#WhenElebenTwentitriStarted

"Perhaps to experience true happiness, one must accept the broken self."

-x-

If given a chance to relive a past, Jhing Blanco's smiling lips wouldn't hesitate to answer a day: 11/23. Not to change it, no. Nothing to fix. It was perfect as it is. Just to re-watch that one perfect night and say "you've made the right choice" to herself while tapping her own shoulder.

But heck.

Reality check: she couldn't go back to year 2016.

There was no turning back. Only moving forward.

The smile on her lips vanished when July and Yayo looked at her with creased foreheads. Tumutok siya sa manuscript na ineedit, afraid of what the two will say.

"Sigurado kang ganyan lang itsura mo?"

There. July said it.

Ano bang masama sa simpleng shirt at jeans? She had been living her 25 years in the world; at wala naman sa listahan ng tungkulin niya ang mag-make up o magpaganda.

But July and Yayo had other plans.

Kaya nang magpunta sila sa premiere night, she was all dressed up like a disguised princess, her brown hair down and curling at the tips, natural make up and a white long sleeved flowing dress just above her knee.

As Jhing looked at the mirror, she looked like a decent angel. . .with horns - which, by the way, looked overdressed for the event.

Tinukso na siya ni Fall kaya hinayaan na lang niya. May ilang readers na nagpunta kaya naging busy rin siya sa pag-entertain. Pero pasulyap-sulyap siya sa paligid. Searching for a particular face.

But there was none.

He was nowhere.

Hindi rin ito nag-text.

"Jhing!" Fall called from the cinema's entrance. Nagsipasukan na ang mga tao. "Tara na!"

Nagpilitan pa sila ni Fall pero nanalo ang katigasan ng ulo niya. She stood there, outside, like a lost puppy, waiting for her person.

Naghalo ang inis at tuwa nang tumawag ito. But what he said through the phone wiped her smile out.

"Hindi ako makakapunta," his voice, heavy in Jhing's heart. "Baka wala na akong maabutan, paalis pa lang ako sa workshop. Traffic sa edsa."

Gustong umiyak ni Jhing. She was waiting for him to come! He promised and she believed him. The expectation crashed her but she still managed to smile.

"Sige, ayos lang."

Hindi ayos! But hell, anong magagawa niya? Para tuloy siyang namatayan as she entered the cinema.

"Sigurado ka?"

Hindi na niya mapigilan ang asar. "May magagawa pa ba ako?"

He laughed. "Pilitin mo akong samahan ka. Lilipad ako papunta sa'yo."

"Wow, superman?"

Before she could step on the stairs, someone grabbed her arm. Muntik na siyang sumigaw kung hindi lang niya nakita ang pamilyar na mukhang nakangiti sa kanya.

Miko.

They looked like idiots, talking to the phone, in front of each other.

"Anong mayroon? Bakit ka ba tambay sa labas?"

"Nag-inarte kasi 'yung kausap ko sa phone." Jhing's brow arched. Miko chuckled. "Bakit nandito ka agad?"

"Nag-teleport ako. Traffic pala sa langit kapag lumipad."

Jhing rolled her eyes and shook her head - from disappointment? From relief? She didn't know.

"Ang daming tao sa workshop, hindi ako nakaalis agad," Miko explained as they sat on their corresponding seats. "Totoo nga sabi ni Mama na mahirap mag-asikaso ng dalawang coffee shop." Amoy kape pa nga ito at libro - Jhing's favorite scent.

Then Fall hissed from the side. "Dapat binebreak na pag na-le-late."

Miko glared at Fall. "Ihuhulog kita sa inuupuan mo."

Fall stuck her tongue out.

"I-ba-ban kita sa KapeLibro," Miko shot back.

Fall's eyes widened, feigned shock and hurt before frowning. "Isusumbong kita kay Jhing."

Napatingin ang dalawa kay Jhing, asking for support. But Jhing dismissed the two. "Sshh! Nagsisimula na 'yung movie."

Concentrate? Hah!

It was hard for Jhing to concentrate on the movie. Not because it wasn't her novella that got the big screen deal and she wasn't popular enough to win the trending contest. But because Miko was holding her hand and intertwined it with his, even squeezing it from time to time.

Her heart wanted to jump out of her chest. Fuck it. Ang sakit sa puso.

Pinigilan ni Jhing ang pagngiti sa pagsandal ni Miko sa balikat niya. His hair tingled on her neck and when he moved his head, Jhing could feel his warm breath on her jaw.

"Na-bo-bored na ako," he complained.

Hindi niya nilingon si Miko, afraid of the closeness of their faces. "Baka marinig ka."

Miko frowned. "Dapat 'yung sa'yo na lang ginawang movie, ang dami ko pa namang ginawang twitter nun."

Of course, Jhing was disappointed pero dapat bang magmukmok siya sa isang sulok dahil hindi siya nabigyan ng chance? Well, fine. She did get depressed for a day or two. Nawalan talaga siya ng gana sa lahat. Kahit ang effort ni Miko na bigyan siya ng maltesers, walang epekto.

But c'mon, she moved on from that shit. May next time pa naman. Or maybe it wasn't just meant for her, that there's a bigger plan for her. Maybe.

"Sabi ko naman sa'yo, gawin mong Ms Sungit Meets Mr Loko para pang-masa datingan, eh," Miko said.

"Wow." Jhing rolled her eyes. "You're the one who suggested that You Had Me at Seenzoned."

"Sa chat pa 'yun," he said, shaking his head. "Malay ko bang inaalala mo pala lahat ng sinabi ko."

To stop Miko's daily ego boost, Jhing said, "Hayaan mo na nga."

"Hayaan na kasi nasa'yo naman ako, di ba?" Miko wiggled his eyebrows and smiled.

"Pwedeng-pwede kitang ibigay na lang sa kanila."

"Awts." Umangat ang ulo ni Miko, tumingin kay Jhing na nakatutok pa rin sa screen. "Magpanggap ka namang mahal mo ako."

Jhing, finally looked at Miko, at his eyes, and swore to the gods she won't let go of the man in front of her ever again, no matter what her brain would overthink about. She smiled; but the butterflies in her stomach flipped when Miko's eyes fell to her lips as she bit it.

Dahil sa kaba, sumandal siya sa balikat ni Miko at mas hinigpitan ang hawak sa kamay nito. She could feel his breath hitched and felt the vibration when he softly laughed.

"Nagpapanggap ka ba ngayon o hindi?"

Jhing closed her eyes, not minding the movie, and let herself dissolved with her heartbeat that matched Miko's.

"Hulaan mo," she whispered.

Inayos ni Miko ang ulo ni Jhing sa balikat nito. Miko was ticklish - and he would laugh from time to time when Jhing's hair would touch his skin. Pero nang akmaing layuin ni Jhing ang ulo, hindi siya hinayaan ni Miko.

A few minutes of silence, Miko whispered, "Jhing. Nagpaganda ka ba para sa akin?"

"What the?"

Miko laughed and wiggled his shoulder kaya naagrabyado ang ulo ni Jhing. "Buti naman nahiya ka na sa kagwapuhan ko."

Umupo nang maayos si Jhing at umirap. "Lol."

Nagtilian ang mga tao sa cinema dahil nagkiss ang mga bida. Suddenly, Miko's grip tightened. Mas naramdaman ni Jhing ang presensiya nito; na pati ang tuhod nilang magkadikit, o braso na magkapatong, ang kamay na magkahawak kahit ang paghinga ni Miko sa tabi niya.

She could even feel his stare at her - but all she did was a fail attempt to concentrate on the movie - kahit naiilang siya sa 1 minute na atang halikan ng dalawang bida.

When the movie ended, Jhing went out of her trance. Nag-usap-usap sila sa labas, nakipagpicture sa mga artista, direktor, co-author at nag-congratulate. Pagtapos, they decided to eat late dinner. Habang naglalakad, Jhing heard July and Yayo's voice from the side.

"Akala ko talaga mag-ex sila," Yayo said.

July sighed. "Hindi rin nagliligawan."

Jhing shook her head. Nalaman kasi niyang nagpustahan pala noon sila July at Yayo kung ano nga bang real score nila ni Miko. Both of them lost money. Si Fall ang nanalo dahil ito ang mas keen observer, they have something, but not there yet, ang hula nito.

Miko was the one that picked Fall as the winner but Jhing knew that was because Miko owed Fall something.

As they walked, his hand brushed hers and her veins tingled.

Weird though, she wanted to grab his hand and hold him tight.

But she was the one who wanted to avoid PDA, which Miko respected - kaya casual silang naglakad, kahit alam na nang lahat ng malapit sa kanila that they've been together for months already. And that they had something from the past.

The daydreaming stopped when Miko nudged her.

"Anong peace offering mo sa Tatay mo?" he asked.

Napasimangot siya. Oo nga pala. She shrugged. "Ewan."

"Mag-isip ka na bago umuwi," he insisted. "Naalala mo sinabi ko sa'yo? Naging matigas ulo ko kaya yung Papa ko-"

"Yeah, hindi mo na nagawang bumawi dahil it was too late. Wala na siya," Jhing sighed.

Pinatong ni Miko ang kamay nito sa ulo niya. He smiled as they entered the restaurant.

"Tama. Kaya bawi-bawi rin pag may time," he said as they sat. "Mahirap na magsisi sa huli, baka mag-emo ka ulit."

Tinulak ni Jhing sa mukha si Miko. Nang-aasar na naman kasi.

As the group ordered food, Miko and Jhing isolated themselves from the real world. The bubble around them was stronger than before. Hindi na nga mapansin ni Jhing ang pagsulyap ng mga katrabaho sa kanilang dalawa.

She didn't like attention - but Miko didn't mind, so kahit napapansin na nito ang mga ngiti ng kaopisina noon, nakatuon pa rin ang atensyon niya kay Jhing. Like she was a prized possession, and looking away from her would be a disgrace to his family honor.

"Kainis. Kinukunsensya mo ako."

Miko's laugh, for Jhing, was music in her ears. But it wasn't the right time, so she frowned.

"Nakunsensya ka ba?"

"Ayoko nga, eh!"

Miko held Jhing's hand under the table and squeezed it a bit. "Try mo lang."

"Mahirap. Hindi ko alam paano o saan magsisimula."

"Kausapin mo?" he suggested.

Jhing grunted. "Easier said than done."

"Pabasa mo sulat mo sa kanya?"

Umirap siya. "Hah."

"Lahat ng suggestion ko ayaw mo."

Miko frowned. Nagpapa-cute.

Nagkatinginan sila sandali before Jhing's gaze passed Miko and saw a man giving a muffin to his daughter outside the resto. The act made her heart burn a little as she looked at Miko again and tried to smile. She heaved a sigh; Miko's expression was a combination of both disappointment and hope.

"Bibilhan ko na lang ng cake."

His brow arched. "Anong magagawa ng cake?"

"Isasampal ko sa mukha mo, bwisit," she said. Imbis na maasar, natawa si Miko. "Lalagyan ko ng happy birthday? I never gave him anything. It's a start, right?"

Miko placed his arm over Jhing's shoulder and pulled her closer. Jhing's cheeks burned when she felt Miko's lips touched her forehead as he whispered, "Nakakaproud naman 'to."

Hindi magawang ngumiti ni Jhing nang tuksuhin sila ng grupo.

"Aba, aba, aba!"

She kept on dismissing them, turning to Miko for help but he was enjoying the teasing, of course. Ano pa nga bang mapapala niya? Panay pa ang akbay sa kanya nito. And because July and Yayo were the giddy girls, panay ang tulak sa kanya palapit kay Miko. Tumatama na ang buong mukha niya sa leeg, dibdib, at baba nito.

"Aray!" Napahawak siya sa labi sa pagtama nito sa balikat ni Miko. "Ang sakit na, tama na."

"Masakit labi mo?"

Miko's question made Jhing tense. She avoided Miko's eyes.

Gods. Her heart was killing her.

"Kiss mo, Miko," Yayo teased. "Para hindi na masakit."

Both Miko and Jhing's eyes widened when the group started cheering, kiss na 'yan, kiss na 'yan. And fuck it. Kahit ang ibang nasa kabilang table, nakatingin na sa kanila. They laughed, cheered and teased - kahit sila Miss Zue at Sir Franz na hindi madalas makisali sa lokohan - nakitukso.

Panay ang punas ni Jhing ng nanlalamig at pinapasma niyang kamay sa suot na dress. She bit her lip, which was a wrong move dahil mas lalo siyang tinukso ng katrabaho.

"Uy, napapa-lip bite na si Jhing."

Napatingin si Jhing kay Miko and she saw him look at her lips. Mas lalo siyang kinabahan. "Hindi na masakit," she said, her cheeks burned. "Tama na nga."

"Kiss na 'yaaannn!"

Ugh. Yayo was such a fangirl!

Jhing almost jumped at her seat when Miko's hand landed on her shoulder. When they looked at each other's eyes, she gulped. Nagpanic siya. Nanigas din ang pagkatao niya paglapit ni Miko at halos mabingi sa sigawan ng nasa lamesa.

The world almost stopped just like her heartbeat when Miko's lips landed on the side of her lips.

And just like that, everything that happened after didn't make sense anymore. Jhing would smile, laugh, nod and shake her head but her mind could only repeat how warm his lips were on the side of her lips. Parang may naiwan pa ngang init doon kahit nasa bus na sila pauwi ng Quezon, to visit her family.

"Ayos ka lang?" Miko asked, the cake on his lap.

All she could do was nod.

Pathetic, Jhing.

As she pretended to be asleep, her heart pounded and stomach churned. Nahiya siya bigla and the tingling feeling all over her body sucked big time. Hindi kasi siya makapag-concentrate!

Sa buong byahe, hindi niya magawang tumingin kay Miko.

Shit na 'yan. Sinisisi niya sila Yayo at July!

Pagkarating nila sa bahay, sinalubong sila ng mga kapatid niya. It was a good thing, really. Kinulit kasi nila Enteng si Miko kaya nakahinga siya nang maayos. But she was scared - dahil magkikita sila ulit ng Tatay - after months.

"Mamayang gabi pa ang uwi ni Tatay," her Nanay said to her as she kissed Jhing's forehead. "Kayo ni Miko, kumusta?"

Paglingon ni Jhing kay Miko sa loob ng kwarto nila na kinukulit ng mga kapatid niya, agad siyang umiwas pagtama ng tingin nila sa isa't isa.

Teenager lang ang peg?

Sinisisi na rin niya ang pagiging less romantic, at NBSB status noon kaya para siyang virgin kung-wait, what? She is a virgin! And heck. Why the hell was she thinking about this?!

Jhing calmed herself. Hindi 'yun kiss, lumapat lang sa gilid ng labi. That's it. But the pep talk didn't calm the fuck out of her. Dahil kahit maggabi, at dumating ang Tatay niya, she still felt nervous. Although, it was amazing that Miko was talking to her Tatay as if they were good old friends. And her Tatay wasn't shouting, even greeted her good evening.

She was scared. Hindi naman mawawala. But as she watch her Tatay and Miko eat the cake she brought, it felt quite. . .nice.

When the night got darker, and almost everyone was asleep, Jhing went out. Dinadaga kasi ang puso niya, naaalala ang labi ni Miko sa gilid ng kanya. Nagpunta siyang likod bahay, and was surprised to see Miko there, just standing.

Gusto niyang bumalik sa kwarto pero natigil nang magsalita si Miko kahit hindi siya nililingon.

"Hindi makatulog?" he asked. And swear, she saw him smile as he said, "Na-miss mo ba agad ako?"

Jhing rolled her eyes as she stood beside Miko. "Asa pa."

He smirked. "Denial queen."

When their laughter subsided, the surrounding fell silent. Hindi malaman ni Jhing kung siya lang ba ang nakakaramdam ng awkwardness - o si Miko rin. She saw his hand forming a fist from time to time na para bang hindi mapakali.

A few minutes of silence, Miko looked at her. "Masaya ka ba ngayon?"

Pinakiramdaman niya ang sarili.

"Payapa."

Miko wrapped his arm around Jhing's shoulder. Jhing can hear a heart beating fast- not too sure anymore if it was hers, or his. Or both.

"Ako rin." They stood like that for a few minutes. Then Miko broke the silence. "Jhing."

"Hm?"

Bago pa siya makapag-react, Miko kissed Jhing's side temple. Before she could even breathe, he whispered to her hair.

"I. . ."

Yumuko ito para halikan siya sa pisngi.

"Love."

And tilted his head to reach Jhing's nose as he kissed the tip of it.

". . .you."

Jhing just stared. Shocked. Unmoving.

Miko broke their staring competition and closed his eyes as he reached the sky with both of his hands. Bumuga ito nang hangin na para bang matagal itong nagpigil ng hininga. After stretching, it was clear that Miko was avoiding Jhing's eyes when he said, "tara. Pasok na tayo."

Hindi na ito naghintay ng sagot at umatras na agad. But Jhing's hand had a mind of its own. She reached for the hem of his shirt.

Miko stopped.

Jhing waited.

As he turned, both of them studied each other; like works of art in their majestic glory, with a hint of splatters that created a beautiful subject to admire. Like a novel, with every flip of the pages, feelings would burst for the letters and words were woven in imperfect perfection.

She saw him ruffled his hair.

Then he stepped closer.

And reached for her cheeks, caressing it, burning like a fire was ignited just from a single touch of his. She was hypnotized by his stare and all she could do was to anticipate as his face got closer.

And closer.

Much closer.

The rain didn't object.

The whole universe was quiet.

And so was everything, from the stars above the night sky, to the light from the lamp post, even the bristling of trees, and the music of the wind, their hearts pounding, and the two matching souls.

All were perfect.

Even life and death and everything in between stood still, waiting for the perfect moment, as Jhing and Miko closed their eyes and claimed each other's lips.

For 25 years, Jhing knew she had been good with words and putting the feelings on paper. But the moment his lips were pressed against hers, no words came out. Even her mind didn't function well as he moved his warm lips to deepen the kiss.

Her system lost all the logic in life.

She felt dumb.

And feeling stupid wasn't as bad as how the others defined it.

Her hands clutching at Miko's shirt near his chest, afraid that if she won't hold onto him, she'd collapse. The pounding of her chest became harder, like it wanted to jump right out of her and be with Miko for the rest of its life, for as long as it beats.

The feelings were overflowing; frightened that she wouldn't be able to handle it. But Miko guided her to the sound of their heartbeat. Like partners; dancing, moving rhythmically at the music created by their beating hearts in full harmony. They've tasted each other's happiness, sadness, and all the emotions in between, as if sharing it meant surrendering to each other, accepting every fiber, desperate to feel each other's strengths and weaknesses as he drew closer and she held him tighter, memorizing every inch of their soul.

And as if letting go would poison them both.

But of course, even the most wondrous of enigma must be ruined by something. The magic of Miko and Jhing's kiss was shattered by things that fell from above. No, not raindrops. But boxes, lots of it. Natamaan kasi ng likod ni Jhing ang mga ito kaya naglaglagan at umingay - dahilan para matigil ang mahika ng sarili nilang mundo.

Sa sobrang gulat, Miko embraced Jhing, and placed his head on top of hers. "Shit." His breathing hoarse. "Shit. . ."

Hindi makapagsalita si Jhing. She was catching her breath. She felt their heartbeat, and the swelling of her lips, and the warmth and feeling that lingered, even her stomach that churned.

"Kinakabahan ako," Miko said as he kissed Jhing's head. Mas humigpit ang yakap ni Miko sa kanya. "Ahh. . .ano ba 'to."

Jhing laughed. Not knowing why.

Maybe. . . to ease the awkwardness after? Or maybe she felt ticklish all over her body? Bigla na ring natawa si Miko - and at the middle of the night, they looked like fools laughing their ass off.

For what? They didn't know.

But one word, though: Epic.

Inayos nila ang mga nalaglag bago pumasok sa loob ng bahay. Pero hindi hinayaan ni Miko papasukin sa kwarto si Jhing.

"Dito ka na lang, please?" He begged. Tinapik nito ang kutson. "Bumalik ka na lang sa kwarto niyo bago sila magising."

"Tulog pa ako nun!" Jhing said.

Miko's smile widened. "Eh di. . . YOLO?"

Umirap si Jhing pero nahiga pa rin naman siya sa tabi ni Miko. Nakatagilid silang dalawa, magkaharap, nagkwentuhan at bulungan hanggang sa nagsabay na sila ng hikab. Nagkatitigan sila, silence over them, but it was calm, secured, right and comfortable. Pagngiti ni Miko, Jhing couldn't keep herself from smiling too.

Miko whispered, "Good night."

"Good night," replied Jhing.

Weekend lang sila sa probinsiya kaya maaga pa lang ng Linggo ay hinatid na sila ng Tatay sa terminal. Hindi siya nagmano o humalik o kung ano man. It was a silent agreement, to be casual, or to make one step at a time. Her Tatay nodded as they bid goodbye, which she returned with a shy smile. Nauna siyang umakyat sa bus, and Miko stayed a little further with her Tatay.

From the window, Jhing could see Miko's serious face talking to her Tatay who was smiling. Nag-iwas siya ng tingin nang mapatingin sa kanya ang Tatay mula sa labas. Her heart was pounding again.

Pag-last call ng kundoktor, pumasok na sa loob si Miko, waved goodbye making her Tatay shook his head with a smile.

"Anong pinag-usapan niyo?" Tanong niya pagkaayos nila sa upo. "Bakit nakangiti siya?"

Miko shrugged as reply.

"Tropa na talaga kami ng Tatay mo," he said, proud of himself. The bus started its engine. "Mas gusto na ata niya akong anak kaysa sa'yo."

Umirap si Jhing. "Eh di magsama kayo."

"Hay, ang selosa talaga ng beybeh." Umakbay si Miko.

"Yuck!" Tinulak niya si Miko palayo pero hindi ito nagpatinag.

"Huwag na magselos." He kissed her temple. "Kahit mas gusto na ako ng Tatay mo, hindi kita pagpapalit sa kanya. Pwede naman tayong dalawa maging panganay niya, eh-" Nanlaki ang mata ni Miko. "Parang ang incest ng dating ng sinabi ko." He laughed.

Napailing na lang si Jhing. "Ewan ko talaga sa'yo."

The bus started to move, as Jhing and Miko kept silent and admired the nature outside the window. By one second, her right hand was on top of her lap, the next it was held tightly by the hand she felt the most comfortable and on edge-able, if that was even a word.

If not, then she might put it in her vocabulary.

"Jhing. . ."

It was just her name for years, but from his voice, it became a beautiful word.

When she looked at Miko, he sheepishly smiled and stole a kiss - lighter than the other night, but the effect was the same, the feelings were the same, she was the same - and so was he.

But Jhing won't let Miko know that.

Baka pumutok ang ulo nito sa ego boost.

So she pushed his head away from her making him laugh. Miko was persistent like he always was. Ngumuso ito, trying to kiss Jhing again, pero panay lang ang tulak niya sa mukha nito. It was hard trying to get angry when all Jhing wanted to do was to smile and laugh and cry for the lightness in her heart.

Then it drizzled outside, droplets of rain blurred the window view.

Magagalit sana si Jhing, but Miko pointed outside, and whispered. "Rainbow."

And there, she saw it, with all its colors and beauty, visible in her eyes against the rain.

She got too occupied with the view outside, that when the bus halted, and their upper body moved forward, she heard something fell.

Agad siyang tumingin sa ibaba to see what that was. And her heart stopped before Miko could block her eyes with his hand.

"W-Wala kang nakita!"

Too late.

Her eyes saw it. Her brain processed the information. And her heart beat faster. And faster. Until she felt Miko picked it; the simple silver jewelry, which could fit around a finger, with a stone shimmering at the center.

Paglayo ng kamay ni Miko sa mata niya, kita ni Jhing ang paninigas ng katawan nito. He closed his eyes and breathed. Napatingin si Jhing sa pantalon nito. In his pocket.

There.

An engagement ring.

"Nakng." With a soft and low voice, Miko asked, "Nakita mo ba?"

Jhing didn't know what to say. Pwede niyang sabihing hindi niya nakita, and everything will be back to normal - not. Of course, she will be thinking about it over and over and over again. She knew he could tell that she was lying if she told him no. And he will think about this over and over again.

It was a conflict.

A choice has to be made.

So Jhing chose where she was good at: words. She leaned closer to him and kissed the side of his lips as she smiled and said, "kung hindi pagmamahal, anong nararamdaman ko?"

Miko was stunned.

After he recovered, nanliit ang mata niya. "Rhetorical question ba 'to?" Miko asked. "Ginugulo mo ako." Kumunot ang noo niya. "Bakit lumalandi ka na?" He smiled.

"Mana sa'yo." And Jhing, with a smile, pressed her lips on Miko's and whispered, "Leche."

Miko laughed and shook his head, his cheeks were red. Jhing laughed too and felt embarrassed after. But didn't mind when Miko laid his head on her shoulder and kissed her jaw.

"I love you too."

No one moved. Hands intertwining, not letting go. Hearts were beating. Souls attached. Everything wasn't of any significance. Not the drizzle. Nor the moving bus. Or the rainbow. Even the cold air. Maybe their painted smiles were important; because it was written real. And they were their own favorite art.

Him as her stories.

Her as his illustrations.

But what mattered the most: Jhing and Miko.

Him and her.

Them.

So at exactly 11:11 on her watch, Miko beside her, she started typing on her phone the novella continuation - about the same writer and same stranger that started with an online connection, personal feelings, and a miserable book ending she thought they deserved.

And she was wrong.

The writer couldn't re-write the first book.

But Jhing can start the writer and stranger's much deserved continuation.

| One |

WhenTwentitriElebenEnded

If given a chance to share an unforgettable memory,

the writer's quivering lips will involuntarily tell a time: 23:11.

______

BUT WAIT!!! THERE'S MORE.

The HASHTAGs officially ended.

But three extra DAYs will be posted!

September 24, 2015 (11:11 - 23:11 - 23:23)

Do NOT forget to come back, or you'll miss it.

RJB x MJC will be waiting.

Official hashtag: #ElebenTwentitri (i wanna know yer feelz c:)