Mágoa | SB19 Josh [SB19 Series #4]

9

September 2025
Grace's POV

I yawned, bright and early on a Sunday morning. I had resolved to do grocery shopping early today. I had taken a look at my cupboard and refridgerator to find them empty.

I was horrified.

I was also a bit angry at Gavin and Grayson. I was sure they were the ones who depleted all my stocks. The boys were always at my condo unit ever since I've moved from Japan. I had joked about letting them move in with me. They protested, saying that they'd never want to move in with their older sister. And yet, they were always in my condo.

Ang gulo din nila minsan.
I walked towards a nearby supermarket, still yawning. I was clad in shorts and a t-shirt. This was one thing that I was thankful for now that I'm living in the Philippines. I can go out in casual clothing. Never did I do that in Japan since I always had a coat with me when I go out. I would be clad in pants and boots.

I took a pushcart and walked the aisles, scanning for food items in my grocery list. I passed by a matcha Kitkat and I hurriedly picked a pack. I had missed these! There was no more Kiro-san who would pass me matcha Kitkat bars at work.

I scanned the ailes for non-fat milk and a cereal, hoping that they have the brands that I want.

"Grace?"

Uh oh. Good heavens.

In the flesh, Josh Cullen everyone.

I turned to stone. I wanted to haul myself out of there, leave and never come back. My palms were beginning to sweat. Ever since I started watching SB19's vlogs and performances, I found myself being drawn to Josh. I started paying attention to his posts on Facebook. I was monitoring him already.

I was like a moth attracted to a flame. I was attracted to Josh Cullen.

I should not even be doing this. I was supposed to not see him for another two years.

Pushing through with the annulment when we keep on bumping to each other was hard for me. I had feelings that shouldn't even be there.

Huhuhu.

"What are you doing here?" he asked. I'm not sure if he's elated or he's disappointed to see me.

I hope it was elation.

Shucks.

"Ummm. I...I work here now," I lamely told him, still hoping that he wanted to see me.

I hope he's happy to see me.

"Here? As in...."

"As in I got transferred from Tokyo."

Josh's face turned from mystified to shock in less than five seconds. A smile broke out on his face. "You're staying here?"

"Yes."

"That's great!" He was smiling widely at me.

Luhh. Bat ka happy?

I smiled back at him. I smiled like going home was the most wonderful thing that happened to me.

Yiiii. Happy siya na naka uwi na ako.

My eyes were trained at Josh. I could not contain my smile. It's because of this charismatic man in front of me.

"Sabay na tayong mag grocery," Josh offered. He sidled close to me, pushing his pushcart besides mine.

I didn't even protest. I was glad to be grocery shopping with him.

Shucks. It was such a couple thing to do. Yet, we're not even a couple.

I mean, we are, technically on paper. But our feelings were not yet a couple.