Chapter Text
"Ano ba, Sheena! Mag-isa ka na lang uminom niyan!" Jhoanna Robles complained loudly, throwing her hands up in frustration as her cousin Sheena wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, pushing a shot glass filled with tequila across the table.
The bar was full tonight — which made sense since it was a Friday evening in Katipunan. Blue and purple lights flashed across the dark space, and the music blasted the latest pop hits, making everyone almost shout just to hear each other. The air was thick with perfume, alcohol, and the clear scent of college students finally free from a long week of stress.
"Excuse me? It's my birthday! Ano ba, Jho? Parang ang KJ mo naman masyado!" Sheena retorted, dramatically placing a hand on her chest like she'd been hurt. Her long black hair was styled in loose waves, and she wore a sparkly top that caught the light every time she moved. "Di ba dapat ako masunod kasi birthday ko?"
From across the table, Stacey snorted. "Ginagawa mo namang excuse 'yang birthday mo para painumin kaming lahat."
"Of course! Para saan pa ang birthday kung di ako masusunod?" Sheena cackled, raising her own shot glass. "Tara na, guys!"
Jhoanna rolled her eyes but couldn't help but laugh. Her cousin had always been like this—over the top, the life of the party, the one who came up with the wildest ideas that usually ended with everyone having hangovers the next morning. But deep down, Jhoanna knew Sheena had a good heart. She was loyal, funny, and would fight anyone who messed with her friends.
The birthday celebration was in full swing, with their usual barkada crowded around a table that was already littered with empty bottles and glasses. Mikha was there with her signature red hair, looking slightly bored as she scrolled through her phone, occasionally glancing up to comment on whatever conversation was going on. Gwen sat quietly beside her, nursing a cocktail and observing the crowd with her usual calm demeanor. Maloi and Stacey were in the middle of what seemed like a heated conversation, probably gossiping about someone from their department.
And then there was Colet Vergara—Jhoanna's classmate since freshman year in the College of Mass Communication. She sat next to Jhoanna, her usual masungit expression softened by the two beers she'd already downed.
"Hayaan mo na si Sheena," Colet whispered, nudging Jhoanna's shoulder. "Birthday naman niya, eh."
"Alam ko," Jhoanna sighed. "Pero alam mo naman kung gaano kabaliw 'tong pinsan ko. Baka kung ano na naman ipa-gawa sa atin."
As if on cue, Sheena stood up, swaying slightly as she raised her shot glass higher. "Wait! Before we drink, may game muna tayo!"
A collective groan echoed from the table.
"Ano na naman ba 'yan, Sheena?" Mikha asked, finally putting her phone down.
Sheena's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Body shots!"
"Tangina mo, Sheena!" Maloi exclaimed, though her laughter contradicted her protest.
"Ang lala mo talaga!" Stacey added, shaking her head but also clearly amused.
Jhoanna felt her stomach drop. She'd done body shots before, but she was already feeling the effects of the two cocktails she'd had earlier. Plus, the idea of licking salt off someone's skin in a public place wasn't exactly her idea of a good time.
"Pass ako diyan," Jhoanna declared, crossing her arms.
"Ako rin," a quiet voice added.
All heads turned toward the source of the voice, and Jhoanna felt her heart skip a beat. She hadn't even noticed her arrive.
Aiah Arceta.
The UP Diliman University Student Council chairman stood at the edge of their table, looking as out of place in the rowdy bar as a library book in a swimming pool. Her long black hair flowed freely around her shoulders, adding to her effortless elegance. She wore a deep emerald green satin camisole with thin straps and a cowl neckline that draped softly across her chest, the luxurious fabric catching the light with every movement. The silky top was tucked into a pair of fitted black jeans that hugged her figure, completing her sophisticated yet casual look. Even in the noisy crowd, she managed to look composed and intimidating.
"Aiah! Akala ko di ka na darating!" Sheena squealed, bouncing over to give her a hug, which Aiah awkwardly returned with one arm.
"Sorry, na-late. May emergency meeting pa sa council," Aiah explained, her voice barely audible over the music.
Jhoanna found herself staring. She'd seen Aiah around campus, of course—everyone knew who she was. The brilliant PolSci student who could silence a room with just a look, who spoke with such conviction during university assemblies that even professors were impressed. They had mutual friends, but they'd never really talked beyond brief hellos and nods of acknowledgment.
There was something about Aiah that always made Jhoanna feel... strange. Unsettled. Like she needed to prove something, though she wasn't sure what.
"Upo ka dito!" Sheena said, pulling Aiah to the empty seat—which happened to be directly across from Jhoanna.
Their eyes met for a brief moment, and Jhoanna quickly looked away, suddenly finding her half-empty glass incredibly interesting.
"So, as I was saying," Sheena continued, her voice rising above the music, "body shots! Birthday ko naman, so walang palag-palag!"
"Sheena, seriously?" Aiah sighed. "I just got here."
"Exactly! You need to catch up with our level of drunkenness!" Sheena declared, waving to a waiter to bring more tequila, salt, and lime slices.
Jhoanna took another quick look at Aiah, who seemed even more uneasy than she was. It was kind of charming to see the usually confident student leader looking so out of place.
"Okay, sino ang mag-pa-partner?" Sheena asked, looking around the table with a mischievous grin.
Before anyone could volunteer (or more likely, protest), Sheena's eyes lit up as she looked between Jhoanna and Aiah.
"Kayo na lang dalawa!" she announced, pointing at them.
Jhoanna nearly choked on her drink. "Ha? Bakit kami?"
"Bakit hindi?" Sheena countered. "Dalawa lang kayo ang pass sa game! So automatic, kayo na dapat!"
"Ang galing mo talaga mag-isip ng logic kapag nalalasing ka, Sheena," Jhoanna muttered sarcastically.
Aiah's usual composed expression faltered for a second. "Sheena, I don't think—"
"Ano ba, Aiah! It's just body shots!" Sheena interrupted. "Don't tell me the mighty USC chairman is scared of a little tequila?"
Jhoanna saw something flash in Aiah's eyes—a hint of that infamous determination she was known for on campus. It was a low blow, and Sheena knew it. Aiah rarely backed down from challenges, especially when her reputation was at stake.
"Fine," Aiah said coolly, facing Jhoanna. "Kung okay lang sa'yo?"
All eyes turned to Jhoanna, and she felt her face grow hot. She could feel Colet staring at her with curiosity, and Mikha had that knowing smirk that made Jhoanna want to disappear into the floor.
"Ah..." Jhoanna hesitated. If she said no, she'd look like a killjoy. If she said yes... well, she'd have to do body shots with Aiah Arceta, the campus ice queen whom she'd barely exchanged ten words with in three years.
"Ayan, nahihiya pa siya!" Stacey teased, poking Jhoanna's side.
"Sige na, Jho!" Maloi encouraged, grinning widely. "Birthday ni Sheena, oh!"
"Para sa akin," Sheena added dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. "Please?"
"Ugh, ewan ko sa'yo, Sheena," Jhoanna muttered, shaking her head.
Jhoanna took a deep breath. It was just a game. Just a silly birthday game. It didn't mean anything.
"Fine," she finally said, not meeting Aiah's eyes. "Pero isa lang ha!"
Sheena clapped her hands excitedly. "Yes! Sino mauuna?"
"Si Jho na lang kaya mauna?" Stacey suggested, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Para naman maiba."
"Oo nga!" Sheena said with excitement. "Jho, you do the shot on Aiah!"
Jhoanna felt her pulse quicken. She had expected to be on the receiving end, not the giving one. She looked at Aiah, who seemed equally surprised by the turn of events.
"Saan..." Jhoanna cleared her throat. "Saan ko ilalagay yung salt?"
The group hooted and howled, clearly enjoying her discomfort.
"Sa neck!" Maloi suggested.
"Collarbone!" Stacey offered.
"Sa lips!" Sheena exclaimed with a wicked grin.
"Wrist lang," Aiah quickly said, shooting a glare at Sheena. She held out her hand across the table, her expression carefully neutral though Jhoanna could see a hint of nervousness in her eyes.
"Ang boring naman nun!" Sheena complained, pouting.
"Take it or leave it," Aiah said firmly, her chairman voice making a brief appearance. "Buti nga pumayag ako eh."
Jhoanna felt both relief and, strangely, a twinge of disappointment. She took the salt shaker that the waiter had just delivered, along with fresh shot glasses of tequila and lime wedges.
Aiah licked the inside of her wrist to make the salt stick, then nodded for Jhoanna to sprinkle some on the damp spot. Her skin was pale and smooth, with blue veins visible beneath the surface. Jhoanna tried not to stare as she carefully applied the salt.
"Ready?" Jhoanna asked, her voice sounding steadier than she felt.
Aiah nodded, her dark eyes watching Jhoanna intently.
Jhoanna took a deep breath, leaned forward, and in one swift motion, licked the salt off Aiah's wrist. The taste was sharp and tangy, but what struck her more was the softness of Aiah's skin against her tongue and the faint scent of vanilla that seemed to cling to her.
Their eyes met as Jhoanna pulled back, and for a split second, she saw something flicker in Aiah's gaze—something that made her stomach flip in a way that had nothing to do with the alcohol.
Without breaking eye contact, Jhoanna downed her shot of tequila, feeling it burn all the way down her throat. She quickly bit into a lime wedge, grimacing at the sourness.
The table erupted in cheers, but they seemed distant and muffled compared to the sound of her own heartbeat in her ears.
"Now it's Aiah's turn!" Sheena announced, refilling the shot glass with tequila.
"Ha? Akala ko isa lang?" Jhoanna protested, though part of her was curious to see what Aiah would do.
"Isa each!" Sheena clarified with a wicked grin. "Ikaw na gumawa sa kanya, siya naman gagawa sa'yo! Fair game!"
Jhoanna wanted to argue, but everyone was watching, waiting. Even Aiah, who had returned to her usual composed self, though there was a slight flush to her cheeks that hadn't been there before.
"Saan mo gusto?" Aiah asked, her voice low and surprisingly steady as she picked up the salt shaker.
The question hung in the air, loaded with implications that Jhoanna wasn't ready to examine. Before she could answer, Sheena leaned over.
"Sa neck niya, Aiah!" she stage-whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear. "O kaya sa collarbone!"
Jhoanna shot her cousin a death glare, but Sheena just winked at her.
Aiah raised an eyebrow, a silent question in her eyes. Jhoanna felt trapped—if she insisted on her wrist, she'd look scared. If she agreed to her neck... well, that was a whole different story.
"Fine," Jhoanna sighed, tilting her head to expose her neck. "Dito na lang."
She saw something change in Aiah's expression—a shift from reluctance to determination, with a flash of something else she couldn't quite identify.
"Ikaw talaga, Jho," Maloi teased from across the table. "Pang-advanced level na agad!"
"Tumahimik ka nga," Jhoanna shot back, her cheeks warming despite her attempt to appear unfazed.
Aiah raised her eyebrow and looked at Jhoanna, then at the salt shaker in her hand. She looked unsure, like she was asking if they were really going to do this.
Jhoanna felt nervous. Her throat felt dry as she gave a small nod. It was Sheena’s birthday — that was reason enough.
Aiah didn’t say anything more. She slowly leaned forward and held the salt shaker, ready to do what they had planned.
The rest of the group had gone strangely quiet, their earlier teasing silenced by the tension that now crackled between the two women. Even Sheena, who was usually full of energy, was now quiet. She watched the two girls closely, her face showing surprise and curiosity.
"Okay," Aiah said, her voice dropping even lower as she moved closer. "Wet your neck first."
Jhoanna's heart started beating faster. She quickly licked her finger and touched it to her neck, feeling a bit silly as she did it. Her eyes closed for a second, feeling very aware that everyone was watching her.
When she opened them again, Aiah’s face was very close — just inches away. There was a strong, focused look in Aiah’s dark eyes, something Jhoanna had never noticed before. Not even during their intense student council debates, when Aiah always spoke with such fire about student rights.
"Hold still," Aiah instructed as she carefully sprinkled salt on the damp spot. Her movements were precise and controlled, like everything else she did. The salt felt cool against Jhoanna's heated skin.
"Wait!" Sheena suddenly shouted, making everyone jump. "We need to document this historic moment!"
"Gago ka talaga," Jhoanna groaned, but she couldn’t stop herself from laughing at her cousin’s dramatic antics.
"Hindi pwede 'yan, Sheena," Mikha interjected firmly. "Alam mo naman na bawal i-post ang ganitong bagay."
"Fine, fine!" Sheena gave in, putting her phone away with an overly dramatic sigh. "But I'm still watching very closely!"
"As if you weren't already," Colet muttered from beside Jhoanna, giving her friend's hand a reassuring squeeze under the table.
Aiah cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention back to the task at hand. "Ready?" she asked, her eyes meeting Jhoanna's with an intensity that made it hard to breathe.
Jhoanna could only nod, unable to trust her voice. Her heart hammered so loudly in her chest that she was certain everyone at the table could hear it, even over the pulsing music of the bar.
"Hindi ka naman siguro gigil na gigil, Aiah?" Stacey teased, breaking the tension slightly.
Aiah rolled her eyes but didn't respond, her focus entirely on Jhoanna now.
Aiah leaned in slowly, sending chills down Jhoanna’s spine. She gently placed her hand on Jhoanna’s shoulder for balance, her touch warm through the thin fabric of Jhoanna’s blouse. A light, flowery scent—something clean and uniquely Aiah—surrounded Jhoanna as the USC chairman came closer.
"Relax," Aiah whispered, her breath warm against Jhoanna's skin. The word was so quiet that only Jhoanna could hear it, a private moment in the midst of this very public display.
Then, with a slowness that seemed made to drive Jhoanna crazy, Aiah slowly—very slowly—licked the salt off her neck.
The sensation sent electric shocks through Jhoanna's entire body. Aiah's tongue was warm and wet against her sensitive skin, and the contact lasted just a second longer than necessary. Jhoanna bit her lip to suppress the embarrassing sound that threatened to escape her throat, her fingers gripping the edge of the table so tightly her knuckles turned white.
"Grabe naman 'yan!" Sheena squealed, clapping her hands delightedly. "May slow motion pa talaga!"
Aiah pulled back slightly, but remained close enough that Jhoanna could feel the other woman's breath against her damp skin, causing goosebumps to rise along her arms. Their eyes locked, and Jhoanna felt pinned in place by Aiah's gaze—dark, intense, and filled with something Jhoanna wasn't ready to name.
"Shot na!" Maloi encouraged, pushing the tequila closer to Aiah.
Without breaking eye contact with Jhoanna, Aiah picked up the shot glass and lifted it slightly, as if making a quiet, personal toast. Her gaze stayed locked on Jhoanna’s, and even though the moment was meant to be for Sheena’s birthday, it was clear from Aiah’s eyes that this had nothing to do with Sheena.
She downed the tequila in one smooth motion, barely wincing as the alcohol burned down her throat. Jhoanna couldn’t look away. She was caught up in the way Aiah’s throat moved when she swallowed, and how her nose scrunched a little when the strong alcohol hit her.
"Lime na! Lime na!" Stacey chanted, joined quickly by the others.
But instead of reaching for the lime wedge on the table, Aiah's gaze dropped deliberately to Jhoanna's lips.
"Sheena said the lime goes here, right?" she asked, her voice barely audible over the pounding music and the blood rushing in Jhoanna's ears.
"What are you—" Jhoanna started, her voice catching as Aiah put a lime wedge between her own lips, with the green skin facing out.
"Oh my god!" Gwen gasped, her usual calmness slipping at the unexpectedness of Aiah's move.
"Ayan na! Ayan na!" Sheena practically shrieked, bouncing in her seat with excitement.
Time seemed to slow as Aiah leaned in again, her eyes still locked with Jhoanna's, giving her plenty of time to pull away if she wanted to. But Jhoanna found herself frozen in place, caught between shock and a curious anticipation that she wasn't ready to examine.
"Hindi ko alam na kaya pala ni Aiah ang ganitong level," Mikha commented, her voice tinged with surprise.
"Akala ko sa rally lang palaban," Stacey added, eyes wide with shock.
Jhoanna barely noticed what the others were saying. Her whole world had shrunk to Aiah’s face coming closer, the lime wedge held gently between her lips, and the silent question in her eyes, like she was waiting for Jhoanna to say it was okay.
Then Aiah’s lips touched hers—softer than Jhoanna had expected from someone who always seemed so strong and serious. She tasted the sharpness of the lime, but more than that, she felt the warmth of Aiah’s mouth and the light trace of tequila in her breath. Jhoanna’s eyes closed for a second, her heart skipping a beat.
It lasted only a moment—Aiah pulled back, the lime now between her teeth. She bit down, her nose scrunching slightly at the sourness.
"Panalo ka na sa birthday ko, Aiah!" Sheena declared, her words slightly slurred but her expression delighted. "Grabe! Hindi ko in-expect na ikaw ang pinakamatapang sa table!"
"Ikaw kasi," Mikha said, turning to Jhoanna with a knowing look. "Neck agad? Alam mo naman kung gaano kaseryoso si Aiah sa lahat ng bagay."
Jhoanna opened her mouth to respond, but found no words would come.
"Okay ka lang, Jho?" Colet asked quietly, placing a concerned hand on her friend's arm.
Jhoanna nodded automatically, though she wasn't sure if she was okay at all. Her neck still tingled where Aiah's mouth had been, and her lips... well, that was something she didn't want to think about right now.
When she finally gathered the courage to look at Aiah, she found the other girl staring intently at her empty shot glass, her usual composed expression back in place, though there was a definite flush to her cheeks that wasn't just from the alcohol.
The party continued around them, with Sheena moving on to torture someone else with her birthday games, but something had shifted between Jhoanna and Aiah. An awkward tension hung in the air, thick and impossible to ignore.
For the rest of the night, they barely spoke to each other. Jhoanna found herself tucked firmly against Colet's side, engaging in conversation with anyone except Aiah. And Aiah, for her part, seemed to be doing the same, talking with Mikha about some student council issue, her voice careful and measured as always.
But occasionally, their eyes would meet across the table, and for a split second, there would be something—a question, perhaps, or a realization—before they both looked away, pretending the moment had never happened.
Two hours later, the party was winding down. Sheena was thoroughly drunk and hanging off Stacey's shoulder, singing an off-key rendition of "Happy Birthday" to herself. Maloi and Gwen had already left, citing early morning commitments the next day.
Jhoanna stood by the bar, waiting for her tab, when she felt someone approach.
"Hey."
She turned to find Aiah standing beside her, looking slightly less put-together than earlier but still impossibly composed compared to everyone else.
"Hi," Jhoanna replied, suddenly very interested in the bartender's technique of mixing drinks.
"About earlier..." Aiah began, her voice low. "I'm sorry if that was too much. Sheena kinda put us both on the spot."
Jhoanna let out a short laugh. "Tell me about it. She's been like that since we were kids. Sorry you got dragged into her birthday madness."
"It's fine," Aiah said, and then after a pause, added, "It wasn't that bad."
Jhoanna's head snapped up, searching Aiah's face for any sign that she was joking, but the USC chairman's expression was serious, though there was something soft in her eyes that Jhoanna had never noticed before.
"It wasn't," Jhoanna agreed before she could stop herself.
They stood in silence for a moment, the implication of their words hanging between them.
"Well," Aiah finally said, checking her watch, "I should get going. I have a meeting tomorrow morning."
"On a Saturday?" Jhoanna asked, momentarily forgetting the awkwardness.
A small smile touched Aiah's lips. "The USC never sleeps. Especially not with the budget hearings coming up."
"Right," Jhoanna nodded. She'd seen Aiah's name on posters around campus, advocating for various student rights and reforms. It was easy to forget that behind the intimidating facade was someone who genuinely cared about the university and its students.
"Thanks for coming to Sheena's birthday," Jhoanna said. "She'll be happy you made it, even if she probably won't remember most of it tomorrow."
Aiah's smile widened slightly. "It was... interesting. Not how I usually spend my Friday nights."
"Let me guess—usually buried in books or writing position papers?" Jhoanna teased.
"Something like that," Aiah admitted, looking almost embarrassed for a moment. It was so different from her usual confident self that Jhoanna couldn’t help but find it charming.
The bartender finally returned with Jhoanna's receipt, breaking the moment. She signed it quickly and turned back to Aiah, only to find her already being waved over by Mikha, who was apparently ready to leave.
"I should go," Aiah said, gesturing toward Mikha. "My roommate."
"Right, of course," Jhoanna nodded. "See you around campus, I guess."
"Yeah," Aiah agreed, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. She hesitated for a moment, as if wanting to say something more, but then just gave a small nod. "Goodnight, Jhoanna."
"Goodnight," Jhoanna replied, watching as Aiah walked away, joining Mikha by the door.
As they disappeared into the night, Jhoanna touched her fingers to her lips, remembering the brief moment when Aiah's mouth had been there.
"Jho! Anong ginagawa mo pa diyan?" Colet's voice broke through her thoughts. "Tara na, ihahatid ko na si Sheena sa condo niya."
"Oo, pauwi na rin ako," Jhoanna said, shaking her head to clear it. "Wait lang."
As she helped Colet get a very drunk Sheena out of the bar, Jhoanna couldn’t help but glance back at the spot where she and Aiah had been just moments ago. Something had changed tonight, but she wasn’t sure what—or if she was ready to figure it out.
All she knew was that the next time she saw Aiah Arceta on campus, she wouldn't be able to look at her the same way again.
Not after those body shots.
Not after the way Aiah had looked at her, eyes dark and intense in the dim bar lighting.
Not after the way she'd said, "It wasn't that bad," in that quiet, serious voice of hers.
Jhoanna sighed, stepping out into the cool night air. Monday was going to be interesting.
That is, if she could even look Aiah in the eye by then. well, that was a whole different story.