Work Text:
COLE POV:
I was standing outside her classroom—heart hammering in my chest. Why was I so nervous anyway? This was Maya—my best friend of 6 years. Maya—who had been there through every storm, every tear, who had never left my side. I had no reason to be this nervous. I know her. Maya knows me. Maya—my best friend of 6 years—
Maya, the love of my life—and she didn’t even know it—yet.
It was Valentine’s Day 2026 and the bell just rang, signaling the end of class. One by one, classroom doors opened, and laughter started spilling out.
Teasing voices, comments of “Uy! Sinong ka date mo?”, and “Wow sana all nakatanggap ng flowers!” I smiled, watching their young faces light up in hope, in love.
Speaking of love—here I was, bouquet in hand—standing outside her classroom like a child waiting for the schoolbus to arrive.
One student walked past me and gave me a thumbs up, “Good luck, Ms. Cole! Sana sagutin ka! Kaya mo yan!”
God—what was I doing? Was I too obvious—Duh, Cole, you’re literally standing outside her room holding a bouquet of flowers—
I smiled at the student, trying to mask my nerves. Because today was the day. Today, I was gonna tell her how I felt. Lay my heart on the line, and hope she doesn’t stomp on it.
It was about 6pm when finally the corridors cleared, students were gone, and I could finally breathe a little easier, or so I thought.
Because not one minute later, Maya walked out. Hair down, glasses on. She was adjusting the cuffs of her blazer when she spotted me.
I probably looked like a deer frozen in headlights because the next thing I knew, her face was inches away from mine.
“Cole? Hello? Earth to Cole?” She waved her hand in front of my face
I stepped back, startled. “Huh, what?”
She chuckled, “Ang sabi ko, kanina ka pa ba dyan?”
“Ahh—“ I stammered. Good job Cole, good job trying not to look like a complete idiot. Kinakausap ka, sumagot ka huy!
“H-hindi. Hindi naman. Mga—ah—20, 25, 30 minutes siguro.” I managed to get out.
Maya laughed, a genuine one that made her eyes disappear, and my stomach fluttered, “So ilan talaga? 20, 25, or 30 minutes kang nag-antay sa akin—Uy!” She noticed the bouquet in my hands, “Kanino galing flowers mo? Ikaw ah! Hindi ka nagkukwento! May nanliligaw ba sayo? Sabihin mo they have to go through me first, your best friend gets first blood on your suitors!” She laughed while flexing her arm, kissing her bicep.
Best friend—right. The word lodged itself deep in my bones. I was her best friend—and I was completely in-love with her.
“Huy! You’re spacing out again! You ok ba? Masama ba pakiramdam mo?” She asked, concern evident on her face.
“I—ah—ano ulit, sorry?” Wala, natameme ka na talaga, bading!
“1.” Oh no, she’s enumerating. Ibig sabihin kanina pa talaga ako hindi nakikinig sa kanya. Focus, Cole! Focus! Asan na tapang mo?!
“1. How long were you standing here waiting for me? 2. Kanino galing yung flowers na hawak mo, 3. May nanliligaw ba sayo, 4. Sino sya, sabihin mo daan muna sya sakin, kakausapin ko lang sya saglit, 5. Ok ka lang ba, 6. Masaba ba ang pakiramdam mo.” She deadpanned.
“Ah. Wala, baliw.” I managed to say, voice trembling a little.
“Huh? Yun na yon? Ang dami kong sinabi??” She raised her eyebrow at me.
“Ok madam.” I said, “eto na po. 1. I wasn’t standing too long naman, I barely noticed the time, 2. The flowers? They’re for you, 3. Wala, 4. Wala ulit, 5. Oo, 6. Hindi.” Then I handed her the bouquet.
“Huh? Bakit may pa-flowers ka? Hindi ko naman birthday.” She asked.
My brain screamed at me to say: Kasi I love you, okay? Mahal na mahal kita, and I want to spend the rest of my life letting you feel how much I love you.
Pero syempre di yan lalabas sa bibig ko. Instead I said this:
“Binilhan kita. Kawawa ka naman, eh. Baka walang mag bigay sayo. Valentine’s Day pa naman.”
That earned me a glare. Playful, but a glare nonetheless. She looked at me, and then she looked at the flowers, then back at me again before she smiled. She leaned down and sniffed the flowers before turning to me again. “Thank you. I love them.”
Kinilig ako, piskit.
“Tara na. I made reservations.” I said before taking the stuff she was carrying. Then, we made our way to the car.
I chose her favorite restaurant, of course. Maya was a creature of habit. I knew what she liked. So I planned every single detail of this night, down to the playlist in the car.
When we arrived at the restaurant, the valet greeted us with a smile. “Good evening, Ms. Cole, Ms. Maya. Welcome back to Kan-On. Your table’s ready.”
“Wow, you went all out.” Maya commented, “I feel special.” Which made me laugh. That’s because you are special, I thought.
The maître d led us to our table, the one by the window, overlooking the city lights.
Maya smiled, “Wow. It’s so pretty.”
So are you, Mahal. So are you.
The food arrived in a matter of minutes. When she saw the spread, she smiled at me, “You always did know what I like.” She quipped.
That’s because I pay attention, Maya. Ikaw lang naman ang manhid dito. Hay.
The spread was simple—truffle pasta, medium rare steak, fries and mashed potatoes on the side, and for dessert—walang kamatayang ice cream. Magunaw na siguro ang mundo, basta may ice cream, masaya na si Maya. Everything—for her, everything—intentional, everything—deliberate.
“Maybe you’re just predictable.” I teased, which earned me a scrunched nose with her tongue out.
“Cute.” I said—out loud, apparently—because Maya leaned closer, “Ano yun? Paki-ulit?” She was the one teasing now.
“Wala. Sabi ko kumain ka na.”
————————
Dinner passed in light conversation. Work stuff, travel plans, family updates. I’d spent the entire dinner listening to her talk. I could listen to her talk 24/7 honestly. But then she asked:
“Okay, what’s up?”
I stuttered. “What—what do you mean?”
“Why’d you pull out all the stops tonight? Sundo, flowers, dinner, even ordering my favorite dessert—“
Her eyes widened. “OH MY GOD—May kasalanan ka sa akin, no?!” She accused.
“Maya. Ano bang pinagsasabi mo?” I laughed, but it didn’t reach my eyes. I was too busy deflecting and looking for an opportunity to make my move.
“Aminin mo na. Ano yung kasalanan mo? Bilis. I won’t get mad kasi pinakain mo ako tonight.”
My heart was beating so fast I thought it would tear a hole through my chest. My ears were so loud I couldn’t hear anything else save for Maya’s voice.
“COLE.”
“Maya—I” I stopped.
“What?”
“Like you—Court you?” Was all I could manage.
“HUH?”
Bobo mo, Cole. Sobrang bobo mo, talaga. Di ko alam papanong may estudyanteng naniniwala pa sayo.
“ilikeyoucanicourtyou?” I said again, still way too fast.
“Sorry, di ko talaga marinig. Paki-ulit.” Maya said, inching her chair closer to mine.
“i like you. can i court you?” I said. In the softest, most genuine voice I could manage.
Tanggal angas ko dito ah, pucha.
“Last na talaga. Isa na lang” She said, but I saw her smirk. A small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
“OA ka na. Kilala kita. Alam kong narinig mo na.” I said, slightly pushing her shoulder.
“Papaulit lang, eh.” She said, feigning hurt. “Ganyan ka ba sa nililigawan mo? Nananakit!”
The words don’t register at first, and my stupid mouth continued to move, “HINDI AH! Mabait kaya ako. Susunduin kita, hahatid kita, bibilhan kitang—and then they hit me, “Ganyan ka ba sa nililigawan mo?”—like she’d already agreed without even saying the words.
My chest tightened. “I—huh—What?” I asked.
“Tagal ng loading mo ah.” She laughed again.
“I like you, too. Yes, you can court me.”
END :)