Hello! It's been a while. Thank you so much for being here. Your presence means a lot to me. Here's a (small) gift from me to you. ˙ᵕ˙
Also, I made a Twitter account. You can reach me through: @lattedicewp!
✻
It was a series of adjustments, to say the least.
Having taken different programs when they entered college was quite a lot to take for Gilas and Bethany. Their schedules rarely matched, on top of that.
The best thing they could do was compromise.
And that's how they got by: study dates, walking home together, lunch outs and sleepovers if they were fortunate to have enough time to spare, and all the short updates and rants in between the hours of their busy days.
Today is one of their lucky days: pareho sila ng vacant time. As graduating students, to say that their schedules are packed is an understatement. Kaya noong nalaman nilang nagtugma ang break nilang dalawa, agad silang nagdesisyon na kumain nang sabay, kahit sa loob lang din ng campus.
They were sitting on one of the benches in front of the school parking lot side by side, observing the passersby, as they basked in the comfort they exude in the presence of each other.
"Sayang talaga 'yung almost six years nila, ano?" Gilas absentmindedly said, engaging in their topic as they finished off their dumpling rice.
Bethany shrugged at that, "Wala, eh. They both felt it wasn't working anymore."
"Nakakalungkot lang isipin." Gilas shuffled in his seat to face his girlfriend.
Napansin niyang medyo nagulo ang buhok ng isa dahil sa hangin, so he reached out to comb her hair using his fingers.
"By the way, open na 'yung coffee shop na tinitingnan natin last week."
"Wait, sa Main Road? Or 'yung sa Square?" Sagot ni Bethany habang hinahayaan si Gilas na ayusin ang pagkakatali ng buhok niya.
"'Yung sa Square, baby. Nag-soft opening pala sila noong weekend na 'yun. Daan kaya tayo bukas?"
Ganito sila tuwing magkasama. They could talk about one random thing after another, come up with plans, and they'd be content.
By the time they finished eating, they still had a little time to spare, so they remained seated in front of the parking space. The sun was beginning to set, causing the streaks of yellow and gold to start bursting around them.
Gilas considers this as his favorite time of the day. The setting sun is an indication that, even during a hectic day, he's a few hours away from spending time with his girlfriend. Kahit saglit lang silang nakakapag-usap kapag naglalakad sila pauwi, panandalian pa rin talagang nawawala ang pagod niya.
Not to mention, Bethany looks breathtakingly beautiful as the combination of the hues of the settling sun and the hints of the evening sky kiss her skin.
Bethany is his favorite part of his days, honestly.
"Sobrang busy talaga ng dept ngayon," Bethany brought up. Nahagip ng paningin niya ang kanilang university cat, si Lucio. She motioned the cat to come, and it willingly obliged.
"Hawak din namin ang grad preparations, eh. Nagulat ako noong meeting, biglang may another memo raw na ilalabas sa council presidents. Sabi ko na bad news, eh," kwento niya habang inaamo ang pusa.
Gilas chuckles at the sight and rubs Lucio in his belly.
"Hi, Lucio," bati niya bago sumagot sa kasintahan. "Kaya mo pa ba ang org workload? Magfa-finals pa kayo next week." He stated rather worriedly.
"Kaya pa naman," Bethany answered with a nod. "At saka masaya naman ako sa ginagawa ko. Hindi lang talaga maiiwasan minsan na maging too much to handle na. Besides, I trust my team. I have you rin. I'll get through this. Dalawang linggo na lang naman!" There was a smile plastered on her lips.
Alam ni Gilas na nag-eenjoy si Bethany sa org works. He knows how much she loves doing those things kahit mula pa noong senior high sila.
Hindi niya lang maiwasang mag-alala dahil alam niya ring hindi titigil si Bethany hangga't hindi settled ang lahat - kahit na naisasakripisyo niya na ang sarili niya.
He heaved a sigh. "Alright, you have to promise me one thing, though."
Bethany's eyebrow raised at that. "You should know when to stop, baby. Hindi madali ang ginagawa mo. Kahit alam mong kaya mo pa, magpahinga ka dapat kapag nakaramdam ka ng pagod. Can you do that?" He spoke gently.
Hindi naiwasan ni Bethany ang mapangiti nang marahan. Gilas never hesitates to support Bethany as long as he gets to remind her to take care of herself.
Maliit na bagay lang naman ang hinihingi ng boyfriend niya. Para sa kaniya rin naman 'yun, so she nodded without stalling.
"Okay, baby. I'll do that. Promise," she said, resting her head on his shoulder.
Gilas smiles in contentment.
"Ay, bebe, teka. Bangon ka saglit, may ipapakita ako." There was a hint of excitement in his voice that Bethany couldn't help but follow.
Inangat ni Gilas ang kaniyang kamay. It took a while for Bethany to understand that he was showing his watch off.
"Ano 'yan? Bago?" She asked, still confused.
Napasimangot naman si Gilas. "Bebe, regalo mo sa akin 'yan last year. Hindi mo makilala?"
"Oo pala," tawa nito. "Eh, ano pala tinitingnan natin?"
He nearly whines at that. "Gilas Damiel, ang pabebe. Ano nga po?"
"'Yung time kasi, ganda! Tingnan mo."
Upon hearing the endearment, blush spread across Bethany's cheeks, but she was quick to dismiss her thoughts about it. She paid attention to her whining boyfriend, instead.
07:09, the time read.
Nagtaka siya sa oras. She's pretty sure it's still quarter to six, or else pareho silang lagot dahil may klase silang dalawa ngayong 6:30 p.m.
"Sira watch mo, love?" She inquired. "Samahan kita ipaayos 'yan sa weekend, gusto mo?"
"Baby," Gilas groans. "Hindi na magiging romantic kapag in-explain ko," a pout was evident in his voice.
That's when it dawned in Bethany. He was talking about the time.
07:09 - 9th of July.
It is their anniversary.
Her boyfriend is going around, an expired watch on his wrist, with its arrows pointing to the date of their anniversary.
Bethany couldn't help but smile. This time, when she felt her face reddened, she didn't bother hiding it anymore.
As they walked back to their buildings, she realized how Gilas would come up with the silliest (cutest) things, and she'll still find her heart beating fast.
This feels nice, she smiles. I hope this goes on for a long, long time.
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This SC is, by some means, inspired by a TikTok video wherein the husband wears his broken watch with its time set to the time and date he and his wife said "I do" to each other at their wedding.
