Chapter Text
The air around campus used to be full of whispers about Aiah. Now, everyone was talking about Colet instead.
One afternoon, Aiah found Colet leaning against a wall. A small group of girls stood a few steps away watching her. The girls looked at her and whispered to each other.
Aiah watched the scene with a small smirk.
“You’re pretty famous these days,” Aiah said as she walked up beside her.
Colet turned to her.
“It’s temporary,” Colet replied quietly. “Magsasawa rin sila.”
“They seem to like what they see,” Aiah said, glancing at the girls nearby. “Especially after those photos.”
Colet sighed softly. “Photos?”
“With Chie,” Aiah said, sounding a little amused. “People think you have a type. And apparently, it’s not me.”
For a moment, annoyance crossed Colet’s face.
“They already stalked me?” Colet said. “Chie’s my best friend.”
Aiah raised a brow. That was new, before, Colet always called Chie her academic partner. “That doesn’t matter to everyone else,” Aiah shrugged. “They think you’re approachable now. Probably because I haven’t made you ‘disappear.’”
At first, people had been afraid of Colet because of her connection with Aiah. But more than a month had passed since Aiah had let her occupy her space and started sitting with her. Nothing bad had happened. Instead, people became curious about Colet.
By the end of the week, Aiah with the rest of the girls entered the cafeteria.
Sheena giggled and pointed across the room. “Look at her. May pa-meet & greet na naman.”
At her table, Colet politely accepted a flower from a girl. She didn’t smile much but she nodded politely. Aiah watched with her jaw tightening a little.
“It looks like you’ve been dethroned, Aiah,” Mikha teased, nudging her.
“She’s just being nice,” Aiah muttered while picking at her food.
“Nice?” Stacey laughed. “You were never ‘nice’ to random people.”
“Colet’s different,” Aiah said, though her voice sounded a bit strange.
“Oh, she’s definitely different,” Maloi said with a grin. “Baliw na baliw sa kanya oh.”
Aiah watched as another girl handed Colet a small handwritten note. Colet didn’t read it. She just placed it inside her book and nodded politely. The girl walked away blushing.
Aiah suddenly felt something hot and uncomfortable in her chest.
“She doesn’t have to be so… welcoming. Bakit ba kasi hindi nakaprivate yung account nya!?” Aiah said, sharper than she meant.
“What’s wrong with being polite?” Gwen asked, noticing Aiah’s mood.
“It’s not politeness,” Aiah snapped. “Pinapaasa nya.”
Sheena’s eyes widened. “Oh selos ba ‘yan? Jowa mo na?”
Aiah glared at her.
“Shut up.”
She walked again and looked across the room at Colet. Colet seemed to feel the stare and looked up. Her face stayed calm but her eyes looked curious.
Aiah walked straight toward her.
“What was that?” Aiah asked quietly but firmly when she reached Colet’s table.
Colet blinked. “What was what?”
“The flower. The note. All the polite nodding,” Aiah said. “Are you trying to collect admirers now?”
Colet leaned back slightly with a tiny smirk on her lips.
“Ayoko lang maging rude.”
“You’re being too nice,” Aiah said, crossing her arms. “You were never this… available before.”
“People are curious,” Colet replied calmly. “They’ll get over it.”
“Not if you keep encouraging them,” Aiah said quickly. “What happened to ‘I don’t mind being on my own’?”
Colet looked at her more seriously now.
“What happened to ‘I’m not planning to push you away’?”
The words hung between them.
Aiah felt her cheeks grow warm. She hadn’t expected Colet to repeat her own words.
The cafeteria around them grew quieter as their friends noticed the tension.
“I’m not pushing you away,” Aiah said more softly. “I just… don’t like it when they look at you like that.”
Colet’s expression finally softened a little.
“Like what?”
“Like you’re some prize,” Aiah admitted quietly. “Like they can just show up and expect you to notice them.”
Colet reached across the table and gently touched Aiah’s arm.
“I only notice you,” she said softly. “And I’m not going anywhere.”
Stacey was the first to give up.
“Ugh. I don’t wanna hear this anymore,” she groaned, covering her ears dramatically. “I cannot. I refuse.”
She turned away from the table like someone escaping a very cheesy movie scene.
Maloi immediately started giggling.
“Grabe, nakakahiya naman sa pagka-loveteam nyo,” she whispered and followed Stacey.
Jhoanna laughed too. “Sa ibang table na lang kami,” she said before turning around.
Aiah watched them leave and completely unimpressed. She slowly turned her head toward Mikha.
Mikha immediately stood up straight.
“Umay,” Mikha said quickly. “Let’s go, Gwen.”
Gwen shouted. “Gladly!”
“What is wrong with you people!?” Aiah snapped.
Sheena casually reached over and grabbed some of Colet’s fries.
“Hey—” Colet started.
“Bayad ‘to sa emotional damage,” Sheena said while chewing.
Then she looked at Aiah with a grin.
“We only followed you for the chismis.”
Aiah glared at her.
“We thought there was gonna be a fight,” Sheena continued. “Sayang kala namin away na.”
She grabbed one more fry.
“But mukhang kaya niyo na ’yan.”
She pointed between Aiah and Colet.
“Resolve your… whatever this is.”
Then she waved lazily. “Bye!” And just like that, she walked away too.
Now the table was quiet. Aiah slowly turned back to Colet. “Your friends are annoying.”
Colet calmly took back the fries Sheena didn’t manage to steal.
“They’re your friends first.”
Aiah sighed, “Unfortunately.”
Two days later, the campus courtyard was busy as usual. Students walked between buildings, some sat under the trees and a few pretended to study while actually gossiping.
Aiah was sitting on a bench with Mikha and Sheena. Or at least, she was physically there but mentally, she was somewhere else.
“You’re staring again,” Mikha said, not even looking up from her phone.
“I’m not staring.”
“Teh nakatitig ka simula kanina pa. Kumurap ka naman aba.” Sheena added.
Aiah blinked. Across the courtyard, Colet was sitting under a big tree with her sketchbook on her lap. A small tote bag and a stack of papers were beside her. She told them earlier that she needed quiet space to sketch.
Apparently, that quiet space now came with an audience. Two girls stood nearby watching her draw like she was performing magic.
One of them said something. Colet responded and nodded.
Aiah frowned. “There. She did it again.”
Sheena followed her gaze.
“Oh wow,” she said. “New fans.”
“Crazy.” Mikha looked up.
One of the girls suddenly laughed at something Colet said.
Aiah sat up straighter. “Why is she laughing?”
“Baka nag-joke si Colet,” Sheena said.
“Colet is not funny.”
Mikha slowly looked at her. “You’re acting like a jealous girlfriend.”
“I am not jealous.”
Right on cue, one of the girls handed Colet a drink.
Aiah’s eye twitched. “What is that?”
“Looks like coffee,” Sheena said.
Aiah immediately stood up. “Okay that’s enough.”
Mikha grabbed her arm before she could take a step. “Oh no you don’t.”
“What?”
“You cannot walk over there every time someone breathes near her.”
“They gave her coffee.”
“So?”
“What if she doesn’t even like that coffee”
Sheena stared at her. “Aiah. She literally drinks any type of coffee basta may sipa.”
“Not from strangers!”
Across the courtyard, Colet had clearly noticed the sudden movement. She looked up and their eyes met.
Colet tilted her head slightly, like she was confused. Aiah froze.
Mikha whispered, “Too late. She saw you.”
“Great.”
Aiah slowly sat back down like nothing had happened. Across the courtyard, one of the girls said something again. This time, Colet shook her head politely and pushed the paper bag back toward them.
The girls looked disappointed but still smiled before leaving.
Sheena raised her eyebrows.
“Well look at that.”
A few seconds later, Colet packed her sketchbook into her bag and stood up. Then she started walking toward them.
Mikha smirked.
“Oh this is gonna be good.”
Colet stopped in front of their bench. She looked directly at Aiah. “You were glaring.”
“I was observing.”
“You looked like you were about to fight someone.”
“Nope.”
Colet studied her face for a moment. Then she handed the drink to Sheena.
“Here.”
Sheena gasped dramatically. “Free coffee?? Pagpalain ka nawa.”
Mikha burst out laughing. Colet turned back to Aiah. “You’re jealous again.”
“I’m not jealous.”
Mikha and Sheena both started laughing again. Colet sighed but there was a small smile on her face.
Aiah leaned back on the bench.
“Next time you want quiet space, sit here.”
Colet raised an eyebrow.
“With you glaring at everyone who walks by?”
Aiah shrugged. “Yes.”
Aiah woke up feeling different. There was a quiet heaviness in her chest as she moved through her morning routine, a restless hum in her mind that she couldn’t shake. She didn’t know why but something about today felt heavier, as if her thoughts were louder and closer than usual. Colet arrived to pick her up, and the drive to campus was unusually quiet. The silence between them felt almost fragile. Neither spoke. Aiah stared out the window and Colet kept her eyes on the road, aware of the subtle tension but not pressing.
When they reached campus, they went their separate ways to their respective classes. Colet noticed the quiet that clung to Aiah like a shadow. She chose to let it slide. Experience had taught her that sometimes, pressing too hard only made things worse.
At lunch, Aiah made an excuse. “I need to work on my reaction paper,” she said softly. “I just need some alone time.”
Colet nodded. “Okay,” she said simply, and left it at that.
Later, Colet headed to the gym, knowing Aiah had her Taekwondo training. She found a quiet corner and started reviewing notes for one of her classes.
Not long after, her project partner appeared, cheerful and insistent. “Hey! Sabi na dito kita makikita. Ready to get started?” she asked. Colet gave a small nod and the girl settled beside her. They worked quietly. Colet kept one ear open, half expecting Aiah’s presence somewhere nearby.
Meanwhile, during a break, Aiah’s phone buzzed. Colet had sent a message:
We’re just doing a project. Let me know if you need anything okay?
Aiah glanced at it, felt a small warmth in her chest, and then deliberately ignored it. She tucked the phone back into her bag and leaned back, staring at the ceiling above the gym.
Colet noticed it and her stomach gave a small twist. Something wasn’t right.
After training, Aiah went to shower. She lingered a little longer than usual, knowing Colet would be waiting nearby. When she stepped out, Colet was already there in the locker area, casually leaning against a locker, calm as always.
Aiah froze. “Why are you still here?” she asked, surprised.
Colet blinked, surprised at Aiah’s tone. “Waiting for you?” she asked, tilting her head slightly. Then she added casually, “We’re going home.”
Aiah’s heart skipped. She quickly tried to make an excuse. “Uh, I’m meeting Maloi and Stacey for dinner.”
Colet raised an eyebrow. “Oh okay. Edi sasama ako.”
“No,” Aiah said firmly, her voice quieter than she realized. “Uh… we— we need some alone time.”
Colet’s expression flickered with curiosity but she didn’t press. She studied Aiah for a long moment, noticing the tension in her shoulders, the way she avoided eye contact, the faint blush on her cheeks. Then, slowly, she nodded and stepped aside.
“Alright,” Colet said softly. “I’ll leave you be.”
Aiah exhaled, almost as if a small weight had lifted. Colet’s gaze lingered for a moment longer, a quiet reassurance in her eyes before she turned and left.
Alone, Aiah let herself lean against the locker, chest tightening with a mixture of guilt and relief.
After a long hour of waiting for her mind to settle, Aiah finally decided to go home.
When she stepped into her condo, she froze. Colet was already there, leaning casually against the counter and a small bag of food beside her.
“I brought dinner,” Colet said softly, stepping forward. “I know you didn’t actually have plans with Maloi and Stacey. So I’m guessing you haven’t eaten yet.”
Aiah was caught off guard. “How do you know?”
Colet’s lips quirked in a faint smile. “I notice things. You can’t hide from me, Aiah.”
A faint smile tugged at Aiah’s lips, though her chest still felt tight. They sat together at the dining table. They ate in silence. It wasn’t awkward but it was heavy. After finishing, Aiah cleaned up the table and moved to the sink to wash the dishes, letting the water run over her hands to avoid looking at Colet.
Then she felt it, warms wrapping around her from behind. Colet’s chest pressed gently to her back, her hands resting lightly on Aiah’s waist.
“You’ve had a long day,” Colet murmured, her voice soft and steady. “You don’t have to carry it all alone. Let me in a little?”
Aiah stiffened slightly, then exhaled. “My thoughts, they’re louder than usual,” she admitted.
Colet brushed a gentle kiss against Aiah’s hair. “I hear them,” she said, softly. “Every stubborn, messy one. And you know what? I like them.”
A laugh escaped Aiah, shaky but real. “Messy… huh? You mean like me?”
“Exactly like you,” Colet said, sliding her hands around to Aiah’s sides and gently turning her to face her. Her eyes softened as she pulled Aiah closer. “What am I gonna do with that pretty, stubborn mind of yours?”
A small and genuine smile broke across Aiah’s face, despite the nervous flutter in her chest. Somehow, hearing Colet say it aloud eased some of the tension she’d been carrying all day.
Colet leaned in slowly, brushing her lips against Aiah’s. Aiah didn’t flinch. She melted into the warmth, letting herself relax. When their kiss deepened, Colet lifted her with ease and carried her toward the living room. She sat on the couch with Aiah sitting on her lap.
Aiah buried her head on Colet’s neck, letting the steady warmth of her presence calm her. She stayed quiet at first, breathing in the comfort, until the dam broke and tears spilled down her cheeks.
“Shh… speak your mind,” Colet whispered, holding her close, rubbing her back gently. “Tell me everything, Aiah.”
Aiah pressed closer, letting herself be vulnerable. Her voice trembled as she confessed everything. Her jealousy, the frustration when other girls tried to get Colet’s attention, the ache of wanting to be possessive and wanting Colet all to herself.
Aiah’s voice trembled. “I… I hate feeling like this. I hate being jealous. I hate that my chest hurts every time I see other girls trying to get your attention. And I… I hate that I get angry at you, even when you’re just being nice.”
Colet held her tighter, her voice soft but steady. “Hey… listen to me. There’s nothing wrong with feeling that way. You’re allowed to feel every bit of it. You’re human. You care, that’s why your chest hurts. That’s why it matters to you.”
Aiah sniffled and pressed closer. “And I hate that I want to… own you. That I want to be… possessive. That I want to stop you from talking to anyone else. I hate that I’m being selfish.”
Colet met Aiah’s eyes. “You think that makes you selfish?” she asked gently. “Because it doesn’t. It just means you love me, and you care deeply. That’s not a bad thing, Aiah. I want you to feel safe telling me that. I want you to be real with me.”
Aiah let out a shaky laugh, wiping at her tears. “I just… sometimes it feels like I can’t control this… all these feelings. And I don’t want to push you away. I don’t want to lose you again because I can’t stop overthinking.”
Colet leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Aiah’s lips, lingering for a moment before pulling back slightly. “You could never push me away,” she whispered. “I’m not going anywhere, remember? All of this, your thoughts, your worries, they belong here, with me. With us.”
Aiah swallowed hard, her chest tightening. “…I know… I just… my mind’s too loud sometimes.”
“Then let it be loud,” Colet said gently, her hands sliding to Aiah’s shoulders, pulling her closer. “I want to hear it. I want to know every little piece of your heart, even the messy, stubborn, jealous parts. You don’t have to hide anything from me.”
A faint smile broke across Aiah’s lips. “Messy, stubborn, jealous… huh?”
Colet’s lips quirked. “Yeah,” she teased softly, brushing a strand of hair from Aiah’s face. “And you know what? I love it. I love you. Every complicated, stubborn, jealous part of you.”
Aiah laughed softly, the tension in her chest easing slightly. “You… really mean that?”
“I mean it,” Colet leaned in again for a slow, soft kiss. “Every word. Every feeling. You don’t have to apologize for them, you know. Not to me.”
Aiah exhaled shakily, letting herself lean fully into Colet. Slowly, she kissed Colet, taking the lead this time. Colet responded immediately, wrapping her arms around Aiah, holding her close and steady.
They stayed pressed together on the couch, breathing each other in, whispered reassurances passing between them. Colet’s hands moved gently, brushing hair from Aiah’s face, keeping her close, anchoring her. Aiah clung to Colet, feeling the warmth, comfort, and the quiet intimacy they shared.
Later, Colet carried her again, this time toward the bedroom. Aiah’s arms wrapped around her, holding tight, heart racing. She felt safe and desired, wrapped in Colet’s calm and reassuring presence.
The night stretched on, filled with soft kisses, laughter, whispered confessions, gentle caresses, and quiet touches that spoke louder than words ever could. Hours passed in a blur of closeness and trust until the world outside ceased to exist.
It was a night unlike any other, that finally, they were fully themselves, fully present and fully together. After so long, they felt whole again, hearts beating in sync and wrapped in each other. A night where connection, love, and warmth became more than fleeting. They became home.
Colet blinked slowly as she woke up. The bed was warm but the space beside her was empty and already cool.
She stretched and realized she was still naked under the sheets. Colet sat up and she pulled on her underwear and grabbed Aiah’s oversized hoodie from the chair. Barefoot, she walked toward the kitchen.
Aiah stood by the counter, drinking coffee. When she turned and saw Colet, wearing only the hoodie and her underwear, her eyes widened. The air caught in her throat.
“What the hell?” Aiah blurted.
Colet stopped in the doorway, confused. “Good morning to you too.”
Aiah stared at her, then at the hoodie, then at the underwear barely visible underneath. Her face slowly turned red.
“You just… walk out here like that?” Aiah said, pointing at her.
Colet glanced down at herself. “Like what?”
“In my hoodie. And your underwear.”
Colet tilted her head. “I just woke up.”
“That’s not the point,” Aiah said quickly. “You could at least wear pants or shorts.”
A soft laugh escaped Colet. She stepped closer. “Who am I hiding from, Aiah? It’s just you.”
Aiah looked away, clearly flustered. “Still…”
Colet leaned in slightly, her voice teasing. “Unless you don’t like the view.”
Aiah’s blush deepened. “That’s not what I said.”
“I thought we were past being shy,” Colet said with a grin.
Aiah ran a hand through her messy hair and sighed. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re cute when you’re embarrassed.” Colet reached out and lightly touched Aiah’s jaw.
Aiah brushed her hand away, though a small smile appeared. “Maligo ka na. We’re going to be late.”
By the time they reached the campus gates, the place was already busy with students coming in.
They spotted Chie leaning against a black car. Aiah’s hand tightened slightly around Colet’s arm. It had been a while since she last saw her.
“May usapan kayo?” Aiah asked, trying not to sound annoyed.
Colet shook her head, looking just as confused.
“Morning, Chie. What are you doing here?” Colet called casually.
Chie pushed herself off the car and looked straight at Colet. Her usual playful smile was gone.
“Can we talk?” she asked quietly.
A small knot formed in Colet’s stomach. Chie almost never sounded that serious. She glanced at Aiah, whose jaw had gone stiff.
“Just for a bit,” Colet said softly, squeezing Aiah’s hand. “Don’t worry.”
“Hi, Aiah. Long time,” Chie said.
Aiah gave her a polite smile. She looked at Chie for another second, then turned back to Colet. After a short nod, she walked toward her building but her shoulders were still tense.
The cafeteria was loud with students talking. Aiah sat alone at her table. Suddenly, warm hands covered her eyes.
“Guess who?” a playful voice whispered.
Aiah leaned back slightly, a small smile forming. “Colet.”
The hands moved away and Colet walked around the table and sat across from her. There was a faint blush on her cheeks.
“Chie wanted to talk about family stuff,” Colet said right away, looking straight at her. “Nothing to do with whatever people were gossiping about last week.”
“Oh,” Aiah said, trying to sound casual. “Okay.”
Colet studied her face for a moment.
“I also wanted to be honest,” she continued, her voice turning more serious. “It actually has something to do with your father. He’s involved in some matters.” She paused slightly. “Are you ready to hear more?”
Aiah’s fork slipped from her hand and hit the plate with a loud clatter. Just hearing about him made her jaw tighten.
“No,” she said quickly. “I’m not.”
She pushed her plate away. Suddenly, she didn’t feel like eating anymore.
Colet simply nodded, her expression calm.
Days slowly turned into weeks. Chie’s black car became a common sight near the campus gates, usually waiting for Colet. Sometimes Aiah would see Colet on the phone, speaking quietly with a serious look on her face. Other times, her phone would light up with messages from Chie.
Aiah noticed all of it. A small, cold knot slowly formed in her stomach but she kept quiet.
Then there was Marco.
One evening after a late project meeting, Aiah decided to go home alone. Colet had already left earlier because she had something else to do.
When Aiah reached her unit, Marco was walking beside her with a polite smile.
“Thanks for bringing me home,” Aiah said as she reached into her bag for her keys.
“Anytime,” Marco replied.
Before she could react, he leaned in and quickly kissed her on the cheek.
At that exact moment, the door opened.
Colet stood at the doorway, her face was calm but her eyes were fixed on them.
Marco froze. His eyes widened when he saw her, then he quickly rushed down the hallway without saying a word.
Colet didn’t move. She just kept staring at Aiah.
The hallway felt suddenly heavy and quiet.
When they stepped inside, Aiah sighed. “You know… if you want to say something, just say it.”
“What do you want me to say?” Colet asked. Her voice was flat.
“If you’re mad, ilabas mo,” Aiah said, though her voice trembled slightly.
Colet walked toward Aiah. One step, then another, until she stood right in front of her.
Aiah stepped back until her back was on the wall. Colet lifted one hand and placed it on the wall beside Aiah’s head, leaning in slightly and trapping her between her arm and the wall. Her other hand rested on Aiah’s lower back, holding her close.
She leaned toward Aiah’s ear and her breath warm against her skin.
“I did not like what I saw,” Colet murmured, her voice low and steady. “I don’t want anyone kissing you. Not even on your cheek.” Her hand pressed slightly against Aiah’s back. “So tell me… why were you with him?”
Aiah swallowed, her chest tight as Colet’s familiar scent surrounded her.
“Lolo needed something done,” she explained quietly. “Marco was there. He offered to help… and to bring me home.”
Colet stayed silent for a moment. Then she slowly exhaled, the tension in her shoulders easing.
She leaned back slightly and searched Aiah’s face.
“I trust you,” she said. “I just don’t trust him.” Her thumb brushed lightly against Aiah’s waist. “Next time, tell me if you’re going to spend time with him.”
Then she bent down and pressed a gentle kiss on Aiah’s nose.
Aiah blinked in surprise. “You’re not mad?”
Colet gave a small but tired smile. “No.”
Aiah’s eyes dropped to Colet’s lips. Colet noticed it, “Do you want to kiss me?”
Aiah nodded and Colet smirked, “Go. Kiss me.”
Aiah surged forward, her mouth finding Colet’s with a hunger that surprised them both. She pulled Colet’s neck closer, deepening the kiss, a frantic need consuming her. “Why do you have to be this perfect?” she breathed between hungry kisses, her hands tangling in Colet’s hair. She dragged Colet backward without breaking the kiss, pushing her onto the couch. Aiah straddled Colet’s lap and her blazer falling to the floor. Colet’s hands tightened around Aiah’s waist as she found herself in only a spaghetti-strap top and her body pressing against Colet’s. Aiah kissed her hungrily, deepening the kiss, pushing herself into Colet until they both pulled back, gasping for air.
“Damn,” Colet rasped, her eyes dark with desire.“You’re wild.”
—
The whispers started quietly, spreading through the campus hallways.
Aiah sat on a bench outside the cafeteria with Maloi and Stacey. As students passed by, she noticed the looks they gave her. Some glanced at her, then leaned closer to their friends and whispered.
“I thought Colet and Aiah were together,” one girl murmured as she walked past. “But now Colet’s always with that Chie. Laging sundo.”
Aiah’s jaw tightened.
She had been trying to ignore it. Every time Colet’s phone lit up with Chie’s name. Every time that black car waited outside the gates. She told herself it meant nothing.
But the jealousy kept building inside her.
Then another whisper reached her ears.
“Colet and Chie are in the parking lot.”
The words hit her hard. Before she could think, Aiah shot up from the bench and ran.
Maloi and Stacey jumped in surprise and rushed after her, calling her name, but Aiah didn’t hear them. Her mind was already in the parking lot.
She burst outside. Her eyes scanned the area and found them immediately.
Near a dark sedan, Chie stood crying. Her shoulders shook as tears streamed down her face. Colet stood close, holding her gently, whispering something to calm her.
Aiah saw red. With a furious shout, she rushed forward and grabbed a fistful of Chie’s hair, pulling hard.
Chie cried out in pain.
Colet reacted instantly, pulling Chie behind her and stepping between them.
“Aiah, stop!” Colet snapped, grabbing Aiah by the shoulders and holding her back.
Maloi and Stacey finally reached them and grabbed Aiah’s arms as she struggled.
“Enough!” Colet’s voice rang sharply across the parking lot.
Aiah stopped fighting but her body trembled with anger.
Maloi and Stacey exchanged worried looks. This wasn’t just jealousy anymore. Something deeper was breaking inside her. Suddenly, Aiah shoved their hands away. She turned and ran.
Her vision blurred as she rushed away from the parking lot. Colet watched her leave, hesitation flashing across her face. Chie was still crying beside her, clinging to her arm.
“We’ll stay with her,” Stacey said gently, nodding toward Chie.
Maloi was already trying to calm Chie down.
Colet hesitated for a moment then ran after Aiah.
She found her in the campus garden.
“Aiah, talk to me,” Colet said, her voice tight with worry.
Aiah turned around suddenly, her face full of pain.
“Ano ’yon? Ano ’yon!?” she shouted.
Her voice cracked. “What was that, Colet? You choose. Your best friend or me.”
Colet stared at her, shocked. “You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I’m serious!” Aiah fired back.
“Are you hearing yourself? Bakit ko kailangang mamili!?” Colet asked, disbelief clear in her voice.
“Bakit ka na nahihirapan!?” Aiah shot back.
“I’m not,” Colet said firmly, stepping closer. “I always choose you. We’re together.”
“You’re also with her!” Aiah accused.
“As her friend,” Colet said. “You are my girlfriend. What else do you want me to do?”
“Stop talking to her. Stop seeing her. I don’t want her connected to you in any way,” Aiah said, her voice shaking with anger.
Colet stared at her in disbelief. “What?”
“What’s so hard about that!?” Aiah challenged.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Colet said, shaking her head slowly.
“I do know!” Aiah insisted. “Colet, she was just your academic partner before. Now it’s different. Don’t pretend nothing is going on.”
Colet’s jaw tightened.
“Do you want me to tell you?” she asked quietly. “Do you really want to know?”
“Yes!” Aiah demanded. “Tell me! Do you already love her?”
Her voice dropped into a fragile whisper. Colet looked straight at her. “Yes. I love her, Aiah.”
The words hung heavy in the air.
“When you pushed me away a year ago, I was lost,” Colet continued quietly. “My life was a mess. I felt like I was nothing. Chie stayed with me through all of it. She helped me stand up again.”
She paused.
“And honestly… there was a time when I thought I had already fallen for her.”
Aiah’s chest tightened.
“But I saw you again,” Colet went on. “When I thought I had finally moved on from you… when I thought I could finally be with her… I saw you again.”
Her voice softened.
“When I first came here to see the campus and decide where I wanted to enroll.”
She let out a quiet breath.
“And this stupid heart reminded me that the love I feel for you is the strongest thing I’ll ever feel in my life.”
Colet looked at her steadily.
“But that doesn’t erase what Chie means to me. She became important in my life. That doesn’t change the fact that you’re the one I want to spend my life with.”
Her voice grew firmer.
“That’s how sure I am about you. About us.”
She stepped closer.
“How about you?” she asked quietly. “Do you really love me?”
Aiah nodded quickly. “Of course.”
“No,” Colet said firmly. “Answer honestly.”
Her eyes searched Aiah’s.
“Do you really love me because you love me… or do you just think you love me because it feels like you finally own something?”
In that moment, the world outside the garden didn’t exist. Only the question neither of them knew how to answer.