Chapter Text
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It was the kind of Friday that screamed for coffee. Colet adjusted the strap of her bag while walking briskly into the Manila International Convention Center. A legal forum-slash-networking event wasn’t exactly her idea of a relaxing end to the week, but her firm insisted on having a representative. And of course, bilang isa siyang senior associate—guess who got voluntold?
She paused at the grand entrance, scanning the schedule posted on a digital display.
“Legal Innovations and Media Ethics Forum.”
“Media?” she muttered. “Anong kinalaman ng film sa mga kontratang sinusuri ko araw-araw?”
“Excuse me?” a voice said beside her, soft but with a hint of amusement.
Colet turned, eyebrows slightly raised.
The woman standing next to her was dressed in a sharp blazer over a casual black tee, holding a takeaway coffee with both hands. Short brown hair framed her face perfectly, and her eyes sparkled despite the early hour.
“I heard you mumble something about film,” the woman added. “I’m guessing you’re not in media?”
“Obviously,” Colet replied coolly, then regretted sounding too blunt. “I mean, no. I’m a lawyer.”
“Well, that explains the power suit.” The woman chuckled. “I’m Aiah.”
“Colet.” She extended her hand, curious despite herself.
Aiah accepted the handshake. “You’re attending the forum for...?”
“Work,” Colet sighed. “Corporate firm. Our managing partner wants us to ‘expand our network.’ You?”
“I'm one of the panelists for the ‘Media and Legal Boundaries’ talk.” She gave a small smile. “Director. I just finished a docu-series about the local justice system. Kaya medyo... may kinalaman na ‘ko sa legal world.”
Colet raised an eyebrow. “You’re a director? Like, movies?”
“More like documentaries and indie films. But yeah.” Aiah tilted her head. “You don’t watch a lot of local films, do you?”
Colet shrugged. “Unless it’s on Netflix and someone forces me to.”
Aiah laughed, warm and genuine. “Fair. But if you stay until the last session, you might just catch a sneak preview.”
“Right.” Colet checked her phone. “Let me guess—after six hours of ethics debates?”
“You’ll survive. May libreng snacks.”
“Sold.”
---
Three hours into the forum, Colet was ready to crawl out of her skin. The keynote speech was dry, and the only saving grace was the ridiculously good coffee being served. She’d spotted Aiah a few times, laughing with younger attendees and posing for selfies.
Maloi texted:
“How’s the networking? Na-meet mo na future husband/wife mo?”
Colet rolled her eyes and replied:
“Just met a director who thinks lawyers are boring.”
Seconds later, her phone buzzed again:
“Flirting na agad??? OMG. PICTURE.”
She was about to type a snarky reply when a voice said from behind her, “Did you survive the ethics debate?”
Colet turned to see Aiah again, now sans blazer, with a plate of cookies in hand.
“Barely,” she smirked. “Cookies are the only reason I’m still here.”
Aiah offered her the plate. “Want one? I think they’re imported. Or at least, not from 7-Eleven.”
Colet took one reluctantly. “So this is how directors woo people—through snacks.”
“Only the ones worth impressing.”
There was a pause.
Colet stared at her, unsure if that was a flirt or just casual banter.
“So,” she said, changing the topic, “how does a director end up making documentaries about law?”
Aiah sat beside her. “My older sister was wrongfully accused when I was in college. It was a mess—we barely had legal support. I started documenting the process, just for our own records, tapos it turned into a short film. After that... I couldn’t stop.”
“I’m sorry about your sister.”
“She’s okay now. Nasa Canada na. But I stuck with the mission. I want people to understand the justice system, flaws and all.”
Colet nodded, impressed. “Most of my clients just want to avoid lawsuits.”
“Well, someone has to protect the rich,” Aiah teased.
“Hey,” Colet laughed. “We protect everyone. If they can afford it.”
They both laughed.
“Do you want to grab real coffee after this?” Aiah asked, a bit more serious now.
Colet blinked. “What?”
“You look like you need something stronger than catered espresso. There’s a cafe across the street. No pressure.”
Colet looked at her phone, then back at Aiah. “Yeah, why not?”
---
The cafe was quiet, dimly lit with indie music playing in the background. Colet ordered a flat white, while Aiah chose an iced americano with oat milk.
They sat by the window, watching the Manila traffic inch by slowly.
“So... do you always invite strangers for coffee?” Colet asked.
“Only the ones who insult film events,” Aiah replied, stirring her drink.
“Touché.”
They talked about everything—from Aiah’s first film shot in a public school in Quezon City to Colet’s disastrous first trial as a baby lawyer. It surprised Colet how easy the conversation flowed, even with someone whose life was so different from hers.
“You’re not like most lawyers I’ve met,” Aiah said.
“Because I didn’t sue you yet?”
“Because you’re actually... fun.”
“Careful,” Colet warned. “That sounds dangerously like a compliment.”
“Maybe it is.”
They smiled at each other. A little too long. A little too warm.
---
Later that night, Colet lay on her bed, still in her office clothes, scrolling through her messages.
Maloi:
“So ano na?? Hot director date confirmed?”
She smiled and typed back:
“Not a date. Just coffee.”
But her heart was beating a little faster than usual.
And in the silence of her room, she replayed every little detail of the afternoon—Aiah’s laugh, her eyes, the way she listened.
And for the first time in a long while, she felt like maybe, just maybe, work wasn’t the only thing that mattered anymore.