Isang patikim ng Anthology Volume 2 na sana ma-publish ko this year or early 2020.
Title: things you say at 3 am
Pairing: Andreau x Zade (The Spaces in Between)
Prompt: things you say at 3 am / AZ college AU wherein Dan and Zade are siblings and Andreau is still Dan's best friend (aka: you're my best friend's younger sister AU)
*****
Slowly, Zade crept down to the guest room where she was sure everyone was asleep. Guilt has been consuming her since dinner earlier. Tanghali pa lang ay bantay-sarado na si Dan sa kanila, at kanina bago kumain, diretsahan siyang tinanong ng kuya niya kung may "something" ba sila ni Andreau.
Sasagot na sana si Andreau kaso sa sobrang kaba ni Zade, inunahan niya ito. "Saan mo naman nakuha yan, Kuya? Hello, parang kuya ko na rin 'tong si Andreau ano ba!"
Andreau had excused himself to the restroom after that, and he'd avoided her for the rest of the night.
Ilang beses na nilang pinagtalunan kung aaminin na ba nila sa lahat ang relasyon nila. Andreau wanted to tell everyone ever since they started going out five months ago. Si Zade lang ang may ayaw. Not because she was embarrassed of him. Gusto lang niyang i-enjoy ang oras nilang magkasama nang walang nakikisawsaw, lalo na si Dan. They're each other's first relationship kaya big deal sa kanila ang pag-amin.
Andreau, on the other hand, had detested that reason. Being together out in public was much better than sneaking around.
When she got to his door, Zade lightly tapped at the wood. Just when she thought he might be asleep or furious at her, he opened the door. Andreau looked relieved. He nodded before practically yanking her into the room.
"Zades, I'm sorry about earlier. I acted like a total dick," he said. "I should've done that."
She frowned. "But did I upset you? Answer me truthfully, please. Don't say things I want to hear. I want to know what you feel."
He let out a deep sigh and sat down on the bed. He took a moment to collect his thoughts and looked up at her, hands clutching the bedsheet. "Ayoko nang itago 'to, Zades. It's been five months! I don't want to treat our relationship like a dirty secret."
She nodded, and came over to sit beside him. "Okay. We'll tell them tomorrow during breakfast."
Andreau looked so stunned and relieved at the same time. She had to bite a laugh. "O, bakit? Parang 'di ka makapaniwala dyan?"
To her surprise, he nodded. "Akala ko kaya ka pumunta ngayon dito kasi ayaw mo na."
"You're being ridiculous. Why would you think that?"
"Kasi..." He stopped to take a deep breath, as though bracing himself. "Shit, Zades. Kahit kailan kasi hindi mo sinabi."
"Na ano?"
"Na mahal mo ako."
She looked at him in confusion. "Ano?"
"Kasi ako...mahal na mahal kita. Matagal na. Hindi naman sa nagbibilang ako pero...lagi kong sinasabi sa 'yo na mahal kita. Hulog na hulog na ako sa 'yo, eh. Naatatakot lang ako na ako lang ang nagmamahal sa 'ting dalawa kaya siguro gusto mong itago 'to--"
Zade cut him off with a passionate, deep kiss. He's being really stupid now.
"Andreau," she said once they broke apart. "Makinig ka nang mabuti sa 'kin, okay? Mahal na mahal kita. Matagal na rin. Simula pa no'ng inaasar mo akong Patty B no'ng first year high school ako. Sa 'yo lang panatag ang puso ko. I'm sorry kung hindi ko laging sinasabi pero babawi ako. Okay?"
"Okay." He nodded and then scooted back onto the bed, laid down, and held out his arms to her. "So, tomorrow, breakfast? Ready ka na bang makitang sakalin ako ni Dan?"
Zade grinned as she crawled over to him and covered his body with hers. "Oo naman. Sa tingin ko matagal ka nang ready sa sakal ni Kuya Dan. Don't forget, babe: you kissed me first six months ago. Alam mo na dapat ang pinasok mo."
"I've been ready for years, Zades. Anything for you."