Chapter Text
RALPH
Ralph had been walking around like an idiot for a week, and he didn’t care who noticed.
It felt illegal to be this happy—tipong nakakatakot magising dahil baka panaginip lang pala ang lahat. The steady, warm feeling sat high in his chest, and he felt it most whenever AZ’s hand was in his.
They’d seen each other again two days after Christmas—the first time since the BigHouse party. Jampacked ang holiday schedules ng families nila, so they’d agreed to let the dust settle first. Hindi pa rin nila dinala ang isa’t isa sa family gatherings, lalo na’t wala pang one week ang relationship nila. They managed to fill the gap with messages and video calls—enough to get by, enough to let the missing settle.
Of course, Ralph being Ralph, he couldn’t help himself. On Christmas Day, he sent over adobo—na siya mismo ang nagluto, under Lola Natty’s strict supervision kasi ayaw niyang mapahiya—after sabihin ni AZ na nagsasawa na siya sa lumpiang shanghai sa bahay nila. That led to a video call, where Tita Bing suddenly popped into the frame to thank him. Ralph went still for a second, his heart kicking up. Bago matapos ang call, sinabihan pa siya nito ng, “Next time na ihatid mo si Aza, pumasok ka muna saglit sa bahay, ha?”
Tawang-tawa si AZ sa itsura niya after that.
It was AZ who suggested the Salcedo Weekend Market for their first real date. Matagal na silang nagtatrabaho sa Makati, pero laging nauudlot ang plano nilang i-check out 'to. The market was packed—stalls of pastries, grilled meats, and fresh produce lining the pavement. The air was a thick mix of artisan bread and the sharp bite of calamansi. Ang dami ring tao, considering na post-Christmas weekend sila pumunta.
It felt domestic and laidback, ordinary in a way Ralph hadn’t known he wanted until he was standing there. The best part?
They were holding hands.
He’d imagined their first date countless times—where they’d go, how close they’d stand. But his imagination had nothing on the reality. They walked shoulder to shoulder, shared food, and stopped whenever one of them saw something interesting without needing a discussion. Wala na siyang tinatagong sikreto. No more sec
He thought he had it under control.
Then AZ bit into her katsu sandwich.
She closed her eyes as she chewed, slowing down, fully focused. Ralph felt the paper plate in his hand bend under his grip. His jaw tightened without permission. He’d seen her eat a thousand times at the office, but this was different. Gone was the poised, self-conscious AZ Martinez. She didn’t mind getting messy in front of him.
She’s so fucking cute, he thought.“How was it? Masarap?” he asked, keeping his tone even.
She nodded, cheeks puffed out. “Oh my god, Ralph. Sobra! Bakit ngayon ko lang ‘to natikman? I need to buy some for Mommy! ”
He looked away, jaw flexing. Behave. They were in public. He shouldn’t let his intrusive thoughts win. Gusto niyang kurutin ang pisngi nito kasi…sobrang cute. How could she be this beautiful and cute at the same time?
Then she wiped a bit of sauce off her thumb with the side of her mouth and frowned at the plate, offended by how little was left. “Ay…bakit ubos na agad!? Can we go back there later? Parang gusto ko pa ng isa…”
Ralph reached out before he could stop himself. He sank his fingers into her hair and ruffled it, leaning down just enough to kiss her forehead.
“Ralph!” she hissed, laughing even as she tried to sound scandalized. “We’re in public!”
“I know,” he muttered. “Sorry. Ang cute mo kasi.”
She swatted his chest, her cheeks flushing. “Ginulo mo pa hair ko...”
Ralph felt his breath catch, then slowly settle. When he finally looked at her, she was already back to her food, smiling to herself. “Anong magulo? Ganda pa rin nga eh,” he said, the words coming out softer than he’d intended.
****
They were busy sharing Nutella S’mores Puffs—AZ trying to keep the chocolate from dripping, Ralph already on his second—when someone called her name.
“Aza? Is that you?”
They both turned. A couple in their mid-twenties approached, looking laid-back and animated. Ralph didn't recognize them, but AZ did instantly.
“Josh! Kira!” Her voice lifted, surprised.
Oh.
AZ’s high school best friends. Ralph had seen them before in wedding photos from Bohol, the occasional throwback on her social media feed, but this was the first time he’d shared the same space with them.
His grip on AZ’s hand loosened instinctively, then he tightened it again. They hadn't done an "emergency briefing" for this—no plan on what to say or how to explain. He’d meant to bring it up on the drive home, but there was no time now.
This was it.
AZ froze for half a second as she recalibrated. As they approached, Ralph felt her hand squeeze his. She didn't let go. If anything, she held on tighter.
Dahan-dahang nag-exhale si Ralph.
Josh pulled AZ into a quick hug, with Kira following. “Makasigaw naman, kala mo hindi nagkita last week,” Kira laughed. “Aga mo nagising on a Saturday, ah!”
“Loka, bagong buhay na kasi ako!” AZ said. She glanced back at Ralph, and he realized she was still holding his hand. She looked sure.
Ralph's pulse kicked up. Here it comes.
"Nga pala, guys. This is Ralph," AZ said, without hesitation. "My boyfriend."
The word landed hard.
Boyfriend.
She said it clearly in front of the people who mattered most, as if there was no other version of the story.
Josh and Kira exchanged a quick look. Recognition passed between them.
“Ralph,” Josh said with a polite smile, offering his hand. “Nice to finally meet you, man.”
Finally?
Ralph shook his hand, trying to keep his face neutral. "Yeah. You too."
Kira smiled, warm and knowing. “Alam mo, we've heard a lot about you.”
AZ’s face flushed. “Okay, we don't need to—”
“All good things naman! Promise,” Kira laughed.
Ralph looked at AZ. She was red, avoiding his eyes. He’d come into this ready for distance or careful wording, but they looked at him with a strange familiarity—as if he’d simply arrived later than expected.
His shoulders eased. Somehow.
"Anyway," Josh said, glancing at Kira before turning back to them. "We’re here to try Kodawari. Kayo ba, have you tried? You work near here, right?"
“Yeah,” Ralph said. “That place is good. Open na sila ng 11 am kaso may pila na agad.”
“Oh. Good thing maaga kami. May lakad pa ba kayo after this?” Josh asked. “Tara, lunch tayo. Our treat!”
The invitation hung in the air. Ralph felt the gravity of it immediately; it was an offer to move from the lobby into the house. Saying yes meant letting them see how he and AZ actually worked together.
He was used to making decisions for himself, but he wasn't on his own anymore. This required alignment. He started to answer, then stopped.
Ralph turned to AZ. “Okay lang sa ‘yo?”
She looked at him, and for a second, nag-fade out ang ingay ng weekend market. She wasn't just checking her schedule; she was checking him. She saw the question behind the question—Are you ready for this?—and her smile was the answer.
“Okay lang,” she said. “Miss ko na rin Kodawari.”
Ralph nodded to Josh. “Sounds good. Let’s go.”
AZ didn’t let go of his hand. Her grip remained firm, grounding him. It wasn't that she was leading or he was following; it felt like they were stepping off a ledge together and finding the ground was solid beneath them. He hadn't realized how much he’d been bracing for a "no" until the tension finally left his chest.
“Perfect,” Josh grinned. “Let’s go, baka maubusan tayo ng table.”
They started walking toward the exit, Josh and Kira ahead of them, already checking Kodawari's menu on Instagram. The world felt a little larger than it had ten minutes ago.
AZ leaned her weight slightly against his shoulder as they walked. “Hey. Thanks ah,” she said, her voice low enough only for him. “I love you.”
The words hit him with a different weight in front of her friends. It was an acknowledgment of the step he’d just taken.
Ralph shook his head. “Wala ‘yon.” He waited a beat, watching the way the sunlight caught her expression. “I love you, too.”
*****
By the time they arrived at Kodawari Salcedo, halos puno na ang lugar. The lunch crowd had already claimed most of the tables. Ralph and AZ had eaten here enough times to have their go-tos—chashudon for her, spicy gyudon for him. Kaya, ito ang sinuggest nila kina Josh at Kira, who were both first-timers.
Ralph stayed quiet at first, listening more than speaking, getting a sense of the conversation's rhythm and where he might fit in. According to AZ, Josh had been part of her life since kindergarten. Si Kira naman, best friend niya since Grade 3. These people were her foundation. He wasn't just meeting friends; he was being introduced to her history.
He wanted to make a good impression, but the "Ralph from work" persona didn't fit here. This was different territory.
Eventually, the conversation drifted to AZ’s upcoming solo Japan trip, na two weeks away na lang. Josh traveled to Japan often for work, so he’d been helping AZ put together her itinerary.
“First time mo mag-solo international trip, Aza,” Kira said, her tone caught between being supportive and worried. “Are you sure you’re ready for the navigation nightmare? Nakakaligaw train stations do’n, ah.”
“Opo, Ma. Sure na. Para ma-tick off ko na sa bucketlist ko before my birthday,” AZ replied, then gestured toward Ralph. “Besides, Ralph basically budoled me into it. He kept talking about how much better it is to see a city when you don’t have to wait for anyone else.”
Ralph caught the look Josh and Kira exchanged. It was quick, but he felt it. He sat a little straighter.
Their food arrived soon after. They ate and talked, the conversation easing into something more relaxed. Josh asked about Ralph’s work, what he did at BigHouse. Kira joked about advertising people always know how to sell themselves. Ralph laughed and felt himself settle a little more into the table, into the moment.
Nung nagpaalam si AZ na mag-CR, doon na pumasok ang awkward na katahimikan.
Ralph felt the shift. Hindi naman sila masungit, pero ramdam niya na tinitimbang siya. It had been eight years since he last played the "boyfriend" role, and he felt every bit of that gap. He was the first guy they’d seen after Jules, and the weight of that was sitting right there on the table between the condiments and the empty plates.
Josh leaned back, resting his chopsticks across his bowl. His gaze was steady, but not hostile. "Relax ka lang, pre. We’re not here to give you a hard time."
"Medyo lang," Kira added with a small, gauging smile. "You have to understand, Ralph. This is... new for us, too. First time magpakilala ni Aza ng boyfriend."
Ralph tried a smile. It felt a little tight, but he didn’t blame them. If the roles were reversed, he’d be doing the same thing—checking to see if the new guy was worth the space he was taking up.
Ralph blinked, the question catching him off guard. "Work stuff, I assumed? Like when a pitch goes bad, or I’m being particularly difficult?"
"Yeah," Josh laughed. "Actually, kilala na namin kayong lahat sa BigHouse thanks to her. Alam mo naman, daldal niyan."
"Mostly work stuff, at first," Kira’s tone shifted, getting a little softer. "But lately, it’s been different."
The realization hit Ralph harder than he expected. He’d spent so much time wondering if he was overstepping, yet all the while, recurring character na pala siya sa buhay ni AZ outside the office. He thought about his own friends in Tanza, and his college barkada—how they probably knew her favorite lunch order by heart because of how much he talked. He wasn't the only one carrying the other person into their "real" world.
Josh leaned in, his expression turning serious. “After our wedding, she mentioned na kinausap siya ni Jules for closure. Finally admitted she was over it.” Ralph felt a small, familiar tension at the name, but Josh kept going. “Then, in the same breath, she mentioned you, too. We didn’t even know why yet. Pero ngayon, gets na namin.”
“Last week, at our Christmas party, she actually asked me for love advice,” Kira said, her voice dropping a notch. “The girl who hasn't asked a relationship question in years. That’s when I knew she’s…in love."
Josh’s expression turned serious. “Look. We're not here to scare you off. We just wanted to meet you. The person she's been talking about."
Ralph didn't look away. He didn't try to sound like a hero; he just looked at them and spoke the truth. He felt the luck of it all sitting heavy in his chest—the fact that out of everyone she could have opened those doors for, she chose him.
"I know I have to earn my keep with you guys," Ralph said, his voice firming up. "I’m not expecting twenty years of trust over one lunch. I love AZ, and I know how lucky I am that I’m the one sitting here. I’m not going anywhere. I’m in this for as long as she’ll have me."
Josh watched him for a long beat, his eyes searching Ralph’s face for any sign of a lie. Then, he finally let out a long breath and uncrossed his arms. The interrogation was over.
"Fair enough. I think we're good for now," Josh said, his grin returning. "But just so you know, the entry fee is usually a round of drinks or being the designated driver for the next beach trip."
Ralph grinned, feeling the last of the tension leave his shoulders. "I can do that.”
"And you have to be okay with her being irritatingly competitive during board games," Kira warned. "Grade school pa lang, super competitive na niya."
"I know exactly how competitive she is," Ralph joked, finally feeling like he could breathe again. "I’m usually the one she’s trying to beat."
“Naku, hirap pa naman suyuin niyan ’pag nagtampo,” Josh added, laughing. “Good luck sa ’yo, pre.”
By the time AZ walked back, the heavy air at the table had completely cleared. Ralph found himself actually leaning into the conversation, debating with Josh about the best route to avoid Makati traffic, while Kira was preoccupied with taking photos of Kodawari’s interior.
He watched AZ slide back into her seat, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the three of them. "Okay, ba’t parang close na kayo," she said, her voice laced with suspicion. "Anong nangyari?"
"Wala," Josh said easily, reaching for his tea. "Nga pala, sabi ni Ralph siya raw magda-drive sa next Zambales trip natin..
"Hoy, ang bilis niyo naman mangbudol," AZ laughed. She turned to Ralph, and he met her gaze, no longer feeling the need to brace himself for a verdict.
"Kwentuhan lang, Aza. Masyado kang kabado," Kira added with a wink at Ralph.
Under the table, he felt her hand find his. She threaded her fingers through his—a firm, warm weight that felt like a quiet thank you. Ralph squeezed back, his thumb tracing the side of her hand, anchoring himself to the moment.
Ralph looked at Josh and Kira, then back at the girl beside him. He had been a story in her life for a long time, and she had been one in his. But sitting here, hand in hand, he realized they were finally on the same page.
"Kwentuhan lang talaga, promise," Ralph said, echoing Kira’s earlier line with a grin.
AZ rolled her eyes, but her smile was wide and real. "Sure."
****
The rest of lunch passed easily. The "interrogation" was over, and by the time Ralph covered the bill—ignoring Josh’s half-hearted protest—it felt like he’d actually earned his seat at the table.
Outside Kodawari, Kira pulled AZ into a hug, then caught Ralph’s eye over her shoulder. "Sige, see you soon. And Ralph—" She gave him a small, genuine smile. “It was nice to finally meet you.”
Ralph felt a knot in his chest loosen. "Thanks. You too."
"Set na lang natin 'yung Zambales trip pag kaya ng sched niyo," Josh added. He kept a hand on Ralph’s shoulder for a second—a firm, grounding grip that didn't feel like a warning anymore.
"Sure," Ralph said. He meant it.
They watched the two of them disappear into the Salcedo crowd. Ralph and AZ stood there for a beat, just breathing in the afternoon air. The noise of the nearby market felt distant now, less like a chaotic backdrop and more like a shared soundtrack.
"Well," AZ said, looping her arm through his. "That went better than expected."
Ralph agreed.
They walked toward the parking lot, their pace matching without them even trying. Ralph’s hand found hers, fingers lacing together. He was still getting used to the lack of hesitation—the way he didn't have to think about whether he was allowed to touch her in public anymore.
"Hey," AZ said after a while.
"Mm?"
"Thanks. For not making that weird."
Ralph stopped and turned to face her. "It wasn't weird, Z. Honestly, I’m glad it happened. Mas okay na alam nilang totoo tayo."
She looked at him for a long moment, her expression softening. Then she stepped closer, rising on her toes, and kissed him. It was quick and soft—right in the middle of the sidewalk, where everyone could see.
Ralph blinked as she pulled back, a little stunned. "What was that for?"
"Gusto ko lang," she said with a shrug, though her smile was wide. "Tsaka, thank you part 2. Bakit, ayaw mo ba?"
"Okay. Yeah. No complaints here."
They started walking again, but then her phone buzzed. Ralph saw her expression flatline the moment she read the screen.
"What is it?"
She turned the phone toward him. It was a message from Will.
Will: oi bat nasa ig story ni kira si ralph
Will: ano yan, double date? lol
There was a screenshot of Kira’s Instagram story—photo nila ni AZ habang lumakain sa restaurant, na kuha mismo ni Kira. There was no caption, but Ralph could see his own arm angled a little too close to AZ’s side to be "just friends."
Ralph felt his stomach drop.
“So,” he said quietly.
“So,” AZ echoed, exhaling a long breath. “Nakalimutan kong IG moots nga pala sina Kira and Will.” She looked up at him, her thumb hovering over the screen. "Anong ire-reply ko rito? O deadmahin ko na lang?"
“Up to you,” Ralph started to say, then stopped himself. He realized he was defaulting again, letting her carry the weight because it was her social circle. He caught her eye and corrected himself. "Actually...no. This is both of us. What do you think?"
"Honestly, I don’t know," AZ admitted, looking back at her phone. "Ayoko rin namang magsinungaling, pero alam mo naman sa office—isang screenshot lang, headline na tayo sa pantry. I’m not sure if I’m ready for the teasing yet."
"I think it’s too early," Ralph said firmly. "To tell everyone at BigHouse."
"Why?" she asked, her voice curious, not defensive.
Ralph took a second to find the words. It wasn't about being ashamed; it was the opposite. "I want to keep this quiet for now. Not because it’s a secret…I want it to stay ours for a bit longer. Once the office knows, everyone has an opinion. I just want it to be about us for a while."
AZ was quiet for a moment, letting that sink in. "So we keep it private."
"Hindi tayo magsisinungaling," Ralph clarified. "Hindi lang tayo mag-a-announce. Kung may magtanong directly, we won’t deny. Pero hindi rin natin kailangang i-kwento lahat agad."
"Okay." She nodded, looking satisfied. "Gets. I'm good with that."
She typed back a quick reply:
loko anong double date
naglunch lang kami haha.
Vague enough. Not a lie, but not the full story either. She showed it to him, he gave a small nod, and she hit send.
They reached the car. Ralph opened the door for her, watching as she slid in with the daisies tucked into her lap. He got into the driver’s side and sat there for a moment, hands on the wheel, letting the quiet of the cabin settle the last of his nerves.
"Ralph."
He looked over. AZ was watching him, a playful, knowing smile on her face.
"That wasn't so bad, right?"
Ralph laughed, finally turning the key. The engine hummed to life, and the heavy air of the morning was officially gone.
"No," he said, shifting into gear. "It was good. Better than I expected."
AZ leaned back against the headrest, looking out at the sun-drenched streets of Salcedo. She looked lighter, and seeing her like that made the whole interrogation worth it.
The office drama and Will’s messages could wait for Monday. For now, the afternoon was theirs, and as Ralph navigated the car into the light weekend traffic, he realized he didn't need to look for where he fit anymore.
He was already there.
TWO WEEKS LATER
WILL
Pumasok si Will sa opisina that Monday morning na may nakahanda nang script sa utak niya.
Ready na ang "kapit lang, pre" pat niya sa balikat ni Ralph, pati na ang ilang hirit tungkol sa mahal ng international roaming rates. Tandang-tanda pa niya ang asta ni Ralph noong Bohol trip ni AZ last October. For three working days, Ralph was a walking cloud of gloom—nagpaka-busy sa trabaho pero hindi mapakali ang mga binti, lalo na nung may nag-IG story ng picture nina AZ at ng kupal niyang ex. Will didn't know whether to laugh or offer the guy a drink back then.
Ngayon, nasa Japan si AZ for two weeks. Ten working days nilang makakasama si Ralph De Leyearn sa office nang wala ang "partner in crime" niya.
So, pagdating niya sa creatives area, agad siyang dumiretso sa desk ni Ralph. He expected to find a man who hadn't slept, a man who would be radiating annoyance at every email notification. Pero laking gulat niya nang makitang busy si Ralph sa pag-aayos ng gamit sa table habang naghu-hum pa ng isang upbeat na kanta.
Napahinto si Will. "Uh...good morning?"
Ralph looked up. His face was bright, looking annoyingly refreshed. “Uy! Good morning, Will. Aga mo, ah.”
"Ba’t... ang saya mo ata?" tanong ni Will, habang nakasukbit pa ang laptop bag sa balikat.
"Bakit, bawal ba?" Ralph’s tone was light. Gone was the heaviness that usually accompanied AZ's absence.
"Wala naman. Start na ng two-week leave ni Aza today, right?" sabi ni Will, searching Ralph's face for even a flicker of the old gloom. "Hindi ka man lang ba malungkot na tahimik dito sa pwesto niyo for that long?”
Ralph just shrugged and went back to his files. "I know. But she’ll be back soon.”
Matagal na nakatitig si Will, waiting for the crack in the facade. He was looking for a leak, a sign that Ralph was just overcompensating. Pero wala. Ralph wasn't faking it; he looked like a man who had won the lottery and was trying—badly—to stay humble about it.
This wasn't the Ralph De Leyearn he knew.
It was weird. So fucking weird.
****
Pagdating ng Tuesday, ang "weirdness" naging "suspicious" na.
Pumasok si Ralph sa creatives area na may dalang bitbit na kape mula sa favorite specialty cafe nila ni AZ. Hindi lang basta kape—it was their "thing." Galante naman si Ralph at madalas manlibre lalo na ’pag hinihiritan ni AZ, pero usually, Starbucks ang dala niya para sa team. 'Yung Omotesando, sa kanila lang 'yun. Exclusive. It was the morning ritual they shared before the rest of the office clocked in.
"Morning, guys! I bought coffee for everyone. Kuha na lang kayo kung anong gusto niyo,” alok ni Ralph, sabay usog ng isang hot Americano kay Will.
Tiningnan ni Will ang kape na parang may lason. "Sino ka at anong ginawa mo kay Ralph?"
Ralph laughed, a genuine, easy sound. "What? Bawal na ba maging mabait? Ang dami nating gagawin today, so I thought everyone could use the extra fuel."
"Uh-huh," bulong ni Will, his eyes narrowing.
Pinanood niyang bumalik si Ralph sa desk nito na parang may spring ang bawat hakbang. The pining Ralph was predictable. This Ralph was a wildcard.
****
Nangyari ang slip-up noong Thursday habang lunch break. Dahil payday, nabudol nila si Robi na manlibre—basta ang creative team ang pipili ng restaurant. Pinag-uusapan nila 'yung mga bagong Michelin Guide restaurants sa Poblacion habang nag-aayos ng gamit.
"How about Lampara? At least Filipino food pa rin," suggest ni Mika habang nagbo-browse sa Instagram feed niya.
"Oh, Lampara’s good. We tried that place last week," biglang singit ni Ralph. Busy siya sa pagtatali ng sintas ng rubber shoes niya kaya hindi niya napansin ang biglang katahimikan. "Masarap ’yung beef belly at croquettas nila. You guys should try it."
Natigilan si Will sa pagda-drawing sa sketchpad niya. "We? Sinong we?"
The creatives area went dead quiet. Ralph’s hand froze for a split second—a micro-expression of "oops" crossing his features before he regained his usual composure. It was the kind of mistake a man makes when he’s too comfortable.
"Ah... with friends," Ralph said, sitting up and clearing his throat.
"Friends?" Will repeated, his voice dripping with disbelief. Sa tatlong taon nilang magkatrabaho, alam ni Will ang routine ni Ralph—bahay, gym, Tanza, at office. Ralph didn't just "go out with friends" to Michelin-rated spots in Poblacion on a random weeknight.
"Yeah. Friends. High school barkada," Ralph added, though the recovery felt a little too practiced.
Hindi naniwala si Will. Pero ang alam niya, busy si AZ sa pag-eempake last week para sa Japan trip. Impossible namang isingit pa 'yun ni AZ. So... baka ibang friends nga? O baka may ibang "friend" na si Ralph?
He looked at Ralph, who was now very intently focused on a notification on his phone. There was a small, unmistakable smirk playing on Ralph’s lips that he couldn't quite hide.
High school barkada, my ass, Will thought. Something is definitely up.
****
Friday, nag-decide si Will na maging proactive. Hinintay niyang pumunta si Ralph sa printer bago siya naglakad nang dahan-dahan lagpas sa desk nito.
Ralph’s phone was sitting face-up on the desk. He usually kept it inside his drawer or face-down, but the "New Ralph" was apparently too relaxed to care. A notification must have come in, because the screen was lit up, revealing a high-resolution photo of a Japanese garden. The sunlight was filtering through red maple leaves near a temple gate, casting long, soft shadows on a stone path.
Hindi ’yon stock image. Alam ni Will ang hitsura ng default wallpapers. This was raw—medyo off-center ang pagkakuha, the kind of shot someone takes while walking.
Will froze. He recognized that style. Mahilig si AZ sa low angles at natural light; she had this specific way of framing scenery that made it look less like a postcard and more like a memory. Tsaka, pamilyar ang garden—it looked exactly like the one in AZ’s IG story from a few days ago, pero ibang anggulo ’to. Exclusive view.
Sinend ba ni AZ ’to sa kanya? Will thought, his heart racing a little.
Sending a travel photo to a work friend was one thing. But setting it as a lock screen? In less than twenty-four hours? Ralph was the type of guy who kept his phone layout functional and boring. He didn't do "aesthetic" unless it meant something.
Will looked over at the printer, where Ralph was whistling—actually whistling—while waiting for his documents.
The pieces were finally clicking into place. The upbeat humming, the expensive coffee, the "we" at Lampara, and now a private photo from Kyoto.
"Caught in 4K ka na, De Leyearn," Will whispered to himself, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.
****
Pagdating ng susunod na Martes—Day 7 ng leave ni AZ—napuno na si Will. Naabutan niya si Ralph sa pantry, prenteng nagtitimpla ng kape habang mahinang sumisipol. That was the final straw.
"Okay, Ralph. Anong meron?" tanong ni Will, nakahalukipkip at nakaharang sa pinto.
Medyo nagulat si Ralph at lumingon. "Ha? Anong anong meron?"
"Kanina ka pa sumisipol dyan!" Will gestured wildly at the space between them. "Last time na wala si AZ, para kang namatayan ng aso na nasunugan pa ng bahay. Tapos ngayon, you’re a fucking ray of sunshine? What’s going on?"
"Wala naman," sabi ni Ralph, pero may ningning ang mga mata niya na hindi niya maitago. "Good mood lang talaga ako. Bawal ba?"
"For a week? Habang nasa kabilang bansa si Aza?" Umiling si Will. "May mali talaga, eh. ‘Yung totoo, are you dating someone new? Gano’n ba? Naka-move on ka na ba sa kakahintay kay AZ?"
Mukhang naaliw si Ralph sa idea. He didn't get defensive; he just looked at Will like the question was cute. "Bakit ba big deal sa inyo kung wala si AZ?"
"Hindi mo man lang ba siya nami-miss?"
"Nami-miss," pag-amin ni Ralph. Lumambot nang kaunti ang boses niya, but it wasn't the sad kind of missing. It was steady.
"At okay ka lang na gano’n?"
"Oo nga." Ralph smiled, and this time, it was a full, confident grin that reached his eyes. Sumandal siya sa counter, looking entirely too relaxed for a man whose "unrequited" crush was 3,000 kilometers away. "And besides, wala namang ex doon na manggugulo, so bakit ako mag-aalala?"
The sheer certainty in his voice hit Will like a physical weight. Hindi ito boses ng lalaking umaasa lang. Ito ang boses ng lalaking alam kung nasaan siya. He wasn't worried about the distance because the distance didn't change their status.
Napatitig si Will, at sa wakas, nag-click na ang lahat. Ang libreng kape, ‘yung "we" sa Michelin restaurant, ‘yung wallpaper—lahat ng maliliit na piraso, nabuo na ang picture.
"Tangina," bulong ni Will, nanlalaki ang mga mata. "You guys... you finally?"
Hindi na naituloy ni Will ang sasabihin niya. Bigla siyang nawalan ng salita. Paano? Kailan? Noong huling check niya, yearning pro max lang ang kayang gawin ni Ralph. Did it happen during the Christmas party? O bago pa mag-Japan si Aza? The logistics were making Will’s head spin.
Tumingin si Ralph sa kanya, chill na chill pa rin habang hawak ang mug niya. Isang tipid na ngiti ang sumilay sa labi nito—'yung ngiting hindi mo alam kung nang-aasar o nag-a-acknowledge lang na huli na siya sa balita.
"Yes, Will? May itatanong ka pa?" Ralph asked, his voice steady and teasing.
Natameme si Will. The way Ralph threw the question back was a dare. It was an open door, but Will was too stunned to walk through it. Ralph didn't say the words, pero hindi na kailangan. The lack of denial was a total surrender to the truth.
Kinuha lang ni Ralph ang kape niya, tinanguan si Will, at sumipol pabalik sa desk niya. He left Will standing in the pantry, still trying to process how the office's longest-running "will-they-won't-they" had finally turned into a "they-definitely-did."
BIANCA
Bianca was deep into a report nang biglang mag-buzz ang phone niya with a series of rapid-fire notifications. Usually, she ignores the group chat during deep work hours, but the volume of pings was giving—parang may mas juicy na nangyayari kaysa sa usual office chismis.
She swiped her screen open and saw the Telegram chat flooded with AZ’s Japan updates. It was AZ’s second to the last day, and she had been sending photos of shrines and street food all morning. Bianca was about to type her request for a specific sunscreen nang biglang may lumabas na message that felt... off. Totally out of place.
Bianca stared at the screen.
Wait, what? The tone was so soft, casual, and very private. Hindi ito ‘yung usual playful teasing ni AZ sa group chat. Parang...super intimate ng message.
Before Bianca could even process, the group chat exploded.
The deflection worked for most of the team. Biglang naging shopping list na ang chat for clothes and snacks. But Bianca? She stayed quiet. She has known AZ long enough to know when she was using her "PR voice." The excuse about her brother, Aki, was plausible, but it didn't sit right. And the emoji! AZ didn't use that specific blushing heart-smile with her family.
Bianca’s eyes immediately darted to Ralph.
He was wearing his noise-canceling headphones, looking totally oblivious to the noise in the room—pero hindi sa phone niya. As she watched, Ralph picked up his device, and his whole face just... softened.
She had known Ralph since his first day at BigHouse. For the first two years, his romantic life was a revolving door of first dates that went nowhere. Then AZ joined the agency, and Ralph entered a state of perpetual pining—usually miserable, easily distracted, and always hovering in her orbit.
But the man sitting there today wasn't pining. He looked settled.
He started reading through the group chat, and instead of the usual awkwardness whenever AZ was mentioned, he looked amused. He was literally suppressed-laughing at the "wrong send" chaos, his shoulders shaking. Then, he started typing, ganadong-ganado mag-reply, as if he was enjoying the chance to tease the group—or AZ herself—right back.
"Hey, Ralph," Bianca called out, tapping his shoulder. "Lunch tayo? My treat."
Ralph looked up, his eyes still bright. "Sure, B. Saan tayo?"
They went to their favorite ramen place across the office. While waiting for their orders, Bianca decided to play it cool.
"So, how are you feeling?" Bianca asked, leaning back. "No regrets naman ba sa pag-accept sa offer nina Robi?"
Ralph shook his head, looking genuinely relaxed. "Wala naman. To be honest, it feels right. Less pressure, and I like the career plan we agreed on.”
"That’s good. Hindi na tayo nakapag-catch up over the holidays," Bianca transitioned smoothly. "Kamusta na kayo ni AZ? Did you tell her about the McCann-BigHouse saga?”
"Ah, yeah," Ralph said, and there was that small, private smile again. "Napag-usapan na namin last year pa. We're good. Support naman siya whatever I decide."
Bianca took a sip of her tea, her internal radar pinging. We're good? Support naman siya? The phrasing was too comfortable. Too partner-ish. It wasn't the voice of a man still waiting for a green light.
"Actually, I saw her message kanina sa GC. ‘Yung about the jacket," Bianca said, her voice casual but her eyes fixed on his reaction. "Medyo sweet, ha. Para sa ’yo ba ‘yon?"
Ralph didn't even flinch. He just laughed and shook his head, focusing on the chopsticks he was separating. "Hindi, ah. Sabi niya ’di ba, for Aki? At saka tignan mo naman, ang dami ko nang jackets. Bakit pa ako magpapabili sa Japan?"
He said it with such a straight face, but Bianca noticed the way he avoided eye contact for just a split second too long.
"Sabagay," Bianca smiled, though her mind was already screaming LIAR. Ralph collected jackets like they were limited-edition trophies.
She let the topic drop, but as she watched him eat his ramen with an uncharacteristic air of peace, she knew. The pining was over because the goal had been reached.
"Enjoy your lunch, Ralph," she said, hidden amusement in her voice.
"You too, B," he replied, looking entirely too happy for a guy whose "best friend" was out of the country.
****
Pagbalik nila sa office, Bianca didn't go back to her desk. She headed straight to the "Lung Center," the outdoor staircase area where she knew Will would be finishing his post-lunch vape.
Will was already there, leaning against the railing. When he saw her, he straightened up a bit too quickly, clearing his throat and looking everywhere except at her face. Bianca stopped a few feet away, her arms crossed, maintaining a very deliberate professional distance.
"I have a question," she started, her voice stiff but urgent. "If someone denies wanting a jacket from Japan kahit collector siya, and says they're 'good' with someone in a way that sounds... suspiciously domestic... what would that look like to you?"
Will took a long hit from his vape, letting the cloud out slowly before squinting at her. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Huh? Sino ba 'yan? Bakit ganyan ang tanong mo?"
"I just had lunch with Ralph," Bianca said, her voice dropping into a serious whisper as she stepped just an inch closer—then immediately stepped back. "He denied the wrong-sent message from AZ. Sabi niya, 'bakit pa ako magpapabili?'—which is a blatant lie because that man lives for layers. And the way he talks about her now? Hindi na siya 'yung Ralph na laging kabado. It’s too comfortable. I think he’s finally out of the lobby."
"Puta, sabi na nga ba, eh!" Will hissed, the awkwardness momentarily forgotten in the face of a breakthrough. He pointed his vape at her. "Last week ko pa napapansin ‘yan! Masyadong masaya ang kupal. May pasipol-sipol pa. Nung nasa Bohol si AZ, kulang na lang mamatay siya sa selos, 'di ba? Pero ngayon? Chill lang siya."
Bianca leaned against the opposite railing, avoiding his gaze. "Exactly. Something shifted."
"At ito pa," Will added, lowering his voice. "Last December—nasa IG story siya ng best friends ni Aza. Sabi ni Aza, aksidente lang daw silang nagkita sa Salcedo tapos nag-lunch. Like, what are the odds of that?"
Bianca’s eyes widened. "Why am I just hearing this now? Ralphy met the newlyweds? My god..." She stared at the concrete floor, processing. "So... they did talk. Ralph told me he stayed at BigHouse because of the McCann offer, but really..."
"Wait...anong McCann offer?" Will asked, his brow furrowing. "Magre-resign si Ralph?"
Fuck, Bianca thought, her eyes flitting toward the door. She’d forgotten that the rest of the team wasn't supposed to know about the poaching attempt. "No, he...he just got an offer. But he stayed. And now I’m thinking he stayed because... well, look at the timing."
Will’s eyes widened as the pieces clicked. "So... nag-stay siya sa BigHouse kasi... sila na? Gano’n?"
"If they’re actually together, they’re being so lowkey it’s almost impressive," Bianca mused, her tone turning more professional. “At itatago pa nila sa ’tin, ah?”
"Hey," Will said, suddenly sounding unusually level-headed. "Kung ayaw nilang sabihin, let them be. Baka gusto lang nila ng privacy habang bago pa. Let’s just respect them."
Bianca looked at him, surprised by the sudden diplomatic act. "Respect, of course. I'm not going to force them to confess. But I need proof for my own peace of mind, Will. I’ve been the captain of this ship since Day 1."
"Tama ka naman," Will grinned, his usual mischief returning. He took another hit of his vape. "Hayaan natin sila. No trapping, no prying questions. Pero the moment na makita nating suot ni Ralph 'yung jacket na 'yun, or may makita tayong parehong keychain from Japan... we'll know."
"Deal," Bianca said, giving a single, stiff nod. "High-level observation lang."
They walked back into the office together, but maintained a careful two-foot gap between them. Bianca went left, Will went right, neither looking back. The office pining saga of Ralph De Leyearn was over, and a new, secret chapter had clearly begun.
When AZ gets back, Bianca thought as she sat at her desk, I am so getting answers.
RIVER
River wasn't the type to obsess over office drama, but he did pay attention to what people were wearing. Kapag nagta-trabaho ka sa isang creative agency, nasasanay ka talagang makapansin ng maliliit na detalye, at streetwear ang forte ni River.
So, when he stepped into the elevator on a Tuesday morning and saw Ralph standing right in front of him, he couldn't help but notice the collar of Ralph’s shirt. It was a crisp, heavy-duty cotton with a distinct, boxy silhouette. When Ralph moved to adjust his bag, the small BEAMS tag on the inner neck peeked out.
River blinked. BEAMS?
He remembered AZ’s return the day before. Nag-ikot ito sa office para mamigay ng pasalubong: Matcha KitKats, heated eye masks, and fancy chocolates for the bosses. He also saw AZ hand Ralph a small, simple paper bag—'yung tipong pang-souvenir lang. There definitely wasn't a large, high-end BEAMS shopping bag in that exchange.
"Uy, Ralph. Nice shirt," River said, nodding toward his shoulder. "Saan mo nabili 'yan? Direct from Japan?"
Napatingin si Ralph sa suot niya, as if he’d just grabbed the first thing he saw in his closet. "Ah, this? Gift lang."
"Gift from who?" tanong ni River, stepping a bit closer. He was a fan of the brand himself and knew how hard it was to get the sizing right online. "Saan galing?"
"BEAMS," Ralph answered.
River felt a sudden chill that had nothing to do with the elevator’s AC. BEAMS. Doon na nag-click ang lahat. The same brand AZ mentioned in her "wrong send" message last week—the one she claimed was for her brother, Aki.
The logic started to unravel in River’s head. AZ’s excuse was that she was buying for family. But here was Ralph, standing in the elevator, wearing a shirt from that exact store—a piece he claimed was a gift from a "friend."
River decided to push, keeping his voice casual. "Sino nagbigay? Collector din ba?"
Ralph shifted his weight, his eyes fixed on the floor numbers as they climbed. "A friend."
"Friend na kakauwi lang from Japan?" River pressed, a small smirk playing on his lips.
Ralph paused. There was a beat of silence where the only sound was the hum of the elevator. He didn't look flustered, exactly, but there was a new kind of stillness about him. He wasn't reaching for a lie.
"Yeah," Ralph finally said.
"Si AZ?"
Doon lang tumingin si Ralph sa kanya. He didn't invent a cover story or bring up the brother again. He just studied River for a second before giving a slow, almost imperceptible nod. "Yeah. Pasalubong."
He said it carefully, but the lack of a "work friend" disclaimer was deafening. As he stepped out of the elevator, Ralph absently touched the collar of the shirt, and for a split second, a small, involuntary smile tugged at his mouth.
River stood there as the doors closed. Oh shit. BEAMS sizing is notoriously tricky—Japanese cuts run small and boxy. Yet, the shirt sat perfectly on Ralph’s shoulders. The drape was exactly right. That wasn't a "random pick" or a "checked the size with my brother" situation. That was the choice of someone who knew Ralph’s build, his preferences, and exactly how a piece of clothing would sit on his body.
Para kay Ralph talaga ang message na 'yun. Which meant they weren't just "talking." They were together.
River spent the rest of the day observing from a distance. He wasn't looking for a "gotcha" moment; he was just watching the body language. Before the shift ended, he saw Ralph hanging out by AZ’s desk. Ordinaryo na 'tong eksena sa BigHouse, but the energy was different.
Nang matapos si AZ sa huling email niya at tumayo, Ralph instinctively took her heavy tote bag and slung it over his own shoulder—a routine, domestic gesture that happened without a single word.
As they walked toward the exit, they passed River’s cubicle. They were deep in conversation, laughing about something from a meeting. As they turned the corner toward the hallway, Ralph’s hand settled naturally on the small of AZ’s back, guiding her. Hindi lumayo si AZ; she leaned into him slightly, her laugh sounding extra comfortable, extra private.
Neither of them noticed River watching. They were in their own world.
He pulled out his phone and opened his chat with Will.
River: Hey… have you noticed anything weird lately? Kina AZ at Ralph?
Will: Taena ikaw din???
River: Ralph is wearing the shirt from BEAMS. Pasalubong daw from a 'friend,' but he basically admitted it was from her. Pero bro, the fit? It’s perfect. She definitely picked it specifically FOR him.
Will: ha bakit siya may shirt ako wala???
River: Malamang mas una niyang bibilhan ang boyfriend niya kaysa sa 'yo lol
Will: tangina sorry kinilabutan ako
Will: nagkakatotoo na ngang sila naRiver: So...should we ask them?
Will: wag muna. Kumakalap pa kami ni bianca ng ebidensya. Dapat 100% bago tayo mag-callout.
River put his phone away and smiled. He didn't need any more evidence, but he was happy to let Will and Bianca do the detective work.
For him, the shirt was enough.
Friday afternoon, the pantry was a war zone of open delivery boxes and plastic cups. Robi had ordered palabok and barbeque for their merienda, and the whole creative team—Will, River, Mika, and Esnyr—and Bianca, were squeezed around the long table.
AZ was in high spirits, recounting her struggle with a vending machine in Shinjuku. Ralph was sitting beside her, relatively quiet, but he was being unusually attentive—binubuksan ang mga sauce packets para sa kanya at inaabutan siya ng napkin bago pa man siya humingi.
The "Observation Committee" (Will, Bianca, and River) was exchanging frantic glances.
"So, Aki liked the jacket?" Will asked, his voice dripping with bait.
"Super," AZ replied, not looking up as she tried to spear a piece of calamansi. "Mga one week na niyang ginagamit sa work kahit hindi pa nalalabhan.”
"Grabe, Japan is so nice this time of year," hirit ni Mika, walang kamalay-malay sa subtext ng usapan. "Sana all pwede na mag-VL for two weeks. Robi, when is my turn?"
"When you finish the campaign, Miks," Robi answered, leaning against the counter with his coffee. "Glad you enjoyed your vacay, AZ. The energy here was...different while you were gone."
"Meaning, Ralph was a ray of sunshine at hindi namin alam paano i-handle," bulong ni Bianca sa sarili niya.
Then, it happened.
AZ was reaching for a piece of barbeque while simultaneously trying to show Esnyr a photo on her phone. Her hand slipped, at tumapon ang sawsawan ng barbeque sa bagong Comme des Garçons ivory white hoodie ni Ralph.
"Hala!" AZ gasped. Without thinking—purely on instinct and muscle memory—she grabbed a tissue, leaned over, and started dabbing the stain on Ralph's arm.
"It's fine, it's fine," sabi ni Ralph habang tinutulungan siya.
"No, wait, baka kumapit ‘yung amoy," AZ said, her face pinched in worry. Tumingin siya kay Ralph nang may sobrang lambing na tingin na parang silang dalawa lang ang nandoon. "Wait lang, baby. I have wet wipes in my bag."
Biglang tumahimik ang pantry.
It wasn't the kind of silence where people didn't hear it. It was the kind of silence where everyone heard it so clearly that it felt like it was echoing off the walls.
Baby.
Natigilan si AZ. Nakahawak pa rin ang kamay niya sa braso ni Ralph. Hindi siya makatingala. Si Ralph naman ay napapikit na lang sandali, na parang nagdarasal na lamunin na siya ng lupa sa oras na 'yon.
"Na... narinig niyo rin ba ang narinig ko, guys?" Esnyr whispered, his eyes wide. “Hindi imagination ’yon, right!?”
"Did you call him 'baby'?" Mika asked, her jaw literally dropping. "Baby as in... jowa baby?"
Will slammed his hand on the table, making the pancit containers jump. "TANGINA! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT!"
"Oh my god," Bianca squealed, slapping the table. "Hindi na yearner ang atabs ko! Totoo na ‘to!"
"I have so many questions!" Esnyr shouted, standing up. "Wait, wait, wait! The wrong send! The jacket! The whistling! Everything makes sense now! My third eye is shaking!"
Robi stood there, blinking, looking from AZ to Ralph. "So...I’m guessing the 'Aki' jacket isn't for Aki?"
AZ finally looked up, her face a shade of red that was actually concerning. She looked at Ralph, pleading for help. Ralph sighed, reached out, and took the tissue from her hand. He didn't pull away. Instead, he interlaced his fingers with hers right there on top of the table.
"Okay, look. Yes, kami na," Ralph said, trying to be the calm one while Will was literally dancing in the background. "Now, can we just eat our pancit in peace?"
"NO!" sabay-sabay na sigaw ng lahat.
"Sila na!" Halos mag-vibrate na si Esnyr habang nakatutok ang phone sa new couple. "Oh my god kayo gagawan ko ng TikTok 'to!!!!"
"Kailan pa?!" usisa ni Bianca. "Tsaka ang laki ng katawan tapos baby mo!? 'Di ba dapat dadd—"
"Bianca, shut up!" AZ laughed, hiding her face in her hands, though she didn't let go of Ralph’s hand. "It just...it happened over the holidays, okay? Sasabihin naman namin sa inyo, naghihintay lang kami ng tamang timing!"
"The right time was five minutes ago when you outed yourselves!" River chimed in, grinning. "Nice hoodie, by the way, Ralph."
"See? Sabi sa ‘yo bagay eh!" AZ said to Ralph, then realized she’d just confirmed River's theory too. She groaned. "I'm retiring. I'm leaving the country."
"You just got back!" Robi laughed, shaking his head. "Well, as long as hindi apektado ang mga deadline...at basta invited ako sa kasal."
"ROBI!" AZ and Ralph shouted together.
"What? Willing na nga akong mag-ninong, eh!" Robi shrugged, taking a sip of his coffee.
The rest of merienda was pure, unadulterated chaos. Will kept calling Ralph "Baby" every time he needed a napkin. Bianca was demanding a full timeline, and Esnyr was already planning their "official" couple debut.
Amidst the noise, Ralph leaned in and whispered to AZ, “Nagplano pa tayo ng 'lowkey' announcement, ha.”
AZ looked at her team—the loud, intrusive, over-observant family she’d somehow ended up with. She squeezed Ralph’s hand and smiled. "Sorry na! At least it came from us directly. Sort of."
"I told you the whistling was suspicious!" Will yelled from the other end of the table. “Nobody whistles like that unless they’re getting—"
"Hoy, Will! Bunganga mo!" AZ laughed, throwing a packet of calamansi at him.
"So," Bianca's voice rose above the noise. "Sino ang taya sa celebration drinks mamaya?"
"Celebration is on me," Ralph said, finally claiming his space by pulling AZ’s chair closer to his. "I think I owe you guys that much for the two years of emotional labor."
"Drinks and the full story, Ralph De Leyearn!" Will pointed at him. "No edits!"
Ralph grinned, looking at AZ. The secret was out, and finally, the pining was over.
"Deal," Ralph said. "No edits."
AZ
The silence inside the car felt different tonight. Usually, being alone with Ralph in the quiet of his car felt like a familiar retreat, but after the high-adrenaline chaos of their public reveal at the office and the much more chaotic celebration with alcohol, the air felt charged. It was thick with the residue of Will’s shouting, Bianca’s teasing, and the sudden, staggering relief of no longer having to play a part.
AZ leaned her head against the cool glass of the passenger window, watching the neon blur of Makati. For the first time in months, the knot in her chest—the one that always tightened whenever someone mentioned Ralph’s name—had completely gone.
"Bianca told me something kanina," AZ said, her voice cutting through the hum of the engine.
Ralph glanced over, the soft green glow of the dashboard illuminating the sharp line of his jaw. "Yeah? Ano na namang chinika ng resident gossip natin?"
"About your Impossible List."
The car didn’t swerve, but Ralph’s grip on the steering wheel tightened until his knuckles turned white. "Oh god. She really went there? I need to talk to her about her NDAs."
"So it’s real?" AZ teased, turning in her seat to face him. "A literal checklist for your 'perfect girl' from high school? Ralph, that is so specific. And very nerdy."
"I was seventeen and a hopeless romantic, Z. Cut me some slack," he muttered, though the tips of his ears were turning a deep shade of red. "Paraan ko lang 'yun para lumipas ang oras nung akala ko magiging single ako forever."
"Sabi niya, I checked all the boxes."
A beat of silence passed. Ralph kept his eyes on the road, but his expression shifted from embarrassment to something much more grounded. "You do," he said quietly.
AZ felt her heart skip. She’d spent so much of her life guarded, convinced that being "enough" was a moving target she’d never quite hit. Pero hearing Ralph say it—not with the grandiosity of a movie script, but with the simple certainty of a fact—made her throat tight.
"Ano ba ang nasa listahan na 'yun?" she pushed, her curiosity warring with the sudden lump in her throat.
"Z—"
"Come on. I want to know what seventeen-year-old Ralph thought was impossible."
Ralph exhaled, a long, defeated sound. "Fine. Pero 'wag mo akong pagtatawanan. Mestiza. Striking eyes. Someone smart enough to challenge me and funny enough to make me forget a bad day. Someone who reads actual books. Someone comfortable with silence." He paused, slowing down as they approached the gate of her village. "Someone who makes me want to be better. And...the most impossible part? Someone who actually likes me back."
The weight of it hit her then. She had spent so long worrying about timing, about whether she was ready for him, while Ralph had simply been waiting for her to arrive.
"You didn't need a list, Ralph," she whispered as he pulled over into a dark, quiet spot near her gate. "You just needed time."
"Time for what?" he asked, cutting the engine.
"Para makahabol ako kung nasaan ka na."
Ralph turned to her, his eyes dark and intense in the shadows of the car. "You think you were behind? AZ, I would have waited another ten years if it meant getting to this moment."
The vulnerability in his voice was the final straw. AZ reached out, her hand finding the back of his neck and pulling him toward her with a sudden, desperate urgency. When his lips met hers, it wasn't the tentative, safe-for-work kiss they'd shared in stolen moments. It was ravenous—a culmination of years of unspoken pining and months of holding back.
Ralph didn't just respond; he devoured. His hand cupped her face before sliding roughly into her hair, fingers tangling, gripping, tilting her head back to deepen the kiss until she gasped against his mouth. She pulled him closer, her fingers fisting the fabric of his shirt.
The air in the car turned thick, windows already beginning to fog. The only sounds were their ragged breathing and the soft, involuntary noises escaping her throat that made Ralph kiss her harder, hungrier.
When they broke apart—barely—their faces remained inches away, lips swollen and slick. "Wait," AZ panted, her pupils blown wide. "Was 'a good kisser’ on that list? Because if not, you missed a very important requirement."
Ralph let out a low, rough chuckle against her jaw, his lips trailing down to that sensitive spot below her ear. "The list was a working draft, baby." His teeth grazed her pulse point, drawing a sharp inhale from her. "I'm adding a new chapter right now."
"You better," she whispered, her hands sliding down his chest, feeling his heart hammering beneath her palms. "Kasi if I'm checking boxes, I want a perfect score."
"Maya na 'yang scoring," Ralph murmured against her throat, his voice gone gravelly and wrecked. He didn't give her a chance to reply before he captured her mouth again, this time with a renewed, almost possessive intensity. It was all friction and heat and teeth—Ralph's thumb tracing the line of her throat, feeling her pulse race, until a soft, broken whimper escaped her that made something primal flare in his chest.
The world outside the car had ceased to exist. There was only this—his weight, his heat, and the way his hand had found her waist and was now sliding, slowly, deliberately, to her hip, fingers pressing into soft flesh like he needed to confirm she was real.
They tore themselves apart only when the need for oxygen became a physical, burning ache. Both were flushed and trembling, their foreheads resting together. Ralph's hand was still tangled in her hair, neither of them willing to create even an inch of distance.
"So," AZ whispered, her voice still wrecked and breathy. "Anong score ko? Do I still need to check a few more boxes?"
Ralph exhaled a ragged breath, his eyes lingering on her swollen lips. "If it's just about the score, AZ, you’re already off the charts. Everything else... this is just the bonus I’ve been waiting for."
His expression softened then, the heat shifting into something deeper, more absolute. He leaned in to press a lingering kiss to her temple. "But honestly? Hindi ko na kailangan ng kahit anong listahan. I have the real thing. And she's so much better than anything I could’ve ever imagined."
They sat there for a while, the adrenaline slowly fading into a sweet, heavy contentment.
"May gagawin ka ba sa Sunday?" Ralph asked, his voice returning to its usual easy rhythm.
"Nothing yet. Why?"
"Uuwi kasi ako ng Tanza. For our monthly lunch with Lola Natty. Charlie will be there, too." He looked at her, a hint of nervousness returning. "Lola Natty would love to have you there. Properly, this time."
AZ smiled, thinking of the grandmother who had seen through them before they even saw through themselves. "I would love to. I’m sure Charlie has some embarrassing family albums she’s dying to show me."
"I am definitely bribing my sister to stay quiet," Ralph groaned, but he was grinning.
"Subukan mo lang. Ime-message ko siya mamaya sa IG pagpasok ko.”
The drive to her gate was short, but it felt like the longest stretch of the night. Ralph didn’t let go of her hand, his thumb tracing a slow, rhythmic circle over her knuckles as he navigated the quiet streets of her village. The world outside the windshield looked the same as it had hours ago, but to AZ, everything felt sharper, more permanent.
Ralph pulled over into the shadows near her driveway and killed the engine. The silence that followed wasn't heavy or awkward; it was the quiet of a long-awaited resolution.
"See you Sunday?" Ralph asked, his voice low and grounded.
"Sunday," she promised, reaching for the door handle but lingering for one last second.
As she stepped out and watched Ralph’s silhouette against the streetlights, AZ realized she was no longer looking for the right timing.
The timing was him. It had always been him.