Chapter Text
Mutya arrived back at their house. She could still feel Agos’ presence in her mind—the way her words had hit her like a wave, pulling her under before she could even process them.
“I’ve always loved you, Mutya.”
She could still hear it echoing in her ears.
Her mind was spinning.
What did it mean?
Why did she feel this… heaviness in her chest every time she thought about Agos?
She had never questioned her sexuality before, never thought twice about her preferences, her identity.
But now? Now it was all she could think about.
Sitting on her bed, Mutya held her head in her hands, breathing deeply, trying to make sense of the storm inside her. She didn’t know what to do with this new feeling that had emerged, one that tugged at her, pulling her in a direction she hadn’t anticipated.
The pendant—her necklace—still felt cold against her skin. The thought of giving it to Agos had felt strange, but she couldn’t explain why it had felt right. It was as though she was giving something of herself, yet it wasn’t an easy gift.
She ran a hand over her face and sighed.
Time.
That’s what she needed. But the uncertainty, the possibility of losing Agos in the process—it hurt more than she had expected.
Over the next few days, there was a cold distance between them, the silence growing louder with each passing hour. Mutya kept herself busy, hiding from the overwhelming emotions swirling inside her. She didn’t want to confront what she was feeling. She wasn’t ready to face Agos or, worse, admit that maybe she had felt something for her too. Every time she allowed herself to think about it, her mind spiraled out of control.
She felt guilty.
She felt scared.
The days stretched into weeks, and Mutya still hadn’t reached out to Agos. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to—it was that she didn’t know what to say. She had never been the kind of person to let uncertainty consume her, but this? This was different.
Every time she thought of Agos, something deep inside her stirred. But it wasn’t just about Agos—it was about her.
Who she was.
What she wanted.
What she had never allowed herself to consider.
So she did the only thing she could do: she focused on herself.
She took long walks alone, watching the way the world moved around her. She sat in cafés, observing people—couples, friends, strangers—and wondered about their lives, their choices.
Had any of them ever felt this lost before?
Had any of them ever questioned themselves so deeply that they weren’t sure where their truth began or ended?
She avoided places that reminded her of Agos, yet she found that no matter where she went, Agos was still with her—in the scent of the ocean breeze, in her bedroom, in the melody of a familiar song playing in a store, in the way the moon hung heavy in the night sky, just like it had on the night Agos confessed.
And the silence between them? It was deafening.
It wasn’t until one evening, while she was sitting alone on her porch, staring out at the quiet street, that she realized what she was truly afraid of.
It wasn’t just about Agos.
It was about her entire sense of self.
Because if she admitted that she felt something for Agos—something real, something raw—what did that mean for the life she had always known?
She exhaled slowly, rubbing her temple.
She needed guidance. She needed clarity. And she knew exactly who to talk to.
The next afternoon, Mutya found herself at her friend Sabel’s small house near the shoreline. The salty breeze carried the scent of the ocean and the rhythmic crash of waves against the shore filled the air, blending with the rustling of coconut trees swaying gently in the afternoon heat.
Mutya had always felt safe here. Sabel and Malaya had been her friends for years, their bond forming naturally through time and shared experiences. When she met Agos, it was only a matter of time before she introduced her to them.
Sabel, ever the calming presence, gestured for Mutya to sit. “Sobrang lalim ng iniisip mo ah. Parang may paparating na bagyo.”
Mutya let out a soft laugh, but there was no humor in it. Parang ganoon na nga.”
Malaya leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “Tungkol ba ’to kay Agos?”
Mutya’s head snapped up, startled. “How did you—”
Malaya smirked. “Sus, Mutya, you’ve been acting weird for weeks. The last time I saw Agos, para siyang binagsakan ng langit at lupa. I put two and two together.”
Sabel set down a cup of tea in front of Mutya before settling into her seat. “Tell us. What’s on your heart?”
Mutya stared at the swirling liquid in her cup, gathering the courage to speak. Finally, she exhaled and met their gazes. “I don’t know who I am anymore.”
Silence.
Sabel nodded, her expression patient. “Go on.”
“I’ve always thought I had my life figured out. I never questioned myself before. But then Agos—” Mutya swallowed. “Sinabi niyang mahal niya ako, and it was like something inside me broke open. And I haven’t been able to put the pieces back together.”
Malaya’s gaze softened. “You’re scared.”
Mutya let out a humorless chuckle. “Terrified.”
Sabel leaned forward, resting a gentle hand on Mutya’s. “Fear is natural. But what exactly are you afraid of?”
Mutya hesitated before whispering, “That if I admit I might love her back… it changes everything.”
Sabel gave her hand a squeeze. “Does it?”
Mutya blinked.
Malaya chimed in, her tone firmer. “Mutya, let me ask you something. If you woke up tomorrow, and the world had no expectations of you—no labels, no rules—what would you do? What would you want?”
Mutya swallowed hard, her fingers tightening around her cup. “I don’t know.”
Sabel smiled knowingly. “Gaga, alam mo. You just haven’t allowed yourself to say it yet.”
The words settled heavily in Mutya’s chest.
She did know.
She had known for weeks.
Maybe even longer.
Malaya leaned back against the couch. “Mutya, a lot of us grow up thinking we have to be one thing or another. That there’s only one path we’re allowed to walk. But life? Life isn’t meant to fit in a box. Love isn’t meant to be restricted by what’s easy or expected.”
Sabel nodded. “And knowing yourself, truly knowing yourself, is a journey. It’s not about finding the perfect answer. It’s about being brave enough to ask the questions.”
Mutya’s throat felt tight. “But what if I lose her in the process? What if I take too long to figure it out, and she walks away?”
Sabel squeezed her hand again. “Then that will be her choice. But you can’t rush self-discovery for the sake of someone else. Love isn’t about losing yourself—it’s about finding yourself and choosing to share that with someone else.”
Malaya added, “And if Agos really loves you, maiintindihan niya. She’ll wait.”
Mutya let the words sink in. For the first time in weeks, she felt something shift inside her. The fear was still there, but beneath it, there was something else—something steadier.
Hope.
Sabel gave her a warm smile. “No matter what you decide, palagi mong tatandaan 'to—you are still you. You are still Mutya. Love doesn’t change that. It just teaches you more about who you are.”
Mutya nodded slowly, her heart beating a little steadier.
Maybe she didn’t have all the answers yet. Maybe she was still lost.
Malaya broke the silence, tilting her head. “Can I ask you something? About before Agos?”
Mutya hesitated. “What about it?”
Malaya exchanged a glance with Sabel before speaking. “You’ve been in relationships before, right? With guys.”
Mutya nodded. “Yeah.”
“Did you ever feel… this lost? This confused?” Malaya pressed.
Mutya sighed, leaning back against the chair. “No. But I also never felt this much, either. My past relationships were simple. They made sense. I cared about them, but it was never… this.”
Sabel smiled gently. “Because THIS is real. THIS is fierce.”
Mutya’s fingers traced the rim of her cup. “I never questioned myself with them. I never felt the need to. But now… it’s like my entire life is shifting beneath me.”
Sabel nodded in understanding. “That’s because this isn’t just about Agos, Mutya. This is about YOU. About giving yourself the space to grow into the person you’re meant to be, without fear of what that means.”
Malaya added, “And that kind of love? The kind that makes you question everything, that makes you want to be brave? It’s worth exploring.”
Mutya swallowed, her chest tightening. “But what if I find out I’m not brave enough?”
Sabel’s voice was steady, unwavering. “Then we’ll be here to remind you that you are.”
Mutya let their words wash over her.
Maybe she was still lost. Maybe she still had a long way to go.
But with Sabel and Malaya beside her, and Agos waiting somewhere on the other side of her fear, maybe she would find her way.
In the days that followed, Mutya found herself slipping into a quiet routine of reflection. She spent more time by the shore, walking along the water’s edge as the waves kissed her feet, letting the salty air fill her lungs.
The ocean had always been her place of solace, but now, it became her mirror.
Deep, just like the emotions she was trying to navigate.
One afternoon, she borrowed an old bike from Sabel and rode aimlessly around the small coastal town, visiting places she once loved but had neglected. She stopped by the local market, greeted old vendors who had watched her grow up, and even sat in the tiny carinderia where she and Agos used to share meals.
It felt nostalgic, but also like she was seeing everything with new eyes.
There were nights she couldn’t sleep, so she would sit outside Sabel’s house, watching the moonlight dance on the waves. Malaya often joined her, sometimes in silence, sometimes sharing stories of her own struggles with identity and self-acceptance.
“Alam mo, Mutya,” Malaya said one evening, her voice low and thoughtful, “figuring out who you are doesn’t mean you have to erase who you were before. It’s all part of you.”
Mutya nodded, letting the words settle inside her.
One day, she decided to face one of her fears—being alone with her thoughts. She packed a small bag and took a boat to a quieter part of the island, away from the town’s noise. She spent the entire day there, listening to the rhythm of nature, meditating, and simply existing without pressure. It was uncomfortable at first, the silence almost too loud, but eventually, she began to find peace in it.
As the afternoon wore on, Mutya found herself walking along the shoreline, the sand soft underfoot and the breeze cool against her skin. She noticed two women running along the beach, laughter filling the air as they playfully teased each other. One was shorter, sprinting ahead with energy, while the other, taller, was struggling to keep up.
“You think you can outrun me, Zaya?” the taller one called out, grinning as she pushed herself harder, trying to close the gap.
The shorter one glanced back, eyes twinkling with mischief. “You’ve got the legs, Isla, but I’ve got the speed!” she shouted, glancing over her shoulder before speeding up even more.
The taller one laughed, breathless but determined, her hair bouncing with every stride. “Not if I catch you first!”
As Zaya reached the water’s edge, she slowed down, letting Isla catch up. When Isla finally reached her, out of breath and laughing, Zaya turned with a mischievous smile and pulled her into a gentle, unexpected hug.
Isla’s surprise melted into a soft chuckle as she wrapped her arms around her, both of them standing there for a moment, surrounded by the sounds of the ocean and their shared joy.
Mutya watched them, feeling a pang of envy at their carefree energy and the easy, sweet affection they shared.
Their laughter was a stark contrast to the confusion swirling inside her. She couldn’t help but feel a mix of admiration and frustration—how could they be so comfortable with each other, so unburdened by doubt?
The way they were so open, so unapologetically themselves, made her ache with a desire to experience that same freedom. They seemed to exist in the moment, their connection flowing effortlessly, while she felt like she was constantly battling with herself, questioning every part of her identity.
Watching them, she realized just how much she longed for that kind of ease—the kind of bond that didn’t come with second-guessing or trying to fit into a mold.
As time passed, she suddenly no longer felt the urgency to define everything at once. Some days, she still felt lost, but she was learning to be okay with the uncertainty.
She learned to sit with her feelings without trying to push them away.
She learned that loving someone didn’t have to mean losing herself.
Then, one evening, as she sat with her journal open on her lap, she wrote something that made her pause.
“I think I love her.”
"And I want us to be like Zaya and Isla."
The moment she wrote it, she felt an overwhelming sense of relief, as if she had been holding her breath for too long.
It was not a declaration made to anyone else.
It was for herself.
A truth she had finally allowed herself to acknowledge.
She closed the journal, staring out at the horizon where the sky met the sea. And finally, she felt like she was exactly where she needed to be.
Maybe she wasn’t fully ready yet. Maybe she was still figuring things out.
But she knew one thing for certain—she wasn’t afraid anymore.
It was a quiet evening when Mutya finally gathered the courage to talk to her father. Tatay Elias sat on their small wooden porch, sharpening his fishing knife with slow, steady strokes. The scent of the ocean lingered in the air, mixing with the faint aroma of salt and damp wood.
Mutya hesitated at the doorway, her hands clammy. She had faced storms, swum against fierce currents, but this—this was different.
“Tay,” she called softly.
Elias looked up, his weathered face breaking into a small smile. “Oh, anak. Nandiyan ka pala. Halika rito, upo ka.”
She settled beside him on the worn bamboo bench, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shorts. For a moment, she simply watched him work, the rhythmic scrape of metal against stone grounding her.
“May bumabagabag sa'yo, Mutya,” he said after a while, not looking up. “Nababasa ko sa mukha mo.”
Her throat tightened. “Tay… may gusto po akong sabihin sa inyo.”
Elias finally set down his knife and turned to her, his deep, knowing eyes searching hers. “Ano 'yun, anak?”
Mutya inhaled shakily. She had rehearsed the words a hundred times, but now that the moment was here, they caught in her throat.
She dropped her gaze to her hands. “Tay… baka po kasi… hindi ako yung inaakala n’yong anak niyo.”
Silence stretched between them, the waves crashing softly in the distance. Elias didn’t move, didn’t speak, but he was listening.
"Tay, may mahal po akong tao."
"Oh, ano namang problema ron, anak? Hindi ba't iilang beses na rin na may ipinakilala ka sa akin na boypren mo?"
Mutya forced herself to continue. “Tay kasi po... 'Yung tao na 'yon,” Her voice wavered. “...ay si Agos.”
Her heart pounded painfully as she waited for his reaction. She braced herself for disappointment, for anger, for confusion—for anything that would confirm her worst fears.
But Elias simply let out a slow breath. Then, after a beat, he reached for her hand, his calloused palm warm against hers.
“Mutya,” he said, his voice steady. “Anak pa rin kita.”
Mutya's chest ached, but in the best way possible.
“Hindi kita minahal dahil lang sa kung ano ang tingin mo sa sarili mo dati,” he continued, giving her hand a firm squeeze. “Minahal kita dahil ikaw ang anak ko. At wala nang ibang mas mahalaga pa sa’kin kundi ikaw.”
Mutya let out a shaky laugh, but tears had already begun slipping down her cheeks. “Tay… akala ko… baka po hindi n’yo matanggap.”
Elias smiled gently, brushing a stray tear from her face with his rough thumb. “Alam mo, Mutya, hindi madali ang buhay. Minsan, natatakot tayong lumihis sa inaasahang landas kasi iniisip natin kung anong sasabihin ng iba.”
"Pero, anak," he began, his voice soft but certain, "hindi tayo nabubuhay para lang matakot. Hindi tayo nandito para ikahon ang sarili natin sa iniisip ng iba. Ang mahalaga, alam mo kung sino ka—hindi para sa kanila, kundi para sa sarili mo. Para sa kaligayahan mo."
"At kung tutuusin, anak, hindi mo nga kailangang sabihin pa sa akin 'to. Kasi hindi naman 'to kasalanan. Hindi ‘to disabilidad, hindi ‘to krimen. Wala kang dapat ipaliwanag, wala kang dapat ikatakot."
He placed a firm, reassuring hand on hers. "At kahit ano pa mang mangyari, anak... Ikaw pa rin ang Mutya ko. At wala ni isang bagay sa mundong ‘to ang makakapagbago n’un."
Mutya sniffled. “Pero, Tay… natatakot pa rin ako. Bago sa akin lahat ng ito, Tay. Natatakot akong hindi maging sapat. Natatakot akong magkamali.”
Elias turned back to her, his gaze filled with an indescribable warmth. “Mutya, anak, hindi kailanman magiging maling magmahal. Ang tanging mali lang ay ang itanggi mo sa sarili mo ang kaligayahan mo.”
His voice softened even more. “At kung may taong hindi makatatanggap sa’yo… hindi iyon dahil may mali sa’yo. Iyon ay dahil hindi pa nila kayang makita ang lawak ng pagmamahal na kayang ipakita ng puso natin.”
Mutya let out a choked sob, burying her face in her hands. Elias pulled her into a firm, steady embrace, one that felt like home.
“Wala kang dapat patunayan, anak. Alam mo, kung nabubuhay pa ang mama mo, malamang ganito rin ang sasabihin n’un. Mahal na mahal ka n’un eh. Walang ibang hinangad 'yon kundi ang sumaya ka, Anak. At malamang ganoon pa rin ang gusto n’un para sa'yo hanggang ngayon.” he murmured against her hair.“Basta’t tandaan mo, anuman ang mangyari, nandito ako. Susuportahan kita sa lahat ng gusto mo, lalo na sa mga bagay na alam kong nakakapagpasaya sa'yo.”
Mutya clung to him, finally letting go of the burden she had been carrying for so long.
She had feared this moment, feared rejection—but what she found instead was warmth, acceptance, and the unshakable love of a father who had always, always seen her.
And in that moment, she felt truly free.
The following day, Mutya stood outside Agos' house. Her heart raced, pulsing with nervousness and anticipation, but beneath it all, there was a certainty she hadn’t known before.
She was ready.
When she rang the bell, it was not Agos who greeted her, but Cielo, Agos' cousin, looking as if she had been in the middle of something before being interrupted.
Cielo smiled politely, but there was a sense of unease in her eyes.
"Oh, Mutya. Anong ginagawa mo rito?" Cielo asked, her voice soft.
"Uhm... is Agos here?" Mutya asked, almost hopeful.
Cielo’s smile faded just a little, and her eyes seemed to darken. "Wala si Agos dito ngayon eh," she said. "She went to Cebu kasama si lola. Hindi ba nasabi ni Agos sa'yo?"
Mutya hesitated, her voice barely a whisper. "Hindi eh. Actually, we haven’t really talked in a while."
Cielo’s expression softened with empathy, as if she understood more than Mutya could have expected. "They left three days ago. Si tito… 'yung papa ni Agos... he got into an accident. It’s serious. Agos and her lola went to Cebu to be with tita."
Mutya felt a sharp pang in her chest, the words settling in like a weight she didn’t know how to carry. "Is he… is he going to be okay?"
Cielo shook her head gently. "Hindi ko alam, Mutya. It’s really bad. They’re staying there for a while, since Agos' mom is the only one there with her father."
Mutya stood still, her thoughts racing.
She had no idea.
No idea that Agos' father was so sick, no idea that her absence in Agos' life had allowed space for something this big to happen, and that she hadn’t even been there to offer any kind of support. The burden of everything made her feel even more distant from the girl she used to know so well.
"And… how about Agos' studies?" Mutya asked, trying to grasp at something she could still hold on to. "She’s graduating soon, right?"
Cielo nodded. "Tapos naman na 'yung exams. She won’t be attending the graduation ceremony. They’ll just mail her diploma. And Agos… she’ll probably be looking for a job in Cebu after everything settles. She won’t be coming back anytime soon, Mutya."
The words hit Mutya like a punch to the gut. She didn’t know what to feel—sadness, anger, regret.
So much regret.
She had let the space between them grow too wide, and now it seemed like it was too late.
Mutya took a step back, her mind swirling with the thoughts of Agos, of all the things left unsaid, of how things had ended between them.
"I… I’ll try to contact her," she said, almost to herself.
Cielo watched her, her gaze soft but knowing. "Good luck," she said gently.
"But Agos… she turned off her phone, and she deactivated her social media accounts. She’s not responding to anyone right now."
The words pierced Mutya deeper than anything else. She wanted to ask why—why Agos had pulled away so completely, why she had shut herself off from everything and everyone—but the question felt too raw, too painful.
She fumbled with her phone, trying to call Agos, but the number rang out, and then… nothing. Her heart sank as she stared at the screen.
She tried again, her fingers trembling, but the same result.
She then searched for Agos’ social media accounts, but the profiles were gone, vanished like they never existed.
The reality of it all crashed down on her.
It was too late.
Too late to fix the distance, too late to heal the broken pieces of their connection. She’d taken too long to admit what she felt, too long to show Agos that she cared.
“Is it really too late?” Mutya whispered to herself, standing there in the empty silence. “Am I too late?”
Her eyes stung with unshed tears, and she felt the ache of all the words they hadn’t said, the closeness they had once shared, slipping further and further away with each passing second.
She had waited for the right moment, for the right words, and now it seemed like there was no moment left to catch.
But deep down, she knew one thing was certain: she would never stop wondering if she had waited too long to tell Agos how she felt.
And now, the possibility of what could have been felt so painfully out of reach.
With one last, lingering look at the house, Mutya turned away, her heart heavy with regret.
One year later...
The room buzzed with excitement as guests filled the space, celebrating Mutya's graduation.
The house was warm, filled with the familiar scent of home-cooked meals and the sounds of laughter and conversation. Mutya stood with her friends, all of them congratulating her with bright smiles and teasing remarks.
Her father, beaming with pride, moved around the room, making sure everything was perfect for the thanksgiving dinner he had set up to honor Mutya’s achievement.
Though she was happy, a part of her still felt the absence of something she couldn’t quite name. The year had been a whirlwind, and while she had moved forward in many ways, the unresolved feelings she had for Agos still lingered in the corners of her heart, a quiet ache she hadn’t yet found the courage to face.
The conversations around her were lighthearted and joyful, but Mutya’s mind often wandered.
She hadn’t heard from Agos since that day. Few days after she left Batangas, Mutya heard from Jimena that Agos' father passed away.
Since then, there had been no contact. Even Cielo and Jimena hadn’t updated her about Agos.
She wondered where Agos was, what she was doing, and if, perhaps, she was still holding onto the necklace Mutya had given her.
It was a bittersweet thought.
After a while, as Mutya caught up with her friends, Jimena’s voice cut through the noise, her tone playful but with a hint of something more.
“Mutya,” Jimena called out, “Someone’s here to congratulate you.”
Mutya turned toward the door, eyebrows raised in curiosity. Jimena smiled knowingly as she gave a subtle nod towards the entrance.
Mutya’s heart skipped a beat as she stepped forward, the crowd parting as she walked toward the door. And then, she saw her.
Agos.
She was standing there, looking as beautiful and familiar as ever, her presence sending a jolt through Mutya's chest.
The years hadn’t dulled her effect. For a moment, it felt like time had rewound, like nothing had changed. The world fell away, and it was just the two of them again.
But as Mutya took a step forward, ready to close the distance, she saw something... someone.
Behind Agos, standing just a few steps back, was Gani.
Her breath caught in her throat. The last person Mutya had expected to see in this moment, especially not here, not now.
The air shifted, and the warmth Mutya had felt in seeing Agos began to cool. Her gaze flickered back to Agos, searching for any sign, anything that would make sense of the situation.
But what truly made her stomach drop was the absence of the necklace. The Scorpio necklace. The very one she had given to Agos that day, the one that had meant so much in their silent exchange of unspoken words.
It wasn’t around Agos’ neck.
The pang of disappointment was sharp, but Mutya quickly masked it, trying not to let her feelings show.
She moved forward cautiously, forcing a smile as she met Agos’ eyes. The tension was palpable, but Agos didn’t seem to notice—or perhaps, didn’t want to acknowledge it.
“Mutya,” Agos said, her voice soft, but with a warmth that still sent a wave of familiarity and longing through Mutya.
But the silence between them was heavy now, thick with unspoken words, and Mutya couldn’t help but glance back at Gani.
She didn’t want to make assumptions, but it was hard to ignore the implications.
The ocean breeze tugged at their clothes as Mutya and Agos made their way down to their usual spot near the rocky coastline, away from the noise of the celebration. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore was soothing, the same rhythm that had always comforted them when they were together.
Agos broke the silence first. "Congratulations, Mutya. You really did it."
Mutya smiled softly.
"Thank you." She spoke with a sense of something unsaid, a silent pain in her voice. "I heard what happened to Tito..."
Agos' lips curled into a half-hearted smile, the sadness behind it clear. She didn’t say anything, just nodded in acknowledgment.
"I'm so sorry for your loss, Agos," Mutya added, her voice barely above a whisper.
Agos exhaled slowly, her eyes drifting to the sand beneath her feet. "I've already accepted it," she said quietly. "But I’m sorry... for not saying anything, for not contacting anyone… especially you."
She paused, her gaze growing distant.
"When my father died... it was like everything just stopped. Like I couldn't breathe anymore, and I didn’t know how to reach out. I didn’t know what to say. It was like... losing him left me with nothing but this hollow space inside me. And I just couldn’t fill it with anything or anyone."
Mutya stood still for a moment, her heart aching at Agos' words. She understood all too well. She stepped closer, placing a hand gently on Agos' arm. "I understand, Agos. You're just... a daughter who lost her father," she said softly.
They both stood in silence, the words heavy between them, until Agos spoke again.
"Kumusta ka, Mutya?" she asked, her voice quiet, almost tentative.
Mutya smiled faintly. "Same old," she said with a shrug. "Still swim in the ocean almost every day. It's just that... it's not as fun as before. Kasi wala yung best friend ko... wala si Agos."
Agos' expression softened at the mention of their shared memories. "I miss it, too. I miss the ocean... and swimming with you," she confessed, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes.
There was a pause, and then Agos shifted the conversation, her voice a little more uncertain.
"Do you... have someone already?"
Mutya smiled, a soft chuckle escaping her. "Nah, I'm too busy for that," she said with a shake of her head.
Agos nodded, the silence falling between them once again, but this time it felt less awkward, more comfortable, like the years hadn’t really separated them after all.
Finally, Mutya glanced at Agos, her curiosity getting the better of her. "How about you, Agos? How have you been this past year?"
Agos’ expression darkened slightly, but she quickly masked it with a small smile. "It’s been tough. Losing my dad... it changed everything. But, nakakausad naman ako. I have a stable job now. Work from home, so it’s been... manageable." She gave Mutya a look of sincerity. "I'm trying to move forward."
Mutya nodded in understanding.
"Will you be staying here for good, or... just visiting?" she asked, her heart racing slightly as she waited for the answer.
Agos' eyes lit up a little. "I'll be staying. My mom went overseas for work, and gusto ni lola na bumalik dito."
Mutya felt a spark of happiness, but she didn’t let it show. She simply nodded, her voice steady. "That’s... that’s good."
The moment lingered, and then Mutya, despite her nerves, asked a question she couldn’t hold back.
"How about you, Agos? Do you have someone already?"
The question obviously caught Agos off guard, as she hesitated for a second. Mutya noticed the reluctance, but she had already asked, and she needed to know.
She held her breath, waiting for the answer that she already had a feeling was coming.
Before Agos could respond, though, her phone slipped from her hand, landing in the sand with a soft thud.
Agos bent down to retrieve it, and in the process, her shirt shifted just enough to reveal a familiar gold necklace hidden underneath, tucked beneath the fabric where it had been resting for so long.
Mutya’s heart stopped in her chest.
She couldn’t tear her gaze away from the Scorpio necklace. The same necklace that had once held so much meaning between them.
Agos froze as well, noticing Mutya’s wide-eyed stare. She followed Mutya’s gaze, and when she saw what Mutya was looking at, a slow smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
She straightened up, holding her phone in one hand, and looked at Mutya.
"Does this answer your question?" Agos asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.
Mutya’s breath hitched.
Without thinking, her emotions overtook her and she took a step forward.
Her heart raced in her chest, and her hands trembled as she reached out for Agos, pulling her into a kiss.
The world around them seemed to disappear in that moment, their lips meeting with an intensity that spoke of everything that had been left unsaid.
The kiss was a release, a culmination of all the emotions that had built up over the past year.
The longing, the confusion.
Agos kissed her back, her hands wrapping around Mutya as if they, too, had been waiting for this moment.
When they finally pulled away, their foreheads resting against each other, Mutya’s eyes were filled with unshed tears. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, the weight of everything they had been through together and apart.
"W-what about Gani?" Mutya asked, the confusion still clouding her mind.
"Gani? We just bumped into each other outside, Mutya. Ngayon lang din kami ulit nagkita," Agos explained, her tone soft, almost apologetic.
“I thought—”
Before Mutya could finish, Agos closed the distance between them, kissing her again with the same fierce intensity.
It was a kiss that silenced all the questions, all the doubts, all the years of longing.
When they broke apart, Mutya’s breath was shaky. She looked into Agos’ eyes, her voice trembling as she whispered, “I never stopped thinking about you, Agos. I was so scared... I thought it was too late.”
Agos gently cupped her face, brushing away a tear that had slipped down Mutya's cheek. "I never stopped thinking about you, either," she replied, her voice soft but certain.
Mutya closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the sting of regret wash over her. When she opened them, her voice trembled as she spoke.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered, her eyes searching Agos’s for understanding. "I should’ve realized sooner. I should've known that I loved you... That I’ve loved you all along." She let out a shaky breath. "It took me a whil;e to figure it out. I let the time slip by, waiting for something that was already here."
Agos blinked, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, but then her expression softened. She gently pulled Mutya closer, their foreheads resting together once again.
"Mutya, wala kang kasalanan," Agos said, her voice calm but firm. "You were trying to figure yourself out, too. I get it. I’ve been there. You don’t owe me anything for the time it took to realize how you feel."
Mutya shook her head. "But I... I should’ve known. I could’ve been braver, I could’ve told you."
"Don’t," Agos interrupted, her hands gently cupping Mutya’s cheeks. "It’s okay. There’s no timeline for these things. We all go through our own journey of figuring out who we are. It’s not always a straight line. Sometimes, you need to step away from something to see it clearly. To understand yourself first."
Agos paused, her eyes intense but compassionate. "And sometimes, we don’t see things until we’re ready. You’re not alone in that."
Mutya looked at her, her heart swelling with both gratitude and sorrow. "But what if I never figured it out? What if I stayed lost, stuck in this… confusion? Hindi ko kakayaning mawala ka sa buhay ko, Agos."
"You’d be okay," Agos said, her voice soothing. "We all go through periods of uncertainty. Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s okay not to have all the answers, and it’s okay to take your time. Identity... it’s not just about what people expect of us. It’s about what we find within ourselves, when we’re ready."
The sound of the waves crashing against the shore filled the silence between them, and for a long moment, they just stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms.
The world felt still, but the air between them was charged with a new understanding. The past and the present collided in the space between their hearts.
This is the first time in a long time that Mutya wasn't burdened by her doubts.
The cool night air swirled around them, the sound of the waves crashing in the background, and the world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them.
Their hands intertwined, and Mutya realized that finally... she wasn’t lost anymore. She wasn’t alone. She had found her way back to Agos—and maybe... Agos had found her way back to her, too.
With a soft smile, Agos pressed a kiss to Mutya’s forehead. "I’m so glad we’re here," she said, her voice filled with warmth.
Mutya smiled through her tears, her heart full. "Me too. Me too."
"I love you, Agos. Thank you for waiting for me."
"I’ve loved you since I was twelve, Mutya. Of course I will wait for you... kahit gaano pa 'yan katagal."
As the Scorpio pendant glinted softly in the moonlight, Mutya remembered what her mother had once said:
“A zodiac necklace is not just a gift, anak; When you offer it to someone, you're choosing to embrace all that they are, even if the stars say you might not fit. It binds you, not just by the stars, but by the essence of who you are and who you’re meant to be with. It’s a promise that love, real love, goes beyond what the universe predicts. I gave this to you, anak, because this is the kind of love I have for you—unconditional and unyielding, beyond what the stars or anyone might say. And I want you to carry that love with you, knowing that it’s the same kind of love you’ll give, one day, to someone who deserves it.”
That’s exactly what Mutya's love for Agos is—beyond the stars, beyond the doubts. It’s a love that’s always been here, waiting for her, no matter what the universe might have said.
And now, standing with Agos, Mutya knew it was never just a gift—it was a promise.
A promise of love that had been waiting, always.