Adrian Felipe "Pepe" Malic dela Cruz Alindogan - is my Headcanon name for HWSPhilippines (Can still be changed)
Arin Izzati Bolkiah - is my OC!Brunei
There are some short mentions of other ASEAN members and hints of Spain.
Inspired by Habang-Buhay by Zack Tabudlo, try listening to the song it is very cute and light-hearted. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkX3iiI317k
Also, I only used google translate for the Malay translation of the song, so I am sorry in advance for the incorrect/inaccurate translations.
The Republic of the Philippines asks himself, what does Negara Brunei Darussalam have that makes the world suddenly stop?
No, what does Arin Izzati Bolkiah have that makes the world freeze?
Is it her gentle golden-brown eyes? Her calm and regal smile? What about her adorable button nose? Oh... Oh! Maybe it's her cheerful and lightheaded laughter? Or perhaps it's all of the above?
Yes, that must be it. Adrian Felipe "Pepe" Malic dela Cruz Alindogan, the personification of the Republic of the Philippines, nods in agreement.
Anda akan membuka mata anda
Saya tidak dapat lari dari kecantikanmu yang tenggelam
"Malic," Arin calls the nodding nation, intending to get their attention.
Upon hearing his third name, Felipe broke off from his thoughts and then smiles at the Bruneian woman.
'Oh, Allah.' Arin could not help but think as she got caught in his smile. It was as if she was drowning in the depths of Felipe's beautiful purple eyes. The exact same set of eyes that shone like how it was centuries ago with vigor, pride, might, happiness, and everlasting love. That captured both her heart and mind. Arin has to break her stare to stop herself from falling even more and tries to regain her posture. "Come here."
Tignan mo lang ang aking mga mata
Wag kang titingin na sa iba
Felipe wants to curse himself after he sees Brunei avoid his eyes. Did he make himself look stupid? Are there any creases on his uniform? Is his hair tangled? Or is there sand in his eyes? Yes, he had to admit that he had just woken up and rushed into the meeting. Though, he did bathe and did his facial before leaving the house. Maybe he just missed it along his run. He just can't himself, the mobile game he was playing was addicting, and good players only play in the evening.
For sure, Felipe is not an insecure person, especially regarding his looks. But he does get conscious whenever Arin is around.
It's his reflex to look dashing and handsome so that Arin's eyes would only focus on him and nothing more or no one else.
Saya akan berada di sini sehingga kita tua
Saya akan sayang awak selagi awak jatuh
Selagi saya masih hidup, saya milik awak
Sensing that Felipe had stopped approaching. Arin confusingly looks at him and wonders but then jolts in surprise as she sees him suddenly wiping his entire face using his sleeves.
Arin then lets out a laugh as Felipe takes out his cell phone, seemingly using it as a mirror to check his face. And it seems that his attention to his visage and self-care did not change.
It has been years - No - Centuries that they have met. But even so. Arin could never get enough of Felipe's presence.
It does not matter that when time could finally catch up on them, their hair turning gray, their skin wrinkled, or their bones brittle. She would continue standing there beside him.
And despite their separation for nearly four centuries. Years of yearning, loneliness, and pain. She reminds herself that she had loved him longer than that. And will continue to do so.
He was her sun, her light, and even her breath. He was the air that would drive the sails of the ships bringing her to places she had never been but would always cherish.
He would sing songs for her, dedicating his passion and love for her that made her fall deeper than ever before. And she would not worry about falling because she already knows - he would catch her no matter what.
And she promises that as long as he accepts her, she will be his till eternity.
Nakagawa sa akin ng ganto
Nag-iisang diyosa ng buhay ko
Hearing her chuckle, Felipe turns off his cell phone and then puts his attention towards her. She still looks adorable when laughing. And he can't help lovingly smiling at her.
Felipe knows that if Spain finds out, he might force him to kneel on salt.
As he was never loyal to a single God. For he believes in two.
The Almighty God. And this Goddess in front of him.
She had made him do things he never thought he could.
He made her sonnets, songs, and poems that could make any creature who reads them blush. At first, he wrote on leaves, bamboo, and copper. But as those vanish due to time and colonization. He did not let it stop him.
Despite his memories slowly fading, forgetting her name but never her face. He continues writing - now, using paper, until those pilled up and turned into books. Books that did not mention her name but perfectly describe his devotion unto her.
He prays to God every single day and those prayers contain wishes of happiness and protection for her. And for him to meet her again.
Felipe then approaches Arin after she had stopped her laughing. Standing beside her, he asks. "Is my beauty that dazzling that it makes you laugh hard?"
Saya ada di sini bila awak keseorangan
Saya tidak dapat lari dari kecantikanmu yang tenggelam
Arin then stares at the man beside him and answers, "Yes."
Felipe did not expect that straightforwardness, so he mockingly put a hand above his heart, acting like he was having a heart attack. And before he could make a rebuttal, Arin beat him first. "You look absolutely breathtaking. That makes me think if you are some kind of supernatural being or what."
Now he is not acting. His heart is literally under attack. Dramatically Felipe sits into the nearest chair like the drama king he is. And Arin follows and sat next to him, still laughing at his state.
Arin was - is always on Filipe's side. Even if the world would go against him, she would stay. She would not allow the two of them to separate again. She does not want to again experience those bitter lonely centuries without him.
And this time, she would do anything for it to never happen. She would never let him experience the same loneliness she felt without him.
She was drowning in her tears at the news of his fall in the hands of those colonizers. She wanted to go sailing into his kingdom and demand his return. But her Sultan did not allow her to do so. And then the war happened, and she lost him.
And thankfully, he came back.
But it was painful to know that some of his memories had begun to fade. Gone were those times when they were sailing across the seas, trading with powerful kingdoms, and fighting together against one of the largest empires in the region... And even their marriage.
She bitterly curses that man for the damages he has done. But despite that, he still remembers her face. He still remembers her. And she could not help but cheer when he did.
She now knows that, despite the years of separation. She still has a place in his life. A place where she could still stand beside him and admire his overflowing beauty and brightness.
Tignan mo lang ang aking mga mata
Jangan pandang orang lain
"Now, stop playing with me." Felipe huffs as he fans himself. Staring at her beautiful eyes he continues. "You know how I hate liars."
"I'm not." Yes, she knows. She knows full well. His history was full of liars and traitors that broke him, making him not like the same nation as he was centuries ago. But he was still her bright and smiling Malic.
Boldly, Arin pulls her chair closer to him and stares him directly in the eyes. Those beautiful purple eyes of his. "You have always looked majestic and beautiful Malic."
The look they give one another can only be described as pure unimaginable love. A love that transcends time. An unconditional love that can never be replaced despite years of separation.
The level of love is never constant; it consistently changes. But it is without a doubt that these two will choose each other to spend their every day with one another. And for the two of them, no one is comparable to their lover. Arin will always be Felipe's. And Felipe will always be Arin's. They are for each other and no one else.
Andito ko hanggang sa ating pagtanda
Mamahalin kita basta't pag nahulog
Habang buhay na ako'y iyo
He would not let anyone take him away from Arin. Not this time, not ever.
This time, Felipe intends to stay with her till they grow old.
He plans to continue writing poems, singing songs, and traveling with her as long as his body will let him.
He had loved her longer than the existence of most countries. And he will continue until his own time will run out. Loving Arin is something involuntary for him.
It was chance that they met, but he was fated to fall head-over-heels for her. And he will continue loving her, giving her everything he could provide. And seeing her happy is his goal in life.
"No, Arin. It is you that is the majestic one." Smiles Felipe. Bravely he grasps his hand into her, interlocking them. Oh, how her small hands perfectly fit well with his. It was as if it was perfectly made to hold each other.
Malah kepala anda benar-benar kelabu
Anda akan menari sehingga mata kami tertutup
Hearing him say that made Arin's face turn into a vibrant shade of red. Her mind immediately went offline not knowing how to respond to him. She let out a few intangible words.
Seeing his effect on her, Felipe smiled brightly. Then unexpectedly pulls her into a short embrace. Their embrace is cut short, but Felipe still holds her hands, and laughing twirls her around and dances.
Her foot was uncoordinated, expected from a woman being caught off guard. But after a few moments, she managed and followed Felipe's lead.
The two then start to dance across the room. No choreography nor digital music were accompanying them, except for Felipe's humming.
This moment, though not planned, reminded Arin of the days of the past.
It was just like this. The dancing alone, feet on the warm white sands, the moon being their only source of light, the calming sound of the waves, and the beautiful voice of Felipe ringing in her ears. It was peaceful, and relaxing.
And Arin couldn't help but immerse herself and close her eyes. Leaning into his chest. An action she always does when she is comfortable when she feels at home. Well, she is home.
Wala naman na kong hiling pa
Bastat kasama ka habang buhay na
Kuntento ako basta't ikaw lang kasama
Noticing Arin's closed eyes and her body comfortably in his embrace once again. Felipe breathes a sigh of relief, before encircling his hands around her waist, protectively securing her unto him.
'This is the life, and I have nothing more to ask for.' He was content with this scenario. No. He will always be contented as long as Arin is with him, safe, sound, and happy.
His memories may have blurred a few moments with her. Taking out the past images of him holding her. But it did not take how it felt to be in this position.
Her body radiates the warmth he craves every night when he was alone without her. The soothing scent she emits pacifies him. The softness of her body molded into his. And importantly, her. Her being with him. Him being with her. He could not ask for anything more.
For Arin, Felipe was her Always. And for Felipe, Arin is his idea of everlasting beauty.
Tignan mo lang ang aking mga mata
Wag kang titingin na sa iba
Saya akan berada di sini sehingga kita tua
Saya akan sayang awak selagi awak jatuh
Selagi saya masih hidup, saya milik awak
Tignan mo lang ang aking mga mata
Wag kang titingin na sa iba
The two continue on slow dancing inside the room not knowing how long has time passed by nor do they really care. They only put their entire attention on themselves, on the small world they created and they cherish and love.
They did not notice how the other ASEAN nations enter the room looking for the two of them. Malaysia was about to loudly call them, but thankfully Singapore manages to reach up and cover his brother's mouth.
Indonesia covers Timor Leste's eyes in hopes that the little girl did not see anything. Whilst his face turned red in the intimacy of his fellow South East Asian neighbors.
Thailand only responds by smugly snapping a picture of the couple, cheering internally at their cuteness and silently congratulating them.
Vietnam simply hides in her nón lá in embarrassment as she thought that they were intruding on the couple and wants to leave them alone ASAP.
Cambodia reacts by hiding behind the taller Laos who snickered and in turn videos the dancing couple with no shame. Also planning to upload it into their group chat later.
Myanmar just shrugs and continues eating the Bein mont he bought earlier from a local street vendor.
The other South East Asian nations with their different reactions continue to silently stare at the two - well except Timor Leste.
The moment was only broken when someone loudly asks.
"Why are you covering my eyes Dirga? Are they Fucking?!"
Bein mont - A popular street food in Myanmar (I hope you guys are doing well)
And yes, Arin often finds herself calling Felipe, Malic. As it is her favorite name of his among others.
Hope you enjoyed the story. 3
