It was one of those perfect San Felino mornings—sunlight dancing through the trees, the smell of pandesal lingering from the neighbor’s bakery, and the distant sound of tricycles weaving through the sleepy town roads.
Rainan and Angelo strolled down the familiar path to Mikaela’s house, fingers brushing occasionally like it was still a little secret they were savoring.
“She’s either going to scream in excitement or throw her slipper at us,” Rainan muttered under his breath.
Angelo snorted. “She’ll scream first. Then cry. Then maybe throw the slipper out of happiness.”
They shared a laugh just as they reached the gate. Before they could knock, Clara flung the door open.
“Tito Rainan! Tito Angelo!”
Rainan knelt and opened his arms. “There’s my favorite little girl!”
Clara launched herself into his hug, giggling. “Mommy said you were coming. She’s baking banana bread!”
“Oh no,” Angelo whispered. “Do we tell her now? Or after she’s fed us?”
They followed Clara inside, taking in the cozy warmth of the house. The smell of banana bread filled the air. Mikaela was in the kitchen, wearing her apron, a dab of flour on her cheek. She turned as they entered, her eyes immediately narrowing with suspicion.
“Well, well. The two of you together, looking all smug. What’s going on?”
Rainan and Angelo exchanged a glance. Showtime.
Mikaela wiped her hands on a towel and stepped forward. “Okay. Spill it. You look like two boys caught sneaking chocolates.”
“I mean… technically, I was caught sneaking you,” Rainan said, nudging Angelo’s side.
Her arms crossed, waiting.
Angelo reached out and took Rainan’s hand. With a deep breath, Rainan smiled. “We’re together now. Angelo and me.”
For a second, Mikaela was still. Then she let out a high-pitched squeal, clapping her hands as flour puffed into the air. “I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! I was just waiting for you two to finally admit it!”
“You knew?” Rainan asked, shocked.
“Oh please. You two have been orbiting each other since high school like lovesick planets!” She marched over and threw her arms around them both. “I’m so happy. Like, seriously. This is the best news I’ve heard all week!”
“Oh my god,” Mikaela said between their hugs. “You’re finally dating.”
“I though it would surprise you.” Rainan laughed, raising their joined hands.
“I knew it already since the fiesta!," Mikaela pat Rainan's shoulder, "The way you two were looking at each other like it’s a teleserye—don’t even deny it!”
Angelo groaned playfully. “How dramatic are you?”
“You’re one to talk!” she tossed the towel at him. “My baby brother is in love! And with my best friend?! I feel betrayed, honored, and like I should be the one planning the wedding!”
“WEDDING?!” Rainan coughed. “Mika, slow down!”
Mikaela grinned and tackled them both again in a group hug. “I’m so happy for you guys. Finally. My two favorite people figuring out what we all already knew.”
Clara tilted her head. “Wait… Tito Rainan and Tito Angelo are boyfriends?”
The three adults froze.
“Y-yeah,” Angelo said gently. “Is that okay with you, sweetheart?”
Clara just shrugged. “As long as you still help me with my school project and buy ice cream, I don’t care.”
Everyone laughed.
Soon after, Mikaela dashed to the other room, yelling, “I’m telling Mom and Dad! This deserves a group chat celebration!”
Rainan groaned. “Mika, no posts yet!”
“Too late!” her voice echoed back. “You’ve officially been outed!”
The house burst into joyful chaos. Rainan couldn’t stop smiling. It was real. It was happening. And it was welcomed.
-------------------
Later That Afternoon
After lunch and Clara’s nap, Rainan and Mikaela found themselves alone on the porch swing. The afternoon sun slanted lazily through the trees, casting golden patches of light on the ground. A gentle breeze ruffled the leaves overhead, and the soft clink of their iced tea glasses filled the comfortable silence between them.
Across the yard, Angelo lay fast asleep on the hammock under the mango tree, one arm flopped dramatically over his face.
Mikaela glanced at him, then at Rainan, and nudged his side with a grin.
“So…” she began, voice full of mischief, “how long have you been in love with my brother?”
Rainan choked on his iced tea, coughing and laughing at the same time. “What kind of opening line is that?”
Mikaela laughed. “A very direct one. Come on. Spill it.”
He shook his head, a blush creeping onto his cheeks. “I don’t know. I think a part of me always knew. But it was buried under so many other things—ambition, fear, timing. It just… never felt real until I came back.”
“And now?” she asked gently, watching his expression.
“Now it feels like I’ve stopped running. Like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.” He glanced toward Angelo, who let out a light snore. “It’s still surreal sometimes. But I’m happy. Really happy.”
Mikaela’s smile softened, touched by something quiet and sincere. “I can see that. Honestly, I think we all saw it before you two did. Even Clara asked me the other day if Tito Rainan is Tito Angelo’s ‘special friend now.’”
Rainan laughed. “Kids and their radar.”
“Seriously though,” she said, reaching out to squeeze his hand, “I’m glad it’s you. You’ve always been part of our lives. This just… feels right.”
He looked at her, eyes warm with gratitude. “I was nervous about telling you, believe it or not.”
“Why? You think I’d be mad that my best friend and my twin finally figured out they’re meant for each other?” She raised an eyebrow. “Please. I’ve been rooting for you two since high school.”
Rainan blinked. “Wait. Since high school?”
She gave a mock sigh. “Oh, you were both so dense. Always bickering or giving each other long stares across the field like some old teleserye. It was painfully obvious.”
They both burst out laughing.
“I thought you’d be weirded out,” Rainan admitted after the laughter faded.
“Never,” Mikaela said, her voice firm. “You’re my best friend, Rainan. And Angelo… well, he’s always been a mess, but you make him better. You make him softer.”
“That’s because he’s secretly a softie,” Rainan said with a smirk.
“True. Don’t tell him I said that.”
They sat in silence for a moment, watching Clara’s toys scattered on the grass, the slow sway of the hammock, the warm golden hour light settling over everything.
“You know,” Rainan said softly, “this—right here—it’s one of those moments I’ll remember forever.”
Mikaela leaned her head against his shoulder. “Same.”
Rainan rested his head lightly on top of hers. “Thanks for being the sister I never had.”
“And thanks for loving my brother,” she replied. “He deserves it. You both do.”
Just then, Angelo let out a dramatic yawn from the hammock and sat up, rubbing his eyes.
“Are you two gossiping about me?” he called out sleepily.
Mikaela smirked. “Always.”
Rainan smiled wide, heart full, as he stood to meet him. The air around them buzzed with something unspoken—joy, belonging, and the start of something real.