Reaching You

tres

ALIANNA

I woke up to the soft glow of my bedside lamp, its light filtering through the curtains like a hesitant breeze. It was a new day, yet the weight of yesterday still cloaked me in its stubborn shadows. I thought about Maven—I pulled the cover over my head, hoping to hide from the memories, Especially what happened sa cr. It all started innocently enough. I had wanted to reach out, to pour out my thoughts after I received an unexpected message from Maven late in the evening. I read it over and over, heart racing, mind swirling in disbelief. I spent half the night drafting replies. In the end, exhaustion took over, and I put my phone down, the conversation hanging unanswered like a song without a melody.

I never thought being the president of Ateneo would feel so much like a balancing act on a tightrope. I was gliding through my responsibilities, organizing events, holding meetings, and trying desperately to keep my peers engaged in the visions I had for our school. But then Maven stepped into the picture—transferring in mid-year like a breath of fresh air, and suddenly, the ground beneath me felt like quicksand.

Maven wasn't just your average new student; she had an aura about her that drew attention in the most subtle way. It was in the way she walked, her head held high, closely guarded yet undeniably captivating; lurking beneath my school president duties was a profound desire to connect—to know her story, her dreams.

I'm just curious okay?

Bakit ba ako nag e-explain!??!!?

I decided na bumangon bago pa kami magsabunutan ni self. I need to get ready na dahil may class pa rin ako.

MAVEN

On my way to class, I moved through the halls like a ghost, avoiding eye contact with the small group of students and friends who usually made the routine feel lighter. I could hear Sheena's laugh, somewhere in the distance. So it means kasama niya si Ali. The thought of seeing her made my chest tighten with a mix of dread and longing. I don't want to face her dahil sa hiya.

I kept my head down, rushing to my seat at the back, far from the laughter that washed over the rest of the hallway.

As the lecture progressed, Kanina pa rin akong dinadaldal ni Sheena. Nang biglang bumukas ang pinto. I felt a gnawing pull, a gravitational force that made me glance towards the door. There she was—Ali, vibrant as ever, her light brown hair falling effortlessly over, her smile captivating the attention of everyone around her.

"I'm sorry for being 10 minutes late, prof. I just need to fix some important matter sa council." she explained.

She's my blockmate?!?!?!

"The Dean already told me that, Miss. Arceta. You may take your seat beside Maki" 

The class ended and here we are at the cafeteria picking our foods, we were with Sheena earlier but she said na kakaunin muna niya sila Gab and Maloi from their classes. Ali's eyes flickering towards mine, searching for acknowledgment. I could feel the insistent tug of her gaze. Was she waiting for me to say something? Was she waiting for me to let her in, to break this silence that had formed like a wall between us?

"Maven, are you coming?" she asked. I opened my mouth, prepared to decline, but instead, the words died on my lips. 

"Uhm yeah, let's go" she smiled and reached my hand as we walk to their spot. 

I could feel a slight tremor of anticipation in my stomach as I sat across from Ali at their spot. All I could think about was what had happened yesterday at the bathroom—a moment that felt like lightning striking between us, unexpected yet exhilarating. There we sat, supposed to enjoy a casual lunch with Maloi, Sheena, one of Ali's closest friends, along with my cousin Gab. But beneath the surface, I sensed currents of tension we still hadn't addressed.

"Are you alright?" Ali asked, her beautiful eyes scanning my face. Her brow furrowed slightly. I nodded "You seemed distant"

I took a steadying breath, forcing myself to smile. "I'm fine, just thinking about my parents," I lied. The reality was that what should have been an innocuous opening event had turned into a tangled mess of emotions. 

Sheena swept in with a boisterous laugh that broke through the charged atmosphere. "Hey, lovebirds! Sorry to keep you waiting. Ang tagal kasi ni ate Loi eh, inip na inip tuloy kami ni bebe." she plopped down in the chair next to Ali with a dramatic flair that lightened my mood, at least momentarily. As she launched into a story about our lecture, I couldn't help but steal glances at Ali. She was just so captivating, a magnetic presence that drew me in. The way she brushed her hair away from her forehead when she laughed, the gentle curve of her smile—they wrapped around me like a thick, comforting blanket.

While Maloi rambled on about her misadventures, the unspoken words between Ali and I hung heavy in the air. Every glance turned into a silent conversation. I could tell she was wrestling with the same thoughts I was. Just as I decided I couldn't take it any longer, Ali caught my eye and held it, a flicker of understanding passing between us like an unvoiced agreement to dive headfirst into the chaos that awaited.

"Hey, Mav," Gab interjected, pulling me back to the surface. "You and Ali seemed pretty chummy yesterday. What was that about?" Her innocent question felt like a cannonball tossed into the still waters of our dilemma. My heart thudded, and I saw Ali tensing slightly beside me, ready to extinguish whatever fire was rising.

I looked at Ali, our unspoken connection almost palpable. "Yeah, we had a little moment," I said, trying to sound breezy while my cheeks heated.

"ANO?!?!?!" sabay-sabay nilang sigaw.

"Can you guys be quiet naman" saway sa kanila ni Ali.

"Teka lang kasi... What do you mean by "had a little moment." ha, Maven" taas kilay na tanong ni Maloi.

"What I meant was, I accidently poured some juice on her shirt while she was tickling me... nahiya ako kasi napagpalit ko pa si Ali nang wala sa oras after you guys went home." I lied.

Ali cleared her throat, she reached under the table, gently squeezing my hand, grounding me amidst the swirl of my feelings. The three looked at us suspiciously and started eating.

They're busy chitchatting about the music event that they planning to do when—"Maven, you should join the band for the upcoming event!" Gab declared.

The very thought of it made my heart race. I had spent most of my life submerged in the shadows of musicians whose talent reminded me of the dreams I tucked away. The band was this chaotic constellation of raw energy, musical spontaneity, and boundless passion, and I was merely... me. My hands had never held a guitar in front of anyone but myself, and the thought of facing Ali—made my stomach twist in knots.

"I don't play any instruments" I lied again. 

"Sus, You can play any instrument nga nung bata pa tayo eh" Gab stated that made the girls amazed. Tinignan ko naman ito nang masama at ang loko dinilaan lang ako.

"Perfect! You should audition tomorrow, Maven." Masayang sabi ni Maloi

"Performing is not my thing" I said without any emotions. The truth is, someone made me stopped playing instruments. 

"Dali na huy, kasama mo naman ako." pangungulit ni Maloi.

"Lead vocalist 'yan si ate Maloi." Sheena proudly said. 

"Please, Maven? kulang talaga kami sa performer" Maloi held my hands and pouted.

She's cute, she's like a baby na hindi nabigyan ng candy

"You should give it a try, Maven." Ali coldy said, agad din namang tinanggal ni Maloi ang kamay niya sa pagkakahawak sa kamay ko.

"I'll give it a try" I looked at Ali and smiled. Wala namang mawawala kung susubukan ko ulit, right?

"THANK YOU, MAVEN!!" Maloi happily said at niyakap ako.

"Ehem, Let's go. Lunch time is over." Ali coughed at nauna umalis.

"Bebe, I want some coffee JELLY" sigaw ni Sheena kahit katabi niya naman si Gab and both of them giggled.

This coupal is weird