A Little Big Love extra wherein change is constant, but some things never change, including Andy (mg) still wanting to get hold of Rue’s (ww) photo.

Andy and Rue met each other when they were still three? Or four? Or maybe five? We’re not even sure when they exactly met; maybe they’re the only ones who know the exact date and time. They’ve been together for so long—from exchanging emojis through their iPads to having their first ever phone, signing up for Facebook, signing up for their sports and extracurriculars, and even lining up for their college admission tests. Andy and Rue were inseparable; even the people around them knew that.

They were each other’s youth and have spent almost their whole life together. Both have navigated life and their endeavours together, but there were moments when they grew apart, but that’s another story to tell.

Like any other people, they celebrate birthdays, which adds another year to their age—that just means adding another wisdom and an eye-opening mindset for both of them. They grew taller, their physical appearance massively changed, even their voice transitioned from being so small and soft to something more octave and loud.

A lot of things changed. Time, year, people—everything. Change is constant… inevitable. And that’s completely normal.

It’s completely normal, because even Andy and Rue changed.

It wasn’t unusual for some, but for both of them, it was evident how massive a change they had gone through.
“Una na ‘ko, ha?” Paalam ni Andy sa kaibigan niyang sina Maki at Karlos. Sinukbit na niya sa isang balikat ang bag saka sinuklay ang buhok.

Natawa naman ang dalawa sa inasal ng kaibigan, “Sus! Papapogi ka pa, eh boyfriend mo naman na ‘yung dating nginangawa mo lang sa amin.” Pang-aasar ni Maki.

“Mahal ka ni Rue kahit pangit ka. Ginayuma mo ba naman gamit ang isang katerbang 24 chicken.” Gatong pa ni Karlos.

“You always tease me as if I didn’t cry all night because I was afraid to lose him,” Andy responded with a pout, making Maki and Karlos laugh out loud.

“‘Wag mo na nga paiyakin ‘yan, baka isumbong pa tayo kay Rue eh ayoko pa namang bad shot ako kay Rue kasi ang cute-cute ng boyfriend nitong tropa nating ‘to.” Ani naman ni Karlos. It’s funny how they're more fond of Rue than their friend. The thing is, Maki and Karlos served as a leaning shoulder to cry on for Andy during the times he still couldn't admit his feelings for his childhood best friend. It was the two who supported him throughout the pining. Rue also became close with the two, which makes Andy’s heart so warm, knowing that the love of his life likes his friends and his friends feel the same, too.

“I’m gonna go na, you’re pestering me na lang eh. My baby’s waiting for me.” May yabang na sambit ni Andy sa mga kaibigan kaya humiyaw na lang si Maki at Karlos. “Wooh! Sa Sunday ipakita mo naman sa amin si Rue, gusto rin namin siya makasama sa bonding. Dali na, SM tayo sa Sunday, oh!” Pang-aalaska pa nga nila. And yes, you read it right, Maki and Karlos would set a day to bond with the couple. There are times that Rue’s friend named Lemon would also set a bonding day with them. And if they’re lucky enough that everyone’s available on the same schedule, both Andy and Rue’s friends would collide and bond together.
Andy gave them a sweet smile, “Okay! I’ll ask him if hindi siya busy.”

As simple as it may seem, Andy couldn’t wipe that smile off his face as he punched the code on their shared unit.

Yes, this is one of the few things that have changed. Andy no longer needs Rue’s permission to come to his place since they’ve lived in the same unit since they got together. Isa ‘to sa mga ‘simple joys’ ni Andy, kasi hindi niya nga napilit noon ang kaibigan na ngayo’y nobyo na niya na tumira sila sa iisang bahay. When they were about to enter college, Andy suggested to their parents and Rue that they live in the same unit. It doesn't matter whether they share one room or have separate rooms; all he wants is to live with his best friend. Both of their parents agreed, but Rue said “no”. It was Rue who declined on such request knowing damn well he already has a romantic feelings for his childhood bestfriend even before they set foot in college.

“Bebi? Are you in the kitchen?” Tawag agad ni Andy sa nobyo suot-suot pa rin ang mga malaking ngiti sa labi.

“Yes po, I’m here sa kitchen, bebu!” Sigaw naman ni Rue na siyang abala magbantay ng sinaing at pinipritong bacon.

Ibinaba na ni Andy ang bag sa tabi, saka sinabit ang ID sa isa sa mga organizer nila. Agad naman nitong binagtas ang silid ng kusina upang mahagkan at mapupog na ng halik ang nobyo. Nakasuot pa ng berdeng apron si Rue nang abutan ito ni Andy. Kitang-kita sa gilid ng berdeng apron ang burda nito—’Andy’. Regalo ni Rue sa kaniya noong nalamang culinary arts ang kukunin nitong programa sa kolehiyo. Ni ayaw ngang gamitin ni Andy ito, takot na baka masira o kumupas—kinailangan pa siyang bigyan ni Rue ng kasiguraduhan na ayos lang gamitin dahil para naman talaga ‘yon doon, at nangako pa na papagawan na lang ulit siya kung sakali mang masira.
Sa loob ng ilang taon, napakaraming nagbago kanila Andy at Rue maging sa paligid nila. Kung dati lang ay halos magmakaawa si Andy makakuha lang ng halik sa pisngi ni Rue, ngayon, isa na ‘to sa araw-araw niyang dahilan para bumangon—dahil sa wakas, ang dating munting hiling ay ang siyang kasalukuyang buhay na niya ngayon.

“I just bought half dozen cheddar cheese, with kimchi and of course, your milkis.” Panimula ni Andy saka nilapag sa lamesa ang mga pinamili. Agad naman itong lumipat at yumakap sa nobyong, agaran niyang pinatakan ng halik sa pisngi si Rue, “Half dozen lang, kasi sabi mo you’re gonna fry me some bacon and make an omellette,” malambing pa nitong dugtong.

Hindi naman nakatakas sa labi ni Rue ang mumunting hagikhik dahil dama niya ang mainit na hininga ng nobyo sa leeg, maging ang mga maliliit nitong halik sa pisngi, “Lapit na ‘to maluto, then we’ll eat na. How’s your day, bebu?” Binaling naman ni Rue ang tingin sa nobyo saka pinagdikit ang tungki ng ilong nila, “Good, pero I missed you agad eh.” Hindi na napigilan ni Rue ang tawa. Isa ito sa dahilan bakit gustong-gusto niya si Andy, hindi kasi ito nahihiya aminin sa kaniya ang nararamandan. Hindi ito nahihiyang ipagsigawan na kesyo mahal niya si Rue, miss niya si Rue, gusto niya si Rue kasama. Andy has always been vocal on how much he loves Rue—on how much he loves him by his side.

Kumawala na sa pagkakayakap si Andy nang sabihan ito ni Rue na ayusin na ang hapag pagkat malapit na matusta ang niluluto nitong bacon. Who would’ve thought they’d come this far? Well, everyone that is within their circle already knew they’ll grow up like this… that they’ll live like this. It was just Andy and Rue who couldn’t believe it was possible to level-up the love they already have for each other.

Lahat naman ng tao sa paligid nila naniniwala na hahantong sila dito, sila lang ata ang hindi naka-isip na magiging ganito sila. Bakit? Ilang beses nila parehong winaksi ang nararamdaman. Pero ano nga ba ang magagawa nila, tao lamang din sila… nagmamahal. At minsan, hindi sapat ang simpleng ‘ayaw ko’ o ‘hindi pwede’ sa pusong nag-aalab at walang ibang alam kung hindi ang mag mahal. Paanong mapapanindigan ni Andy at Rue ang pagpigil sa bugso ng damadamin kung bata pa lamang sila ay naitanim na sa puso’t-isip nila na mayroong malaking espasyo roon na sila lang ang makakapuno. Na mayroong lugar sa buhay nila ang isa’t-isa kahit gaano pa kasama ang mundo sa pagmamahalang mayroon sila.

Matagal-tagal man bago nila inamin sa sarili na hindi talaga nila magagawang takasan ang umaapoy nilang kagustuhan, masaya pa rin sila na nahanap nila ito sa panahong hindi inaasahan. Bagama’t inabot ng ilang taon, masaya pa rin silang natuldukan na lahat ng pangamba’t takot na baka mawala ang isa nang dahil sa pusong nagmamahal. Marami mang matang nakatangin, naging matapang na si Andy at Rue at natutong isara na lang ang mga tainga para hindi na marinig pa ang mga makamundong bagay na panghuhusga sa kanila. Ika nga nila, maswerte sila dahil mayroon naman silang pamilya at mga kaibigan na tanggap sila, at hindi naman sila umaasa pa sa balidasyon ng iba.

Noong bata pa sila, tatawid ang isa sa kanila para sabay silang kakain at saka maglalaro, ngayon bago na. Mayroon na silang sariling espasyo na matatawag nilang ‘kanila’, may sariling kusina kung saan pwedeng lutuin ang kung ano man ang gustuhin nila. Nariyan na rin ang mesa’t upuan, maging ang mga pinggan at kubyertos na siyang gamit nila sa bawat pagkain at pagmamahalang pinagsasaluhan nila. Natutunan nilang hindi naman pala nakakayamot ang maghugas ng pinagkainang puno ng sebo basta’t alam mong may katuwang ka. Mayroong taong handang tumulong sa’yo at may kahati ka sa bawat gagawin mo.

Isa pa sa mga pagbabagong talaga namang ikinagulat nila noong umpisa ay ang pagkawala ng pag-aalinlangan sa tuwing gusto nilang hawakan ang isa’t-isa. They’ve always been the clingy type—there’s Andy who loves pinching Rue’s cheeks and there’s Rue who loves holding Andy’s hands. Those actions became fewer and fewer as they age, knowing pretty well how cruel the world can be once they see two similar gender being so touchy. It was really really hard for Rue and most especially Andy. They yearn for those light touches they usually give… the touches they’re used to give.
Pero hindi na nila kailangan itago ngayon kung gaano nila kagusto hawakan ang kamay ng isa’t-isa. Hindi na kailangan ipagdahan-dahan ni Andy ang mga kurot sa pisngi ni Rue, maging ipagpaalam kung pwede ba nitong hawakan ang kamay. Hindi na rin nagdadalwang-isip si Rue na haplusin ang buhok ni Andy, at hindi na kailangan pang bigyan ng permiso si Andy sa tuwing gusto nitong halikan ang pisngi at ilong niya.

Kung dati binubulabog lang ni Andy si Rue tuwing biyernes ng gabi, ngayon, ginugugol na nila ang buong Biyernes para manood ng pelikula o drama na gusto. The two of them decided to move into a bigger unit with two separate rooms and a huge sala to put a TV and a sofa. They love bonding through watching movies and shows, while eating some of their favourite food. This simple date includes Rue sitting comfortably on their couch, wearing Andy’s jacket, while the other is lying down with his head resting on his boyfriend's thigh.

Bagama’t nakasuot ng jacket at jogging pants si Rue, minabuti pa rin ni Andy itanong ang nobyo, “Are you cold?” Ibinaba naman ni Rue ang tingin sa nobyong nakahiga ngayon sa mga binti niya, “Not really. Okay lang naman po.” Agad namang bumangon si Andy saka umupo nang ayos sa sofa at sumiksik kay Rue, “Come here, bebi. Let me hold you.” And as natural as it may seem, Rue came closer and lean his body to the other; Andy on the other hand, automatically wraps his arms to his lover.

Tutok pa rin pareho sa pinapanood, inabot ni Andy ang isang Milkis saka ito binuksan at binigay kay Rue, “My Rue Rue, I love spending my Friday’s like this.” Mas hinigpitan pa nito ang yakap sa bisig ni Rue. May mga munting bungisngis mula kay Rue, ang huni na gustong-gustong naririnig ni Andy, sapagkat alam niyang masaya ang nobyo at magaan lang ang pakiramdam nito. “Me…” Humigop muna ito sa binigay na Milkis, “I love spending my everydays with you, Andy.”
“Ever since we were kids, I have loved every moment I have had with you.” Patuloy na sambit nito na siyang dahilan para isandal sa kanya ng nobyo ang ulo.

“Kahit noong sabi mong may kwintas na ako sa leeg kakalaro sa playground?” Mahinhin na tugon naman ni Andy. Rue’s so fond of him, his small giggles turned louder, “Yes! Even na you were so asim na noon and you don’t wanna go home, hay nako, ikaw! So so kulit, ha!” His brows even furrowed while still giggling.

Andy’s lips pouted, “Ayaw mo nga ‘ko yakapin no’n eh, sabi mo I should use your pulbo and towel muna.” Hindi na napigilan ni Rue ang gigil sa nobyo at pinatakan na niya ito ng halik sa pisngi saka yumakap sa bewang nito, “Love pa rin naman kita kahit you were so asim and you have libag sa leeg, but don’t do that na ngayon, ha? Hindi talaga ako mag-sleep beside you!” Pagbabanta pa niya.

“Ah, ganun pala ha?” Ngumingising sagot ni Andy at saka sinimulang kilitiin si Rue.

Marami mang nagbago—sa sitwasyon, sa pakikitungo, maging sa kung nasaan na sila ngayon, ang mahalaga’y punong-puno pa rin sila ng pagmamahal. At ngayon, maging ang munting lugar na itinuturing nilang tahanan ay pinupuno nila ng masasayang ala-ala. Saksi ang bawat pader ng kwartong ‘to sa mga halakhak na pinagsasaluhan nila, at sa mga mahihimbing na gabing magkayakap sila.