Matagal-tagal na rin pala nang bigla kang nawala. // • "This thing is a masterpiece." • squanderedlife s h o r t. s t o r y | parengtofu • (c) 2018 #1 in Literature | Watty's 2018 winner! | #TanggolWika

"In love ka na once accepted mo na 'yong person na 'yon kahit ano pa man siya. Buong-buo 'yong acceptance, hindi kalahati lang. Hindi sala sa lamig, sala sa init. Hindi napipilitan. Hindi natatakot." "Malalim," aniya. Tumikhim. "Mukhang based on experience." Tumawa si Kaye, hindi um-oo, hindi rin humindi. "Ikaw, ano'ng answer mo?" "Ano na bang pagmamahal pinag-uusapan natin? Fans, supporters-readers o romantic na ata 'yan?" natatawang aniya. "Hindi ako nag-a-assume kaso 'yang mga hugutang ganyan, eh. . .may mga pinaglalaban." Tumigil sa paglalakad si Kaye. Nagpamulsa. Ang lawak ng ngiti sa labing may kaunti pang kintab. "Sige, romantic na." Umiling si Rayne, nangingiti rin. "Bilis ng change topic natin." "Oo nga, eh. Let's take it slow," anito, may pilyang pagkagat pa ng kaunti sa labi. "Dito muna tayo sa usapang 'to."

The lethal and the pure. The black and white. Opposite sides burning each other's souls. Parvana Naia Bukhari and Zeus Vincenticus Ferrer. When she first stepped into his life, he knew she was nothing but trouble. Sweet smiles and prayers doesn't fit with his rock n roll soul. As fast as they catch the burning flame of attraction, it spiraled down into nothing but specks of dust. What the fuck is love when religion, beliefs, and their entire lives contradicts each other? This is how we started. And this is how we end.