#SugarSpiceEverythingLimbo

"Keeping the push and pull will make one or both injured."

-x-

Akala ni Jhing, matatapos na ang too many moments with Miko pagtapos ng Caliraya weekend escapade. She survived the team building, body ache, and Miko staying in her apartment! Ibabaon na nga niya sa limot.

But how to bury a photo uploaded on the Team Building photographer's FB account?

Facebook must have a report button for offensive picture for my moving on process. It's like a shout to her face that Miko's presence was unavoidable.

And it's posted on FB! For everyone to see!

They weren't the subject of the photo, really. It's a group picture of people. Sila lang itong seryoso ang mukha sa background, halos blurred but to Jhing's eyes: the part when Miko reached for her, and she stared at his hand, was vivid.

Caught in cam!

Lucky the camera can't capture feelings.

She prayed for everyone to ignore it. Ang dami kayang pictures. But lo and behold, someone tagged her.

July Verano Uyy, Miko at RionaJ ano yang moment niyo sa bg? ♥s everywhere!

She's not really berks with the Higher Beings, no?

A few more comments; thankfully, hindi related sa background, Fall added salt to Jhing's wounding ego.

Fall Ying OTP <33333333

Miko † pogi ko kahit side view (＾～＾✿)

Sam Juan ^hala kuya san nyo nakuha emoticon? Anong app po?

Miko † gmg

Sam Juan gmg.com?? gmg app? Wala sa emoji app TT n TT

Miko † google mo gago

Miko † *girl

Miko † este *guy

Fall Ying I see what you did there

Miko † ┐(￣ヮ￣)┌

Sam Juan nakakaiyak di ko talaga makita!!!

"Naglalaro lang kami d'yan," Jhing's defense when July bothered her pagkapasok ng office.

She cringed. Pinakita kasisa kanya yung screen cap, zoomed in.

"Ang seryoso?"

"Ayaw kong matalo."

"Anong laro 'yung pag-abot ng kamay?" July whispered, "Paunahan umamin?"

Jhing ignored the last line and answered, "Pen pen de sarapen."

"Weh?"

"Really."

It was obvious July didn't believe her but thankfully, didn't push through.

The rest of the day went pretty normal.

Jhing loves normal.

Miko, apparently, doesn't.

When December 1st came, excited si Jhing. She promised herself to buy one book for leisure's sake. Kaya lang nakasabay niya si Miko sa elevator pababa, sa paglakad papuntang mall, at pagpunta sa bookstore.

Then he dropped the bomb.

"Sinusundan mo ba ako?"

To say Jhing was shocked by Miko's question was an understatement. She could only utter a, "what?" to defend her ego! Napatingin kasi ang ibang tao sa kanila.

Miko's smile widened. "Dapat pogi ako sa paparazzi pictures ah?"

She left the laughing Miko. Pagkalayo, nilingon niya ito. He's browsing technical books with smirking lips.

So he read books? O pasikat?

Jhing spent her 15 minutes staring at the 3 books in hand when someone decided to stand next to her, and hiccuped.

"Jhing." Si Miko. Art book in hand. Another hiccup. "Number?" When she didn't talk, kinalabit siya ng lalaki. "Jh—"

She stared at the books in front of her. "Anong number?"

"Number! Yung may—"

"Shut it," she cut him off. Nilingon na niya ito. "11."

Nag-isip si Miko. A few seconds after, his forehead wrinkled. "Hindi 10?"

"Hindi."

Another hiccup.

"10 na lang, oh."

Umiling si Jhing. Pikitmata siyang namili ng isang libro and smelled the pages of said book on hand. Before she walked away, Miko held her elbow.

Nawala tuloy siya sa bookish momentum.

"10 na—" Hiccup. "—lang."

"Ano bang issue mo sa number?" Tinanggal niya ang hawak ni Miko. "Ayaw ko ng 10. Gusto ko 11."

Humarang sa kanya si Miko. "Pero K 'yung 11. Gawin mong 10."

"Para saan ba?" Gusto niyang hawiin si Miko but skin contact wasn't an option, again. "Anong paki ko sa alphabet at number?"

"Eh sinisinok—"Another hiccup. "—ako. May nakakamiss sa akin. Gusto ko sana 10 para J," he said while wiggling his eyebrow.

Ignoring the heat on her cheeks, Jhing rolled her eyes. "Bata ka ba? Naniniwala ka sa ganyan?"

It was a rhetorical question – to insult him - pero mukhang manhid si Miko dahil nakangiti pa itong sumagot.

"Hindi na ako bata. Mas matanda pa nga ako—"

"Pero naniniwala ka sa ganyan."

"Bakit hindi?" he asked, smiling. "Siguradong may isang nakaka-miss sa akin d'yan."

"May mali lang sa flow ng paghinga kaya ka sinisinok." She started to walk, a book clutched on one hand.

"We—" Hiccup "—eh?" Humabol si Miko. "Hindi ba dahil may nakaka-miss sa ak—"

"No."

He faked a pained expression, a hand on his chest. "Awtsu, sinisira mo—" Hiccup. Again. "Paniniwala ko ng 26 years."

"Oh, 26 ka na pala?" Jhing tilted her head. "Hindi halata."

"Marami ngang nagsa—" His smile widened but a hiccup ruined the smile. "—bi sa akin na mukha raw akong bata."

"Mukhang 12?"

He chuckled shyly from the compliment. "Mga 20 nam—"

"12 ang isip," she deadpanned.

Boom! Buuurn.

Jhing = 1

Miko = 0

Jhing left the aisle with a triumphant smile.

"Minsan ang sakit—" Miko hiccupped again. "—sakit mo magsalita."

Dahil nanririndi na siya sa sinok, she looked at him. "Huwag kang huminga."

"Ha—"

Tinakpan ni Jhing ang bibig ni Miko gamit ang kamay na walang hawak. She shivered a bit. It's not much. His lips just touched her palm.

No biggie.

"Don't breathe. Dapat walang hangin na papasok o lalabas sa sistema mo para mawala 'yung sinok."

She felt her palm burned from the touch pagkaalis. Jhing almost smiled when Miko followed her order. Hindi ito huminga, his lips pursing into a thin line.

Silence. Better.

But it ended too soon.

Pagkarating sa aisle ng mga Wattpad published books, kamuntikan malaglag ni Jhing ang hawak when Miko held her arm as if he needed to hold her for his dear life.

Miko pointed at himself, coughing, namumutla kaunti. Doon na-realize ni Jhing na hindi pa rin humihinga ang loko!

"Huminga ka na!" Halos 30 seconds na ang nakakaraan. "Adik ka talaga!"

Miko exhaled, then inhaled, and exhaled again as if he drowned. Napatingin sa kanila ang ilan dahil OA kung maka-hinga si Miko.

Jhing wanted to smile – laugh, even – pero isipin pa ni Miko, ang benta nito.

So nevermind.

"Ito na ba lahat ng galit mo sa'kin? Papatayin mo talaga ako 'pag may chance ka, eh."

It was painful to hide her smile, pero kailangan para hindi madagdagan ang puputok na ego ng kausap. "Sino bang nagsabing huwag kang huminga nang matagal? Mga 10 seconds lang dapat."

"Wala kang sinabi."

Jhing shrugged. "Hindi ko kasalanang uto-uto ka."

"Gwapo naman." Pinukpok ni Miko ang dibdib, then a minute later, he smiled. "Hindi na ako sinisinok!"

"Wow!" A fake smile. "Congrats."

"Salamat!"

Hindi talaga nakakaintindi ng insulto si Miko. Kainis.

Jhing winced when she saw the Wattpad books. Parang binagyo ang mga libro at siniksik ang lahat para magkasya. Na hindi rin kasya dahil nag-uumapaw ang mga libro. May ilang sira ang plastic, covers and inside pages.

Ah, the mass production of wattpad books craze.

It's heartbreaking to see piles of wattpad books in stores as if they weren't a product of logic, creativity and hard work. Pinabayaan na lang. Dahil sa dami? Dahil hindi nabebenta? Dahil sinisira ng mga tao?

"Awtsu, grabe sira ng iba," Miko commented.

He tried fixing the displays to make the shelf look neat. Jhing sighed. Sayang lang effort ni Miko dahil parang walang pag-asa. Still, nagpatuloy si Miko. Nakaupo na nga ito sa sahig sa sobrang dedicated sa pag-ayos.

He looked up at her. "Ano kayang nararamdaman ng mga author pag nakita nila na ganito libro nila sa bookstore?"

"Happiness."

"Talaga?"

"Naniwala ka naman?" Jhing rolled her eyes and sat next to Miko. Nakisali sa pag-ayos. "Masakit. Kung kasama libro ko sa ganito, baka maiyak ako. Pinabayaan na, sinira pa."

Iniisip ng karamihan, swerte ang mga published book authors. Nakikita na kasi sa bookstores ang mga libro nila.

They didn't know that books staying too long in bookstores were books that didn't sell.

And a book that didn't sell is a story, creativity, and an author's voice that no one will care about.

Hindi lang ito wow published book author ka na pala ha di mo sinabi libre naman dyan or nakita ko book mo sa bookstore! Hanep! Paautograph! proud moment.

It's more than that.

Books should be more than the external celebration.

"Buti na lang good Samaritan ako para ayusin 'yung—uy! Bagay sa'yo 'to."

Para sa mga Hopeless Ampalaya

Jhing pushed Miko away. "Bwisit ka."

Miko laughed.

Natuwa ang dalawa sa pag-aayos ng libro: by colors para masarap sa mata, Miko said. They have their own little bubble, ignoring the passing people.

"Bakit kaya hindi pa nabibili 'tong mga libro?"

"Too many books. Nakatambak. Sira pa." Jhing answered. "Hindi ko na masisi publishers na naghahanap ng popular books at authors para bumenta agad."

"Business," he said. "Kailangan umikot ng pera sa negosyo para magpatuloy 'yung operation."

"That. And it's a scary thing for us," she added. "Masakit makitang ganito 'pag nagtatagal sa bookstore. Sabi pa nila mas deserve ng undiscovered gems ang publishing world, pero aanhin 'yung galing kung aagnasin lang 'yung libro sa display."

"Kasi hindi rin naman sila mabebenta," Miko added.

"Yeah. Kaunti lang 'yung maghahalungkat sa bookstores para maghanap talaga ng bagong libro." Jhing stared at a wattpad book, sira ang cover at ilang pages. "Pag hindi nabenta after six months kahit discounted na, sa warehouse babagsak. Aanayin lang."

"Awtsu," Miko commented. "Hindi rin nakakabasa mga anay. Balewala kung aanayin sa warehouse."

He, Melchizedek Jesus Crux, is a hopeless case.

Pagtapos ng ilang minutong pag-aayos by colors, Jhing stood up. Sinundan siya ni Miko at pumila sa cashier when they saw her published titles in the near book stand.

"Hala naka-display libro mo."

Too late to hide her face, people looked – stared – at her as Miko grabbed all her books. She has the right to ignore him. Pero lumapit sa kanya ang loko with books in hand.

"Bibilhin ko para walang display. Para sold out agad tapos hindi aanayin sa warehouse. Teka—" He went back to the stand and grabbed a book written by Fall, her voice loud when he explained, "Baka sabihin ni Hulog hindi ko siya sinusuportahan, eh."

Jhing made sure Miko won't pay for the books. Ilang beses niyang pinalo ang kamay ni Miko dahil pinipilit nitong bilhin ang lahat. He has five hundreds on his wallet. Kaka-payday lang kasi.

"Para hindi daanan-daanan libro mo," he almost whined.

"May mga bibili pa n'yan at magbabasa talaga."

Wow she felt positive for a moment there.

"Babasahin ko naman!"

"Ikaw lang? Not enough."

"Eh di gagawin kong flyers para maraming makabasa."

"Fine," she snapped. "Dyan ka naman masaya. Bilhin mo na rin sa ibang bookstores. Kung hindi pa sapat, ibigay mo na lang sa akin 'yung perang pambibili mo para hindi lang percent nakukuha ko sa royalties."

"Awtsu. Ang dami nang sinabi. Galit na." Miko smiled. "Hindi ko na bibilhin lahat." Binalik ang mga libro."Isa na lang."

When Jhing glared at him, binitawan na ni Miko ang libro at nagtaas ng kamay as if surrendering.

That ended their scene that almost killed Jhing from humiliation. People watched them with interest!

But that also became the reason for Jhing's smile before she slept.

Kalokohan talaga.

A knock woke Jhing up the next day. She grunted. May 30 minutes pa! But the knocking didn't stop so she dragged herself to splash water on her face, and rehydrate before opening the door.

"Anong—"

A KFC delivery guy.

"Jhing K-Kruks—" The delivery guy looked sorry for pronouncing it wrong.. Binigay nito ang paper bag. She wanted to correct the guy, Krus po kahit Crux ang spelling but never mind.

"Hindi ako nag-order—"

"Paid na po."

Before closing the door, her neighbor smiled at her. May panunukso. Ito ang nagbigay ng address ng apartment kay Miko last time. Gahd. They weren't even close!

She texted Miko, WHAT THE HELL?

For a reply, he called her with glee on his voice. "Morning!"

"What the hell?" repeating her text. "Ano 'to?"

"Ang alin?"

To play innocent was Miko's talent.

"KFC Breakfast?"

"Ahh, kakainin mo na? Sabay tayo."

"Miko—"

Miko sighed. "Bayaran mo na lang kung 'yun ikakasaya ng puso, isipan at pagkatao mo. Kahit kaluluwa mo."

"Babayaran ko 'to." She looked at the food. Nakakagutom! "Bakit pangalan ko na naman binigay mo sa kanila?"

"Alangan pangalan ko? Baka magkaiyak na ng dugo hindi pa rin nila magets yung Melchizedek." He laughed. "Nasabi ko na kasi 'yung apelido ko tapos whole name nga pala dapat."

"Pwede namang Miko, ah!"

Silence.

"Ah." Another silence. Then a laugh. "Oo nga no? Yaan mo na. Papapalitan ko pa ba?"

Sadya!

Too early to argue, she didn't complaint when Miko asked if they can eat breakfast together. Over the phone. Loud speaker lang.

Good thing they weren't eating together together dahil ikakamatay niya kapag nalaman ni Miko na ngumingiti siya sa mga kalokohang kwento nito.

And Looorrrd, ang sarap ng AM steak bowl ng KFC Breakfast.

Fine.

She was in a good mood. Happy, even.

And fine.

Miko was the reason. That idiot.

But the smile on her lips expired when she stepped inside the office lobby earlier than usual, and saw Miko sitting on the sofa.

With an unfamiliar woman.

The bitch's hand "accidentally" dropped near his crotch.

Too soon to be happy?

Miko jerked up and saw Jhing. Nagsalitan ang tingin kay Jhing at sa babae. Buti wala pa ang receptionist. And the guard didn't see it.

Matatawa sana si Jhing kung magsasabi ito ng 'it's not what you think it is!'cliché but he didn't. Instead, lumayo ito sa bitch and hugged himself, as if assaulted.

"Rape!" he said. "Yung pagkalalaki ko!"

The bitch laughed.

But Jhing didn't see the humor.

Hah! Funny.

Very fucking funny.

_____

Sorry for the long wait. Hindi sa tinamad ako, ha. Nangangati nga ako magsulat kaya lang. . . Life happened. I got caught up by my own reality and. . . anyway, I'm back! (i hope so)

To make up for the 9 days without update (AMSORREHH TT ^ TT) I'll update again tomorrow (Sunday, August 30, 2015) same place, same time *winks*

Salamat sa mga nagbasa ng "mata sa mata" moment nila Jhing at "Rico" Miko. Sobrang saya ko na nagustuhan niyo yung scene. :">

Hindi pa nababasa ang 23:11 special chapter? For desktop users, click external link. For mobile users, kaya niyo na yan. Malaki na kayo. May cellphone / tab na nga kayo eh. "Pag gusto, maraming paraan." Hint: Fb search Pilosopotasya. c:

shortened link to type: http://tinyurl.com/ToFillAMissingDay  

Sorry sa haba ng author's note omaygahd. . .at belated happy 5th monthsary sa mga saksi! Okay i shattap. Thank you and good niiiiggghhhtt. :D