HOOPS-LOOPS || BINI UNI #1 [MIKHAIAH AU]

Chapter 9: Connection

The next day, after a campus event, Aya realized that her sketching materials were missing. Panic surged through her as she frantically searched her room, overturning drawers and rummaging through her desk.

"Hala, nasaan na sketchbook ko? I need it for my project!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with desperation.

Her heart raced as she retraced her steps in her mind. She couldn't remember where she might have left it.

Mav, who was busy playing with her phone, paused and saw Aya's frustration building up. She put down her phone and approached her. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice was gentle.

"I lost my sketchbook. It has all my important work in it!" Aya's eyes were wide with worry.

Mav's eyes softened. She remembered the time Aya had shown her some of her artwork, and she knew how much her sketches meant to her.

"Tara, Let's go look for it. I'll help you," Mav reassured her, placing a comforting hand on Aya's shoulder.

They set off across the campus.

Their first stop was the art studio, a spacious room filled with the smell of paint and charcoal.

Aya hurriedly scanned the tables while Mav checked the other side. "Nakita mo na ba?" Aya asked, her voice hopeful.

Mav shook her head. "Nope, not here. Let's check the library."

In the library, Aya checked the study tables while Mav asked the librarian if anyone had found a sketchbook. "No luck here either," Aya sighed, disappointment creeping into her voice.

Undeterred, Mav suggested, "Let's try sa cafeteria. You might have left it there during lunch."

In the bustling cafeteria, Aya scanned the tables where she had sat earlier, while Mav asked the staff if anyone had seen a sketchbook.

Aya's hope was waning, her shoulders slumping with each place they checked.

"It's not here either," Aya muttered, frustration evident in her voice.

Finally, they arrived at a classroom Aya had visited earlier in the day.

To her immense relief, her sketchbook was sitting on a desk, right where she had left it.

"There you go. You left it here. Be more careful next time, Miraya," Mav said, handing the sketchbook back to Aya.

Aya's shoulders sagged with relief. "Thank you so much, Mavy."

Mav gave a small nod, a hint of a smile on her lips.

-

After the incident with her sketchbook, Aya finds herself deeply grateful to Mav for her help.

Aya sat at her desk, her sketchbook open in front of her, but her thoughts drifted to Mav and the morning's events. She couldn't shake off the relief she felt when Mav had come to her aid.

"Mav, thank you so much for helping me find my sketchbook kanina," Aya said, her voice filled with gratitude.

Mav, who was organizing her sports gear nearby, looked up and nodded in response.

Aya smiled warmly. "You really saved me back there. I don't know what I would have done without you."

Mav shrugged, a faint smile crossing her lips. "Alam ko naman kung gaano ka-importante ng sketches mo sa'yo."

Aya nodded, feeling a rush of appreciation for Mav's straightforward kindness. "Well, thank you again. Seriously."

Mav waved it off casually, but Aya could see a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. "Don't mention it. Let's just focus on getting through this crazy semester, yeah?"

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