Statement of the Heart

Jhoanna Robles is the firm's strict Engineer: territorial, calculating, and firmly believes that actions should always speak louder than words. She hates delayed permits, unsolicited opinions from strangers, and—most importantly—the "self love club" cap her girlfriend Aiah insists on wearing to project an untouchable, independent aura.

But by the end of the week, Jhoanna is quietly swapping out that old hat for a much more permanent accessory, all because she refuses to let anyone doubt who Aiah comes home to.

Notes:

For the girl this fic is for—read well. I love you so much.

Work Text:

Sabado ng umaga, the kind of morning that feels like a heavy, warm blanket. Ang paboritong araw ni Jhoanna sa buong linggo. Walang alarm, walang urgent emails, walang kailangang habulin na deadlines. Just the hum of the aircon inside their shared condo in Taguig and the soft, comforting smell of brewing coffee seeping into the bedroom.

Nakaupo si Jhoanna sa gilid ng kama, her knees pulled up to her chest, watching her favorite view in the entire world: Aiah Arceta getting ready for their weekly weekend grocery run.

Aiah was dressed simply in a white oversized t-shirt and loose denim shorts. Her long, dark hair was still a bit damp from the shower, cascading beautifully down her back. To anyone else, it was a totally mundane sight. Pero para kay Jhoanna, it was everything. Three years na silang magkasama sa iisang bubong, living a domesticated life that still felt like a dream she hadn't woken up from.

Everything was perfect. Well, almost everything.

Napakunot ang noo ni Jhoanna nang makita niya kung ano ang dinampot ni Aiah mula sa hat rack malapit sa pintuan ng kwarto.

It was the cap.

Out of all the designer bucket hats, beanies, and neutral-colored caps na nasa collection ni Aiah, palagi na lang itong specific headwear na ito ang pinipili niya.

Jhoanna let out a dramatic, exaggerated sigh. "Love, seryoso ba? 'Yan na naman yung isusuot mo?"

Aiah stopped, turning around to face her with an innocent look on her face. Her hand was hovering just above her head, holding the cap in question.

It was a two-toned baseball cap. The crown was a soft, pale cream canvas, while the brim was a solid, striking red. Sa pinakagitna ng cream na tela, intricately embroidered in red thread, were the words "self love club," cleverly arranged and molded to form the shape of a heart.

"What's wrong with it?" Aiah asked, blinking her big, expressive eyes. Tuluyan na niyang isinuot ang cap, adjusting the red brim so it sat perfectly, framing her beautiful face. "It matches my outfit kaya. White shirt, cream and red cap. Pop of color. It's cute!"

"It was cute, love. Two and a half years ago," Jhoanna pointed out, standing up from the bed and walking over to her girlfriend. She gently tapped the red brim of the cap. "Pansinin mo nga, love. Yung red niya, hindi na kasing tingkad ng dati. Parang nagiging maroon na siya kaka-laba. Tapos yung cream... medyo nag-iiba na ang shade."

Aiah defensively covered the cap with both hands, stepping back with a playful pout. "Excuse me, vintage ang tawag dito. And besides, I take good care of it! Hindi ko 'to basta-basta nilalagay sa washing machine, hand-wash lang 'to with gentle detergent."

Jhoanna couldn't help but smile, even though she was trying to prove a point. Ang totoo n'yan, she knew exactly why Aiah was so attached to that cap. After all, si Jhoanna mismo ang bumili at nagbigay n’yan sa kanya.

It was during their first year of living together. Aiah was going through a brutal phase at work—constantly rendering overtime, skipping meals, and burning herself out to the point of tears almost every night. Nakalimutan na ni Aiah kung paano alagaan ang sarili niya dahil masyado siyang naka-focus on providing and building her career. Isang araw, Jhoanna was passing by an indie pop-up bazaar in BGC when she saw the cap. The red "self love club" text shaped like a heart immediately caught her attention.

She bought it without a second thought. That night, she placed it on top of Aiah's pillow alongside a warm cup of tea and a handwritten note that read: "You can't pour from an empty cup, my love. Please take care of my favorite person. Welcome to the club."

Aiah had cried buckets that night, clutching the cap to her chest. Since then, the cap became Aiah's ultimate comfort item. It was her armor on bad days, her staple accessory on lazy weekends, and her literal reminder to be kinder to herself.

"Alam ko namang inaalagaan mo," Jhoanna softened her tone, stepping closer to wrap her arms loosely around Aiah's waist. She looked up into Aiah's eyes, overshadowed slightly by the red brim. "But love, we've been together for almost four years. Three years living together. We're practically wives at this point. Baka naman pwede nang i-retire si Self Love Club cap? Pwede naman siyang i-display na lang sa shelf. Or i-frame natin!"

Aiah giggled, resting her hands on Jhoanna's shoulders. "Grabe siya sa i-frame. Ang OA, Jhoanna ha. Bakit ba gigil na gigil ka dito sa sumbrero ko? Eh bigay mo nga 'to sa akin. Should I remind you how romantic you were when you gave this to me?"

"Exactly! Bigay ko sa'yo, kaya may karapatan akong bawiin," Jhoanna joked, burying her face into the crook of Aiah's neck, inhaling her clean, fresh out of the shower scent. "I just think... we're past that era na? Don't get me wrong, I still want you to love yourself! Syempre! Pero feeling ko kasi, kapag suot mo 'yan in public, people think you're single and just out there 'dating yourself' or something. As your unofficial wife, I feel slightly unacknowledged."

Aiah let out a loud, melodious laugh, the sound vibrating against Jhoanna's chest. "Oh my god. Is Jhoanna Robles jealous of an inanimate object? Isang sumbrero na literally nagsasabi lang ng self love?"

"Hindi ako nagseselos ah!" Jhoanna defended quickly, pulling back but keeping her hands on Aiah's waist. "I'm just saying... it's time for an upgrade. I mean, look at us. We're happy. We're stable. Hindi na tayo yung stressed and depressed 20-somethings na kailangan laging paalalahanan na huminga. We're thriving, love."

Aiah smiled softly, reaching up to cup Jhoanna's cheek with one hand. "I know we are. And I love you for always taking care of me. But this cap is special, Jho. It reminds me of how much you loved me during the times I couldn't even love myself. Kaya gustong-gusto ko siyang suot. It's like having a little piece of your care resting on my head."

Damn it, Jhoanna thought. Bakit ganyan siya magsalita? Paano ako mananalo sa argumentong 'to?

Jhoanna felt her heart melt completely, her earlier playful annoyance washing away. She leaned into Aiah's touch, pressing a soft kiss to her palm. "Okay, fine. You win. Masyado kang sweet, nakakainis."

"I always win," Aiah beamed triumphantly, adjusting the cap one more time. "Now, come on. Kukunin ko lang yung eco bags natin tapos let's go. Masyadong mainit kapag tinanghali tayo sa pag-grocery."

As Aiah turned to walk towards the kitchen, Jhoanna remained standing near the bedroom door, her eyes fixed on the back of Aiah's head—specifically, on the cream and red fabric of the cap.

Aiah's reasoning was incredibly touching, and it made Jhoanna love her even more. But Jhoanna was a very stubborn woman. Lalo na pagdating sa mga bagay na naplano na niya.

Ang hindi alam ni Aiah, the "unacknowledged wife" comment wasn't just random banter. For the past three weeks, Jhoanna had been secretly coordinating with a custom embroidery shop online. She loved that Aiah appreciated her gifts, but she genuinely felt it was time for a new statement piece. A new armor for a new era of their lives.

Kung yung luma was meant to heal Aiah, the new one was meant to claim her. Completely and proudly.

Sa isip-isip ni Jhoanna, 'Sige, suotin mo lang 'yan ngayon, Aiah Arceta. Lubos-lubosin mo na.'

Because waiting in Jhoanna's firm lobby was a brand new cap. It was designed similarly—premium fabric, comfortable fit, but with completely different colors and a very different message. Naisip niya na kung gusto ni Aiah ng cap na galing sa kanya, then she would give her the best one yet. A cap that screamed: 'I am taken, I am happy, and my partner is the absolute best.'

"Love? Ano pa hinihintay mo d'yan? Tara na!" Aiah called out from the living room, jingling the car keys.

"Coming!" Jhoanna shouted back, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips as she grabbed her phone and wallet.

She opened her phone quickly and checked her email. The notification was sitting right there at the top of her inbox: Your custom order "Happy Wife, Happy Life" Cap has been successfully delivered and received at the lobby reception.

Jhoanna's smirk grew wider. Phase one of 'Project: Retire the Self Love Club Cap' was officially a go. She just needed the perfect moment to present it. Aiah was sentimental, yes, but Jhoanna was determined to make this new cap mean so much more to her.

"Bakit ka nakangiti mag-isa d'yan?" Aiah asked suspiciously as Jhoanna walked into the living room, wrapping an arm around Aiah's shoulders and steering her towards the front door.

"Wala lang," Jhoanna hummed happily, pressing a quick kiss to the side of Aiah's head, deliberately bumping the red brim of the cap. "Ang ganda kasi ng magiging asawa ko. Kahit ano'ng suot niya, ang ganda pa rin."

Aiah rolled her eyes, but the bright blush creeping up her neck gave her away. "Bolera. Tara na nga, the meat section is calling my name."

"Let's go, my self-love queen," Jhoanna teased, locking the door behind them. Enjoy it while it lasts, she thought to herself, kasi by next week, "happy wife" ka na.

Kung may isang lugar kung saan totoong lumalabas ang contrast ng personalities nina Jhoanna at Aiah, 'yun ay sa loob ng grocery store.

Bilang isang civil engineer, nakakabit na sa sistema ni Jhoanna ang pagiging praktikal at calculated. Para sa kanya, ang pamimili ay isang mission: you get in, you follow the checklist meticulously, you optimize the route across the aisles para walang pabalik-balik, and you get out.

Pero si Aiah? Being an architect, Aiah treated the grocery aisles like an art gallery. Meticulous siya sa lahat ng bagay—mula sa pagpili ng pinaka-symmetrical at pulang-pulang mga kamatis, hanggang sa pag-analyze ng packaging ng mga bagong labas na organic pasta brands.

Jhoanna leaned against the handle of their shopping cart, resting her chin on her hands as she watched Aiah inspect two seemingly identical jars of marinara sauce in the pasta aisle.

The harsh, artificial fluorescent lights of the supermarket somehow softened the moment they landed on Aiah. Jhoanna's gaze traced the delicate slope of her girlfriend's nose, the soft, unconscious pout of her lips as she read the nutritional facts, and the way a few stray strands of dark hair escaped from beneath that infamous self love club cap.

Even clad in just an oversized shirt and shorts, Aiah looked absolutely ethereal. It still gave Jhoanna that familiar, pleasant tightness in her chest—that sudden rush of warmth na umaakyat mula sa sikmura niya papunta sa leeg niya. Kilig. Even after three years of living together, seeing Aiah do the most mundane tasks still made Jhoanna’s heart flutter uncontrollably.

"Alin dito, love? The basil one or the roasted garlic?" Aiah asked, turning slightly to show the two jars to Jhoanna.

Jhoanna smiled, pushing the cart a few steps closer until she was standing right beside Aiah. She reached out, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind Aiah's ear. Her fingertips briefly brushed against the warm skin of Aiah's cheek, making Aiah lean into the touch subconsiously.

"Kung ano'ng gusto mo, hmm? But you know I'm a sucker for your garlic chicken pasta," Jhoanna answered softly, her voice dipping lower.

Ngumiti si Aiah, a breathtaking curve of her lips that made her eyes crinkle at the corners. The cream and red brim of the cap shadowed her eyes a bit, but Jhoanna could still see the absolute fondness in them. "Roasted garlic it is, then."

Bago pa man mailagay ni Aiah ang garapon sa cart, isang boses ang pumutol sa sarili nilang maliit na mundo.

"Excuse me, miss?"

Napalingon silang dalawa. Nakatayo malapit sa kanila ang isang babae, probably a college student based on her tote bag and oversized university jacket. Nakatingin ito nang diretso kay Aiah.

"Yes?" Aiah asked politely, her customer-facing smile automatically slipping into place.

"Sorry to bother you po," the girl said, looking a little bit shy but mostly enthusiastic. "Tatanong ko lang sana kung saan niyo nabili 'yung cap niyo? It’s so cute! Super aesthetic, and ang ganda nung message. Very 'independent, strong woman looking out for herself' era. Gusto ko sanang bumili para sa sarili ko."

Jhoanna physically felt her eye twitch.

Independent, strong woman looking out for herself era.

Aiah chuckled lightly, oblivious to the sudden stiffening of Jhoanna's posture beside her. "Ah, thank you! Ang cute nga 'no? But actually, bigay lang 'to sa akin eh. Mga two years ago pa yata. I'm not sure if the shop still sells this exact design."

The girl pouted slightly. "Sayang naman. Bagay na bagay po sa inyo. It screams 'I don't need anyone, I am my own soulmate' vibes. Single girls club!"

That was the breaking point.

Jhoanna didn't even hesitate. She took a step closer to Aiah, deliberately closing the small gap between them. She slid her right hand smoothly around Aiah's waist, her fingers wrapping possessively around the soft curve of her hip. She pulled Aiah flush against her side, relishing the way Aiah naturally melted against her, resting her head lightly against Jhoanna's shoulder.

"Actually," Jhoanna started, her voice smooth like velvet but carrying a clear, undeniable edge of territorial pride. "She's very much in her 'deeply loved and spoiled by her girlfriend' era."

Jhoanna flashed the student a brilliantly polite, yet dangerously sweet smile. "Ako yung bumili ng cap na 'yan para sa kanya. I can check the IG shop for you if you want, but I doubt available pa siya."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ng estudyante. Ang namumulang mukha nito ay nagpalipat-lipat kina Jhoanna at Aiah, her eyes widening as she took in the intimate way Jhoanna was holding the architect, and the soft, amused blush blooming on Aiah's cheeks.

"O-oh! Hala, I'm so sorry! Opo, I mean, no, it's okay na po!" The girl stammered, awkwardly gripping the straps of her tote bag. "S-stay strong po sa inyo! Sorry po ulit!"

Before either of them could say another word, the girl practically sprinted towards the frozen food section.

Aiah let out a loud, ringing laugh, slapping Jhoanna's chest lightly. "Jhoanna Robles! Ang sama mo, tinakot mo 'yung bata!"

"Hindi ko siya tinakot ah! I was just stating a fact," Jhoanna mumbled defensively, though she didn't loosen her grip on Aiah's waist. In fact, she pulled her just a fraction closer, pressing a soft kiss to Aiah's temple. "Puro kasi 'single era' at 'independent woman'. Hindi niya ba nakikita na halos magkadikit na tayo rito?"

Aiah turned slightly in Jhoanna's embrace, wrapping her arms around Jhoanna's neck, not caring that they were right in the middle of the pasta aisle. She looked up, the red brim of the cursed cap gently bumping against Jhoanna's forehead.

"Are you still sulking over this cap, Engineer?" Aiah teased, her voice practically dripping with affection. Her thumb gently stroked the nape of Jhoanna's neck, sending pleasant shivers down Jhoanna's spine.

"I'm not sulking," Jhoanna lied smoothly, leaning down to press a swift, sweet kiss against Aiah's lips, savoring the taste of the strawberry lip balm Aiah always wore. "Gusto ko lang malinaw sa lahat ng nakakasalubong natin na may nagmamay-aari na n'yang pusong 'yan." She tapped the embroidered red heart on the cap.

Aiah giggled, shaking her head. "Sira ka talaga. Let's just finish shopping, you possessive sap."

Habang itinutulak ni Jhoanna ang cart, her resolve solidified into absolute steel. That cap is going into a display box by next week. Mark my words.

Lunes ng umaga.

The air inside the engineering firm was thick with the scent of fresh blueprints, strong black coffee, and the subtle hum of large format printers. Jhoanna sat at her desk, her eyes scanning over a complex structural layout for a new commercial building project. But truthfully, her mind was only running at thirty percent capacity for work.

The remaining seventy percent was focused on the small, square cardboard box resting innocently beside her keyboard.

Kani-kanina lang ay bumaba siya sa lobby reception para kunin ang parcel. Ang puso niya ay nag-a-alburoto sa loob ng dibdib niya, hammering against her ribs with a heavy, excited rhythm. It felt exactly like the very first time she planned to ask Aiah out back in college.

With careful, almost reverent fingers, Jhoanna used a cutter to slice through the tape. She opened the flaps of the box, pushing aside the protective tissue paper.

Nanghina ang tuhod niya sa sobrang ganda ng nakita niya.

The shop had nailed her custom design perfectly. It wasn't loud or glaringly bright. Knowing Aiah's refined, architectural taste, Jhoanna opted for a premium, heavy-brushed cotton canvas in a deep, elegant espresso brown. It was rich, sophisticated, and neutral enough to match almost any of Aiah's minimalist outfits.

At the very center of the crown, embroidered in a beautiful, flowing cream cursive script, were the words: happy wife, happy life.

It wasn't shaped like a heart. It wasn't trying to be overly cute. It was sleek, straightforward, and a solid declaration. The stitching was flawless, slightly raised so it caught the light beautifully. At the back, just above the adjustable strap, Jhoanna had requested a tiny, subtle addition: J.R. ♥ A.A. embroidered in the same cream thread.

Jhoanna ran her thumb over the cursive letters, a ridiculously soft smile breaking across her face.

She could already picture it. She could imagine the deep brown fabric resting against Aiah's dark, flowing hair. She could imagine Aiah walking into a construction site or a client meeting, the cap shielding her eyes from the sun, quietly announcing to the world that she was unconditionally cherished.

Hindi lang ito simpleng sumbrero para kay Jhoanna. It was a tangible piece of her commitment. It was her way of saying, 'You don't have to remind yourself to practice self-love anymore, because I am here to do the loving for you, every single day.'

"Uy, Engineer Robles. Ngiting-ngiti tayo d'yan ah. Approved na ba yung budget estimate para sa Makati project?" bungad ni Mikha, one of the senior structural engineers at isa sa mga matatalik niyang kaibigan, as she leaned over Jhoanna's cubicle wall.

Jhoanna quickly closed the flaps of the box, looking up with a flustered expression. "Ha? Hindi. Ano... may dumating lang na parcel."

Mikha narrowed her eyes, sipping from her insulated mug. "Parcel? Para kay Aiah na naman 'yan 'no? Grabe, hindi ka na naubusan ng ireregalo sa taong 'yun. Ano 'yan ngayon, literal na titulo ng lupa?"

"Gago, sumbrero lang 'to," Jhoanna laughed, gently patting the top of the box. "Pamalit doon sa luma niyang cap. Yung 'self love club' na cap niya na hanggang ngayon, ayaw pang bitawan."

Mikha snorted. "Ah, the legendary cap. Suot niya 'yun nung nag-site inspection kami last week ah! Magka-partner firms tayo sa project na 'yun, 'di ba? Tapos tuwang-tuwa yung mga foremen kasi mukha raw bagets na OJT yung lead architect dahil sa sumbrero."

Jhoanna groaned, massaging her temples. "See? Exactly my point! Kaya papalitan ko na. Ang tanong ko lang, paano ko ibibigay sa kanya 'to in a way na hindi niya pwedeng tanggihan?"

Mikha thoughtfully tapped her chin. "Alam mo, you're overthinking it. It's Aiah. Bigyan mo lang 'yan ng kape at yakapin mo mula sa likod, bibigay na 'yan. Pero kung gusto mo talaga ng impact... hintayin mo yung tamang moment. Yung tipong kailangang-kailangan niya ng comfort. Papalitan mo yung comfort item niya eh, you have to offer something better in return."

Offer something better in return.

Jhoanna looked back down at the box. Mikha was right. Hindi niya pwedeng basta-basta na lang ihagis kay Aiah ang bagong cap. She needed a moment. A perfect, quiet, intimate moment.

"Thanks, Mikhs. I owe you lunch," Jhoanna said softly, a determined glint in her eyes.

She carefully placed the box inside her bag, safely tucked away between her laptop and her engineering scales. Pwedeng bukas, pwedeng sa makalawa. But the perfect moment was coming, and Jhoanna was going to be ready.

Bumubuhos ang malakas na ulan sa labas ng condo nila. The rhythmic drumming of the raindrops against the floor-to-ceiling glass windows usually gave Jhoanna a sense of peace, but tonight, it only added to her growing anxiety.

Alas-otso na ng gabi. Ang hapunan na niluto niya—Aiah’s favorite sinigang na baboy—ay nakasalang na sa warm mode sa stove. Jhoanna was sitting on the living room rug, her laptop open on the coffee table, pretending to review some structural load calculations. In reality, her eyes kept darting to her phone, waiting for a text.

Aiah had been out since 6:00 AM. May crucial site inspection ito sa isang malaking residential project sa Alabang, followed by a back-to-back client meeting. The last text Jhoanna received was at 4:00 PM: "Client is being difficult. Might go home late. Don't wait up, love. 😔"

Syempre, Jhoanna waited up. As if naman makakatulog siya nang alam niyang stressed ang girlfriend niya.

Finally, around 8:30 PM, Jhoanna heard the familiar beep of the digital door lock.

She immediately stood up, practically tossing her laptop aside. Bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa nito ang isang basang-basa at bagsak na bagsak na Aiah Arceta. Her usually pristine architectural blueprint tube was dripping with rainwater, her tote bag looked heavy, and her shoulders were slumped in a way that shattered Jhoanna's heart.

And there it was. Pulled low over her eyes, shielding her face from the harsh world, was the faded cream and red self love club cap.

"Love," Jhoanna breathed out, quickly closing the distance between them. Kinuha niya agad ang mabigat na tote bag at ang drawing tube mula sa mga kamay ni Aiah. "Basang-basa ka. Wala ka bang dalang payong? Sabi ko naman sa'yo susunduin kita eh."

Aiah didn't answer immediately. She just stood there in the entryway, staring blankly at the wooden floor. When she finally looked up, Jhoanna saw that her eyes were rimmed with red. Hindi lang ulan ang bumasa sa mukha niya—she had been crying.

"Hey..." Jhoanna's voice dropped to a gentle, comforting whisper. She abandoned the bags on the floor and gently cupped Aiah's cold cheeks. "What happened? Anong ginawa nila sa'yo?"

Aiah let out a shaky breath, stepping directly into Jhoanna's personal space and burying her face against Jhoanna's neck. The damp brim of the cap poked Jhoanna's collarbone, but she didn't care. She wrapped her arms tightly around Aiah, absorbing her girlfriend's exhaustion.

"Everything went wrong, Jho," Aiah mumbled, her voice muffled against Jhoanna's skin. "The contractor didn't follow the specified material for the flooring, and when I called them out, nagalit pa sila. Tapos the client... they want to scrap the entire façade design. After weeks of revisions, gusto nilang bumalik sa original draft na nireject nila two months ago. I feel like... I feel like I don't know what I'm doing anymore."

Jhoanna felt a surge of protective anger towards Aiah's client, but she pushed it down. Right now, Aiah didn't need an engineer ready to fight a contractor; she needed a safe space. She needed her partner.

"Shhh. Okay lang 'yan. You are a brilliant architect, Aiah. Ang dami mo nang napatunayan," Jhoanna soothed, gently rubbing Aiah's back. "Let's get you out of these wet clothes, hmm? Nagluto ako ng sinigang. Mainit pa. Shower ka muna, tapos kakain tayo."

Aiah merely nodded, letting Jhoanna guide her to the bathroom like a lost puppy.

Half an hour later, Aiah emerged from the bedroom wearing Jhoanna's oversized hoodie and a pair of soft pajama pants. The tension in her shoulders had lessened slightly, but the sadness in her eyes remained. She sat at the dining table, quietly blowing on the hot broth of the sinigang Jhoanna had prepared.

Jhoanna sat across from her, not eating, just watching her attentively.

On the table, sitting right beside Aiah's glass of water, was the worn-out self love club cap. Aiah had taken it off before showering but insisted on carrying it to the dining table.

"Alam mo ba," Aiah started softly, her voice raspy from crying earlier. She reached out to trace the faded red embroidery of the cap. "I wore this today because I knew it was going to be a bad day. Nung nag-start na sumigaw yung contractor sa site, I literally had to pull the brim down, close my eyes, and remind myself to breathe. Remind myself that my worth isn't tied to a project."

She looked up at Jhoanna, a sad, self-deprecating smile on her lips. "Ang pathetic, 'di ba? I'm a grown woman, a licensed professional, and I'm treating a baseball cap like a security blanket."

"Hindi 'yan pathetic, love," Jhoanna replied instantly, her heart aching. "We all need a lifeline sometimes."

Hintayin mo yung tamang moment. Yung tipong kailangang-kailangan niya ng comfort. Papalitan mo yung comfort item niya eh, you have to offer something better in return. Mikha's words echoed loudly in Jhoanna's mind.

Jhoanna looked at Aiah, seeing the vulnerability in her beautiful brown eyes. She looked at the old cap, a symbol of Aiah fighting her battles alone, forcing herself to be strong, forcing herself to practice self-love in a world that constantly drained her.

This is it, Jhoanna realized. This is the moment.

Jhoanna stood up. "Wait here, love. May kukunin lang ako."

Aiah watched her with tired confusion as Jhoanna walked to her work bag resting on the living room sofa. Jhoanna pulled out the small, square cardboard box she had brought home from the office two days ago. Her hands were slightly sweaty as she walked back to the dining table and sat down.

"Ano 'yan?" Aiah asked, blinking slowly.

"Remember nung weekend? Nung nag-grocery tayo?" Jhoanna started, her tone serious but unbelievably soft. She placed the box gently on the table, right next to Aiah's old cap. "Sinabi ko sa'yo na gusto ko nang i-retire 'yang cap mo. Akala mo nagbibiro lang ako. Akala mo nagseselos lang ako kasi mukha kang single."

Aiah managed a weak chuckle. "Hindi ba?"

"Well, partly," Jhoanna admitted with a sheepish smile. "But mostly, it's because of what that cap represents. I gave that to you when you were at your lowest. Binigay ko 'yan para paalalahanan ka na mahalin mo yung sarili mo, kasi feeling ko nun, you were carrying the weight of the world completely on your own."

Jhoanna reached across the table, taking Aiah's hand in hers. She rubbed her thumb over Aiah's knuckles.

"Pero Aiah, look at where we are now. You are not alone anymore," Jhoanna said, her voice filled with absolute conviction. "You don't have to carry the heavy things by yourself. You don't have to rely on a 'self love' cap to remind you of your worth, because you have me. I am here to love you when you're too tired to love yourself. Kung pagod ka na maging strong, ako na ang magiging strong para sa'tin. That's my job."

Aiah's breath hitched, fresh tears brimming in her eyes. "Jho..."

"Kaya naisip ko, it's time for a new armor," Jhoanna whispered. She slid the cardboard box closer to Aiah. "Go on. Open it."

With slightly trembling hands, Aiah opened the flaps of the box and pulled back the tissue paper. She gasped softly when she saw the deep espresso brown fabric. She pulled the cap out, her fingers running over the premium brushed cotton.

And then she read the cream-colored embroidery.

happy wife, happy life.

Aiah let out a sound that was half-laugh, half-sob. She covered her mouth with her free hand, her tears finally spilling over her cheeks. "Oh my god, Jhoanna. Seryoso ka ba dito?"

"Very," Jhoanna smiled, her own eyes getting misty. "I custom-ordered it. Look at the back."

Aiah turned the cap around. Above the strap, she saw the tiny, delicate stitching: J.R. ♥ A.A.

"Ang ganda," Aiah whispered, wiping her tears away, though they just kept falling. "This is... Jho, ang ganda ganda."

"When you wear that," Jhoanna said, leaning forward, "I want you to remember that whatever happens—sa site man 'yan, sa mga clients mo, o sa buhay in general—may isang Engineer Jhoanna Robles na uuwi at uuwi sa'yo. Someone who considers you her wife, and whose only goal in life is to keep you happy. You're protected, Aiah. By me."

Aiah couldn't take it anymore. She stood up from her chair, rounding the table, and pulled Jhoanna into a tight, desperate hug. Jhoanna wrapped her arms around Aiah's waist, burying her face in Aiah's stomach, holding her just as tightly.

"Thank you," Aiah cried softly, her fingers running through Jhoanna's hair. "Thank you, love. I love it. I love you so much."

"I love you too," Jhoanna replied, pressing a kiss to the cotton of Aiah's shirt. "So... deal na tayo? Display na natin yung luma?"

Aiah pulled back slightly, looking down at Jhoanna with a radiant, watery smile. She picked up the old self love club cap and gently placed it on top of the cardboard box. Then, she took the new espresso brown cap and put it on her head.

The dark brown color perfectly complemented her fair skin and dark hair. The cursive happy wife, happy life sat proudly on her crown. It suited her completely.

"Deal," Aiah agreed, her eyes sparkling with a renewed light. "Officially retired. I'm in my happy wife era now."

Jhoanna beamed, a triumphant, overwhelmingly warm feeling blooming in her chest. She stood up and pulled Aiah in for a slow, lingering kiss, tasting the salt of Aiah's tears mixed with the absolute sweetness of her surrender.

Tomorrow, the reality of strict clients and stubborn contractors would return. But tonight, inside their warm condo, with the rain pouring outside, everything was perfectly secure. The old armor was put to rest, and the new one was worn with pride.

Mission accomplished, Jhoanna thought to herself, grinning against Aiah's lips. Happy wife, indeed.

Kinabukasan, the morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of their condo, casting a warm, golden glow across the bedroom. Jhoanna woke up feeling lighter than she had in weeks. Wala na 'yung bigat sa dibdib niya na dulot ng pag-aalala para kay Aiah, at higit sa lahat, wala na 'yung inis niya sa lumang sumbrero.

Bumangon siya at dumiretso sa kusina para magtimpla ng kape. Habang naghihintay na kumulo ang tubig, napasandal siya sa counter at napangiti nang makita ang ibabaw ng bookshelf nila sa living room.

Doon, nakapatong sa isang maliit na acrylic stand—na hindi niya alam kung saan nakuha ni Aiah kagabi—ang faded na self love club cap. It looked like a museum artifact. A relic of the past. Katabi nito ang isang maliit na framed polaroid nilang dalawa nung unang taon nila sa condo. It was a fitting retirement spot.

"Good morning," a sleepy voice mumbled from the hallway.

Lumingon si Jhoanna at nakita si Aiah, nakasuot pa rin ng oversized hoodie ni Jhoanna, her hair a beautiful, messy bird's nest. Kinukusot-kusot pa nito ang mga mata niya habang naglalakad palapit sa kusina. Nag-auto-wrap ang mga braso ni Aiah sa baywang ni Jhoanna, resting her chin on Jhoanna's shoulder.

"Good morning, my happy wife," Jhoanna greeted back smoothly, turning her head to press a kiss against Aiah's cheek.

Naramdaman ni Jhoanna ang mahinang pagtawa ni Aiah against her skin. "Wow. Pinanindigan mo talaga 'yung term ha. I feel like you've been waiting to use that line on me since yesterday."

"I've been waiting to use that line on you since college, to be honest," Jhoanna admitted with a cheeky grin, handing Aiah her mug of freshly brewed coffee. "So, how are you feeling today? May site inspection ka ba ulit?"

Aiah took a sip of her coffee and sighed, the tension from last night clearly gone from her shoulders. "Wala. But I have a meeting with the design team and some of our partner contractors later this afternoon. Doon sa coffee shop malapit sa firm nila Colet."

"Oh, nice. Kasama ba si Maloi?" Jhoanna asked, familiar with Aiah's usual circle of industry friends.

"Yep. Maloi is handling the interior design for the Alabang project. Si Colet naman yung sub-contractor for the structural framing," Aiah explained, taking another sip. Biglang umaliwalas ang mukha nito. "Actually, perfect timing. I need to get ready early."

Jhoanna watched in amusement as Aiah finished her coffee in record time and practically skipped back to the bedroom.

Isang oras ang lumipas, Jhoanna was already dressed in her usual smart-casual office attire, finishing up some emails on the dining table. Biglang bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto.

"Jho! How do I look?"

Napaangat ang tingin ni Jhoanna mula sa laptop niya, and for a second, she genuinely forgot how to breathe.

Aiah was wearing a pair of high-waisted wide-leg trousers in a soft beige color, paired with a crisp white button-down shirt na nakatuck-in, with the first two buttons undone for a relaxed look. Simple, elegant, and very 'architect chic'.

Pero ang nagdala talaga ng outfit ay ang nakapatong sa ulo nito.

The deep espresso brown cap. The cursive happy wife, happy life embroidery contrasting beautifully against the dark fabric. It matched Aiah's aesthetic flawlessly. Hindi na ito mukhang sumbrero ng isang pagod at stressed na tao; it looked like a high-end designer piece worn by someone who knew exactly what she was doing.

"Well?" Aiah prompted, placing a hand on her hip and doing a small twirl. "Bagay ba?"

"You look..." Jhoanna swallowed hard, feeling that familiar wave of absolute adoration wash over her. Tumayo siya at nilapitan si Aiah, her hands naturally finding Aiah's waist. "You look incredibly gorgeous, love. As in. Ang ganda-ganda mo."

Aiah blushed, instinctively adjusting the brim of the cap. "I really love the color, Jho. Saka ang ganda ng fit. I feel so... protected."

"That's the point," Jhoanna smiled, kissing Aiah's forehead just below the brim. "Sige na, baka ma-late ka pa sa meeting mo. Send my regards to Colet and Maloi. And tell them na ako ang nagbigay niyan."

"I will," Aiah giggled, grabbing her tote bag and her keys. "See you later, love! I'll buy us dinner on the way home."

Habang pinapanood ni Jhoanna na sumara ang pinto, hindi niya mapigilan ang malaking ngiti na namumuo sa mga labi niya. Checkmate.

Sa isang sikat na minimalist coffee shop sa BGC, nakaupo si Colet at Maloi sa isang corner table, parehong may hawak na iced americano at nakaharap sa kani-kanilang mga iPad. The table was littered with material swatches, blueprints, and half-eaten pastries.

"Asan na ba 'yung architect natin? Sabi niya on the way na raw eh, 15 minutes na lumipas," reklamo ni Colet, ang resident structural engineer ng grupo. Nakasuot ito ng itim na polo shirt at may nakasabit na hard hat sa likod ng silya niya.

"Kalmahan mo lang, baka na-traffic lang si Aiah. Or baka may inayos pa sa firm," sagot ni Maloi, the ever-energetic interior designer, without looking up from her digital color palette. "Ang high-blood mo na naman, Vergara."

"Hindi ako high-blood, may schedule lang tayong hinahabol," Colet grumbled, checking her watch again.

Just then, the glass door of the coffee shop opened, and a familiar figure walked in.

Colet blinked. Maloi finally looked up from her iPad and paused.

Aiah walked towards their table, a bright, undeniable aura glowing around her. Hindi lang yung suot niyang chic beige and white outfit ang nakakuha ng atensyon nila, kundi yung sumbrero na nakapatong sa ulo niya.

"Sorry I'm late!" Aiah greeted with a bright smile, pulling out a chair and sitting down. Nilapag niya ang tote bag niya at agad na kumuha ng blueprint mula sa loob nito. "Grabe yung traffic sa C5, hindi ko in-expect."

Silence stretched over the table for a solid three seconds.

"Uhm. Excuse me, Architect Arceta," Maloi started, pointing a carefully manicured finger at Aiah's head. "Anong nangyari sa trademark 'self love club' sumbrero mo? Na-wash out na ba sa wakas yung red color kaya pinalitan mo na?"

Colet squinted, leaning across the table to read the delicate cursive embroidery on the espresso brown fabric. Her eyes widened, and then a slow, teasing smirk spread across her face.

"Oh, my god," Colet cackled, slapping the table. "Maloi, basahin mo. Basahin mo yung nakasulat!"

Maloi leaned in, her eyes squinting. "'Happy wife, happy life'?" Maloi gasped dramatically, covering her mouth with both hands. "Hala! Kinagat na ng aso, ay, kinagat na pala ng asawa! Aiah Arceta, ano 'to?!"

Aiah immediately turned bright red, her hands flying up to touch the brim of her cap defensively. "Ano ba kayo! Ang iingay niyo, nasa coffee shop tayo."

"Wala kaming pakialam kung nasa kapehan tayo, Aiah," Colet teased mercilessly, leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed. "Pumapasok ka na bigla rito na may bitbit na ganyang statement piece. Akala ko ba independent woman era tayo? Anong nangyari sa pagpo-protekta sa peace of mind at 'me time'?"

"Kaya nga!" Maloi chimed in, laughing. "Ang tagal nating hinintay na hubarin mo yung lumang sumbrero mo, tapos papalitan mo lang pala ng public declaration of ownership ni Jhoanna Robles? Grabe, iba rin talaga 'tong si Engineer Robles. Gumalaw na ang asawa!"

"Shut up," Aiah mumbled, hiding her burning face behind a thick roll of blueprints. "Jhoanna gave it to me last night, okay? I had a really bad day at work kahapon. And... she surprised me with this. Para raw hindi na ako masyadong ma-stress. Reminder daw that she's there for me."

Colet rolled her eyes playfully, though there was a fond smile on her lips. "Sus. Galawang Robles talaga. 'Wag ka maniwala d'yan, Aiah. Territorial marker lang 'yan. Baka may nakakita sa inyo or may nag-compliment sa'yo tapos nagselos yung isa."

Aiah remembered the grocery incident from a few days ago and her blush deepened. "W-wala ah! She just wanted to give me a gift."

"Kahit na!" Maloi squealed, taking her phone out. "Ang cute kaya! It suits you so much better than the old one, to be honest. The brown brings out your eyes. And let's be real, you guys act like an old married couple anyway. Dati, 'self love', ngayon, 'sponsored by Jhoanna's love'."

Aiah couldn't help but smile, slowly lowering the blueprint. Masyadong maingay at mapang-asar ang dalawang kaibigan niya, but she knew they meant well. And honestly? She didn't mind the teasing at all. In fact, it made her feel immensely proud. Proud that she had someone like Jhoanna who loved her this loudly and this proudly.

"Sige, asarin niyo pa ako," Aiah warned playfully, trying to sound authoritative but failing miserably because of the huge smile on her face. "I'll reject your interior design proposals, Maloi. And Colet, I'll make you revise the load-bearing calculations for the west wing."

"Oops, galit na yung happy wife," Colet laughed, raising her hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, business na tayo."

As Aiah started laying out the floor plans, she didn't notice Colet subtly angling her phone towards her.

Click.

Sa kabilang banda ng Metro Manila, Jhoanna was in the middle of analyzing a complex soil report when her phone vibrated on her desk.

She picked it up, seeing a notification from Colet on Telegram.

Colet Vergara: (Image attached)

Colet Vergara: Ginalingan masyado ni Engineer Robles ah. Pa-coffee ka naman dyan, may pa-billboard ka na pala sa ulo ng lead architect namin.

Jhoanna opened the image. It was a candid shot of Aiah looking down at a blueprint. The natural light of the coffee shop highlighted the rich espresso color of the cap, the cursive happy wife, happy life standing out perfectly. Aiah was smiling softly in the picture, looking relaxed, confident, and stunningly beautiful.

Jhoanna let out a soft, victorious chuckle, her heart doing a complete flip inside her chest.

She quickly typed out a reply.

Jhoanna Robles: Insecure ka lang kasi wala kang asawa. Leave my happy wife alone and do your jobs.

Jhoanna Robles: But seriously, bantayan niyo yan. Libre ko kayo dinner next week.

Colet Vergara: Noted, boss. 🫡 Ang corny niyo.

Jhoanna locked her phone, a massive, foolish grin plastered on her face. The old era was truly over. Aiah was safe, loved, and fully claimed. At wala nang mas sasarap pa sa pakiramdam na alam ng buong mundo kung kanino umuuwi ang puso ni Aiah Arceta.

Ang site ng Alabang residential project ay hindi lugar para sa mga mahihina ang loob. It was a clatter of heavy machinery, shouting foremen, grating metal, and a thick layer of dust that seemed to stick to everything. Under the unforgiving glare of the two o'clock sun, the unfinished concrete structure looked intimidating.

Pero para kay Architect Aiah Arceta, it was just another Wednesday.

Humigpit ang hawak ni Aiah sa clipboard niya habang naglalakad siya papasok sa main site. Nakasuot siya ng safety vest over her plain black shirt, maong jeans, and heavy-duty steel-toe boots. At siyempre, sitting perfectly on her head, keeping her hair in place and the sun out of her eyes, was her new favorite accessory: the happy wife, happy life cap.

"Architect Arceta! Good afternoon po," bati ng isang pamilyar na boses.

Lumingon si Aiah at nakita si Engr. Reyes, the same head contractor who had made her cry just a few days ago. He was an older man, heavily built, and notorious for cutting corners to meet deadlines. Dati, tuwing nakikita ni Aiah si Engr. Reyes, parang may bumabara sa lalamunan niya. She used to pull down the brim of her old self love club cap, treating it as a shield to hide her anxiety.

But today was different.

Aiah didn't lower her head. Instead, she stood perfectly straight, the deep espresso brown of her cap proudly taking in the afternoon sun. She met Engr. Reyes's gaze head-on.

"Good afternoon, Engineer," Aiah replied firmly, her voice steady and professional. Wala ni katiting na kaba. "I reviewed the weekly progress report you sent last night. We need to talk about the flooring materials sa second level."

Medyo napakamot sa batok si Engr. Reyes. "Ah, 'yung sa second floor po ba? Ma'am Aiah, kasi—"

"I specifically indicated in the blueprints and the material schedule na premium engineered wood ang gagamitin, not standard laminate," Aiah interrupted cleanly, opening her clipboard and pointing to the highlighted section. "Nakalagay din dito na pre-approved na 'yan ng client. So why did I see boxes of laminate flooring being unloaded near the staging area?"

"Eh kasi po, Architect, medyo na-delay 'yung supplier natin sa engineered wood. Kung hihintayin pa po natin, baka ma-push back tayo ng three days sa timeline. Naisip ko lang po na i-substitute na muna para tuloy-tuloy ang gawa. Pareho lang naman po halos ang itsura..." Engr. Reyes trailed off, trying to gauge Aiah's reaction.

Aiah didn't flinch. In her mind, she suddenly remembered Jhoanna's voice from that rainy night in their condo. 'Kung pagod ka na maging strong, ako na ang magiging strong para sa'tin.' Wearing the cap felt like Jhoanna was standing right beside her, holding her hand, giving her the courage to take up space and demand what was right. She wasn't just fighting for herself anymore; she was fighting because she knew she had a solid foundation waiting for her at home. She didn't need to cower.

"Engineer Reyes," Aiah started, her tone dropping an octave, polite but laced with undeniable authority. "Hindi tayo pwedeng mag-substitute ng substandard materials just because it's convenient for the schedule. The client is paying for premium quality. If the supplier is delayed, we adjust the workflow, not the materials. I want those laminate boxes returned, and I want you to source the engineered wood as originally planned."

Nanlaki nang bahagya ang mga mata ng matandang engineer. Hindi siya sanay na ganito ka-assertive ang batang arkitekto. Dati kasi, kapag kinukumbinsi niya ito, bumibigay ito at pumapayag sa compromise.

Habang nag-iisip ng isasagot si Engr. Reyes, his eyes briefly flicked upwards, landing on the crisp, cream cursive embroidery on Aiah's cap.

happy wife, happy life.

"Sige po, Architect. Papabalik ko na po sa supplier," Engr. Reyes finally conceded, letting out a defeated sigh. Hindi niya napigilan ang kuryosidad niya. "Nga pala, Ma'am Aiah... bago po ba 'yang sumbrero niyo? Akala ko po dati, 'yung may heart na red ang palagi niyong suot. Tsaka... may asawa na po pala kayo?"

Aiah felt a warm, involuntary smile break through her strict professional facade. She reached up and lightly tapped the brim of the cap.

"Yes, Engineer. Bago 'to," Aiah answered smoothly, her eyes crinkling. "And yes, technically. May asawa na. And let's just say my partner is very particular about structural integrity and doing things by the book. Kaya kung ayaw niyo pong magka-problema tayo sa susunod, let's stick to the plans, shall we?"

Engr. Reyes nodded hastily. "O-opo, Architect. Masusunod po. Sige po, asikasuhin ko na 'yung sa flooring."

Habang naglalakad palayo si Engr. Reyes, Aiah let out a long, satisfying exhale. She looked up at the unfinished ceiling of the structure, feeling an immense wave of pride. She handled it. She actually handled it without feeling like she was going to have a panic attack.

"Excuse me, miss? Dito ba 'yung inspection tour para sa mga misis na in-love masyado?"

Napaharap nang mabilis si Aiah.

Nakatayo may ilang metro ang layo mula sa kanya, holding a tray with two large iced coffees and a paper bag from her favorite pastry shop, was Jhoanna . Nakasuot ito ng puting button-down na nakatupi hanggang siko at itim na pantalon. Kahit may suot itong yellow hard hat for safety, she looked effortlessly cool and incredibly out of place amidst the dirt and rubble.

"Jho!" Aiah gasped, automatically walking towards her girlfriend, carefully navigating the uneven ground. "Anong ginagawa mo rito? Nasa kalagitnaan ng shift mo ah!"

"Half-day lang ako sa office ngayon. Natapos ko na 'yung load calculations para sa Makati project," Jhoanna smiled, handing one of the iced coffees to Aiah. "Tsaka, sabi ko sa'yo 'di ba? I'll be the strong one for us. Na-stress ka dito nung isang araw, so I brought reinforcements. Venti Iced Caramel Macchiato and a slice of blueberry cheesecake."

Tinanggap ni Aiah ang kape, the cold plastic cup instantly soothing her warm hands. She couldn't help it—she stepped closer, wrapping her free arm around Jhoanna's waist, burying her face into Jhoanna's neck despite the dust.

"You're the best," Aiah mumbled against her collarbone. "Thank you. Ang init-init kaya rito, nag-abala ka pa."

"Sus, para sa happy wife ko, walang mainit," Jhoanna teased gently, resting her chin on top of Aiah's cap. She inhaled deeply, mixing the scent of construction dust with Aiah's signature floral perfume. "I saw you talking to the head contractor, by the way. Mukhang seryoso ah. Inaway ka ba ulit?"

Aiah pulled back slightly, her eyes gleaming with victory. "Actually, no. Ako ang nang-away sa kanya. Well, not exactly nang-away, but I stood my ground. Pina-pull out ko 'yung wrong materials. He didn't even argue back."

Jhoanna's eyes widened in genuine surprise and admiration. "Talaga? Wow. That's my girl. I'm so proud of you, love."

"Sabi niya kasi," Aiah giggled, pointing to the embroidery on her cap, "napansin niya 'tong suot ko. Tinanong niya kung may asawa na ba raw ako. Sabi ko, oo, at sobrang strict daw ng partner ko pagdating sa structural integrity. Takot lang niya."

Jhoanna threw her head back and let out a loud, ringing laugh. The sound echoed pleasantly around the noisy construction site. "Ginamit mo pa talaga ang pagiging engineer ko pang-intimidate sa contractor! That is brilliant."

"It's effective!" Aiah defended playfully, sipping her iced coffee. "Pero seriously, Jho. I felt different today. Dati, I'd feel so small standing here. But wearing this... feeling ko kasama kita. Feeling ko hindi ako mag-isa."

Jhoanna's smile softened, her gaze turning incredibly tender. She reached out with her free hand, gently adjusting the brown cap on Aiah's head, making sure it sat perfectly.

"Kasama mo naman talaga ako," Jhoanna said quietly, her voice meant only for Aiah's ears. "Kahit nasaan ka pa, kahit gaano pa katigas ang ulo ng mga kausap mo... I'm always on your team. Hindi ka na mag-isa, Aiah."

Aiah felt a lump form in her throat, her heart doing somersaults inside her chest. Even amidst the chaos of the construction site, amidst the cement mixers and steel bars, Jhoanna made her feel like she was the only person in the world.

"Ehem. Excuse me po. Ma'am Aiah?"

Naputol ang moment nila nang may lumapit na isang foremen, holding a tape measure and looking a bit awkward. "Sorry po sa abala, may itatanong lang po sana ako tungkol sa sukat nung pinto sa master's bedroom."

Aiah immediately stepped back into her professional stance. "Yes, Kuya Lito. Ano 'yun?"

The foreman quickly glanced at Jhoanna, noticing how intimately the civil engineer was standing near the architect. "Ah, kasama niyo po pala sa inspection, Ma'am Aiah? Engineer po?"

"Ah, opo," Aiah smiled, gesturing to Jhoanna with absolute pride. "This is Engineer Robles. She's visiting."

Jhoanna gave the foreman a polite nod. "Good afternoon po."

"Good afternoon, Ma'am," Kuya Lito nodded back, then looked at Aiah's cap, letting out a good-natured chuckle. "Kaya po pala ganyan ang sumbrero niyo ngayon, Architect. Nandito po kasi 'yung dahilan. Bagay na bagay po."

Namula si Aiah hanggang tainga, while Jhoanna just smirked confidently, looking like she had just won the lottery.

"Thank you, Kuya Lito," Jhoanna answered for her, wrapping her arm securely around Aiah's waist again. "She definitely is a happy wife."

Habang naglalakad sila papunta sa master's bedroom para i-check ang mga sukat, Aiah bumped her shoulder against Jhoanna's playfully.

"Sobrang yabang mo talaga, Robles," Aiah whispered, hiding her smile behind her iced coffee cup.

"I'm just claiming what's mine, Arceta," Jhoanna whispered back, pressing a quick, stealthy kiss against Aiah's temple. "Now, let's go inspect that door frame before I decide to kidnap you and take you home early."

Under the hot Alabang sun, with her boots covered in dust and her hand securely holding Jhoanna's, Aiah realized one undeniable truth. The self love club got her through her darkest days, but the happy wife era? This was where she was truly meant to stay.

Sabado ng hapon. Ang SMX Convention Center ay punung-puno ng mga tao—architects, engineers, interior designers, at mga home enthusiasts. It was the annual Philippine Building and Construction Expo, at para kina Jhoanna at Aiah, ito ang version nila ng perfect weekend date.

Naglalakad sila sa kahabaan ng pasilyo, magkahawak-kamay habang nag-i-scan ng mga booth na nagdi-display ng mga bagong smart home systems, imported tiles, at eco-friendly building materials.

Aiah was in her element. Nakasuot siya ng sleek, black sleeveless turtleneck top na naka-tuck in sa high-waisted beige cargo pants. At siyempre, sitting perfectly on her head to complete the chic, utilitarian look was the espresso brown happy wife, happy life cap.

"Love, tingnan mo 'to," turo ni Aiah sa isang booth na nagpapakita ng modern, minimalist pendant lights. "Bagay 'yung matte black finish sa dining area natin, 'di ba? The warm lighting would look perfect against the wooden dining table you bought last month."

Lumapit si Jhoanna at sinuri ang pendant light. Bilang engineer, the first thing she looked at wasn't the aesthetics, but the mounting bracket and the wiring.

"Hmm. Maganda siya," Jhoanna agreed, nodding slowly. Nakasuot lang siya ng simpleng cropped white shirt at black cargo pants, looking effortlessly chic. "Tapos LED na rin siya, so energy efficient. Kukunin ko ba 'yung calling card ng supplier?"

Aiah beamed, gently squeezing Jhoanna's hand. "Yes, please. I'll just take a quick picture of the catalog para ma-save ko 'yung model number."

Habang kumukuha ng litrato si Aiah, naglakad nang kaunti si Jhoanna para kunin ang brochure mula sa sales representative ng booth. Nang makatalikod siya, isang lalaking nakasuot ng navy blue blazer over a plain shirt ang biglang lumapit kay Aiah.

"Aiah? Aiah Arceta? Is that really you?"

Napalingon si Aiah, her phone still in her hand. Kumunot ang noo niya for a fraction of a second bago unti-unting nakilala ang lalaki. It was Anton, a former blockmate from her architecture days in college. Anton was notorious back then—he was arrogant, came from a family of wealthy developers, and had relentlessly pursued Aiah for two whole semesters, refusing to take 'no' for an answer until Aiah literally had to block his number.

"Anton. Hi," Aiah greeted politely, her tone completely neutral. "Long time no see."

"Grabe, I knew it was you! Walang nagbabago, you're still the prettiest architect in the room," Anton smoothly replied, flashing a textbook charming smile. He took a step closer, completely ignoring personal space boundaries. "Balita ko lead architect ka na raw sa firm niyo ah? Congrats! I'm handling our family's real estate firm now. Small world talaga na magkita tayo rito."

"Thank you. And congrats din sa'yo," Aiah replied, subtly taking a step back to maintain her distance. She glanced around, looking for Jhoanna.

"So, who are you here with? Are you checking materials for a client?" Anton asked, his eyes scanning Aiah's outfit before landing on her cap. He let out an amused chuckle. "Cute cap. 'Happy wife, happy life'? What is this, manifesting ba? Or are you finally ready to settle down? Kasi kung oo, baka pwede na akong pumila ulit."

Aiah felt a spike of annoyance. Dati, noong college, whenever Anton would corner her like this with his overly confident remarks, she would just look down, excuse herself awkwardly, and power-walk away. She hated confrontation.

Pero ngayon, hindi na siya 'yung dating Aiah.

Bago pa man makasagot si Aiah, naramdaman niya ang pamilyar at mainit na presensya sa likuran niya. A strong, comforting arm smoothly wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against a solid side.

"Nakuha ko na 'yung brochure, love," Jhoanna said casually, her voice completely calm but carrying an unmistakable weight. Jhoanna rested her chin near Aiah's shoulder, her eyes locking onto Anton with the intensity of a hawk defending its nest. "May problema ba rito?"

Anton blinked, completely caught off guard. He looked at Jhoanna, then at the arm wrapped securely around Aiah's waist. "Uh, excuse me? Sino ka?"

Aiah felt all her annoyance melt away, replaced by a surge of absolute pride. She leaned into Jhoanna's embrace, completely relaxed.

"Anton, this is Engineer Jhoanna Robles," Aiah introduced, her voice clear and ringing with affection. Tumingala siya nang bahagya kay Jhoanna at ngumiti. "My partner."

"Your... partner?" Anton repeated, looking genuinely confused, like his brain couldn't process the information. "Wait. You're... together?"

Jhoanna flashed Anton a brilliantly sharp, polite smile. The kind of smile she used when a contractor was trying to pull a fast one on her. "Yes, we are. Actually, magkasama na kami sa iisang condo. We were just looking for new lighting fixtures for our dining area."

Jhoanna then reached up and lightly tapped the brim of Aiah's espresso brown cap.

"And about what you said earlier?" Jhoanna continued, her tone dangerously sweet. "Hindi siya nagma-manifest. She's already living it. Ako 'yung nagbigay ng cap na 'yan sa kanya, just to remind everyone that I'm the one taking care of her. I'm the one making sure she stays a happy wife."

Anton's face flushed a deep shade of crimson. The arrogant confidence he had just moments ago completely evaporated. He looked from Jhoanna's unyielding gaze to Aiah, who was looking at Jhoanna with so much love and adoration that it was practically blinding.

"I... uh. Wow. Okay," Anton stammered, awkwardly stuffing his hands into his pockets. He took a huge step back. "I didn't know. My bad. Congrats sa inyo. Ah, sige, Aiah... Engineer. I have to go check our booth sa kabila. Nice seeing you."

Without waiting for a reply, Anton practically scurried away, disappearing into the thick crowd of expo attendees.

Once he was out of sight, Aiah let out a loud snort, covering her mouth with her hand to stifle her laughter.

"Grabe ka, Jhoanna Robles," Aiah giggled, turning fully in Jhoanna's arms to face her. "Nakita mo ba 'yung mukha niya? Parang nakakita ng multo!"

"Nakakainis eh," Jhoanna grumbled, though a victorious smirk was already playing on her lips. Hinigpitan niya ang yakap sa baywang ni Aiah. "Pumila raw ulit. Ang kapal ng mukha. Wala siyang pila na sasalihan kasi sarado na 'yung registration years ago."

Aiah wrapped her arms around Jhoanna's neck, not caring that they were in the middle of a busy convention center. She reached up and gently pinched Jhoanna's cheek. "Ang cute-cute talaga ng asawa kong magselos."

"Hindi ako nagseselos. I was just stating facts," Jhoanna defended, though she leaned into Aiah's touch. Napatingin si Jhoanna sa sumbrero ni Aiah. "Pero alam mo, this cap is really doing its job. Kung wala 'yan, baka kung ano-ano pang banat ang sinabi nung Anton na 'yun."

"To be fair, even if I wasn't wearing this cap, I would have shut him down anyway," Aiah said softly, her eyes turning sincere. "Dati siguro, tatakbuhan ko lang siya. But you've taught me how to stand my ground, Jho. The cap is just a bonus."

Jhoanna felt her heart do a familiar, pleasant flip. She leaned down and pressed a soft, lingering kiss on Aiah's forehead, right below the edge of the cap.

"I know," Jhoanna whispered. "You're the strongest woman I know, Aiah. Minsan gusto ko lang din ipagmalaki sa buong mundo na sa akin ka umuuwi."

"Araw-araw naman akong sa'yo umuuwi," Aiah smiled, her eyes crinkling. "Kaya huwag ka nang sumimangot d'yan. Tapos na tayo rito sa lighting section. Do you want to go look at the power tools display? Alam kong kanina ka pa nagpipigil na pumunta doon."

Lumiwanag agad ang mukha ni Jhoanna. As much as she loved looking at furniture with Aiah, the heavy-duty power tools section was her ultimate playground.

"Talaga? Sasamahan mo ako mag-ikot doon sa mga drill at grinder?" Jhoanna asked eagerly, her eyes shining like a kid in a candy store.

"Oo naman," Aiah laughed, taking Jhoanna's hand and pulling her towards the opposite end of the hall. "Happy wife, happy life, right? You make me happy, so it's only fair I make you happy too. Tara na, bago pa magbago isip ko at sa halip ay sa bilihan tayo ng kurtina pumunta."

"Best partner ever!" Jhoanna cheered quietly, happily letting Aiah drag her through the crowd.

Habang naglalakad sila, Jhoanna couldn't help but stare at the back of Aiah's head. The deep espresso brown fabric of the cap blended seamlessly with the busy, professional environment, yet it stood out entirely to Jhoanna.

Every time someone glanced at Aiah—and people always glanced, because Aiah was undeniably gorgeous—their eyes would inevitably land on the words happy wife, happy life.

It was the perfect deterrent. It was the perfect declaration.

More importantly, it wasn't just a bold fashion statement or a possessive marker anymore. Habang tinitignan ni Jhoanna kung paano tumawa at makipag-usap si Aiah sa kanya, completely relaxed and unburdened by the stress she used to carry alone, Jhoanna realized the truth.

The cap wasn't just words embroidered on fabric. It was a promise that Jhoanna was keeping, day by day, moment by moment.

"Love, look! Naka-sale 'yung laser leveler na tinitingnan mo online last week!" Aiah called out excitedly, pointing at a bright yellow display stand.

"Coming!" Jhoanna called back, a wide, unstoppable grin on her face.

Yeah. Life was incredibly, perfectly good.

Sabado ng gabi ng sunod na linngo, at dahil sweldo weekend, napagdesisyunan nina Jhoanna at Aiah na mag-host ng isang maliit na get-together sa condo nila. It was a tradition among their college barkada—isang beses sa isang buwan, nag-iipon-ipon sila para uminom, kumain, at mag-catch up sa kani-kanilang mga buhay.

Amoy na amoy sa buong condo ang aroma ng garlic, butter, at lemon. Aiah was busy in the kitchen, tossing some linguine into a massive pan of her signature garlic butter shrimp pasta.

Nakasandal si Jhoanna sa kitchen counter, may hawak na baso ng red wine, at tahimik na pinapanood ang girlfriend niya.

Aiah was dressed in her ultimate pambahay look: a loose, white spaghetti-strap silk top and a pair of extremely short silk pajama bottoms. Her long dark hair was tied in a messy bun, pero dahil maraming baby hairs at bangs si Aiah na nakaharang sa mukha niya habang nagluluto, she had resorted to a very familiar solution.

Sitting securely on her head, completely contrasting her silk sleepwear, was the deep espresso brown happy wife, happy life cap.

"Love," Jhoanna started, a teasing smile playing on her lips. Uminom siya nang kaunti sa wine niya. "Ganda ng outfit natin ah. Silk sleepwear paired with a heavy brushed cotton baseball cap. New fashion trend ba 'yan sa architecture world?"

Aiah paused her stirring to shoot Jhoanna a playful glare. "Che. Wag mo akong asarin, Robles. Nakaharang kasi 'yung buhok ko sa mata ko, tapos hindi ko mahanap 'yung mga hair clips ko. This cap is doing an excellent job keeping my hair away from the shrimp."

"Ah, so utility purposes na pala siya ngayon," Jhoanna chuckled, walking closer and wrapping her free arm around Aiah's bare waist. She pressed a soft kiss to Aiah's bare shoulder. "Sabagay. Pabor naman ako. Mas gusto ko 'yung kahit nasa loob ka ng bahay, pina-practice mo pa rin ang pagiging happy wife."

Aiah giggled, turning her head to peck Jhoanna's cheek. "Sira. Ikaw kaya 'yung in-assign ko sa drinks at sa pag-set ng table. Tapos na ba? Anytime now darating na 'yung mga maiingay nating kaibigan."

"Done and done," Jhoanna assured her. "Nakalatag na 'yung plates, the wine glasses are out, and I ordered two boxes of pizza as backup. Ready na tayo for the invasion."

Right on cue, the digital door lock chimed loudly.

"Ako na!" Jhoanna volunteered, placing her wine glass on the counter.

Pagkabukas niya ng pinto, iniluwa nito ang isang maingay, magulo, at napaka-energetic na grupo. Colet and Maloi were carrying paper bags of chips and sodas, Mikha was holding a premium bottle of whiskey, while Stacey, Gwen, and Sheena were holding various desserts.

"Good evening, mga alipin ng korporasyon!" bati ni Maloi, mabilis na pumasok at dumiretso agad sa dining area para ibaba ang mga dala.

"Sapatos niyo ah! Kakalinis lang ng asawa ko!" sita agad ni Jhoanna, standing by the doorway like a strict bouncer.

"Opo, boss, huhubarin na po," natatawang sagot ni Mikha, stepping out of her sneakers. Pumasok siya at dumiretso sa kusina. "Smells good, Aiah. As usual, ikaw ang nagbubuhat ng culinary standard sa barkada na 'to."

"Thanks, Mikhs," Aiah smiled warmly from the stove. Lumingon siya para batiin ang mga kaibigan. "Hi guys! Upo na kayo, the pasta is almost—"

Aiah didn't get to finish her sentence because Stacey suddenly gasped loudly, pointing a perfectly manicured finger at Aiah's head.

"Oh my god," Stacey breathed out dramatically, dropping the box of donuts she was holding onto the dining table. "The rumors are true. Ate Colet and Ate Maloi weren't lying."

Gwen, who was quietly taking off her jacket, looked up and her eyes widened. "Hala. Oo nga."

"Wait, yan ba yung cap?" Sheena piped up, running towards the kitchen island to get a closer look at Aiah. Binasa niya ang nakaburda sa sumbrero. "Happy wife, happy life?! Ate Aiah, kailan ka pa nag-change aesthetic? Nasaan na 'yung independent woman era mo?"

Biglang namula ang mukha ni Aiah. Nakalimutan niyang suot-suot pa rin pala niya 'yung cap. Akmang tatanggalin na sana niya ito dahil nasa loob lang naman sila ng bahay, pero biglang sumulpot si Jhoanna sa likuran niya at pinigilan ang kamay niya.

"Oops, bawal tanggalin," Jhoanna announced proudly, wrapping her arms securely around Aiah's waist in front of all their friends. Tumingin si Jhoanna kela Stacey at Sheena na may malaking ngiti. "Bagay sa kanya, 'di ba? New era na tayo, guys. Officially retired na 'yung lumang cap."

Mikha leaned against the counter, popping open a can of soda. "Sabi ko na nga ba eh. Noong nakita ko 'yung parcel sa office desk mo last week, alam ko na na may binabalak ka, Robles. Grabe, literal na minarkahan mo si Aiah. Territorial much?"

"Hindi 'yan territorial, Mikha. It's called being a devoted partner," Jhoanna retorted smoothly, resting her chin on Aiah's shoulder.

Colet rolled her eyes as she walked into the kitchen to grab some plates. "Devoted partner daw. Sus, nai-insecure ka lang kasi nung nakaraang nag-grocery kayo, may bumanat kay Aiah nang 'independent woman' dahil doon sa lumang cap na 'self love club'. Kinwento sa akin ni Aiah!"

The whole condo erupted in laughter and teasing.

"Hala, totoo?!" Gwen laughed, slapping the dining table. "Kaya pala nagmadali si Engineer magpa-custom ng sumbrero! Takot malamangan!"

"Ang ingay niyo talaga!" Aiah complained, though she was laughing too, trying to hide her blushing face behind Jhoanna's arm. "Kumain na nga lang tayo. Jho, tulungan mo na akong ilipat 'tong pasta sa serving dish."

Habang nagse-set up sila ng pagkain, Sheena decided to wander around the living room. Biglang tumigil ang pinakabata nilang kaibigan sa tapat ng bookshelf.

"Uhm... guys?" Sheena called out, her voice filled with absolute confusion and amusement. "Bakit may altar dito sa living room niyo?"

Natigil sa pag-uusap ang lahat at napatingin kay Sheena. Nakaturo ito sa maliit na acrylic stand kung saan nakapatong ang kupas at lumang self love club cap, kumpleto pa sa framed polaroid photo nina Jhoanna at Aiah sa tabi nito.

"Hoy, grabe!" Maloi shrieked, sprinting towards the bookshelf to look at it closely. "Sino naglagay nito sa pedestal?! Bakit parang relic sa museum?!"

Colet marched over, shaking her head in disbelief. "Jhoanna, baliw ka ba? Bakit naka-display 'yung lumang sumbrero ni Aiah? Para namang may namatay!"

Jhoanna casually carried the large bowl of pasta to the dining table, ignoring their loud reactions. "Excuse me, that is not an altar. That is a display of respect. Dami kayang natulungan ng sumbrero na 'yan. It served its purpose well during our early years, so it deserves a proper retirement spot."

"Ang OA talaga ng mag-jowang 'to," Stacey commented, taking her seat and serving herself a slice of pizza. "Yung isa, ginawang personality 'yung bagong cap. 'Yung isa naman, ginawang historical artifact 'yung lumang cap."

"Hayaan niyo na nga kami," Aiah giggled, sitting down next to Jhoanna. "Kayo talaga. Inggit lang kayo kasi wala kayong asawa na nagbibigay ng customized gifts."

"Wow!" Mikha faked a gasp, clutching her chest. "Aiah Arceta, the audacity! Porket may 'happy wife' ka na sa ulo mo, nananakit ka na ng mga single?"

Nagtawanan silang lahat at nagsimulang kumain. As usual, the conversation flowed easily. Nagkwentuhan sila tungkol sa mga stress nila sa trabaho, the latest gossips in their respective industries, and random memories from their college days.

Habang kumakain, napansin ni Maloi kung gaano kaganda ang quality ng bagong cap ni Aiah. The espresso brown fabric looked premium, and the stitching was flawless.

"Aiah, patingin nga ng cap mo saglit," Maloi suddenly said, reaching her hand out across the table. "I want to check the fabric. Balak ko rin sanang magpa-embroider ng tote bag."

Akmang aabutin ni Maloi ang brim ng sumbrero para tanggalin sa ulo ni Aiah nang mabilis na hinawakan ni Jhoanna ang pulso ni Maloi.

"Hep. Bawal," Jhoanna said, her tone light but incredibly fast, like a reflex.

"Grabe, titignan lang eh!" Maloi complained, pulling her hand back. "Susuotin ko lang ng ten seconds para mag-selfie! Ang damot mo talaga, Robles!"

"Hindi nga pwede. Custom-made 'yan specifically for her head," Jhoanna defended stubbornly. "Tsaka, 'happy wife' nga 'yung nakasulat. Paano mo susuotin 'yan, eh wala ka namang asawa? Baka maguluhan 'yung universe."

"Ang sama ng ugali!" Maloi whined, making Colet and Gwen burst into laughter.

"Wag mo nang pilitin, Maloi. Literal na nakabantay 'yung gwardiya," Colet teased, pointing her fork at Jhoanna. "Kanina pa 'yan tingin ng tingin sa sumbrero ni Aiah eh. Akala mo mananakaw 'yung ginto."

Aiah just smiled softly, completely unbothered by her friends' teasing. In fact, she loved how openly Jhoanna claimed her in front of everyone. She reached under the table and placed her hand over Jhoanna's thigh, giving it a gentle, reassuring squeeze.

Jhoanna looked at her, her defensive posture softening immediately. Ngumiti si Jhoanna at pinatong ang sariling kamay sa ibabaw ng kamay ni Aiah, intertwining their fingers securely.

"Hayaan na natin sila," Aiah whispered to Jhoanna, leaning in close so only the two of them could hear. "They're just jealous they don't have an Engineer Robles to spoil them."

"Damn right, they are," Jhoanna whispered back, her chest puffing out slightly with pride.

As the night deepened, the empty pizza boxes were pushed aside, replaced by wine glasses, whiskey tumblers, and endless stories. The condo was filled with loud laughter, overlapping voices, and the warm, golden glow of the living room lamps.

Jhoanna leaned back in her chair, slightly buzzed from the red wine. Nakasandal ang ulo ni Aiah sa balikat niya, perfectly relaxed. The brown cap was still resting on Aiah's head, slightly askew now, but looking more comfortable and intimate than ever.

Jhoanna looked over at the bookshelf across the room. She could barely make out the shape of the old self love club cap sitting in the shadows. She felt a brief wave of nostalgia, remembering the nights she used to stay up just to make sure Aiah wouldn't cry herself to sleep. She remembered the version of Aiah who was so guarded, so stressed, and so desperately trying to hold everything together.

But then she looked down at the woman resting against her now. Aiah was laughing at a joke Sheena just made, her eyes bright, her shoulders loose, entirely at ease with the world.

Jhoanna pressed a soft kiss to the side of Aiah's head, right on the sturdy espresso brown fabric of the new cap.

The old era was good. It taught them how to survive. But this new era?

This one was built to last.

Kinabukasan ng umaga. Ang living room ng condo nila ay may bakas pa ng kaguluhan mula sa get-together kagabi. May ilang baso pa ng wine sa sink, nakatupi nang maayos ang mga empty pizza boxes sa gilid ng basurahan, at ang amoy ng garlic butter shrimp ay may manipis na trace pa rin sa hangin.

Aiah woke up slowly to the soft morning sunlight peeking through the gaps in their blackout curtains. Nakayakap sa baywang niya si Jhoanna, ang mukha nito ay nakasubsob sa unan, at humihinga nang malalim at pantay. Jhoanna was a notoriously heavy sleeper kapag napagod, and considering the amount of red wine she consumed with Mikha and Colet last night, Aiah knew the engineer wouldn't be waking up anytime soon.

Dahan-dahan, para hindi magising ang natutulog si Jhoanna, inalis ni Aiah ang braso ni Jhoanna at pinalitan ito ng isang malambot na unan. Jhoanna grumbled slightly, instinctively hugging the pillow tighter, her eyebrows furrowing before smoothing out again.

Aiah couldn't help but smile, brushing a stray lock of hair away from Jhoanna's forehead. "I love you," she whispered softly into the quiet room.

It was 7:30 AM. Sanay ang katawan ni Aiah na gumising nang maaga dahil sa nature ng trabaho niya, kaya kahit Linggo, gising na ang diwa niya. Naghilamos siya, nag-toothbrush, at nagpalit ng mas komportableng damit—isang oversized gray university shirt at cycling shorts.

Gusto niyang i-surprise si Jhoanna ng masarap na breakfast for hangover. Usually, nagluluto si Aiah, pero naisip niya na mas masarap kung bibili siya ng paboritong beef pares at fresh pandesal ni Jhoanna sa BGC weekend community market na ilang kanto lang ang layo mula sa building nila.

Bago siya lumabas ng pinto, awtomatikong napatingin si Aiah sa hat rack nila.

Andun 'yung mga bucket hats niya, 'yung ilang plain caps, at 'yung paboritong beanie ni Jhoanna. Pero ang mata niya ay dumiretso agad sa deep espresso brown cap. Parang may sariling isip ang kamay niya; dinampot niya ito at isinuot.

Perfect fit. It hugged her head comfortably, the curved brim shielding her eyes from the bright morning sun as she stepped out of the lobby and into the crisp Sunday air.

Ang BGC weekend market ay palaging buhay na buhay. May mga naglalakad ng aso, mga pamilyang nagjo-jogging, at mga stall vendors na nagtitinda ng sariwang gulay, kape, at mainit na pagkain.

Naglakad si Aiah papunta sa paborito nilang stall. Si Tita Flor, isang masayahing ginang na nagtitinda ng pinakamasarap na pares at lugaw sa area, ay abala sa paghahalo ng malaking kaldero.

"Good morning po, Tita Flor!" bati ni Aiah nang makalapit siya, humugot ng wallet mula sa sling bag niya.

Napatingala si Tita Flor at agad na ngumiti nang makilala ang isa sa mga paborito niyang regular customer. "Ay, good morning, Architect! Ang aga natin ngayon ah. Nasaan si Engineer? Himala at hindi kayo magkasama. Usually kasi 'yun ang laging nakasunod sa'yo, bitbit 'yung mga pinamili mo."

Aiah let out a soft laugh. "Tulog pa po, Tita. Medyo napagod sa trabaho nung nagdaang linggo kaya hinayaan ko na munang magpahinga. Bibili po sana ako ng dalawang order ng beef pares, 'yung marami pong toasted garlic para sa kanya. Tsaka po isang order ng lugaw."

"Sige, sige. Ihanda ko na," sabi ni Tita Flor, mabilis na kumuha ng mga take-out bowls. Habang naglalagay siya ng sabaw, napansin niya ang suot ni Aiah. Huminto siya sandali at sumimangot na parang may inaalala. "Teka, Ma'am Aiah... iba na ang sumbrero mo ah."

Napahawak si Aiah sa brim ng sumbrero niya at napangiti. "Opo, Tita. Bago po."

"Wala na 'yung puti at pula na palagi mong suot dati? 'Yung may hugis puso? Ano nga bang nakasulat doon? Self love ba 'yun?" tanong ni Tita Flor habang iniaabot ang plastic ng pagkain.

Aiah felt a warm flush creep up her neck. Nakakatuwa at nakakagulat na pati si Tita Flor ay napansin ang pagpapalit niya ng sumbrero. "Ah, opo. Niretiro na po namin 'yung lumang cap. Naka-display na lang po sa condo."

Tita Flor leaned over the counter, squinting to read the delicate cream embroidery on the brown canvas. "'Happy wife, happy life'. Aba, eh iba na pala ang mensahe natin ngayon! Promote na pala si Architect mula sa pagiging independent woman papunta sa pagiging misis! Bigay ba 'yan ni Engineer Robles?"

Mas lalong namula si Aiah. Tumango siya, hindi maitago ang kilig sa boses niya. "Opo, Tita. Si Jhoanna po ang nagbigay. Nag-demand na siya na palitan ko na raw 'yung luma kasi gusto niya, alam ng lahat na siya 'yung nag-aalaga sa akin."

Humalakhak si Tita Flor, tinapik pa ang counter. "Napakagaling talaga ng batang 'yun! May pagka-territorial pala si Engineer! Sabagay, sa ganda mo ba namang 'yan, kung ako ang asawa mo, baka ipa-billboard ko pa sa EDSA na akin ka. Oh siya, ito na ang pares niyo. Baka hinahanap ka na nung asawa mong selosa paggising nun."

"Salamat po, Tita Flor. Babalik po kami next week," natatawang paalam ni Aiah, kinuha ang sukli at ang mainit na pagkain.

Habang naglalakad pabalik sa condo, hindi mawala-wala ang ngiti sa labi ni Aiah. Iba talaga ang epekto ng cap na 'to. It wasn't just a piece of fabric anymore; it was a conversation starter, a tangible representation of Jhoanna's love that she got to carry out into the world. It made her feel incredibly cherished.

Nang buksan niya ang pinto ng condo, the quietness of the morning had been replaced by the sound of shuffling feet.

Naabutan niya si Jhoanna sa living room. Nakatayo ang engineer sa gitna ng sala, gulo-gulo ang buhok, nakasuot lang ng malaking t-shirt na pampatulog, at kinukusot-kusot ang mga mata na parang nawawalang bata.

Nang marinig ni Jhoanna ang pagbukas ng pinto, lumingon siya agad. Her sleepy eyes zeroed in on Aiah, and her pout deepened.

"Saan ka galing?" Jhoanna mumbled, her morning voice raspy and deep. Naglakad siya palapit kay Aiah, parang magnet na hindi mapigilang lumapit.

Aiah placed the plastic bags on the dining table and turned around just in time to catch Jhoanna, who immediately wrapped her arms around Aiah's waist and buried her face into Aiah's neck.

"Bumili lang ako ng pares at lugaw para sa'yo," Aiah softly explained, running her fingers through Jhoanna's messy hair. "Ang himbing kasi ng tulog mo, ayaw kitang gisingin. Hangover ka ba?"

"Slightly," Jhoanna grumbled against Aiah's skin. "Nagising ako, tapos wala ka na sa kama. Ang lamig nung unan. Akala ko iniwan mo na ako."

Aiah laughed, the sound bright and clear. Hinaplos niya ang likod ni Jhoanna. "Ang drama naman ng baby ko na yan. Iniwan agad? Hindi ba pwedeng bumili lang ng breakfast?"

Jhoanna pulled back slightly, her heavy eyelids blinking slowly as she looked at Aiah's face. Her gaze drifted upwards, landing on the espresso brown cap resting on Aiah's head. Kahit na inaantok pa, a fond, ridiculously soft smile broke across Jhoanna's face.

"Bakit mo suot 'yan?" Jhoanna asked gently, reaching up to lightly trace the cursive letters of happy wife, happy life. "Wala namang ibang tao na makakakita sa'yo sa labas, ang aga-aga pa."

"Bakit? Bawal ba?" Aiah teased, wrapping her arms loosely around Jhoanna's shoulders. "Favorite accessory ko na 'to eh. Tsaka, napansin nga ni Tita Flor kanina. Tinanong kung nasaan daw 'yung asawa kong selosa."

Jhoanna's eyes widened a fraction. "Tita Flor? 'Yung nagtitinda ng pares? Anong sinabi mo?"

"Sabi ko, tulog pa po," Aiah giggled. "Tapos binasa niya 'yung nakasulat dito. Sabi niya, grabe ka raw magbakod. Territorial ka raw, Engineer."

Jhoanna proudly puffed her chest out, though it was slightly ruined by her sleepy, disheveled state. "Tama naman siya. Kaya nga kita binigyan niyan eh. Para kahit wala ako, alam nilang may-ari ka na ng isang Jhoanna Robles. Did you like wearing it out without me?"

Aiah paused, her expression softening into something incredibly tender. Tumingin siya nang diretso sa mga mata ni Jhoanna. "I did. Actually, it feels nice. Parang... kahit hindi tayo magkasama, kasama pa rin kita. It feels like a hug that I can wear."

Jhoanna let out a soft breath, visibly melting at the words. She leaned forward, pressing her forehead against the brim of the cap. "I love you. Ang galing mo talagang magpakilig, Arceta."

"Ako pa ba," Aiah smiled, leaning in to give Jhoanna a sweet, morning kiss. Taste of toothpaste and morning laziness perfectly blending together. "I love you too. Now, let's go eat your beef pares before it gets cold. I need my happy wife to have a happy stomach."

"Opo, misis ko," Jhoanna hummed, happily letting Aiah guide her to the dining table.

As they sat down to eat their breakfast, sunlight completely filling up their condo, Aiah realized that the transition was finally complete. Wala na 'yung takot at bigat ng nakaraan. Only this—the warmth of the sun, the smell of fresh food, and the undeniable safety of being Jhoanna Robles's happy wife.

Ang rooftop bar sa Makati ay puno ng mga engineers, architects, at project managers na nagdiriwang. It was the official wrap-up and turnover party para sa isang malaking commercial building project na hinawakan ng firm nina Jhoanna at Mikha. The atmosphere was lively, filled with the clinking of beer bottles, loud music, and the collective sigh of relief from people who had been running on caffeine and stress for the past two years.

Nakatayo si Jhoanna malapit sa bar counter, hawak ang isang bote ng beer. She wore a sharp, tailored navy blazer over a white blouse and matching navy trousers. Her sleeves were pushed up to her elbows, showing off her watch. She was currently in "Engineer Robles" mode—nodding politely as the firm's senior partners discussed the next quarter's projections.

Pero kung titignan nang maigi, her eyes kept darting towards the elevator doors.

"Umayos ka nga, Robles. Para kang aso na hinihintay umuwi 'yung amo niya," pang-aasar ni Mikha, na biglang sumulpot sa tabi niya na may hawak na margarita.

Jhoanna sighed, checking her phone for the nth time. "Na-traffic daw kasi si Aiah sa EDSA. Sabi ko naman sa kanya, susunduin ko na siya sa firm niya eh, nagpumilit na mag-Grab na lang para hindi na raw ako umalis dito."

"Mabuti nga 'yun para nakakapag-mingle ka sa mga boss natin," Mikha pointed out, taking a sip of her drink. "By the way, prepared ka na ba? Madaming bagong junior engineers dito na hindi pa nakikilala 'yung the legendary Architect Arceta. Baka malaglag ang mga panga ng mga 'yan."

Bago pa man makasagot si Jhoanna, the elevator doors chimed and slid open.

Parang huminto ang oras para kay Jhoanna. At hindi lang sa kanya—maski ang ilang mga katrabaho niya na malapit sa entrance ay napalingon.

Aiah stepped out of the elevator, looking absolutely breathtaking. She was wearing a champagne-colored silk slip dress that hugged her curves perfectly, but to balance the formality, she paired it with an oversized, structured vintage leather jacket and a pair of clean, white sneakers. It was the perfect high-low fashion mix.

Pero ang nagkumpleto sa outfit niya, ang nagbigay ng distinct 'Aiah Arceta' streetwear edge, ay ang nakapatong sa ulo niya.

The deep espresso brown cap. The cursive happy wife, happy life contrasting beautifully against the dark fabric, keeping her long, wavy hair pushed back away from her face.

Jhoanna didn't even realize she had put her beer down on the counter until she was already walking towards her. Walang pakialam si Jhoanna sa mga kasamahan niyang nanonood; right now, she only had eyes for her girlfriend.

"Hi," Aiah breathed out, her face instantly lighting up the moment she saw Jhoanna approaching.

"Hi yourself," Jhoanna replied, automatically wrapping an arm around Aiah's waist and pulling her in for a soft kiss on the cheek. Jhoanna stepped back just a fraction to admire the outfit. "Wow. You look amazing, love. But I thought you were going to wear heels?"

Aiah chuckled, leaning into Jhoanna's touch. "I was. Pero pagod na 'yung mga paa ko from walking around the site kaninang umaga. So I improvised. Bagay ba?" Tinuro niya ang sumbrero niya. "Sabi mo kasi the other day, you love seeing me in this cap."

Jhoanna felt her heart expand in her chest. "Sobrang bagay. You're the most beautiful woman here, hands down."

"Ehem."

Napalingon silang dalawa. Nakatayo sa likuran nila si Mikha, kasama ang tatlong junior engineers na halatang nahihiya pero curious na curious.

"Jho, baka naman gusto mong ipakilala sa mga bata ang plus-one mo," nakangising sabi ni Mikha. "Kanina pa kasi nila tinatanong kung sino 'yung pumasok. Engineer Robles, meet the new associates of the structural team."

Jhoanna shifted her posture, pulling Aiah slightly closer to her side. The territorial instinct immediately kicked in, but it was softened by the immense pride she felt.

"Guys, this is Architect Aiah Arceta, the lead architect from the partner firm," Jhoanna introduced formally, then her voice dropped to a softer, warmer register. "And more importantly, my partner."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ng tatlong junior engineers. Isa sa kanila, isang lalaking nagngangalang Mark, ay medyo nautal. "G-good evening po, Architect! Narinig na po namin kayo kela Engineer Mikha. Kayo po pala 'yung... ah, partner ni Engineer Robles."

Aiah offered them her signature warm, customer-facing smile. "Hi! Nice to meet you all. Call me Aiah na lang kapag out of the office. Wag na kayong masyadong kabahan kay Jhoanna, mabait 'yan kahit laging nakasimangot sa site."

The juniors laughed nervously. Napatingin si Mark sa sumbrero ni Aiah, his eyes squinting slightly as he read the embroidery.

"Uhm, nice cap po, Ma'am Aiah," Mark blurted out, before he could stop himself. "Happy wife, happy life. Ang cute po."

Aiah's smile grew wider, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. Tumingin siya kay Jhoanna, perfectly playing into the dynamic. "Thank you. Bigay ng partner ko eh. Requirement daw suotin kapag a-attend ako ng mga parties niyo para alam ng lahat na may nag-aalaga na sa akin."

Natawa si Mikha nang malakas. "Told you guys. Wag niyo nang subukang tignan nang matagal, baka bumagsak 'yung performance evaluation niyo kay Robles."

Jhoanna playfully rolled her eyes, but she didn't deny it. Instead, she gently adjusted the brim of Aiah's cap. "Sige na, kukuha lang muna ako ng drinks para sa aming dalawa. Mikha, ikaw muna bahala sa asawa ko."

Habang nasa bar si Jhoanna, hindi niya mapigilang lumingon sa pwesto nina Aiah. Aiah was comfortably chatting with Jhoanna's colleagues. Her silk dress was elegant, but the leather jacket and the cap made her look approachable, cool, and incredibly confident.

Wala na 'yung Aiah na laging nagtatago sa ilalim ng brim ng self love club cap kapag may maraming tao. Wala na 'yung Aiah na iniiwasan ang eye contact kapag hindi niya kilala ang mga kausap niya. Wearing the new cap, Aiah carried herself with a quiet, unshakeable confidence. Like she knew that no matter what happened in this room full of strangers, she was safe. She was loved.

"Engineer Robles."

Naputol ang pag-iisip ni Jhoanna nang marinig niya ang boses ng boss nila, si Engr. David, isa sa mga managing partners ng firm.

"Good evening po, Sir David," Jhoanna greeted respectfully.

"I saw you come in with Architect Arceta," the older man said, smiling warmly. "I've worked with her on a few proposals before. Brilliant mind. But I didn't know you two were together."

"Ah, opo. Three years na po," Jhoanna answered proudly.

Engr. David chuckled, taking a sip of his whiskey. "I noticed her cap. Happy wife, happy life. That's a good philosophy to live by, Jhoanna. Sa industriya natin, it's very easy to get consumed by deadlines, budgets, and blueprints. Minsan nakakalimutan natin 'yung mga taong umuuwi at naghihintay sa atin."

He patted Jhoanna on the shoulder. "Keep it up. The fact that she wears that around proudly means you're doing a great job not just as an engineer, but as a partner. Build a strong foundation at home, and the structures you build at work will follow."

Jhoanna was genuinely touched. "Thank you, Sir. I'll keep that in mind."

Nang makabalik si Jhoanna kina Aiah, may dala siyang isang mocktail for her girlfriend, knowing Aiah wasn't fond of heavy alcohol, and another beer for herself.

"Here you go, love," Jhoanna said, handing the drink over.

"Thanks," Aiah smiled, stepping naturally into Jhoanna's space. Napansin niya ang malambot na ekspresyon ni Jhoanna. "What's wrong? Nakangiti ka mag-isa d'yan."

"Wala naman," Jhoanna hummed, wrapping her free arm around Aiah's waist again. "Nakausap ko lang si Sir David. Ni-compliment niya 'yung sumbrero mo."

"Oh? Anong sabi niya?"

"Sabi niya, ang galing ko raw kasi ginagawa kitang happy wife," Jhoanna bragged playfully, leaning close to whisper in Aiah's ear. "Tsaka ang ganda mo raw. Though I already knew that."

Aiah playfully shoved Jhoanna's shoulder, laughing. "Bolera. Pero infairness, the people here are really nice. Naka-survive naman ako kahit feeling ko underdressed ako for a semi-formal wrap-up party."

"You could wear a potato sack and you'd still be the most gorgeous person in the room," Jhoanna stated like it was a factual engineering calculation. "Pero seriously, you looked so comfortable mingling earlier. Hindi ka na nai-stress sa malalaking crowds?"

Aiah looked down at her drink, then up at Jhoanna. She reached up and tapped the dark brown brim of her cap.

"I think the cap is magic, Engineer," Aiah joked softly, though her eyes were sincere. "Every time somebody looks at me, I don't feel like they're judging me. I feel like they're reading the text, and instantly, they know I belong to someone. And that makes me feel... grounded. Parang kasama kita kahit nag-uusap ako sa kabilang dulo ng kwarto."

Jhoanna felt a lump form in her throat. She gently rested her forehead against Aiah's, right beneath the shadow of the cap. The loud music and the chatter of the rooftop bar faded into the background.

"Ikaw ang magic, Aiah," Jhoanna whispered. "I just gave you the cap. Ikaw ang nagbibigay ng buhay sa message niyan."

Aiah smiled, closing her eyes and savoring the closeness. "Kaya pala ang daming naiinggit sa'yo dito kanina. Rinig ko 'yung mga junior engineers mo, sana all daw."

"Dapat lang silang mainggit," Jhoanna grinned, pulling back slightly to kiss Aiah's nose. "Wala silang Aiah Arceta eh."

They spent the rest of the night standing by the glass railing of the rooftop bar, looking out over the glittering skyline of Makati. Jhoanna stood behind Aiah, her arms wrapped tightly around the architect, resting her chin comfortably on Aiah's shoulder.

And as the city lights reflected off Aiah's eyes, Jhoanna looked down at the cream cursive stitching on the deep brown fabric.

happy wife, happy life.

Yes. It was the absolute truth. And Jhoanna intended to keep it that way for the rest of their lives.

Isang maaliwalas na Linggo ng hapon. Ang pamilya Arceta ay may tradisyon ng monthly Sunday barbecue gathering sa garden ng ancestral home nila sa Quezon City. Usually, excited si Aiah sa mga ganitong events kasi nami-miss niya ang mga magulang niya at ang luto ng Daddy niya. Pero ngayon, nakakaramdam siya ng kaba.

Nasa passenger seat siya ng SUV ni Jhoanna, kanina pa nilalaro ang mga daliri niya habang papalapit sila sa subdivision ng mga magulang niya.

"Hey," malambot na tawag ni Jhoanna, saglit na tinanggal ang isang kamay sa manibela para hawakan ang kamay ni Aiah. "Ang lamig ng kamay mo. Okay ka lang ba, love?"

Bumuntong-hininga si Aiah, lumingon kay Jhoanna na tahimik at kalmadong nagmamaneho. Jhoanna wore a delicate blouse tucked into a flowy midi skirt, looking soft, graceful, and perfectly ready to charm the entire Arceta clan.

"Kinakabahan lang," pag-amin ni Aiah. "Alam mo naman si Tita Susan, 'di ba? Umuwi raw galing States kahapon. Siguradong andun 'yun ngayon. Last time na nagkita kami, she practically interrogated me about my career choices and why I'm 'wasting my youth' daw working too hard."

Tumawa nang mahina si Jhoanna, her thumb rubbing soothing circles on the back of Aiah's hand. "Ah, the legendary Tita Susan. Hayaan mo na 'yun. Inggit lang 'yun kasi wala siyang apo na kasing ganda at kasing talino mo. And besides, nandito naman ako."

"Kaya nga ako kinakabahan eh," Aiah mumbled playfully. "Baka ikaw naman ang gisahin niya."

"Let her try," Jhoanna smirked confidently. "I face stubborn contractors and impossible structural loads for a living, Aiah. Isang nosy tita lang 'yan. Kayang-kaya natin 'yan."

Napangiti si Aiah. Jhoanna always had this effect on her—kayang pawiin ng isang ngiti at isang hawak ang kahit anong bigat na nararamdaman niya. Tumingin si Aiah sa rearview mirror para i-check ang itsura niya. Nakasuot siya ng isang flowy, light yellow floral sundress. It was perfect for a garden barbecue.

At para kumpletuhin ang look niya, she reached into the backseat and grabbed her trusty deep espresso brown cap.

Isinuot niya ito, carefully adjusting the brim so the cream cursive happy wife, happy life sat perfectly centered on her head. The masculine, utilitarian look of the cap contrasted beautifully with the soft, feminine vibe of her sundress.

Pagkakita ni Jhoanna, hindi niya mapigilan ang mapangiti nang malaki. "Are you really wearing that to a family gathering? Paano kapag tinanong nila kung kinasal na tayo nang hindi nila alam?"

"Edi sabihin natin na secret," Aiah joked, adjusting the cap one last time. "But honestly, Jho? Gusto ko lang suotin. Mula nung binigay mo 'to, parang nagiging shield ko na siya. It gives me peace of mind. And I feel like I'll need a lot of peace of mind with Tita Susan around."

"Sige lang. I actually love it when you wear it," Jhoanna said softly as she parked the SUV in front of the large gate of the Arceta home. "It looks incredibly cute with your dress. Tara na?"

Pagbaba nila ng sasakyan, agad silang sinalubong ng amoy ng inihaw na liempo at tawanan ng mga tao. Ang malawak na garden ay puno ng mga pinsan, tiyahin, at tiyuhin ni Aiah.

"Aiah! Jhoanna! Nandito na pala kayo!" masayang bati ng Mommy ni Aiah, patakbong lumapit para yumakap sa kanilang dalawa. "Kanina pa naghahanap 'yung Daddy mo ng tagatikim ng marinade niya. Mabuti at nakarating kayo nang maaga."

"Siyempre naman po, Tita," nakangiting sagot ni Jhoanna, nagmano sa ina ni Aiah. "Mami-miss ba naman namin 'yung barbecue ni Tito?"

Habang nag-iikot sila para bumati sa iba't ibang kamag-anak, Aiah felt relatively relaxed. Jhoanna was naturally charismatic; she was easily exchanging jokes with Aiah's uncles about basketball and discussing car maintenance with her older cousins.

Nasa kalagitnaan sila ng pagkuha ng pagkain sa buffet table nang marinig nila ang pamilyar at matinis na boses.

"Aiah! Dalaga ko! Naku, lalo kang gumaganda!"

Napapikit nang mariin si Aiah bago pilit na ngumiti at humarap. "Hi, Tita Susan. Welcome back po."

Lumapit ang tiyahin niya, suot ang makapal nitong alahas at amoy na amoy ang mamahaling pabango. Bumeso ito kay Aiah at binigyan ng mabilis na tingin si Jhoanna. "At kasama mo pa rin pala itong si Jhoanna. Akala ko ba engineer ka, iha? Bakit parang bodyguard ka palagi nitong pamangkin ko?"

Aiah felt a spark of irritation, but Jhoanna just smiled—a polite, completely unbothered smile. "Opo, Tita. Engineer po. At proud full-time bodyguard na rin po ni Aiah kapag weekends."

Tumawa si Tita Susan, though it sounded a bit dry. Tapos, ang mga mata ng matanda ay dumapo sa sumbrero ni Aiah. Kumunot ang noo nito, inilapit pa ang mukha para basahin ang nakaburda.

"'Happy wife, happy life'?" Tita Susan read aloud, her tone dripping with passive judgment. "Aiah, iha, ano naman itong suot mo? Akala ko ba lead architect ka na sa isang malaking firm? Bakit ganyan ang statement ng cap mo? Parang sinasabi mo na ang ultimate goal mo lang sa buhay ay maging asawa."

Huminto ang pag-uusap ng ilang pinsan na malapit sa kanila. Alam nilang lahat kung gaano ka-opinionated si Tita Susan.

Naramdaman ni Aiah ang pamumula ng pisngi niya. Dati, tuwing may ganitong comments si Tita Susan, ngumingiti lang siya nang awkward at nagpapaalam para kumuha ng inumin. She was about to do the same, about to open her mouth to make an excuse, but a warm, steady hand placed itself firmly on the small of her back.

"Actually, Tita Susan, ako po ang nagbigay niyan sa kanya," Jhoanna chimed in, her voice clear, respectful, but carrying a weight that demanded attention.

Tumaas ang kilay ni Tita Susan. "Ikaw? Bakit naman?"

Jhoanna took a step closer to Aiah, her hand remaining completely steady on Aiah's back.

"Because for the longest time, Aiah has been carrying the weight of her career entirely on her own shoulders," Jhoanna explained calmly, her eyes locking onto the older woman's. "She's a brilliant architect, Tita. Alam natin lahat 'yan. She manages multi-million peso projects and deals with difficult contractors every single day. She's independent, strong, and incredibly hardworking."

Jhoanna paused, turning her head slightly to look at Aiah with a gaze so full of adoration that it made Aiah's heart skip a beat.

"Pero hindi ibig sabihin na malakas siya, eh kailangan na niyang mag-isa," patuloy ni Jhoanna, looking back at Tita Susan. "I gave her that cap because I wanted to remind her that when she's exhausted from being the 'boss' and the 'lead architect' out there... she has a home to return to. A home where she is pampered, loved, and taken care of. Being my 'happy wife' doesn't diminish her success, Tita. It's the foundation that allows her to succeed without burning out. Kasi alam niya, no matter how hard her day gets, may sasalo sa kanya."

The silence around the buffet table was palpable. Walang nakapagsalita. Maging ang mga pinsan ni Aiah ay nakanganga habang pinapakinggan si Jhoanna.

Si Tita Susan ay napakurap-kurap, halatang hindi inasahan ang ganoon ka-eloquent at ka-seryosong sagot. The passive-aggressiveness completely drained from her face.

"I... well," Tita Susan stammered, awkwardly fixing the strap of her designer bag. "Kung sabagay. Mahirap nga naman ang trabaho sa construction. Mabuti na rin 'yung... may nag-aalaga."

"Opo, Tita. Yun lang po ang gusto ko. Na laging masaya at inaalagaan si Aiah," Jhoanna smiled politely, softening the blow. "Gusto niyo po ba ng liempo? Sabi ni Tito, special daw po 'yung marinade niya ngayon."

"Ah, sige, sige. Kukuha ako," mabilis na sagot ni Tita Susan, bago nagmadaling lumipat sa kabilang dulo ng table.

Pagkaalis ng tiyahin niya, Aiah let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Tumingin siya kay Jhoanna, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and overflowing affection.

"Did you just... lecture my Tita Susan?" Aiah whispered, a massive smile breaking across her face.

Jhoanna chuckled, grabbing a plate and handing it to Aiah. "Hindi ah. I was just answering her question. Sabi ko naman sa'yo, 'di ba? Isang nosy tita lang 'yan. Kayang-kaya natin."

Aiah couldn't help it. Kahit nasa harap sila ng maraming pagkain at kamag-anak, she wrapped her arms around Jhoanna's neck and hugged her tightly. The brim of the espresso brown cap bumped against Jhoanna's forehead, but neither of them cared.

"Thank you," Aiah murmured against Jhoanna's ear. "You always know exactly what to say. Ang galing mo."

"Truth is easy to tell, love," Jhoanna whispered back, pressing a quick kiss to Aiah's cheek. "Ang totoo naman talaga, you are an amazing architect. And an even more amazing partner. I just wanted her to know that the title 'wife' isn't a demotion. For us, it's the highest honor."

Habang kumakain sila sa isang picnic table sa ilalim ng malaking puno ng mangga, nilapitan sila ng Daddy ni Aiah. May hawak itong dalawang baso ng iced tea at ibinigay sa kanila.

"Salamat po, Tito," bati ni Jhoanna.

Umupo ang Daddy ni Aiah sa tapat nila. Tiningnan nito ang anak niya, at pagkatapos ay ang sumbrero na suot nito, bago bumaling kay Jhoanna na may mainit na ngiti.

"Narinig ko 'yung sagot mo kay Susan kanina, Jhoanna," the older man said, his voice deep and gentle.

Biglang kinabahan nang kaunti si Jhoanna. "Sorry po, Tito. Baka po na-offend ko siya—"

"Hindi, hindi," iling ng Daddy ni Aiah, laughing softly. "Actually, natuwa ako. For years, her mother and I worried about Aiah pushing herself too hard. Alam mo naman 'to," he affectionately tapped Aiah's hand, "masyadong perfectionist. Ayaw humingi ng tulong."

He looked at Jhoanna with genuine gratitude in his eyes. "Bilang ama, wala na akong ibang mahihiling pa kundi ang makitang nasa mabuting kamay ang anak ko. You proved today that you're not just her partner, Jhoanna. You're her protector. Salamat sa pag-aalaga sa kanya."

Jhoanna felt a swell of emotion in her chest. She glanced at Aiah, who was looking at her father with teary, happy eyes.

"Wala pong anuman, Tito," Jhoanna answered sincerely, reaching out under the table to hold Aiah's hand. "It's a privilege po."

Later that afternoon, as the sun began to set and paint the sky in hues of orange and purple, Jhoanna and Aiah found themselves sitting alone on a quiet bench near the edge of the garden, away from the loud karaoke singing of her cousins.

Aiah rested her head on Jhoanna's shoulder. Kinuha niya ang sumbrero mula sa ulo niya at pinagmasdan ito. The happy wife, happy life text seemed to glow warmly in the fading light.

"Alam mo," Aiah started softly, breaking the comfortable silence. "Dati, I wore the self love club cap because I was trying to convince myself that I was enough. That I didn't need anyone else to validate my worth."

Jhoanna listened quietly, her arm securely wrapped around Aiah's waist.

"But hearing you defend me today... hearing you tell my family that this cap," Aiah traced the brown fabric, "is a symbol of our foundation? It changed everything for me. Hindi ko na kailangang i-convince ang sarili ko na I'm enough. Because with you, I am more than enough. I am cherished."

Isinuot muli ni Aiah ang sumbrero, this time tilting the brim up slightly so she could look Jhoanna in the eyes.

"Thank you, Engineer Robles," Aiah smiled, her eyes crinkling with pure joy. "For retiring my old armor, and for giving me a much better one."

"Anything for my happy wife," Jhoanna whispered, leaning in to press a tender, lingering kiss against Aiah's lips, sealing a promise that no matter what crowd, family, or situation they faced, they would always be each other's safe place.

Ilang linggo matapos ang matagumpay na family barbecue ng mga Arceta, unti-unting bumalik sa normal ang takbo ng buhay nina Jhoanna at Aiah. Pareho nilang na-turnover nang maayos ang kani-kanilang malalaking projects. Para i-celebrate ang accomplishment na ito at para na rin makabawi sa ilang buwang puyatan at stress, nag-book si Jhoanna ng isang private beachfront villa sa San Juan, Batangas para sa isang long weekend getaway.

Sabado ng umaga, tahimik na binabagtas ng SUV ni Jhoanna ang SLEX. Ang bintana ay bahagyang nakababa, hinahayaan ang sariwang hangin na pumasok habang tumutugtog ang isang mellow indie playlist sa background.

Nilingon ni Jhoanna ang passenger seat. Aiah was fast asleep, her seat reclined to a comfortable angle. Nakasuot ang arkitekto ng isang oversized white button-down shirt over her bikini top, at denim cut-off shorts. At siyempre, keeping the morning sun out of her eyes and her hair completely tamed was the deep espresso brown happy wife, happy life cap.

Napangiti si Jhoanna. Kahit natutulog, dala-dala pa rin ni Aiah ang statement piece nito. Dati, ang self love club cap ang go-to travel buddy nito—isang panangga sa mundo. Pero ngayon, this brown cap felt less like a shield and more like a comfortable crown.

Nang pumasok sila sa bayan ng San Juan, unti-unting nagising si Aiah. Kinusot niya ang mga mata niya at umayos ng upo, inaayos ang brim ng sumbrero niya.

"Malapit na ba tayo, love?" antok na tanong ni Aiah, humikab nang bahagya.

"Yep. About fifteen minutes na lang mula rito," sagot ni Jhoanna, inaabot ang kamay ni Aiah para hawakan. "Gutom ka na ba? We can stop for an early lunch bago tayo mag-check in sa villa."

"Hindi pa naman. Gusto ko na lang munang makita 'yung dagat," Aiah smiled, looking out the window as the first glimpses of the blue ocean peeked through the trees. "Grabe, I didn't realize how much I needed this vacation until now. Parang nakahinga nang maluwag 'yung utak ko."

"You deserve it, Misis," Jhoanna teased gently, pressing a kiss to the back of Aiah's hand. "No blueprints, no demanding contractors, and definitely no site inspections for the next three days. Just you, me, and the beach."

Pagdating nila sa resort, agad silang inasikaso ng staff. The private villa was stunning—it had a massive glass sliding door that opened directly to a pristine, uncrowded stretch of white sand, and a small private plunge pool overlooking the ocean.

Pagkababa ng mga gamit nila, hindi na nag-aksaya ng oras si Aiah. Tinanggal niya agad ang shorts niya, revealing a sleek, ivory two-piece swimsuit underneath her unbuttoned linen shirt. Naiwan ang sumbrero sa ulo niya, casting a soft shadow over her glowing, bare face.

"Wow," Jhoanna breathed out, leaning against the doorframe of the bathroom. Napalunok siya. Kahit ilang taon na silang magkasama, Aiah’s beauty never failed to completely short-circuit her brain. "Bawal magkasakit sa puso dito sa resort, Arceta. Wala pa naman akong dalang first aid kit."

Aiah laughed, throwing a small rolled-up towel at Jhoanna’s face. "Bolera. Magpalit ka na rin d'yan, Engineer. Kanina pa ako natatakam sa dagat."

Makalipas ang ilang minuto, pareho na silang naglalakad sa dalampasigan. The Batangas sun was bright but the sea breeze made it comfortably cool. Magkahawak-kamay silang naglakad sa gilid ng tubig, hinahayaan ang mga alon na humampas sa mga paa nila.

Habang naglalakad, may nakasalubong silang isang grupo ng mga turista. Isang babaeng nasa mid-twenties ang napatingin kay Aiah, at partikular sa sumbrero nito.

"Oh my gosh, I love your cap!" the girl suddenly gushed, stopping for a moment. "Ang cute ng font. Happy wife, happy life. Nasaan po ang husband niyo? Taga-picture po ba doon sa likod?" she joked, gesturing to the open beach behind them.

Dati, in situations like this, Aiah would usually just smile awkwardly and nod to avoid explaining. It was a reflex to protect her peace. But today, Aiah simply let out a bright, genuine laugh. She didn't let go of Jhoanna's hand; instead, she subtly pulled Jhoanna closer to her side.

"Thank you!" Aiah replied cheerfully. "But actually, I don't have a husband. She's my wife." Tinignan niya si Jhoanna na may malaking ngiti. "And yes, taga-picture ko rin siya minsan."

Nanlaki nang bahagya ang mga mata ng babae, bago mabilis na napangiti. "Oh! Oh my god, sorry po! But you guys look so cute together! Ang ganda talaga ng cap. Have a great vacation po!"

"Thank you, kayo rin!" Jhoanna responded politely, completely unfazed by the interaction.

Nang makalayo na ang mga turista, Jhoanna bumped her shoulder against Aiah's. "I don't have a husband, I have a wife daw. Lakas maka-claim, Architect ah."

"Bakit, totoo naman ah," Aiah playfully rolled her eyes, adjusting her cap against the wind. "At tsaka, ito 'yung gusto mo, 'di ba? Public declaration. 'Wag kang magreklamo d'yan, ikaw ang may pakana nito."

Jhoanna let out a deep, booming laugh, pulling Aiah by the waist so they were walking practically plastered to each other's sides. "Hindi ako nagrereklamo. In fact, I'm thinking of giving you an award for being the best brand ambassador of my feelings."

"Anong award?" Aiah raised an eyebrow playfully.

"Hmm. Free lifetime supply of Jhoanna Robles’s hugs and kisses. Non-transferable. Exclusive use only," Jhoanna whispered seductively near Aiah's ear, making the architect giggle and playfully swat Jhoanna's arm.

Kinahapunan, nag-set up ang resort staff ng isang maliit na table for two sa mismong beachfront ng villa nila. May nakasinding tiki torches, ilang platito ng fresh seafood, at isang bote ng chilled white wine. The sunset was painting the sky in breathtaking shades of violent orange, deep pink, and soft violet.

Nakaupo sila sa magkaharap na silya. Aiah was still wearing her linen shirt, and the espresso brown cap was now resting on the table beside her wine glass. Tinanggal niya muna ito dahil lumalamig na ang simoy ng hangin.

"This is perfect," Aiah sighed contentedly, looking out at the horizon where the sun was slowly dipping below the sea. "Thank you for planning this, Jho. I really needed this reset."

"Anything for you," Jhoanna smiled softly, tracing the rim of her wine glass. Tinitigan niya si Aiah. The golden hour lighting made Aiah look almost ethereal. Walang bakas ng stress, walang dark circles from sleepless nights at the firm. Just pure, unadulterated peace.

Jhoanna’s gaze naturally drifted to the cap resting on the table. The cream cursive words—happy wife, happy life—seemed to mock her slightly, but in the best way possible.

Nung una niyang pinagawa ang sumbrerong iyon, it was half-joking. Isang playful na paraan para asarin at bakuran si Aiah dahil na-insecure siya nang kaunti sa 'independent woman' comments na nakukuha ng girlfriend niya. Gusto lang niyang palitan ang self love club cap para ipaalala kay Aiah na hindi na ito nag-iisa.

Pero the more she saw Aiah wear it, the more she heard Aiah proudly claim the title in front of their friends, her family, and even complete strangers… something inside Jhoanna began to shift.

It wasn't just a funny statement piece anymore. It was a reality that Jhoanna wanted to solidify.

"Anong iniisip mo?" Aiah's soft voice broke Jhoanna's train of thought. Nakapatong ang baba ni Aiah sa palad nito, observing Jhoanna with fond curiosity. "Ang seryoso ng mukha mo bigla. Wag mong sabihin na iniisip mo na naman 'yung load distribution nung poste sa Makati project?"

Natawa nang mahina si Jhoanna at umiling. Inabot niya ang kamay ni Aiah sa ibabaw ng lamesa at pinagsiklop ang mga daliri nila.

"Hindi. I was just looking at your cap," Jhoanna admitted truthfully, nodding towards the brown fabric.

Aiah glanced at the cap and smiled. "Bakit? Miss mo na agad suot ko? Susuotin ko ba ulit?"

"Hindi, hindi," Jhoanna chuckled, her thumb gently caressing Aiah's knuckles. Huminga nang malalim si Jhoanna, feeling a sudden, heavy wave of emotion wash over her. "Iniisip ko lang... noong una kitang binigyan niyan, I just wanted to make you smile. I wanted to give you a tangible reminder that I'm taking care of you."

Aiah’s expression softened, her eyes reflecting the dying light of the sunset. "And you did. Every single day, Jho."

"But seeing you actually live it out," Jhoanna continued, her voice dropping to a vulnerable, earnest whisper. "Seeing how proud you are to be called my wife, even if technically hindi pa... it makes me realize something."

"Realize what?" Aiah whispered back, her heart suddenly beating a little faster in her chest.

Jhoanna looked directly into Aiah's eyes, pouring every ounce of her love and sincerity into her gaze. "It makes me realize that I don't want it to just be a cute phrase on a custom-made cap anymore, Aiah. Gusto ko, totoo na. Gusto ko, sa susunod na may magtatanong sa'yo tungkol sa sumbrero mo, hindi mo na sasabihing, 'Ah, girlfriend ko ang nagbigay niyan.' Gusto ko sabihin mo... 'Asawa ko ang nagbigay niyan.'"

The sound of the waves crashing against the shore seemed to disappear. Ang tanging naririnig lang ni Aiah ay ang tibok ng sarili niyang puso. The air between them grew thick with an unspoken promise.

Hindi pa ito isang pormal na proposal. Walang singsing na nakalatag sa lamesa. Pero ang bigat at seryoso ng mga salita ni Jhoanna ay sapat na para maramdaman ni Aiah ang buong bigat ng pangako.

Unti-unting namuo ang luha sa gilid ng mga mata ni Aiah, pero kasabay nito ay isang napakatamis, napakalaking ngiti. Hinigpitan niya ang hawak sa kamay ni Jhoanna.

"I'd love that," Aiah answered, her voice slightly thick with emotion but incredibly sure. "I'd really, really love that, Jhoanna."

Jhoanna let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, a brilliant, relieved smile breaking across her face. Tumayo siya mula sa upuan niya, lumapit kay Aiah, at niyakap ito nang mahigpit mula sa likuran, pressing a deep, lingering kiss to the top of Aiah's head.

Tumingin si Jhoanna sa lamesa, sa espresso brown cap na nagsimula ng lahat ng ito.

Happy wife, happy life. It wasn't just an era anymore. It was going to be their forever. At alam ni Jhoanna, deep inside her structurally-sound, engineer heart, that she had some very important planning to do as soon as they got back to Manila.

Isang linggo matapos ang Batangas trip nila, bumalik sa normal na takbo ng buhay sina Jhoanna at Aiah. Normal meant early morning coffee, endless revisions ng blueprints, site visits sa ilalim ng tirik na araw, at late-night cuddles sa condo.

Pero para kay Jhoanna, hindi na lang basta "normal" ang lahat. Ang utak niyang sanay mag-compute ng load distribution at structural integrity ay may bagong pinagkakaabalahan—ang pagpaplano ng perpektong proposal.

Biyernes ng hapon. Sa halip na bumalik sa site after lunch, nag-leave ng half-day si Jhoanna. Kasalukuyan siyang nasa loob ng isang high-end jewelry store sa Greenbelt, Makati. Hindi siya nag-iisa; nakasandal sa glass display counter ang dalawa sa pinakamatalik niyang kaibigan at unofficial wingwomen, sina Mikha at Colet.

"Okay, let's review," sabi ni Jhoanna, nakakunot ang noo habang tinititigan ang tatlong magkakaibang diamond rings na nakalatag sa itim na velvet tray. "Yung option A is a classic round brilliant with a halo setting. Maganda, sparkling, pero parang too bulky? Aiah uses her hands a lot for drafting. Baka sumabit sa mga papel niya o sa damit niya kapag nasa site siya."

Umirap si Colet, humigop ng iced latte na binili nila kanina. "Robles, singsing 'yan for a proposal. Hindi 'yan power tool na kailangang ergonomic. Ang gusto lang naman ng mga babae diyan eh 'yung kumikinang at maganda sa kamay."

"Hindi. I need to consider functionality," depensa ni Jhoanna, her inner engineer taking over. Tinuro niya ang pangalawang singsing. "Yung option B, tension setting. The diamond looks like it's floating. Astig. Pero conceptually, paano kung may tumama sa gilid ng banda? Mamaya matanggal 'yung bato kapag nag-inspect siya ng mga materyales sa Alabang. I need the prongs to be structurally sound."

Napahilot si Mikha sa sentido niya, halatang ubos na ang pasensya. "Jhoanna, pangatlong jewelry store na natin 'to. Kung maka-analyze ka ng singsing, parang gagawan mo ng blueprint. Anim na prong na 'yung option C. Safe na safe na 'yan. Kahit ihampas pa ni Aiah 'yan sa pader, hindi matatanggal 'yung diamond. Just pick one!"

Tumawa ang saleslady sa likod ng counter, halatang aliw na aliw sa usapan nila. "Actually, Ma'am, Option C is a very popular choice for active professionals. Low-profile setting po siya, meaning hindi masyadong nakaumbok ang diamond. So less prone to snagging, but it still maintains maximum brilliance."

Nagliwanag ang mukha ni Jhoanna. "See? Low-profile setting. Pragmatic but beautiful. Just like Aiah. I'll take Option C."

Habang pinoproseso ng saleslady ang payment, tinapik ni Colet si Jhoanna sa balikat. "In fairness ah. Dati, ang lakas ng loob mong mamigay ng cap na may 'happy wife, happy life' na nakaburda. Nakita namin 'yun, OA ka sa pagiging territorial. Ngayon, gagawin mo na talagang legal ang claim mo. Paano 'yan, ire-retire na ba 'yung cap kapag naging official misis mo na siya?"

"Siyempre hindi," mabilis na sagot ni Jhoanna, tinatanggap ang resibo at ang maliit na velvet box. Maingat niya itong ibinulsa sa loob ng jacket niya, parang may hawak na holy grail. "That cap is the reason why we're here. Nung nakita ko kung paano niya sinuot 'yun—kung paano siya naging proud na ako 'yung nag-aalaga sa kanya—dun ko na-realize na ayoko na ng trial phase lang. Gusto ko, habambuhay na."

Mikha faked a gagging sound, clutching her chest dramatically. "Grabe, the character development. From emotionally constipated engineering student to romantic poet. Iba talaga ang nagagawa ng isang Aiah Arceta."

"Maiinggit na lang kayo," Jhoanna smirked proudly. "Thanks for coming with me today, guys. My treat for dinner next time."

"Dapat lang, sa dami ba namang nilakad natin," reklamo ni Colet, kahit nakangiti. "So, kailan mo balak ibigay 'yan?"

Napaisip si Jhoanna. "Hindi ko pa alam ang exact details. Pero gusto ko, special. Ayoko ng cliché na restaurant proposal. Aiah deserves something that feels completely her. Saka ko na iisipin ang logistics, basta secured na 'yung singsing."

Samantala, sa opisina ng architectural firm ni Aiah sa BGC, casual Friday ngayon.

Nakatayo si Aiah sa harap ng isang malaking drafting table, sinusuri ang floor plan para sa isang boutique hotel project. Nakasuot siya ng simpleng beige oversized sweater at white pants. Sa gilid ng mesa niya, maayos na nakapatong ang espresso brown happy wife, happy life cap niya, acting almost like a paperweight para sa ilang sketches.

"Architect Aiah, the client approved the revised rendering for the lobby," masayang balita ng junior architect niyang si Lea, papalapit sa mesa niya.

"Really? That's great news," Aiah smiled widely, letting out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. Pang-apat na revision na natin 'yun. I’ll finalize the material specs this afternoon so we can send it to the engineering team by Monday."

"Sige po, Architect," sabi ni Lea. Bago ito umalis, nahagip ng paningin nito ang sumbrero sa gilid ng mesa. Napangiti ang nakababatang empleyado. "Nga pala, Ma'am... napansin ko lang. Simula po nung ginawa niyong lucky charm 'yang sumbrero niyo, parang ang gaan-gaan ng aura niyo palagi. Parang hindi na kayo masyadong na-i-stress kahit sunod-sunod ang deadline natin."

Aiah glanced at the cap, her expression softening involuntarily. Ang simpleng pagtingin lang sa brown na tela at sa cream cursive embroidery ay nagpapadala ng mainit na kuryente sa dibdib niya.

"Lucky charm talaga 'yan, Lea," Aiah chuckled softly, picking up the cap and running her thumb over the word wife. "It reminds me to not take everything too heavily. Na kapag tapos na ang shift ko dito, may uuwian akong lugar kung saan hindi ko kailangang maging boss."

"Sana all po talaga," Lea teased good-naturedly. "Swerte po ni Engineer Robles sa inyo. Swerte niyo rin sa kanya. Parang perfect balance po kayo."

Nang mag-uwian na ang lahat at mag-isa na lang si Aiah sa opisina, isinuot niya ang cap. Tumingin siya sa salamin ng elevator pababa sa parking lot.

Totoo ang sinabi ni Lea. May nagbago talaga sa aura niya. Dati, ang mukha niya sa salamin ay palaging mukhang pagod, ang mga mata ay may anino ng pag-aalala, at ang lumang self love club cap ay nagsisilbing harang sa mundo. Ngayon, the brown cap framed her face perfectly, and her eyes were bright.

Bumalik sa isip niya ang nangyari sa Batangas. 'Gusto ko, sa susunod na may magtatanong sa'yo tungkol sa sumbrero mo... sasabihin mo, asawa ko ang nagbigay niyan.'

Kahit isang linggo na ang nakalipas, ramdam pa rin niya ang mabilis na pagkabog ng puso niya. Aiah knew Jhoanna well enough to know that the engineer didn't make empty promises. Jhoanna always built things on a solid foundation. If she said she wanted it to be real, it was going to be real. Aiah just had to wait for the blueprint to be finished.

Kinagabihan, naabutan ni Jhoanna si Aiah sa condo na nagluluto ng dinner. Ang amoy ng sinigang na baboy ay pumuno sa buong unit nila, isang amoy na agad nagpabura sa pagod ni Jhoanna.

"I'm home," Jhoanna announced, dropping her keys in the bowl by the door. Mabilis niyang tinago ang bag niya sa loob ng kwarto bago dumiretso sa kusina.

"Hi, love," bati ni Aiah. Wala itong suot na sumbrero ngayon dahil nakatali ang buhok nito paitaas gamit ang isang clip. Lumingon si Aiah para bigyan si Jhoanna ng isang mabilis na halik sa labi. "How was your day? Bakit parang ang saya-saya mo yata ngayon? Did they finally approve the permit sa Makati project?"

Jhoanna smirked, wrapping her arms around Aiah's waist from behind and resting her chin on the architect's shoulder. "Nope. Even better."

"Oh? Anong mas maganda pa sa na-approve na building permit?" Aiah asked, stirring the pot of sinigang.

"Secret," Jhoanna whispered playfully, kissing Aiah's cheek. "Basta, I had a very productive afternoon. Na-secure ko 'yung pinakamahalagang materyales para sa future project ko."

Aiah frowned slightly, confused by the cryptic answer, but she didn't pry. "Kahit kailan talaga ang weird mong kausap kapag galing kang site. Kumain na nga lang tayo. I made your favorite."

Habang kumakain sila, Jhoanna couldn't stop looking at Aiah. She observed the way Aiah laughed at her jokes, the way her eyes crinkled, and the way she comfortably shared stories about her day at the firm.

Sa kabilang dulo ng sala, nakasabit sa hat rack ang brown cap.

Para kay Jhoanna, ang sumbrerong iyon ang nagsilbing tulay nila. From a protective girlfriend wanting to shield her partner from unnecessary stress, to a woman entirely ready to commit her life to the person she loves most.

Just wait a little longer, my happy wife, Jhoanna thought to herself, a soft, secret smile playing on her lips. Malapit na nating gawing official 'yang nakasulat sa ulo mo.

"Anong nginingiti-ngiti mo d'yan, Robles?" sita ni Aiah, itinuturo si Jhoanna gamit ang hawak niyang kutsara. "May ginawa kang kalokohan 'no?"

"Wala ah," Jhoanna laughed, reaching across the table to hold Aiah's hand. "Iniisip ko lang kung gaano ako kaswerte na ako 'yung nauuwian mo araw-araw."

Namula si Aiah, umirap nang pabiro pero hindi tinanggal ang kamay niya. "Bolera. Kumain ka na nga diyan, Engineer."

It was a quiet, domestic Friday night. Nothing grand. Nothing out of the ordinary. But for Jhoanna, with the small velvet box safely hidden inside her drawer, it felt like the beginning of their happily ever after.

Lumipas ang tatlong linggo mula nang bilhin ni Jhoanna ang singsing. Sa loob ng dalawampu't isang araw na iyon, Jhoanna was the absolute master of deception. Walang nakahalata, lalong-lalo na si Aiah, na may malaking pinaplano ang engineer.

Sabado ng umaga. Imbes na magpahinga sila tulad ng nakasanayan, nakiusap si Jhoanna na samahan siya ni Aiah sa isang "secret site visit" sa Antipolo.

"Kailangan ba talaga ngayon, love?" medyo antok pang tanong ni Aiah habang nagsisintas ng kanyang puting sneakers sa sala. Nakasuot siya ng paborito niyang site outfit: isang maluwag na linen button-down over a fitted tank top, at denim pants. "Akala ko ba tapos na 'yung phase one ng project niyo sa East?"

Nag-ayos ng kanyang suot si Jhoanna, patagong kinakapa ang maliit na velvet box na nakatago sa bulsa ng kanyang jacket na nakapatong sa sofa.

"It's a personal project, actually," kaswal na sagot ni Jhoanna, though her heart was hammering a mile a minute against her ribs. "A friend of a friend bought a lot overlooking the city. Humihingi ng advice sa structural layout, pero gusto ko sanang tignan mo rin 'yung zoning at aesthetic potential. Baka kasi ipasa ko sa firm niyo 'yung design if ever."

Nagliwanag agad ang mga mata ni Aiah. Kahit weekend, the architect in her couldn't resist a good site potential. "Oh! Sige, sige. I'll bring my sketchpad na rin just in case."

Bago sila tuluyang lumabas ng pinto, awtomatikong inabot ni Aiah ang sumbrero mula sa hat rack. She placed the deep espresso brown cap on her head, carefully tucking stray strands of hair behind her ears so the cursive happy wife, happy life was perfectly visible.

Napalunok si Jhoanna. Okay. This is it.

Habang bumabagtas sila sa zigzag roads ng Marcos Highway papuntang Antipolo, napansin ni Aiah na masyadong tahimik si Jhoanna. Nakahawak nang mahigpit ang isang kamay ng engineer sa manibela, habang ang isa naman ay mahigpit na nakahawak sa kamay ni Aiah na nakapatong sa center console.

"Okay ka lang, love?" tanong ni Aiah, hinahaplos ang likod ng kamay ng kasintahan gamit ang kanyang hinlalaki. "Pasmado ka ah. Ang aga-aga pa para uminom ka ng matapang na kape. Nag-a-acid ka na naman ba?"

Jhoanna cleared her throat, forcing a small chuckle. "Hindi. Okay lang ako. Medyo na-excite lang na makita mo 'yung lot. I think you're really going to like it."

"Trust me, as long as the soil quality is good and the view is great, magugustuhan ko 'yan," Aiah smiled confidently, leaning back into her seat and pulling the brim of her cap down slightly to block the morning sun.

Makalipas ang halos isang oras, pumasok ang SUV ni Jhoanna sa isang exclusive, quiet residential estate sa Antipolo. The roads were lined with tall pine trees, and the air was noticeably cooler and fresher. Pumarada si Jhoanna sa tapat ng isang malawak na bakanteng lote, sa dulo ng isang tahimik na kalsadang walang labasan, kung saan banayad ang ihip ng hangin at tila may kung anong lambing ang paligid.

Bumaba sila ng sasakyan. Pagkapunta nila sa gilid ng lote, Aiah couldn't help but gasp.

"Jho, wow," Aiah breathed out.

The lot had an unobstructed, panoramic view of the Metro Manila skyline. Sa umaga, the city looked like a miniature model; sa gabi, sigurado si Aiah na magmumukha itong dagat ng mga bituin. The terrain was gently sloping, perfect for a multi-level modern house with an infinity pool and large glass windows.

Pero may isa pang nakapukaw sa atensyon ni Aiah.

Sa gitna ng bakanteng lote, may nakatayong isang drafting table. Sa ibabaw nito ay may isang mahaba at itim na blueprint tube, at isang bouquet ng white tulips—Aiah's absolute favorite.

Kumunot ang noo ni Aiah. "Love? Bakit may table d'yan? At tsaka... kaninong bulaklak 'yan? Nandito ba 'yung client mo?" Luminga-linga si Aiah sa paligid, pero silang dalawa lang ang nandoon.

Naglakad si Jhoanna palapit sa mesa, her steps measured and deliberate. Lumingon siya kay Aiah at ngumiti nang napakalambot, her eyes shining with unshed emotions.

"Wala tayong client na imi-meet, Aiah," malumanay na sabi ni Jhoanna, gesturing for Aiah to come closer.

Naguguluhang lumapit si Aiah, ang mga mata niya ay palipat-lipat mula sa mga bulaklak hanggang sa seryosong mukha ni Jhoanna. Kinuha ni Jhoanna ang blueprint tube at iniabot ito sa kanya.

"You said you wanted to look at the site potential, 'di ba?" Jhoanna whispered, her voice slightly trembling now. "Open it. Tell me what you think of the master plan."

Unti-unting binuksan ni Aiah ang tube, ang kanyang mga kamay ay medyo nanginginig dahil sa kakaibang kaba na biglang bumalot sa dibdib niya. Hinila niya palabas ang malaking rolyo ng papel at inilatag ito sa ibabaw ng drafting table, ginamit ang bouquet ng tulips para ipatong sa isang dulo upang hindi ito bumaluktot.

It was a standard architectural floor plan. Pero bilang isang bihasang arkitekto, agad na napansin ni Aiah ang mga detalye.

Napakaganda ng layout. It was an open-concept living space. May malaking kitchen island (dahil pareho silang mahilig magluto), isang malawak na master bedroom na may floor-to-ceiling windows facing the city view, at dalawang magkahiwalay na home offices—isang studio draft room na may maraming natural light, at isang soundproofed engineering office.

"Jho... this layout is perfect," Aiah mumbled, her eyes scanning the lines. "Sinong gumawa nito? The flow of the space is exactly how I would design my dream home—"

Napatigil si Aiah.

Ang paningin niya ay bumagsak sa lower right corner ng blueprint—sa Title Block kung saan nakasulat ang pangalan ng proyekto at ng kliyente.

PROJECT NAME: Proposed Two-Storey Modern Residential Haven

CLIENTS: Engr. Jhoanna Robles & Arch. Aiah Arceta-Robles

LOCATION: Our Future Lot, Antipolo City

Natigilan si Aiah, halos hindi makahinga. Binasa niya ulit ang nakasulat. Arceta-Robles. Nanginig ang mga labi niya, at nang mag-angat siya ng tingin, wala na si Jhoanna sa tabi niya.

Bumaba ang paningin niya. Nakaluhod na si Jhoanna sa damuhan, isang tuhod sa lupa, habang nakatingala sa kanya. Sa kamay ni Jhoanna ay isang bukas na maliit na velvet box, at sa loob nito ay isang kumikinang na brilyante.

"Jho..." Aiah sobbed, covering her mouth with both hands. Tears immediately spilled over her cheeks, dripping down onto her fingers.

"Three years ago," Jhoanna started, her voice breaking slightly but her gaze remaining completely steady and locked onto Aiah's teary eyes. "I gave you a white cap. Self love club. I gave it to you because you were so used to fighting your battles alone. You were so tired, Aiah, and I wanted to be the person who could give you a safe space to just breathe."

Humugot ng malalim na hininga si Jhoanna, a tear escaping her own eye.

"Pero habang tumatagal, I realized that I didn't just want to be your safe space. I wanted to be your permanent home. Kaya pinalitan ko 'yung cap mo." Jhoanna smiled warmly, gesturing to the espresso brown cap sitting securely on Aiah's head. "I gave you the happy wife, happy life cap because I wanted the whole world to know that taking care of you is my greatest pride. I wanted you to wear my promise."

Aiah let out a wet laugh, nodding her head vigorously even as the tears continued to flow.

"I bought this lot for us, Aiah," pag-amin ni Jhoanna, pointing to the ground they were standing on. "At ako mismo ang nag-draft ng blueprint na 'yan, base sa lahat ng mga kwento mo tungkol sa dream house mo. Dahil wala akong balak na magtayo ng kahit anong pundasyon sa buhay ko kung hindi ikaw ang kasama ko sa loob nito."

Inabot ni Jhoanna ang nanginginig na kaliwang kamay ni Aiah, gently pulling it away from her face.

"Aiah Arceta... my brilliant architect, my beautiful partner, my happy wife. Ayoko na itong maging statement piece lang sa sumbrero mo," Jhoanna declared, her voice filled with absolute conviction and overwhelming love. "Gusto ko na itong gawing legally binding. Will you marry me? Let's build this house. Let's build our life."

"Yes," Aiah choked out, completely abandoning all composure. "Yes! Of course, yes. Yes, Jhoanna!"

A huge, radiant smile broke across Jhoanna's face. Nanginginig ang mga kamay ng engineer habang kinukuha niya ang singsing mula sa box. It was the Option C ring—ang low-profile setting na may anim na prong.

Dahan-dahan niya itong isinuot sa ring finger ni Aiah. It was a perfect fit. And just as Jhoanna calculated, it sat beautifully and pragmatically on Aiah's finger, guaranteed to withstand all the drafting and site inspections in the world.

Pagkasuot ng singsing, mabilis na tumayo si Jhoanna. Aiah didn't waste a single second; she threw her arms around Jhoanna's neck, practically launching herself into the engineer's embrace. Jhoanna caught her flawlessly, wrapping her arms tight around Aiah's waist and burying her face in the crook of Aiah's neck.

They stood there in the middle of their empty lot, holding each other as if they were the only two people left in the world.

"I love you so much," Aiah cried happily against Jhoanna's shoulder. "I love you, I love you. You crazy, brilliant engineer. You bought a whole lot for a proposal?!"

"Go big or go home," Jhoanna laughed, pulling back slightly to wipe the tears from Aiah's cheeks with her thumbs. "Or in this case... build a home."

Aiah giggled, the sound bright and musical. She looked down at her hand, admiring the sparkling diamond. "It's beautiful, Jho. God, it's perfect. Hindi siya sagabal kapag nagda-draft ako."

Jhoanna smirked, her inner nerd showing. "Low-profile setting, six prongs for maximum structural integrity. Syempre, pinag-isipan ko 'yan. You need your hands for your art. I just wanted to add a little sparkle to it."

"You're amazing," Aiah whispered, leaning in to press a deep, passionate kiss against Jhoanna's lips. The kiss tasted like tears, morning coffee, and absolute certainty.

When they finally pulled apart to catch their breath, Jhoanna reached up and affectionately tapped the brim of the deep brown cap on Aiah's head.

"So," Jhoanna teased, a playful glint in her eyes. "Can I finally call you my fiancée, or should we skip straight to calling you my wife?"

Aiah took off the cap for a brief moment, holding it in front of her. Tiningnan niya ang cream cursive embroidery. Happy wife, happy life. She placed the cap back onto Jhoanna's head this time, adjusting it so it sat perfectly on the engineer.

"We are keeping this phrase for the rest of our lives," Aiah smiled, stepping close and wrapping her arms around Jhoanna's waist. "Kahit naging official misis mo na ako, babantayan ko pa rin 'yung promise mo. You have to keep me happy."

"That's a lifelong contract I'm more than willing to sign," Jhoanna replied smoothly, pulling her newly-engaged fiancée back into her arms.

As the mid-morning sun bathed their future property in golden light, Aiah looked out at the city view, her hand securely held in Jhoanna's. For the first time in a very long time, Aiah wasn't just surviving. She wasn't just managing.

She was looking at a blueprint of her future, knowing completely that with Jhoanna by her side, the foundation was unbreakable.

Lunes ng umaga, dalawang araw matapos ang proposal sa Antipolo.

Ang unang bagay na nakita ni Aiah pagdilat ng kanyang mga mata ay hindi ang kisame ng condo nila, kundi ang sarili niyang kaliwang kamay. Nakataas ito nang bahagya, tinatamaan ng manipis na sinag ng araw na tumatagos mula sa bintana. Kumikinang ang brilyante sa ring finger niya.

Hindi niya mapigilang mapangiti nang sobrang laki. It wasn't a dream. She was really engaged.

Isang mabigat na braso ang biglang pumulupot sa baywang niya, hinila siya palapit sa isang mainit na katawan. Naramdaman niya ang malambot na halik sa kanyang balikat, bago narinig ang paos at inaantok na boses ni Jhoanna.

"Good morning, fiancée," bulong ni Jhoanna, ang boses nito ay may halong ngiti.

"Good morning," humarap si Aiah para bigyan ng magaang halik sa labi si Jhoanna. Ipinatong niya ang kaliwang kamay niya sa pisngi ni Jhoanna. "Kanina pa kita gustong gisingin, pero mukhang pagod na pagod ka. Engineer Robles, you actually pulled it off. I still can't believe it."

Jhoanna chuckled, leaning into Aiah's palm, specifically nuzzling against the cool metal of the ring. "Of course I did. Magaling yata 'tong soon-to-be wife mo. Speaking of... are you ready for the chaos tonight?"

Napagat labi si Aiah, halatang kinakabahan pero excited. "Gosh. Our friends are going to absolutely lose their minds. Lalo na si Stacey at Sheena."

"Let them," Jhoanna smirked confidently. "I booked a private dining room sa BGC para makapag-ingay sila nang hindi tayo napapalabas ng restaurant. It's time to flex the master plan."

Kinagabihan, sa isang paborito nilang upscale restaurant sa BGC, kumpleto ang barkada.

Maagang dumating sina Jhoanna at Aiah para salubungin ang mga kaibigan nila. As agreed, they were keeping the engagement a secret until everyone was seated and eating. Para mas maging subtle, isinuot muli ni Aiah ang kanyang deep espresso brown happy wife, happy life cap, paired with a sleek black turtleneck and trousers. Jhoanna was in a sharp blazer, looking every bit the smug, successful engineer.

Dumating ang grupo nang maingay, as usual.

"Sorry we're late!" announce ni Maloi habang pumapasok sa private room kasama sina Colet at Gwen. "Na-traffic kami sa C5! Sino ba naman kasing nagpapa-dinner ng Monday night? Anong meron?"

"Oo nga," reklamo ni Stacey, pabagsak na umupo sa silya niya at inilapag ang designer bag. Sumunod sa kanya si Sheena at Mikha. "Tsaka Jhoanna, fine dining 'to oh. Tapos pinayagan mong mag-cap 'yung asawa mo? Sayang ang outfit ni Ate Aiah!"

Aiah suppressed a massive grin, hiding her left hand securely under the table. Tumingin siya kay Jhoanna, who was pouring wine into everyone's glasses with a perfectly neutral expression.

"Hayaan niyo na," sagot ni Jhoanna. "Favorite niya 'yang cap eh. Atsaka the message remains relevant, fine dining or not."

Mikha, who was seated across from Jhoanna, picked up her water glass and hid a knowing smirk behind it. Si Colet naman ay nakataas ang kilay, halatang nagpipigil ng tawa. Sila lang dalawa ang may alam ng totoong dahilan ng dinner na ito.

Nagsimula silang kumain at magkwentuhan. As always, the topic shifted to their respective careers. Nagreklamo si Gwen tungkol sa isang mahirap na client, habang si Sheena naman ay nag-share ng mga nakakatawang nangyari sa opisina niya.

Nang matapos na silang kumain at dumating na ang dessert, Jhoanna gave Aiah a subtle nod under the table. It's time.

"Ate Aiah," tawag ni Sheena, sumusubo ng cheesecake. "Grabe, hindi ko talaga ma-get over 'yang cap mo. Minsan ba hindi ka nai-insecure na baka isipin ng mga tao na masyado kang dependent kay Jhoanna?"

Ngumiti si Aiah, isang matamis at kalmadong ngiti. Dahan-dahan niyang inilabas ang kaliwang kamay niya mula sa ilalim ng lamesa.

"Actually, Sheena," panimula ni Aiah, formally resting her left hand on the edge of the white tablecloth, right in the center where everyone could see it. "Hindi na ako nai-insecure. Kasi... legal na 'yung claim niya."

It took exactly three seconds.

Three seconds of absolute silence as everyone's eyes naturally gravitated towards the sparkling, low-profile, six-prong diamond ring resting perfectly on Aiah's ring finger.

The first one to break the silence was Stacey. Her jaw literally dropped, her eyes widening to the size of saucers. "Wait... WAIT A MINUTE."

"HOY!" Maloi shrieked, slamming both her hands on the table, making the wine glasses clink aggressively. "HOY! TOTOO BA YAN?!"

"OH MY GOD!" Sheena practically jumped out of her seat.

Gwen covered her mouth, her eyes tearing up instantly. "Ate Aiah... Jho... oh my gosh, congratulations!"

Sumabog sa ingay ang private dining room. Nag-unahan sina Maloi, Stacey, at Sheena na lapitan si Aiah para silipin ang singsing. Jhoanna leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, observing the pure chaos with absolute pride.

"Ang ganda ng bato! At ang linis ng setting!" tili ni Stacey, hawak ang kamay ni Aiah. "Wait, this looks custom. Jhoanna, ikaw pumili nito?!"

"Syempre," mayabang na sagot ni Jhoanna.

"Correction," biglang singit ni Mikha, raising her wine glass. "Kami nina Colet ang sumama sa kanya. Inabot kami ng tatlong jewelry stores kasi gusto ng inhenyero niyo na structurally sound at ergonomic daw ang singsing para hindi sumabit sa blueprints ni Aiah."

Nagtawanan silang lahat.

"Kaya pala!" Maloi pointed an accusing finger at Colet. "Kaya pala ang weird niyo nung nakaraan! Mga traydor kayo, hindi kayo nag-share ng chika!"

"Kailangan ng element of surprise eh," natatawang sagot ni Colet, lumapit para yakapin si Jhoanna. "Congrats, Jho. Nakabakod ka na talaga finally."

Umiiyak na lumapit si Gwen kay Aiah at niyakap ito nang mahigpit. "I'm so happy for you, Ate Aiah. Deserve na deserve niyo ang isa't isa."

"Thank you, guys," naiiyak na ring sagot ni Aiah. Tinignan niya ang mga kaibigan niya. "It happened last Saturday. She bought a lot in Antipolo, and she drafted the blueprint for our house. Doon siya nag-propose."

Lalong nagwala si Stacey at Maloi.

"House and lot?! Sa Antipolo?!" Stacey gasped, fanning herself. "Jhoanna Robles, ikaw na talaga ang standard! Wala na, tapos na ang laban mga bakla. Nagpatayo ng bahay ang engineer para sa asawa niya!"

Aiah laughed through her tears, reaching out to hold Jhoanna's hand. "Told you. My fiancé doesn't do things halfway."

"Fiancé!" tili ulit ni Sheena, jumping up and down. "Tapos tingnan niyo 'yung cap niya oh! Happy wife, happy life. Hindi na 'yan joke ngayon! True to life na siya!"

Jhoanna smiled warmly, bringing Aiah's hand to her lips to kiss the ring in front of everyone. "True to life forever," she agreed smoothly, making Aiah blush deeply.

Three months later.

The sun was blazing over Antipolo. The empty lot that was once just a grassy slope with a view was now cleared, excavated, and busy with construction workers.

Today was the official groundbreaking ceremony for the Arceta-Robles residence.

Nakatayo si Jhoanna at Aiah sa harap ng lote. May hawak silang mga gintong pala, ready to do the ceremonial first dig. Kumpleto rin ang mga magulang nila, na parehong maluha-luha sa pride at kaligayahan para sa dalawa.

Aiah was dressed practically for the site—a crisp white button-down, maong pants, and sturdy boots. Sa ulo niya ay nakapatong ang isang puting hard hat.

Pero bago mag-start ang pictorial, napansin ni Jhoanna na parang may kulang.

"Wait lang," pigil ni Jhoanna sa photographer. Humarap siya kay Aiah at ngumiti nang maloko. Kinuha ni Jhoanna mula sa bag niya ang pamilyar na sumbrero—ang deep espresso brown cap.

"Kailangan ba talaga dito?" natatawang tanong ni Aiah, though she willingly let Jhoanna remove her hard hat.

"Siyempre," Jhoanna insisted, gently placing the brown cap on Aiah's head, making sure the happy wife, happy life text was front and center. Tapos, ibinalik niya ang puting hard hat sa ibabaw ng cap, creating a slightly funny but incredibly endearing double-hat look.

"There," Jhoanna stepped back to admire her work. "Safety first, but statement always."

Tumawa ang Daddy ni Aiah mula sa gilid. "Tama 'yan, Jhoanna! Ipaalam mo sa lahat ng trabahador niyo na ang lead architect nitong bahay na 'to ay taken na."

"Exactly po, Tito!" Jhoanna agreed proudly.

Aiah just shook her head, blushing but smiling so widely her cheeks hurt. Humawak siya nang mahigpit sa braso ni Jhoanna. "Adik ka talaga. Pero sige na nga, for the groundbreaking."

Sabay nilang ibinaon ang pala sa lupa, throwing the first mound of dirt as their families and the project engineers clapped around them.

As they posed for the photos, Jhoanna wrapped a secure arm around Aiah's waist, pulling her flush against her side.

"We're really building it, huh?" bulong ni Aiah, looking up at the skeletal framework that was starting to form their future home.

"Step by step," sagot ni Jhoanna, looking down at the woman in her arms. "Matibay ang pundasyon natin, Misis. Walang lindol o bagyo ang makakasira nito."

Aiah leaned her head against Jhoanna's shoulder, the brim of the brown cap lightly bumping against Jhoanna's collarbone. It was a beautiful paradox—Aiah was the brilliant, independent architect who was designing the aesthetic of this multi-million peso home, yet she was also the soft, completely devoted woman wearing a cap that proudly declared she was taken care of.

Hindi niya na kailangang pumili sa dalawa. With Jhoanna, she could be both.

"I love you, Engineer," Aiah whispered, her thumb brushing against the diamond ring on her own finger.

"I love you more, Architect," Jhoanna whispered back, pressing a kiss to Aiah's temple, right beneath the shadow of the happy wife cap. "Now, let's go build our life."

Dalawang taon matapos ang groundbreaking ceremony sa Antipolo.

Ang hangin sa itaas ng bundok ay malamig, pero ang sikat ng hapon ay nagbibigay ng mainit na kulay-ginto sa kabuuan ng bago at malawak na Arceta-Robles residence. The two-storey modern haven was a masterpiece. From the outside, the clean architectural lines and expansive glass windows screamed Aiah’s aesthetic, while the solid, unshakeable foundation and brilliant load distribution were purely Jhoanna’s engineering genius.

Pero ngayon, sa loob ng bahay, it was pure, unadulterated chaos.

"Careful with that box po, Kuya! Andyan po 'yung mga delicate ceramic plates namin, baka mabasag!" Aiah instructed the movers, pointing towards the kitchen area.

Nakasuot si Aiah ng komportableng white oversized t-shirt at cycling shorts, ang buhok ay nakatali sa isang messy bun. Punong-puno ng alikabok ang mga kamay niya mula sa pag-a-unpack ng mga unang kahon. Today was the official move-in day. Dalawang buwan na silang kasal ni Jhoanna, at ang paglipat sa dream house nila ang pinakamalaking milestone ng buhay mag-asawa nila.

"Love, wag ka masyadong mag-stress diyan," natatawang saway ni Jhoanna, lumabas mula sa home office niya na may dalawang cold bottles ng sparkling water. Nakasuot ito ng simpleng gray crop top at jogging pants, pawisan din dahil siya ang nagbuhat ng mga mabibigat na gamit papunta sa second floor.

Iniabot ni Jhoanna ang isang bote kay Aiah bago pinunasan ang pawis sa noo ng asawa gamit ang likod ng kamay niya. "Kumalma ka lang, Mrs. Robles. The house is structurally sound, the movers know what they're doing. Pahinga ka muna."

Huminga nang malalim si Aiah at sumandal sa dibdib ni Jhoanna. "I know, I know. Gusto ko lang kasing maayos agad lahat. I've been dreaming of this house for two years, Jho. Gusto ko na siyang maging mukhang bahay talaga at hindi bodega ng mga balikbayan boxes."

Jhoanna chuckled, wrapping her arms securely around Aiah’s waist and kissing the top of her head. "It already is a home, Aiah. Kasi nandito ka na. The boxes can wait."

Nang makauwi na ang mga movers at dumilim na ang paligid, ang buong Antipolo skyline ay umilaw sa labas ng floor-to-ceiling windows nila. Walang mga upuan o dining table pa, kaya napilitan silang umupo sa sahig ng living room, may nakalatag na carpet, at kumakain ng take-out na pizza straight from the box.

"Cheers to our first dinner in our dream home," nakangiting sabi ni Jhoanna, itinataas ang isang slice ng pepperoni pizza.

"Cheers," Aiah smiled, bumping her own slice against Jhoanna's before taking a bite. "Grabe. It feels surreal. Dati sa blueprint ko lang 'to tinitignan. Ngayon, nakaupo na tayo sa mismong living room."

"Magaling kasi 'yung architect," Jhoanna winked, bumping Aiah’s shoulder.

"At magaling din 'yung engineer," Aiah countered, leaning in to give Jhoanna a quick, greasy kiss on the cheek.

Pagkatapos kumain, napagdesisyunan nilang mag-unpack ng isang huling kahon bago sila matulog sa mattress na inilatag nila sa master bedroom. Ang kahon ay may label na Sentimental/Fragile - Aiah's Stuff na isinulat ni Jhoanna gamit ang itim na marker.

Binuksan ito ni Aiah, maingat na inilalabas ang mga photo albums, ang mga lumang sketchpads niya noong college, at ilang mga regalong galing kay Jhoanna over the years.

Habang kumukuha sa ilalim ng kahon, natigilan si Aiah.

Inilabas niya ang dalawang bagay. Sa kanang kamay niya, hawak niya ang isang medyo kupas nang puting bucket hat. Ang pulang burda na hugis puso at ang salitang self love club ay pamilyar na pamilyar. Sa kaliwang kamay naman niya ay ang deep espresso brown cap, na mas malinis pa rin at may cream cursive embroidery na happy wife, happy life.

Natahimik si Aiah habang pinagmamasdan ang dalawang sumbrero.

Naramdaman ni Jhoanna ang pagtahimik ng asawa kaya lumapit ito, umupo sa likuran ni Aiah, at ipinulupot ang mga braso sa baywang nito. Ipinatong ni Jhoanna ang baba niya sa balikat ni Aiah, tinitignan din ang mga hawak nito.

"Wow," Jhoanna whispered nostalgically. "The eras of Aiah Arceta-Robles."

Aiah let out a soft, emotional sigh. "Alam mo... looking at these two right now, parang nakikita ko 'yung buong journey ko. Nating dalawa."

Tumaas ang kamay ni Aiah, ipinapakita ang puting sumbrero. "I wore this out of necessity. Nung binigay mo 'to sa akin, I was so focused on surviving the architecture firm. Gusto kong patunayan sa buong mundo na kaya ko. Na hindi ko kailangan ng tulong. I wore self love club because I was trying to convince myself that I didn't need to be loved by anyone else."

Ibinaling ni Aiah ang paningin niya sa brown cap, at unti-unting sumilay ang napakatamis at payapang ngiti sa mga labi niya.

"And then, you gave me this," Aiah continued, tracing the happy wife, happy life embroidery with her thumb. The diamond ring on her left hand sparkled under the warm living room lights. "At first, I thought you were just being territorial and possessive."

"Hey, I was!" Jhoanna defended jokingly, though her grip around Aiah tightened affectionately. "Ganda-ganda mo kaya, tapos ang daming nagpapapansin sa'yo sa site. Kailangan nilang malaman na may bakod ka na."

Tumawa si Aiah, leaning her head back against Jhoanna's shoulder. "Okay, fine. Possessive ka nga. But wearing this cap taught me the greatest lesson of my life, Jho."

"Ano 'yun?"

Humarap si Aiah kay Jhoanna, ang mga mata nito ay puno ng kinang at pagmamahal. Inabot niya ang mukha ni Jhoanna, hinahaplos ang pisngi nito.

"It taught me that it's okay to let someone else carry the weight," Aiah whispered softly. "Na hindi nakakabawas sa galing ko bilang arkitekto, o sa pagiging babae ko, ang maging dependent sa taong mahal ko. This cap isn't just a label. It's a privilege. You taught me how beautiful it is to be taken care of."

Jhoanna felt her heart swell completely. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ni Aiah na nasa pisngi niya at hinalikan ang palad nito.

"And you gave me a purpose, Aiah," Jhoanna replied, her voice thick with emotion. "Dati, nagtatayo lang ako ng mga building na gawa sa semento at bakal. Pero ikaw... ikaw ang nagturo sa akin kung paano magtayo ng isang tahanan. Keeping you happy is the greatest project of my life, and it's a project I will gladly work on every single day until I die."

Pinunasan ni Aiah ang isang luhang tumakas sa mata niya, tumatawa nang mahina. "You're making me cry on moving day, Engineer."

"I'm just laying down the facts, Architect," Jhoanna smiled proudly, leaning in to press a tender, lingering kiss on Aiah's lips. The kiss felt like a culmination of all their struggles, late-night deadlines, site visits, and family dinners. It felt like coming home.

Makalipas ang ilang minuto, tumayo si Aiah, bitbit ang dalawang sumbrero. Naglakad siya papunta sa pasilyo na nagdudugtong sa kwarto nila papunta sa home offices nila. Sa pader na iyon, Jhoanna had installed a beautifully crafted wooden pegboard, intended for their hard hats and IDs.

Maingat na isinabit ni Aiah ang puting self love club bucket hat sa pinakamataas na peg.

"Armor off," Aiah whispered softly, thanking the past version of herself that survived.

Pagkatapos, kinuha niya ang brown cap. Bago niya ito isabit, ibinalik niya ang paningin kay Jhoanna, na tahimik na nakasandal sa doorframe, pinapanood siya nang may labis na pagmamahal.

Nakangiting isinuot muli ni Aiah ang espresso brown cap. The curved brim perfectly framed her glowing, content face.

Naglakad si Aiah palapit kay Jhoanna, wrapping her arms loosely around her wife's neck. "As for this one... I don't think I'll ever retire it. Pwede ko namang suotin 'to kahit naggagantsilyo na lang tayo sa veranda natin kapag matanda na tayo, 'di ba?"

Jhoanna laughed, a deep, booming sound that filled the empty, spacious house, making it instantly feel warm and lived-in. She wrapped her arms around Aiah, lifting her slightly off the floor.

"Kahit hanggang sa magka-apo tayo, Aiah Arceta-Robles," Jhoanna promised, her eyes locked with Aiah's under the brim of the cap. "That title is yours forever."

Aiah smiled, the absolute picture of peace and security. Sa loob ng malawak nilang bahay sa Antipolo, wala na siyang kailangang patunayan. Wala na siyang kailangang katakutan.

Because the text embroidered on the brown fabric resting on her head wasn't just a quirky statement.

Happy wife, happy life. It was their permanent reality. And it was beautifully built to last.

The End

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