Chapter Text
"Staceyyy, come run with me na kasiii." Aiah flopped down beside Stacey on the couch, her voice carrying the same pleading tone she'd been using for the past years.
Ever since Aiah started the running trend two years ago, she'd become an image of fitness and an active lifestyle. She would help organize fun runs and pet runs, and constantly interacted with fellow runners online. But despite all that, there was one person she could never convince to join her.
Her own girlfriend.
"Ayaaaw," Stacey whined, not even looking up from her phone. "Pagod na nga tayong sumayaw everyday, tatakbo pa tayo nang maaga?"
"But I want to run with you, eh," Aiah mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.
Despite being the eldest in the group, Aiah turned into the biggest baby whenever she was with Stacey. She was always the responsible one, planning schedules, checking in on everyone, and making sure the members were okay. But the moment they were alone, she melted into someone who constantly sought Stacey's attention and affection.
Stacey finally set her phone aside and turned to her sulking girlfriend.
"Babe," she said softly, leaning closer as she intertwined their fingers.
"Kapag rest day, hmm?"
"I really want to run with you, eh." Aiah pouted even more. "Kahit 5K or 3K lang! We don't even have to run the whole time. We can walk most of it and jog a little."
She looked at Stacey with her puppy eyes, which Stacey couldn't usually resist.
"Please?"
Stacey sighed in defeat. But,
"Nope."
"What if after rehearsals?" Aiah tried again.
"No."
"We have a break next week."
"Hmmm..."
Aiah's eyes lit up. "So that's a yes?"
"Still no."
"Please? Please, please, please?"
“Sabrina yarnch? Stacey teased, trying her best not to give in. Then she continued, "No."
"Ugh!" Aiah groaned dramatically, throwing herself back onto the couch. "Kala ko papayag ka na, eh!"
She crossed her arms with an exaggerated pout, refusing to look at Stacey.
Unable to hold it in any longer, Stacey laughed. She scooted closer and pressed a soft kiss to Aiah's cheek.
"Try again next time, babe."
Aiah let out the most offended gasp. "You kissed me para ma-distract ako."
"Effective ba?"
Aiah stayed quiet for a second before letting out a tiny huff.
"... Onti lang."
Stacey only laughed harder.
Hay, ate Aiah. The baby that you are.
The next few days—then weeks—flew by in a blur.
Recordings, dance trainings, photoshoots, rehearsals, meetings... the girls' schedules were packed from morning until night.
By the time they wrapped up practice that afternoon, everyone looked ready to collapse.
They were gathered in the dance studio, packing up their things before heading home.
"Pagod na 'ko," Sheena groaned as she chugged down her water. "Deserve ko matulog pag-uwi sa condo. Bukas na 'ko gigising."
Everyone burst into laughter.
It was only three in the afternoon, and they had no more schedules for the rest of the day. For once, everyone was free to do whatever they wanted.
One by one, the girls slung their bags over their shoulders.
"Matutulog na talaga ako. Ang sakit ng katawan ko."
"Same."
"Ako rin."
"Dinner pa kami nila Mama."
Then Aiah zipped up her gym bag.
"Una na 'ko, guys. May gym session pa ako."
The room fell silent.
Even Sheena, who was already halfway out the door, stopped and slowly turned around.
"...Huh?"
"Ate Aiah," Mikha blinked. "Hindi ka pa pagod?"
"Bai," Colet looked genuinely concerned and confused. "Ano bang energy source mo, bai?"
"Staku," Maloi chimed in, "ano ba pinapakain mo diyan? Bakit 'di nauubusan ng energy?"
"Hindi, si Staku kasi kinaka—"
Before Sheena could finish, Stacey immediately took off one of her sneakers and tossed it at her.
Sheena shrieked dramatically as everyone erupted into laughter.
"Baliw!" Aiah laughed, grabbing the towel draped around her neck and throwing it at Colet. "Short workout lang! Coach scheduled this na kasi before pa."
"Ate Aiah," Jhoanna said between laughs, "concert ang pinaghahandaan natin, ha. Hindi Olympics. Magiging Aiah Arceta Yulo ka na niyan"
"Gaga, kinasal mo naman!"
Aiah could only shake her head, laughing at herself as she finished zipping her bag.
"Boang kayo."
She adjusted the strap of her gym bag onto her shoulder. "I'll go na. Malapit na si Kuya Grab."
Everyone said their goodbyes as Aiah walked out of the dance studio.
"Ate Aiah! Sabay na 'ko!"
Stacey hurriedly grabbed her things and sprinted after her girlfriend.
"Hi, baby," Aiah greeted with a smile, automatically taking Stacey's bag from her shoulder as they walked toward the elevator.
"Huy! Ako na diyan. May dala ka din na gamit."
"No, it's fine," Aiah chuckled. "Para saan pa ba ang pagwo-workout ko kung hindi ako makakapagbuhat ng stuff natin?"
Stacey didn't argue anymore.
Instead, the two quietly waited for the elevator, both checking their phones for updates on their Grab rides.
When the elevator doors closed, it was just the two of them inside the small metal box.
"Babe..." Stacey looked up from her phone. "Hindi ka pa ba tired?"
"Hmm?"
"Maggy-gym ka pa after today? Since 9 a.m. pa tayo sumasayaw."
Instead of answering, Aiah simply placed both of their gym bags on the floor before wrapping her arms around Stacey's waist.
Stacey couldn't help but smile as she hugged her back.
"Oh..." she laughed softly. "Tired ka na pala."
She gently rubbed Aiah's back.
"'Wag ka na kayang tumuloy sa gym? Sabihan mo na lang si Coach Mike."
"Hmmm..."
"Diretso ka na sa condo later, ha? Don't push yourself too much kasi."
There was genuine concern in Stacey's voice.
Aiah had always been the type to fill every free hour with something productive. Even after exhausting rehearsals, she'd still find the energy to run, lift weights, or squeeze in another workout.
It worried Stacey.
Especially after that one incident.
Aiah had gone for a run after dance practice despite the dark clouds overhead. Halfway through, she got caught in a downpour.
Instead of going home immediately, she had video-called Stacey to update her, completely drenched, laughing sheepishly as rainwater dripped from her hair.
It annoyed the hell out of Stacey, by the way.
The next morning, she woke up burning with fever.
It got so bad that Stacey had nearly dragged her to the emergency room.
"Baka magkasakit ka na naman," Stacey said quietly. "Ang tigas pa naman ng ulo mo minsan."
"No ah."
"Okay, lagi."
The elevator chimed as it reached the ground floor. Aiah reluctantly pulled away from the hug before flashing Stacey a bright grin.
"What if run nalang tayo para hindi na ko matuloy sa gym?"
Stacey instantly hit her arms “Gaga ka ba?! Di na ko makakalakad niyan bukas!”
Aiah laughed as she picked up both of their gym bags with ease and intertwined their fingers as they walked out into the lobby.
"I'm okay pa, babe." She gave Stacey's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Hindi pa 'ko pagod."
"You always say that naman." Stacey rolled her eyes. "'Pag ikaw nagkasakit nanaman, Arceta."
"Quick workout lang ako sa gym!"
"Nyenye. Okay."
They reached the building grounds where both of their Grab rides were already waiting. Aiah helped Stacey settle into her car before leaning down.
"Message me when you get home?" she said, stealing a quick kiss on her cheek.
"I will." Stacey smiled. "Ikaw rin. Message mo 'ko pagdating mo sa gym, okay?"
Aiah nodded before closing the car door and making her way to her own ride.
Halfway through the drive, her phone buzzed.
‘Don't tire yourself too much, okay? Text me pagdating sa gym and when you get home. I love you, bub! 🩷’
Aiah couldn't help but smile as she typed out her reply.
The girls finally had a three-day break.
Well... almost.
Aside from a few personal schedules, they each had one deliverable to submit for an upcoming brand campaign.
Not long after, a message from Ms. MQ popped up in their group chat.
Ms. MQ: ‘Girls, check your emails, ha. I sent the ad content details you're supposed to do. Solo posts 'yan. Good luck!’
As expected, chaos immediately followed in their unhinged gc.
Mikha: May deadline?
Mikha: I'm going to Elyu. Anyone wants to join?
Sheena: Hala.
Sheena: Pwede sumama?
Sheena: Ay joke.
Sheena: Katamad.
Sheena: Enjoy, Mikha!
Sheena: Onti na lang, pa-TikTok influencer na 'ko. Video ko na, edit ko pa!
Jhoanna: Bebe, okay lang 'yan. Kwarta 'yan.
Colet: Okay lang ba chill lang na video?
Stacey chuckled before opening her email.
Hi Girls,
For this campaign, we'd like you to create a short lifestyle video showcasing a day in your active life. Feel free to include moments from your run, workout, rehearsals, or any activities that reflect your routine.
For solo projects like this, Stacey had always been a little competitive.
She could easily film snippets from rehearsals, call it a day, and submit.
But then...
An idea crossed her mind.
A slow smile spread across her face.
What if...
Without wasting another second, Stacey grabbed her phone and immediately started preparing everything she needed.
After two years of Aiah consistently asking Stacey to run with her, she finally decided that tomorrow would be the day.
The day they'd run together.
...Or walk.
Mostly walk.
Syempre takbo na makakasabay ako, 'di ba? Stacey thought to herself.
She started preparing everything she thought she'd need.
Running clothes. Check.
Her Apple Watch—which she usually wore as an accessory and rarely looked at unless it was to match her outfit. Check.
A cap.
A water bottle.
Her small Care Bears running bag from the last BINI Run.
Check, check, and check.
Then she downloaded Strava for the very first time.
Might as well make it look legit.
Stacey couldn't help but laugh at herself.
Hay nako, Ate Aiah... the things I do for you.
Everything was ready.
The only thing left to do was wake up early the next morning, commute to Aiah's condo, and surprise her with a morning run date.
Easy.
... Ata?
Stacey jolted awake.
5:00 a.m.
She stared at the time on her phone before her eyes widened.
She was supposed to wake up at 4:00 a.m. so she could get to Aiah's condo early..
"Punyeta."
She shot out of bed and hurriedly freshened up before changing into her running outfit.
The noise was enough to wake her mom.
"Anak, okay ka lang?"
"May maaga lang po akong errand, Ma!" Stacey answered while frantically stuffing her things into her running bag.
Before leaving, she quickly filmed a few clips for the brand deliverable she had to submit later.
Multitasking. Work and date my girlfriend.
Luckily, it was still early enough that booking a Grab only took a few seconds.
By 5:45 a.m., Stacey had arrived at Aiah's condo.
Thank goodness for the spare key Aiah had insisted she keep months ago.
The unit was still dark and unusually quiet.
As soon as the front door clicked shut, a familiar golden chow-spitz pup slowly padded out of the hallway.
Honey blinked sleepily at the unexpected visitor before giving a tiny stretch.
"Good morning, Honey," Stacey whispered with a smile, crouching down to pet her head. "Sorry, nagising kita."
Honey simply leaned into her hand, still looking half-asleep.
"Ay," Stacey giggled softly. "Gisingin na natin si Mommy, ha?"
Stacey quietly pushed open Aiah's bedroom door.
There she was.
Still fast asleep, wrapped up like a burrito in her blanket, looking far too peaceful to wake up.
For a brief second, Stacey considered abandoning the entire plan.
Forget running.
Forget Strava.
Forget this content I have to shoot.
She could just crawl into bed beside Aiah and spend the rest of the morning cuddling.
...
No.
Sayang.
She had planned this.
"Babe..."
Stacey sat on the edge of the bed and gently poked Aiah's cheek.
"Wake up. Samahan mo 'ko mag-run."
Aiah was always a light sleeper.
She slowly cracked one eye open. "Hmmm..."
Then promptly closed it again.
"Aiah." Stacey laughed. "Let's run."
"Staku?" Aiah mumbled, her words slurred with sleep. "Am I dreaming?"
"Run tayo, baby."
"Nananaginip ako..." she whispered, snuggling deeper into her pillow. "Staku won't run with me naman."
With that, she started drifting back to sleep.
"Baby, I'm here."
Stacey couldn't help but laugh.
"Run tayo habang maaga pa."
Aiah's brows slowly knitted together. "Huh?"
Still half-asleep, she reached for her phone and squinted at the screen.
5:47 a.m.
She looked back at Stacey.
"Why are you here this early, bub?"
"Tatakbo nga tayo."
Silence.
"...Really?"
"Oo nga." Stacey pointed at her outfit. "Nakabihis na nga ako, oh."
Aiah blinked once.
Twice.
If you like me blink twice?
Then she looked Stacey up and down.
Running shirt.
Running shorts.
Cap.
Running bag.
"...Really?!"
Her entire face lit up.
Stacey laughed.
"Yes, really. Now get up na."
Still unable to believe it, Aiah slowly sat up and glanced around the room.
"Baby, prank ba 'to?"
She even looked around as if expecting hidden cameras to pop out.
"Hindi nga!"
Aiah burst into laughter before pulling Stacey into a tight hug.
"Good morning, baby."
Stacey smiled against her shoulder.
"Good morning." She kissed Aiah's cheek. "Surprise."
She was about to pull away when Aiah only tightened her arms around her.
"Wait..."
She buried her face in Stacey's neck.
"Cuddle first."
Stacey chuckled. "Three minutes."
That earned an even tighter hug.
"Five."
"Tatanghaliin tayo."
"Ih."
"Aiah."
"Four?"
Stacey laughed, giving in as she hugged her back.
"Okay. Four."