EVERY night, it was always someone new. This night was no different.

Skin to skin.

Shoulder to shoulder.

We moved in a constant rhythm, leaning against each other for support.

I wondered whether I should just stop. Maybe I should end this, but it was the only way. So we remained, as we were, just moving against each other.

Sweat dripped down from our brows. Was the effort worth it? Were we really going through with it?

Your eyes locked with mine.

Almost there, they seemed to say.

So I took a deep breath. My muscles ached from exertion, and I suppose yours did too. We’d been at it too long. The constant swaying, the constant movement; surely it would reach its peak.

A sudden jolt. You pushed against me, your head thrown back. In agony? Pleasure? I couldn’t tell. All I knew for sure was that I wanted it to end. Who knew it’d be this hard?

But we did it together, persevering to reach that ultimate goal, that moment of pure bliss. My legs shook, my breathing quickened. Any longer, and I’d reach my end.

I looked towards you, pleading silently. You looked away and opened your mouth to speak the three words I’d been longing to hear: “Manong, para po.”