And Then You

11 / inggo

MAY ngiting tagumpay si Migo paglabas nila ni Jiya from the bathroom during Addie's birthday sa Conrad.

Hinayupak na bastos. ANG DAYA.

Pagkaupo niya, Inggo slaps him. "Hoy, anong ngiti 'yan, bastos ka."

Migo laughs quietly and puts his hand on Jiya's knee again.

Inggo takes a sip of his wine and wipes his lips with the back of his hand. Tangina. He checks his watch. Two more hours before he can go, before he can see Rinn.

Naiinis na si Inggo. Tinalikuran niya si Migo at Jiya kasi putangina, in love na in love na nga, ang horny pa ng dalawa. Bwisit. Peste. ANG DAYA!!!

He doesn't know how he gets through the next two hours, but he's fidgety when they finally say goodbye to Addie and Cas. Inggo looks at himself in the mirror and fixes his hair and bowtie.

"Uuwi akong condo ah, hahatid ko lang 'to," warning ni Migo sa kanya with narrowed eyes, hand on Jiya's waist as she leans into his shoulder.

Inggo waves him off. "Aalis ako, gago."

His best friend grins at him. "Ah, who's the lucky lotto winner tonight? High school friend ni Addie? Cousin? Sa'n kayo? Motel? Bahay niya?"

Hay. Ito na nga ba.

Ilang months nang walang pumapasok-labas sa kwarto ni Inggo. Lagi lang in-a-assume ni Migo na wala na sila pagdating niya sa condo, o kasi busy siya sa acads—which is true naman talaga.

Pero since night off nila ngayon, akala niya magpapaka-fuckboy na naman si Inggo.

"Secret," na lang ang sabi niya, winking over his shoulder as he steps out of the elevator, shoving his hands inside his pockets. "Ingat, bro."

"Ingat!" sigaw pabalik ni Migo. "Enjoy!"

Oh, he fucking plans to.

He waits for Migo's car to pull out onto the road before he makes his way to Blue.

Inggo rolls down the window and shouts, "Kinakabahan ako!"

"Putangina, tigang na 'ko!"

"Sana 'di ka pa tulog!"

"Mukha akong tanga pero okay lang! Para sa 'yo!"

"Kingina! Kinakabahan ako! WOO!!!"

He puts on the biggest smile on his face when he rings Rinn's doorbell.

Iniwan niya dito hoodie niya the last time nilang mag-movie, so sana suot niya ngayon.

Pero—HINDI. Hinde! Anong suot niya?

DAMIT NG IBANG GAGO!

She blinks, taking in his appearance, a small smile forming on her face. Naka-tuxedo pa talaga siya, punyeta. "Kuya Inggo."

"Kanino 'yan?" sungit niyang tanong, pulling on the hem of the fucking shirt. "Ha?"

"Kay Kuya Migo, nasama ko sa damit ko ta's 'di ko na binalik. Bakit?"

Ah, e, gano'n talaga 'pag buhay bobo.

He clears his throat and makes his way inside. "Kamusta mga alaga natin?"

Mukhang tanga 'tong si Inggo nakatitig sa kanya while she studies. Wala raw siyang oras para mag-movie kasi may presentation siya bukas na kailangan niyang tapusin.

"Aren't you tired?" Rinn asks, completely focused on her screen, fingers fast on the keyboard. "Bakit ka pa dumaan?"

Ayaw ni Inggo ma-hurt sa sinabi niya. He reasons with himself na tama lang ang confusion ni Rinn, kasi putangina, 'di rin niya alam ginagawa niya, ang alam niya lang is na it feels right. Good.