Chapter 7
Celine adjusted her cap lower, gripping the steering wheel as she stared at the tall condominium building in front of her.
Her manager’s words echoed in her head: “Huwag masyadong magtakip, Celine. Let the public see. Let them talk.”
She exhaled sharply. It was all part of the game—the slow but steady buildup of her and Mavis’ so-called chemistry. A carefully crafted narrative for the fans, for the hype, for the movie.
Celine wasn’t new to this. She had done it before. But somehow, tonight felt different. Maybe because she knew that while she was walking into Mavis’ condo, the internet was still exploding over her and Mavis.
The elevator ride felt longer than it should have. Her fingers hovered over her phone, tempted to scroll through social media, but she knew exactly what she’d see—edits of her and Mavis, side by side, smiles frozen in time, while captions screamed things like “New power couple?!?”
The elevator dinged.
Celine sighed, slipping her phone back into her pocket as she stepped into the hallway
Mavis’ condo door swung open the moment Celine knocked.
“Finally!” Mavis grinned, tugging Celine inside before she could even react. “Akala ko magpapakita ka lang sa labas tapos tatakbo ka na ulit.”
Celine scoffed, letting Mavis drag her in. “I’m not that bad.”
Mavis smirked. “Debatable.”
Celine rolled her eyes but didn’t pull away.
Mavis’ condo was warm, cozy—nothing like the overly polished celebrity homes featured in magazines. It felt lived in. There were snacks scattered across the coffee table, a blanket draped lazily over the couch, and a pair of fuzzy slippers by the door.
Celine raised a brow. “You live like a college student.”
Mavis plopped onto the couch, patting the seat beside her. “And yet, I’m thriving.”
Celine chuckled, shaking her head as she sat down.
They fell into a comfortable silence.
Celine leaned back against the couch, watching as Mavis effortlessly opened another bag of snacks. The younger woman had been talking non-stop since she arrived—about her day, about rehearsals, about some funny moment she had with her members earlier. Celine just listened, nodding along at the right moments.
She wasn’t much of a talker these days, but Mavis? Mavis had enough energy for the both of them.
After a while, Celine let out a quiet exhale and finally asked, “Aren’t you tired?”
Mavis, mid-bite, raised an eyebrow. “Bakit naman?”
Celine shrugged. “You do so much—training, performances, shoots, and now, acting. Hindi ka ba napapagod?”
Mavis chewed thoughtfully before shaking her head with a grin. “Nope. I love my job, no! Every day, may bagong ganap, bagong challenge. Masaya kaya ‘yun?”
Celine tilted her head slightly, studying Mavis’ face. She wasn’t sure if she envied her or just admired how effortlessly she embraced everything.
“Mabuti ka pa,” Celine muttered.
Mavis raised a brow. “Hmm? Anong sabi mo?”
Celine just shook her head and smiled. “Wala.”
Mavis pouted. “Hala! Alam mo, Celine, parang ang dami mong gustong sabihin pero hindi mo sinasabi.”
Celine chuckled. “Hindi naman lahat ng bagay kailangang sabihin.”
Mavis rolled her eyes. “Kaya nga may kausap ka, diba? Para may napagsasabihan.”
Celine didn’t answer, just gave a small, amused smirk.
After a beat of silence, Mavis suddenly gasped, sitting up straight. “Wait, I know what we should do!”
Celine narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “Ano na naman?”
Mavis wiggled her eyebrows mischievously. “Mag-TikTok tayo.”
Celine groaned. “Mavis—”
Mavis dramatically clasped her hands together. “Please? Para sa fans? Saka sabi ng management, diba? Bonding?”
Celine sighed, already regretting walking through that door tonight. “Ano bang gagawin natin?”
Mavis grinned, already opening the app on her phone. “Hmmm… depende! Dance trend? Lip sync? O acting skit?”
Celine just stared at her blankly.
Mavis laughed. “Okay, fine! Yung madali lang.” She scrolled for a bit before her eyes lit up. “Ito na! Sagot-sagot lang tayo ng questions tapos reaction lang. Madali lang ‘to, promise!”
Celine groaned, leaning back against the couch. "Mavis—"
"Wala nang reklamo!" Mavis cut her off, already scrolling through TikTok to find a trending dance. "Ito, madali lang ‘to, swear!" She turned the screen toward Celine, showing her the steps. "O, kita mo? Simple lang!"
Celine narrowed her eyes. "That does not look simple."
Mavis grabbed Celine’s hand, pulling her up before she could protest. "Ang daya mo! Nakikita kita sa mga movie mo, kaya mong sumayaw!"
Celine sighed dramatically but let herself be dragged to the middle of the living room. Mavis set up her phone and hit record.
"Ready?" Mavis asked, bouncing excitedly.
Celine rolled her shoulders, exhaling through her nose. "Gawin na natin bago ko pa pagsisihan ‘to."
The music started, and they began to move.
Mavis, as expected, danced effortlessly—her movements sharp yet fluid, her expressions playful. Celine, on the other hand, followed stiffly at first, trying to remember the steps while keeping up with Mavis’ energy.
Then—
"Ah! Wait—!"
Mavis miscalculated a step, her foot slipping as she lost her balance.
Celine’s reflexes kicked in, and before Mavis could fully fall, she instinctively reached out, catching her by the waist.
For a split second, everything seemed to pause.
Mavis was pressed against Celine, their faces just inches apart. The air between them shifted, the playful atmosphere replaced by something heavier, something neither of them expected.
Celine stared down at Mavis, her hands still gripping her waist. Mavis, caught off guard, looked up at Celine with wide eyes.
Then—
"Sorry hehe" Mavis blurted out, blinking rapidly.
Celine let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding and smirked, shaking her head. "Ikaw kasi, sobrang hyper."
Mavis laughed, but her face was visibly flustered as she straightened up. "Okay, okay! Take two tayo!"
Celine scoffed. "Baka gusto mo munang mag-ingat bago ka pa sumemplang ulit?"
Mavis grinned, nudging Celine playfully. "Edi saluhin mo ulit!"
Celine rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the small smile from forming on her lips.
As soon as they wrapped up their last TikTok, Mavis flopped onto the couch with a satisfied sigh. She stretched her arms, laughing. "Gutom na ako ulit."
Celine shook her head, amused, as she walked toward the kitchen to grab some snacks. "Sabi ko na nga ba, may kasunod ‘to."
Mavis gasped dramatically. "Grabe ka naman! Ikaw ba ‘yung nagda-dance practice ng ilang oras na walang kain?" She reached out and grabbed a bag of chips Celine had placed on the coffee table. "Eh kasi naman, hindi mo gets, Celine. Sa training, bawal mapagod. Bawal huminto. Kapag tinamad ka lang saglit? Wala na. Sayang lahat ng pinaghirapan mo."
Celine sat beside her, opening a drink. "Ganun ba talaga kahigpit?"
Mavis nodded, munching on her chips. "Lalo na sa amin. Akala ng iba, ‘pag magaling ka, automatic, debut na agad. Pero hindi. Hindi ganun kadali." She sighed, looking at the ceiling. "Kahit na ikaw pa ‘yung pinaka-talented na trainee, kung ayaw ng management sa’yo? Wala kang magagawa. Isa lang naman ang goal nila—yung magiging pinaka-marketable sa publiko."
Celine frowned, slowly absorbing what Mavis was saying.
"May mga kasama ako noon, sobrang gagaling nila," Mavis continued, voice softer this time. "Mas magaling pa nga sa akin, pero hindi sila nakasama sa final lineup. Bakit? Eh kasi hindi sila ‘bagay’ sa concept. O kaya, walang dating sa fans." She shook her head. "Sa industry namin, talent isn’t always enough. Kailangan, pasok ka sa plano ng management."
Celine leaned back against the couch, sipping her drink. "Parang wala kang kalayaan."
Mavis laughed dryly. "Wala nga." She turned to Celine, resting her chin on her hand. "Kaya nga minsan, kahit hindi mo gusto, kahit hindi mo trip, susunod ka. Kasi kung hindi? Palit ka na agad."
Celine remained silent, digesting every word.
Then, Mavis added, almost as an afterthought, "Si Arianne nga, nahuli dati."
Celine’s grip tightened around her drink. "Ano?"
Mavis shrugged. "Sa training pa lang, may rumors na may karelasyon siya noon. Pinatawag siya, tapos kinonfront. Ayaw umamin, pero hindi naman tanga ang management, diba?" She sighed. "Ayun, kinumpiska yung phone niya for months. Wala siyang access kahit kanino sa labas ng training center."
Celine stilled.
Mavis didn’t seem to notice, continuing, "Kaya nga, di ba? Kung may sinasabi ang management, wala kang choice. Either sundin mo, or mawawala ka sa lineup."
Celine clenched her jaw, a wave of emotions hitting her all at once.
Arianne didn’t leave her because she wanted to.
She was forced to.
And the worst part?
She never even had a chance to fight back.
Celine closed her eyes, exhaling sharply. All these years, she thought Arianne simply let go of her too easily, but now…
Now she understood.
And for the first time in a long time—
She wished she had known sooner.
Celine exhaled slowly, trying to push away the thoughts of Arianne. She stared at the half-empty bag of chips on the table before shifting her gaze to Mavis, who was still lazily munching.
Trying to shake off the heaviness in her chest, she leaned back against the couch and asked, "So, anong gusto mong gawin next?"
Mavis perked up, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Hmm…" She tapped her chin, pretending to think deeply.
"Since first acting project ko ‘to… I have a question."
Celine, who was lazily flipping through her phone, glanced at her. "Shoot."
Mavis hesitated before blurting out, "Pwede ba mag-adlib sa scenes? Or baka papagalitan ako pag ilang beses akong umulit?"
Celine let out a small chuckle, shaking her head. "Depende." She placed her phone down and turned to face Mavis fully. "Some directors are strict with the script, especially sa important scenes. Pero sa light moments? May mga directors na okay lang, as long as it feels natural."
Mavis pursed her lips. "So, if ever na magkamali ako…"
Celine smirked. "Depende rin. Kung magkamali ka at halatang off yung reaction mo, syempre cut agad. Pero if you make a mistake pero mukhang organic sa scene? Sometimes, they let it slide. Minsan pa nga, ‘yung mga natural na mali, ‘yun pa ‘yung nagiging maganda sa eksena."
Mavis exhaled, nodding. "Got it."
Celine studied her for a moment before reaching for the script on the table. "Gusto mong dumaan tayo sa lines mo?"
Mavis blinked. "Wait, now?"
Celine raised an eyebrow. "Kailan pa? Sa shoot na mismo?"
Mavis huffed. "Fine, fine! Pero pasensya ka na ha, baka di ko agad makuha."
Celine just smirked as she flipped through the script, stopping at one of Mavis’ more emotional scenes. She handed the script to her. "Okay, let’s try this one."
Mavis took it, scanning the lines. Her brows furrowed. "Wait—teka, ang bigat naman nito! Wala bang mas madali?"
Celine chuckled. "You’re gonna have to do it eventually. Better practice now."
Mavis sighed dramatically before sitting up straight. She cleared her throat, looking at the script, then took a deep breath. She read her line, but it came out a little stiff, too rehearsed.
Celine immediately shook her head. "Stop."
Mavis groaned. "Ano na naman?"
Celine gave her an amused look. "Mavis, acting isn’t just about saying the lines. It’s about feeling them." She took the script back, scanning the lines before looking at Mavis. "Okay, this scene—your character just found out na iniwan siya. She’s hurt, confused. She doesn’t know if she should be angry or sad. You can’t just say the words—you have to feel it."
Mavis blinked. "So, paano?"
Celine leaned forward. "Think of a time when you felt abandoned. Yung moment na pakiramdam mo, iniwan ka kahit hindi mo alam kung bakit."
Mavis was silent for a moment before she frowned. "Ah… okay."
Celine watched as Mavis tried again. This time, her voice had a slight tremble, her brows furrowed with emotion.
Celine nodded approvingly. "Better. Pero kulang pa."
Mavis pouted. "Kulang pa?! Akala ko okay na!"
Celine smirked. "It takes time. Pero at least you’re getting there."
Mavis huffed, crossing her arms. "Ang hirap naman pala ng acting."
Celine chuckled. "Akala mo madali?" She tapped the script. "Pero don’t worry, tutulongan kita. You’ll get the hang of it."
Celine flipped through the script again, stopping at a specific part. She tapped the page and looked at Mavis.
"Here," Celine said, her tone softer than before. "Dito sa part na ‘to… masaya. In love. Sobrang genuine."
Mavis furrowed her brows, reading the line carefully. "So dapat happy lang?"
Celine nodded. "Hindi lang happy. You have to make it feel real. Parang ikaw mismo yung character—yung tipong walang ibang mundo kundi ‘yung taong kaharap mo."
Mavis inhaled deeply before shaking her shoulders as if trying to loosen up. "Okay, sige. Bahala na."
She took a breath, then delivered her line.
Mavis (soft, fond):"Alam mo ba kung gano kita kamahal? Kasi kung hindi, hayaan mong patunayan ko sa'yo araw-araw."
Celine’s gaze softened slightly. That was… better than she expected.
Without missing a beat, she responded.
Celine (gentle, assured):"Hindi ko naman kailangang patunayan mo. Kasi alam ko. Ramdam ko."
Mavis hesitated for a moment but quickly continued.
Mavis:"Pero gusto ko. Kasi mahal kita."
Celine took a step closer.
Mavis felt her breath hitch.
This was it—the part where their characters closed the distance, where everything stilled before the kiss.
Celine tilted her head slightly, closing the gap between them, her warm breath ghosting over Mavis’ skin.
Mavis tensed, her fingers gripping the script tightly.
Mavis is stammering slightly, "Uh… do we… do we need to do the kiss?"
Celine smirked at her hesitation, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "If you want to."
Mavis blinked rapidly, her heartbeat hammering in her chest. "What?"
Celine let out a quiet chuckle, still not moving away. "I mean, some actors practice kissing scenes. It makes everything look more natural on camera. Sometimes, they go through every part para lang maging perfect."
Mavis swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. "Ganun ba ‘yon?" she managed to say, voice quieter than before.
Celine tilted her head slightly, her smirk never fading. "Yeah. It helps with chemistry."
Mavis exhaled shakily, her eyes flickering between Celine’s face and her lips.
Celine noticed.
She could feel the way Mavis tensed, how her breathing grew uneven. Her hesitation was written all over her face, the slight parting of her lips, the way she held onto the script a little too tightly.
But she didn’t pull away.
Celine chuckled softly. Shy pa siya?
That was new.
Usually, Mavis was all confidence—loud, teasing, unbothered. But now? With Celine standing this close? With the tension thick between them?
She was nervous.
And for some reason… Celine liked that.
So instead of stepping back—of breaking the moment—Celine did the opposite.
She leaned in and pressed a soft, lingering kiss against Mavis’ lips.
Mavis’ eyes widened in shock.
She froze, mind going blank, heart slamming against her ribs.
She didn’t expect Celine to actually do it.
Didn’t expect her to just—
But Celine didn’t move away.
Didn’t rush it.
Didn’t say a word.
She just stayed there, lips warm and steady against hers, giving Mavis the chance to pull back if she wanted to.
But Mavis didn’t.
Because instead of retreating—
She followed it.
Slowly, cautiously, Mavis responded, her lips pressing back against Celine’s, almost hesitant at first. But as her heart raced, as she let herself melt into the moment, she felt something shift.
Her fingers loosened around the script, arms dropping to her sides as the weight of Celine’s presence took over.
Celine, who was still so close.
Celine, whose lips were soft, unhurried, teasing yet patient.
Celine, who kissed her like she was waiting to see just how far Mavis would go.
And right now?
Mavis had no idea.
Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, her breath tangled with Celine’s. She felt lightheaded—like she was standing on the edge of something dangerous, something she shouldn’t be crossing—
But she couldn’t stop.
Didn’t want to stop.
And when Celine tilted her head slightly, deepening the kiss just a little—
Mavis swore she forgot how to breathe.
Celine was the first to break the kiss.
Slowly, she pulled back, her lips tingling from the warmth they had just shared. Her breathing was steady—calm even—but the moment her gaze flickered to Mavis, amusement curled at the edges of her lips.
Mavis was not steady.
Her wide eyes were still locked onto Celine’s lips, her chest rising and falling unevenly. But what caught Celine’s attention the most?
Mavis’ hands.
They hadn’t moved.
Her fingers were still gripping Celine’s shoulders, as if she needed to hold onto something—or else her knees might give out.
Celine smirked. Ay, ganito pala siya kapag natutulala.
The thought made her more amused.
She let the silence stretch, waiting to see if Mavis would realize on her own. But the girl just stood there, dazed, blinking slowly as if her brain was still processing what had just happened.
Finally, Celine chuckled.
"That’s how you need to do it," she murmured, voice dripping with confidence.
Mavis blinked again, then quickly nodded, though her reaction was delayed—like her body was still catching up.
"Uh… oo. Okay. Sige."
She sounded… breathless.
Celine raised an eyebrow. Oh?
"Pwede ka nang bumitaw," Celine teased, tilting her head.
Mavis blinked again—this time, like she had just realized what she was doing.
Her hands.
Still on Celine’s shoulders.
As if burned, she immediately pulled them back, stepping away a little too fast. Her hands went to her hair, smoothing it out, then to her shirt, tugging at the hem—anything to make herself look composed again.
Celine, of course, didn’t miss a thing.
Mavis’ flushed face.
The way she kept avoiding eye contact.
The slight tremble in her fingers.
Her smirk deepened.
"Gusto mo pa isa para masanay ka?" Celine teased, voice low.
Mavis shot her a glare, though the effect was ruined by the way her face turned even redder.
"Bwiset ka," she muttered under her breath, grabbing a pillow and hugging it to her chest—almost like a shield.
Celine just chuckled, shaking her head as she picked up the script again.
###
Celine let out a small sigh as she stepped out of Mavis’ condo. The night air was cool, a welcome contrast to the warmth of the place she had just left. Her mind was still replaying the teasing smirks, Mavis' flustered reactions, and the way her lips had lingered against Mavis’ just moments too long.
She shook her head. That was just acting. Nothing more.
Her heels clicked softly against the pavement as she made her way to her car. The parking lot was mostly empty, save for a few vehicles under the dim glow of streetlights.
And then—
Her steps slowed.
Even with the cap pulled low and the face mask covering most of her features, Celine knew.
She’d recognize that posture anywhere.
Arianne.
Sitting on the curb near her car, elbows resting on her knees, fingers intertwined as if deep in thought.
Celine’s chest tightened.
She hadn’t seen Arianne in days—not since that phone call, not since that raw confession that left both of them shaken.
So why was she here now?
"What are you doing here?" Celine asked, her voice careful, controlled.
Arianne looked up, eyes locking onto hers. Even under the poor lighting, Celine noticed the exhaustion in them—the dark circles, the way her gaze seemed duller than usual. But still, Arianne forced a small smile.
"Hinihintay ka," she answered simply, standing up.
Celine frowned. "Hinihintay?"
"Hmm," Arianne hummed, shoving her hands into her pockets.
"How did you know na nandito ako?"
Arianne shrugged, her smirk faint. "Social media."
Celine sighed, shaking her head. Of course. Fans were relentless when it came to tracking celebrity whereabouts. It wasn’t surprising that Arianne had found out.
But something still felt off.
"What do you want, Arianne?" Celine asked, softer this time.
Arianne hesitated for a moment, as if debating whether to tell the truth or not. Then, she exhaled. "I just… wanted to see you."
Celine’s heart clenched at the honesty in her voice.
But before she could respond, she noticed it.
The way Arianne swayed slightly when she took a step forward.
The way her breathing was just a little heavier than usual.
The way she blinked slowly, like it took effort to focus.
Celine’s brows knitted together.
"Arianne… are you okay?"
Arianne scoffed lightly. "Ako pa ba?" She waved a hand dismissively, but it lacked her usual energy.
Celine didn’t buy it.
She stepped closer, observing the way Arianne’s posture tensed—like she was trying too hard to appear fine.
"You don’t look okay," Celine pressed.
Arianne tried to roll her eyes, but even that seemed like a struggle. "Pagod lang."
Celine stared at her, unconvinced.
Then, without warning—
Arianne swayed again.
This time, Celine moved without thinking, stepping forward to steady her. Her hands found Arianne’s arms, holding her upright.
"Jesus, Ari!" Celine cursed under her breath. "You’re burning up!"
Arianne blinked at her, dazed. "Mainit lang ‘yung gabi."
Celine scoffed. "Gabi? Arianne, ikaw lang ‘yung mainit. You have a fever."
Arianne chuckled weakly, but she didn’t deny it.
Celine clenched her jaw, frustration mixing with concern. What the hell was she thinking? Coming all the way here when she was obviously sick?
"Come on," Celine said, already pulling Arianne towards the car.
Arianne resisted slightly. "Saan tayo?"
"Taking you home. You’re not staying out here like this."
Arianne shook her head. "Hindi na, Celine. May driver naman ako—"
"Oh? Nasaan? Wala." Celine shot her a glare. "So stop arguing."
Arianne sighed in defeat, her body betraying her when she leaned into Celine’s hold.
Celine swallowed hard at the unexpected closeness. She could feel the heat radiating from Arianne’s skin, the slight weight of her body pressing against her own.
Damn it.
"Get in the car, Ari," she murmured, her voice softer this time.
Arianne looked up at her, and for a second, Celine saw something vulnerable in her eyes.
But she didn’t say anything.
She just nodded and let Celine take her home.
Celine tightened her grip on the steering wheel, her fingers tapping against it as she stole a glance at Arianne, who had fallen asleep in the passenger seat.
The streetlights illuminated Arianne’s face in passing glows—soft shadows playing across her features. Her breathing was even, her lips slightly parted, and her brows, which were usually furrowed from stress, had finally relaxed.
For a moment, Celine allowed herself to just look.
Arianne, even now—sick, exhausted—was still beautiful.
She sighed, tearing her gaze away.
Then reality hit her.
"Putangina," she muttered under her breath.
She didn’t know where Arianne lived now.
Her family had moved away from Manila years ago, and Arianne never really talked about where she stayed when she was here. And it wasn’t like she could wake Arianne up to ask—she looked like she needed the rest.
A hotel? No, too risky. Someone was bound to recognize them, and the last thing they needed was an article speculating why Celine was checking in with Arianne in the middle of the night.
"Tsk," she clicked her tongue, shaking her head.
She took a deep breath, looking at Arianne once more.
"Okay, you can stay at my house."
There was no other choice.
By the time Celine pulled into her driveway, the night was even quieter. She parked, turned off the engine, and turned to Arianne, who was still asleep, her breathing slow and steady.
Celine hesitated before gently shaking Arianne’s shoulder.
"Ari," she called softly.
Arianne stirred, blinking groggily. Her eyes, still hazy with sleep, met Celine’s, and confusion crossed her face.
"Hmm?" Arianne mumbled, voice raspy.
"Gising na," Celine said, nudging her again.
Arianne sat up sluggishly, rubbing her eyes before looking around. Her brows knitted together as recognition slowly dawned on her.
"Bakit…nandito tayo sa bahay niyo?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion.
Celine sighed, unbuckling her seatbelt. "Wala akong alam sa condo mo, Arianne. Your family’s not in Manila anymore. And I figured a hotel wouldn’t be a good idea."
Arianne blinked, still trying to process the situation. "So… dito ako matutulog?"
Celine smirked slightly. "Unless gusto mong matulog sa kotse?"
Arianne shot her a weak glare but didn’t argue. She was too tired to.
With a small chuckle, Celine opened the car door and got out, walking over to the other side to help Arianne. She placed a hand on her back, guiding her towards the house.
Arianne stiffened for a second but didn’t pull away.
When they stepped inside, Arianne immediately noticed the changes.
The last time she had been here, the place still had that homey, old charm—warm colors, simple furniture, small trinkets from Celine’s childhood.
Now?
It was upgraded. Modern. Sleek.
Different.
Arianne swallowed. Everything’s changed.
Before she could dwell on it, an all-too-familiar voice echoed from the hallway.
"Apo?"
Celine froze.
Arianne did too.
She knew that voice.
"Celine, ikaw na ba ‘yan?"
Celine turned just as her grandmother appeared, her frail figure standing by the doorway, eyes squinting in an attempt to recognize her.
Arianne felt her chest tighten.
She had missed this voice.
She had missed her.
Celine’s lips pressed into a thin line before she stepped forward, her voice softer than usual.
"Lola, oo, ako ‘to."
Her grandmother’s face lit up, her hands reaching out for Celine as she took small, careful steps toward her. Celine met her halfway, gently holding her hands.
"Ang tagal mo umuwi, apo," her grandmother said, her voice laced with affection. "Lumamig na yung pagkain”
Celine forced a smile. "Sorry po, lola… busy lang sa trabaho."
Arianne stood frozen, watching the exchange.
But then—
Her grandmother’s eyes landed on her.
And for a brief moment, Arianne swore she saw something flicker in them.
"Apo… siya ba ‘yung nasa TV?" her grandmother asked, tilting her head slightly.
Celine’s breath hitched.
She knew what was happening.
Her grandmother was having one of those moments again. The ones where she struggled to remember certain things, certain people.
Celine’s jaw clenched, but she still smiled.
"Oo, la," she answered gently.
Arianne felt her heart ache.
She had always been close to Celine’s grandmother before—spending afternoons with her, listening to her old stories, even helping out in the kitchen whenever she visited.
She had been more than just “someone from TV.”
But now…
Now, she was just another face in the media.
She swallowed the lump in her throat and forced herself to smile.
"Magandang gabi po," Arianne greeted softly, bowing slightly.
Her grandmother just nodded, smiling back. "Ang ganda mo pala sa personal."
Arianne let out a small chuckle, though it felt bittersweet.
Celine noticed.
She placed a reassuring hand on Arianne’s back, as if silently saying, I know. I’m sorry.
Arianne gave her a small, tired smile in return.
Maybe things had changed.
Maybe they were different now.
But standing in Celine’s house, hearing her grandmother’s voice again…
For the first time in a long time, Arianne felt something she hadn’t let herself feel in years.
Nostalgia.
Celine let out a quiet sigh, leading Arianne further inside. Her grandmother had already wandered off again, muttering to herself, leaving the two of them standing in the living room.
The atmosphere felt heavy.
"Lola has amnesia," Celine finally said, her voice quiet but filled with emotion.
Arianne turned to her.
"Minsan naaalala niya, minsan hindi," Celine continued, rubbing the back of her neck. "May mga araw na parang okay lang siya… pero may mga araw din na hindi niya ako kilala."
Arianne nodded slowly, processing the weight of those words.
She remembered how sharp Celine’s grandmother used to be, always teasing them, always remembering the smallest details about their lives. The thought of her losing those pieces of herself—of not even recognizing her own granddaughter sometimes—made Arianne’s heart ache.
Celine let out a small, humorless laugh. "Pero buti nga ngayon, naalala niya ako."
Arianne didn’t know what to say. Instead, she reached out, squeezing Celine’s hand gently.
Celine looked at her, startled for a second, but she didn’t pull away.
They stayed like that, lost in silence, until—
"Apo," her grandmother’s voice called again.
They both turned, watching as she shuffled forward, a small, slightly crumpled photo in her hands.
Celine frowned.
"Lola, ano ‘yan?" she asked.
Her grandmother stopped in front of them, holding up the picture with a nostalgic smile.
"Apo… parang kamukha niya ito," she said, gesturing toward Arianne. "Si Arianne."
Celine’s breath caught in her throat.
Arianne stiffened.
Slowly, Celine took the picture from her grandmother’s hands.
The second she saw it, her heart clenched.
It was them.
A younger version of Celine, Arianne, and her grandmother—smiling, happy, frozen in a time when things were simple and untainted by the pain of the years that followed.
Arianne felt her vision blur.
"Hindi mo ba papapuntahin dito si Arianne, apo?" her grandmother asked again, her voice soft, almost expectant.
Celine swallowed hard.
"La…" she whispered, but she couldn’t bring herself to say anything else.
Arianne pressed her lips together tightly, her chest tightening painfully.
She had spent years convincing herself that she had no right to miss this—to miss Celine, to miss the home she once had in this family.
But standing here, seeing this picture, hearing Celine’s grandmother ask for her—
It shattered her.
Tears welled up in her eyes, and before she could stop herself, they started falling, silently streaming down her face.
Celine turned sharply at the sound of Arianne’s shaky breath.
"Ari—"
But Arianne didn’t let her finish.
Instead, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Celine’s grandmother, burying her face into her shoulder.
"Lola…" her voice cracked.
Celine’s grandmother, startled at first, gently patted Arianne’s back.
"Bakit ka umiiyak, hija?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Arianne tried to speak, but the emotions were too much.
Too many memories. Too much longing. Too much regret.
She had spent years pushing everything down, pretending it didn’t hurt, pretending she didn’t miss them.
But now, it was all crashing down.
Celine swallowed past the lump in her throat, gripping the picture tightly in her hands.
Then her grandmother pulled back slightly, cupping Arianne’s face, her wrinkled hands warm and familiar.
Her eyes softened.
"Hija… may mainit ka" she said, finally noticing the exhaustion in Arianne’s face, the heat of her skin.
Celine blinked, her focus snapping back to reality.
"Apo, dalhin mo muna siya sa kwarto mo," she said, her voice gentle yet firm. "Titimplahan ko siya ng gatas."
Celine blinked, momentarily stunned.
Milk.
Her grandmother used to do the same thing whenever Arianne stayed over. No matter how late it was, no matter how tired they were after a long day, there would always be a warm glass of milk waiting for Arianne before bed.
And now, even with her memories fractured, her grandmother was still holding on to that piece of the past.
Celine swallowed hard and nodded. "Sige, La."
She turned back to Arianne, who looked just as affected, her expression soft and unreadable.
"Halika na," Celine murmured, carefully grabbing Arianne’s wrist.
Arianne didn’t resist.
As they walked through the hallway, memories resurfaced—late-night conversations, whispered secrets, stolen laughter. This house held so much of their past, and now, stepping into Celine’s room after all these years, it felt both familiar and painfully distant.
Celine pushed the door open, letting Arianne step in first.
The room was different now—more refined, more mature—but Arianne could still see traces of the old Celine here. The faint scent of her perfume lingered in the air, her books were still neatly stacked in a corner, and her favorite records lined the shelves.
Arianne let out a shaky breath.
She was exhausted, feverish, and emotionally drained—but more than anything, she was overwhelmed.
She turned back to Celine, who was watching her closely, waiting for her to settle in.
Then, without thinking, Arianne moved.
She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Celine, pressing her forehead against her shoulder.
Celine froze.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Arianne’s grip tightened slightly, as if grounding herself, as if seeking warmth.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Celine let out a quiet breath, her body slowly relaxing into the embrace. She hesitated before lifting a hand, gently resting it on Arianne’s back.
"Matulog ka na," she finally said, her voice softer than she intended.
Arianne hummed in response but didn’t let go just yet.
She wasn’t ready to let go.
Celine didn’t push her away.
For now, she just let her stay.