Chapter Text

Maki’s POV

Hi, I’m Maki. Well, technically my name’s Mahika, pero Maki na lang, please. Honestly, Mahika feels too extra—like, sobrang magical vibes na parang hindi bagay sa akin. Cringe, di ba? Kasi naman, where’s the magic in me? Wala. I’m just... me.

Maki is simpler, more chill, and suits me better. Plus, hindi ko na kailangang mag-explain pa. But honestly? Maybe I don’t like my real name because it feels like this big expectation I can’t live up to. Magic daw? Ehh, asan?

Anyway, I’m not exactly the loudest person in the room, but don’t get me wrong, I see everything. I guess you could call me an introvert, sure, pero I’m not totally quiet naman. I’m more of the lowkey type who listens, observes, and drops a cheeky comment or two when needed. Like, if may drama, ako ‘yung friend na either tahimik na support system or the one na magpapatawa to break the tension. Depende sa mood ko.

I’ve never been one to crave the spotlight. I’m okay na sa small group, and most of the time, it’s just me and my best friend, Steffany. Steff is, like, the total opposite of me, super loud, spontaneous, and full of energy. I’m the calm to her chaos, and somehow, we work. She drags me out of my comfort zone, and I keep her grounded. Balance, ‘di ba?

Let me backtrack a bit. I’ve known Steff since freshman year in college. We met through one of those random group projects,‘yung parang “whoops, we’re stuck with each other for the semester” kind of thing. At first, I wasn’t expecting much from that project. I mean, hindi ako ‘yung type na madaling makipag-bonding, and group work usually meant ako na naman ‘yung magtatrabaho habang chill lang sila. Pero then... there’s Steff.

She was quiet at first—like, super quiet. Totally introverted, just like me. Parang ‘yung tipo na laging nasa sulok, nakikinig lang, pero hindi nagsasalita. I honestly thought she was one of those “I’ll do my part, bahala na ‘yung ibang mga tao” kind of people. Pero then... nung nag-start na kami work together, parang may something na nagbago.

Once you get inside her bubble, Steff turned into this whirlwind of energy—bouncing ideas, nag-joke-joke, tapos pati ako nadala. I remember her literally dragging me into the discussions, telling me na ako daw yung may pinakamagandang ideas at kailangan ko raw i-share. It was so weird, bigla na lang ako na-excite to contribute, kahit hindi ko naman feel. Parang she made everything feel light, fun, walang pressure.

It was so unexpected, ‘di ba? Steff had this way of making everyone feel seen, kahit hindi sila masyado nagsasalita. And yeah, maybe it’s because I didn’t know how to deal with someone like her at first, but before long, kami na ‘yung odd pair. Quiet, introverted me, and Steff—na introverted pa rin on the outside, pero once she warmed up, grabe, she became this extroverted ball of energy.

And that’s how it started. Steff pulled me out of my shell, and I kept her grounded. Hindi perfect, pero somehow, it just worked.

We became closer and inseparable. We started hanging out outside of school—nag-sleepover kami sa isa’t-isa, pero mostly sa bahay ng family ni Steff. She became family to me, parang sister from another mother. Sure, I have my Ate and Kuya naman, and I love them both, pero ang laki kasi ng age gap namin. Don’t get me wrong, we’re close in our own way, pero iba ‘yung dynamic ko with Steff. Even if we’re polar opposites, we just clicked. Same wavelength, you know? Like, kahit hindi kami nagsasalita, parang nagkakaintindihan pa rin kami. It’s rare, and it’s special.

And now, let me take you back to one night na super stuck sa utak ko. Normally, I don’t get bothered by stuff, pero this? This was... different.

It started as one of those random weekend sleepovers. I can’t even remember if it was Saturday or Sunday na, basta Steff invited me to sleep over sa bahay nila. Ganon siya, always may spontaneous plans. So, syempre, I went.

Pagpasok ko sa bahay nila, grabe, it felt like stepping into some Pinterest dream house. Everything was so perfect. Like, I’m not kidding—ang linis, ang organized. Tapos her mom? Super bait, parang ako na yung favorite niyang anak.

But then, boom. Enter Steff’s sister.

I had heard about her a lot—Miranda, or Andi, as they call her. Steff always talked about her like she’s some kind of Wonder Woman or something. Pero ako? I didn’t know what to expect.

The first time I saw her, grabe. I just knew. She had this vibe, alam mo yun? She was sitting by the living room window, legs crossed, sipping tea like she owned the world. Chill but intimidating —ganon.

When she looked up and noticed me, she smiled slowly, almost like she could see through me. It was the kind of smile na parang she already knew everything about me kahit wala pa akong sinasabi.

“Hi, Maki,” she said, her voice so smooth, parang soothing na ewan. Like, alam mo ‘yung calming podcasts? Ganong level.

I swear, I froze. As in legit. Hearing my name from her? Girl, iba. It felt like... ewan. Parang echo siya na nag-stay sa chest ko.

“Uh, hi,” I managed to say, super awkward. “Nice to meet you, Ate Andi.”

She didn’t even blink at how awkward I was. Tuloy lang siya sa pag-ngiti, steady lang, parang wala talagang makakabasag ng aura niya.. Ewan ko ba, pero yung ngiti niya? Ang weird kasi it made me feel... safe? Reassured? Pero at the same time, ang intimidating din.

Hindi ko talaga alam kung anong gagawin ko sa sarili ko. Like, paano mo ba iha-handle ‘yung taong ganon? Yung parang effortlessly perfect sa lahat ng bagay? Parang hindi siya totoong tao, alam mo ‘yun? Para siyang si Mama Mary.