CHAPTER 8
FOR A MOMENT, WE WERE JUST US
Pag ang dalawang pusong nagmamahalan ang pinagtagpo, kahit hamakin man sila ng pagkakataon, kahit ilang beses silang paglayuin ng panahon, may mga pusong hindi marunong sumuko.
Dahil may mga pagmamahal na hindi kailangang ipaglaban sa bawat sandali.
May mga pagmamahal na sapat nang matagpuan ang isa't isa.
At sa pagkakataong iyon, matapos ang lahat ng sakit, pangungulila, at mga araw na tila walang kasiguraduhan, natagpuan nina Isha at Malcolm ang isang bagay na pareho nilang matagal nang hinahanap,
Peace.
Not the kind of peace that promised forever.
Not the kind that erased everything they had been through,
But the kind that made them forget, even just for a little while, that tomorrow could take everything away again.
For once, there was no past to chase.
No future to fear.
No questions that needed answers.
There was only the warmth of two people sitting beside each other, quietly sharing a moment that neither of them knew how long they would be allowed to keep.
At minsan, ganoon pala ang pagmamahal.
Hindi ito laging tungkol sa forever,
Minsan, tungkol lang ito sa isang sandali,
Isang sandaling sapat para maramdaman mong, kahit gaano kasama ang mundo, kahit gaano kalupit ang pagkakataon...
Sa pagkakataong ito..
sila muna.
Just them.
Just Isha and Malcolm,
And for a moment, they were simply two people who loved each other.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
For a moment, they were just us.
-----
“Mahal… masaya ka ba?”
Isha's voice was soft as she looked at Malcolm, almost as if she still couldn't believe that the moment she had been waiting for had finally arrived.
Malcolm smiled.
“More than you know.”
He gently cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing softly against her skin.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
There was no need to.
The happiness in Isha's eyes said everything she couldn't put into words.
Then Malcolm took a quiet breath.
“Magsama na tayo.”
Isha's eyes widened slightly.
“Serious ka?”
Malcolm nodded.
“Yeah. I mean it. I want us to be together—not just when it's convenient, not just when we're alone. I want to wake up beside you. I want to come home to you.”
Nakatitig lamang si Isha sa kanya, her heart pounding against her chest.
She could feel the happiness slowly spreading through her, but there was still a small part of her that couldn't believe this was really happening.
“Payag ka?” Malcolm asked softly.
Isha didn't answer immediately.
She simply smiled and nodded.
Yes.
That was all the answer he needed.
Malcolm reached for her hand and gently intertwined their fingers.
“So… finally. We're really together?”
Isha smiled.
“Finally.”
He looked at her for a moment before speaking again.
“No more pretending. No more hiding what I feel for you.”
Their eyes met.
And for a few seconds, the world seemed to disappear around them.
All the hesitation.
All the things they had left unsaid.
All the moments when they had to pretend that their feelings weren't there.
Gone.
Malcolm leaned closer and kissed her softly.
Isha closed her eyes, allowing herself to simply feel the moment.
But just as the kiss deepened, she suddenly pulled away.
“Hmm… wait.”
Malcolm blinked.
“What?”
Isha looked at him as if she'd just remembered something important.
“Wait. Since magsasama na tayo…”
She glanced around the apartment.
“We need groceries.”
Malcolm stared at her for a second before a small laugh escaped him.
“Yan ba ang magiging first date natin?”
Isha tilted her head.
“So… that's your idea of our first date?”
She nodded, completely serious.
“Why not?”
Malcolm laughed again, shaking his head.
Instead of answering, he gently squeezed both of her cheeks.
“Ang cute mo talaga.”
Isha's lips formed a small pout before she smiled.
“Of course.”
Then, with exaggerated confidence, she slowly flipped her hair over her shoulder.
Malcolm stared at her.
“Wow.”
Isha grinned.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
He shook his head, still smiling.
“I think I'm going to enjoy living with you.”
And just like that, their first official date had been decided.
No fancy restaurant.
No candlelit dinner.
No grand romantic gesture.
Just the two of them, a grocery list, and the beginning of a life they had both been waiting for.
--------
The grocery cart rolled slowly between the aisles as Isha looked at the list in her hand.
''Okay,'' she said, scanning the shelves. ''Rice, eggs. vegetable, chicken, coffee...''
Malcolm leaned over her shoulder.
''And snacks.''
Isha looked at him.
''Snacks are not on the list.''
''They should be.''
''They're not necessary.''
Malcolm casually reached for a bag of chips and placed it inside the cart.
Isha took it out.
He put it back.
She removed it again.
He looked at her, completely serious,
''Isha''
''What''
''I think we're going to have our first argument as a couple''
She tried not to smile.
''Over chips?''
''It's not about the chips.''
''Then what is it about?''
''My happiness.''
Isha laughed softly and shook her head,
''You're impossible.''
''And yet, you chose me.''
That made her pause.
For a moment, the teasing dissappeared from her face.
She looked at him, and Malcolm looked back at her.
There was something different about hearing those words now.
You chose me.
After everything they had been through, after all the times they had to pretend their feelings weren't there, they could finally say it without fear.
Isha smiled.
''Yes,'' she whispered. ''I did''
Malcolm smiled back,
Then, without warning , he placed another bag of chips into the cart.
Isha stared at him.
''Malcolm.''
''What?''
''You already have one.''
''This one's for you.''
''I don't even like that flavor.''
''I know''
''Then why did you get it?''
''Because you always steal mine.''
Isha blinked,
''I do not.''
''You do.''
''When?''
''Every time.''
''That is a lie.''
Malcolm leaned closer, lowering his voice.
''Then I'll keep buying two.''
She rolled her eyes, but she couldn't stop herself from smiling.
They continued down the aisle.
At the next section, Isha stopped in front of the vegetables.
''Which one?''
Malcolm looked at the choices.
''This one.''
''You don't even know what you're looking at.''
''I know vegetables.''
''You just pointed at cabbage.''
''Exactly.''
Isha laughed.
''You're hopeless.''
''Then teach me.''
She looked at him.
''Teach you what?''
''How to live with you.''
Her smile slowly softened,
And somehow, those simple words felt more intimate then any confession.
She reached for his hand.
''Okay'', she said quietly. ''I'll teach you.''
Malcolm Intertwined their fingers.
''First lesson?''
''Don't eat all the snacks before dinner.''
He sighed dramatically.
''That sounds difficult.''
Isha laughed again.
They moved to the next aisle, still holding hands,
A few minutes later, Malcolm stopped in front of a shelf,
'' I think we need this.''
Isha turned.
''What is it?''
''Coffee.''
''We have coffee.''
She looked at the brand he was holding,
''That is literally coffee.''
''No, that's your coffee.''
''And?''
''I need my own.''
''Why?''
''Because you're going to complain when I finish yours.''
Isha crossed her arms,
''I won't.''
''You will.''
''I won't.''
''You will.''
She smiled.
''Fine. Get your coffee.''
Malcolm placed it in the cart.
Then he quietly reached for another item.
Isha noticed,
''What's that?''
''Nothing.''
She took it from him.
A box of chocolates.
She looked at him suspiciously.
''Malcolm.''
''What?''
''You said we're buying necessities.''
He smiled.
''It is necessary.''
''For what?''
He leaned closer.
''For my girlfriend.''
Isha's cheeks warmed.
She immediately placed the chocolates back in the cart.
''Fine.''
Malcolm grinned.
''See? you love me.''
She pushed the cart forward.
''Don't get used to it.''
He followed beside her.
''Too late.''
And as they walked through the aisles, laughing over things that didn't matter, neither of them noticed how ordinary the moment was.
No grand restaurant,
No candlelit dinner.
No flowers.
Just grocery cart, two people holding hands, and a list of things they needed for the life they were about to share.
But perhaps that was the most beautiful kind of first date.
Because for the first time, they weren't imagining what it would be like to have a life together.
They were already beginning one.
--------
“Grabe… nakakapagod, ’no?”
Isha let out a tired sigh as they finally arrived at the apartment, carrying the grocery bags they had just bought.
They placed everything on the kitchen counter and began putting their groceries away one by one.
“I can't believe we bought this much,” Isha murmured, looking at the bags.
“You said we needed groceries.”
“I didn't say we needed half the supermarket.”
Malcolm chuckled.
“You're the one who kept adding things to the cart.”
Isha turned to him.
“You were the one who bought three kinds of snacks!”
“Because I was thinking ahead.”
“Thinking ahead to what?”
“Survival.”
Isha rolled her eyes, but a smile remained on her lips.
As she continued arranging the groceries, Malcolm slowly walked toward her.
Without saying a word, he slipped his arms around her from behind.
Isha immediately felt the warmth of his body against hers.
“Sana sa mainit kong yakap sa'yo ay mapawi ko ang pagod mo,” Malcolm whispered, pulling her a little closer.
Isha smiled.
She slowly turned around until she was facing him.
“Of course, mahal ko.”
For a moment, they simply smiled at each other.
Their eyes met, and everything around them seemed to grow quiet.
Malcolm gently lifted his hand and cupped Isha's cheek.
Then he leaned closer and kissed her.
At first, it was soft.
Tender.
Almost hesitant.
But as their emotions took over, the kiss slowly deepened.
Isha wrapped her arms around Malcolm's neck while his hands rested gently around her waist, pulling her closer.
Neither of them wanted to break away.
There was something different about this kiss.
It wasn't stolen.
It wasn't forbidden.
They didn't have to wonder what would happen afterward.
For the first time, they were simply two people who had finally allowed themselves to love each other completely.
Their lips parted only for a breath before meeting again.
Malcolm's arms tightened around her, and Isha leaned into him, letting herself get lost in the warmth of his embrace.
“Hmm…”
A soft sound escaped between them as their emotions continued to overwhelm them.
Malcolm gently lifted Isha into his arms.
She instinctively wrapped herself around him as their lips met again.
Still lost in the moment, he carried her toward the bedroom.
The groceries remained forgotten on the kitchen counter.
The dinner they had planned could wait.
For now, there was only them.
That night became their first intimate moment together—warm, tender, and filled with the kind of love they had spent so long trying to understand.
Nothing about it felt rushed.
Nothing about it felt forced.
It was simply two hearts finally allowing themselves to be completely vulnerable with one another.
“I love you so much, Isha,” Malcolm whispered.
“I love you more, Malcolm,” she replied softly.
For a while, they simply stayed close, their breathing slowly settling as they held each other.
Later, wrapped beneath the sheets, Isha rested her head against Malcolm's chest while his arms remained securely around her.
She smiled.
“Grabe naman tong dinner natin, mahal.”
Malcolm laughed softly.
“Masarap naman ba yung dinner?”
Isha immediately burst into laughter and lightly hit his chest.
“Malcolm! Ikaw talaga.”
He laughed along with her before pulling her closer.
For a moment, they simply lay there together.
No worries.
No secrets.
No past.
Just them.
Malcolm gently stroked Isha's arm.
“Masaya ako…”
Isha lifted her head slightly.
“Bakit?”
“Dahil nandito na tayo sa pagkakataon na tayong dalawa lang.”
His voice softened.
“Minsan naiisip ko kung totoo ba ang lahat ng ito. Kung gigising ba ako isang araw at mawawala rin lahat.”
Isha's expression softened.
Malcolm looked down at her.
“Pero ngayon… after everything we've shared tonight, napagtanto ko na totoo na nga ito.”
Isha smiled and wrapped her arms tighter around him.
“Masaya din ako, mahal. Sobra.”
She rested her cheek against his chest again.
“I don't want this moment to end.”
“It won't,” Malcolm whispered.
Isha closed her eyes.
“Mahal na mahal kita.”
“Mahal na mahal din kita.”
They shared one more gentle kiss before settling back into each other's arms.
For the first time, there was no distance between them.
No pretending.
No hiding.
Only love.
And while they remained completely lost in each other's warmth, unaware of anything beyond the little world they had created together…
Something inside Malcolm's bag began to glow.
Quietly.
Almost imperceptibly at first.
Then brighter.
The faint light escaped through the opening of the bag.
Inside was the one thing neither of them had thought about since they returned home.
The Journal.
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