Kick-Start

Santiago

Whenever Ella wanted to bid on a property for a potential store, she was 90% sure James would be competing for it as soon as he got wind of any news. She couldn't get too mad at him for it because she did the same thing.

Sometimes, she won the bid. Sometimes, she didn't.

Sales for the store wasn't so good that week and it didn't help that James kept rubbing it in social media.

James del Rosario
Great first week for Jabug Sta. Monica! Thanks everyone. Hello din sa neighbor namin! <tag> EllaSantamaria

Ella Santamaria
Stay in your lane.

James del Rosario
Punta ka sa amin, libre kita.

Ella Santamaria
Hindi na. #damingfeelingerosamundo

James del Rosario
Heartbreak.
#bakitdikacrushngcrushmo
#atleastmalakikitanamin

Ella Santamaria
Nakakairita yung shade ng shade.

James del Rosario
<tag> EllaSantamaria
#bakitdikacrushngcrushmo
Okay na?

Ella Santamaria
Paki-R&B po nitong account na ito <tag>jamesdelrosario

James del Rosario
Replying to EllaSantamaria
Huy! Kapag ito nasuspend gagawa ako ng bago named tiagodelrosario

James leaned back and smiled.

Santiago.

That was perhaps his favorite.

He was already smitten with her during that first year in college and when they ended up in the same Filipino elective course the following year, it was great news for him.

Out of a dare from her friends, he auditioned for a play.

"James! Sasali si Ella dun sa production ng Noli Me Tangere. Maria Clara siya. Sige nga kung gusto mo siya, sali ka din," Jean teased.

"Huy. Ano ka ba?" Ella reprimanded.

"Sige try ko. Pero hindi ako marunong umarte."

He auditioned for the role of Ibarra. "Siyempre gusto ko yung love team ni Maria Clara!"

"Hindi sila nagkatuluyan."

"Sana yung love story natin hindi katulad nung sa kanila."

James cringed with the recollection. Yung mga pickup line ko talaga kadiri.

When the cast list came out, Ella laughed while James protested loudly. "Haaaaaa? Sir naman! Bakit ako yung Tatay ni Maria Clara?!"

"Okay lang yan, Mr. Del Rosario. Besides, mas bagay dun sa isa yung role ni Ibarra."

"Naman eh!" When he couldn't convince their Director, he left sulking. "Babasahin ko nga ulit yung buong libro. Marami bang scenes sila Maria Clara at Ibarra?"

Ella laughed. "Bothered ka talaga?"

"Oo. Medyo."

"Sakto sayo yung Kapitan Tiago. Alam mo bang favorite name ko ang 'Santiago'? And sabi ng Lola ko, Santiago is the Spanish equivalent for James. Sakto di ba?" Ella shared.

"Talaga? Ang galing ha."

"Ito pa! Santiago ang pangalan ng boyfriend ko."

James' heart sunk. "May... may boyfriend ka na pala."

"Yup! Meron na."

Malas talaga itong araw na ito, he thought. "Ganun ba. Hay. Sige. Susunduin ka ba niya? Siguro dapat umalis na ako."

"Ha? Why?"

"Baka magalit boyfriend mo if I hang around with you."

Ella shrugged. "I think we should celebrate."

"For?"

"Getting parts in the play and -" She waited for him to look at her before saying, "And... for now being officially together."

"Wait. What?"

"Ikaw. Ikaw yung Santiago na favorite ko."

Because they were on an allowance, they could only afford to celebrate at the Jabug store nearest to the University, but James got the biggest burger, fries and drinks for them along with two desserts. "Special day eh."

When it was time for them to go home, he waited until her ride arrived and when it was her mom who picked her up, Ella introduced him formally.

Since then, her favourite term of endearment was always Santiago. When they fought, it would be "James naman please listen!"

But in most times, especially when he did something that made her very happy, it was always: Santiago.

--
Note: Short update lang. Bawi ako tomorrow