#✿⠀˙⠀꒱⠀⠀𝗱𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰⠀﹐⠀iris⠀&⠀gale⠀⠀.

[oatslattes]

꒰     ﾉ     .     ‎꣑꣒          "     o     ,     nguso   mo   humahaba   nanaman—   ayaw   ko   ng   nalulungkot   ka     ,     "     despite   being   in   and   out   of   the   hospital   lately     ,     gale   still   manages   to   make   light   out   any   situation   by   teasing   iris     .     "     ga     ,     don't   stress   yourself   out     .     may   follow   up   ako   bukas     ,     i'm   sure   it's   nothing     .     "     a   smile   sits   on   his   lips     ,     squishing   her   cheeks   together   before   pressing   a   kiss   to   her   forehead     . 

[oatslattes]

[     PRESENT     ]     —     your   muse   surprises   my   muse   with   a   present     .

꒰     ﾉ     .     ‎꣑꣒          after   making   dinner   and   putting   up   all   the   christmas   decorations—   yes     ,     including   a   tree   that   he   insisted   on   buying   even   after   iris   protested     ,     it   was   time   for   a   well-deserved   rest     .     gale   was   glad   that   they're   still   able   to   do   their   little   traditions     ,     despite   their   history     .     she   was   still   his   best   friend   after   all     ,     so   there   really   was   no   reason   why   they   couldn't     .     was   it   bad   to   think   that   he   felt   a   glimpse   of   hope     ?     for   them   to   try   again     ?     that   maybe   she   felt   the   same   way   too     ?     all   these   questions   caught   up   with   him   while   he   was   helping   her   prepare   dinner     :     iris   scolding   him   for   making   a   mess     ,     mistaking   the   sugar   for   salt     ,     even   going   as   far   as   almost   lighting   a   kitchen   towel   on   fire   because   he   was   careless—   it   all   felt   so   natural     ,     like   nothing   changed     ,     and   they   were   just   spending   time   together   like   normal   . 

the   whistling   of   the   kettle   pulled   him   out   of   his   thoughts     .     gale   made   tea   for   both   of   them     ,     along   with   slices   of   the   cake   they   baked   earlier     .     for   last   minute   preparations     ,     they   were   able   to   get   everything   ready   in   no   time     .     “     here     ,     be   careful     ,     it's   still   hot     ,     ”     he   set   the   tray   on   top   of   the   coffee   table   in   front   of   them     .     it   felt   extra   cozy   with   the   christmas   lights   he   had   put   up   around   the   living   room     ,     while   a   random   christmas   movie   was   playing   on   the   television     .     this   was   a   perfect   way   to   end   the   night     .     “     on   a   scale   of   one   to   ten     ,     how   helpful   was   i   today     ?     if   you   say   anything   lower   than   eight     ,     hindi   ko   bibigay   gift   mo     .     ”

[oatslattes]

gale   was   aware   that   he   can   be   a   pain   in   the   ass—   living   with   him   especially   .   and   it's   not   that   he   doesn't   help   around   .   things   just   don't   turn   out   the   way   they   want   to   whenever   he   tries   and   help   .   most   of   the   time   though   ,   he   does   it   to   push   on   iris'   buttons   to   make   her   smile   .   he   knows   that   that   look   he   gives   her   would   have   her   forgiving   him   in   no   time   .   except   this   time   ,   he   was   determined   to   actually   fix   her   hair   .   and   he   does   ,   surprisingly   .   in   this   situation   ,   having   a   younger   sister   was   a   huge   help   whenever   iris   needed   help   with   something   that   only   they   understood   .   gale   wanted   to   be   better   ,   he   wanted   to   be   someone   that   she   deserves   ,   no   matter   how   long   that   will   take   .   he   didn't   want   to   mess   this   up   .   not   just   that   ,   he   didn't   want   to   mess   up   her   hair   either   .   finishing   up   with   the   last   few   strands   that   needed   to   be   curled   ,   gale   gently   ran   his   fingers   through   her   hair—   to   soften   the   curls   ,   as   her   sister   mentioned   the   last   time   he   did   this   for   her   .   "   maayos   naman   diba   ?   "   proud   of   his   work   ,   he   watches   her   from   the   mirror   ,   admiring   her   beauty   .   but   he   frowns   when   he   noticed   her   mood   dropped   .   gale   knows   when   she   was   deep   in   thought   and   he   immediately   jumps   to   action   whenever   there   was   a   change   in   her   mood   .   "   love   ,   what's   wrong   ?   napaso   ba   kita   ?   "   he   kneels   in   front   of   her   ,   checking   to   see   if   there   were   any   burn   marks   on   her   skin   .   "   ano   nangyari   ?   "   he   asks   ,   taking   both   of   her   hands   in   his   ,   rubbing   his   thumbs   against   her   skin   .

* ㅤ ₊   ౨ৎ   ˚          “   tumitino   ka   lang   kaya   kapag   galit   na   galit   na   ‘ko   .   ”   she   teases   ,   and   the   sight   that   would   follow   was   undeniably   the   cutest   thing   ever   .   gale   would   look   like   a   kicked   puppy   ,   and   of   course   ,   iris   couldn't   help   but   melt   at   his   cuteness   .   without   even   realizing   it   ,   her   hands   would   squish   his   cheeks   ,   planting   a   kiss   on   his   lips   ,   giggling   ,   and   apologizing   for   how   adorable   he   was   .   it’s   like   something   straight   out   of   a   daydream   ,   the   way   he   looked   at   her   with   those   big   ,   soft   eyes   .   it   reminds   her   of   a   child   ,   and   just   imagining   it   fills   her   heart   with   warmth   .   she   smiles   ,   grateful   for   this   second   chance   at   love   with   the   only   man   she’s   ever   truly   loved   .   “   okay   ,   love   .   we’ll   see   .   ”   she   giggles   ,   her   makeup   being   done   as   he   continues   to   curl   her   hair   .   his   delicate   ,   slender   fingers   work   through   her   hair   ,   each   movement   perfect   despite   his   insistence   that   he’s   no   expert   at   curling   .   when   he’s   finished   ,   she   gazes   at   her   reflection   in   the   mirror   ,   surprised   at   how   well   it   turned   out—   too   well   ,   in   fact   ,   like   he’s   done   it   a   thousand   times   before   .   “   galing   ha   .   parang   pang   professional   .   ”   she   comments   ,   her   smile   slowly   fading   as   an   unsettling   thought   crosses   her   mind   .   what   if   gale   helped   his   recent   ex   with   her   hair   that's   why   he's   so   good   with   it?   the   idea   stabs   at   her   heart—   after   all   ,   this   is   the   first   time   gale   has   ever   done   this   for   anyone   other   than   iris   .   the   thought   makes   her   chest   tighten   ,   and   she   tries   to   push   it   away   ,   but   the   ache   lingers   .

[oatslattes]

꒰     ﾉ     .     ‎꣑꣒          gale   has   always   been   a   workaholic     ,     even   more   so   when   they   broke   up     .     it   was   the   only   thing   that   could   distract   him   from   how   much   his   heart   was   hurting   and   yearning   for   iris     .     working   overtime   while   paying   no   mind   to   his   needs     ,     which   is   probably   why   he   was   experiencing   his   body   breaking   down   lately     .     ever   since   they   got   back   together     ,     he   has   gotten   better   with   managing   his   schedule     ,     taking   days   off     ,     and   not   working   consecutive   ten-to-twelve-hour   shifts     .     iris   constantly   reminds   him   to   get   some   rest   and   not �� push   himself   too   hard   to   the   point   where   he   is   past   his   limit     .     he   doesn't   want   to   depend   on   iris   too   much     ,     but   knowing   that   he   has   someone   to   go   home   to   allows   him   to   relax   because   the   only   time   he's   able   to   rest   is   when   iris   is   around   .

gale   never   wants   her   to   worry   about   him   like   this—   he   knows   deep   down   that   this   was   nothing   and   he'll   be   back   to   his   normal   self   in   a   few   days     .     he   still   feels   weak     ,     but   a   lot   better   than   how   he   was   feeling   the   past   few   days   when   he   was   admitted   into   the   hospital   .     “     i'm   sorry   for   making   you   worry     ,     hindi   na   'to   mauulit—   i'll   do   better     ,     i   promise     ,     ”     he   kisses   the   top   of   her   head     ,     pulling   her   closer   to   his   body     ,     embracing   her   tightly     .     “     it's   a   cafe   lego   set   na   i   wanted   to   build   tapos   display   ko   sa   cafe   mo   para   pag   tiningnan   mo   ako   agad   iisipin   mo     ,     ”     he   teases     ,     pulling   away   to   meet   her   gaze   with   that   annoying   smile   on   his   face     ,     that   one   he   knows   that   she   hates     .     “     yabu   tayo   for   lunch     ?     okay   lang     ?     unless   you're   craving   something   else     .     ” 

* ㅤ ₊   ౨ৎ   ˚          maybe   it’s   her   instinct   warning   her   ,   that   sense   deep   inside   telling   her   something   is   wrong   .   no   matter   how   much   gale   tries   to   reassure   her   ,   iris   can't   shake   the   worry   gnawing   at   her   because   of   his   health   .   she   prays   it's   nothing   serious—   that   he’s   only   dealing   with   anemia   ,   that   his   collapse   was   just   from   overworking   ,   nothing   more   .   in   her   heart   ,   she’s   pleading   with   the   universe   ,   with   anyone   who   might   listen   ,   for   a   gentle   diagnosis   .   she   can’t   bear   the   thought   of   losing   him   ,   not   when   there’s   still   so   much   she   wants   to   share   with   him   ,   both   now   and   in   the   future   .   “   sabi   ko   naman   kasi   sayo   ,   magpahinga   ,   ”   she   sighs   ,   shaking   her   head   .   “   working   too   hard   won’t   make   you   the   ceo   or   chairman   .   ” as   tries   to   charm   her   with   a   kiss   request   ,   iris   just   scoffs   playfully   ,   crossing   her   arms   over   her   chest   .   “   ayaw   ko   .   hindi   mo   pa   deserve   ng   kiss   ngayon   for   making   me   worry   .   atsaka   ,   food   ang   kailangan   mo   ,   hindi   kiss   ko   .   ”   though   the   frustration   shows   on   her   face   ,   she   isn’t   truly   angry—   just   deeply   concerned   .   softening   ,   she   sighs   .   “   mamaya   ,   pagkakain   natin   ,   kikiss   kita   .   ”   finally   ,   she   lets   herself   relax   in   his   arms   ,   leaning   into   him   .   “   sige   ,   anong   lego   set   bibilhin   mo   ?   ”   she   asks   ,   nodding   ,   hoping   the   little   distraction   of   building   a   lego   set   together   will   help   ease   their   minds   ,   if   only   for   a   while   .

[oatslattes]

꒰     ﾉ     .     ‎꣑꣒          "     i'm   just   saying   lang   naman   na   while   we   don't   have   the   results   yet     ,     you   don't   have   to   worry   about   me     ,     i'm   still   here     ,     i'm   not   going   anywhere     ,     "     gale   muses     ,     leaning   down   to   press   a   kiss   on   her   pout     .     there's   no   telling   what   goes   on   in   gale's   mind   regarding   his   current   condition     .     he's   not   the   type   of   person   to   be   concerned   about   his   health   because   there's   really   been   no   problem     ,     until   recently     .     his   visit   to   the   hospital   has   become   more   frequent   ever   since   he   passed   out   not   once     ,     but   twice   during   one   of   his   shifts     .     he's   not   dismissing   iris'   concerns   because   she   was   right—   it   could   be   that   gale   is   just   in   denial     .     "     gutom   na   nga   ako     ,     pero   if   you   kiss   me     ,     mabubusog   na   ko     ,     "     he   teases     ,     wrapping   his   arms   around   her   figure     ,     embracing   her   tightly     .     "     sa   mall   tayo   kumain     ?     tapos   ikot   tayo     ?     meron   ako   gusto   bilhin   na   lego   set     ,     gawin   natin   mamaya     .     "

* ㅤ ₊   ౨ৎ   ˚          “   paanong   hindi   hahaba   ?   i   think   i’m   allowed   to   be   concerned   about   your   health   .   ilang   linggo   ka   nang   ganyan—   it’s   alarming   .   ”   she   has   every   right   to   be   worried   ,   believing   her   concerns   are   valid   .   her   mom   started   like   this   ,   too   ,   always   brushing   it   off   with   ,   ‘   wala   lang   ‘to   ,   ’   but   that   ‘   wala   lang   ’   turned   into   something   far   bigger   .   now   her   mom   is   gone   ,   and   she   fears   the   same   thing   will   happen   with   gale   .   he   is   her   only   family   left   .   “   you   can’t   stop   me   from   worrying   .   and   you   can’t   stop   me   from   coming   with   you   to   your   follow-up   check-up   .   ”   she   sighs   ,   pouting   up   at   him   after   he   kisses   her   forehead   .   “   lunch   muna   tayo   ?   gutom   na   gutom   ka   na   for   sure   .   ”

[oatslattes]

꒰     ﾉ     .     ‎꣑꣒          “     hindi   kaya     ,     matino   naman   ako   lagi     ,     ah     !     ”     there's   not   enough   to   evidence   to   prove   that     ,     but   he'd   prefer   to   be   on   iris'   good   side     .     does   it   outweigh   the   amount   of   times   he   wasn't     ?     gale   is   not   sure     ,     but   he   likes   to   think   that's   he   always   is     .     “     i   never   claimed   that   i'd   be   good   at   curling   hair     ,     i   just   know   how   to   use   this     ,     so   if   hindi   maayos   pagkakulot   ko     ,     i'm   sorry     ,     ”     it's   not   like   he   wasn't   going   to   try     ,     he's   done   this   for   his   sister   before     ,     so   the   margin   for   error   is   pretty   small     .     gale   takes   the   curling   iron   from   her   hand     ,     while   his   other   hand   takes   about   an   inch   of   hair   and   wraps   it   around   wand     ,     repeating   it   until   that   part   of   her   hair   is   curled     .     “     maayos   naman   diba     ?     you   can   lie     ,     baka   masaktan   ego   ko     .     ”

         ⠀𝜗୧ㅤׂ⠀⠀⋆⠀⠀    “   yung   mukha   mo   kasi   parang   parating   may   masamang   binabalak   eh   .   ”   nevertheless   ,   she   trusts   him   and   hands   him   her   curling   iron   .   “   i   just   can’t   reach   this   part   sa   likod   and   i   don’t   know   if   maganda   yung   pagkaka-kulot   .   can   you   please   help   me   out   ?   ”

[oatslattes]

꒰     ﾉ     .     ‎꣑꣒          truth   be   told     ,     gale   just   wanted   iris   back   in   his   life     .     sure     ,     it   was   difficult   to   forget   the   rejection   of   his   proposal—   the   thought   of   their   love   not   being   enough   haunting   him   at   times     ,     but   he   knew   deep   down     ...     that   wasn't   true     .     that's   why   he   gained   the   courage   to   invite   her   to   spend   the   holidays   with   him     .     in   hopes   of   finding   that   love   they   shared   once   again     ,     whatever   it   takes—   even   if   they   had   to   start   all   over   again     .     gale   never   stopped   loving   iris     ,     even   during   that   relationship   he   forced   himself   into     ,     all   he   thought   about   was   iris   and   how   she   would   have   loved   the   places   he   brought   his   now   ex   to     .     he   knew   that   he   shouldn't   have   even   thought   of   getting   into   a   relationship     ,     but   he   thought   that   iris   needed   space     ,     a   break   from   their   break   up     .     and   looking   back   now     ,     he   should've   fought   for   their   love   harder     .     he   knows   that   now   and   he   will   do   everything   to   get   iris   back   and   never   let   her   go   .

this   was   the   first   time   in   a   while   that   gale   allowed   himself   to   relax     ,     even   after   almost   setting   something   on   fire   while   they   were   fixing   dinner     .     nothing   changed     ,     really—   he   was   sure   the   same   thing   happened   the   last   time   he   tried   to   help   her   in   the   kitchen     .     gale   hasn't   taken   his   gaze   off   of   iris     ,     watching   in   awe   while   she  was   looking   around   the   room   and   admiring   the   christmas   decorations     ...     he   really   missed   her     .     he   couldn't   help   but   cherish   this   silence   that   surrounded   the   room     .     it   felt   like   they   were   really   meant   to   be   there   at   that   moment     .     “     hindi   ba   character   development   na   'yon     ?     i   didn't   set   anything   on   fire   this   time   and   like   you   said     ,     muntikan   na   lang     ,     so   you   really   can't   rate   it   lower   than   eight     ,     ”     truthfully     ,     gale   just   wanted   her   approval   on   his   improvement   in   the   kitchen     ,     that   would   be   the   best   christmas   present    he   could   ever   receive     .     “     magpahinga   ka   muna     ,     we   can   open   gifts   later     ,     i'll   tidy   up   the   kitchen   and   the   living   room     ,     para   we   can   just   watch   movies   later     .     ” 

౨ৎ⠀ׂ ✿⠀࣭  ꒰         today   felt   as   if   the   past   year   of   being   broken   up   had   never   happened—   as   if   they’d   effortlessly   slipped   back   into   the   routines   they   had   when   they   were   still   together   .   as   if   iris   had   never   broken   gale’s   heart   .   she   wants   to   believe   she   deserves   this   moment   ,   this   ease   ,   but   deep   down   ,   a   nagging   voice   whispers   that   it’s   only   happening   because   he   felt   bad   she’d   be   spending   another   year   alone   during   the   holidays   .   not   that   she   minded   ;   she   had   planned   to   use   the   solitude   to   adjust   .   yet   ,   no   matter   how   much   she   tries   to   let   go   of   the   past—   of   gale—   his   family   always   manages   to   pull   her   back   in   ,   keeping   her   tethered   .   she’s   grateful   for   their   kindness   ,   their   continued   warmth   ,   even   after   she   broke   their   son’s   heart   . but   there’s   no   denying   how   natural   this   all   feels   .   like   she   really   wants   to   spend   her   holidays   with   someone   ,   and   she’s   glad   gale   still   reached   out—   even   just   as   friends   .   tired   from   an   afternoon   of   cooking   ,   iris   collapses   onto   her   couch   ,   letting   the   exhaustion   settle   in   .   her   eyes   scan   the   apartment   ,   now   decked   out   in   christmas   decor   ,   and   she   smiles   .   just   yesterday   ,   it   had   felt   so   empty   ,   but   now   it’s   alive   with   festivity   .   “   i   really   need   to   take   a   shower   ,   ”   she   mutters   ,   but   when   he   hands   her   a   steaming   cup   of   tea   ,   she   takes   it   instead   .   the   shower   can   wait   .   she   sips   ,   savoring   the   warmth   and   the   moment   ,   and   sighs   .   this   is   exactly   how   they   used   to   spend   their   holidays   together   .   the   familiar   setup   makes   her   almost   want   to   curl   up   beside   him   .   “   ah   ,   so   pag   sinabi   kong   seven   ,   hindi   mo   ibibigay   gift   mo   ?   ‘wag   ko   rin   kaya   ibigay   gift   ko   sayo   .   muntikan   ka   na   nga   makasunog   kanina   ,   oh   ,   ”   she   teases   ,   a   grin   tugging   at   her   lips   .