The next morning was calm, the sun barely peeking over the rooftops of San Felino. Adrian stood by the gate of Rainan’s home, his overnight bag slung over his shoulder. Rainan handed him a small box of local delicacies, tied neatly with twine.
“For the road,” Rainan smiled. “Something sweet before you dive back into deadlines.”
Adrian took the box and returned the smile, his eyes lingering for a moment. “Thanks. For everything, Rainan. I didn’t realize how much I needed a breather until now.”
“I’m glad you came,” Rainan said, sincerity in his voice. “Take care of yourself, okay?”
Adrian’s gaze shifted slightly, just behind Rainan—where Angelo stood a few steps away, watching them. Adrian raised an eyebrow with a smirk. “Well… at least I know you’re in good hands.”
Rainan chuckled while Angelo looked away, pretending to examine the nearby potted plants.
“Text me when you get back,” Rainan added.
“Will do.” Adrian gave a final nod, then turned and walked toward the waiting van that would take him back to the city.
As the vehicle pulled away, a comfortable silence settled. Rainan watched it disappear down the road, then turned to Angelo with a playful nudge.
“Now… where were we?”
--------------------------
The sun dipped lower over San Felino, painting the sky in warm streaks of orange and pink as Rainan and Angelo walked up the steps of the Alon household.
“Remind me again why we’re doing this tonight?” Angelo whispered as he adjusted the collar of his polo shirt for the third time.
Rainan glanced at him with a teasing smile. “Because my mom invited you for dinner, and also—because we’ve been tiptoeing around this long enough.”
Angelo groaned softly. “Can’t we just keep tiptoeing? Maybe forever?”
“Nope,” Rainan grinned, slipping his hand into Angelo’s and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Tonight’s the night.”
Leticia greeted them at the door, apron still tied around her waist, cheeks flushed from the kitchen heat. “You’re both just in time,” she said brightly. “Rainan, set the table, and Angelo, come help me with the soup.”
Angelo hesitated but nodded, following her in like a polite, mildly terrified guest. Eduardo was already sitting on the porch, waiting for dinner, reading an old newspaper. He gave Rainan a nod and a half-smile.
Dinner was lively. The food, delicious as always—chicken adobo, ensaladang mangga, and Leticia’s famous buko pandan. Rainan cracked jokes. Leticia scolded Eduardo for forgetting to water her plants. Angelo tried not to fumble his spoon when Rainan brushed his knee under the table.
But as the plates emptied and the conversation settled into a comfortable lull, Rainan took a deep breath.
And stood.
“Ma. Pa. There’s… something I want to tell you.”
Leticia looked up from pouring juice. Eduardo lowered his newspaper.
Angelo froze.
Rainan looked at Angelo, then back at his parents. His voice, though calm, carried a slight tremble. “It’s about me. About us.”
He reached out and took Angelo’s hand on the table, lacing their fingers together for everyone to see.
“I’m in love with Angelo.”
The words hung in the air, gentle but firm.
Leticia blinked. Eduardo blinked. Angelo held his breath.
For a moment, no one moved.
Then—
Leticia set the pitcher down slowly. “Well,” she said, lips twitching, “that explains why you’ve been smiling like an idiot the past few weeks.”
Eduardo gave a quiet grunt. “I thought maybe he just got a new mattress.”
“Papa!” Rainan coughed, eyes wide, as Angelo choked back a laugh.
Leticia finally broke into a grin. “I already had a feeling, anak. I was just waiting for you to say it.”
“You… you’re okay with it?” Rainan asked, his voice cracking slightly.
Leticia stood, came over, and placed her hand on his cheek. “I’m more than okay. You’re my son, and I love you. If Angelo makes you happy, then we’re happy for you both.”
Eduardo nodded from his seat. “He’s a good man. Quiet, hardworking. Bit broody. Reminds me of myself.”
“Exactly what I was afraid of,” Leticia muttered.
Everyone laughed, and the tension finally melted from Angelo’s shoulders.
“I was so nervous,” Rainan admitted, pulling his mom into a hug.
“I could tell. You barely touched the adobo,” Leticia teased, then turned to Angelo. “Now that everything’s out in the open, you’re officially not just a dinner guest. You’re part of the family.”
Angelo, a little red in the face, nodded. “Thank you po, Tita… I mean, Ma’am—uh—Tita?”
Leticia just patted his shoulder. “You’ll get used to it.”
Later that night, after goodbyes and warm hugs, Rainan and Angelo walked home hand-in-hand under the starlit sky.
“You know,” Angelo murmured, “that wasn’t so bad.”
“Mmhm,” Rainan grinned. “Next time, we confess something really shocking. Like you secretly hate buko pandan.”
“I’d never,” Angelo gasped, feigning offense. “That’s a breakup offense.”
They both laughed—and beneath the stars of San Felino, everything felt a little lighter.
-----------
After dinner, while Rainan helped Leticia clear the table, Angelo excused himself and stepped out to the porch. He found Eduardo in his usual spot, slowly sipping warm salabat from a mug.
“Sir—uh, Tito,” Angelo greeted awkwardly. “Mind if I sit for a bit?”
Eduardo glanced at the empty seat next to him and gave a simple nod. “You don’t need to ask.”
Angelo took a seat, his hands fidgeting on his lap for a moment before he broke the silence. “Thank you… for tonight. For being kind. I wasn’t sure how it would go.”
Eduardo took another sip of his drink, then spoke calmly. “I appreciate honesty. And I’ve seen how you look at my son.”
Angelo stiffened slightly. “Sir, I just want you to know… I don’t take any of this lightly. Rainan means the world to me. I care about him. I—” he paused, swallowing the nerves, “I love him.”
There was a beat of silence. The breeze rustled the trees gently, and a tricycle rumbled past the house.
Eduardo finally looked at Angelo, his eyes sharp but not unkind.
“He’s been through a lot. Lost things that still haunt him. I’ve seen the weight he carries, even when he smiles.”
Angelo nodded. “I know. And I’m not here to fix him. I just want to be there for him. However he needs.”
Eduardo’s face remained unreadable for a moment, then he set down his mug and gave a slight smile—small, but real.
“I’m not the type to give flowery speeches, hijo,” he said. “But if you’re going to stay by his side, just promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t run when things get hard. Rainan doesn’t need someone perfect. He just needs someone who’ll stay.”
Angelo felt a knot loosen in his chest.
“I promise,” he said sincerely. “I’ll stay.”
Eduardo nodded, satisfied. Then added with a dry chuckle, “And try not to snatch him into alleyways too often. Scared the life out of me when Leticia told me that part.”
Angelo laughed sheepishly. “Noted, sir.”
They both chuckled quietly, the tension easing between them.
“Good,” Eduardo said, leaning back. “Now go help your boyfriend wash the dishes before his mom adopts you and makes you mop the whole kitchen.”
Angelo grinned. “Yes, sir.”
He stood up, heart lighter, and slipped back into the house—where Rainan glanced over from the sink and smiled as if he already knew what had just passed outside.