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Wonwoo was woken up by the sunlight seeping through the sheer white curtains.

He turned to his side, immediately coming face to face with the man sleeping next to him.

He peeled the guy’s hand off his waist and got up slowly, trying not to make a sound and wake him. Bukod sa hindi siya sure ano bang sinasabi sa one-night stand the morning after, wala na rin siyang time.

He found his shirt by the door of the hotel room and tried not to cringe at the sight of his pants and boxers bunched up in another corner.

He fished his phone out of the pocket of his pants to check the time. 6:24 AM.

Perfect. He’ll book an Angkas back to his condo to shower and get dressed. At 8:30, Seokmin will pick him up so they can drive up to the wedding.

An ugly feeling reared its horns in Wonwoo’s stomach at that last word, but he ignored it. Hindi para mag-relapse siya ngayon.

He took one last look at the guy still sleeping on the bed, properly looking at his features for the first time since last night: long lashes, a sharp nose, and honey skin. The little mole he has on his nose was cute, too.

Mas gwapo pala siya ‘pag umaga at maliwanag. 

Gwapo rin naman siya kagabi dun sa mapaglarong ilaw nung bar kung saan sila nagkakilala, but his warm features made him better suited for daylight.

On the ride home, he thought about the night he spent with the guy. His name was Luis, as he introduced. 

And…actually, that was all Wonwoo knew. That, and the fact that he was currently holed up at a hotel because he came home to Manila after a good couple of years in Cebu, and the condo he was supposed to be renting wasn't ready yet.

Wonwo didn’t know whether that was true. Maybe the guy just didn’t like bringing one-night stands over to his place, which made sense. At least the hotel was decent.

He tried not to think about the fact that he slept with a stranger because he was sad. 

Because his best friend, whom he’s been in love with for the longest time, is getting married, and all he can do is watch from the sidelines.

Wonwoo was welcomed by a smile that could rival the sun as soon as he opened the door to the passenger seat of Seokmin’s car.

“Good morning!” His friend greeted him cheerfully as ever.

“Good morning, Seok,” He smiled back, trying to match the other’s energy.

On any other day, he’d think this was too much for 8:24 A.M., but today, he was grateful.

He needed all the good juju he could get on a day he was so desperately dreading (but Seungcheol could never know that.)

It was funny too, because Seokmin actually lived in the South, already much closer to Tagaytay, but he drove all the way down to San Juan first to pick up a custom painting he was gifting the newlyweds. 

Wonwoo’s condo was in the area, so they decided to make the trip up there together.

“Good morning, Kuya!”

Wonwoo peeked into the backseat and saw Vernon. This was a nice surprise.

He smiled. “Uy, Vern. Sasabay ka rin pala.”

The younger beamed at him. “Yep. Narinig ko kasi kay Kuya Seok na sabay daw kayo eh na-FOMO ako kaya sumabay na rin ako. Namiss kita, Kuya.”

Sila na ata ‘yung pinakamaingay na kotse ngayon sa SLEX. Kahit tatlo lang sila eh parang puno hanggang likod ‘yung SUV ni Seokmin sa lakas ng tawa nilang tatlo.

He expected Vernon to just sleep through the car ride, but it seemed like he had more stories to share than Wonwoo and Seokmin combined.

Hindi naman sila officemates pero parang ganun na rin sa dami ng kwento ni Vernon tungkol sa mga katrabaho niya.

The line at the McDonald’s drive-thru was way too long. Gutom daw kasi si Seok. Wonwoo was worried about the time, but—

“Okay lang ‘yan, Wons,” Seokmin reassured him. “Hindi naman tayo ‘yung ikakasal eh.”

A beat of silence passed as the weight of Seokmin’s statement settled among them.

Then, they burst out laughing.

Wonwoo expected it to sting, but surprisingly, the only thing that hurt was his stomach from how much he laughed.

Oo nga naman, hindi naman siya ‘yung ikakasal. Ano ba naman ‘yung maghintay sila ng extra twenty minutes para sa hash brown?

When they got to the venue, Seokmin opened the back of his car to get his shoes and barong. 

The painting he supposedly went all the way to San Juan to pick up wasn’t there, but Wonwoo didn’t mention it.

The garden slowly filled up with guests. Seungkwan was running around the venue, clipboard in his left hand and a commset slung over his head, making sure no petal was out of place and no chair was even slightly askew.

Seungkwan was one of the best event producers in the Philippines. If this were any other person’s wedding, he could probably do it without breaking a sweat, but it was different when it was his friends’. He already did it once with Jun and Minghao, but it didn’t get any easier the second time around.

He was dabbing away some sweat that had rolled down his forehead when he locked eyes with Wonwoo, who flashed him a thumbs-up in encouragement. It was only a little gesture, one that Wonwoo knew wasn’t enough to lighten the load on Seungkwan’s shoulders, but the grateful look on the other’s face told otherwise.

Wonwoo was talking to Jun and Minghao, who had just gotten back from a trip to China to visit Jun’s mom.

Minghao was recounting how they were held up at Customs because Jun’s mom had insisted on sending them home to Manila with ten Peking ducks to give to their friends.

He was in the middle of laughing at how Minghao had to convince the officer that they had no intent to sell these ducks, that his mother-in-law was just nice, and that they just had a lot of friends, when he spotted him.

Seungcheol was talking to one of their guests, practically glowing. Wonwoo didn’t know if it was just the sunlight hitting his face right or if he was just happy to be marrying the love of his life.

His stomach churned. They were in an open space, but he somehow felt suffocated. 

He quickly excused himself from the couple, making up some sorry excuse about needing to go to the bathroom. He knew the two didn’t buy it, but they gave him a sympathetic nod before letting him go.

He needed to get out of there. Go where, he didn't know, but anywhere was better than here.

He needed to get some fresh air, even though he was in a garden already surrounded by it. He was frantic, mumbling sorrys and excuse mes as he navigated through the thrum of people. 

In his rush, he bumped into someone. The stranger was a little taller than he was and had a broader frame, causing him to stumble a bit. He steadied himself before looking up. 

“Sorry, I—Luis?”

Luis smirked. “Hey, you.” 

Wonwoo turned paler than he already was. When he left Luis in that Makati hotel room just a few hours ago, he was fully ready to forget him and everything that happened between them. One-night stand nga, diba?

What was he doing here in Tagaytay? More importantly, here at Seungcheol’s wedding?

“Anong…sinusundan mo ba ‘ko?” He blurted out before he could think it through. He didn't know how Luis could've possibly known where he was, but it was the first question his brain could conjure.

Luis only shrugged. “Bigla ka na lang nawala eh. Hindi mo man lang ako ginising para mag-breakfast. Kaya pinuntahan na lang kita.”

Wonwoo’s face probably matched the shade of all these white tulips Seungkwan used to decorate the venue, because Luis laughed and spoke again.

“Biro lang. Imbitado rin ako dito.” He then gestured to the big, professional camera Wonwoo didn’t realize he was holding.

“Ah, photographer ka?” What were the odds?

“Yep.” Luis nodded. “And from what I gathered, best man ka pala nung isang groom.”

Nung isang groom. Ni Seungcheol. Right. Wonwoo was suddenly reminded of his mission to get out of there.

“Yeah. Sige, Luis. Una na muna ako ah. May kailangan pa ‘kong gawin eh.” 

He started walking away without waiting for Luis’ response. 

“Sige lang. Oh, and by the way, hind pala Luis pangalan ko,” the guy said lowly, making Wonwoo stop in his tracks. “My name’s Mingyu.”

Mingyu?

Mingyu…Mingyu…Mingyu…why did the name sound so familiar? He just couldn’t quite place it.

He looked back at the guy, hoping it would jog his memory.

When it didn’t, Luis—or Mingyu—helped him out. 

“Mingyu,” he repeated, holding a hand out for Wonwoo to shake. “I’m Jeonghan’s best man.”

Wonwoo was frozen in place for only a few seconds, but it still felt like way too long.

Coming to his senses, he finally asked, “Akala ko photographer ka?” 

“Photographer naman talaga ako.” Mingyu nodded slowly, putting his hand down when Wonwoo didn’t take it. “For a living. At dito rin, pero may team ako kasi nga part ako ng entourage.”

Wonwoo tried to process that. He remembered Seungcheol mentioning a Mingyu a few months back during their wedding prep. Best friend at best man daw ni Jeonghan, pero naka-base na ngayon sa Cebu kaya sa kasal na nila makikilala.

“Saan nanggaling ‘yung Luis?” Wonwoo knew he wasn’t asking the right questions, but it was all he could get out right now. 

Mingyu laughed. “My full name is Mingyu Luis Kim. Luis ako sa trabaho, but Mingyu to family and friends.”

Wonwoo thought about which category he fell under. Hindi naman sila magkatrabaho, pero hindi rin sila friends.

Mingyu seemed to read his mind. “You can call me Mingyu, by the way.”

Wonwoo nodded. He introduced himself as ‘Lex’ to the guy last night, also taken from his second name, Alexander. 

“Wonwoo Jeon. You can call me Wonwoo.” 

He put out his hand to Mingyu. “Short for Alexander ‘yung Lex pero…” he faltered. “Pero si Seungcheol lang tumatawag sa’kin niyan.”

The taller shook his hand and said, “Nice to meet you, Wonwoo.”

Wonwoo felt his cheeks heat up. Hindi sa kilig, kundi sa hiya. The irony of them both being clad in well-pressed modern barongs and shaking each other’s hands so formally when Mingyu’s fingers had been everywhere else on him just last night was not lost on him.

“Lex, Mingyu, andito lang pala kayo!”

Though anxious to see him today, Wonwoo was thankful Seungcheol came to interrupt them. Kung saan-saan na kasi napupunta ang utak niya.

He was still holding Mingyu’s hand when the betrothed couple approached.

“Magkakilala na pala kayo?” Jeonghan asked, eyeing where the two were connected.

Wonwoo looked down between him and Mingyu, and abruptly pulled his hand from the other guy’s grip like he’d been burned.

His cheeks were probably fully red now. “Ah…ah oo…nakasalubong ko kasi siya tapos…tapos na-introduce kami.”

Seungcheol raised an eyebrow at the way Wonwoo stuttered, but didn’t say anything.

Jeonghan watched Mingyu, who had a playful smirk playing on his lips. 

“Yeah,” Mingyu confirmed, his tone teasing. “We’ve met.”

Ilang taon na ‘tong pinapangarap ni Wonwoo eh—’yung makita si Seungcheol na nakabarong sa harap ng altar. 

Nangyari naman. ‘Yun nga lang, hindi siya 'yung bride. Hindi nga rin siya groom eh. Best man siya.

He tried to swallow the lump in his throat as the grooms exchanged their vows.

He balled his fist and dug his nails in his palm, trying to keep the tears from coming out. He couldn’t cry right now. Mahahalata ng lahat na hindi na tears of joy ‘yung iyak niya. 

He tried to find his friends among the guests, but he took off his glasses for pictures and couldn’t see anyone else from where he was standing.

He genuinely felt like all hope was lost for him until he caught Mingyu’s gaze out of the corner of his eye. 

Since Mingyu was only on the other side, he was the only one Wonwoo could see clearly.

Though obviously confused about what was up, Mingyu still gave him a small smile of encouragement. 

Wonwoo unconsciously smiled back, reminded that he didn’t have to be in his head.

Throughout the ceremony, Mingyu just looked at him. And Wonwoo looked back. 

He vaguely heard the priest uttering something about saying  ‘I do.’ He kept his eyes on Mingyu through it all.

He vaguely heard the crowd cheering as the couple kissed for the first time as newlyweds, but he blocked it out. 

Sa ngayon, wala siyang ibang naririnig o nakikita—si Mingyu lang.

Wonwoo played the part of the perfect best man well. He spent the whole night flashing rehearsed smiles for pictures and making small talk with guests, nodding along when they complimented the happy couple.

There was only one thing left on the checklist—his best man speech, which was his biggest hurdle of the day.

Wonwoo lost count of how many times he’s sat down and tried to write it, only to spend the day staring at a blank document and a cursor that felt like it was taunting him with each blink.

Paano ba kasi magsusulat kung feeling mo eh ikaw dapat ang groom?

In the end, he just Googled ‘best man speech’ and saved the first thing that came up.

He spotted the mobile bar. 

Tama, kailangan niya ng alak. Liquid courage lang para mamaya.

Wonwoo swore he was only supposed to have a drink or two. 

Kaso, mahina ‘yung timpla nila dito, parang juice lang. Nakarami tuloy siya. 

He was already seeing double and could barely walk a straight line when he bumped into Joshua.

“Shuaaaaa,” he slurred, falling onto him for a hug. Joshua lost his balance a little, but caught himself. And Wonwoo.

“Wons?” He said his name like a question, confused. “Naparami ‘ata inom mo ah.”

Wonwoo shook his head exaggeratedly. “Hindi ah. Sinong may sabi?”

Joshua helped him stand up properly. “Halika na, upo na tayo. Tama na ‘yan.”

“Hindiiiii, gusto ko pa. Parang juice lang naman eh,” he boasted, but his heavy eyes said otherwise. 

Joshua only shook his head and laughed a little, slinging Wonwoo’s arm over his shoulder and walking him back to their table.

“You’re nice, Joshy.” Wonwoo grinned, hugging him again as soon as they sat down. “Thank you for being my friend.”

Joshua looked amused. “Of course, Wons.”

Wonwoo kept clinging to him. Joshua was Jeonghan’s friend first, but somewhere between barong fittings and cake tastings, they grew closer, too.

Despite only knowing each other for a few months, Joshua was the first to remind the server earlier at dinner that Wonwoo didn’t eat seafood, and therefore would be passing on the salmon.

Wonwoo was grateful.

Despite enjoying Joshua’s company, he jumped at the first chance to escape his self-appointed babysitter. Joshua had been distracted from Seokmin approaching their table to make conversation, so he made a run for it.

He asked the bartenders for a full bottle of tequila, and they gave it to him because he was the best man and they were afraid to say no.

He drank most of it sitting on a closed toilet in a locked bathroom cubicle so no one could bother him. 

He then tried to pee it out, but couldn’t. And someone from Seungkwan’s team was already looking for him for his speech. 

Left with no other choice, he went out of the bathroom still drunk.

He took the mic from Mingyu, who had probably just finished giving his message for Jeonghan.

His fellow best man looked surprised to see the state he was in, but Wonwoo just flashed him an intoxicated smile.

The spotlight was now on Wonwoo. There were about a hundred pairs of eyes on him, waiting. He tried to unlock his phone to pull up his saved speech, but Face ID was failing, and his vision was too hazy to type the correct passcode. 

So he did the only thing he could—wing it.

“Hi,” he said shyly. He briefly introduced himself, then launched into an anecdote about Seungcheol. 

There’s a chorus of laughter, and for a minute there, Wonwoo thought this could actually go well. 

He took some of the clichés he could remember from the templated speech and wove them in with some of his own stories.

There just might be a chance he could get through this without making an absolute fool of himself.

Then, he made the mistake of looking at Seungcheol.

He wore a big smile, laughing as if this were the happiest day of his life. Probably because it was. He leaned down to kiss Jeonghan’s shoulder.

Wonwoo’s mouth went dry. He wanted to ask for water, but he couldn’t string the words together.

His heart was thumping so loud he was convinced the entire wedding party could hear it, and he needed to get out of there. 

He tried to remember how the generic speech ended. 

What was it again? I know love…

He forced himself to look at Seungcheol and Jeonghan. 

I know true love exists because I see it in the two of you. 

That’s it, Wonwoo. Isang linya na lang. Sabihin mo na. 

Then he saw their hands intertwined.

Tangina, ako dapat ‘yan eh, the little devil in his head screamed.

I know true love exists because I’ve loved you my whole life, Seungcheol.

“I know true love exists…” he whispered, mic almost slipping from his fingers from how sweaty his hands were.

The newlyweds looked at him expectantly. I know true love exists because I’ve loved you my whole life, Seungcheol.

Fuck it. “I know true love exists because I’ve lo—”

The sound of glass breaking rang throughout the venue. A collective gasp.

Then, the slow, quiet dripping of spilled liquor mixing with shards of glass onto a pool on the floor.

Mingyu was standing beside a tray of broken champagne flutes, looking apologetic.

All the guests were temporarily distracted, turning their attention to him. Even Seungcheol and Jeonghan stood up to check if he was okay.

What the fuck am I doing?

Mingyu was rattling off sorrys, running through an explanation of how the long lens on his camera hit one of the glasses and set off a domino effect.

Wonwoo quickly composed himself, taking advantage of the commotion.

When it died down, all the attention went back to him and his speech. 

With seemingly practiced ease, he said the line. “I know true love exists because I see it in the two of you.”

He finished off with the usual ‘congratulations at mabuhay ang bagong kasal,’ just thankful to have gotten it over with.

Cheers erupted from the wedding party, who seemed to have already forgotten about Mingyu’s mishap. 

Seungcheol stood up to hug him, while Jeonghan looked genuinely grateful.

While wrapped in Seungcheol’s arms, Wonwoo locked eyes with Mingyu.

Wonwoo was throwing up in the bathroom. His placebo sobriety had worn off, and his half a bottle of tequila and twelve too many cocktails were already catching up to him.

Soonyoung had helped him take off his barong, rubbing his back as he vomited pure acid.

Jihoon went out to get him some water, checking which of their friends had an antacid he could take.

The first thing Seungkwan did when he walked out of the bathroom, hair matted from sweat, was feed him a banana. Something about lost electrolytes, he said. Wonwoo was too spent to question it.

“Seungkwan,” he mumbled, through a mouthful of banana.

“Hmm?”

“Sorry,” Wonwoo said quietly. “Alam ko namang stressed ka na today tapos nagpapaalaga pa ‘ko.”

Seungkwan only laughed. “Sus, ano ka ba. Tapos na naman kaya chill na ako. Tsaka andiyan naman ‘yung team ko. Kaya na nila ‘yan.”

They were sitting side by side. Wonwoo dropped his head on Seungkwan’s shoulder, still apologetic. Seungkwan was two years younger, but Wonwoo always liked to be babied by him.

Seungkwan leaned his head against Wonwoo’s. “Ikaw nga lang nakapansin na stressed ako nung umaga,” he said with a laugh. “Sa trabaho ko, sanay na sanay akong alalahanin lahat ng mga taong hindi ko naman kilala. Hayaan mong ikaw naman ‘yung alalahanin ko, Wons.”

Once he was actually sober, Wonwoo decided to take a walk. He needed a break from the afterparty that showed no signs of stopping anytime soon.

He settled for a spot on the grass, just close enough to still hear the muffled bass of the music from the celebration, but just far enough to be alone.

For a few moments, only the wind and some crickets kept him company.

Then, someone took the spot beside him. Mingyu stretched his legs out and set his camera down.

“Kailan pa?” He asked after a while.

Wonwoo looked at him. “Ang alin?”

“Kailan mo pa mahal si Seungcheol?”

Wonwoo’s eyes widened, completely caught off guard. “H-ha?”

“Hatdog.” Mingyu laughed, as if he didn’t just drop a bomb on the other.

“Paano mo—”

“Halata ka kaya.”

Wonwoo was surprised. Sa ilang taon niyang mahal si Seungcheol, wala sa mga kaibigan nila ang nakahalata. Hindi pa nila malalaman kung hindi niya ikekwento.

Though confused, he decided to answer the question. “Sa totoo lang, hindi ko na alam. Kababata ko siya kaya halos buong buhay ko magkakilala na kami. Tapos ganun katagal ko na rin siyang mahal.”

Seconds passed with only the sound of Mingyu picking at little blades of grass.

“Imposibleng hindi niya alam,” he said, still looking down at the greenery.

“Hindi nga,” Wonwoo insisted. "Ikaw lang naman nagsasabing halata ako. At hindi rin naman kami inaasar ng mga kaibigan namin kasi hindi naman kami Grade 2.”

“Halata ka, gago,” Mingyu stated between laughter. “Kita ko sa mga tingin mo sa kanya. Sa pagpigil mo ng iyak nung exchange of vows. Kaya ka pala nag-eemote sa bar kagabi. At kaya g na g ka sa’kin.”

Wonwoo plucked out a handful of grass and threw it at him. “Ang kapal ng mukha mo.”

Mingyu laughed, dusting his pants off. “Kala mo ‘di ko alam na muntikan ka nang umamin kay Cheol sa kalagitnaan ng speech mo kanina? Inom pa. Buti na lang niresbakan kita. Ang laking eksena mo sana.”

“Please, ‘wag mo nang ipaalala, nakakahiya.” Wonwoo buried his face in his hands, cheeks turning a bright crimson. 

When he managed to look up, he said, “At nakakahiya rin naman ‘yung ginawa mo ah. Ang dami mong binasag na baso.”

“They can forgive me for breaking a few glasses, Jeon,” Mingyu replied through a laugh. “But if you ended up professing your love for one of the grooms earlier, you’d never live it down. I think the phrase you’re looking for is ‘thank you.’”

Wonwoo muttered a barely audible thank you.

He expected Mingyu to tease him or press, but surprisingly, he didn’t. “Wala ‘yun. Alam na alam ko ‘yan eh.”

Wonwoo raised an eyebrow, questioning.

“Alam ko ‘yan kasi…” he trailed off, suddenly shy. “Kasi minahal ko rin si Jeonghan.”

The revelation startled Wonwoo. He didn’t know what he was expecting to hear, but it definitely wasn’t that.

“Alam niya?”

“Malamang.” Mingyu laughed. “Hindi ako duwag tulad mo.”

Wonwoo rolled his eyes.

“Umamin ako mga…seven years ago? Nagliligawan na sila nun ni Seungcheol pero hindi pa naman sila kaya akala ko may pag-asa pa. Kaso hindi niya raw ako gusto. Ayun, sa sobrang sakit, napalipad tuloy akong Cebu.”

“Kaya ka umalis dahil sa kanya?”

“Partly. Nakaplano na talaga ‘yung alis ko nun kasi inofferan ako ng tito ko na may-ari ng ad agency doon ng trabaho. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, aamin muna ako kay Jeonghan. Kung mahal niya rin ako, dito na lang ako. Eh hindi. Siguro, kaya best friends pa rin kami kasi lumayo ako. Kung hindi, baka matagal na kaming hindi nag-uusap.”

Wonwoo understood that. He never bothered to confess to Seunghcheol because their longstanding friendship was too important to lose over his stupid feelings. If Seungcheol didn’t love him back, he wasn’t sure if they could stay friends after.

“You know,” Mingyu began. “Seungcheol may not love you like that, but he does love you. The way all of your other friends do. I hope you know that.”

Wonwoo smiled. “I do, thank you. May sense ka rin palang kausap.”

The taller of them laughed. “Siyempre. Pero…”

“Pero?”

“Pero si Seungcheol lang pala tumatawag sa’yo nung pangalan na inuungol ko kagabi. Kink mo ‘yun?”

Wonwoo punched Mingyu’s arm.

“Aray,” he groaned, rubbing his bicep. But they were both laughing. “Biro lang eh. Pinapatawa lang kita.”

The party was dying down by the time they got back. The newlyweds’ parents and ninongs and ninangs have called it a night, retiring to the hotel rooms the married couple booked for their guests.

Some of their friends have begun filing out, too.

He and Mingyu compared room numbers. They were 717 and 718. Wonwoo bid their circle goodnight, deciding to head up with Mingyu.

“Tara na, Kuya,” Chan, their friend group’s youngest, said, slinging an arm over his shoulder. 

Ah, roommates pala kami, he thought.

Chan talked his ear off the whole walk to their room, laughing about something Vernon did earlier.

When they got to 717, Wonwoo said goodbye to Mingyu, expecting Chan to go into the room with him.

Instead, the younger only hugged him and said goodnight before turning to leave.

Confused, Wonwoo asked, “Hindi ka ba dito matutulog?”

Chan shook his head. “Hindi. Gusto lang kita ihatid para masiguro kong safe ka. Hindi ko pa kasi kilala ‘to eh,” he said the last part quietly, using his lips to point at Mingyu.

“Baliw,” Wonwoo laughed. “Best friend ni Jeonghan ‘yan.”

Chan only shrugged. “Kahit na. Hindi ko naman siya best friend eh.”

“Saan ‘yung kwarto mo?”

“‘Dun sa 9th floor. Kasama ni Kuya Vern.”

Wonwoo smiled. It was nice that Chan took the time to bring him to his room, despite being tired from the day himself.

“Salamat sa paghatid,” he thanked him.

Chan grinned at him. “Sus, siyempre, Kuya. Ikaw pa ba?”

The hard lighting of the hotel’s hallway cast shadows on Chan’s face, emphasizing the sharpness of his features. 

Wonwoo wondered when he had grown up this much. 

He was almost twenty-five now, but sometimes Wonwoo still saw him as the eight-year-old kid he had met all those years ago.

He and Seungcheol were testing out the brand-new bike the latter had gotten for his fourteenth birthday.

Chan had approached them, wide-eyed but shy. Instead of ignoring him as most fourteen-year-olds would, Seungcheol offered to teach him how to ride it.

He was patient, cheering Chan on whenever he managed to pedal without tipping over, and blowing at his scrapes whenever he fell. Doon pa nga ‘ata unang nagka-crush si Wonwoo sa kanya.

Chan was no longer eight, but to Wonwoo, he’ll always be.

“Pasensiya ka na nakita mo ‘kong ganun kanina ah,” Wonwoo said quietly, struggling to meet the younger's eyes.

“Na ano? Lasing? Nako, Kuya, kung sinabihan mo kasi ako ‘edi nasamahan pa kitang tumungga.”

Wonwoo laughed a little. “Ang kalat kasi. Sa kasal pa man din ni Cheol.”

Chan’s eyes turned sympathetic. “Happens to the best of us. Hindi naman napansin nung bagong kasal eh. Atin-atin na lang ‘yun.”

Wonwoo hugged him. When did his little brother get so mature?

He could’ve sworn he heard the click of Mingyu’s camera, but he didn’t think much of it.

It was a week after the wedding. Wonwoo headed down to the coffee shop across from his condo to work.

The baristas greeted him and started working on his order as soon as he entered. He was a regular there, so they didn’t need telling.

He set his laptop down on a table before going to the restroom.

When he came out, there was a lone cup of coffee on the counter, with a messy ‘Lex’ scrawled on the cup. He grabbed it, about to head back to his table when—

“I think you have my coffee.”

He turned around. “Mingyu?”

“Hi, Jeon.” Mingyu smiled, then pointed to the cup in Wonwoo’s hand. “That’s mine.”

Wonwoo looked down. He remembered seeing Lex scribbled at the side earlier, but now that he was really looking at it—oh shit. 

That said Luis. He was just too focused on the big L at the beginning to notice.

“Bakit Luis ‘yung nakalagay sa cup mo?” He asked in lieu of ‘sorry.’

“Sabi ko sa’yo Luis ako sa trabaho, diba? I stepped out to make a call so intern ko ‘yung umorder,” Mingyu explained, gesturing to someone behind him.

A starry-eyed, bespectacled boy who looked to be in his late teens or early twenties was sitting at a nearby table, fiddling with a shiny camera.

When he noticed the two guys looking at him, he flashed them a brace-faced smile and waved.

Mingyu laughed a little before turning back to Wonwoo. “Eh ikaw? Kala ko ba si Seungcheol lang tumatawag sa’yo ng Lex?”

“Siya ‘yung kasama ko nung una akong pumunta dito eh. He told the baristas my name was Lex, and they just kept writing it on my cup whenever they saw me. I never bothered to correct them.”

Mingyu nodded in understanding. “Well, I have to run, Jeon. But I will take you up on that breakfast date you were about to offer me.

Wonwoo raised an brow at that, and Mingyu just smiled.

“You still owe me breakfast for walking out on me the morning after we slept together. And as a thank you for saving your ass at the wedding. And as a sorry for almost taking my coffee. Technically, tatlong date na utang mo sa’kin.”

Wonwoo rolled his eyes. “Ang mema nung pangatlong rason.”

“Eh yung dalawa?”

“Pag-isipan ko.”

With a smirk, Mingyu got a pen out of his pocket and jotted down his number on a tissue paper.

“Text me,” he said casually, before turning to leave. His intern quickly smiled at Wonwoo before hurrying to trail behind the photographer.

“For Lex,” one of the baristas called out.

When he got back to his table, he stared at the tissue paper stained with the phone number. He rolled his eyes at Mingyu’s antics, but tucked it under his laptop, careful not to get it wet.

That night, he was supposed to text Mingyu to invite him to breakfast the next day. Tama naman siya—he saved Wonwoo’s ass during his disaster of a best man speech. The least he could do was treat the guy to a meal.

But before he could type up a message, a notification popped up on his phone. 

Reina Choi tagged you in a post.

Seungcheol’s mom had posted some photos from the wedding. There was one of her and Tito Lito posing in front of the beautiful tulip arch Seungkwan had created. 

There was a picture of the three-tier caramel wedding cake frosted in white icing. Hindi gawa sa styro ‘yan ah. Si Wonwoo pumili. 

He stopped at a photo of him, Seungcheol, and his parents. Seungcheol had an arm around Wonwoo, and they were all smiling brightly at the camera.

Wonwoo couldn’t help but smile back at the image. For a minute there, he was back to imagining that he had been the one Seungcheol married. 

Then, he scrolled to the next photo. It was Seungcheol and Jeonghan’s first dance. Wonwoo’s heart dropped to his stomach.

He had missed that performance at the wedding, probably busy throwing up in the bathroom as the couple waltzed on the dance floor in each other’s arms.

Wonwoo looked down at the half-crumpled tissue paper with Mingyu’s number on it and typed up a message.

He was slumped against the table, already on his third martini by the time Mingyu showed up at the bar—the same one they had first met in.

“Pwede ba tayong magkita nang hindi ka lasing, Jeon?”

Wonwoo looked up slightly before going back to sulking and sipping on his drink.

Mingyu laughed, shaking his head before taking the seat across from him.

“Bakit ka nag-aya bigla? Sabi ko breakfast, diba?” Mingyu asked, calling a waiter over. 

Wonwoo just slid his phone to Mingyu, making a pained sound.

The guy thumbed through the photos, stopping at the one of the couple’s first dance.

“Ah, kaya,” he said quietly, handing Wonwoo his phone back.

“Kailan ba kasi matatapos ‘yung mga post tungkol sa kasal?” He groaned, locking his phone and placing it face down. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

Mingyu only laughed, thanking the waiter for his beer before taking a sip. “‘Yaan mo, sa kasal natin mas marami akong ipo-post.”

Wonwoo rolled his eyes and threw an olive from his martini at him.

Mingyu picked it up and bit into it. “Dapat hiningi ni Tita Reina ‘yung mga pictures namin eh. Mas magaganda sana ‘yung napost niya.”

Wonwoo stared at him blankly. “Hindi ko alam kung kakampi ka o kalaban.”

“Wag mo na kasing tingnan kung hindi mo kaya. Martir eh.”

Wonwoo whined. “Okay na eh. Nung nakita ko ‘yung picture naming apat nina Tita, bumalik bigla 'yung fantasy ko na ako yung groom niya.” 

He then spat out a bitter laugh. “Bakit hindi siya sa’kin kinasal? Ang tagal ko na siyang mahal, Mingyu.”

A few beats of silence. Then Mingyu sighed.

“Alam mo, Jeon, sa tingin ko, hindi mo na naman talaga mahal si Seungcheol eh. Walang taong umaabot ng higit sampung taong ‘yung feelings kung hindi naman sila minamahal pabalik.”

Wonwoo laughed a genuine one, amused. “Wow, mas marunong ka pa sakin ah. Puso mo ba ‘to?” 

“If you’d let me.” Mingyu replied, a teasing smile on his lips. “But seriously. I really think you’re just telling yourself that you still love him because, after all these years, it’s become your comfort zone. Si Seungcheol na lang kasi sanay ka na. And it’s easier than opening yourself up to the possibility of someone new. Pero…”

Mingyu looked at Wonwoo. Wonwoo met his eyes.

“Malay mo nameet mo mo na pala ‘yung para sayo,” he continued. “Hinihintay ka lang.” 

Wonwoo didn’t say anything. Just ordered a fourth martini. 

Mingyu sighed again before getting another beer.

Wonwoo came across another photo of the newlyweds. This time, from their honeymoon in Amanpulo.

Normally, he’d end up staying in bed all day, engulfed in a blanket with Tear Drops on My Guitar on repeat. Pasensiya ka na mareng Taylor, matindi lang ‘yung pangangailangan.

But while Mingyu’s speech at the bar a week ago wasn’t fully convincing, he hated to admit that it did knock some sense into him.

So he forced himself to go grocery shopping instead. Nakasando lang siyang na-mukbang na ‘ata ng daga at shorts na pangalawang suot na, but he still counted it as a win.

Yawning, he threw packs and packs of instant noodles into his cart when someone bumped into it.

“Sorr—andito ka na naman?”

Mingyu grinned, canines shining in the supermarket’s fluorescent lighting. “Hinay-hinay naman sa Pancit Canton, boss. May sari-sari store ka bang hindi ko alam?”

Wonwoo rolled his eyes, but put some of the packs back on the shelf anyway.

“Stalker ka talaga ‘no?” He accused the taller one.

Mingyu put his hands up defensively. “Nakasalubong ka lang, stalker na agad? Sa’yo ba ‘tong grocery?” Ang dami naman palang business ni Wonwoo.

“Bakit naman kasi sa lahat ng grocery sa Maynila eh dito ka pa sa San Juan napadpad?”

“Ah, dito pala malapit ‘yung condong nilipitan ko.” 

Wonwoo nodded, satisfied with the answer. Dito lang din kasi ‘yung condo niya.

“Dalawang linggo na pero hindi ko pa rin nakukuha ‘yung hinihingi kong breakfast date, Jeon. May interes ‘yan. Mga anim na date na siguro utang mo sa’kin.”

“OA naman sa fifty percent interest,” Wonwoo shook his head, clicking his tongue. “At kung magbe-breakfast man tayo, breakfast lang ‘yun, hindi date.

Mingyu laughed. “Well, I’ll take it.”

“Kaso…” Wonwoo looked down at his phone to check the time. “11:47 A.M na. Too late for breakfast.”

“Brunch then.”

They ended up at Breakfast at Antonio’s in Magnolia. Para raw breakfast pa rin kahit lampas alas dose na, sabi ni Mingyu. Though it was a sad attempt at a joke, Wonwoo agreed because his condo was right above it.

“Masarap ba dito?” Mingyu asked, browsing the menu.

“Sakto lang. Mahal. I’ve had better for less. Pero ayos lang kasi andiyan na ‘yung condo ko.”

Mingyu’s ears perked up at that. “Oh?”

“Yep. Dito lang ako sa Magnolia. ‘Diyan sa Tower A.”

“Hmm,” Mingyu hummed, trying to fight his smile.

Before Wonwoo could ask why, he spoke again.

“Diyan lang din ako eh. Tower B.”

“Matagal ka na dito?” Mingyu asked through a mouthful of overpriced tapa.

“Around three years? Lumipat ako when the pandemic died down kasi nagtransition ‘yung company ko to work from home. Mas malapit na rin pati sa bahay ng parents ko. ‘Diyan lang sila sa may Greenhills. Si Seungcheol ‘yung nakahanap ng unit, actually.”

Mingyu wiped the corners of his mouth, nodding. “Gets. Si Jeonghan din ‘yung nagbigay sa’kin ng lead dito eh. Freelance naman daw ako so it’s a good midpoint.”

Then, there was silence. It was pathetic how the mere mention of Jeonghan and Seungcheol in conversation immediately dampened his mood.

“May post ulit sila kanina. Sa Amanpulo naman,” he said quietly, pushing around sad clumps of rice on his plate.

“Kaya ba bigla kang napagrocery nang hindi naliligo?”

Wonwoo threw a soggy piece of tissue at him.

Mingyu caught it, laughing. “Okay lang ‘yan, Jeon. Tubig lang lamang ng Palawan sa’tin.”

Then, “May tubig din naman tayo dito oh,” he said, gesturing to the glasses of water sitting in between them.

Wonwoo made a face at him. “Corny mo talaga, nakakainis.”

When the giggles faded out, Mingyu paused, looking deep in thought. 

“Free ka ba bukas?” He finally asked.

Wonwoo took a few seconds. “I guess? Maglalaba lang sana.”

Mingyu nodded. “Great. Pwede mo ba ‘kong samahan? Mabilis lang tayo.” 

“Teka, saan naman?”

Mingyu waved him off. “Basta. Malapit lang dito. Okay ka 8:00 A.M.?”

“On a Sunday? Even God rested, Mingyu Kim.”

Laughing, Mingyu answered, “Sige na. Para matapos tayo agad at makapaglaba ka pa.”

Wonwoo wanted to protest, but Mingyu looked like a puppy pleading for a treat. Who wouldn't give in?

Mingyu showed up at Wonwoo’s unit the next day in a simple white t-shirt and joggers. Wonwoo’s clothes pretty much matched his. Hindi sinabi ni Mingyu kung saan sila pupunta, pero naisip niya na kung malapit lang naman ay hindi na niya siguro kailangang mag-gown.

“Tara na?” He asked Mingyu, whose eyes darted around his unit as if searching for something.

“May I raid your closet? May hahanapin lang ako.”

Wonwoo scrunched his nose up in confusion. “Ha? Ano namang kailangan mo?” 

Mingyu said nothing but brought out those damn puppy eyes again, leaving Wonwoo without a choice.

“Sabihin mo na lang kasi kung anong hinahanap mo para ako na kukuha,” Wonwoo said after the other had been rummaging through his stuff for a good three minutes.

“‘Wag na,” Mingyu whined. “‘Edi nasira ‘yung surprise.”

Stubborn puppy, Wonwoo thought.

Before they left his unit, Mingyu handed him a sleep mask so he could be blindfolded. He put his entire trust in Mingyu as they walked down the hallways of their condo. Buti na lang wala pang masyadong tao kasi mukha silang tanga.

They got into Mingyu’s car, and he drove a suspiciously short distance. 

“Ba’t parang umikot ka lang nang dalawang beses?”

His question was met only with quiet.

Mingyu guided Wonwoo out of the car and to their destination. 

The smell of chlorine hit his nose immediately. Mingyu removed his blindfold. Nasa swimming pool sila ng condo nila. 

It was silly, all the hoops Mingyu made him go through just to end up at the same place. 

But he couldn’t deny that it was cute.

“Ano ‘to?” He asked rhetorically. Siyempre, sasabihin ni Mingyu, swimming pool.

“Swimming pool.” As expected. “Inggit na inggit ka sa pa-beach nung mag-asawa eh. Pwede rin naman tayong pumunta dun. Kaso malayo eh. Kaya dito na lang muna.”

“Paano mo nalamang gusto mo si Seungcheol?” Mingyu asked when they’d gotten into the water. Swim trunks pala ‘yung kinalkal nito sa cabinet niya kanina.

Mingyu was a few feet away in the deeper part of the pool, while Wonwoo stayed by the steps since he didn’t know how to swim.

He took a few seconds to think about the question. “Like I said, parang buong buhay ko, siya na ‘yung gusto ko. Corny man pero kahit higit sampung taon na, kinikilig pa rin ako sa kanya. I still get butterflies in my stomach around him, ganun.”

Mingyu seemed to ponder that.

Then, he treaded through the water lightly, moving closer to Wonwoo until he was only a few inches away.

He snaked his hand on Wonwoo’s back, pausing slightly, seeming to ask for permission.

Wonwoo could only nod. The wind felt cool, and the water was cold, but Mingyu’s touch was warm against his skin.

He pulled Wonwoo closer, ‘til every part of their body was touching, ‘til the other guy could feel his hot breath on his lips.

Wonwoo expected the nerves to kick in now that there was practically no space between them, but his heartbeat was surprisingly steady.

“Sabi nila,” Mingyu whispered, dangerously close. “Sabi nila, the right person won’t give you butterflies. Instead, being around them will feel like peace. Like safety.”

Wonwoo’s heart has slowed. The once-cold water had turned lukewarm, just the right temperature. 

“Randam mo, Jeon?” Mingyu asked against his lips, finally closing the distance.

Instinctively, Wonwoo wrapped his arms around Mingyu’s neck, pulling him closer. 

Wonwoo ran his tongue against Mingyu's bottom lip, and he responded by hooking Wonwoo’s leg against his waist and pinning him against the pool’s wall. 

Mingyu moved from his lips to his earlobe, gently biting on it. He licked down to his jaw, then grazed his teeth on his neck. Wonwoo breathed heavily, trying so hard to remain quiet.

Mingyu made a pained sound against his skin, like he was desperate to feel more. He ran a hand up Wonwoo’s thigh until he reached the waistband of his shorts. He was already pulling on the string when—

A group of toddlers ran into the pool area, their floaties and goggles in tow. Mags-swimming lessons ‘ata.

The pair quickly broke it off, both breathing heavily, noses brushing against each other as they laughed.

Mingyu walked Wonwoo back up to his unit, pruny fingers intertwined. Their hair was brittle, and they reeked of chlorine, but they were both smiling from ear-to-ear.

“This is me,” Wonwoo said as they stopped in front of his door.

“Mhm,” Mingyu hummed in satisfaction, looking drunk from happiness. 

Wonwoo mirrored his expression. “Bye.”

He expected Mingyu to turn and leave right away, but instead, he pressed a quick, chaste kiss on Wonwoo’s lips.

Then he left, but Wonwoo stayed glued to his place.

Obviously, they’d kissed before— a lot of times on the night they met at the bar, and just a few minutes ago at the pool. But this one was different.

Wonwoo tried telling himself that Mingyu probably did it out of habit, that it wasn’t special. 

But he didn’t believe that.

There was something in that innocent peck that gave him assurance, like Mingyu was saying bye for now, but I’ll see you again.

There are no butterflies wreaking havoc in his stomach. Only a calming wave of sureness that Mingyu will be there again tomorrow.

And he was. Mingyu was there every single day after that.

They'd been dating for a few months now, living a beautifully mundane life together.

The first time Mingyu gave Wonwoo flowers, he hung strings of sampaguita on his unit’s doorknob. Na para bang Santo Niño si Wonwoo. Gusto raw kasi niya ‘yung amoy nun, diba? Tama naman.

Bumaba na rin ang sales ng instant noodles kasi madalas na siyang pinagluluto ni Mingyu. Kahapon lang, authentic carbonara ang lunch nila. Complete with guanciale and parmigiano ‘yan ah. Walang all-purpose cream.

Mingyu also always made time, happily sitting through three-hour films on Wonwoo’s watchlist even though he had early call times the next morning. He listened to Wonwoo yap about them after, even through hooded eyes and stifled yawns.

“Antok na baby ko?” Wonwoo would ask, pulling him closer and placing soft kisses against his temple, and Mingyu would just nod like a little kid, burying his face against Wonwoo’s neck.

Their dates were simple. They liked it that way. No candlelit dinners or eight-course tasting menus, just the two of them and a family pan of Jollibee spaghetti in Wonwoo’s living room.

“May chika ako, baby,” Wonwoo would say, taking his place on the couch. 

Mingyu would plop down on the cushion next to him, responding with an overly enthusiastic, “Seated!”

Wonwoo woke up craving tapa one morning, so he texted Mingyu to ask if they could grab breakfast at one of their go-to carinderias near their condo.

Mingyu replied with a ‘sorry po baby ko early morning meeting with client :( lunch na lang?’

Wonwoo quickly typed up an ‘okay po :)’ and was about to lock his phone when a new message from Seungkwan popped up.

‘Wons, nakauwi na ‘ko. Pwede mo nang papick up ‘yung Vizco’s mamayang mga 10. :)’ It read.

He beamed at the message. He had forgotten that Seungkwan was coming home from Baguio today. Wonwoo had asked him to drop by a pastry shop there and buy something as a favor.

Favorite kasi ni Mingyu ‘yung Strawberry Shortcake ng Vizco’s. May branch naman sila sa SM North pero kasi iba pa rin ‘yung orig. Parang mas fresh?

Wonwoo was smiling to himself as he walked over to Mingyu’s unit a little while later, already carrying the cake. He was meeting his boyfriend for lunch there anyway, so he might as well wait inside. 

He was fishing for his key to Mingyu’s place in his pocket when the door swung open, revealing his lover laughing with a guy Wonwoo hadn’t met.

Wonwoo froze.

Mingyu looked surprised to see him, then happy. “Baby, hi. Si Eunwoo pala, the client that I told you about.”

He and Eunwoo exchanged pleasantries before the latter excused himself to go ahead.

Wonwoo watched as Eunwoo headed to the elevator.

He stood there in thought for a while before it clicked. 

Mingyu mentioned dating a Eunwoo back in college…and is that Mingyu’s shirt he was wearing?

“T-shirt mo ba ‘yun?” Wonwoo asked absentmindedly, still watching the elevator’s already closed doors.

“Ah, oo, baby. Kaya pala kami umakyat kasi pinahiram ko siya ng shirt. Natapunan kasi ng kape nung server ‘yung suot niya, eh may errands pa siya after. Nandun lang kami sa cafe sa baba kanina.”

Mingyu stepped forward with a smile, going in for a kiss, but Wonwoo stepped back.

“That’s your favorite shirt,” he said, expression blank.

“Is it? I didn’t even realize, babe. I just grabbed the first thing I saw na feeling ko kakasya.”

Wonwoo was unmoving, unconvinced. “Diba ex mo ‘yun?” 

Mingyu was confused. He wondered why Wonwoo was suddenly asking him that until he realized how the scene must have looked from the guy he was dating's perspective.

“Okay,” he said slowly. “I know what it looks like, baby. Pero promise, our meeting today was purely for business. Kasal na si Eunwoo ngayon. I did his wife’s maternity shoot a few months back, and they liked it so much that they hired me again for their baby’s monthly milestone shoot. Nag-pitch ako ng concepts sa kanya kanina. Tapos na dapat kami kaso ayun nga, natapunan siya ng kape, kaya umakyat kami dito.”

“How convenient,” Wonwoo uttered sarcastically.

“Well, if the truth is convenient, then so be it.”

“Forgive me for having trouble believing that seeing your ex at your condo unit, wearing the shirt that you claim to be your favorite, is purely a coincidence.”

Mingyu sighed. “Hindi ko na talaga pinansin kung anong t-shirt ‘yung nadampot ko, baby. Nagmamadali na rin kasi siya. And I only dated him for like three months in college. It was barely a relationship.”

The silence between them hung heavy.

“Sorry na,” Mingyu said quietly, reaching out to hug Wonwoo, who remained unresponsive.

Then he heard him say, “Kung lolokohin mo lang ako, Mingyu, itigil na natin ‘to.”

Mingyu was shocked. Then offended. “Wala ka bang tiwala sa’kin? Nag-explain na ‘ko diba?”

“Malay ko ba kung sinungaling ka?” Wonwoo rolled his eyes. “Ilang buwan pa lang naman kitang kilala. Bigla-bigla ka lang sumulpot sa buhay ko.”

“Ang baba pala ng tingin mo sa’kin ‘no?” Mingyu asked in disbelief. “Bakit, Wonwoo? Ilang taon ba bago ko makuha ‘yang tiwala mo? Ten? Fifteen? Parang kayo ni Seungcheol?”

Wonwoo’s expression shifted at that last word. “Keep his name out of this, Mingyu.”

Mingyu huffed out a bitter laugh. “‘Yun! Edi lumabas din ‘yung totoo. You want me to fuck up so bad so you can go back to desperately pining over him, is that it? Hindi ka niya mahal, Wonwoo.” 

He took Wonwoo’s hands in his, dropping kisses on his knuckles. “Ako mahal kita.”

Wonwoo stiffened. They hadn’t said those words to each other before.

“Mahal mo rin ba ‘ko?” Mingyu choked out, eyes welling up with tears.

Wonwoo stayed frozen, not saying anything. 

Ten seconds of silence passed. Then twenty. Then longer than he could count.

Mingyu’s eyes shifted from hopeful to defeated. 

He changed the question. “Si Seungcheol pa rin ba?”

The silence was loud now, deafening.

Wonwoo wanted to say no. Maybe? He knew saying anything would be better than this, but his mouth refused to open, betraying him.

Mingyu was nodding like he already got his answer.

“Got it,” he said under his breath. “I’ll see you around, Wonwoo.”

Then the door shut in his face.

Wonwoo went back to his unit and ate the cake from Vizco’s straight out of the box, harshly stabbing each piece with a fork. Sayang naman kasi, galing pang Baguio. Fresh.

Three days na silang hindi nag-uusap ni Mingyu. Three days na rin siyang naka-sick leave sa trabaho. Sick of this shit, bakit ba?

He was in bed, wrapped up in his duvet, listening to the ten-minute version of All Too Well on loop, when his phone pinged with a new notification.

Message from Yoon Jeonghan.

His entire body ran cold despite being swaddled up in multiple layers. Not once did he and Jeonghan ever text each other in the last seven years or so.

Did the latter somehow find out that he was harboring secret feelings for Seungcheol? Sasabihan na ba siya nito ng layuan mo ang asawa ko?

Nagsumbong ba si Mingyu sa naging away nila?

He opened up the message. ‘Hi, Wonwoo! Free ka ba today? Don’t worry, it’s nothing bad. May ibibigay lang sana ako. :)’

Wonwoo breathed out a sigh of relief. At least, may proper messaging etiquette itong si Jeonghan.

But still, he couldn’t help but wonder. Ano namang ibibigay niya? Kung pasalubong from Palawan, ang late naman 'ata masyado?

The last thing he wanted was to get out of bed, but curiosity got the best of him.

When Wonwoo arrived at their meeting place, Jeonghan was sitting at a table in the center, sipping a cup of tea, a glaring yellow envelope at his side. 

Taray, para talagang bida sa teleserye.

Jeonghan smiled upon seeing him. “Hi, Wonwoo. Kamusta?”

Wonwoo wanted to roll his eyes. He wasn’t in the mood for the unnecessary small talk today.

He sat down. “We can skip the pleasantries, Jeonghan. Para saan ‘to?”

Jeonghan sighed, nodding. “I know you have feelings for Seungcheol, Wonwoo.”

Well, there it is. Time to do time for his crime.

“Congrats, ang galing mo,” He said sarcastically. “’Wag kang mag-alala, wala akong balak agawin siya sa’yo.”

Jeonghan immediately put his hands up. “Relax, Wonwoo. Wala ako dito para awayin ka.” He laughed a little at that last part, like he found it silly.

That grounded Wonwoo a bit. Oo nga pala, hindi naman sila sina Angel Locsin at Angelica Panganiban. Pahiram ng asawa mo.

“What are you here for then?” He asked, still guarded.

The other guy smiled, but didn't answer the question. Instead, he said, “I can’t blame you for being in love with him, Wonwoo. He’s a great guy. I’d give everyone their own Seungcheol if I could.”

Kahit medyo naiinis at kabado pa rin, Wonwoo couldn’t help but smile at that. 

Jeonghan continued. “But as much as I understand you, I also think it’s unfair for you to be stuck on him when clearly, there's so much love around you.”

Wonwoo’s brows furrowed. Jeonghan slid the yellow envelope over to him.

He stared at it for a few seconds, unmoving. Ito na ba ‘yung sampung milyon?

Then he looked up at Jeonghan, who only nodded encouragingly, urging him to open it.

Wonwoo tried to control the tremble in his hands as he touched the already broken seal.

Inside the envelope were printed photos. All of himself. At Jeonghan and Seungcheol’s wedding.

Wonwoo was puzzled. Ano ‘to?

He looked to the guy for an explanation.

Jeonghan smiled, took a sip of his tea, and set it down again. “Mingyu got us custom prints of his favorite shots from our wedding. Dalawang envelope ang meron siya. ‘Yung para sa’min…” he trailed off, playing his part perfectly. “At ‘yung may pictures mo.”

Jeonghan laughed a little before continuing. “Inutusan niya ‘yung intern niya na ipadala sa’kin ‘yung tamang envelope. Kaso, nalito ‘ata ‘yung bata. Ang napa-Lalamove eh ‘yung may nakalagay na ‘W.’ Akala niya siguro, W as in wedding.”

Wonwoo was speechless.

He looked through the photos: a close-up of him mid-laughter during his conversation with Jun and Minghao about the ten Peking ducks; another of him smiling as he hugged Joshua, looking tipsy but sincerely happy; a candid shot of him posing at the photobooth with Jihon and Soonyoung—it was supposed to be just the couple, but Wonwoo passed by as they were taking the photos and they pulled him in.

Then there was him with his head on Seungkwan’s shoulder after he’d just finished throwing up, and him hugging Chan in the hotel hallway, apologizing for being a mess.

There were a bunch more close-up and candid shots of him from that night doing even the most ordinary things, when he thought nobody cared enough to notice him.

But it was the last photo that caught his eye the most. It was when Seungcheol hugged him after his best man speech. While in Seungcheol’s arms, he was looking right at the camera. Right at Mingyu.

“I don’t know if you consider us friends, Wonwoo,” Jeonghan began slowly, cautiously. “But I’d really like to be. Mingyu still has no idea that he gave us the wrong pictures, but I thought you should know.”

Though still stunned, Wonwoo nodded in understanding.

“Nung kasal pa lang namin, nahalata ko nang type ka niya. Alam kong medyo nagkakalabuan kayo ngayon, pero bigyan mo lang ‘yun ng time. Kailangan lang nun magpalamig ng ulo.”

Wonwoo thought about that. Actually, he didn’t want to wait.

He ran to Mingyu’s unit and knocked loudly.

It took a while for the other guy to answer. When he did, his eyes were only half open, and he had pillow marks on his right cheek.

“Bakit?” He asked flatly, rubbing his eyes.

Wonwoo bit his lip to keep himself from smiling too hard. He showed him the envelope in his hand, clearly marked with a bold W.

That seemed to knock all the sleep out of Mingyu. “Paano mo—”

“‘Di na importante.” Wonwoo waved him off. “Magbabayad lang sana ako ng utang.”

Mingyu was confused. Wala namang utang si Wonwoo sa kanya. Lahat ng date nila, klaro kung KKB o libre nung isa.

“Wala kang utang sa’kin, Wonwoo.”

There was a teasing glint in Wonwoo’s eye. “Oh? Meron eh.”

Mingyu wanted to protest, but Wonwoo beat him to it.

“Sabi mo sa’kin nung una kitang nakasalubong sa grocery a few months back, marami na ‘kong utang sa’yong breakfast date. May interes pa.” 

Wonwoo smiled. “Hindi pa ‘ata ako bayad.”

Mingyu was quiet. But that was okay. Wonwoo can do all the talking this time.

“Gusto ko sanang magbreakfast date kasama ka araw-araw, Mingyu Kim,” he said. “Pati na rin lunch, merienda, at dinner. If you’d let me.”

Mingyu only blinked up at him rapidly. Wonwoo laughed, finding it adorable.

He took a few steps forward and placed a soft kiss on Mingyu’s lips. One that said, I’m here now. You don’t have to share me with anyone else.

He hoped the kiss got the message across. But just in case it didn’t…

"Mahal kita, Mingyu Kim. Ikaw na, at ikaw lang. If it wasn't obvious yet."

Technically, Mingyu and Wonwoo officially met at a wedding two years ago. 

So it was like deja vu for them, being at one again. This time, it was their own.

Jun and Minghao had just gotten back from a trip to China. But they didn’t have ten Peking ducks in tow this time around. Instead, Jun’s mom had gone home with them. The couple was expecting a baby girl in a few months through a surrogate, and she didn’t want her first grandchild growing up away from her lola.

Seungkwan was their organizer. Still, not a single petal was out of place, and no chair was askew. This time, he wasn’t breaking a sweat. After all, this was already his third rodeo for a friend’s wedding. 

He locked eyes with Wonwoo. He flashed him a thumbs-up, assuring the groom that he’s got this.

Joshua was back in Manila after almost two years in New York. He and Seokmin briefly dated before he left, but broke it off because the thirteen-hour time difference just didn’t work. 

But they seem to be hitting it off again tonight. Wonwoo was hopeful. After all, weddings were a different kind of magic. Take it from him.

Jihoon and Soonyoung are seven years strong now, and Jihoon has been subtly dropping hints for a ring. What he didn’t know was that Soonyoung had already gotten Jihoon’s Papa’s blessing, and that the ring was safely hidden away somewhere in their shared condo.

Soonyoung will propose during their trip to Busan in two weeks.

Vernon resigned from his corporate job a year ago, after some convincing from Mingyu. At twenty-nine, he was an intern for a music producer, completely starting over from scratch. He couldn’t be happier.

Chan was giving Mingyu’s eight-year-old niece a piggyback ride. When he put her down, he made a face, rubbing his lower back.

Wonwoo couldn’t help but laugh. He may be pushing thirty now, but he’ll always be Wonwoo’s bunso.

And Seungcheol and Jeonghan? Well, of course, they’re here. They’re the grooms’ best friends.

He was excited for his first dance with Mingyu. They’d spent weeks waltzing around their kitchen, practicing how not to step on each other’s toes. He reached for his husband's hand, intertwining their fingers. Mingyu smiled at him, kissing his knuckles. He was practically glowing. Was it from the spotlight Seungkwan set up, or was he just happy to be marrying the love of his life?

Wonwoo would like to think it's the latter.

Teka, ano na nga bang next? Ah, ‘yung best man speech.

Mingyu’s former intern appeared at the side, ready to capture the moment. He was surefooted with a camera now, got his braces off, and started wearing contacts, but he still carried the same passion.

He was ecstatic when Mingyu asked him to be their wedding photographer.

Wonwoo smiled fondly as his best man stepped forward, mic in one hand and a champagne glass in the other. 

“Hi,” he said shyly. “Ako po si Jeonghan, best man ni Wonwoo.”