Strings of Fate

Kahit na andaming tao, parang kami lang ni Rhyler sa table namin. Nasa isang sulok kami ng venue, medyo malayo sa center ng party, at tahimik lang kami habang ang lahat ng ibang guests ay abala sa mga usapan nila. It’s a huge debut, but for me, tonight is a little different. I mean, I’ve already introduced Rhyler to my main circle of friends, but it still feels surreal. Now that we’re officially out there as a couple, medyo may kaba, pero may excitement din.

Rhyler’s just sitting next to me, his hand resting casually on my leg. We’ve been here for a while, and I notice that he’s surprisingly calm—parang wala siyang pakialam sa lahat ng mata na nakatutok sa amin. “Okay lang tayo dito,” he says, his voice low but reassuring. “Chill lang.”

I laugh softly, feeling a little nervous pero relieved. It’s funny, kasi it’s supposed to be a party, pero I feel like we’re in our own little world. His calm demeanor is contagious, and I’m starting to relax, too. Kung ikaw ang tatanungin, akala mo parang siya pa ang hindi kinakabahan.

Habang nagkukulitan yung mga friends ko sa table, may mga patagilid na tingin silang binabato sa amin—those little whispers na alam mong may kasamang tanong, pero wala akong pakialam. I’m with Rhyler. And honestly, that’s enough for me.

But then, Carlos—one of my closest friends—leans over, and his brows furrow. “Eli, is this for real?” he asks, looking between me and Rhyler. His tone is playful, pero may hint ng seriousness.

Rhyler doesn’t even flinch. He just stares back at Lucas with that usual calm look of his. “It is,” he says, no hesitation. “And yeah, I’m real.”

I could feel Carlos getting a little too intense, and I instinctively grab Rhyler’s hand under the table. But Rhyler just smirks, not backing down. His grip on my hand tightens, and he casually pulls me a little closer, making sure Carlos knows he’s here to stay.

“Don’t worry, Carlos,” I say, trying to lighten the tension. “He’s just messing around. We’re fine.” I give Carlos a look, trying to diffuse the situation before it gets worse. But deep down, I’m impressed by how Rhyler handled it. Carlos is a tough guy to crack, but Rhyler? He didn’t back down, and that’s a side of him I didn’t realize I liked so much.

“Fine, fine,” Carlos finally says, shaking his head with a laugh. “I just wanted to know how serious you two are. But looks like it’s real serious.”

Rhyler just nods, his eyes softening as he looks at me, his hand still holding mine firmly. I smile, a little bit shy but definitely happy. I can tell Rhyler is already starting to fit into my world, and honestly? That makes everything feel more real.

We spend the rest of the night chatting and laughing, enjoying the company of my friends. I feel more comfortable with each passing minute. Hindi ko na kailangan magtago. Even if Lucas had his doubts at first, I can see he’s warming up to the idea of Rhyler being here with me. And for now, that’s enough.

It’s subtle, but I can feel Rhyler’s presence beside me, constant and steady, just like him. He’s not shy about showing me off, not afraid to let the world see that we’re us. He leans in, his voice barely a whisper in my ear as he asks, “Maya-maya, may susunod na mga tanong, ready ka na ba?”

I look at him, and even with all the stares, the whispers, and the questions hanging in the air, I nod. “I’m ready,” I say, squeezing his hand lightly, feeling the warmth of his reassurance. “I’m ready for this.”

And just like that, we’re no longer just keeping secrets. We’re not hiding anything. Tonight, Rhyler and I are here, and we’re making it known.

-------

After that little Carlos moment, napansin ko ring parang mas naging tahimik si Rhyler. Not in a cold way, pero more like… mas nagiging clingy. Hindi ‘yung OA na sobra, pero ‘yung tipong bawat kilos niya, laging may contact. Whether it’s his hand brushing against mine, his arm around my chair, or his thumb gently tracing my knuckles under the table—he was there. Always there.

And honestly? I didn’t mind.

“Hey,” bulong niya habang patapos na ang dinner program, “gusto mong lumabas sandali? Maingay na masyado dito.”

I nodded. “Sige. Konting hangin lang.”

Naglakad kami papunta sa veranda area ng venue—soft lighting, may fairy lights, medyo malamig na hangin. Tahimik. Peaceful. Parang ibang mundo.

Tahimik lang kami sa una. I was leaning on the rail, habang siya nakatayo sa likod ko, arms lightly wrapping around my waist habang naka-rest ang chin niya sa shoulder ko.

“Sorry ‘kanina,” he whispered.

“Sa’n?”

“Kay Carlos,” he says quietly. “Di ko alam kung napalakas ‘yung vibes ko.”

I chuckled. “Napansin ko nga. Pero okay lang. Hindi mo naman siya sinapak.”

He laughed softly, and that low chuckle vibrated gently against my back. “Kinurot mo na ako bago pa ‘ko makalapit.”

“Dapat lang. Debut ‘to, hindi MMA ring.”

I felt him tighten his hold on me a little. “Alam mo ‘yon ‘no? Na pagdating sa ‘yo, minsan hindi ko talaga mapigilan.”

Napalingon ako sa kanya, and his eyes were there—soft, intense, full of something I couldn’t name.

“Bakit?” I asked quietly.

“Wala lang,” he replied. “Ngayon ko lang kasi na-realize… I like being seen with you.”

My heart skipped.

“Hindi na ‘to ‘yung pa-sneaky na hints, ‘yung tagu-taguan sa chat, o ‘yung mga ‘baka may makakita’ na moments. Ngayon, hawak kita. Kahit sino pa ‘yung tumingin.”

And maybe it’s cheesy. Maybe it’s too much. Pero sa moment na ‘yon, it felt like exactly what I needed to hear.

Hinawakan ko ang mukha niya at bumulong, “Same. Ang gaan sa pakiramdam.”

He leaned forward slowly, almost like he was asking for permission. At sa gitna ng fairy lights at lamig ng gabi, he kissed my forehead—soft, steady, and lingering.

“Mine,” he whispered.

Tumawa ako, “Territorial ka na naman.”

“Always,” he smirked. “Especially kapag ang daming mata na nakatingin sa’kin na parang gusto ka nilang agawin.”

“Edi wow.”

He chuckled, then pulled me gently towards his chest, arms wrapping fully around me this time. And as I rested my head against him, I heard the muffled beat of the party inside, but none of it mattered.

Not when I had this moment with him.
Not when I finally had him—no longer a secret, no longer a maybe.

Just… us.