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ASHIANNA
The following Friday, Mavis and I had somehow ended up planning our first official “date.”
She'd been relentless, throwing hints and winks at me all week—loudly calling it a “date” anytime she saw me with my friends, and I was half-tempted to cancel just to get back at her.
But when the day finally came, my heart thudded with a strange anticipation I couldn't shake off.
We'd agreed to meet up at a small food park downtown, where I spotted Mavis first, leaning on her motorcycle with a cocky grin, shades on, and a black leather jacket that swallowed half her frame.
She looked like she was trying too hard to be cool, but I couldn't deny she looked good.
“Wow, feeling mo talaga nasa action movie ka, ‘no?” I teased, crossing my arms as I walked up to her.
“Eh, paano ba naman, akala ko may love scene ako ngayon” She replied doing a kissy face, shooting me a wink as she pulled her shades down just enough to peer over them.
“Hoy, masyadong mataas ang pangarap mo! Baka ikutin mo muna‘tong food park bago mo'ko ma-kiss” I shot back, rolling my eyes but grinning as she laughed, looking genuinely delighted.
We walked around the park, picking up random street food as we went.
I ordered fish balls and dared her to eat them with the spiciest sauce.
She took one bite and immediately started coughing, her face scrunched up as she fanned her mouth, nearly dropping her skewer.
“Teka lang—grabe, ano ba ‘tong pinakain mo sa'kin?” She wheezed, her voice muffled as she gulped down a cup of water.
“Spicy lang 'yan!” I teased, laughing as she glared at me with watery eyes. “Kaya mo naman, di ba, tough girl?”
“Oh, kaya ko, Ash” She choked out, trying to keep up her cool persona as she wiped her mouth. “Just give me a minute, okay?”
She grabbed another cup of water, looking like she'd been betrayed by her own ego. I couldn't help but laugh harder.
After the spicy debacle, we found a table with a clear view of the food stalls, and I pointed to a random kid enjoying a huge cotton candy.
“Bet mo ba‘yon?” I asked, nudging her. “Mabilis ka ngang mang-trip pero kaya mo bang kainin ang ganyan kalaki?”
Her eyes sparkled as she jumped up, marching straight over to the stall and ordering the biggest cotton candy they had.
She returned, holding the fluffy pink mass with both hands like it was a trophy.
“Let me return the question, Ano Ash? Kaya mo ba'to?” She grinned, tearing off a piece and popping it into her mouth, her lips stained pink.
“Game!” I said, grabbing a chunk and shoving it into my mouth, the sugar melting almost instantly.
For the next few minutes, we were both lost in a ridiculous challenge to see who could eat more cotton candy, laughing so hard we were close to choking on the sugar.
When we finally gave up, the table was littered with pink fluff and laughter, our hands sticky from the sugar.
She leaned back in her chair, still grinning, her face glowing with that rare, unguarded happiness.
“Kahit sobrang nakakawala ng angas ng cotton candy na'to, mas masarap pala pag kasama ka” She said softly, flashing a smile that looked almost shy.
“Ngayon lang?” I teased, though I felt my own cheeks heat up at her unexpected sincerity.
“Aba, wag kang masyadong assuming” She shot back, crossing her arms. “Kung‘di lang dahil sa date natin ngayon, di ko gagawin‘to.”
“Talaga lang, ha” I smirked, raising an eyebrow. “Wala ka naman talagang choice, eh. You can't resist me, admit it.”
She groaned, dramatically clutching her chest. “Fine, Ashi. You got me! I'm obsessed” She said, drawing out the last word with a theatrical sigh.
As we laughed, a stall nearby caught my eye, selling cheap friendship bracelets and trinkets. I shot Mavis a smirk, and before she could say anything, I dragged her over.
“Bili tayo ng matching bracelets” I said, trying to keep a straight face.
She gaped at me. “Akala ko ba‘di ka into cheesy stuff? Sabi mo kanina, di ba?”
“Eh, trip ko lang ngayon” I shrugged, trying not to laugh at her look of mock horror.
She held up her hands. “Sige na nga, para sayo, Ash.” She picked out two bracelets, handing one to me with a grin. “Let's make it official. friends—” She paused dramatically “—and maybe more, with bracelets.”
I snorted but slipped it on, and we exchanged exaggerated nods of agreement, both barely holding back laughter.
As the night wore on, we continued wandering around the park, bantering and challenging each other over every little thing.
When we passed a photo booth, she tugged me in, insisting on “capturing the memories.”
Inside, we barely managed to fit into the frame, both of us laughing so hard that most of the pictures came out blurry or with one of us caught mid-sentence.
But in the last shot, she wrapped her arm around me, pulling me close as we both smiled, and it was the first time that evening I felt my heart skip a beat.
As we left the booth, she glanced at the photo strip, her fingers brushing over the images. “Salamat, Ash. This was actually the best day I've had in a while.”
I met her eyes, suddenly feeling the weight of her words. “Ako rin, Mavs. Thanks for not being— well, you know not being Mavis.”
She laughed, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Ano ba, baka masanay ako na tinatawag mo kong Mavs!”
“Eh, bagay naman, di ba?” I smirked, giving her a playful nudge.
She rolled her eyes, a soft laugh escaping her. “Ikaw talaga, Ash. Pasalamat ka mahal kita.”
The words slipped out, casual but earnest, and her face instantly flushed as she realized what she'd said.
I felt my own face heat up, stunned by the sincerity in her eyes.
I nudged her again, this time a bit softer. “Tigilan mo nga‘yang mga bola mo, baka ako pa ma-in love sa'yo nang tuluyan.”
She looked away, trying to hide a shy smile. “Good” She whispered, almost too quiet for me to hear. “Because that's the plan.”
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