The following week found Olivia, Chloe, Miguel, and Mark sprawled across Chloe's bed and floor, a mountain of pillows and half-eaten cookies surrounding them. It was the perfect setup for a legendary chika-han (gossip session). Chloe, the undisputed reyna ng chismis (gossip queen), kicked things off.
“Uy, alam niyo ba?” she started, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Nakita ko si Patricia at Daniel, magkahawak-kamay sa may fountain! Grabe, dikit na dikit!” (Hey, did you know? I saw Patricia and Daniel holding hands by the fountain! Seriously, they were practically glued together!)
Olivia gasped dramatically. “Naku! Akala ko ba magkaibigan lang sila?” (No way! I thought they were just friends?)
Miguel, ever the observant one, added, “Oo nga, nakita ko rin silang sabay na lumabas ng library noong Tuesday. Ang sweet nila!” (Yeah, I saw them leaving the library together last Tuesday. They were so sweet!)
Mark, ever ready with a meme, chimed in with a picture of a surprised Pikachu. “Aba, may secret admirer ata si Daniel, mga pare!” (Looks like Daniel's got a secret admirer, guys!)
The conversation then spiraled into a hilarious whirlwind of school gossip. There were tales of ligaw (courtship), breakups (breakups), and the ongoing bangayan (feud) between two rival cliques. Each juicy detail was met with gasps of “Grabe!”, “Naku!”, and “Hala!”, punctuated by peals of laughter. Chloe expertly weaved the stories together, creating a narrative so captivating, it could rival any teleserye.
Even Olivia, usually reserved, joined in with gusto, sharing her own observations and adding spicy details. Miguel, initially hesitant, found himself laughing along, his quiet amusement adding to the festive atmosphere. Mark, the resident joker, peppered the conversation with hugot lines (heartbreak quotes) and perfectly-timed memes, sending them into fresh fits of laughter.
The chika-han stretched late into the night, fueled by cookies, laughter, and a healthy dose of tsismis. As the night wound down, the focus shifted from school gossip to more personal stories. They shared dreams, fears, and hopes, proving that their bond ran deeper than just shared secrets. As they finally parted ways, tired but happy, they knew this was just another unforgettable chapter in their crazy, hilarious friendship. Their barkada (group of friends) was more than just a group; it was a family, bound by laughter, tsismis, and an unbreakable bond.
YOU ARE READING
under the university lights
AksiThe story revolves around Olivia, a studious and witty honor student, and her humorous interactions with her best friend Chloe. While studying in the library, Olivia experiences a chance encounter with a mysterious and handsome stranger at a conveni...
