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It was still early in the morning, yet, the sun was already blazing hot when Josh arrived at the beachside venue. It was just a last-minute gig that he took not even 12 hours prior as the supposed hired photographer had an emergency. He was free anyway and he’d take any excuse to drive to places he doesn’t frequent.
“Hi, ako yung wedding photographer,” he introduced himself to a lady who he assumed was the wedding coordinator. He held up his camera and tried to charm her with a smile, unsure whether she didn’t believe him or if she was just having a bad day with the scowl on her face. She just gave a short nod and led him outside of a room. “Sandali lang,” she said coldly, leaving him when she entered.
Josh could hear voices from inside, and though he couldn’t make out the words, he knew the sound of a heated argument if he heard one. It went on for about three minutes until it came to an abrupt stop that was followed by the door opening once more. Josh expected to see the coordinator again but what came into view made his heart stop - a tall young man who he knew was the love of his life.
“Uh, ikaw yung photographer?” the young man asked. His short hair was sleekly combed and he wore a beautiful white suit.
“H-hi, yes, ako nga,” Josh said, trying to sound as normal as possible when the realization that he was talking to the groom was making him a little dizzy.
“Sorry, we’re just a bit busy at the moment but you can go ahead and take photos of the arriving guests. Ikaw na bahala,” the young man said, seemingly in a hurry, and closing the door on him.
“Sure,” Josh sighed, his eyes lingering on the closed door. He felt his jaws tremble as he fought back bittersweet tears. It had been way too long, and he still, of course, was as breathtakingly handsome as he had remembered. But he, of course, didn’t remember him and was already set to marry somebody else. He let out a lengthier sigh. “Fuck me,” he muttered to himself, shaking his head while quickly accepting fate. “Ganun talaga siguro, bahala na.”
As the guests started arriving, he put his mind to his work. He chatted with them as he took the best pictures he could, keeping himself preoccupied, even flirted with some just for the heck of it. But not even long after, he saw the groom through the periphery of his lens rushing out of the venue. He was far, but Josh knew him well enough to see he was distraught. Without a second thought, he ran after him.
He found him pacing next to the road looking conflicted. He then turned around, meeting Josh’s eyes. The stains on his cheeks made Josh want to come and comfort him in his arms, but he stopped himself. “Brad,” the groom addressed him. “May kotse ka ba?” Josh nodded, and pointed a thumb at his car. “Hatid mo ‘ko,” the groom ordered, and headed straight to the vehicle without hearing a response.
“San ka ba?” Josh asked as he started the car.
“Magmaneho ka lang, magbubook muna ako ng hotel,” the groom said, tapping on his phone.
Pambihira, paladesisyon ka pa rin ah, Josh thought, shaking his head, grinning in amusement. He missed him. “Hindi ba ikaw yung ikakasal?”
“Wedding’s off,” the groom said. “Shouldn’t have said yes in the first place.”
Josh felt a bit hopeful, relieved. Yet, he also felt for him. He could tell he was just putting on some tough facade but he could still hear the pain in his voice. “Did you get into a fight?”
“We got into a lot of fights, alright,” the groom scoffed. He let out an exasperated breath and grunted. “Ang tanga ko kasi. I thought maybe that’s just how relationships are, wala namang perfect eh. Sometimes, you really get into each other’s nerves. And I thought we’ve been together for so long, natiis namin isa’t isa for what? Eight years now? It’s our anniversary, too.”
The groom paused for a while, but Josh didn’t speak, because he knew he didn’t want his thoughts, he just needed his ears.
“I thought I stayed because I loved him, but I guess I already fell out of love a long time ago and I’m just staying kasi sayang, kasi anjan na, kasi matagal naman na. God, I was just in denial that I was miserable.”
When enough silence has passed to know the groom had already said his piece, Josh took a glance at him, smiling compassionately. He never knew how it might have felt to fall out of love, but he felt a pang in his heart hearing him say it. “Congratulations?”
The groom looked at him, and chuckled. He looked much lighter, brighter. “Salamat, brad.”
Josh dropped him off in some hotel half an hour away from the venue. By the looks of it, and the amount of cash he offered him as payment, the groom may have run away from his wedding, but it looked like he had a good life. “Wag na, di ko kailangan yan,” Josh told him, refusing the money.
“Di mo kelangan ng pera?”
“Nope.”
The groom just laughed. “Bahala ka,” he said, and waved him goodbye. It was only when he drove away that Josh realized he didn’t get his name.
But fate seemed to favor him this time.
Josh was starving despite coming from a wedding reception. He didn’t get a lot of time to eat and the food wasn’t to his liking either. He stopped by the first decent-looking restaurant he found along the way, tempted by the burger he saw on the poster which was fortunately as good as it looked. But just halfway through his meal, he saw the runaway groom come in. He put down his food and gave himself a second to just admire him from a distance. It had been a month since, and he looked even better with his fresh haircut. “Sinusundan mo ba ako?” he finally called out loud.
The guy looked in his direction and grinned. “At sino ka naman para sundan?” he retorted, but ended up sitting with him, relieved to see a familiar face despite being strangers. “Taga dito ka pa ba? Layo ah.”
“May gig lang,” Josh said, showing him his camera. “Ikaw ba?”
“Edi eto, ngayon lang nagkaoras magliwaliw.”
“Ano, di mo na talaga tinuloy?”
“Di na, uy. Tama na yun, hanap nalang bago,” the guy laughed. “Paulo pala,” he introduced himself, extending a hand.
Paulo, Josh repeated in his head and smiled. He even had the same name. “Josh.”
“Are you staying here? O uwi ka na rin pagkatapos?”
“Depende, bahala na,” Josh answered honestly. It had been long since the last time he made plans. Afterall, he had the luxury to just live life one day at a time. “Ikaw ba?”
“Hanggang linggo lang. May trabaho na ako sa Lunes eh, but until then, tambay muna ako sa farm namin.”
“Wow, may farm. Anong farm?”
“Amaryllis,” Paulo said, and excitedly showed some pictures he took from his phone. By the look in Paulo’s eyes, Josh knew his question was going to start a very lengthy ramble, but he let him because listening to Paulo had been one of his favorite things in the world. Even after the both of them had finished eating, Paulo was still talking, often getting sidetracked. He had this glow about him, and though he was mostly just talking about flowers and farming and parasites, Josh hung onto every word as though it was the most fascinating thing he had heard. Paulo only stopped when he noticed the light had turned into amber as the sun was about to set. “Shit, ang daldal ko.”
“Ayos lang,” Josh grinned. “Di naman tayo pinapaalis eh.”
“Naubos ko na oras mo,” Paulo said apologetically.
“Ayos nga lang,” Josh reassured him. “Wala naman akong gagawin eh.”
“At nakinig ka talaga.”
“Oo naman. Summarize ko pa lahat kung gusto mo.”
Paulo shook his head, laughing. It was all just blabber of the most trivial things, but he had been keeping to himself for so long that it felt refreshing to talk to anyone again. And, for some reason, he had felt comfortable with the photographer since the day he met him. There was also something very endearing with how intently he stares at him while he listens. It had been so long since he felt like someone was listening, too. “Josh, wala ka namang gagawin, tara sa resthouse.”
“Paladesisyon ka talaga ano?” Josh said, drawing a chuckle from Paulo. He felt a little nervous and a little excited with the unexpected invitation. “Brad, alam kong pogi ako ah, but I’m not easy.”
“Gagu,” Paulo said, his cheeks turning scarlet. “Inuman lang, brad, wala akong kasama eh.”
Josh smiled, looking straight into Paulo whose eyes were smiling back at him. “Sure.”
Paulo brought him to a farm, just as he said he would, and it looked even more amazing than he expected. The fields burst into color from the blooms that seemed to extend into the horizon. But all of its beauty paled in comparison to seeing Paulo up close in the golden hue of the sunset. He wouldn’t mind an endless night if he was the last thing he saw in the daylight.
When the night fell, they were all alone in a cozy log house, sitting on the floor, sharing a bowlful of pancit canton and a bottle of whiskey because there was all there was. Paulo still didn’t know how to cook, and he looked relieved when Josh offered to do it unprompted. The night started with a mundane conversation of them just getting to know each other - of where they’re from, what they do. Yet, there was genuine awe on Josh’s face. He never grew tired of getting to know Paulo again.
A few shots later, the mood had completely changed when Paulo started pouring his heart out. “Hirap pala, brad, pakiramdam ko nagsisimula na naman ako sa umpisa, na ang laki ng nawala sa akin.”
“Gusto mong balikan?” Josh asked, even when his heart pounded just waiting for an answer.
Paulo sighed, and took another shot. “Hindi naman sa ganun,” he said. He turned to meet Josh’s eyes and they were warmer than the drink going down his throat. “Look, when I said I fell out of love, I meant it. Hindi naman sya yung nawala. Well, oo, sya rin, but it’s a relief for me to get out of our relationship. What I meant was yung oras na sana nilaan ko ng buo para sa sarili ko, yung oras na di ko nilaan para sa bangayan at sama ng loob. Yung ganun. Life is too short to waste with the wrong person.”
Josh just nodded along. “Right,” he muttered softly. “But hey, we learn and we live.”
“Eh ganun na nga lang, learning nalang kahit na nalearn ko lang ata eh duwag pala akong kumawala sa nakasanayan.”
Josh poured the both of them another shot of whiskey, discreetly giving Paulo less knowing he couldn’t really handle much alcohol. “Well, tapos na yun. Think of this as a new start, a new life, maybe you can start making bold decisions.”
“Wag mo ‘kong hamunin,” Paulo said, looking straight at him. “Baka sa’yo magsimula yang bold decisions ko.”
Josh felt the heat on his cheeks and on his mouth as he gulped down the alcohol. “Tumatapang ka na, brad, last mo nang shot yan,” he said, and though it sounded like a joke, he could see the flush on Paulo’s face and he knew he was getting drunk.
“Eh sayang naman ‘tong bote,” Paulo argued, and took another shot. But just as Josh had expected, it was one shot too many. It started with Paulo speaking louder, then he was singing until he didn’t care that he was getting out of tune.
Though Josh was entertained seeing him inebriated, he was getting worried. “Pau, tama na, sasakit na ulo mo nyan bukas,” he said, taking the bottle off the floor. But Paulo was a difficult, stubborn, and insistent drunk. He managed to grab it from Josh, and took a swig straight from the bottle. Josh grabbed it again, and took it into the kitchen, pouring all that was left down the drain. He wasn’t even gone for long but when he returned, Paulo was already blasting music and dancing off beat until he stumbled his steps and fell on the sofa. Fortunately, he didn’t hurt himself. Josh was just shaking his head, failing to suppress his laughter when he saw he was already asleep. “Hay nako, Pau, buti ako kasama mo,” he sighed as he carried him to bed to tuck him in. “Goodnight.”
When Paulo woke up, he was immediately hit by the heaviness of his head. He knew he drank more than he should, and it took him a while to figure out where he was. But the moment he saw Josh laying on the floor while he was on the bed, it was guilt and shame that washed over him. He couldn’t remember going into his room and his gut told him it was the photographer that brought him there.
Josh rolled to his side as he woke up to Paulo panickedly averting his gaze from him. He thought it was cute when he gets embarrassed but he pretended he didn’t notice. “Ano, masakit ulo mo no?”
“Medyo,” Paulo grinned, caressing his throbbing head.
“Sorry, tinapon ko yung alak mo, ayaw mo tumigil eh,” Josh said, getting up.
“Ayos lang, mukhang di muna ako iinom isang buwan,” Paulo said. As Josh opened the window slightly to take a glimpse of the outside, Paulo couldn’t help but notice how attractive the photographer looked under the morning sunshine. A thought then came into mind. “Josh, wala namang nangyari sa’tin diba?”
Josh turned to him, surprised by the question. “Na turn-off ako, Pau, panget mo sumayaw.”
“Hoy, galing ko kayang sumayaw,” Paulo said defensively, but when Josh showed him a short video of him dancing like a tube man, they both burst into fits of laughter.
“Delete ko o send ko sayo?” Josh asked.
“Pakidelete please, nakakahiya,” Paulo pleaded, and in an instant, the video was gone but something emerged within him. He didn’t have to beg harder and he didn’t even have to say it twice. Everything with Josh seemed uncomplicated and comfy and safe. He felt like his much-needed rest. “Huh.”
“Anong huh?”
He took a deep breath and giggled. “I like you,” Paulo said, looking straight at him, and he couldn’t believe how saying those words also felt easy and natural.
Josh felt the butterflies in his stomach. “You like me?” he asked, just to make sure it wasn’t just daydream, that he was hearing him right.
“I like you, Josh,” Paulo repeats, and without hesitation, leans in for a kiss.
“Ito na ba yung bold decision mo?”
“Hindi pa yan,” Paulo chuckled. “Pero ito,” he said, kissing Josh once more and pulling him to bed.
“Shit,” Josh cursed under his breath, roused by the brazenness. But he didn’t stop Paulo, nor did he intend to. He kissed him back and held him like he used to, and allowed himself to get lost in the skin that he had yearned for and knew so well.
Maybe they were going too fast, maybe it was too soon. But after losing years, Paulo no longer wanted to waste the minutes and Josh has been waiting a lifetime. It was both where they wanted to be, savoring each other, plunging deep into the moment. When it was done, it didn’t feel like it was over, more like just the beginning, both vowing and hoping in silence that the parting was just temporary - and it was.
The few coincidental meetings had turned into conscious choices of wanting to be together. Paulo, when able, would tag along the photographer’s gigs, waiting patiently for his work to be done so they could spend time alone again. And Josh would sometimes pick Paulo up from work when he’s too exhausted to drive for himself. Some days, they’d somehow end up in the same place even when they didn’t mean to, like they were always meant to find each other.
Josh would get calls from Paulo on random days and on random hours, and he’d pick up each one. Some calls were as random as the timing - just short conversations about things he’d enthusiastically share with the photographer out of impulse. Often, he’d want to see him, and Josh would always be there as soon as he could. Sometimes it was just to talk and hang out, maybe share a meal and a few drinks. Sometimes, it was just being in the same room in comfortable, cozy silence, and sometimes it was being in bed together to appease their carnal craving or bask in the warmth of their deep affection for each other. No matter what it was that he did with Paulo, Josh wanted nothing more than to be there. No matter what Paulo wanted from him, he would give, because there were no words to express how much he had missed him. He’d drop anything for Paulo because the moments they have together may just be speckles compared to eternity, but those were the moments that made his life worth living.
The large cup of coffee that Josh ordered arrived piping hot on the table, just as he wanted. The sweet, nuttiness of hazelnut perfumed the air around him, bringing back cherished memories and making him smile. He let the drink cool off for a bit as he looked through the photos he had taken from a beautiful, intimate, and touching 50th anniversary wedding that he was hired to shoot for. To be able to live long enough to spend those many years with the love of your life was a dream to many and one he knew a little too well. The old couple looked so in love, and he was willing to bet it was just the same as the first time they first admitted their feelings to each other because that was how it was for him, too. Time may pass and the memories may fade, but the love he had never did. He could no longer remember all the details when he met Paulo for the very first time, but his feelings were still clear and vivid.
As if on cue, when Josh put down his camera, Paulo came into view. He didn’t know for how long he was there, but it looked like he didn’t notice him in the corner because Paulo’s eyes were affixed on someone else. He was smiling as he talked, glints of the afternoon sunshine in his eyes. There he was, the love of his life, as beautiful as can be, talking to some other man. He was far enough to be within earshot of the conversation, but he didn’t really want to pry. Whether it was friendly or flirtatious, Josh thought it didn’t really matter, because the truth, no matter how bitter, was that Paulo wasn’t his in that life, and he was free to be with someone else.
When their eyes eventually met, Josh quickly looked away, because after all, it wasn’t really his business and more importantly, he didn’t want him to see the little pain that may have reflected in his eyes. For all he knew, they were just two people who enjoyed spending some time together, bound by nothing. There were no contracts nor promises between them. He was prepared to let it go, let him go. It could be nothing, really. But Paulo sat down next to him. “Sinusundan mo ba ako?”
Josh lets out a little laughter, a bit more rueful than he intended. “At sino ka naman para sundan?”
Paulo grinned, amused with the response. “Nagseselos ka ba?” he asked without hesitation.
“Should I be?”
Paulo shrugged his shoulders. “I wouldn’t really mind, you know.”
There was some silence between them, gathering the thoughts that were still unsaid and figuring out how to say them out loud. Josh sighed. “Look Pau,” Josh started, turning his body towards him, making sure he was being heard and that they were seeing eye to eye. “It doesn’t matter if I am jealous or not because that is on me, and you don’t have to do anything about it. I am fine with our situation. I am fine with whatever we are. I enjoy spending time with you, at ayos lang naman if you’re not looking for anything serious given that you just got out of a relationship. Go explore, live your life. What I’m just saying is, if you’re worried about me, don’t. I’m fine. We’re good.”
Paulo was just looking at him, not saying a word. Josh knew him, and he knew him well, but there were instances where he just couldn’t read him, and it was one of those. But there was something about the intensity of his gaze that was inciting a frenzy in his chest. After a long while, Paulo finally broke the silence with a sigh. “May pagkamadrama ka rin pala ano,” he said, and grabbed the photographer’s drink to take a sip like it was his. “Masarap pala ‘to,” he muttered as though nothing was going on between them just moments ago. He then called the attention of a waiter and made an order. “Isa nga nito.”
Josh chuckled to himself, confused but also amused. “All this time, you didn’t even change,” he said, under his breath.
“Hmn?”
Josh shook his head. “Wala.:
Paulo didn’t ask any further as his attention seemed to be now on the drink. “Akin nalang ‘to ha, yung inorder ko nalang inumin mo,” he announced, enjoying the drink. Josh just nodded as he kept his eyes on him. He was not really surprised, because the truth was, he ordered that drink because he thought of Paulo. It was one of his favorites even when it looked like he had only just found out about it then. There was another silence between them, but Josh didn’t mind. He went back to looking through his pictures, secretly enjoying Paulo’s mere presence next to him.
It was only after the drink he ordered was delivered to their table and the waiter was out of earshot that Paulo finally said his piece. “Josh, listen” he said, drawing the photographer’s attention. He put down the now empty cup back on the table and gazed at him tenderly. “One, he’s just my friend who I haven’t seen in a long time, and probably will not see again for who knows how long. Two, you’re not the only one enjoying our time together because I do, too, very much. And three, if you think I’m not being serious then you are completely wrong. In fact, you should take our relationship seriously.”
Josh shot him a curious look. “Our relationship is what, exactly?”
“I don’t know,” Paulo briefly looked away and shrugged his shoulders. He then turned to him once more, their faces getting close. “Ano ba tawag dun, Josh? You know, that thing wherein I’m seriously in love with you and you are also seriously in love with me?”
Josh started coughing, caught off guard by the answer he was given. He drank some coffee, ignoring how hot it was. “Wala namang alak ‘to bakit ang kapal ng apog mo?”
Paulo laughed. “Edi sabihin mong mali ako,” he said, challenging him. But he wasn’t prepared for the response, too stunned to process how Josh just grabbed him by the neck and kissed him straight on the mouth. “Lagi ka namang tama, Pau,” Josh whispered in his ear.” May tama sakin.” Paulo just giggled, and went in for another kiss.
It was already morning, but it was still dark and cold inside Josh’s room with blackout curtains covering the tall windows. Paulo walked around, unbothered by his nakedness. He had been there enough times to have a good grasp of where everything was. He sat down on a loveseat next to a coffee table where a huge box was placed on top of. He turned on the lamp, lighting up the room dimly. “Pwede ko ba buksan?” he asked Josh, who was still lying on the bed. “Sige lang,” Josh said sleepily, followed by a yawn.
Inside, Paulo found a few photo albums. He excitedly browsed through the one on top, taking his time to study each picture. He expected them to all just be wedding photos, but to his surprise, the first album he opened only had pictures of landscapes and portraits of people in their daily lives. It may have just been in the way that Josh took them, or the yellow hue of the lamplight, but they strangely look like they were taken from a much different time. “You take really good pictures,” he said, in sincere admiration.
Josh smiled. “Thanks.” He put on his clothes and got up from bed to cover Paulo’s bareness with a blanket. He loved seeing his form, but he had been noticing him shivering from the cold. “I have had lots of years of experience,” he said, wrapping his arms around Paulo’s chest and peeking over his shoulder from behind.
“I can see that,” Paulo said, feeling a sense of pride. He took another album, a newer looking one that did have some wedding photos that Josh took. There were church weddings and beach weddings, and some were just inside a municipal hall. Though it seemed uncommon to hire a wedding photographer for a very small gathering and without all the grand decor, seeing the pictures convinced Paulo that hiring Josh was the right call. In all of the photos, no matter how grand or intimate the setting, Josh captured emotions very well, especially that serene bliss of being deeply in love and being loved in return. “Alin paborito mo dito?”
Josh did not need to think; he had an answer right away. But he took a moment to contemplate whether the time was right to say it. He hugged Paulo tighter, and kissed him softly on the cheek. “Ours,” he said.
“Ours?” Paulo asked, utterly confused. “May pictures tayo?”
“Sandali, may papakita ako sayo,” he said, a little nervous. But he was ready, and he thought Paulo was, too. He quickly searched through his drawer, taking a little box back with him, and handed it to Paulo. Josh sat next to him, holding his breath as he watched him open it carefully.
Inside, Paulo found pictures, many of which were already fading and some even looked like they would crumble in his palm. But they were pictures of them - of him and Josh. He was even more confused as he looked through them, for they were pictures taken from a different decade, a different century even. And some were not even pictures, but paintings. The confusion turned into something more profound - anemoia. And yet, there were flashes, glimpses in his brain of distant memories too vague to identify. The emotions they brought him, however, felt fresh, and he wondered if it was really nostalgia that he was feeling. “Where did you get these?”
“I took them,” Josh answered plainly. “Pero ito, di ko na maalala sino gumawa, and this one, you took this one,” he said, singling out the only picture where he was alone, sitting on a field, and beaming at the camera.
“But how?” Paulo asked.
Josh sighed, and held Paulo’s hand between his. “Di ko alam, Pau kung maniniwala ka,” he said, looking straight into Paulo’s beautiful eyes. “But we have been lovers for centuries. You have always been the love of my life. Hindi mo lang maalala kasi people who get reincarnated do not get to keep their memories.”
Paulo thought it was a crazy story, but even crazier was how he felt in his heart that it was true because the first time he ever laid eyes on Josh on the day of his wedding, he was overcome with the same feeling when he was looking at the pictures. He felt familiar, and he felt drawn to him, but he just shrugged it off thinking that maybe it was just shallow infatuation because Josh had looks that even gods would be envious of. “Eh bakit ikaw, naalala mo?”
Josh suddenly looked a bit somber. “Kasi di ako tumatanda, di ako namamatay,” he said, his voice riddled with melancholy.
“Are you being serious right now?”
“Unfortunately, this is life for me, Pau.”
“But how? Why?”
Josh let out a long sigh. He has not returned to that memory in a very long time. “Alam mo, di ko pa pala nakwento sa’yo ‘to at ‘di mo rin naman maaalala, but on the first life that I met you, when I was mortal, you got sick, Pau. You were so sick, I was so scared to lose you. Andami mo pang mga pangarap nun eh.” His voice was shaking, and Paulo softly brushed his thumb on his face, wiping a teardrop from his cheek. It was so long ago, but Josh could still remember the anguish. He took a deep breath, regaining composure. “I was desperate, so I made a deal with a witch, or I’m not really sure what she is. She said she would give you a full life in exchange for my death. Akala ko mamatay ako, and I was willing to die for you, Pau. So, I said yes. Pero yun pala, ang ibig nyang sabihin eh she will take away death from me, while you live a thousand lives. Gusto ko nga sya balikan, kaso di ko na rin sya nakita.”
Paulo sat as close to him as he could. He then took Josh’s arms, wrapping it around him once more as he cozied himself on his chest. “And do we always find each other? Hinahanap mo ba ako?”
“Nope,” Josh answered honestly. “Not always. Actually, I haven’t seen you in maybe fifty, sixty years?”
“Bakit naman?”
“Well for starters, di ko rin naman alam saan ka hahanapin at paano. But, I figured, I should just let you live your life. You don’t remember me, anyway. I’m just glad that in many of your lifetimes, nagtatagpo pa rin naman tayo.”
Paulo sighed, as a thought came to mind. He pulled himself away just to meet Josh’s eyes. “At kung tinuloy ko yung kasal kung sakali, pipigilan mo ba?”
Josh shook his head. “Kung makita ko namang masaya ka, I wouldn’t want to take that from you,” he said, gently caressing Paulo’s cold arms with his fingers. “Just so you know, you are always the love of my life, Pau, even if there’s a chance that in some of your lives, I am not yours.”
“And yet, I think you are, Josh,” Paulo said, his eyes getting moist. Josh leaned in to kiss him, and he kissed him back deeply, slowly, passionately. “Pero bakit naman ganon, may padrama ka pa, tapos inantay mo pa talaga na ako yung mag-initiate na maging tayo,” he grumbled.
Josh laughed. “Eh kasi naman, napatunayan ko nang kapag nagtatagpo tayo, kahit naman di ako kumilos, you always end up falling in love with me anyway.”
“Ang yabang ha, ang kapal ng mukha,” Paulo said, giggling. But he didn’t really want to argue, because he couldn’t think of a world where he wouldn’t end up falling in love with Josh, and if there was a lifetime that he didn’t end up with him, he didn’t want to know about it. “Pero andaya naman, di ka tumatanda. Paano ako?”
"I've seen you grow old Pau, a couple of times. "
"And?"
Josh held Paulo’s face in his hand, adoring all of him, including his imperfections. "And you're still the most beautiful thing to exist"
Paulo sighs. His heart was singing and he felt the butterflies in his stomach. "May iba ka pa bang kakilalang wedding photographer?"
"What?" Josh asked, confused.
“Look, Josh,” Paulo said, grabbing him firmly on the shoulder as he stared straight into him. “If you think you can just say that about me and not marry me in this lifetime, then you are wrong.”
"Paladesisyon ka na naman ah," Josh said, chuckling in amusement. He gently pulled Paulo into an embrace. Their arms were each other’s shelter, and their warmth was home. He smiled, feeling Paulo’s soft lips on his ear, and he turned to meet them with his. "Oo naman, Pau. Of course, I’d marry you, again and again, in all your lifetimes that we’re together, until I’ll run out of eternity to love you.”