered as if reminding me of how chaotic the world could be, but here, sitting across from Elliot felt like the universe had narrowed itself down to just us.
I drew in a shaky breath. My chest tightened. There was something I'd been meaning to say for weeks now, something I'd been afraid to touch because I wasn't sure if his answers would comfort me... or crush me.
"Elliot..." I began softly, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my jacket. "We never really... talked about it. About me. About what happened before... when you found out that I'm trans."
The word hung between us, heavier than any textbook, sharper than any exam question. My heart thudded painfully, like it wanted to break out of my chest. What if...? What if all of this was just him trying, but deep down, he couldn't really accept me? What if he still sees me as less?
Elliot leaned forward, his eyes locked on mine, unwavering. "Avery," he said firmly, his tone low and sure, "I don't hate you. I never hated you. What I hated... was myself. For reacting the way I did. For letting my shock get the better of me instead of listening to you. And until now, I regret that moment."
My throat tightened. He didn't look away, not even for a second.
"I don't care about labels, or about what anyone else might say. What I care about is you. Your laugh, your fire, the way you always fight for your friends, the way you look at the stars like they're giving you answers. That's who you are to me. And no one—no one—can erase that."
I swallowed hard. The walls I had built for so long cracked a little more. But still, I whispered, testing him, "Pero Elliot... if you feel something for me... does that mean you're bisexual?"
He chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"No." He inhaled deeply, his hand curling into a fist on his lap before unclenching.
"I've asked myself that question more times than I can count since the moment I realized I liked you. And every time, I arrive at the same answer: I'm straight. Because when I look at you, I don't see anything else but a woman. Not a label. Not a category. Just... Avery. My Avery."
My chest constricted, warmth flooding through me so strong I thought I might cry. My Avery. The way he said it, like it was the most natural thing in the world melted something inside me I didn't even know was frozen.
"And whatever I said before," he continued, his voice trembling slightly now, "I regret it every day. I wish I could take it back, but since I can't, all I can do is make it up to you. By proving every single day that you're worth every effort. And I will keep proving it, Avery. I'll put in more effort, I'll work harder, I'll—"
"Elliot," I cut him off, my heart pounding so loudly I could barely hear myself. The words itched at my tongue, demanding to be set free. "You better stop courting me."
His eyes widened instantly. Shock painted across his face. "W-What? Why? Did I do something wrong? Avery, please don't—"
His words tumbled out, desperate, frantic, like he was scrambling to hold on before I could slip away. "If it's about earlier, or something I said, I swear—tell me, and I'll fix it. Just—don't push me away, please. I'll do better. Just say the word—"
I almost laughed at how panicked he looked. Poor boy didn't even let me finish.
I smiled instead, my tears brimming but my heart soaring. "Stop courting me, Elliot..." I whispered, leaning closer, "because you don't have to anymore. Tayo na."
He froze.
Like the entire city stopped with him.
His lips parted, his chest rising and falling too quickly, and for once, Elliot Reyes Enriquez looked completely, utterly lost.
"T-Tayo na?" he stammered, his voice breaking.
I nodded, smiling through my tears. "Yes."
And in the very next second, faster than lightning, faster than my own heartbeat, he closed the gap between us and captured my lips with his.
The world shattered into fireworks. His lips were warm, firm but trembling, pouring into me every unsaid apology, every buried emotion, every ounce of longing. I melted instantly, my hands instinctively finding his shoulders, grounding myself against the storm he carried in that kiss.
It wasn't just a kiss.
It was a surrender.
A promise.
A brand carved into my very soul.
When we finally pulled apart, gasping, our foreheads remained pressed together. His breath mingled with mine, uneven, shaky, but real.
"I can't believe it," he whispered, eyes glassy but filled with awe. "You're mine now. Officially. My girlfriend."
I giggled softly, brushing away the stray tear on his cheek with my thumb. "Yes, it's official. Boyfriend na kita."
And right there, beneath the endless sky, with the city lights as our witnesses and the stars as our silent chorus, I knew this wasn't just the start of a relationship.
It was the start of something bigger.
Something real.
Something ours.
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