Reaching You

cuatro

ALIANNA

After seeing Loi hugged Maven. I couldn't shake the annoyance that churned in my chest. Should I pull Maven aside? Every option spiraled into a new layer of complexity, but before I could decide. I chose to stormed out, away from them.

NAKAKAINIS

I arrived at the room kinda early. So pinili kong mag basa na lang habang naghihintay sa iba. I only have one same subject with maven, which is Philosophy. May same subject kasi sa Engineering at Law kaya I told dean na I wanted to sit in sa kanila, pumayag naman ito.

Minutes later, The lecturing started.

MAVEN

My mind wandering as I gathered my books after a particularly grueling class. That's when I spotted Ali. Her warm smile was like a beacon in the crowd, and for a moment, the world around me faded. The sunlight catching the dips and highlights of her hair. My heart raced as I approached her, the moment feeling like a scene from a movie where everything was perfectly aligned in the universe.

"Hey, Maven!" she called out, her voice vibrant with an enthusiasm that never failed to make me smile. There was something infectious about Ali; she had this ability to light up a room, to make you feel seen in a crowd, and I felt that warmth rush through me as I stepped closer. I took a breath, my palms slightly sweaty, knowing the stakes in this casual invitation.

I just want to be close to her

The words tumbled out before I had a chance to second-guess myself. "Ali, would you like to grab some ice cream?" The question snagged in the air, hanging between us like a fragile promise. I held my breath, heart thrumming nervously as I watched her expression shift from surprise to a soft, delighted grin.

"Are you asking me out on a date?" Ali's teasing tone was playful, yet I could sense the underlying curiosity. Her dark eyes sparkled with mischief, but I saw sincerity lurking there too-an invitation to an adventure just for the two of us. I felt the heat rise to my cheeks, not quite able to muster a witty comeback. Instead, I shrugged, an awkward gesture that belied the careful thought I had put into this very moment. "Maybe I am," I dared, my voice barely above a whisper.

Anticipation coursed through me, mingled with anxiety. I constantly imagined worst-case scenarios: what if the ice cream melted too quickly on this warm summer evening? What if we ran out of things to talk about? I felt a spark of hope flutter in my chest. The thrill of vulnerability sharpened the edges of my excitement, and I could just picture us, side-by-side, licking ice cream cones and sharing laughter.

All my worries evaporating in the warmth of her presence. As we walked to the little shop down the street, we talked about everything and nothing. The way she threw her head back in laughter and how her eyes crinkled at the corners made my heart swell.

We stepped inside, and the sweetness of waffle cones and the sounds of happy chatter surrounded us, mixing in delightful chaos. Ali stood next to me, her eyes gleaming with excitement like a child. "So, what flavor are you getting?" she asked, already bouncing on her heels.

Cutie Ali

"Hmm I'd go for classic vanilla," I replied casually, but in truth, my heart skipped a beat at the thought of the green tea-flavored options trembling in the corner of my vision. Ali's eyes widened as if I had just confessed to stealing the last game console. "Vanilla? Such a safe bet! Are you sure you're not feeling adventurous?" Her voice was teasing, and I rolled my eyes, but I could feel my competitive spirit rising. Of course, I wasn't going to let Ali get the last laugh-"Okay, fine! I'll take matcha and mango!" I declared defiantly.

As we moved to the counter, Ali ordered something equally loud-a triple scoop of rainbow unicorn, topped with cotton candy and gummy bears. I almost choked on my amusement. She had the weirdest taste, and I loved it. The ice cream lady-who looked like she had just stepped off a trendy TikTok video-laughed as she piled the toppings high.

I tried to do the vendors of Dairy Queen na binabaliktad yung ice cream, hindi ko pa nababaliktad ito nang ayos, nalaglag na agad.

"Wala tayo sa DQ!" shouted the ice cream lady, barely containing her laughter. Ali burst out in an uncontrollable fit, the sound echoing like the vibrant ice cream truck back in my childhood. I stood frozen, my cheeks flaming in embarrassment, wishing I could dissolve into a puddle of mango. "What flavor is that-an explosion of shame?" She teased, finally managing to catch her breath. My pride was crumbling as fast as the mounds of melted ice cream pooling by my shoes.

In the end, I simply joined Ali in ordering a legendary sundae big enough to feed a family of four, brightening our spirits along the way. Sitting on a bench outside, ice cream in hand, I felt the world drop away. It was just us. Each laugh, every shared glance seemed to weave a story of its own. As the sun dipped below the horizon and painted the sky in hues of pink and orange, I knew that I had taken a risk-but it felt exhilarating. I glanced at Ali, her eyes shining with something unnamable, and suddenly the weight of the moment settled on me. As I realized that sharing an ice cream could bring two distinct flavors together-no matter how chaotic the mix. It might be over-the-top, and life's mishaps could occur, but sitting there, indulging in sweet, messy memories, I knew that this was just the beginning of our adventures together. knowing that while we could be reckless, at least we could always sweeten our story with a cherry on top.

(stream cherry on top mga bading!!)

Once our cup were empty, I was struck by the abruptness of the moment. The time had come for our well-rehearsed farewell, but my mind buzzed with an unwritten script. "Want me to drive you home?" I offered, trying to appear nonchalant while the butterflies in my stomach danced chaotically. Ali's face lit up, a smile spreading to reveal those perfect dimples I had come to adore. "Absolutely! Plus, I can't decide if I have room for more ice cream," she teased, casting a sideways glance.

We climbed into my car, the familiar scent of pine from the air freshener mingling with the echoes of laughter. With each turn, I stole glances at Ali's profile illuminated by the soft glow of the dashboard lights. My thoughts raced, wondering if she felt the same pull I did, or if I was simply overthinking things.

"I had a great time tonight," she said, breaking the stillness that had grown thick between us.

"I think we should do it again. Like, a lot." dagdag niya pa. I felt a jolt of electricity at her words, and for a brief moment, I thought she could read my mind.

"Definitely," I replied, a hitch in my voice I tried to suppress. "I mean, ice cream is one of the great loves of my life." We both chuckled, yet beneath the laughter, a seriousness lingered.

As we approached her condo building, the headlights of the car illuminated the path, but the glow only seemed to cast shadows over the tension that had developed. I parked the car, the sound of the engine sputtering into silence echoed with leaves rustling outside. Ali turned to face me, "Take care, Maven."

"Have a good night, Ali" I patted her head as she waved a goodbye.

"Text me when you get home ha! Drive safe" she smiled

"Yes, Ma'am!" I playfully salute.

"I had a good time with you, Maven." she gave me her sweetest smile.

"Likewise, Ali. I gotta go na so you can rest" she nodded and pumasok na sa condo niya.

What a day