Brett Yang courts Eddy Chen traditionally. Brett, every single night, serenades Eddy outside of his house. Eddy's parents do not agree with Brett's affections. Until he proves himself worthy for Eddy's hand in marriage.

a/n: the terms that are italicized will be given their English definitions at the end of the chapter.

Third Person POV

Eddy Chen's family was well-off. At least during the time that the Spaniards colonized the Philippines. He was one of the bachelors that women simply saw as too cold or men see as too strong for them. Eddy was intimidating and everyone knew that.

Eddy knows the existence of Brett Yang. A local farmers who earns a lot. Brett Yang was kind, helpful and patient. A lot of women like him but could never show their affections the way men do. So, women show their affections by giving him simple gifts of homemade dishes, embroidered handkerchiefs and the most common of them all are love letters.

Brett never really showed interest in any of the women that show their affections. It's not that Brett was picky, it's just, he had a certain Eddy Chen in mind. They were acquainted during a fiesta. It was for the celebration of Santacruzan for Flores de Mayo's crowning of a Reyna Elena.

Eddy was dressed in his best barong and slacks. When Brett saw him, Brett's world just stopped. He knew that he wanted to marry him. He didn't care if people would disapprove of their love. From now on, Brett had made a vow to prove himself worthy of Eddy's hand in marriage.

He starts off simple and easy. He will perform a harana outside his house. He grabbed his guitar and started to play a simple chord progression. Brett wished that he would open the capiz windows and hear him out and his affections.

Noong ika'y dumaan (when you passed by)

Ano'ng nakita ko? (what did I see?)

Hindi ko alam. (I don't know.)

Basta naramdaman, (I suddenly just felt,)

Basta natuklasan. (I suddenly just discovered)

Ang boses mo'y waring (your voice is like)

Bulong ng puno sa umagang kay tahimik (the whisper of trees on a quiet morning)

At doon ko narinig (and there was when I heard)

Ang awit ng pag-ibig (the song of love)

Eddy opened his window and listened. He looked at Brett with a blank stare)

O irog, (oh my beloved)

Dinig mo ba (can you hear)

ang pagtibok ng aking puso? (the beat of my heart?)

O irog, (oh my beloved)

Dinig mo ba (can you hear)

ang pagtibok ng iyong puso? (the beat of your heart?)

Brett looked up at Eddy, and Eddy still did not smile. Brett continued nonetheless. Belle, Eddy's ate looked out the windows and smiled at Brett. Knowing that the man was serenading her ading.

Bukas kaya makakakain na 'ko? (Tommorow, will I be able to eat?)

Kung puro ikaw ang nasa isip ko.

(If you are all that's on my mind.)

Ang hiraya mo (your reverie)

Sa araw-araw ko (on my everyday)

At kahit mawala ka pa (even if you're gone)

Hinding-hindi mawawala (my feelings for you will never fade)

Ang damdamin ko'y sayong-sayo.

(My heart will always be yours.)

O irog, (oh my beloved)

Dinig mo ba (can you hear)

ang pagtibok ng ating puso? (the beat of our hearts?)

Brett finished the song up and looked up at Eddy who nodded in approval. Finally, finally, Eddy Chen have him a very sweet smile before closing his windows. Brett felt his heart soar. That was the first time he had seen the man smile.

He grabbed his guitar and happily went home for that night. From then on, every night, for the past six months, Brett would always sing to Eddy and he will always receive Eddy's award-winning smiles. Both are contented with the set-up they've gotten used to. Until one night, the night before it would be the seventh month of Brett's nightly harana, Eddy's parents allowed him in the house to talk to him.

They made him sit down on the couch, across from Eddy and served him coffee. Eddy smiled at him and Brett smiled back. Most of their exchanges are through letters sent and received by each other. They knew a lot about each other at this point.

"Son, we know that you love our Edward..." Mrs. Chen started. "But, we would never allow you to marry him." She continued, getting straight to the point.

Eddy just looked like he was about to cry. Brett nods, understanding that it's ultimately Eddy's parents choice.

"Brett, to be quite frank, we don't think you could support my son. Especially that he has gotten accustomed to the lifestyle that's far different from yours." Mr. Chen said, patting Brett on the back. "Of course, you could still see each other. You could still be friends, but I doubt that you'd want to be friends after seeing Eddy get married."

"I understand, Mr. and Mrs. Chen..." Brett said, standing up to bow, showing his respect. "I hope we could still be friends even after you get married." Brett added, addressing it to Eddy.

Eddy was already crying but smiled and nodded anyway. Brett stood up to leave and Eddy started to sob.

"Shh, don't cry. I'll be back tomorrow. I promise. I'll sing you the last song you'll hear from me." Brett added and Eddy stopped sobbing. Eddy gave Brett one of those sickeningly sweet smiles. Brett felt as though his heart didn't break even if Eddy's parents basically rejected him.

Brett said goodnight to the family and walked back to his home. He really didn't know what to do so he decided to just sleep the sadness away.

He stared at the night sky, closed his eyes and made a wish. He sighed and went to sleep, not allowing himself to cry.

- - - - - - - - - -

The next morning, Brett saw Eddy roaming the streets of the market. He looked quite nauseated when Brett saw him, so he decided to approach Eddy. Exactly when he was next to Eddy, the younger boy fainted in his arms.

Brett didn't know what to do, but what he did was to carry Eddy bridal style and ride a kalesa going back to Eddy's house. Brett felt Eddy burn up and did his best cool him down with the handkerchief that Eddy embroidered for him and soak it in the water that he always had with him. He put the wet handkerchief on Eddy's forehead.

When they arrived Eddy's home, Brett carried Eddy to his bed and prepared a better alternative way to cool Eddy off instead of the handkerchief he used. He used a washcloth and with a basin of cool water, dampened it on Eddy's skin to allow his fever to come down.

Brett saw Eddy's mom and apologized.

"Mrs. Chen, I'm really sorry that I held your son without his permission or yours, but he fainted and I simply had to carry him." Brett said, bowing his head.

"It's okay, Brett. Thank you for taking him home." Mrs. Chen said, shaking his hand with gratitude.

Brett was about to leave and return to his home after he said his farewells to the family, but Eddy's parents stopped him.

"Son, we want to thank you for taking care of my youngest today." Mr. Chen said. Brett just thanked him back and said it was nothing. "You have proven that you'd do anything for him. You even apologized to my wife because you had to touch him. I salute that, son." Mr. Chen added.

Mrs. Chen cleared her throat and smiled at Brett before continuing. "Brett, we're giving you our blessing to marry our Edward." She said with delight as Mr. Chen held Brett's shoulder.

"Welcome to the family, son." Mr. Chen said.

Brett endlessly thanked them. After the announcement, a very tired and confused Eddy Chen walked into the living room. His sister made him sit down on their couch. Belle handed Brett the neighbor's guitar and Brett played another song for him. Mr. and Mrs. Chen, Belle and Eddy watched as the boy strummed a simple a chord.

Bawat ngiti (every smile)

Bawat luha (every tear)

Bawat gising (every waking hour)

Bawat pikit (every wink of sleep)

Bawat hangin na tinatanggap (every inhale)

Bawat buga (every exhale)

At habang ika'y yinayakap ng maigi (and when I hold you close to me)

Binubulong and dalanging huwag sana maglaho sa hangin (I whisper my prayer that you may not be gone with the wind)

Ang bawat piyesa na bumubuo sa'yo (every piece that completes you)

Bawat piyesang nawa'y mapasaakin habang-buhay (every piece that shall be mine for lifetime)

Dito ka na lang, habang-buhay (stay here with me for lifetime)

O, ang init ng iyong balat (oh, the warmth of your skin)

Bawat sinulid ng iyong buhok (every thread of your hair)

Dumadaan ang ilaw sa mga bulsa (lights pass by my pockets)

At dumarating sa atin (and come to us)

Huwag kang bibitaw (don't you let go)

Huwag kang mawawala (don't disappear from me)

O, aking dinadala (oh, I always bring with me)

Ang bawat piyesa ng Ikaw (the every piece of you)

Ano'ng gagawin kung wala ka? (What will I do without you?)

Wala ka. (Without you.)

Dito ka na lang, habang-buhay (stay here with me for lifetime)

Habang-buhay (for a lifetime)

Eddy cried at the end of the song when Brett looked at him hopefully. He gave Brett one of those award-winning smiles and Brett knows. He knows that he will stay for a lifetime with Eddy. Eddy knows that, too.

Santacruzan- "holy cross" and it's a crusade held in the summer here, which is usually in May.

Flores de Mayo- Flowers of May

Reyna Elena- Queen Helena

Barong- traditional Tagalog's men's wear (here is a modernized design)

Harana- a traditional way of courting, serenade in English

Capiz windows- old windows that are common in people's houses (here's what it looks like from the inside)

Ate- a term used to call an older female sibling

Ading- a term used to call a younger sibling, gender neutral

(if you're a Filipino, I highly recommend this band.)

First song: Solomon by Munimuni feat. Clara Benin

Second song: Bawat Piyesa by Munimuni