If Only [LeAga One-Shot]

If Only

1993

Aga was in New York to watch Lea perform in Les Miserables. He was excited to see her. He sat down in his seat and watched the show, patiently waiting for Lea to come out. And there she was. Ang ganda niya, ang ganda-ganda niya.

Once the show ended, he immediately rushed to the stage door. While Lea was signing playbills, she noticed a very familiar face.

"Mr. Muhlach, is that you?" She asked.

"Hayss, alam mo, yang mata mo, parang flashlight" He replied.

"Ikaw ha, you and your surprises talaga! Why didn't you tell me you arrived beforehand?!" She asked in annoyance.

"Hindi ba halatang gusto kita i-surprise?" He answered sarcastically.

"You didn't have to be so damn sarcastic" She replied.

"Tara let's eat, I know a place!" She grabbed Aga's hand.

"Ha? May bukas pang restaurant at this hour?" He asked.

"They're always open for me, dear. Si Lea Salonga kaya toh! Kidding aside, yeah, this is New York, Aga. It's the city that never sleeps" She exclaimed.

A few walks later.

"Akala ko kung anong place, Mcdo lang naman pala" He teased.

"Pasensya, I thought Hard Rock was still open" She explained.

"Hoy, okay lang, I was just teasing you." He says as he places his arm around her shoulder.

"Ewan ko sa'yo, Aga" She mumbled.

Throughout their dinner "date" Lea just kept on gushing about how excited she was when she got to play Eponine, while Aga on the other hand, just couldn't stop staring at her.

"you're beautiful" Aga whispered.

Knowing Lea, she has sharp hearing. No wonder she has perfect pitch.

"I heard that. And, thank you! Means a lot coming from you" Lea acknowledged.

He couldn't take back what he said since Lea heard him.

"Syempre, ikaw pa" Aga said.

"Anyway, after this, wanna take a little stroll before I drop you off at your hotel?" Lea asked.

"Hindi ka ba pagod, tatlong shows ginawa mo today. You need rest, Lea" Aga said.

"No, I'm fine, you're going home in 2 days at gusto ko sulitin yung oras natin magkasama. I'll miss you, you know" Lea said.

"Ikaw talaga Salonga, hindi lang talaga height mo cute, ikaw rin. Para kitang jowa. But, I'll miss you too" Aga replied.

"Minsan hindi talaga nakakatuwa mga banat mo and I'm not your jowa, I don't have romantic feelings for you" Lea explained.

"You don't? Kasi ako meron" Aga revealed.

It was awkward silence as they headed out the fast-food restaurant. Still, it was silent as they wander the streets of Times Square. Lea eventually broke the ice.

"Nagbiro ka ba? Cause it wasn't funny, Aga" Lea retorted.

"Hindi ako nagbiro, Lea. Totoo yung sinabi ko. I've felt this way since the first shooting day ng Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal. I'm not playing with you, Salonga." Aga answered

Lea was stunned. She was trembling.

"I-I just wanted to make sure. I don't want t-to get hurt, I don't want to be toyed with, I-I DON'T KNOW, I'M SCARED, I'M OVERWHE-" Lea stuttered.

Before she could even finish, Aga interrupted her.

"Hoy! Kalma ka lang, pwede ka na atang makipag rap battle kay Andrew E. joke! Pero, bakit ka naman matatakot? Kala ko ba you don't have 'romantic feelings' for me?" Aga questionned.

Lea gulped. She was scared to answer. She was worried that the words would not come out right. She gathered her thoughts so she could be sure. She was just, blank. In the middle of Times Square.

"Magsalita ka na, kinakabahan na ako sa'yo, baka papatayin mo na ako dito. 'Wag naman sana, nakakahiya naman kung dito pa sa gitna ng Times Square" Aga joked.

"Gago, hindi kita papatayin. I can't patay noh, 'di ko kaya. Ok, here goes nothing. I do like you, okay? I just denied the fact that I do like you because I don't know if you feel the same way. I may not be scared of getting rejected at auditions but I'm utterly scared of being rejected by you" Lea spoke at a seemingly fast pace.

"Kalma ka nga lang, no one is getting rejected. Seryoso ako sa'yo, Lea. Mutual naman pala ang feelings eh, bakit hindi natin subukan?" Aga asked.

"Aga, I-" Lea was interrupted.

"I have no intentions of hurting you. Gagawin ko ang lahat para mapasaya ka lang. Ang tanga ko kung masasaktan man kita. Sino ba naman ang gustong saktan si Lea Salonga?" Aga said

"Bolero."

"I guess there's no harm in trying. Ugh, damn it, alright." Lea said.

"HA?!" Aga exclaimed.

"Gwapo ka sana, kaso bingi lang. Sabi ko, OO, LET'S GIVE US A TRY" Lea replied.

"YES!"

"THANK YOU NEW YORK, THANK YOU LORD!" Aga screamed.

"Parang tanga, lower your tone, nakakahiya" Lea scolded.

*whispers* "thank you new york, thank you Lord! Ayan, okay na ba?" Aga asked.

"Siraulo ka talaga, ewan kung bakit nahulog ako sa'yo" Lea laughingly asked.

"Gwapo ako noh, at tsaka, mapagmahal *wink*" Aga explained.

"Che! Tara na, I'll drop you off at your hotel na" Lea says as she grabs Aga's hand.

They were in the moment. They were enjoying each other's company, it felt so right.

As they arrived at the hotel, Lea insisted that she'd accompany him to his room. How could Aga say no?

"Well here we are, I guess I better get going now" Lea sighed.

"Wala bang goodnight kiss?" Aga asked.

"A peck on the cheek? Sure, why not" Lea says as goes closer to Aga.

She pulled a way right after she planted that kiss. She wanted to drop the L-word but figured it was too fast. She didn't want to make him feel like he needs to say it back. She Loves him, she does.

"Ugh, you know what, fuck it"

"I love you"

Aga was shocked, he was frozen in place but inside it was butterflies.

"Now you don't have to say it back just because you feel the need to say it but I just want to let you know that I do lo-"

Lea wasn't able to finish as she was interrupted by Aga.

"I love you too"

Aga cups her cheek and slowly their lips interlock.

"No, hindi ko sinabi kasi kailangan kong sabihin, I said it kasi mahal naman talaga kita" Aga explained.

Lea sighed in relief. She too felt butterflies. She was glowing. Her eyes lit up, it was the first time she felt so in love.

"Well, that's 2 goodnight kisses. So, see you tomorrow?" Lea asked.

"Of course, tomorrow. I miss you already" Aga answered.

"Goodnight, Muhlach"

"Goodnight, Salonga"

In a world where they gave it a try.

In a universe where she was no one's TOTGA, and

In a galaxy where she was Mrs. Aga Muhlach.
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I  suck at writing happy endings, so forgive me hahahaha.

Grammatical errors and wrong spellings are mine.