Epilogue

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Ang nakangising si River ang sumalubong kay Magnus kinabukasan habang nagkakape ito sa kitchen counter.

Magnus rolled his eyes when River sat in front of him still wearing that stupid grin on his face. Napaka-aliwalas ng mukha nito ng tumingin sa labas.

"Ang ganda talaga ng panahon." He was humming while grinning like crazy.

"It's obviously cloudy outside." Magnus deadpanned.

Dahan-dahang tumingin si River dito. "I meant it metaphorically, genius. My mood reflects how I view things around me so when I say the weather is nice, then it's fucking nice."

Iniikot ni Magnus ang mga mata dito.

Nagtimpla si River ng kanyang kape at saka humigop doon. "Even this coffee tastes so amazing and expensive."

"It's just a regular coffee."

Pumitik ang sentido ni River. Hindi masisira ang mood ko. Hindi masisira ang mood ko. Inuulit ulit niya iyon sa isip na parang mantra. Nag deep breathing muna siya bago tumingin kay Magnus.

"Malungkot ka ba pare?"

Nagsalubong ang dalawang kilay ni Magnus. "No. Walang rason para malungkot ako."

Tumango tango si River. "Well, may rason naman para malungkot. Our friends are happily married and I just found 'the one'. You haven't yet, so may rason para maging ganyan ka-stiff ang personality mo ngayong araw. Marahil ay dahil kinakabahan ka na. Pressured ganon." Kibit balikat nitong wika.

"I said I'm not sad or anything. Bingi ka ba?"

"Okay lang yan, pare. Makakahanap ka din ng babaeng makakatanggap sa personalidad mo."

Magnus jaw tightened. Unti unti ng napipikon. "I am definitely not looking."

"Ano ka ba? Huwag kang mawalan ng pagasa. May papatol din sayo."

Isang matalim na tingin ang iginawad nito kay River. "Will you just shut up?"

River only laughed at him. "Paano ka lalapitan ng babae kung ganyan ka kasungit? Piece of advice? Try to be a little charming para hindi ka tumandang binata."

"I don't need your advice. I can have a woman in my life if I wanted to."

River gave him an amused look. "Woah. Conceited, aren't we? Pero ingat ingat din. Baka hindi siya ang 'the one'."

Magnus rolled his eyes.

"Nagbabangayan na naman ba kayo?"

Napalingon si River sa bukana ng kusina. A wide grin plastered on his face when he saw Thalya enter the kitchen. Tinitigan niya ito mula ulo hanggang paa. She's wearing his white tshirt french tucked in her black skinny jeans. Her hair is in a high ponytail, exposing his hickies on her neck proudly. Wala itong make up na suot. It was just his hickies marring her tanned skin. It was as though she was subtly telling everyone that she is his. Mas lalong lumuwag ang pagkakangisi niya. Kinikilig siya, shit. This woman is making him fall for her harder and harder everyday. Lumapit ito sa kanya at saka siya ginawaran ng isang masuyong halik sa mga labi.

"Good morning, love." He whispered just inches above his lips.

His heart fucking skipped a beat. He didn't know na ganito pala kasarap sa pandinig ang mga salitang 'good morning' at 'love' sa umaga lalo na at galing dito. Now that he heard it, he is starting to like hearing it from her every damn day.

"Good morning to you too, cariña."

They smiled sheepishly at each other. Alam niya na para na silang tangang nakangiti lang habang nakatingin sa isa't isa but who cares? Love is such a beautiful thing. Sorry na lang sa mga walang cariño at cariña diyan. Dasal at tiwala lang. Maybe sa next life magkakaroon din kayo.

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