Dumating na ang isang linggo, today will be the day Lan will moving out in my condo. Nandito kami ngayon sa sofa, ako nakahiga habang nakasimangot, pilit na pinipigilan ang lungkot. I don't want to move out, I want him to stay pero kailangan daw niyang lumipat ayon sa utos ng kanyang manager.
"Ugh, I still don't get why you have to move out," I muttered, glancing at him as I played with the edge of his shirt.
Lan, remained stoic, but there was a something in his eyes as he looked at me. “You know I will still be around. We’ll see each other, Xian,” he said in his usual calm voice, brushing his fingers through my hair.
"But it's not the same..." I mumbled, pouting more as I pressed my face into his chest, feeling the weight of his upcoming absence.
Naghihintay kami ngayon sa pagdating ng manager niya at nakahanda na ang lahat ng gamit niya—lahat, handa nang umalis. I sighed heavily, my arms tightening around his waist, not ready to let him go just yet. "What if I can't sleep without you?" I teased, trying to lighten the mood even though there was a hint of truth behind my words.
Lan glanced down at me, his lips forming a small smile. "Then I'll call you every night until you fall asleep."
It was a sweet gesture, but it didn't make the idea of him leaving any easier. “I just got used to having you here all the time," I whispered, my face still buried in his chest. “Waking up next to you… I’m gonna miss that.”
He ran his hand down my back, comforting me in his usual quiet way. “We’ll still have our time together, Xian,” he said softly. “I’m not really leaving you.”
I sat up slightly, leaning on his chest to look into his eyes. “It feels like you are.”
Before he could respond, we heard a knock on the door. His manager had arrived. The moment had finally come. Lan sighed and gently untangled himself from me before standing up.
I stayed on the couch, arms crossed, watching as Lan moved towards the door. I didn’t want to see him go, but I knew I had to let him. It wasn't like he was leaving me for good, but the thought of him not being here every day felt... wrong.
Lan's manager entered with a smile. “Ready to go?” he asked cheerfully, clearly unaware of the emotional weight hanging in the air between Lan and me.
Lan glanced back at me, giving me one of his reassuring looks before nodding to his manager.
Hinawakan ko ang pinto, hinahatid si Lan palabas ng condo. Habang tinitignan ko siyang naglalakad bitbit ang kanyang mga gamit, hindi ko mapigilang sumimangot. Sa isip ko, "ito na ba talaga 'to?" I watched him go, feeling that familiar tightness in my chest.
Pero laking gulat ko nang biglang huminto ang manager niya sa harap ng pintuan ng unit sa tabi ng akin. Binuksan niya ito, ngumiti, at saka sinabing, "Put your tings inside, Lan."
Napatitig ako sa kanila, hindi makapaniwala. Huh? Tumalikod si Lan sa akin at naglakad papunta sa loob ng katabing unit, dala ang mga gamit niya.
"Bakit dito?" tanong ko, gulat at di makapaniwala.
Ngumiti ang manager at sumagot, "We never said he's moving far away. He just needs his own space, but it's literally next door."
Napanganga ako sa sinabi niya. I stared at Lan, who was now looking back at me with a soft smile, as if this was all part of the plan.
"You’re... staying beside me?" I asked, still processing.
Lan nodded. "Looks like it," he said casually, as if he doesn't know anything.
I couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. I thought he was moving out, away from me, but instead, he was just moving next door. I walked over to him and nudged his shoulder playfully.
He give me his teasing smile, sure na sure ako na alam nya na sa kabilang unit lang sya lilipat. damn this guy kaya pala sakay na sakay sa akin kanina, may pa I call you every night pa syang nalalaman pero I'm happy at least he is not that far only a wall that keep us separated and I can sleep here if I want to, right?
I smirked, Lan gave me a knowing smile. He continued moving his things into the next unit while I stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame, watching him. I couldn’t help but feel relieved, the heavy weight of thinking he was leaving lifting off my chest. His manager leave him alone dahil may gagawin pa daw ito.
As he finished placing the last box down, I stepped into his new condo unit. It had the same layout as mine, which gave it a sense of familiarity. I looked around, already imagining myself spending as much time here as in my own place. I turned to him with a smirk.
“So, do I still get to spend my nights here?" I teased, half-joking but with a hint of sincerity.
Lan raised an eyebrow. "You were always welcome to, Xian." His tone was calm, but there was a softness in his eyes that reassured me.
I walked up to him, feeling playful now with a laugh, throwing my arms around his neck and pulling him in for a hug. He hugged me back tightly, his arms strong and steady around me.
