The Room

TODAY marked the moment we first stepped onto this very doorstep. The white tiled floor seamlessly complemented the abstract-painted door, which highlighted the entire facade of the house. To the left, a sleek, black-tinted sliding glass window added a touch of modern elegance. It had been nearly half an hour since I arrived, but I still didn't have the energy to go inside. I couldn't bear for him to see me like this—disappointed and defeated.

 "Uy, Love, 'andiyan ka na pala. Bakit hindi ka man lang kumatok o pumasok agad?" And there he is, that young and remarkable person—the only one who truly sees my worth, who makes me feel special and deserving of everything good in this world. Kahit kailan hindi ko naramdaman mula sa kaniya ang insecurities ko bilang ako.

"Love?" Hinawakan niya ang magkabila kong braso at marahan niya itong niyugyog. "Is there something wrong?" I could see it in his eyes—he was concerned, and that's why I didn't open the door immediately. Ayaw kong makita niya akong ganito. Ayaw kong maging malungkot siya at kaawaan ako. We both made the same decision, and there's no turning back now.

"Ah, Love—" Before I could finish my words, he pulled me into a hug, saying nothing. He just did it—the most comforting gesture I always crave from him. In his arms is the safest place I know.

Just hours ago, I was standing outside with the weight of the world on my shoulders, and now, Hermes and I are cuddled up on our tiny bed. Hindi ko rin inaakala na magkakasya kami rito, pero wala naman kaming magagawa kahit hindi kami magkasya dahil tamang-tama lang din ang budget namin at space ng kuwarto. Maliit lang talaga kasi itong bahay na nabili namin—isang kuwarto, kusina, sala, at banyo. Tapos, dagdag pa ang gamit namin—mga gamit ko sa pagsusulat ng stories, at sa kanya naman, mga gamit sa painting. Yeah, we're both artists, kaya nga siguro nagustuhan namin ang isa't isa.

Looking around the room, the pictures of us on the wall capture the memories we've made over the past three years. Hindi ko mapigilang ngumiti, lalo na sa larawan namin noong sumali kami pareho sa art contest. It was a celebration of arts and literature back in college. We were in the same department—he was pursuing a degree in fine arts, while I was majoring in creative writing. Nakaakbay ang isa niyang kamay sa akin habang hawak-hawak ang medalya niya sa kabila. Ako naman, nakatayo lang na parang estatwa, nahihiya pa kasi ako sa kanya noong mga panahong iyon, at saka hindi pa kami. Pero alam na niya na may gusto ako sa kanya. Alam na rin ng mga kaibigan namin na may gusto kami sa isa't isa, kaya pinagtutulakan nila kami.

It wasn't the only memory we've created together—there are so many more. In fact, this one wall is nearly covered with all the photos we've put up, and we're planning to add even more.

"Love, do you want to talk about what happened?" Tumagilid siya paharap sa akin, his right arm under my head as we looked into each other's eyes. His expression was serious, patiently waiting for me to speak.

"I'm sorry…" Those were the first words that came out of my mouth. I couldn't make any excuses for what I did. Dapat kanina ko pa sinabi sa kaniya tungkol sa nangyari ngayong araw, but instead, I shut him out, making him wait for me to open up. I know—we both agreed to talk about each other's problems, no matter what they were. Communication is key.

Pinawi niya ang mga luhang dumadaloy mula sa aking mga mata, na ngayon ay basa na. Hindi ko na pala namalayan na umiiyak na ako habang iniisip kung paano ko sasabihin sa kaniya ang mga nangyari.

"You don't have to say sorry, okay? I understand." After all, he's still the best boyfriend in the world. How do I know? He's my first.

"I didn't make it—" There it is. Nasabi ko rin, finally.

He held me closer, his arms tightening around me. "It's okay, Love," he whispered, his voice steady and reassuring. "Not getting hired doesn't change who you are or what you're capable of. Ikaw pa rin ang pinakamagaling at talented writer na kilala ko, and this is just one company. Marami pang iba diyan."

I buried my face in his chest, letting the warmth of his embrace soothe the sting of disappointment. "But what if there aren't?" I asked, my voice muffled against his shirt.

He pulled back slightly, just enough to look into my eyes. "There will be. And even if it takes time, nandito lang ako parati para sa 'yo, every step of the way. We're in this together, remember?"

I nodded, the weight on my shoulders feeling a little lighter. "Thank you," I whispered, grateful for his unwavering support. "Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng gagawin ko wala ka."

"You'll never have to find out," he replied with a soft smile, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Ngayon, magpahinga na muna tayo. Bagong araw na naman bukas.

THE next morning, the sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over our small but cozy home. We spent the day working on our respective projects—me at my desk, typing away the latest chapter of my story, and him across the room, brush in hand, bringing hist latest painting to life.

 Sa pagitan ng aming trabaho, pinaghatian namin ang mga gawaing bahay, na naging natural na para sa amin ang pagkakaroon ng madaliang pagdaloy ng pagsasama namin. I would wash the dishes while he swept the floors, and we would take turns cooking lunch and meryenda. Today, it was his turn to cook.

As I was lost in my writing, I felt a familiar presence behind me. Bago pa ako makalingon, naramdaman ko ang dampi ng kanyang labi sa likod ng aking leeg, na nagdulot ng kiliti sa aking buong katawan. "What are you doing?" I asked, unable to keep the smile out of my voice.

"Just giving you a little distraction," he murmured, his breath warm against my skin. "You've been working too hard."

I leaned back into his touch, letting myself enjoy the moment. "Alam mo namang mawawala ang focus ko dahil sa 'yo, 'di ba?"

Mahina siyang tumawa, habang dahan-dahang dumulas ang kanyang mga kamay pababa sa aking mga braso at muling hinalikan ang aking leeg. "Maybe that's the point."

I turned my head to look at him, our faces close enough that I could see the playful glint in his eyes. "You're impossible," I teased, but the smile on my face gave away the fact that I didn't really mind.

"Maybe," sagot niya, nakangiti habang siya'y tumayo ng matuwid. "But you love me anyway."

Umiling ako, mahinang tumawa habang bumalik ako sa aking pagsusulat. "Yeah, I do."

He gave me one last kiss on the cheek before heading back to the kitchen, where the aroma of his cooking filled the air. I couldn't help but feel grateful for these little moments, for the way we balanced work and play, and for the comfort we found in each other.

The day passed in a blur of creativity and companionship, and by the time evening rolled around, we had both made progress on our projects. As we sat down to dinner, the room filled with the soft sounds of our laughter and conversation, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me.

We might not have everything figured out, and there would be more challenges ahead, but as long as we had each other, I knew we could face anything that came our way.