Can't find way out ASHA

Hope

That evening, sprawled on my bed with the comforting glow of my phone screen lighting up my face, I was mid-rant with Jo. She’s always been my go-to person, my emergency hotline whenever I need to release all the pent-up emotions from my office drama. And tonight, the drama was on another level. Cue Asha Drama Hour.

“Jo, grabe! Ang dami kong ganap sa office! Tapos si Kyle pa… don’t even get me started!” I exclaimed, waving my hands like a madwoman, as if she could see me through the phone. “The guy is everywhere! Pogi siya, Jo, pero player. The distraction is too real. I mean, paano ako magfo-focus sa trabaho kung parang lagi siyang nasa tabi ko? Ugh!”

Jo’s voice on the other end was calm as ever, but I could hear her smile. “Asha, kalma. You’re spiraling again. Pero wait, about Kyle… may chika ako.”

That got me sitting up. “Hala, ano yan?! Spill the tea, girl! Huwag mong tipirin! Mas pogi ba siya sa chismis o mas malala?”

She giggled. “Well, it’s complicated. I knew Kyle back in high school, Asha. Like, legit classmate ko siya. His family, grabe, super loaded.”

My eyes widened. “No way! As in, alam mo na all his secrets from before he became this mysterious flirt machine? Jo, bakit ngayon mo lang sinasabi?!”

“Girl, I just didn’t think it mattered! Pero since you’re all worked up about him, let me tell you this: his family is the epitome of old money. As in, his dad? Super successful businessman. And yung tita niya, yung chairwoman niyo sa company? That’s his beauty queen tita.”

I gasped dramatically, clutching my pillow. “WHAT?! Yung boss na flawless kahit anong angle, kahit naka-Zoom?!”

“Yes, exactly. Yung tita niyang sobrang ganda at graceful—that’s her. Their family is like high society royalty. Rich, perfect, good-looking... the whole package. But, but, don’t let that fool you. Kyle, despite all the wealth and status, was always in trouble back in high school. Madaming drama. And, oh, he had… many girls.”

I cringed. “Ugh, I knew it. So the rumors are true? Player alert. Pero wait, what if nagbago na siya? You know… sometimes, people change, di ba? Don’t judge a book by its chismis!”

Jo laughed. “Asha, wag kang magpaka-hopeful diyan, ha. I know you want to see the best in people, pero sometimes, a player is just… a player. Huwag mo siyang gawing project. Focus on your work and keep your heart safe.”

I groaned, rolling over and burying my face in my pillow. “I know, I know! But Jo, he’s not just a typical office crush, okay? There’s something about him… ang bait minsan, tapos ang pogi pa. Parang minsan nakakalimutan ko yung chismis. Pogi privilege talaga! I can’t help but think, what if hindi siya ganun kalala? What if ako yung turning point niya?”

Jo’s voice turned firm. “Asha, listen to me. Don’t let pogi privilege cloud your judgment. You’ve got too much going on to be sidetracked by a bad boy redemption arc. Focus on your career, and wag ka masyadong ma-soft-hearted, ha? Baka ikaw pa yung masaktan.”

I sighed dramatically, throwing an arm over my eyes. “Fine, fine. Pero don’t you think everyone deserves a second chance? What if he’s misunderstood? Baka lang naman there’s more to him than the chismis.”

Jo’s tone softened. “Yeah, people can change, sure. Pero wag mong ilagay yung sarili mo in a situation na ikaw yung magsa-suffer dahil sa mga issues nila. Be careful. Kyle might be charming, but that doesn’t mean you have to let him in.”

I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “Okay, Jo. I’ll try. I’m just… hoping he’s not as bad as the rumors say. Pero kung totoo nga lahat… well, at least I’ll be prepared.”

“Exactly,” Jo said. “Pero don’t get too invested until you’re sure. Sige na, matulog ka na. Tomorrow’s a new day, baka pag-gising mo wala na yang kilig kay Kyle. Pogi lang yan!”

We ended the call, but my mind was far from settled. I tossed my phone onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. The conversation kept replaying in my head, especially what Jo said about Kyle being full of drama back in high school.

But then, I remembered that ride home.

The rest of the ride was quiet, but not the awkward kind of quiet. It was more like a calm after the storm. When he dropped me off at my house, I thanked him and watched as he drove away.

And that’s when it hit me. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to Kyle than the rumors. Maybe he really could change.

But as I lay in bed that night, I promised myself one thing: I won’t let myself fall so easily. Kyle will have to prove he’s more than just chismis. And no matter how pogi he is, I won’t let my heart get ahead of me.

But still… a tiny part of me hoped.