Work Text:
Shaira and Gel had been best friends since they first met in junior high school. It happened during a fateful time of inter-school intramurals where the two were introduced to each other by their friend, Cal.
An instant connection was formed between the two.
Although with how totally opposite they are with each other; Gel being quiet and reserved, while Shaira being loud and sociable, they still found a common ground with each other’s contradicting personalities. They love the soft and calm atmosphere they bring when it's just the two of them. After school hours and none-busy weekends; just hanging out and bringing each other the energy that each other needed.
Gel became Shaira’s preferred quiet; Shaira became Gel’s comfortable noise.
“Bebe!” Shaira shouted when she saw Gel waiting for her at the gate of her school.
The intimidating stance and aura that Gel has been harboring since she came in the area dissolved and was replaced by gentleness when she smiled and waved at Shaira’s direction.
Cal noticed the interaction. Of course, she would. Ever since the two knew each other three months ago, Gel had been going on her way to fetch Shaira from their school. Mind you, the two don’t even live near each other; Gel and Shaira’s house were literally 3 streets away.
Heck. Gel’s school is even a barangay away from theirs!
Gel keeps fetching Shaira like it's the most sensible thing to do.
Cal didn’t say anything, though.
I mean, if they have something to say, they would say it.
College came and the two pursued different paths. Shaira had chosen a path for accountancy while Gel went with public administration. It meant the two had different schedules and activities–which means the two are going through a phase where their time with each other got limited.
The constraints didn’t make things worse for them; contrary, it made them value each other more.
Even if they both decided to not share an apartment to respect each other’s alone times and also studying habits, when some schedules permit that they hangout and rest with each other, they took those opportunities and spent time together as much as they could.
They do that every Saturday.
“Thank you, ate Mace. Gustong-gusto talaga ni bebe mga cookies mo.” Gel beamed while handing the four one-hundred peso bills for purchasing Mace’s homemade cookies. The said Ate handed the 14th box she had given to Gel since they knew each other.
They met two months ago.
“Beh, kada linggo ka na bumibili sa ‘kin. Ako dapat ata magpasalamat sayo kasi may pangbili ako lagi ng art materials.” Mace humored which made Gel chuckle. I mean, could you really blame her? Whenever she brings sweets to Shaira, the shorter girl just has this cute expression on her face and can help her instantly melt from the stress she’s going through from her degree program.
“Baka magkadyabetes yang bebe mo kakakain ng sweets, ah.”
“Pinagsasabihan ko naman na mag-ingat sa ngipin at kumain din ng healthy. Don’t worry.”
Mace cooed from Gel’s words and smiled, “Alam mo, ang swerte ng gi–”
“Bebe!” Shaira shouted from a distance when she recognized who the tall girl was. Gel heard the pet name and looked for the girl–who’s currently sprinting towards her direction.
“Hello, bebe.” Gel gently greeted when the shorter girl came in front of her. She pulled the girl into a short hug and kissed her left temple gently, causing Shaira to giggle.
“Here, bebe oh. I bought the cookies.”
“Thank you, bebe!” Shaira beamed and quickly kissed Gel’s right cheek.
“Siya nga pala, this is ate Mace. Siya gumagawa ng favorite cookies mo ngayon, bebe” Gel introduced.
“Hi, ate Mace! Favorite ko cookies mo, my gosh! Sobrang nakakawala ng stress!” Shaira gushed and clung to Gel’s right arm.
“Thank you! Ang kyut-kyut niyo naman.” Mace cooed again. If there’s anything sweeter from Mace’s cookies, it would be these two.
But, well, there’s just something Mace want to point out.
“Saan galing yung flowers, bebe? Kay Jasper na naman ba?” Gel asked, eyeing the red-wrapped bouquet that Shaira’s holding.
‘Na naman?’
“Oo. Bigay niya after ng class ko.”
“Ah, Maganda rin ah. Pero diba ayaw mo sa roses?” Gel quipped.
“Eh bukod sa maganda, ito yung favorite mo kaya maganda ilagay sa apartment mo for design.” Shaira explained like that would make the most sense in accepting big bouquets from someone.
Huh.
Mace mused. A little bit confused.
She didn’t point out anything, though. Didn’t try to clarify some things.
Mace just shrugged and bid her goodbye from the two.
When the two graduated from college and Shaira got busier preparing for CPALE, Gel respected her space and mostly visited the shorter girl when she was asked to. Most of Shaira’s time was spent reviewing with her closest college blockmate, Maxine, who’s also taking the upcoming CPALE.
It wasn’t intentional, but the more time the redhead gets to spend reviewing and talking with Shaira, the more she finds herself drawn to her. She did harbor a crush on the girl when they were still undergraduates, but it wasn’t as intense as she has felt now. Shaira had always been known as the campus crush; a pretty face and body, funny and entertaining, plus very much a smart girl–who’s top 3 of the whole ranking from their department. Of course it's certain everyone would be flocking their way towards her.
Maxine didn’t have the courage to own up to what she felt for such an amazing girl.
Maybe it's the right time now?
“Pagod na ako.” Shaira whined and knocked her head on the table. Maxine giggled and tried to reach out her hand and planning to gently pat the other girl’s head–
“Hey.” A voice came from their backs which instinctively made Maxine withdraw her hand. Both of them looked over from where the voice came and there she saw a tall, gorgeous blonde who’s carrying drinks in both of her hands.
Maybe not.
Shaira gasped and stood, “bebe!”
Gel placed the drinks on their table and gave the shorter girl a hug, “Hi, bebe.” The taller girl greeted gently and placed a kiss on Shaira’s forehead. “Wag mo naman gawin yun sa noo mo, bebe. Baka magkasugat ka.” Gel reprimanded and gently rubbed the shorter girl’s forehead with her thumb. Shaira just giggled and buried her face on the taller girl’s neck. “I’m so tired na kasi.” The shorter girl whined again that earned a hum from the latter.
Right. There was an actual reason why Maxine never got to confess what she felt for Shaira.
She never actually asked, nor anyone ever told anything, about what’s between Shaira and Gel.
It feels like everyone just assumed the two were together.
“You’re doing very well, bebe. Ipagluluto kita mamaya, hmm?”
“Wala ka ba work, bebe?”
“Tinapos ko na nang maaga. Holiday din naman bukas so walang extra work.” that earned a big smile from Shaira and looked at Gel. which then followed a frown after realizing something. “Ah, ano kasi…”
Gel already knew what the other girl would say and just placed another kiss from her forehead. “We can make adjustments, hmm? Reviewing is as important as your rest din. Pero kung ano gusto mo gawin, I’ll support you.”
That earned a smile from Shaira, “Okay. Let’s take a rest bukas.”
Gel smiled and pat Shaira’s head. “Okay. Review ka na ulit. Kita na lang tayo mamaya.” The taller girl bid her goodbye and left the two to focus again.
When Shaira sat down at her chair, Maxine noticed that Gel forgot to bring the other drink with her, “Gel forgot her drink.” The redhead pointed out.
“Ah, hindi. Hindi mahilig si bebe sa kape and nakwento ko rin naman noon na preferred coffee mo is americano.” Shaira explained like it's the most sensible thing when someone gives you coffee for the first time.
Maxine let out a silent sigh.
I should just start moving on instead.
Something shifted between Shaira and Gel when the latter got promoted from her office. Although both have been very busy with their own careers, Shaira had been noticing a different pattern from Gel. It’s not the kind of dramatic shift where the taller girl is less sweet and caring towards her. God, she’s even far more sweeter and caring than she ever was back when they were still in school. The shift was mostly on how Gel manages her time now with her and her friends; It's not like the shorter girl is forbidding Gel to have friends and spend time with them more than the two can have.
It's just that this…Joan…was mentioned more than 10 times this week.
It's making Shaira feel ugly things.
“Bebe, nagyaya si Joan mag dinner kasama si Ate Alaine.” Gel announced through the phone. “After ng dinner namin, punta ako sayo.”
There’s that name again. Well, there are more names but Joan was just being mentioned more than 10 times this week and it's making Shaira feel things that she couldn’t understand.
“No.”
“...no?”
Shaira took the phone away from her ear and released a sigh before putting it back again, “Wag ka na pumunta mamaya. Baka late rin ako makauwi kasi marami gagawin sa work.”
Gel didn’t answer that right away which made Shaira hear a little clearer from the taller’s surroundings. She could hear a faint laugh from the taller girl’s end and already knew who that voice came from. Si Joan na naman.
She did meet Joan before when Gel took Shaira with her on their dinner.
The shorter girl never liked Joan from the beginning. Shaira never really minded that Gel is spending time with Joan. It's just that when she was able to put a face on the girl, she didn’t expect her to be such a tall, gorgeous morena who could easily swoon everyone with her looks. If that wasn’t enough, the latter kept making Gel laugh and smile, too. It was something Shaira was very much proud of doing so effortlessly.
Now, someone’s doing it like she does.
“Okay.” Gel answered. “Bukas ba? Day Off naman natin pareho.”
“Sure ka?” Shaira looked at the calendar on her desk and noticed that tomorrow is usually Gel’s schedule to have some time off for herself. “Diba bukas yung araw mo magpahinga ng mag-isa?”
“Hmm? Yeah, it is nga pala.” Shaira could hear papers shuffling from the taller’s end. Probably checking the calendar she gifted her. “So, ikaw pupunta sa akin bukas kung ganun.” The taller girl said it like it made sense.
“Gusto mo ako andun sayo sa me-time mo?”
“Palagi naman? I mean, spending time with you is just another version of me-time.”
“Bebe, I’ll just yap your ear out.”
Gel giggled from the other line. “Palagi naman.”
Something tugged at Shaira’s chest when Gel said that softly, like it's always been that natural for Gel to be accustomed with the shorter girl’s antics and prefer it anyway than her own time to recharge from socializing.
“Okay. Bukas.” Shaira agreed.
Has there been something like this ever since?
“Okay, see you bukas–”
“Si Shaira yan? Hi Shaira! Pahiram muna ng g–”
Shaira ended the call before even letting Joan talk too much.
Something definitely shifted.
Shaira is finally feeling that shift that’s been bugging her since Joan came into the picture.
Now, there’s also a ‘Sabrina’.
“Bebe, tignan mo. Ang funny talaga ni Sab.” Gel giggled while looking at the governor’s daughter who’s animatedly making a face to make a kid laugh.
Joan’s beauty was that of a gorgeous morena that could make everyone swoon and fall for her. Typically the office crush you’d have. Sabrina’s however was a different kind. Their respected governor in this city had a daughter who’s very charming and eloquent, yet humble and fun to be with. Even Shaira admits that seeing Sabrina for the first time got her mesmerized by how stunning the girl is.
Sabrina was the epitome of sophistication and elegance; with her bright, porcelaine skin and a face and body that could match any model, even her bright, pink hair was perfect. The kind of beauty that anyone would want to kneel for. On top of that, she isn’t just a pretty face, but the most funny one, too. She has a sense of humor that could rival Shaira’s and is currently making Gel giggle and laugh often.
In which, now actually brings a very vile feeling inside Shaira’s chest.
If Joan was able to make Gel laugh and smile, Sabrina can actually make Gel talk and yap; something Gel isn’t much fond of doing, unless it's Shaira.
Now, there’s a Sabrina.
Shaira didn’t react nor say anything and just focused herself on checking the toys on the shelves. Gel noticed the shift in the atmosphere and decided to turn her body towards the shorter girl and properly faced her. Shaira could see Gel trying to look at her face; like she’s trying to know what’s on the shorter girl’s head as of the moment.
“Napapansin ko lang,” Gel started and gently caressed Shaira’s arm. “You’ve been stressed lately. May mali ba, bebe?” The taller girl then placed her right hand on the shorter girl’s left cheek and caressed them softly using her thumb.
The shorter girl feigned innocence and faced the taller one. “Hmm? Wala naman. Bakit?”
Gel examined the other intently, which broke the shorter girl for a few seconds with how the taller one seemed to look at her so gently on her eyes even though a noticeable frown was creasing on her forehead.
Has this been happening ever since?
Shaira felt her initial resolve of acting a bit upset and gave Gel a soft smile. “Wala nga, bebe. I’m perfectly fine.”
Ever since the two knew each other back in junior high, Shaira never really looked this much at Gel while noticing the shift between them. She had always believed that Gel coming into her life was destined; that somehow in this vast, wide universe, a tall, skinny blonde who’s the total opposite of her personality was someone fated for her.
Her best friend.
“Kayo talagang magjowa, kahit sa toy store ang lagkit magtinginan. Pati ba naman bata ayaw niyo palampasin?” She heard Sab complain in the background.
Magjowa?
It felt like a bucket of ice got doused on Shaira.
Wait.
“Anong magjowa?” Shaira asked and looked at Sabrina, whose hands are on her hips, looking at the two with feign annoyance.
“Syempre kayo? Duh, sino pa ba dito kung makatingin sa isa’t isa na parang sa inyo lang yung mundo?” Okay now, Shaira is confused.
Kailan naging kami ni Gel?
Gel, sensing the further shift with the look on Shaira’s face, slightly tilted her head in worry. “Are you really okay, bebe?”
Strange. Bakit hindi nagtataka si bebe na tinawag kaming magjowa?
Okay, now, Shaira is totally confused. It felt like ever since meeting Gel up until now was something she had skipped, but at the same time still perfectly remembered.
I mean, best friends do all the stuff they do together, right?
The walk backs from school to home; Gel fetching her from her classes and Shaira waiting for Gel to get her.
The countless dates they have each month; breakfast, lunch, and fancy dinners. Even midnight picnics.
The sleepovers; at this point they could’ve just bought a place together with how each other’s closets have their own clothes.
The sweet kisses on each other’s faces.
The ring.
The ring.
Shaira looked at the beautiful, thin gold ring with an alexandrite sitting at the top that’s shining a purple-ish red with the current lighting on her left hand’s ring finger. The shorter girl blinked rapidly with how the shift from her brain was finally dawning on her.
Oh my God.
“Bebe?” Shaira called out, still looking at the ring on her hand. Everything is making sense to her now, even though she wasn’t even questioning everything up until now. Gel this time looked at her with total worry, using her hand to lift Shaira’s chin to make the girl look at her eye to eye. “Yes, bebe?”
Those piercing brown eyes. Shaira was a little lost in her thoughts, like somehow she had missed this part of being together with Gel for so long. It's been 15 years since they knew each other. Half of our lives. It took Shaira 15 years to notice everything, and eventually realize the feeling on her chest.
Those were jealousy from Joan and Sabrina.
“Pwede ba tayong umuwi na? Gusto ko magcuddle.” Shaira pouted. This totally earned a giggle from Gel and hugged the shorter girl.
“Okay. Uuwi na tayo.”
“Aba, ‘tong dalawang ito talaga.”
Maybe Joan and Sabrina coming into the picture wasn’t so bad.
Alaine, however, was a different story.
Shaira had met her before and had felt no danger from her like how she felt from Joan and Sabrina.
Sure, Alaine could be simply compared to a goddess; her beauty is immaculate and breathtaking. Looking at her feels like you’re seeing the queen of heaven and is granting you the privilege to look closely at what God had created with utmost care and precision. On top of that, she is smart, sporty, and the kindest, too.
Shaira didn’t see her as someone she’d have to worry around Gel.
It's just that, she heard Alaine had feelings for Gel.
Joan mentioned it in a passing conversation when the two were left together by Gel. Although, it wasn’t told like a bit of some warning for Shaira and more like a matter-of-fact information and that Alaine did somehow not pursue what she felt.
It's a different story to see Gel so soft and calm whenever Alaine was around her space.
Gel did tell her that Alaine was someone she had counted on when she first got hired in the office. The beaut had always been hands on and guided Gel when the latter decided to join organizations and started to work for them. Alaine was perfect in every way and knows how to match Gel’s energy.
Shaira never really paid a mind about that.
It’s just that, she is most certainly aware now with what she feels for Gel.
It was stupid of her that it took 15 years to realize that. Of course, she has feelings for Gel. It never really crossed her mind that at the age of 30, she never got into relationships or even dated anyone way back. She had an Angeline Apuli to focus on with everything of her being.
Maybe it's time to actually say something now.
“Bebe?” Shaira called out after putting down the utensils she’s using. The two decided to have dinner at a fancy restaurant that had opened near Gel’s apartment. They even decided to wear something that could match the vibe for such a high-end restaurant; Shaira in a fitted thin-strapped black dress that’s perfectly showing off her curves and exposing her sculpted shoulders. Gel on the other hand, was wearing an elegant white off-shoulder dress that ends on the middle of her thigh. The dress gave her a smooth and milky complexion, also accentuating her long legs.
Gel had always been such a beautiful woman.
“Yes, bebe? Did you like the food?” Gel answered while twirling the pasta in her fork. “Masarap yung carbonara nila. But I think you’d still prefer the one in our usual place.”
God, Gel knew her so much–too much even at this point that Shaira hadn't even tasted the said food and the taller girl already knew that she’d still prefer the one they’d frequented from the past years being together.
She should say something now.
“Bebe, gusto kita.” Shaira declared confidently, albeit feeling that little fear inside her stomach on how Gel would react from her confession.
Gel stopped the movement from her hand and looked at Shaira, whose eyes looked determined and honest, but the faint twitch on her lip that Gel noticed, is a sign of nervousness that the latter could tell.
When Gel didn't answer right away, Shaira took this as a sign to say more. “I know medyo long overdue na yung pagconfess ko sayo since I believe I did start having feelings for you when we were freshmen pa. Honestly, nagulat din ako na it took me this much time to even realize na may feelings pala ako sayo. Heck, we're already in our 30s! Ba’t hindi man lang ako nagtaka na wala pa tayo naging jowa for such a long time? Ewan ko ba if we were just too busy with school and career or talagang kampante ako kasi lagi kang nandyan for me.” Shaira chuckled and reached out her hand to hold Gel’s.
“I’m sorry that it took me this long, but I hope bigyan mo ako ng chance to love you properly, to be officially and honestly treat you like a girlfriend.”
Gel’s face then shifted into a look of confusion that seemed to heighten Shaira’s anxiety.
Did I misread everything?
She was about to retract her hand from holding Gel’s but the latter held hers before she could even let go. The look of confusion was still visibly from her face that then eventually turned into understanding
A laugh came out from her lips.
Shaira didn’t know if she should feel offended or hurt, or maybe both from Gel’s reaction. She tried to take her hand away again from the taller girl but it just strengthened the hold that she has on her.
“No, wait. I didn’t mean to mock you or anything. Sa totoo lang, sa sarili ako ko kamo natatawa, bebe.” Gel stopped laughing and smiled.
“Bakit ka naman matatawa sayo, bebe?”
A visible blush rose from the taller girl’s cheeks that Shaira couldn’t help but be awed at how even more beautiful it made Gel under her makeup.
“Bebe, matagal na kitang gusto. Mahal, actually.” Gel declared that set fireworks on Shaira’s chest and heat crept up on her face.
“I have loved you ever since we met, Shaira.” The taller girl confessed with so much conviction that Shaira could feel her whole body vibrate with too much kilig.
“And...I assumed we were already together.”
That made Shaira pause.
“Ano?”
A look of embarrassment contorted Gel’s face but she was still smiling, seeing fun with how Shaira reacts at her admission. “I mean, palagi tayong magkasama tapos kahit sinong manliligaw sa ‘tin, ‘di natin pinapansin kasi nga, ayon, tayo lagi magkasama.” She felt Gel’s thumb brushing on the ring that Gel gave her six years ago, after Shaira passed the licensure exam and became a CPA. “This ring…was actually an engagement one, and I think you don't remember because you were half asleep when I asked you in the middle of the night.” Gel’s face even got redder, fully realizing how the two have totally misread each other.
Everything finally made sense.
“So you mean to tell me…?”
“Yeah. Akala ko tayo na. 10 years ago pa.”
Well, why the hell did nobody say anything!?