sweet nothings
filo rapper!jaafar x reader
warnings: smut, cheating
> tagalog convo/dialogues
a/n: may until part 5 ito.
you were still deep in sleep when you felt a weight shift beside your bed. through heavy, half-closed eyes, you saw jaafar. he was silently checking your bedside table, his brow furrowing when he realized your water flask was empty.
without a word, he grabbed it and disappeared toward the kitchen.
he returned moments later, placing the chilled, ice-filled flask back in its spot with practiced care. he had been your person since you were children—the witness to your first heartbreak, the companion for your first crush, and the steady hand during every milestone. he was, quite simply, your everything.
downstairs, jaafar found your father, ronaldo, already awake. the man, stern and often intimidating, merely offered a curt nod. but today, jaafar’s posture was rigid, his expression heavy with a resolve that felt tectonic.
"tito, can we talk?" jaafar asked, his voice steady.
your father gestured to the dining table, sensing the gravity of the moment.
"tito, i want to ask for your permission. i’m done with the games, and i’m done hiding. i want to court y/n properly," jaafar said, his eyes locking onto your father's.
your father let out a soft, knowing laugh. "jaafar, anak, i’ve known you since you were in diapers. you’re a good kid. why are you even asking? you’ve practically been a part of this family for years."
"i know, tito. but i want to do this right. i want your blessing," jaafar insisted, leaning in.
"but tito, i have to be honest—i cannot promise na hindi kita paiiyakin. she’s a total crybaby and she’s sensitive to everything. alam nating pareho ’yun; she’s fragile, iyakin talaga, and she takes things to heart easily. but i promise, tito, i’ll be the one to wipe her tears. i know her better than anyone else, and i won’t let her cry alone."
your father smiled, a rare, genuine softness in his gaze. "that’s the most honest thing i’ve ever heard from a guy. you have my blessing. just don’t break her heart, or you’re dead to me."
months passed, and with jaafar’s unwavering support—his late-night coffee runs and his patience during your most frantic thesis moments—you successfully defended your work. graduation day felt like a blur of caps and gowns.
when your parents saw the honors you had achieved, they were beyond proud, and even you were stunned by your own success. you had finally made it.
after the ceremony, you met up with jocelyn at rockwell to catch up and decompress. it was refreshing to just breathe, but your phone wouldn't stop buzzing. jaafar had been texting you nonstop, his devotion intensifying ever since he officially broke up with aly and cleared his name with his management.
when you stepped out into the lobby, you saw him leaning against his car.
he looked effortlessly handsome, his eyes lighting up the moment they landed on you. he pulled you into an embrace that felt like a permanent home.
as he drove, his expression turned somber. he reached over and took your hand, his grip tight. "y/n, enough is enough. break up with mark, please."
"jaaf... it’s not that simple. mark needs me, hindi ko siya pwedeng iwanan ngayon."
"bakit hindi?" he urged, his voice trembling. "you know how i feel about you. i chose you over everyone else. why are you still holding on to him?"
"i just... i can't, jaaf. hindi ko lang kaya," you whispered, guilt clawing at your heart.
he slammed his hand against the steering wheel, pulling into an empty lot, killing the engine with a violent jerk.
"jaafar, look at you!" you cried out, your voice cracking. "my friends said nakita ka kay maddie, nakita kita sa club! how can i trust you? ang galing mo maglaro, jaaf. nakakasawa."
jaafar’s face went deathly pale. he snatched his phone from the dashboard, his thumbs moving in a blur. he shoved the device into your hands, his chest heaving. "check it," he commanded, his voice barely a whisper.
your hands shook as you unlocked the phone. you went to his social media, his messaging apps, his call logs. there was nothing. he had wiped his life clean.
"look," he said, his voice raw as he guided your finger to his settings. he tapped on 'blocked accounts,' and a list began to scroll, seemingly endless. he pointed to name after name—girls from the club, girls who had been chasing him for months, even the ones he had once flirted with. "i spent the last three nights scrubbing my life clean. i didn't just block them, y/n. i killed the version of me that wanted anyone else. i don't exist for them anymore. i only exist for you."
he leaned in, his face inches from yours.
"i’m willing to wait, i’m willing to change, and i’m willing to burn the whole world down just to prove it every single day. but please, stop looking at me like i'm still the boy who didn't know what he had. i know exactly what i have. i have you. and i will not let you walk away into his arms again."
the way his thumb traced your jaw felt electric. you felt the familiar pull, that dangerous gravity of jaafar and for the first time, you didn't pull away.
“jaafar, ang gulo mo,” you whispered.
“paano kung magkamali lang ako? paano kung mapagod ka rin agad?”
he let out a sharp, breathless laugh. “tang ina, y/n. pagod na ako. pagod na ako sa mga laro, sa mga babae, sa lahat. ikaw lang ang pahinga ko.”
“gago ka talaga,” you muttered, reaching out to touch his jacket. “fine. but if i get hurt? if you make me cry?”
he looked at you with a small, self-deprecating smile. “hindi ko ma-promise na hindi kita paiiyakin, y/n. kasi iyakin ka, eh.”
you couldn't help it—you let out a loud laugh, half-offended and half-amused, and playfully cursed at him, hitting his arm. “tang ina mo, jaaf! kapal ng mukha mo!”
he just laughed, that genuine, boyish sound that made your heart melt. he took your hand again, his eyes twinkling.
"as in right now?" you asked, stunned.
"yes, right now," he replied.
"jaaf.. i don't have extra clothes.. my skincare.. my..." you started to panic, but jaafar just chuckled and gestured for you to look at the backseat. there, neatly packed, was a bag containing everything you needed. "i already went to your house and asked for your parents' permission. they agreed already; all you have to do is update them."
you looked at him, breathless, realizing just how serious he had been all along. you finally smiled, your heart feeling lighter than it had in years. "sige na nga,"
you whispered, "tara na."
the city lights of manila faded into the rearview mirror, replaced by the endless, rhythmic stretch of the expressway.
it was 8:32 pm, the sky a deep, bruised violet, when you finally felt the tension in your shoulders begin to melt. when it came to you, jaafar was giving everything—every ounce of his focus, every bit of his energy—just to make this spontaneous escape feel like a sanctuary.
he kept his eyes on the road, but his hand frequently drifted to rest on your knee. when you passed a stretch of road without a mcdonald's, he immediately pulled into the nearest kfc. you didn't want a heavy meal; just the familiar comfort of fries and a hot cup of coffee to keep the chill at bay.
as you pulled back onto the highway, your phone—which had been buzzing incessantly with notifications from mark—disturbed the quiet. jaafar’s jaw tightened. he didn't look at you, but his grip on the steering wheel turned bone-white.
"can you put your phone in dnd?" he asked, his voice edged with a sharp, raw annoyance. "nakakaistorbo yung tunog na 'yan. probably him again, right?" he suddenly pitched his voice higher, a perfect, petty imitation of your tone from that night at the club. "nakakainis."
you couldn't help but laugh, the sound bubbling up from your chest. you reached over, flipped the switch, and silenced the digital tether to your old life. when you looked back at him, he was wearing a wide, boyish grin—the kind that reached his eyes and made him look like the boy he was years ago.
"better?" he asked, his voice softening into something intimate.
"much better," you whispered.
"jaaf," you started, shifting in your seat.
"how did you even pull this off? si papa... he’s usually so strict. paano mo napapayag na basta-basta mo lang ako isama?"
he chuckled, glancing at you. "your dad is easier to talk to than you think, y/n. sinabi ko sa kanya ang totoo. sinabi ko na pagod na ako sa gulo at sa mga laro. na ikaw lang ang gusto kong ayusin sa buhay ko. i told him i’d rather lose my career than lose you. i think he respected that. plus, he knows i’m a man of my word now. wala nang laro."
"i heard about the recording sessions," you said, thinking of his upcoming projects.
"magiging busy ka na naman. what does your future schedule look like?"
"i’m blocking off time for us," he promised. "and for the studio? you have an open pass. there will always be a special place for you there—whether you want to nap on the couch while i record, or help me pick the final mix. it’s your space as much as it’s mine. i’m not going to hide you in a corner, y/n. hindi na tayo kailangang magtago."
"jaaf?" you called his name softly.
"can we go to la union after?" you asked, a spark of adventure taking hold. "after baguio, let's just drive straight to the beach. i want to see the sunrise by the shore."
he reached over, took your hand, and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to your knuckles. "anything for you, my love. we’ll go wherever you want."
by the time you pulled into the quiet, mist-covered bnb in baguio, it was well past midnight. the air was crisp and smelled of pine needles. inside, the room was cozy, lit by the warm glow of a lamp.
as you settled in, you noticed jaafar pulled out a tablet, his eyes scanning a detailed document.
"what's that?" you asked, walking over to peek at the screen.
it was a full itinerary, color-coded and meticulously planned. "jaaf... are you serious? ang dami naman nito!"
it was jam-packed—strawberry picking at dawn, brunch at a hidden café, an art museum visit, and a late-afternoon hike—but as you read through it, you realized it was perfectly paced. there were gaps for naps and long, quiet drives.
"it's a lot, i know," he said, rubbing the back of his neck with a bashful smile.
"pero i thought you needed to see everything, and we need the time. manageable naman, 'di ba? i wanted it to be perfect for you."
"manageable? jaaf, it's perfect."
you changed into comfortable clothes, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up to you. when you crawled into the large, soft bed, jaafar joined you, pulling the covers up.
for the first time in your lives, it wasn't about the thrill or the secrecy—it was just quiet. as he wrapped his arms around you, pulling your back against his chest, you felt a profound sense of peace. there was no need for games or defense. it was pure comfort, an unspoken promise of safety that felt like love in its truest form. you drifted off, held securely in his arms.
outside the large glass windows, the baguio mountains were waking up, shrouded in a thick, swirling blanket of white fog that caught the early, honey-colored sunlight. the view was breathtaking—terraced hills painted in deep shades of pine-green and muted earth, with the distant sounds of birds chirping in the cold, thin mountain air. it felt like the world had stopped just to let you two be.
you felt a gentle weight shift as jaafar woke up before you. he stayed still for a moment, just watching you sleep, before he leaned in and placed a soft, lingering kiss on your temple.
you stirred, your eyes fluttering open to see him smiling down at you against the backdrop of the misty mountains. "jaaf?" you called him, still eyes closed, savoring the warmth. "i like this side of you."
he chuckled, a low, vibration-filled sound against the morning silence. "ganito naman na ako sayo before pa ah."
you didn't say a word; you simply reached up, wrapped your arms around his neck, and pulled him into a tight, grounding hug.
"good morning, sleepyhead," he whispered, his voice raspy and warm against your ear.
"ang aga pa," you mumbled, unwilling to let him go just yet.
"i know," he chuckled, tracing the line of your hair as he looked out at the rolling fog.
"pero marami tayong gagawin today. handa ka na ba?"
you let out a soft, contented sigh, feeling perfectly at home in his arms while the sun continued to climb over the pine trees. "sige na nga," you breathed, "pero five more minutes. just us."
you let out a soft sigh, melting deeper into his arms as the sun climbed over the pine trees outside the cabin. his half naked body pressed flush against yours under the thick blankets, heat radiating from his skin. then you felt it—his cock already rock hard, thick and pulsing insistently against the curve of your ass. a quiet hum of need escaped your lips as you shifted back, grinding slowly against his length.
you turned in his arms, eyes meeting his dark, hungry gaze. "baby please let me give you a head this morning," you whispered softly, voice still husky with sleep and desire.
jaafar groaned low in approval, his large hand sliding down to grip your hip. without another word, you pushed him gently onto his back and slipped lower under the covers. your fingers wrapped around his heavy shaft, feeling it throb hot and thick in your palm as you stroked him slowly from base to tip. “y/n…tang ina lalabasan ako kagad sayo eh.”
you leaned in, pressing soft kisses along his length before taking him into your warm mouth. your tongue swirled around the swollen head, tasting the salty precum, then sucked him deeper, hollowing your cheeks. jaafar's hand tangled gently in your hair, hips twitching as you bobbed your head, saliva dripping down his thick cock, making everything slick and messy. you worked him devotedly, one hand stroking what your mouth couldn't reach while the other caressed his balls, drawing deep, quiet groans from him. “y/n..baby..fucking good.”
he pulled you up gently before he could finish, eyes burning with worship. “akin lang to ha.” he flipped you onto your back, hovering over you, muscular chest brushing your soft breasts. his hard cock slid between your soaked folds, teasing your clit with slow grinds. you wrapped your legs around his waist, pulling him closer, nails digging into his broad shoulders.
with one powerful thrust, jaafar buried himself deep inside you, stretching your tight walls around his girth. both of you moaned softly, bodies locking together. he stayed still for a moment, forehead pressed to yours, savoring the heat. then he began moving—slow, deep rolls of his hips that made you feel every thick inch sliding in and out. “shit love.”
your bodies moved in perfect rhythm, skin slick with morning sweat, the soft slap of flesh filling the quiet cabin. he kissed down your neck, sucking lightly on your collarbone while one hand kneaded your breast, thumb circling your hardened nipple. the other gripped your thigh, lifting it higher for deeper access, his cock hitting that perfect spot with every passionate thrust. “y/n..fuck.”
you arched beneath him, hips rising to meet each stroke, inner walls clenching tight around him. “baby..jaafar—god!” pleasure built fast, coiling low in your belly as his pubic bone ground against your swollen clit. his thrusts grew harder, more urgent, muscles flexing powerfully above you. sweat beaded on his skin, his breath ragged against your ear. “jaafar..please..”
your orgasm crashed over you suddenly—body trembling, pussy pulsing rhythmically around his thick cock as waves of intense pleasure rippled through you, soaking him. jaafar followed right after, burying himself to the hilt with a deep groan, pulsing hot and thick inside you, filling you completely. his hips stuttered through the aftershocks, grinding gently until every drop was spent.
he collapsed beside you, pulling you into his arms without pulling out, still connected in the warm afterglow. soft kisses brushed your forehead, cheeks, and lips as you both caught your breath. his hand stroked your back tenderly, possessive yet gentle.
"good morning ulit," he whispered softly, nuzzling your neck.
you smiled, cuddling closer, bodies entwined as the sun rose higher, the world outside forgotten for a few more stolen moments.
the morning haze clung to the streets of baguio like a thick, woolen blanket, turning the world into a muted palette of grey and pine-green.
by noon, a relentless drizzle had turned the strawberry fields into a muddy mess, and the hiking trails were deemed too treacherous to navigate. most of jaafar’s meticulously color-coded itinerary had effectively vanished into the fog, but he didn't seem to mind at all.
he was like a koala that refused to let go, clinging to you from behind even as you tried to walk down the narrow sidewalk, his arms looped tightly around your waist, his chin resting heavily on your shoulder to shield you from the wind. he was a constant, solid weight at your back, a living barrier against the cold.
"jaaf, baka madapa tayo, bitaw muna," you laughed, struggling to step forward while he nuzzled into your neck, his warmth seeping through your layers of clothing.
"ayaw," he mumbled, his voice muffled by your scarf. "it’s freezing. you’re my personal heater, and i’m your shield. stay still."
you stopped under the awning of a closed shop, turning to face him. you pouted, shivering slightly from the biting mountain mist. "jaaf, i want to eat wanton noodles. i’m craving it, and this weather is perfect for it."
he looked at you, his eyes softening until they were nothing but pure, unfiltered adoration. "ang ganda naman talaga ng girlfriend ko. kahit na gulo-gulo na ang buhok mo sa lamig, ang ganda mo pa rin."
you laughed, reaching up to pinch his nose firmly. "hoy! feeling ka talaga. hindi pa kita sinasagot, 'no. stop calling me that."
he didn't flinch. instead, he leaned in, his expression turning sharp and sudden. he cupped your face, his palms radiating heat against your chilled skin, and pulled you into a deep, lingering kiss right there in the middle of the misty street. when he pulled back, he was grinning that signature, cocky grin.
"alright, chinese it is," he whispered against your lips.
the restaurant was tucked away in a quiet corner, smelling of ginger, soy, and comfort. when the waiter asked for drinks, you didn't hesitate. "coke zero, please. make sure it has lots of ice."
jaafar watched you, amused, as you took a satisfied sip of the freezing soda despite the biting cold outside. "you’re a weirdo, y/n. cold weather, hot food, and iced soda? how do you do that?"
"it’s the best drink in the whole world, jaaf. don’t judge," you teased, feeding him a dumpling.
"i'm not judging. i’m just realizing how lucky i am," he said, suddenly turning serious. he set his chopsticks down and looked at you intently. "you know, before we left... i didn't just ask your dad if i could court you."
you froze, mid-sip. "ha? what do you mean?"
"i went back to your house early this morning to make sure everything was packed, and i talked to them again. i asked for their blessing to be your boyfriend. like, officially. i wanted to make sure they knew i wasn't going to treat you like one of my old flings. i wanted them to know you’re mine."
you burst out laughing, the sound ringing out in the quiet restaurant. "jaafar! as if you're asking me to marry you! relax, boyfriend pa lang, hindi pa engagement!"
he leaned back, joining your laughter, though there was a glint of absolute, terrifying certainty in his eyes. he reached across the table to hold your hand, his thumb stroking your knuckles with a reverence that made your breath hitch.
"hindi ba dun papunta yun? i’m not looking for anything else, y/n. if i have to ask your parents every step of the way just to show you i’m serious, i’ll do it. i’ll clear my schedule, i’ll block every distraction, and i’ll keep showing up until you see that i’m never going anywhere."
you felt a blush creep up your neck, hot enough to rival the steam from the soup.
"gago ka talaga," you murmured, looking down at your bowl, hiding your smile.
after lunch, the rain eased into a light, cinematic drizzle. jaafar had one last surprise.
he drove you to an outdoor go-kart track tucked into the side of a pine-covered hill. it was misty, the track slick with rainwater, and the entire place felt like a private playground just for the two of you.
"are you crazy?" you shrieked, laughing as he pulled you toward the karts. "puro putik na 'to!"
"exactly! mas masaya," he insisted, his eyes dancing with mischief.
he helped you into the low-slung machine, his hands lingering on your shoulders.
"listen," he whispered, leaning close so you could hear him over the drizzle. "if you spin out, don't panic. just turn the wheel into the slide. i'll be right behind you to make sure you don't hit the tires."
"oh, please," you retorted, pulling your helmet on. "just don't cry when i lap you, jaaf."
he laughed, a sharp, excited sound. "lap me? in this rain? we’ll see about that, baby."
as you peeled away, the sensation was electric. the track was a glistening, dark mirror. jaafar was a blur beside you—he wasn't driving like he was trying to win; he was driving like he was trying to catch your eye. he drifted through the corners, his kart kicking up water that misted into the air. every time he spun out, he’d throw his head back, laughing, before correcting the wheel and chasing you down.
at one point, you slowed down to take a sharp turn, and he pulled up right next to you, matching your speed. the engines roared, but you could hear him clearly over the wet asphalt.
"you’re doing great!" he shouted, his face splattered with mud but his grin brighter than ever. "just breathe! keep your foot steady!"
you glanced at him, adrenaline surging. "stop coaching me and just race, jaafar!"
"i can't help it! i want you to have fun!" he teased, then suddenly veered closer, bumping your bumper with a playful, deliberate nudge.
you yelped, correcting your wheel just in time. "cheater!" you screamed, laughing so hard your chest ached.
"all’s fair in love and racing!" he hollered back, then accelerated through a massive puddle, the water flying up and showering you in a cold, refreshing mist.
as you crossed the finish line together, splashing through a final puddle that sent water flying everywhere, you killed the engine and coasted to a stop.
jaafar jumped out of his kart and ran over to yours, his hair plastered to his forehead. he didn't even care about the mud; he reached down and pulled you out of the kart, his arms wrapping around your soaking wet waist.
"admit it," he breathed, his nose brushing against yours, his eyes sparkling with pure, unadulterated joy. "that was the best lap of your life."
you rested your forehead against his, both of you heaving with breathless, happy laughter. "okay, fine. it was pretty good."
"just pretty good?" he teased, pulling you closer. he leaned in, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to your lips—a quiet promise that held more weight than all the noise of the race. "we're doing it again tomorrow, then."
"gago," you whispered, pulling him into another, deeper kiss, completely unbothered by the rain. "let's go home."
the cool mountain air of session road was invigorating, a sharp contrast to the humid, bustling streets of the metro.
the late morning sun struggled to pierce through the thin, wispy clouds, bathing the iconic strip in a soft, golden glow. you and jaafar were walking hand-in-hand, his fingers interlaced firmly with yours as if he were afraid you might drift away into the crowds. true to form, he was like a shadow, constantly leaning into your space, his arm draped over your shoulders, or his hand resting low on the small of your back.
you stopped in front of a vintage store, the window display overflowing with unique, curated pieces. you’d always had an eye for fashion, and seeing the leather satchels and intricate bags, you felt a familiar spark. "jaaf, look at this one," you whispered, pointing to a beautifully worn tan bag.
"i have a collection back home—bags i’ve thrifted, cleaned, and restored—and i’ve always wanted to sell them. maybe join the merkado market? but..." you trailed off, your shoulders slumping. "hindi ko alam kung papatok ba. what if hindi naman sila maganda?"
jaafar stopped walking, turning you to face him. he didn't give you that hollow, rehearsed encouragement. instead, he looked at you with an intensity that made your heart hammer against your ribs. he reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind your ear, his thumb lingering on your jawline.
"y/n, look at me," he said, his voice dropping to a low, melodic register. "ano ka ba, baby? confidence is just fear without the right person beside you. you have me. i’ve seen those bags, i’ve seen the hours you put into them, and i’ve seen your talent. ang ganda kaya ng gawa mo. kung gusto mong mag-join sa market, gagawin natin. i’ll help you scout stalls, i’ll help you set up, and i’ll be the loudest one there cheering for every sale you make. you have an eye for this. please, don't ever doubt yourself."
a flush warmed your cheeks, and you leaned into his touch, feeling a newfound boldness. "you'd really help me? kahit na sobrang busy ka sa work mo?"
"especially then," he promised, planting a soft kiss on your temple before pulling you into his side. "basta para sa'yo, i'll make time. i'll move mountains, literally. hindi kita hahayaang mag-isa sa mga pangarap mo."
as you walked further, you noticed a few people glancing your way. a couple of students nearby were whispering, phones raised at awkward angles, clearly trying to snap secret photos of you two. you stiffened, pulling your collar up and trying to shrink away. "jaaf," you hissed under your breath, "may mga kumukuha ng picture natin secretly. nakakailang."
jaafar barely glanced toward them. he simply pulled you closer, his hand firmly cupping the back of your neck to turn your focus back to him. "shh, baby. stop thinking about them. hayaan mo sila, let them look," he murmured, his voice calm and dismissive. "they can take all the photos they want, pero hindi nila alam kung gaano kasarap sa feeling na hawak ko ang kamay mo. don’t let them steal our moment, okay?"
he leaned down, his lips brushing against your ear as he whispered, "they don't matter. ikaw lang ang mahalaga dito."
a small group of students eventually gathered the courage to approach you properly. jaafar was gracious, his smile genuine as they asked for a photo. of course, they recognized you too, and one of them leaned in to ask what the two of you were doing in baguio.
jaafar didn't hesitate, his arm tightening around your waist as he pulled you closer to his side. "it’s a graduation gift for her," he explained, his pride in you evident in the way his eyes lit up. "she worked so hard on her thesis, and she deserves to see the mountains and eat all the good food. she deserves every nice thing in this world, 'di ba?"
when the fans left, you looked up at him, biting your lip. "you’re so extra, jaaf. nakakahiya!"
"i’m just stating facts, love," he countered, leaning down to press a quick, playful kiss to the tip of your nose.
you ducked into a smaller shop, browsing through a rack of sweaters. "so, what’s the plan for the rest of the break? when you start recording the new singles, are we still going to have time for things like this?"
"the plan is to be with you, whenever and wherever," he said, pulling you behind a clothing rack where the world felt private for a moment. he didn't care who was around; he pressed you gently against the shelf, his hands settling on your waist.
"i’m going to be in the studio a lot, yeah. but you’re always invited. you’re the first person i want to hear the rough cuts. and, y/n... what if instead of you visiting, you just move to my space? i want to wake up to you every single day. hindi mo na kailangang mag-commute o mag-hintay. just... move in with me?"
your breath hitched, your eyes widening as you looked up at him. "jaaf... move in? like, together? seryoso ka ba?"
"oo," he whispered, leaning his forehead against yours. "pagod na akong bilangin ang oras hanggang sa magkita tayo. i want you there, in my home, so i can take care of you properly. what do you think? are you ready to live with me?"
he leaned in, closing the gap between you, his lips brushing against yours in a slow, languid kiss that tasted like the crisp morning air and the promise of a long, quiet future. he was so clingy, so present, that you felt completely enveloped by him.
"i like this version of us," you whispered against his skin.
"i’ve been waiting for this version of us for a long time," he murmured, his hands tracing patterns on your back. "ikaw lang talaga, y/n. wala nang iba. so, is that a yes?"
you laughed softly, hiding your face in his jacket to conceal your massive grin. "pag-iisipan ko, mr. jackson. pero let's just enjoy this break first, okay? masyado kang mabilis!"
he chuckled, kissing your nose one more time before pulling you back out into the bustling street. "fine, fine. pero hindi ako susuko. you're moving in with me eventually, love. it’s inevitable."
you walked out of the shop, his hand back in yours, the fear of your small business venture replaced by the steady, overwhelming comfort of his support and the lingering, sweet shock of his invitation.
in the middle of session road, with the mountains watching over you, you felt like you could do anything—as long as he was holding your hand.
kara: girllll!! nasaan na kayo?? 📍
maxene: wait, for real?? sabi ni kara nasa la union na raw kayo??
you: on our way! 🚗 graduation trip with jaaf!! 🌊
kara: omg hindi nga?! sabay na tayo! we’re staying at a resort in san juan!
maxene: yasss! see you guys there later!! expect us to crash your date lol.
kara: girl, heads up lang ha... kanina pa nagtatanong si mark sa amin kung nasaan ka. he looks desperate.
maxene: yeah, he’s been blowing up our phones asking for your location. be careful, y/n. he's spamming your dms.
randy: bro, we’re already at the beach house! where are you?
jermajesty: bigi is already hungry, hurry up!! 🍔
bigi: we’re gonna go hit the surf, don’t take all day.
randy: wait, are you with y/n? tell her we said hi!
randy: also, balita namin may nanggugulo sa inyo? just say the word, jaaf.
mark: nasaan ka ba? i've been looking for you everywhere.
mark: i need to talk to you. hindi ako titigil hangga't hindi kita nakakausap. please.
mark: y/n, please. papunta na kami sa la union. i need to fix us. five minutes lang. i’m not losing you without a fight.
you bit your lip, glancing at jaafar’s intense profile before quickly typing a reply, hoping to just end the harassment once and for all.
you: mark, stop. papunta na kami sa la union for a graduation trip.
mark: la union? okay. i’m on my way there too. i’ll be there. see you soon.
mark: i need to fix us, y/n. please, five minutes lang. i’m not losing you without a fight.
the weight of his reply felt like a noose. you hesitated, your thumb hovering over the screen. "jaaf, hindi ko pwedeng gawin 'to," you said, your voice trembling. "he replied. he’s coming to la union. he just said he’ll be there, and he’s talking about not losing me without a fight."
jaafar’s grip on the steering wheel tightened until his knuckles turned ghostly white. he let out a sharp, cynical laugh. "he’s coming there? of course he is. he’s not looking for closure; he's looking for attention because his career is on the line. he's using the timing of his single to get to you."
"it's not about him playing me!" you fired back, your frustration finally boiling over. "it's about my conscience. hindi mo ba naiintindihan? i’ve been cheating on him with you for months, jaaf! paulit-ulit! he's kind, he's decent, and this is the only thing i can do to show a shred of respect for what we had. i care about your image, too! kung mag-iingay siya dahil sa ginawa natin, it’s going to ruin you!"
jaafar slammed his foot on the accelerator, the car surging forward as if he were trying to outrun the sudden, suffocating tension filling the cabin. "my image? you think i care about my image when it comes to you? i don't give a damn about what people think! i care about you not letting him back into your head. you’re so worried about his feelings, but what about what he put you through before?"
"stop telling me what to do!" you retorted, your chest heaving. "you're being paranoid. mark is not like that, he would understand if i just talked to him properly. i’m doing this alone, jaaf. i need to end this properly so i can finally be fully yours without this guilt hanging over me. i can't just walk away like nothing happened!"
"alone?" jaafar scoffed, his voice dangerously low.
"you think you’re going to walk into a room with him alone after everything? no. that's not happening. the second he shows up, he's going to try to charm his way back into your life, and you're too soft to shut him down the way he needs to be shut down."
"you're unbelievable," you hissed, turning your head toward the window to hide the sting of tears. "ang ganda na ng simula natin, pero heto na naman tayo. i'm just trying to be a decent person for once, and you're making it impossible."
the silence that followed was heavy and sharp, turning into a cold, impenetrable wall between you. jaafar kept his eyes glued to the road, his hand—usually so ready to reach for yours—gripping the wheel with an iron-tight, defensive hold. you stared out at the passing landscape, the beautiful coastal view blurred by your own rising anger and the crushing weight of the secret you’d been carrying.
as you finally pulled into the resort, the night had fully bled into the early hours of the morning. jaafar killed the engine, but neither of you moved. the silence was deafening, the kind that made your ears ring.
jaafar sighed, the sound ragged and exhausted. he turned, his body language softening from defensive to defeated. he reached out, his hand hovering near yours before he finally closed the gap, his fingers tracing the back of your hand with a gentleness that was startling after the shouting.
"i'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible. he looked at you, his eyes clouded with a mix of shame and raw, unfiltered fear. "i’m sorry for yelling. i’m just... i'm terrified of losing you, y/n. when you talk about fixing things with him, i feel like i'm losing my grip on everything. i know i shouldn't have snapped, and i shouldn't have tried to control how you handle it."
he looked down at your hands, then back up to your face, his expression desperate. "you’re right. he’s a good guy. i’m just a guy who’s scared to death of anything coming between us. please... can we just hit reset? i promise i’ll trust you to handle it, even if it kills me to watch."
you pulled your hand back slightly, looking at him with pained, honest eyes. "jaaf, you have to understand something. we both cheated. we’re both guilty. but the difference is, you’re free—you already broke up with aly. you closed that chapter completely. but i haven't broken up with mark yet. i’m still technically tied to him, and it’s killing me. i can't be fully yours until i clear this up myself."
jaafar watched you for a long moment, the intensity in his eyes slowly giving way to a weary, quiet understanding. he nodded slowly, his thumb brushing over your knuckles one last time. "i understand. i really do."
he gestured toward the horizon, where the sky was just beginning to bruise with the first soft, hopeful light of dawn, painting the ocean in muted pastels of pink and gold.
"but before you face him... before you go and potentially break your own heart, i need this. i need us."
he reached over and cupped your cheek, his touch feather-light. "we’ve had such a long, miserable drive. just... come with me. let’s watch the sunrise first. one moment of peace, just for us, before everything changes. is that okay?"
you looked at him, his raw vulnerability washing away your remaining defenses. you breathed in, the cool morning air grounding you, and whispered, "it's okay, jaaf." you leaned forward, closing the distance, and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to his lips—a silent promise that, for this moment, it was just the two of you against the coming day
the sun was already high, painting the san juan coastline in brilliant shades of turquoise and gold.
the salt air felt perfect against your skin, but your mind drifted back to a few days ago—that frantic, perfect afternoon at the mall.
you had been stressed, panicking because you didn't have a single decent swimsuit for the trip. jaafar hadn’t even hesitated. he’d cleared his entire schedule, insisting on helping you.
he’d been so incredibly attentive, pacing outside the dressing room, his eyes lighting up every time you stepped out.
"this one?" you asked, stepping out in a chic, black two-piece.
jaafar didn't say a word at first. he just looked at you, his gaze roaming over you with such raw, hungry appreciation that your breath hitched. he stepped closer, his hands lingering on your waist before he pulled you into the soft shadows of the corner of the fitting area. "you look... damn, y/n. you're wearing that. we’re buying it."
"hindi masyadong revealing?" you giggled, feeling self-conscious.
"it's perfect," he insisted, his voice dropping to a gravelly, intimate whisper.
he leaned in close, his lips grazing the skin of your shoulder. he pressed a lingering, open-mouthed kiss against your back, right near your shoulder blade, his suction leaving a distinct, dark mark there. "at kung may tumingin, akin ka naman. i'll make sure they know it."
even when his phone kept buzzing with notifications from girls he used to talk to—constant pings that he ignored—he hadn’t once glanced away from you. he was focused on nothing but you, treating that shopping trip like the most important mission in the world.
now, back on the beach, that same intensity followed him. he walked with his arm perpetually draped over your shoulders, his hand tucked firmly into your back pocket or resting possessively on your waist. he was so clingy it was almost comical.
“jaafar, look!" you chirped, pointing at the iconic coco mama stall. "coco mama! tagal ko na gustong matikman 'yan."
jaafar pulled you right along with him, his chest pressed against your back. even as you ordered, he didn't let go, his chin resting on your shoulder. suddenly, a sharp, familiar voice cut through the sound of the waves.
"jaafar? oh my god, jaaf, is that you?"
you froze. maddie was standing a few feet away, her friends whispering behind her. she looked frantic, her composure slipping. "jaaf, wait! why are you ghosting me? i’ve been trying to call you for weeks, and you just cut me off like that? anong nangyari sa atin?"
jaafar didn't even blink. his expression remained completely neutral, his focus entirely on you. he didn't offer a word of explanation or a single glance her way. instead, he leaned down and tilted your chin up, pressing a slow, deliberate, and deeply possessive kiss to your lips. it was a silent, public declaration, a way to show her exactly where he stood.
almost immediately, a group of fans who had been watching from a distance rushed over, their phones held high.
"jaaf! can we have a photo? please!"
jaafar was polite—he always was—giving them a charming smile for the cameras, but the moment the shutter clicked, he’d turn right back to you, pulling you flush against his chest. he didn't care about the fame; he only cared that you were in his arms.
maddie looked stunned, her face pale as she realized she was being ignored in favor of you and his fans. "jaaf? hey, i'm talking to you!"
jaafar just chuckled, a sound devoid of any interest, and pulled you closer. he shifted his body, intentionally shielding you from their view. "did you hear something, love?" he whispered into your ear, his eyes searching yours with that familiar, dark intensity.
he led you away, but before you could take a bite of the coconut ice cream, kara and maxene came charging toward you, sand flying everywhere.
"y/n!!!" kara shrieked, skidding to a halt.
"girl! enough na sa... whatever this is, sa amin ka muna!" maxene laughed, grabbing your arm and trying to tug you away from jaafar. "and guess what? we bumped into mark! he’s in la union, and he’s actually meeting up with us at flotsam and jetsam later tonight. finally, you can clear the air!"
your blood went cold. jaafar’s grip became iron-clad. he wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you securely back into the sanctuary of his chest, his eyes darkening.
"sorry, ladies," jaafar said, his voice dripping with playful defiance as he kissed your temple. "hindi pwede. she's currently booked and busy being my personal stress-reliever."
"ang damot mo, jaaf!" maxene groaned, oblivious to the shift in the air. "whatever, just bring her to flotsam by 9pm. mark will be there with us, we'll all be there."
you laughed nervously, patting jaafar’s arm.
"guys, wait lang. may lunch pa kami with jaafar's family. pero i promise, date tayo later for dinner! samahan ko kayo mag-party, okay?"
"deal," kara grinned. "basta treat mo!"
just then, a mocking whistle cut through the air.
"grabe, jaaf. halos hindi na kayo mapagbukod?" jermajesty drawled, walking over with randy and bigi.
jaafar just chuckled, ignoring him completely. he turned his full attention back to you, his eyes dark with affection. "ignore them, love," he whispered. "ikaw lang, y/n. ikaw lang talaga."
but as you turned to walk toward the beach house, your phone buzzed. you pulled it out, and your smile faltered.
mark: hey. are you already in la union?
mark: i heard from the girls that you're hitting flotsam tonight. i'll meet you there at 9pm? i really need to talk to you. just us. i have something important to say.
you: 9pm? okay, i’ll see you there.
jaafar felt your body stiffen and saw your eyes dart to the screen. he pulled back, his playfulness vanishing instantly. "who is it? sino 'yan, y/n?"
you looked up at him, your heart hammering. "it's mark," you whispered. "he's meeting me at flotsam at 9pm. he wants to talk."
the shift in jaafar was immediate. the possessive, confident glow in his eyes shattered, replaced by a raw, fragile kind of fear. his hand on your waist dropped, and he took a shaky step back. "you're going to talk to him... alone?"
"i have to," you said firmly, though your voice wavered. "i need to end this properly, jaaf. it's the only way."
jaafar looked at you, his chest rising and falling heavily. he reached out, his fingers trembling as he tucked a strand of hair behind your ear. "i'm scared, y/n," he admitted, his voice cracking. "i'm not scared of him—i'm scared of you. what if you see him and... what if you don't actually do it? what if he looks at you, and you realize you can't let go? i can't lose you. please, don't let me lose you."
he looked back up, his expression desperate and vulnerable. "i'm not okay with this, y/n. i’m really not okay."
the music at flotsam felt like a heartbeat gone wrong, too loud and too fast. you were trembling, and mark’s hands were still tight on your arms, his grip desperate—not just angry, but terrified. he was looking at you like you were his only anchor in a world that was slipping away, his eyes searching yours for any flicker of the girl who used to say "yes" to everything he wanted.
"y/n, please," he breathed, his voice cracking. "don't do this. i know i’ve been absent, i know i’ve been working too much, but i’m doing this for us. para sa future natin. please, hindi natin pwedeng tapusin nang ganito. hindi mo pwedeng basta na lang itapon lahat."
"mark, it's not about the work anymore," you sobbed, trying to pull away. "it's about the fact that i’m drowning! lagi na lang kitang hinihintay, lagi na lang akong second priority. i’m so tired of being the girl who waits."
"i’ll change!" he insisted, his voice rising, drawing attention from the surrounding tables. "i swear, i’ll quit, i’ll move, i’ll do whatever you want. just don't leave me. alam mo namang ikaw lang ang meron ako, y/n. you're my life. how can you just walk away from everything we built?"
"built?" you let out a bitter, choked laugh. "anong binuo natin, mark? memories of missed dinners? pictures of us that feel like they belong to a stranger? i don't recognize us anymore. and the worst part is, i don't think i recognize myself when i'm with you."
"you're just stressed, pagod ka lang," he pleaded, his thumb stroking your arm in a way that used to feel comforting but now felt like a cage. "let's go home. please, let's talk about this privately. huwag mo akong iwan dito."
"it's over," you whispered, the finality of it cutting through the noise. "wala na, mark. wala na tayong babalikan."
that was when his face twisted—not into anger, but into a raw, ugly kind of realization. his eyes darted to the table behind you, to the group of people who had gone deathly silent. jaafar wasn't just watching; he was vibrating with a restrained, volcanic rage.
before mark could argue again, jaafar was there. he didn't just step in; he materialized, his presence like a physical weight that forced the air out of the space between you. he gripped mark’s arm—not a shove, but a slow, crushing clamp that made mark wince.
“let go,” jaafar’s voice was a low, dangerous rumble, barely louder than a whisper, yet it sounded like a death sentence.
mark looked from your tear-stained face to jaafar, his jaw tight. the realization hit him like a physical blow. he saw the way jaafar looked at you—not like a friend, not like a colleague, but like you were the oxygen he needed to breathe. mark let out a harsh, bitter chuckle, his eyes mocking.
"so..." mark spat, his gaze lingering on the way jaafar stood, completely shielding you from the rest of the world. "siya ba ang dahilan? ito ba ang bago mong 'project', jaafar? you think you can just swoop in and take what's mine?"
he leaned in, his voice dripping with venom.
"do you even know her? do you know how she cries when she's lonely? how she needs me? dahil sa ginagawa mo, you're not just breaking us up—you're ruining her."
jaafar’s grip on mark’s arm tightened until mark’s knuckles turned white. jaafar’s eyes were cold, dead things, void of any mercy. "i know her better than you ever did in these past months," jaafar retorted, his voice chillingly calm. "and if you touch her again, or if you even breathe her name, i will make sure you never have the chance to be arrogant ever again."
he turned his head slightly, his gaze softening just enough to find yours. "y/n, go to the car," he commanded gently, his thumb brushing against your cheek to wipe away a stray tear.
"i'll handle this trash."
