HELLO, NEIGHBOR (SSPG)

Valentine's Day was supposed to be magical. Kaya naman, labis labis ang paghahanda ni Clara Santos para sa date nila ng boyfriend niya. Suot niya ang kaniyang red satin dress habang kaharap ang boyfriend niyang si Marco sa isang candlelit restaurant. The clink of wine glasses and the soft hum of jazz filled the air, pero ng mapansin niya kung paano iwasan ni Marco ang tingin niya ay agad siyang kinabahan. She knew, something's wrong. "Clara," Marco began, his tone clipped, rehearsed. "Yes, babe?" She answered him sweetly. Kahit kinakabahan si Clara ay nagawa parin niyang ngitian ng matamis ang nobyo. "I think... we should end this." Nabitawan niya ang tinidor na hawak. It clattered against the plate. "What?" Gulat niyang tanong ng marinig ang sinabi ni Marco. Hindi makapaniwala niyang tiningnan ang nobyo. He sighed, looking more relieved than guilty. "It's not working anymore. You're too much into your career, and I... I just don't see us together long-term." Her heart cracked with every word he said. "On Valentine's Day? Is this a joke, Marco?" She exclaimed. She noticed him slowly nodding. Her pulse roared in her ears. Almost a year of memories, laughter, plans, only to be discarded with a single nod. She thought their relationship was perfect. Maayos naman kasi sila kaninang umaga kaya hindi niya inaasahan ang ganitong eksena sa date nila. She wanted to scream, to cry but she refused to humiliate herself further. Instead, she swallowed the lump in her throat, grabbed her purse, and stood. "Fine, then." she said confidently before leaving him in that table. The restaurant blurred as she walked out, heels clicking against the pavement. The February air was cold against her skin, but not as cold as the hollow ache in her chest like a cruel reminder that she was alone. Hindi dumiretso si Clara sa kaniyang tinitirhang apartment. Wala siyang balak mag mukmok sa kwarto niya at umiyak. Not tonight. Her ex didn't deserve that. Instead, she drives herself off to the popular bar to blow some negative energy. Nang makarating si Clara sa bar, wala na siyang pakialam sa hitsura niya. She had been crying inside her car while driving and she knows that her mascara's been smudged. She slid onto a stool and ordered tequila, ignoring the curious looks from strangers around the bar. One shot. Then another. The burn numbed the pain little by little, until the music and laughter around her blurred. She was still drowning inside, but at least here, no one was watching her sink. "To hell with Valentine's," she muttered before tossing back the shot. That's when she noticed him. A guy a few stools away, casually sipping beer. He caught her glance and smirked, raising his bottle in a silent cheer. Clara rolled her eyes, but something inside her stirred. Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe it was loneliness. Or maybe it was the way his gaze lingered, as if he actually saw her. "Rough night?" he asked, sliding closer. His voice was warm, like it belonged in another life where she wasn't heartbroken. "You could say that," she muttered, staring at her glass. "Well, lucky for you, I'm a good company." She just laughed dryly and didn't say another word. "You don't look like someone who likes drinking alone." He said again. Nilingon niya ang lalaki at mabilis na sinuyod ng mga mata niya ang kabuoang hitsura nito. He was tall, with dark hair that curled slightly at the ends, a sharp jawline softened by an easy smile. His white shirt was rolled at the sleeves, and he looked more like a leading man than a stranger in a bar. She smirked and raised a brow. "And you look like someone who talks to strangers a lot." Narinig niya ang mahinang tawa ng lalaki at mas lumapit ito sa kaniya. Now, he was already sitting to a stool right next to hers. "Only to the interesting ones. Ethan." He extended his hand. She eyed it for a beat, then shook it. "Clara." They talked. At first, it was banter — why she was drinking, why he was there alone. Hindi niya sinabi ang tungkol sa ex niya. She just said she was "celebrating freedom." He didn't insist. He just laughed and ordered her another drink. One drink turned into two, then three. Their conversation spilled from light jokes to deeper confessions — her stress at work, his recent move into the city, their shared hatred for cheesy Valentine's gimmicks. And somewhere between laughter and stolen glances, Clara felt something she hadn't in a long time — being alive. The next thing she knew, they were kissing already and she's enjoying it! The kiss happened suddenly, yet naturally. Ethan leaned closer to whisper something against the hum of the bar, and when Clara turned, their lips met. It was soft for a split second—then hungrier, urgent, like both of them had been waiting all night for it. Her hands gripped his shirt, tugging him closer, while his fingers skimmed her jaw, gentle but insistent. The tequila burned in her veins, but it was his touch that set her skin alight. They stumbled out of the bar, laughter and kisses breaking between hurried steps. By the time they reached her apartment, their restraint had unraveled completely. She didn't even remember how they manage to open her apartment door. Inside, the door barely closed before his lips were on hers again, hotter this time, his hands sliding to her waist. She gasped when her back hit the wall, but it wasn't fear, just fire. Ethan's mouth trailed down to her neck, and Clara tilted her head back, surrendering to the unfamiliar rush. "Are you sure?" bulong nito sa kaniya. His breath ragged against her ear. Tiningnan niya ito sandali bago sumagot. "Yes." she firmly said while her fingers' already threading into his hair. Clothes fell away in a clumsy rhythm, her red dress pooling at her feet, his shirt hanging half-open. For the first time in a long while, Clara didn't feel like she had to hold herself together. She could break apart in his arms, and somehow, it felt safe. She felt safe. They tumbled onto the bed, laughter dissolving into soft moans. Ethan's hands traced every curve of her body like he was memorizing her, not just touching her. His kisses weren't rushed, they lingered, asking, savoring, like she was more than just a passing moment. Clara's heart ached, but not from Marco this time. It was the ache of letting go, of choosing to feel again even if it was reckless. Every brush of his lips against her skin whispered that maybe she wasn't broken beyond repair. When he finally pulled her close, holding her as though she mattered, Clara realized this wasn't just lust. It was release, yes. An escape from the night's pain—but it was also comfort. Something she had been starving for without even knowing it. And so, for one night, she let go of everything—her heartbreak, her doubts, her careful walls. For one night, she let herself believe she deserved to be wanted. ************** Nagising si Clara dahil sa sinag ng araw na tumatama sa mukha niya. Napahawak siya sa kaniyang ulo dahil ramdam niya ang kirot doon dahil sa alak. Her body is sore but it is wrapped in lingering warmth. She blinked at the empty side of the bed. Ethan was gone. Biglang sumikip ang dibdib niya. Of course he left. That's what one-night stands were — fleeting, nameless and disposable. She pulled the sheets tighter around her and cursed under her breath. "Idiot, Clara. Ang tanga tanga talaga." She dragged herself to the kitchen and brewed her coffee, trying to push away the ache of disappointment. She wasn't supposed to care. Last night meant nothing. It had to mean nothing. As she was sipping her coffee while thinking what happened last night, a knock on the door startled her. Clara padded over, still in last night's shirt at gulo gulo pa ang buhok. She thought it's just one of her friends but when she opened the door, her breath caught. Ethan stood there — showered, wearing fresh clothes, holding two cups of coffee and a small bouquet of flowers. "Good morning," he said with that same easy smile. "Sorry I left. I thought you might need some breakfast." Clara's jaw dropped. "You... came back?" Tumaas ang kaliwang kilay ni Ethan sa tanong ni Clara. "Of course.Tingin mo ba aalis lang ako bigla?" Heat rushed to her cheeks. "I mean... yeah. Ganun naman talaga." Mahina ang boses na saad ni Clara. He chuckled, stepping inside as if it were the most natural thing. "Not my style. Besides..." he set the coffee and flowers on the counter, then leaned casually against the doorway. "...I live next door." Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Clara sa narinig. "You—what?!" "I just Moved in last week. Apartment 3B." He pointed a thumb toward the wall. "I Guess fate has a sense of humor." sikmat pa nito habang may ngiting nakapaskil sa mga labi. Clara didn't know whether to laugh or to panic. Of all the men in the city, she had a one-night stand with her new neighbor! Ethan must have sensed her nerves because he softened his smile. "Look, last night... hindi naman iyon kailangang magkaroon ng meaning kung ayaw mo. But I had a good time. And honestly? I'd like to see you again. This time, walang alak na involve..." She stared at him, heart hammering. This was insane. She was supposed to be nursing a breakup, not flirting with the guy next door. And yet... the sincerity in his eyes made her chest ache in a different way. She found herself smiling — small, hesitant, but real. "You're impossible." Nasambit niya na lang. "Or irresistible," tukso pa nito sabay lahad ng dalang bulaklak sa kaniya. She rolled her eyes but laughed at tinanggap ang inilahad nitong bulaklak. For the first time in a long time, Clara felt something she thought she'd lost. Hope. Clara's Valentine's Day had started with a heartbreak. But as she sat with Ethan, sipping coffee and teasing each other like old friends, she realized maybe the universe was making it up to her. Maybe the morning after valentines wasn't an ending at all. Maybe it was just the beginning