In Between Lines (GL)

Ria grew up knowing one thing: words had power-and she had to wield them if she wanted to survive. Growing up in an average household, her scholarship wasn't just a badge of success-it was her lifeline. Every grade she earned, every award she framed, every speech she delivered was more than achievement. Para sa kapatid niyang si Aya. Para sa kinabukasan nilang magkasama.

Given all that, thus, Ria couldn't stand people who used their privilege like a weapon-who climbed by stepping on those below. It wasn't ambition she despised, but entitlement. The kind that never had to fight for space because the path was already laid out for them.

Then came college. Suddenly, the playing field wasn't just wider-it was brutal.

At the center of that shift was Ali.

Matalino. Mayaman. Articulate. Parang hindi napapagod. Parang hindi kailanman nag-alala kung sapat ba siya. Ali, who loved literature too. Who walked into rooms and didn't need to prove she belonged.

Ali was everything Ria tried not to admire. And yet, with each silent moment stretched too long, something deeper began to settle-in the pauses, the patience, the pull.