Hate That I Love You

20: good to be true

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ASHIANNA

The following day, things felt different. I caught myself replaying last night over and over—her words, her touch, the way she looked at me as if I was the only person in the room.

Mavis was proving herself in ways I hadn't anticipated, and now I felt myself pulled toward something I had once sworn to keep at a distance.

It was a Wednesday, the school grounds quiet except for the faint sounds of a soccer practice nearby.

Mavis had invited me to study together for our upcoming exams. Even though we were at school, it felt like a new kind of territory for us—a place where she wasn't Mavis, the girl who made my life a nightmare, but Mavs, someone who might just care about me.

I walked into the study hall, spotting her at a table near the window, a faint beam of sunlight illuminating her red hair.

She was scribbling something in her notebook, lips pursed in focus. A book on her hand as her glasses were attempting to fall from the bridge of her nose.

'ang pogi'

There was an undeniable calm around her—so different from the image I had of her when we first met.

“Hoy, I'm here” I announced, sliding into the seat across from her.

She looked up, her face brightening instantly. “Ashi! I thought you wouldn't come.”

“Bakit naman? Sabi ko nga sayo di ba? I'll give you a chance. Pero, study lang 'to ha, saka na yung iba” I teased, crossing my arms.

She chuckled, hands raised in surrender. “Promise, it's all about studying today. No tricks, no games.”

I glanced at her pile of books, impressed. “Grabe, parang seryoso ka talaga ah. Di ko nga alam na ganito ka ka-prepared.”

“Baka naman kaya kita na-corner bilang partner kasi I want to study with you?” She teased, her eyes sparkling mischievously.

I laughed, shaking my head. “Mavis, alam mo, minsan nakakatakot na hindi kita nakikilala nang ganito before.”

Her smile softened, and for a moment, she looked almost vulnerable. “Maybe because this is the first time na pinapakita ko‘tong side ko— ang angas ko kasi dati, cool na pogi pa" Pag boboost niya kaya I snorted but she just chuckled.

"But thanks for giving me a chance, Ash.” She sincerely added. I nodded, feeling a strange warmth bloom inside me.

For a while, we focused on our books, occasionally throwing quiet remarks back and forth. There was a comfort in the silence between us, one I hadn't felt before.

As the hours went by, we shared jokes, notes, and quiet glances that said more than words ever could.

Just when I thought things were winding down, Mavis broke the silence.

“By the way, may binili pala ako para sayo” She said, pulling a small paper bag out of her backpack and placing it in front of me.

“Ano‘to?” I asked, raising an eyebrow, curious but a little hesitant.

She grinned. “Basta, just open it, it's cute.”

I unwrapped the package carefully, revealing a small notebook, its cover hand-painted with soft pastel colors and floral patterns.

Inside, she'd written something on the first page:

“For my boss baby—para sa lahat ng bagay na gusto mo pang matutunan, at sa mga alaala na sana maalala mo kasama ako.”

I swallowed, feeling my throat tighten at her words. She noticed my reaction, her face tinged with a mixture of hope and nervousness.

“Alam ko medyo cheesy ‘to, pero gusto ko lang... gusto ko lang ipaalam na nandito ako lagi para sayo” She admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “Na kahit ano mangyari, Ash, kahit gaano pa katagal bago ka magtiwala ulit— I'm here.”

For a moment, I couldn't find the words. Mavis, who once drove me up the wall with her pranks and arrogance, was now sitting across from me, vulnerable and open in a way I hadn't expected.

“Thank you” I managed, closing the notebook and holding it close. “Alam mo, hindi ko inakala  na pwede palang maging ganito tayo.”

Her face lit up, the weight in her eyes lifting as she smiled. “I'm glad na ganito tayo ngayon, Ash. Hindi ko akalain na magiging open ka sa'kin, pero natutuwa akong nagbigay ka ng chance sa'kin.”

“Wag ka munang masyadong umasa” I replied, my voice is light but my smile is genuine. “Pero I think I'm glad too.”

We continued studying, but now, the atmosphere feels warmer and more comfortable.

There was something thrilling and calming at the same time about being with her—an unspoken understanding, a quiet joy that neither of us wanted to disturb.

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As the day came to an end, we walked out of the school together, the setting sun casting a golden glow over the campus.

I hadn't realized how much time had passed, or how easy it had become to talk to her without any of the walls I had kept up for so long.

Mavis walked beside me, her hands stuffed into her pockets, looking at ease in a way that made me smile.

When we reached the gate, she stopped, looking down at me with a soft smile.

“Salamat ulit, Ashi. Sana  mas dumami pa ‘tong mga ganitong araw.”

I felt a flutter in my chest, my heart betraying me with its hopeful beat. “Mavis, hindi ko alam kung ano ‘tong nangyayari ngayon pero gusto ko rin na mas makilala ka pa.”

She took a small step closer, her gaze locking with mine. “Then let me show you, Ash. Kung gusto mo, ako na bahala.”

A nervous laugh escaped me, but I didn't pull away. “Baka kasi hindi ka seryoso, Mavs. Baka hanggang salita ka lang ulit.”

Her hand reached for mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I'm serious, Ash. I'm not playing around anymore. I want to be real with you.”

Before I could respond, she leaned in and placed a soft, fleeting kiss on my forehead, her breath warm against my skin. It was gentle, cautious—yet filled with sincerity that made my heart race.

"Mahal kita, I hope you know that, Ashianna" She smiled.

I pulled back, flustered but unable to hide the smile spreading across my face. “You really know how to get me ha.”

She grinned, her eyes twinkling with a mix of mischief and sincerity. “Ako pa— ano, Ashi? next time, date na tayo?”

I laughed, feeling my cheeks heat up as I tried to mask my excitement. “Bahala ka na nga, basta let's see.”

As she walked away, I realized something had shifted between us. Mavis had shown me a part of herself I hadn't known existed, and it was one I was beginning to like.

As I clutched the notebook she'd given me, I couldn't help but wonder if this was the beginning of something more, something real.

And maybe, just maybe, I was ready to find out because I was certain;

It was good to be true.

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