Strings of Fate

Chapter 58

“Happy monthsary, love,” he said, then gently pulled the chair for me. “You deserve more than fast food dates and five-minute talks sa school.”

Umupo ako slowly, feeling so soft inside. Parang gusto kong umiyak, pero kinikilig ako. Hindi ko alam kung anong uunahin.

“Sabi mo busy ka this week,” I teased. “Pero may time ka palang gumawa ng ganito?”

He chuckled. “Pinlano ko ‘to even before clearance week. I know you’re tired. I just want to give you something that makes you feel seen.”

At that moment, I couldn’t stop smiling. My heart felt full. The city lights behind him, the way his eyes softened while looking at me, the effort, the timing, the silence — lahat, perfect.

In my head I kept thinking: If this is how he loves, then I’ve never been loved like this before.

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“Masarap ba?” tanong ni Rhyler habang kinakain ko ‘yung last slice ng pesto pizza.

“Mm-hmm,” tango ko, sabay ngunguya. “Pero baka mas masarap kung ikaw ‘yung slice.”

Napatingin siya sa akin with a slow smile, tapos umiling. “Lumalandi ka na naman, love.”

Napatawa ako. “Eh ikaw naman kasi, ang daming effort. Parang unfair kung hindi kita lalandiin ngayong gabi.”

We were halfway through dinner, and the sky behind us was slowly darkening, pero ‘yung paligid namin—soft lights, mellow jazz music, and that warm breeze—parang slow motion lahat. Ganitong klase ng gabi, ‘yung tipong hindi mo iisipin na may deadline ka bukas or may clearance papers kang hinahabol.

“Grabe, Rhyler…” I whispered, while sipping the cold juice. “I never imagined a monthsary could feel this special.”

He rested his elbow on the table, chin on his hand, and stared at me like he was memorizing every detail of my face. “Hindi ‘to basta monthsary lang, love. First ng marami.”

Kinagat ko ‘yung labi ko. “Ang cheesy mo.”

“Pero kinikilig ka.”

“Tangina oo,” sabay tawa ko, then I leaned forward. “Alam mo ba, ang dami mong na-change sa akin? Like, in a good way.”

“Hmm?” he hummed, tilting his head, curious.

“Nung before ka dumating, I was always… pushing people away. Wala akong time sa mga ganyan. You know that. Studies lang, grind, repeat. Pero ngayon…” Huminga ako ng malalim. “Ngayon, parang hindi na ako takot to open up. Kasi ikaw ‘yung kausap ko.”

Napahinto siya. As in, hindi siya agad nagsalita. Just this quiet stare, tapos biglang ngumiti.

“You make it easy to stay, love,” he said softly. “You never had to change for me. You just had to let me in.”

Putek.

I had to look away. Kasi ang lakas ng tama. Ang daming kilig na parang gusto kong isigaw pero pinipigilan ko. ‘Yung puso ko, literal may drumline.

Then suddenly, he stood up, walked to my side, and knelt—yes, knelt—beside me. I froze.

“Rhyler?” I blinked.

He pulled something from his pocket. A small, matte-black box.

“Happy first monthsary, love,” he whispered, opening it to reveal a dainty pendant necklace. Silver chain, with a charm shaped like a tiny star—and engraved on the back, I saw the words:

"Oct. 13, 2025 - Fate chose you."

I covered my mouth. “Wait… oh my God…”

“Star,” he said, taking the necklace out carefully. “Kasi kahit gaano pa kadilim yung araw mo, gusto ko maalala mong may isa akong wish na natupad… ikaw ‘yon.”