Chapter Text
After their chat with Jace and Coco, Milo and Alecks decided to go back to the SC Office—their ‘safe space’. Milo closed and locked the door. Right now, it’s time for the true ‘Data Exchange’.
Naupo si Milo sa swivel chair, habang si Alecks ay inilapag ang kanyang iPad at ang kanyang sketchbook sa harap ni Milo.
“Ready ka na ba? Warning: This might cause a total system shutdown,” pang-aasar ni Alecks habang pinindot ang ‘play’ sa video edit niya.
While the video is playing, hindi na makapagsalita si Milo. Sa screen, nakita niya ang sarili niya sa mga mata ni Alecks:
- Isang clip kung saan seryoso siyang nagbabasa, but her expression suddenly softened when she looked at Alecks walking towards her.
- One candid shot where she was staring at Alecks with her heart eyes while Alecks was painting.
- Each transition is on beat and smooth; full of stickers; has yellow and orange filters; and has a distinguishable watermark that says, ‘Milo’sForever’.
“You… you captured all these?” Milo whispered. “I didn’t even notice you always have your camera with you. And, I'm definitely not aware that I look at you like that.”
“Kasi busy ka kakatitig sa akin or kaya naman busy ka masyado sa libro at spreadsheets mo, to the point you did not notice my camera on the side.” Alecks giggled. “Pero ito ang paborito ko.” Ibinigay ni Alecks ang sketchbook niya.
Binuksan ni Milo ang bawat pahina. Ang bawat guhit ng uling at lapis ay tila may buhay. May mga drawing doon ng mga kamay ni Milo; ng salamin niya; at isang portrait na ang title ay “My Person”. Sa gilid, may sulat ni Alecks, ‘Napakaganda ng pilik-mata niya kapag nakapikit siya. I hope I’m the one she dreams of.'
Milo feels like crying, her eyes filled with tears. “Bub… I can feel your love for me to the bones. Logically, I don’t deserve this much attention to detail.”
“Actually,” Alecks wipes the tears off of Milo’s cheeks, “you do deserve every stroke of my pen and brushes, Milo.” Alecks kissed MIlo’s forehead. “Don’t cry na. Let’s see your spreadsheet, Babu.” She said to lighten up the mood.
Milo opens her laptop and turns it to Alecks. On the screen, Alecks can see the “Project S.U.N.F.L.O.W.E.R. - Expanded Version”.
“I updated it last night after the accidental breach,” Milo joked.
Alecks read the tabs.
Tab #1: Future_Projections_20xx_to_infinity
- Data: Possible shared apartment or own house location
- Note: Must be near a park for Alecks’ inspiration and a coffee shop for my caffeine needs.
- Data: Budget for ‘Spontaneous Art Supplies’ - 15% of monthly earnings from my side hustles (Dad’s monthly project/training to successfully close a deal with a client).
Tab #2: Alecks’ Happiness Index (Deep Dive)
- Observation: She feels most loved when I listen to her rants about color theory without interrupting.
- Note: Look for an ebook version of ‘Color Theory’ to participate in the conversation.
Tab #3: The ‘Only Alecks’ Clause
- Statement: “All data were double checked and verified. The subject (Alecks) is no longer a variable. She is the only constant I want in my life. All other social interactions must be secondary to her well-being and existence.”
Napatigil si Alecks sa isang partikular na note.
Note: “Sometimes, I look at her, and I forget how to breathe. I used to think it was a medical anomaly, but Jace said it’s called 'being in love'. I have cross-referenced the symptoms, and Jace is 100% correct.”
“Milo!” Tili ni Alecks, sabay takip ng mukha. “Ang corny mo! ‘Medical anomaly’ talaga?! Pero bakit… bakit ang sweet pa rin?”
“It’s just the truth, Bub,” sabi ni Milo, dahan-dahang isinara ang laptop. “I have all this data, and all it says is that my world is 100% better with you in it. No constraints found.”
Humarap si Alecks kay Milo. Ang sketchbook at laptop ay nasa gilid na. “So, anong susunod na move, Babu? May KPI ba tayo para sa hapon na ‘to?” Aliw na tanong ni Alecks.
Inayos ni Milo ang kanyang salamin, pero sa pagkakataong ito, may kasama nang mapaglarong ngiti. “Actually, yes. KPI for the next 30 minutes: Zero paperwork; 100% quality time. At may nahanap akong data na ang ‘cuddling’ ay nagpapababa ng cortisol levels.”
“Dami mong alam,” tawa ni Alecks, sabay yakap nang mahigpit kay Milo.
THE END