Chapter Text
“52 pesos po…”
“Eto po, kuya. Thank you,” Messody said habang hawak niya ang Kopiko Luckyday na binili niya sa 7/11.
Kape. Kape. Kape.
Parang ‘yan na nga yata ang dumadaloy sa dugo niya, kung tutuusin. Kung bubuksan mo siguro ugat niya ngayon, hindi dugo ang lalabas—double shot espresso.
Well… hindi na naman bago ‘yan, considering she’s an Architecture student. Sa course na ‘to, tulog ay luxury, pahinga ay rumor, at sanity ay optional.
Baka mas magulat pa kayo kung Coke yung iniinom niya habang nagka-cram ng plates.
Yikes.
Anyway…
Lumabas na siya ng convenience store, bitbit ang kape at ang bigat ng konsensya niya.
Guilt trip level 1000.
Kasi dapat sinimulan na niya ‘yung plate kahapon.
O kagabi. O kagabi ng kagabi. Pero hindi eh. Nilamon siya ng kama. At ng katamaran.
If there’s anything worth celebrating this week, it’s not her productivity—it’s her impressive ability to hibernate.
hIBERNATE??!!,,!,!
Kung may Olympics para sa oversleeping, gold medalist siya.
Twenty-four hours and thirty-nine minutes straight.
Kung mas mahaba raw ang tulog niyo, wala raw pake si Messody. (Sabi niya yan)
Pero ngayon, habang naglalakad siya pabalik ng dorm, nagsisimula na ring sumingit ‘yung anxiety.
Yung tipong kahit malamig ‘yung hangin, pinagpapawisan ka kasi nare-realize mong tatlong araw na lang before deadline. Tapos sa halip na gumawa na, bumibili ka pa ng kape at umaasang magically magiging motivated ka after one sip.
Spoiler alert: Hindi.
Pero sige lang, baka this time, effective na ‘tong Kopiko Luckyday.
Kasi kung hindi…
Edi malas.
Messody took a sip of her Kopiko while walking back to her dorm, her phone vibrating in her pocket.
Oh no. Group chat na naman ‘to.
She unlocked her phone and, as expected—
Raya: Jaydaaaaaaaaa saan ka?
Audi: Pustahan she’s cramming.
Raya: Hi Audi, pakiss nga.
Audi: Baliw. HAHA. Saan ka ba?
Raya: Luh, pupuntahan mo ako? Gumugusto ka rin eh.
Audi: Joke lang, ewan ko sa’yo.
Messody rolled her eyes, smiling a little. Classic Raya and Audi (more sa side ni Raya), flirting like it’s a sport.
Kapag talaga natuluyan ‘tong dalawang ‘to, tatawanan ko sila.
Jayda: Magka-cram ako, bawal istorbohin!!!
Jayda: And please, kung magyayayaan kayong magkiss, p'wede bang sa PM na lang.
Raya: Sige. Audi, check mo PM ko.
Audi: Wala naman?
Raya: Nag-aantay? HAHAHAHAHA
Audi: Ewan sa’yo HAHAH.
Jayda: Weird people. Mga straight nga naman.
Raya: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Raya: Anyway, kain tayo bukas! Ipapakilala ko ‘yung pinsan ko. Architecture rin siya, transferee. Sa wednesday ata yung first day niya, niyaya ko lang kumain ng lunch for tomorrow.
Pinsan? Architecture din? Hala, bagong recruit na naman.
Jayda: I’m not sure, Raya… Cramming talaga ako.
Audi: I’m in. Sama ko si Shelvy Marie.
Raya: YES PLEASE! I MISS SHELVY BABY!!
Jayda: Hala, miss ko na rin siya, Shelvs :(
Audi: Sama ka na, dun ka na lang gumawa ng plates. I have a deadline as well pero malayo pa. Gawin ko na lang din para dalawa tayong productive.
Jayda: OKAY, AUDS. THANKS! Mayabang kasi ‘yang si Raya, kakabigay pa lang ng prof, tapos na agad.
Raya: Not my fault na mabilis akong gumawa. I’m born for Architecture. Soulmates kami, eh.
Jayda: Sige na, DND na ako. Lock-in na ang tao na ‘to. Bye. See you tomorrow.
See you tomorrow, Messody thought, sliding her phone back into her pocket.
She smiled faintly, shaking her head. Sila, may energy pa magplano ng kain. Ako, may energy lang mag-alala kung aabot ako sa deadline.
Lock-in sa paglalakad si Messody dahil gumagabi na, at wala pa rin siya sa dorm.
“Ang malas naman oh naknam, sobrang lamig.” she muttered, rubbing her palms together, trying to generate heat—which, unfortunately, didn’t work.
Kahit anong kuskos niya, parang mas lalong nanlamig ang hangin.
Perfect. Nagka-karma ako kasi puro tulog ginawa ko buong weekend, she thought.
So she quickened her pace. Kita na rin naman niya ang building nila—the warm glow from the lobby windows looked like salvation in the middle of the cold street.
Yet for some reason, she felt it.
‘Yung pakiramdam na may sumusunod.
Luh.
She told herself not to look back. Hindi naman siya easily paranoid—pero bakit parang… tahimik?
Too quiet.
Narinig niya ‘yung mahinang yapak sa likod. Hindi malakas, pero enough para tumayo ang balahibo niya.
Naknampucha, standing ovation?
Her heart picked up speed with her footsteps.
“Relax, Messody. Wala ‘yan. Imagination mo lang ‘yan. Walang magnanakaw ng architecture student. Walang pera ‘to,” she whispered to herself.
Pagdating sa lobby ng building, agad siyang dumiretso sa elevator at pinindot ang 8th floor.
She exhaled deeply, finally feeling safe. But just as the doors were about to close, a sudden hand stopped them—klang!
“PUT—” muntik na siyang mapasigaw.
Sa isip-isip ni Messody, kung luma na ‘tong elevator na ‘to, siguradong naipit na ‘yang tao na ‘yan.
Pero sige na, cool ka pa rin, kung sino ka man. Very nonchalant ang atake.
Then the figure stepped in—a girl.
fIGURE?!?!!?!?!?@#%!(!^#()#
Hoodie. Jorts. Crocs… na may medyas. Wow. Bold fashion choice.
Pero higit sa lahat—
Mabango.
As in mabango-mabango. Yung tipong kahit simpleng amoy lang, tumatama.
Hindi overpowering, pero may presence. Parang walking perfume shop na may sariling wind effect.
Messody blinked, trying not to look too obvious.
Okay, sino ‘tong mabangong multo sa hoodie? (Hindi siya multo... fortunately.)
The elevator doors closed with a soft ding, trapping them inside together.
The girl brought out a card, and Messody’s eyes widened.
Naknampucha. Mayaman. Kaya naman pala ang bango ng taong ‘to.
If hindi siya nagkakamali, makakakuha ka lang ng card sa dorm na ‘to kung isa ka sa mga owner ng room sa 9th and 10th floor.
The exclusive ones.
Bigger rooms, private bathrooms, may mini-fridge pa minsan.
At kadalasan, walang roommate.
The girl swiped her card, and pressed the 10th floor button, umilaw agad 'to.
Wow. Burgis nga.
May pa-card card pa talaga, girl. Kami nga sa 8th floor, pag di mo sinuntok ‘yung button nang tatlong beses, ayaw umilaw.
Messody tried not to stare, but she couldn’t help glancing at the girl’s grocery bag—may tatlong bote ng Coke.
Tatlong Coke? Hindi ba ‘to magkaka-UTI?
O baka ito ‘yung type ng tao na naniniwalang Coke is self-care.
The elevator hummed quietly as it climbed, the only sound between them.
Messody stood stiffly, pretending to scroll through her phone, but the screen was off.
Then the 8th floor dinged, breaking the silence.
She stepped forward, now standing side by side with the walking perfume shop.
Out of pure curiosity—fine, maybe slight intrigue—she tilted her head, trying to peek at the girl’s face. Pero failed.
Nakatakip pa rin ang hoodie, shadow hiding most of her features.
Sayang.
…
sAYANG?!?!?!?!!?
Messody Jayda Liu, ano ba ‘tong iniisip mo? Hindi mo nga kilala! Baka multo pa ‘yan. (eme hindi siya multo guys)
She shook her head, chuckling softly at herself. “Pagod ka lang, girl,” she muttered under her breath.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding, and she quickly stepped out, grateful to escape her own overthinking.
Still, curiosity itched at the back of her mind. She didn’t look back, but something told her—this wasn’t the last time she’d see ateng walking perfume shop.
Her dorm greeted her with the familiar mix of comfort and chaos.
Magulong higaan, may kumot pang nasa sahig. Sketch papers everywhere, markers rolling off the table, and a half-eaten pack of SkyFlakes beside her laptop.
Pero at least… it felt like her.
Small, cozy, cluttered—pero may character. Parang isang controlled disaster.
She dropped her bag, set down her coffee, and did a long stretch.
Her back cracked like it had been waiting all day for that one satisfying pop.
“Okay, Messody Jayda Liu,” she whispered to herself, trying to sound motivated. “Tapusin na natin ‘to.”
5:00 AM.
The alarm went off.
Messody stirred in her sleep—more like twitched, really—and groaned as the sound pierced through her half-functioning brain.
Her first coherent thought of the morning:
P'wede bang i-drop na lang ‘tong subject na ‘to?
Don’t get her wrong, she actually made progress last night. She was able to cram half of her work—which, in her world, was already a miracle worthy of a feast. Natapos siya mga 1 AM, eyes barely open, wrist aching from all the lines and measurements.
Before collapsing onto her bed, her last words were, “Tatapusin ako ng plates kong ‘to, so uunahan ko na siya.”
Then she dramatically jumped into bed like a soldier surrendering to gravity.
Admirable? A bit.
Gagayahin mo ba? Ikaw bahala.
Pero wag mo kong sisisihin pag biglang may trust issues na ‘yung katawan mo.
Now, four hours later, her alarm is blaring again, and her soul is nowhere to be found.
She squints at her phone screen.
5:03 AM.
“Okay. Kaya ko ‘to,” she mumbled, even though she very clearly could not.
Her hair was sticking out like an abandoned paintbrush, and her eyes had that signature “Architecture Student Glow”—basically, eye bags na may sariling zip code.
She sat up, grabbed her tumbler, and took a sip—only to realize it was yesterday’s cold coffee. She drank it anyway.
“Ew. Pero sige. Kapag nagtae ako mamaya... alam na.”
She dragged herself to her desk, where her laptop still glowed faintly from last night.
She looked at her work and sighed, rolling her chair closer and forcing her brain to work.
One more line. Isa pa. For survival.
Time passed in the slow, torturous way only mornings before a deadline could. By 6:30, her hands were cramped, her mind was blank, and her stomach was starting to make noises that could summon spirits.
“Break muna. Baka magpakita na ‘yung multo ng pagod ko,” she muttered, rubbing her temples.
She finally stood up, stretched, and dragged herself to the bathroom. While brushing her teeth, she stared at her reflection—messy bun, half-open eyes, toothpaste foam sa labi—the definition of a girl barely hanging on.
9 AM class. Then 4 PM ‘yung next. Final answer? Pinagti-tripan talaga ako ng universe. Or nung nag-schedule sa akin. Possibly both.
By 6:45, she was already changing into her uniform, hair tied up, trying to look like a functional human being.
The keyword: trying.
8:30 AM — Binilandia State College.
Minamahal na Binilandia State College. Or BSC, in short.
Malamang. Ano pa nga ba, Bureau of Suffering and Cramming?
P’wede rin. Panay pasakit lang din naman ang ginagawa ng mga prof namin dito.
Messody adjusted the strap of her tote bag as she entered the campus gates, her eyes still half-open from lack of sleep. The morning sun was way too bright for someone who only had three functioning brain cells left.
Agad siyang naglakad papunta ng College of Architecture—which, of course, was conveniently located sa pinakadulo ng campus.
Parang sinadya talaga ng universe.
Kung may “Most Unlucky Student Route” award, panalo na ang mga taga-College of Architecture.
Bakit ba laging parang pilgrimage ‘tong pagpunta sa building namin?
She decided to stop by first kina Audi and Raya, kahit magkikita rin naman sila later. Gusto lang niya magyabang kahit konti—that she actually made progress kagabi and was almost done with her plate.
The keyword is almost.
As she walked, her phone buzzed with a familiar sound.
A customised notification na ginawa niya.
“Pakening shet, may ipapasa ka na naman. Gawin mo na agad kung ayaw mong bumagsak, Messody. Tingnan mo na!”
“Lintek na, pakening shet talaga,” she muttered, clutching her phone like it personally offended her.
Magyayabang pa lang ako na patapos na ako, may bago na naman?!
Kainis.
She sighed and shoved her phone back into her pocket, trying to ignore it—but then another customised notification came in.
“Bading, may message prof mo. Magdasal ka na na extension ‘yan or cancelled lecture, go bhie! KMS, kaya moyan self.”
“ARGHHHHHH,” Messody groaned, earning a few curious stares from passing students.
“Okay, okay. Hinga."
"Stay positive lang, araw-araw sipag lang.” she muttered, opening her phone. But the second she saw the message, all positivity left her body.
Prof Del Rosario:
“Hi, I won’t be able to meet you on our class this Wednesday which is supposedly the deadline of your Plate #5. The only time I will be able to meet you is today, so make sure that you will be able to pass it later at 4PM onwards during our time. On the other hand, our face-to-face schedule is cancelled, so instead I put an assignment for you in Teams. Hope you have a great day, and see you later.”
Messody blinked. Once. Twice.
Then just stared at her screen in disbelief.
“Well, shit,” she whispered, her soul slowly exiting her body.
Hindi pa nga tapos, tapos ngayon biglaang today na ang submission?
Gusto na lang niyang mahulog sa damuhan, magtulug-tulugan, at hintayin ang reincarnation. But no, duty calls. And by duty, she means suffering.
Okay. Compose yourself. Cry later. Work now.
She checked her watch — 8:45 AM.
Ay jusko, malalate pa siya sa 9 AM class niya.
“Re-schedule ko na lang ‘yung mental breakdown ko. Mga… after lunch siguro.”
She quickened her pace, skipping past the 1st floor (where Audi’s room was) and the 2nd (where Raya’s class was).
Sorry, mga beshies, survive muna ako.
By the time she reached the 4th floor, her breath was shallow, her coffee had gone cold, and her sanity was hanging by a thread. She stopped in front of her classroom door, fixed her hair in the reflection of the glass window, and sighed.
Okay. Smile. Pretend you’re fine. No one needs to know you’re dying inside.
The class ended with Messody’s soul flying out of the window. It was bearable but definitely not recommended. She checked her phone dahil baka nagchat na si Audi at Raya about sa pagkikita nila ngayon.
Audi: Saan tayo?
Audi: Raya?
Audi: Tuloy ba?
Jayda: Hello, kakatapos lang ng class saan tayo?
Audi: Baba ka rito, Jayds. Wait na lang natin siya rito sa 1st floor.
Jayda: Okay, otw na ako.
Raya: Teka lang, ang tagal mag dismiss nitong prof namin.
Raya: Wait niyo ako r’yan, chat ko lang pinsan ko.
Audi: Okay, bilis.
Raya: Miss na miss ako, Audi?
Audi: No, Raya. Just be fast haynako.
Raya: HAAHAHAHAHAHAH ito na oh
Jayda: First floor na!
“Auds! Musta?” Messody jogged toward Audi’s direction, waving slightly while trying not to spill the iced coffee she picked up along the way.
“Okay naman, Jayds. Ikaw?” Audi answered, still half-focused on her phone—her thumbs tapping quickly, eyes flicking to the screen every few seconds.
Messody smirked. “Si Shelvs? Susunod na lang ba ‘yun?”
“Hindi. Wait lang daw siya, nasa locker lang.”
Audi’s voice was calm as usual, but her eyes kept darting back to her notifications.
“Ah, okayyy.” Messody grinned mischievously. “You know what, I have chika mamaya.”
Audi didn’t even look up. “Is it about Prof Delro?”
Messody’s brows furrowed. “How did you know?”
Audi finally looked up and flashed a teasing grin. “Insider’s things.”
“Hoy!”
The familiar birit-level voice of Raya echoed through the corridor, making a few heads turn.
“Baka binabackstab niyo na ako, ah!” Napailing si Audi, while Messody raised a brow at her.
“Tagal mo teh,” Messody said, crossing her arms. “Sobrang good student mo naman, parang ayaw mo pa iwan ‘yung class mo.”
“De, baliw,” Raya said, finally catching up to them with her sketch pad hugged against her chest.
“Sumisipsip lang talaga ako. Charing. Asan na si Shelvy Baby, Audi Baby?”
At the mention of “Audi Baby,” Audi froze—her ears turning a little pink.
Messody caught it immediately.
Aha. Mga kababayan… may nangyayari na.
kABABAYAN?!?!?!?!??!!?!?
Audi tried to hide her reaction, pretending to scroll on her phone—kahit hindi naman ito nakabukas.
“Papunta… na raw sabi niya,” Audi muttered, refusing to look up. “Chat niya sa’kin.”
Messody smirked knowingly. “Oo nga naman, close kayo eh.”
Raya giggled before looping her arm around Messody’s. “Kamusta teh? Tapos ka na sa gawain mo?”
Agad na sumimangot si Messody. Naalala niya na naman ‘yung bagong gawain na pinapagawa ni Prof Delro, plus ‘yung plate na kailangan niyang ipasa mamayang hapon.
“Hindi pa. Kajirits nga eh, hindi niya kami ime-meet sa wednesday so ngayon na lang daw namin ipasa,” she groaned dramatically. “Sana malaki ‘yung table sa kakainan natin dahil dun ko tatapusin ‘yung gawa ko. Need na agad ipasa mamaya, bwesit talaga.”
Raya gasped and placed a hand over her chest like a tita in a teleserye. “May sapak talaga minsan yan si Sir. Pero teka, ang puso, teh, ikalma. Hinga ka muna.”
Before Messody could even respond, a familiar voice called out, “Ate’s!”
They all turned toward the hallway—and there she was.
Shelvy.
Still with that confident, chill aura that made her look like she owned every hallway she walked through.
“Shelvy baby!” Raya shrieked, rushing to her and hugging her dramatically. “Na-miss kita, baby ko!”
“Napaka-OA talaga, Ate Raya…” Shelvy said, laughing softly as Raya clung to her arm. “Sige na, I missed you too. At hello naman sa’yo, Jayds— balita ko record-breaking ang imong sleep, ah?”
Messody made a face, arms crossed. “Luh, feyk news ‘yan, Shelvs. Haynako.”
“Weh?” Shelvy teased, eyes narrowing. “Eh bakit ka gagawa raw mamaya?”
Messody squinted at her. “Ang dami mo namang tanong. Bawal magtanong ang mabagal kumilos. Tara na, kumain na tayo.”
Shelvy laughed, shaking her head. “Ay sus, defensive!”
Raya, of course, jumped in with her usual flair. “Grabe ka, Messody, ‘wag mo naman i-intimidate si Shelvy Baby ko. Tara na nga!”
She looped her arm around Shelvy and started dragging her toward the exit, her voice already echoing down the hallway.
Messody was about to follow when Audi spoke up.
“Raya,” she called out, glancing around, “yung cousin mo? Akala ko ba kasama ‘yon?”
Raya turned her head, still walking backward. “Ah, nauna na! Nandun na ‘yon sa pupuntahan natin for sure.”
“Sigurado ka?”
“Yup! At hayaan mo na ‘yon—mas malaki pa ‘yon sa’kin, kaya niya sarili niya!”
Audi shrugged. “Okay… ikaw bahala.”
— Samgyup
“Uy!! Teka naman, Ate Raya—diet ako eh!” Shelvy stopped at the entrance of the restaurant, scratching her head while staring at the big UNLIMITED SAMGYUPSAL sign.
Raya gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. “Shelvy Baby… cheat day mo ngayon. Halika na bago pa ako magdrama!”
Messody snorted from behind. Wala na talaga kaming kawala kay Raya… Pero on the other side, deserve ko ‘to.
dESERVE?!,!,!,!,!,!,!?!
She rolled her eyes at her own thoughts and followed.
Inside, the sizzling sound of pork filled the air. The place was half-full—students chatting, laughter echoing, and that distinct mix of smoke and spice that could make anyone hungry even if they swore they weren’t.
“Libre ba ‘to?” Messody asked cautiously while scanning the menu on the wall. “Baka mahal rates ah…”
“Libre ng pinsan ko, Jayds. ‘Wag ka mag-alala,” Raya said, wiggling her eyebrows proudly.
Nanlaki ang mata ni Messody. “Totoo ba? Grabe! Mukhang big-time pala yang pinsan mo… Gawin ko ngang bff.”
Raya laughed, flicking her hair dramatically. “Baliw ka! Pero true, big-time ‘yon. May generational wealth na, may face card pa. Habulin! Reto kita if you want.”
“Naks naman,” Shelvy said with a smirk.
“Mukhang may pa-impress na agad si Jayds.”
Messody scoffed. “Hoy, hindi ako ganun mga baliw. Nagpapasalamat lang ako sa libre. Practicality, not flattery, okay?”
“Sure, sure,” Shelvy teased, laughing.
Meanwhile, Audi trailed a few steps behind the group—the ever-cool one, scrolling on her phone and pretending not to be flustered every time Raya called her Audi Baby.
“Audi Baby, bilisan mo naman maglakad!” Raya said, glancing over her shoulder.
Audi nearly tripped. “Don’t call me that in public, Raya.”
Raya grinned like she was thriving on the chaos. “Eh bakit, nakakakilig kaya pakinggan. Right, Shelvy Baby?”
Shelvy shook her head, giggling. “Ate Raya, you’re impossible.”
Lumapit na si Raya sa reception, sabay adjust ng hair habang bitbit si Shelvy na halatang excited nang kumain.
“Hi po, ate! Reservation po for Jinx Romero?”
The receptionist smiled. “Ah, kayo po yung kasama niya? Tara po rito, private room po yung sa inyo.”
Private room.
Big word. Big money. Big wow.
Messody blinked. “Private room? Baka mamaya may chandelier pa ‘yan.”
Shelvy snorted. “Huwag kang ano, Jayds, baka may carpet din. ‘Yung tipong ayaw mong tapakan.”
Tinawanan sila ni Audi habang naglalakad papunta sa hagdan. The staff led them upstairs. Tatlong doors lang ang nando’n—all labeled “Private Room A, B, C.” They were led into Room A.
Pagbukas ng pinto, napanganga silang apat.
Spacious.
May dalawang table na magkahiwalay.
May flat-screen TV.
May mic.
May songbook.
At may amoy ng karne at yaman sa hangin.
“Wow…” bulong ni Raya. “May pa-karaoke? Pwede na akong mag-OA concert dito ah.” Raya grinned. “We love a girlboss cousin!”
Pero bago pa sila makapagsimula ng chika, bumungad sa kanila si Jinx.
Naka-hoodie. Naka-jorts. May hawak na Coke.
Ulit.
And yes, mabango.
Ulit.
Familiar...
“Jinx! Kanina ka pa?” Raya greeted, opening her arms.
“Uhm, hindi naman Ate Ray,” Jinx replied, standing up with a small smile. “Kakarating ko lang din.”
And that’s when Messody’s brain stopped functioning for a second.
Wait.
That hoodie.
That Coke.
And that freaking scent.
fREAKING,!,!!,,!,!?’
Oh no.
“Teka nga…” Messody blurted out before she could stop herself. “Are you perhaps a resident sa Bloom Residences? Specifically, 10th floor?”
Everyone turned to her. Even Jinx froze mid-sip.
“Uhm…” Jinx blinked, obviously thrown off. “How did you know that?”
Raya frowned a bit, halatang nagulat din. Even she didn’t know where her cousin stayed.
Messody tried to play it cool, crossing her arms. “I just—uh, saw you. In the elevator. Last night. May tatlong Coke ka pa nga eh.”
“Oh,” Jinx said softly, then chuckled. “So you were the one beside me na naka-pajama? You were carrying, like, a paper bag or something?”
“I was carrying my lifeline,” Messody shot back, deadpan.
Audi burst out laughing. “Oh my god, Jayds, you’re too much.”
Raya, of course, was eating it up. “WAIT LANG. So nagkita na pala kayo ni Jinx? As in, randomly?”
“Technically, yes ata,” Jinx said, a teasing smile forming. “I bet she was judging my Coke consumption.”
Messody pointed at her defensively. “Excuse me! Hindi ako nag-judge—concerned lang ako sa UTI mo.”
Messody Jayda… you did not.
Concerned? Really?
Well yes siguro, pero isama natin yung thought na kaya mo siyang amuyin 1 week straight dahil sa elevator encounter niyo.
Raya and Shelvy almost choked from laughter.
“Oh my god,” Raya wheezed. “Ang bilis ng developments, hah!”
“Shut up, Ate Ray,” Jinx mumbled, scratching her nape.
"Nyenye, sumbong kita kay tito puro ka coke."
Messody blinked, a little startled by how soft Jinx’s tone was when she said that. It didn’t match her chill vibe earlier sa elevator. There was something about it—awkward, but charming. Jinx sat back down and gestured toward the seats. “Anyway… uh, let’s eat? I already asked them to start the grill.”
Messody sat across from her—because of course, that’s where the universe would put her.
And while Raya and Shelvy were already fighting over who gets the tongs, and Audi was busy setting up the karaoke machine, Messody caught Jinx glancing at her Coke can before looking away with a small smirk.
“Don’t worry,” Jinx said under her breath. “Baka mag-water na lang ako next time. Para hindi ka ma-concern.”
Messody raised an eyebrow, fighting a smile. “Baliw, wala akong pake. Baka lang magka-UTI ka pa tapos ako sisihin mo.”
Jinx chuckled. “You’re funny.”
“I’m right,” Messody said, but her voice softened—like she didn’t mean to sound smug this time.
Maybe it was the lighting, or maybe it was the way Jinx’s eyes crinkled when she smiled, but for a brief second, Messody’s usual sarcasm faltered.
And in that very second, she knew one thing for sure—
This girl is going to be a problem.
“Ayan na ang kimchi!!!” sigaw ni Shelvy, halos mapatalon sa saya habang nilapag sa mesa ang mangkok na umaaso pa sa init.
Raya, syempre, tuloy pa rin sa pag-awra sa mic—feeling Ariana Grande of Binilandia, sumisigaw ng “Bakit biglang napaisip, tuluyan bang nahumaling?” habang umiikot pa na parang may concert sa Araneta.
Si Audi at Jinx naman, abala sa grill. Nagmimistulang professional samgyup chefs, may apron pa si Audi na may nakasulat na “Grill and Glow.”
At ako?
Ayun, sa kabilang mesa. Nakayuko. Tahimik. Walang pakialam sa mga tawa, sa usok, sa pagkain.
Hindi kumakain. Hindi nakikikanta. Hindi nakikichika.
Ako si Messody Jayda Liu, taong may plate na kailangang ipasa mamaya, at walang karapatang mag-enjoy habang may unfinished linework sa harap niya.
Kasalanan ko rin naman ‘to.
Kung hindi ako nag-procrastinate kagabi, baka ngayon busog na ako sa samgyup at hindi sa stress.
Nasa kabilang mesa ako—isang maayos pero magulong war zone.
Nakakalat ang rulers, lapis, eraser crumbs, at papel na halos kapalit na ng kaluluwa ko.
Sa gitna: isang 20x30 plate na may perspective drawing ng façade.
Halos tapos na. Malinis pa. Crisp lines.
Until—
“Jayds!” sigaw ni Raya, sabay vibrato. “Wag mong sabihing hindi ka pa rin kakain ha?!”
“Later na! Kailangan ko pa ‘tong tapusin!” sagot ko, hindi inaalis ang mata sa screen.
“Ang kulit mo, Messody,” sabi ni Audi habang nagtatabi ng mga niluto. “Break ka muna, oh. One bite lang, promise.”
“Wala nga akong time! Lutuan mo na lang muna ako, Auds, kainin ko later!”
“One bite won’t hurt naman, neighbour…” may boses na sumingit. Malambot. Bahagyang pilya.
Jinx.
Narinig ko man, nagbingi-bingihan ako. Selective hearing mode on.
sELECTIVE HEARING?!?!,!,!,!,!,!,!
Jusko, Messody Jayda, focus ka na lang sa mga pader na dina-drawing mo.
Huwag sa tukso.
Over naman sa tukso, na para bang…
nA PARA BANG?’,’!?!??!?!,!
“Hey…” Jinx nudged my shoulder lightly.
“Neighbour!”
I didn’t look up. “What?”
“Masarap ‘tong kimchi, swear. Sayang naman ‘yung libre ko kung hindi mo ma-eenjoy…”
“Libre mo nga, pero hindi mo kailangang isubo sa akin, Jinx.”
“Hala, si neighbour naman defensive agad. Hindi kita sinusubuan. Pero kung gusto mo—”
“Jinx.” I gave her the look.
She grinned, undeterred.
“Lapag mo muna ‘yan. Kakain naman ako later, okay? Hindi masasayang ‘yung libre mo, promise. Kung masayang man, libre mo ulit kami next time. HAHAHA.”
“Gumusto ka pa, Jayds,” sabi ni Audi habang nagbabaliktad ng karne. “’Wag kang magpatalo, Jinx!”
Shelvy laughed, mouth full. “Oo nga! Subuan mo na ‘yan bago pa tuluyang magpaka-workaholic!”
“Ewan ko sa inyo!”
“Neighbour…” Jinx’s tone softened. “Say ahh.”
“Huh?”
“Hindi na, okay lang, Jinx.”
“‘Wag kang maarte. Isang subo lang—”
“Jinx, seriously, wag mo i—”
And before I could finish, ayun na nga.
PLAK!
The kimchi slipped off her chopsticks.
Perfect trajectory. Direct hit.
Right at the center of my plate.
Red-orange sauce.
Sa mismong façade.
Sa pinakamalinis na part.
The room went dead silent.
Si Raya—naputol sa “Dahan-dahang…” mid-note, mic still raised.
Si Shelvy—nakabuka ang bibig, half a lettuce hanging from her chopsticks.
Si Audi—napatakip ng bibig, halatang pinipigilan tumawa.
Ako?
Blink. Once. Twice.
Then slowly, I stood up.
Ramdam kong kumulo ‘yung dugo ko, parang cartoon character na may usok sa tenga.
“...You. Did. Not.”
“Wait—sorry! I didn’t mean to—”
“HINDI MO SINASADYA?!” Halos mapasigaw ako. “Jinx, ‘yan ‘yung drawing ko! Plate ko ‘yan! Bakit ba kasi—”
“Calm down, Messody, it’s just a bit of sauce, pwede pa ‘yan malinis—”
“JUST A BIT?! Girl, mukha nang crime scene ‘to! May kimchi na sa pader ng building ko!”
Raya broke into laughter, halos mahulog sa upuan.
“HAHAHAHAHA JAYDS! Baka gusto mo na lang gawing Korean architecture, oh!”
“RAYA, NOT NOW!”
“Uy grabe ka, comic relief lang!”
Shelvy panicking, “Tissue! May tissue ako!”
Pero bago pa ako makapagsalita—ayun si Jinx, sumugod, tissue in hand, parang may pag-asa pa siyang maayos ‘to.
“Wait! Wag mong hawakan!”
“I’m helping—”
“Helping? HEL—helping daw oh! Eh hindi mo nga napigilan ‘yung kimchi mo!”
“Hoy, hindi ko kasalanan ‘yun! Fault ng chopsticks—madulas!”
“Madulas daw?! Grabe naman, kasalanan pa ng kubyertos ngayon!”
“Kubyertos nga naman—” singit ni Raya, nanginginig sa kakatawa.
Audi leaned in, whispering, “Oh no… this is getting good.”
“Shhh, shut up! Live show ‘to.” Raya leaned in as well.
Tumingin ako kay Jinx, who was holding the tissue like it’s a white flag. May bahid ng kimchi sauce, may guilt sa mukha.
“Alam mo ba kung kailan ‘to ipapasa?”
“…Bukas?”
“MAMAYA! AS IN LATER, 4 FREAKING PM! GOSH, ARGH, LAGOT AKO KAY PROF DELRO!”
“...Oh.”
“‘Oh’? Yun lang masasabi mo?!”
Tumingin siya sa akin, at sa unang pagkakataon—hindi siya nag-smirk. Hindi siya nag-joke.
“Sorry talaga,” she said quietly. “Hindi ko sinasadya. I’ll help you redo it.”
“Ha? Ikaw? Magdo-drawing?”
She nodded, serious. “Oo. Architecture din ako, remember? Hindi ko hahayaang mapagalitan ka ng prof mo. Lalo na kung dahil sa kimchi.”
Tahimik.
Then sabay-sabay—
“AYIEEEEEEEEEEEE!”
“UY! MAY CHEMISTRY!”
“Messody, tingnan mo naman, handa siyang tumulong oh!”
“SHIP ‘TO, MGA BAKLA!”
"JINX, SUYUIN MO. KISS MO, LALAMBOT YAN." Raya said teasingly.
"Raya, shut it. Jusko, that won't work!"
"Weh? Nagana naman kay Aud-hmph." Audi immediately covered her mouth, bago niya pa ituloy ang sasabihin.
Psh, bading kainis. ARGH!
“Documentation! Evidence for future wedding!” Shelvy said while holding her phone out to record it.
Napahawak ako sa ulo. “Lord, kunin niyo na lang ako.”
Pero si Jinx?
Tumawa lang, softly. Lumapit, bahagyang yumuko para tingnan ang plate.
“See?” sabi niya, nakangiti na naman. “At least ngayon, may kulay na ‘yung drawing mo.”
Tiningnan ko siya, deadpan. “Yeah. Kimchi red. My favorite.”
“Bagay naman sa vibe mo,” she teased.
I rolled my eyes, pero tinakpan ko ‘yung half-smile ko. Hindi ko alam kung gusto kong batuhin siya ng ruler, o pasalamatan siya sa tawag pansin.
I looked at her as she softly smiled at me, guilty pa rin.
Nakakainis siya ngumiti.
‘Yung ngiti niya, gusto kong burahin—pero at the same time, hindi ko rin magawang tignan nang matagal, kasi baka magbago isip ko kung alin ang gusto kong burahin:
‘yung kimchi sa drawing ko, o ‘yung inis ko sa kanya.
EPILOGUE
The Coke bottles clinked inside the paper bag as I walked through the cold street toward the dorm. Each step made them rattle like they were gossiping about my life choices.
Tatlo para, “Plot twist where?”
“If you can’t fix the day, at least bring a drink.” — Popps (2025)
And honestly, Popps had a point.
You can’t solve stress. You can’t erase deadlines. But you can sugarcoat it. Literally.
I laughed softly to myself, breath visible in the night air. The city felt colder than I remembered—or maybe I’d just been gone too long.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. A message from Popps again, as if summoned by the thought.
Popps: Don’t forget to rest, daughter. Have you eaten?
Jinx: Promise, Popps. Yes po, kumain na. Lumabas lang ako papunta sa nearest convenience store for my daily Coke intake.
Popps: Drink lots of water, daughter. And please, ‘wag mo araw-arawin ang Coke.
Jinx: Opo, Popps. Love ya!
I tucked my phone away, clutching the paper bag a little tighter. I wasn’t in a rush, but the streets were quiet—too quiet. Every step I took echoed just a little too loudly, the sound bouncing off the pavement.
And then, I heard another rhythm beside my own.
Soft. Quick. Too light to be an echo.
I slowed just slightly, curiosity prickling up my neck.
A few meters ahead, under the flickering glow of a lamppost, I saw her.
A girl.
Loose jacket. Pajamas. Ponytail that looked like it had survived a small war. She was walking briskly, clutching her own paper bag—the convenience store kind.
She mumbled something I couldn’t catch, except for one word—malas.
Then she blew into her hands and started rubbing them together like a freezing squirrel trying to ignite warmth from sheer willpower.
Her energy was… chaotic. Cute chaotic.
The kind of chaotic you only see in people who drink coffee as a personality trait.
Speaking of caffeine—may isang Luckyday Kopiko siya sa kamay. I almost laughed.
She kept muttering under her breath, shaking her head, sighing. It was like watching a live-action inner monologue—tragic, funny, oddly charming.
I slowed my pace again.
Not to follow her, exactly… Okay, maybe a little.
But only because there was something fascinating about her—that perfect mix of chaos and composure. She was different. Messy, yes, but in a way that felt real.
Her entire presence screamed “tired but trying.” And for reasons I couldn’t explain, that made her stand out more than any polished face I’d seen all week.
I smiled to myself.
People sometimes are just… intriguing. You meet hundreds, and they all blur together—but then one walks past you on a quiet night, and suddenly, you remember what it’s like to be curious again.