No Erase

That night, Amber was lounging on her tiny, frustratingly normal couch in her tiny, frustratingly normal apartment, flipping through her phone when—

Knock. Knock.

Her brows furrowed.

Who the hell—

She got up, padding to the door and swinging it open—only to freeze.

Because standing outside her apartment, under the dim glow of the hallway light, was Scarlett.

Holding a ukulele.

Amber blinked.

Scarlett looked—different. Not like the loud and fearless Scarlett from earlier, the one who had boldly confessed in broad daylight.

No, this Scarlett looked nervous. Fidgety. Almost shy.

And then—

She strummed.

Amber’s breath caught.

It was an old Filipino song. One she had heard before, in her childhood—one of those love songs her parents played in their fancy garden parties.

And oh.

Oh.

Hinaharana siya ni Scarlett.

Amber barely breathed as Scarlett’s voice—soft, a little shaky at first—began to fill the quiet hallway.

"O kay sarap sa ilalim ng kalawakan…"

"Kapag kapiling kang tumitig sa kawalan…"

The words, the melody —it was sweet. Simple. Unlike the extravagant, dramatic love confessions she was used to.

And yet, this—

This felt so much better.

Amber leaned against the doorframe, arms crossing over her chest as she stared, completely entranced.

"At kung hanggang dito lang talaga tayo…"

"Hindi pababayaan ang daang tinahak na…"

The way Scarlett strummed— nervously , but still trying. The way she wouldn’t quite meet Amber’s gaze, like she was afraid she might mess up if she did.

And yet, she was doing it anyway.

For her.

Amber swallowed past the lump in her throat, a small, helpless smile forming on her lips.

God, she was so in trouble.

Scarlett finally dared to look up, eyes locking onto Amber’s.

And Amber—who once had the whole world handed to her, who was born into luxury and had everything at her feet—felt like this moment, this girl, strumming a ukulele outside her tiny apartment, was worth more than all of it.

As the song came to an end, Scarlett lowered the ukulele, cheeks burning red.

“I, uh…” She scratched her head. “I don’t know why I did that.”

Amber just stared at her for a second longer—then exhaled a soft, breathy laugh.

“Shut up,” she murmured, stepping forward.

Amber sighed in defeat. “Fine. Since you already embarrassed yourself outside my door, you might as well come in properly.”

Scarlett raised a brow. “Wow. Properly ? Para namang tinanggap mo lang ako sa bahay mo dahil wala kang choice.”

Amber gave her a look . “Do you want to come in or not?”

Scarlett snorted. “Joke lang, ‘di na ako choosy.”

Amber rolled her eyes but stepped aside, allowing Scarlett to enter.

“A-Amber—”

The door clicked shut behind her.

And suddenly, she was standing in the middle of Amber’s tiny apartment, ukulele still in her hands, heart still pounding in her chest.

Amber wasn’t even looking at her at first. She was pacing—running a hand through her hair, biting her lip like she was processing something.

Scarlett just stood there, feeling like she might pass out.

Because holy crap, she really just did that.

She serenaded Amber Arceta.

Hinarana niya si Amber.

With an old Filipino love song.

Jesus Christ.

“I—” Scarlett swallowed hard, gripping the neck of her ukulele. “I really don’t know why I—”

Amber stopped.

Turned.

And looked at her.

Scarlett shut up immediately.

Because God.

There was something dangerous in Amber’s gaze.

Not in a bad way—no, it was worse.

It was the kind of look that unraveled her. The kind that made her knees feel like jelly, that made her want to look away but also never look away at the same time.

It was like Amber had just figured something out.

“… You’re so unfair.”

Scarlett blinked. “Ha?”

Amber sighed, shaking her head with a breathless laugh. “You keep doing this. Saying things seriously, making me—”

She exhaled sharply, stepping closer.

“Making me feel things.”

Scarlett choked.

Amber was right in front of her now, looking at her like she was some kind of puzzle she was dying to figure out.

Scarlett wanted to run again.

But she refused.

So instead, she forced herself to hold Amber’s gaze, even if it meant she was about to self-destruct.

“Gusto ko lang naman—” Scarlett cleared her throat, voice quieter now. “Gusto ko lang naman bumawi.”

Amber raised a brow. “Bumawi?”

“Eh kasi…” Scarlett looked down at her ukulele, fiddling with the strings. “Kanina, you—” She groaned. “I don’t know! You were being annoying and I panicked, so I confessed like an idiot, and then I ran away, and—”

Amber’s lips twitched. “So your way of fixing that is to… harana me?”

Scarlett pouted. “It felt right at the moment.”

Amber laughed.

And oh, Scarlett hated how that laugh made her stomach flip.

“You’re so weird,” Amber muttered, eyes soft now.

“Sabi na nga ba,” Scarlett mumbled. “Bad idea ‘to. Uwi na ‘ko—”

But before she could even turn , Amber’s fingers wrapped around her wrist, stopping her.

Scarlett tensed.

She felt it again—Amber’s warmth, her touch.

“… Sing it again,” Amber murmured.

Scarlett’s breath caught. “H-ha?”

Amber smirked. “Sing it again.”

“No way.”

“Yes way.”

“Amber, hayaan mo na akong mabuhay—”

“No,” Amber interrupted, and there was that playful glint in her eyes again. “If you’re going to harana me, you better commit, Scarlett.”

Scarlett groaned, squeezing her eyes shut. “Kill me now.”

Then she looked around.

The first thing Scarlett noticed was how surprisingly cozy Amber’s apartment was. Sure, it was a downgrade from the mansion she used to live in, but it still had that Amber Arceta touch—minimalistic but expensive-looking furniture, neutral-colored walls, and a faint scent of vanilla and fresh linen.

The second thing she noticed was—

“ Oh my God, may aso ka? ”

Before Amber could even react , a fluffy chowspitz came barreling towards them, its tiny paws skidding on the floor as it rushed at Scarlett with uncontainable excitement.

“ Honey, wait—! ” Amber warned, instinctively stepping forward, expecting her puppy to start barking or even—God forbid—bite Scarlett out of territorial instinct.

But instead—

The little furball tackled Scarlett’s legs, tail wagging furiously before—

Lick.

Scarlett gasped, giggling as the puppy attacked her face with kisses. “AH! Ang kulit mo! Ang cute mo rin! ”

She dropped to the floor, holding the puppy in her arms as she laughed, her voice filled with pure joy.

Amber just stood there—completely dumbfounded.

Honey was never this friendly with strangers. In fact, her puppy was an absolute snob. Even Amber’s old so-called “friends” had a hard time getting Honey’s approval.

Yet here was Scarlett—rolling on the floor with Honey, getting showered with affection like they had known each other forever.

Amber blinked. “ Ano ‘tong betrayal na ‘to? ”

Scarlett looked up at her with a teasing grin, still cradling Honey like a baby. “Hmm, mukhang may paboritong bago si Honey.”

Amber crossed her arms. “Traitor.”

Honey, still in Scarlett’s arms, let out a tiny bark—almost like she was agreeing.

Scarlett burst out laughing. “Grabe, ang bilis niya akong naging fave.”

Amber sighed dramatically. “Great. First, you harana me. Now, you’re stealing my dog.”

Scarlett smirked, cuddling Honey closer. “Maybe Honey just has good taste.”

Amber opened her mouth to argue—only to pause when she saw Scarlett’s eyes sparkling with mischief, her smile so genuine , so happy —

And suddenly, Amber found herself staring.

Because God.

Scarlett looked so pretty.

Maybe Honey did have good taste, after all.

Amber should be annoyed.

Honey was her dog.

Her one and only companion in this tiny, frustratingly normal apartment.

And yet—there she was, flopped on her own floor, betrayed , watching as her snob of a puppy melted into Scarlett’s arms like she had been her owner all along.

Honey even had the audacity to whine when Scarlett paused in her cuddles.

“ Grabe ka, needy mo pala, no? ” Scarlett cooed, rubbing the puppy’s belly as she giggled. “ Kanina lang takbo ka nang takbo, tapos ngayon pa-cute ka na agad sa’kin? ”

Honey yipped happily, nuzzling against Scarlett’s arm.

Amber gawked . “ This is a scam. ”

Scarlett looked up at her, still grinning. “Awww, selos ka?”

Amber scoffed, sitting on the couch with crossed arms. “As if.”

But Scarlett caught the tiny pout threatening to form on Amber’s lips.

And that—oh, that was golden.

So, naturally, she took full advantage.

“You know…” Scarlett hummed, playing with Honey’s tiny paws. “Kung gusto mo rin ng cuddles, sabihin mo lang. Hindi ko naman ipagdadamot.”

Amber choked . “ Excuse me?! ”

Scarlett shrugged, looking completely unbothered as she held Honey close. “Eh baka lang naman… gusto mo rin ng kalinga.”

Amber gasped , grabbing a pillow and throwing it directly at Scarlett’s face.

“ Bwisit ka—! ”

Scarlett cackled , dodging just in time. “Uy! Animal cruelty ‘yan! Tinamaan si Honey sa pang-iinggit mo!”

Amber narrowed her eyes. “That’s my dog, kanal girl.”

“Well, your dog likes me better,” Scarlett shot back, sticking her tongue out.

Amber groaned, covering her face with both hands. What did she do to deserve this?

Silence settled between them for a moment—just the soft sound of Honey’s content sighs and the distant hum of the city outside.

And then—

Amber peeked through her fingers, catching sight of Scarlett absentmindedly scratching behind Honey’s ears, smiling softly to herself.

And just like that—Amber forgot why she was supposed to be annoyed.

Because Scarlett wasn’t teasing her anymore.

She just looked… at home.

Like she belonged here, laughing on Amber’s floor, holding Amber’s dog, filling Amber’s tiny apartment with warmth in a way it had never felt before.

Amber swallowed, lowering her hands. “You… like dogs?”

Scarlett looked up, blinking. “ Sino bang hindi? ”

Amber chuckled softly, leaning back against the couch. “I don’t know. Most people I grew up with were more into… I don’t know. Expensive koi fish or something.”

Scarlett snorted. “Koi fish? ‘Yung tipong naglalangoy lang nang wala namang pake sa’yo?”

“Exactly,” Amber mused. “Or big, intimidating dogs na pang-protect. I got Honey because… I wanted something different.”

Scarlett tilted her head. “Different?”

Amber nodded. “Something that just… liked me. No expectations. No rules.”

Scarlett blinked, then looked down at the puppy now snuggled against her chest.

Honey, the tiny, fluffy ball of warmth, had no idea she was part of some rich girl’s rebellion against her high-society life. She just loved freely—like it was the easiest thing in the world.

And that —that made Scarlett’s heart ache in a way she didn’t expect

.

Because maybe, just maybe —Amber wanted the same thing, too.

Not luxury. Not status.

Just love.

“… Amber.”

Amber hummed, glancing at her.

Scarlett hesitated for a second—then reached out, carefully placing Honey onto Amber’s lap.

Amber blinked, startled. “Wha—”

“She’s yours,” Scarlett murmured, smiling softly. “You deserve her cuddles, too.”

Amber froze.

Scarlett watched as something shifted in Amber’s eyes.

Like no one had ever told her that before.

Like no one had ever shared something so simple—so pure —with her, just because they wanted to.

And in that moment—

With Honey curled up in her lap and Scarlett looking at her like she mattered —

Amber wasn’t sure if it was the quiet of the apartment, the warmth of Honey on her lap, or the way Scarlett was looking at her—soft, unguarded—but something about this moment felt different.

And then—

Scarlett sighed.

Not the usual teasing, dramatic kind.

A real one.

Like she was about to say something important.

Amber stilled.

"Alam mo," Scarlett began, voice lower now, "hindi talaga kita gusto dati."

Amber blinked. "What—?"

Scarlett chuckled, shaking her head. "Wala, kasi ‘di ba? Ikaw ‘yung mayaman, ‘yung spoiled, ‘yung parang ang layo sa mundo ko."

Amber swallowed. She had heard that before, from a lot of people. That she was too privileged , too different .

But then—

“Pero isang beses,” Scarlett continued, gaze locked onto Amber’s, “nakita kita.”

Amber’s breath hitched. “Where?”

“Umuulan non.Pauwi palang ako. Tapos ikaw…” She exhaled sharply. “Ikaw nasa gilid ng kalsada, nakaluhod, may hawak kang maliit na meow meow.”

Amber's eyes widened—and instead of laughing at the “ meow meow ”---

She remembered that night.

It was late, the rain was pouring hard, and she had seen a tiny, shivering kitten all alone on the sidewalk. She hadn’t thought twice—just picked it up, cradled it under her coat, and held it close.

She never told anyone.

Didn’t think anyone saw.

But—

“I watched you, Amber,” Scarlett admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “Nakita kong paano mo siya inalagaan, kahit basa ka na. Paano mo siya dahan-dahang binalot sa jacket mo, paano mo siya dinala—"

Amber felt her heartbeat pound against her ribs.

Scarlett saw all of that?

Her, the spoiled girl, the rich girl, the girl who barely even knew what to do with herself back then?

“You were so gentle,” Scarlett continued, her lips quirking up like she was remembering it all over again. “Parang sobrang natural lang sa’yo na mag-alaga.”

Amber opened her mouth—but nothing came out.

Because what was she supposed to say to that?

Because Scarlett wasn’t just saying she liked her.

She was saying she saw beyond her.

Beyond the money. Beyond the privilege. Beyond the life everyone assumed was perfect.

And Amber… she had no clue what to do with that.

“Simula nun,” Scarlett breathed, “hindi na kita nakita bilang ‘Amber Arceta, mayaman, spoiled, bratty.’”

Amber swore her heart stopped.

“Kundi Amber Arceta, ‘yung marunong mag-alaga.”

A pause.

Then—

Scarlett laughed softly, rubbing the back of her neck. “Ang corny ‘no? Pero totoo.”

Amber could barely breathe.

It was too much.

Not in a bad way.

In a God, what do I even do with this kind of love? Way.

Because it wasn’t just some shallow crush .

It wasn’t admiration from afar.

Scarlett saw her .

The parts of her no one ever really cared to look at.

And it made her weak .

She tried to find words, tried to process it all, but all she could focus on was the way Scarlett said it— in Tagalog.

Not in English, not in some casual, joking way.

But seriously.

Genuinely.

In a way that made it feel real.

Amber swallowed hard. “Scarlett…”

Scarlett smiled at her, small and unsure.

But it was so beautiful.

Amber’s throat felt tight.

Her heart was still hammering against her chest, every word from Scarlett sinking in deeper than she ever thought possible.

But then—

“…Scarlett,” she murmured, gripping Honey a little tighter. “Diba nakita mo si Paning non?”

Scarlett blinked. “Sino?”

Amber took a shaky breath. “Yung kuting. Si Paning.”

Amber looked down, her fingers lightly tracing patterns on Honey’s fur. “I kept her for a while. Sinubukan kong alagaan siya, pero… I lost her.”

There was an unmistakable sadness in her voice.

She had tried.

For weeks, she did everything she could. Bought kitten formula, stayed up late feeding her, made sure she was warm, safe.

But one night, Paning had just… disappeared.

Amber had searched everywhere —her house, the neighborhood, even asked the staff if they had seen a tiny, white-and-gray kitten.

Nothing.

And it had hurt in a way Amber hadn’t expected.

Because she had never really taken care of something before.

Not like that.

And losing Paning had made her feel like maybe she wasn’t meant for that kind of love after all.

But before she could spiral too deep into that thought—

Scarlett grinned .

Amber frowned. “…Bakit?”

Scarlett shook her head, laughing softly to herself before pulling out her phone. “Alam mo, nakakatawa ka.”

Amber scowled. “ Paano— ”

Then Scarlett turned her phone around.

And Amber froze.

Because right there—clear as day—was a photo of Paning.

Healthy, bright-eyed, curled up on a soft blanket.

Surrounded by three other cats.

Amber’s mouth dropped open.

“Meet Paning,” Scarlett teased, swiping to another picture—one where Paning was playing with three other cats. “At ito si Shadow, Sassha, and Cloud.”

Amber gawked .

She couldn’t even breathe .

Scarlett smirked, obviously enjoying her reaction. “Alam mo, ang funny mo talaga, Amber.”

Amber snapped her gaze up. “You had her this whole time?!”

Scarlett beamed . “Syempre! Alam kong ikaw ‘yung nagligtas sa kanya. At alam ko rin na hindi siya basta nawala—kundi nakatakas lang.”

Amber gasped . “ Paning, you little traitor—! ”

Scarlett laughed at that, shaking her head. “Nahanap ko siya sa may isang sulok malapit sa school. Nangayayat na, pero sobrang bait pa rin. Eh ano pa nga bang magagawa ko?”

She shrugged like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Like there was never a question in her mind about what to do.

Like taking in Paning—something that had once meant so much to Amber—was just natural for her.

Amber was still staring at the photos, her heart feeling… full.

“She’s okay?” she asked, softer this time.

Scarlett smiled. “More than okay. Masayahin. Malakas. Makulit, pero mabait sa ibang pusa.”

Amber bit her lip, her emotions threatening to spill over.

She had thought she lost Paning forever.

But all this time—

She had been with Scarlett .

The girl who had been watching, who had seen a side of her no one else had, who had taken care of the one thing Amber had been too heartbroken to lose.

“…Amber,” Scarlett murmured, drawing her attention back.

Amber blinked.

Scarlett’s smile softened.

“I told you, ‘di ba?” she whispered.

Amber tilted her head. “Told me what?”

“That I saw you.”

Amber’s breath caught in her throat.

“This?” Scarlett gestured to her phone, to the pictures of Paning. “Isa lang ‘to sa mga bagay na nagpapaalala sa’kin na ‘yung Amber na gusto ko? ‘Di siya ‘yung spoiled rich girl. Hindi ‘yung babaeng nakikita ng iba.”

She held Amber’s gaze, unwavering.

“Gusto ko ‘yung Amber na marunong mag-alaga.”

Amber felt her world tilt.

Because God , was that all it took?

Not money, not status, not luxury—

Just love.

The kind she never thought she’d get, but was suddenly right here , looking at her with the warmest eyes she’d ever seen.

“…Scarlett,” Amber whispered, her voice barely holding steady.

Scarlett grinned, like she already knew what Amber was feeling.

“Kaya,” she said, tilting her head playfully, “kung gusto mong makita si Paning… alam mo na kung saan ako hanapin.”

Amber laughed .

A real, soft, happy laugh.

And maybe—just maybe—she would.

And yet—

Amber still couldn’t believe it.

Paning.

All this time, she had been with Scarlett.

She was still staring at the phone screen when she felt a shift in the air—Scarlett, shifting beside her, looking at her with that same, soft expression.

It made her heart thunder in her chest.

Amber swallowed, gripping the hem of her oversized sweater.

She needed to say something—anything—to break the tension.

So, without thinking, she blurted out, “Gusto mo ba akong ligawan, bida-bida?”

The moment the words left her mouth, she realized two things:

One—she had said it out loud.

Two—Scarlett turned bright red.

Amber had never seen her that red before.

Not when people teased her in school. Not when she got caught staring. Not even when she had practically outed herself earlier.

But now?

Now, Scarlett looked like she was about to malfunction .

Her eyes widened, mouth slightly open, ears tinted pink, fingers gripping her phone so tightly like it was the only thing keeping her alive.

Amber smirked.

Oh.

Oh , she definitely hit a nerve.

"Ah— ano ?!" Scarlett stammered, her voice pitching a little higher.

Amber leaned in slightly, tilting her head in mock innocence. “Ano ka ngayon? Torpe? ”

Scarlett gawked at her, hands clenching into fists as she practically choked on her own breath.

Amber grinned .

This was too much fun.

"I mean," she drawled, crossing her arms, " ikaw naman ‘yung may crush sa’kin, ‘di ba? ”

Scarlett whipped her head towards her. "HUH?!"

Amber rolled her eyes. “Huwag ka ngang deny— lahat tayo, alam na .”

Scarlett groaned, covering her face with both hands, muffling what was probably a very loud scream.

Amber bit her lip, suppressing a laugh.

Oh, she was enjoying this.

But then—

Scarlett lowered her hands.

And despite her ears still burning, despite the way she looked one second away from short-circuiting—

She took a deep breath.

And then, softly—

“Kung gusto kita, pwede ba?”

Amber’s heart stopped.

Her smirk froze.

Because oh, God.

Scarlett wasn’t joking.

Scarlett wasn’t playing around.

Scarlett was looking at her dead in the eyes, nervous but sure, waiting—hoping—for an answer.

Amber felt her fingers tremble slightly.

She had never— never —had someone look at her like that before.

With so much genuine want.

Not because she was rich. Not because she was beautiful.

Just because she was Amber .

She tried to find her words, to say something teasing or snarky, but nothing came out.

Because for once—

She was the one left speechless.

Amber didn’t know what was happening to her.

Her brain was usually fast —quick with a witty comeback, a teasing remark, an effortless brush-off.

But right now?

Right now, she was blank.

Because Scarlett—Scarlett—was looking at her like that.

Like she actually meant it.

Like she had been holding onto this for a long time, and now that it was out in the open, she wasn’t backing down.

Amber swallowed hard.

Her heart was pounding.

“Kung gusto kita, pwede ba?”

Scarlett’s voice still rang in her ears, soft but steady.

And for the first time in forever, Amber didn’t know how to react.

“…Ano ‘to, seryoso ka?” she finally managed, trying to keep her voice light.

Scarlett just nodded.

No kanal joke. No annoying remark.

Just a simple, honest nod.

Amber forced out a chuckle, trying to mask the way her hands suddenly felt clammy .

Her instinct was to tease, to push back, to act like she wasn’t suddenly weak in the knees —

But Scarlett wasn’t letting her.

Instead, the girl just stood there, watching, waiting.

And God, why was it suddenly so hot in her apartment?

Amber exhaled, shifting her weight.

“Akala ko ba ikaw ‘yung matapang?” she muttered, crossing her arms. “Bakit parang ako ‘yung kinakabahan ngayon?”

Scarlett’s lips quirked slightly, her usual mischief flickering in her expression. “Oh? Kinakabahan ka pala, ha?”

Amber clicked her tongue. “Hindi ko sinabi ‘yun—”

“Sinabi mo na, eh.”

Amber rolled her eyes, finally regaining some of her composure.

“Psh. Feeling mo lang ‘yun,” she shot back, her smirk making a comeback.

But Scarlett only grinned, eyes twinkling.

“Eh ‘di kung gano’n…” she trailed off, tilting her head. “Sasagutin mo na ba ako kung manligaw ako?”

Amber’s breath hitched.

Her mind screamed at her to come up with something—anything—but all she could do was stare .

Because what the hell was this?!

She had spent her whole life surrounded by people who only cared about money, who only liked her because of who she was on paper—

And now, standing in front of her, was a girl who had nothing but her boldness and a stupid, genuine heart—

And Amber was actually considering it.

She didn’t even realize she had been silent for too long until Scarlett chuckled.

“Wala?” Scarlett teased. “Naubusan ka ng English?”

Amber scowled . “ Putangina mo— ”

Scarlett laughed . “Ang lutong.”

Amber threw a pillow at her. “UMALIS KA SA BAHAY KO!”

Scarlett dodged effortlessly, still laughing. “Eh ‘di sagutin mo muna ‘yung tanong ko!”

Amber’s eye twitched.

This.

This was why she hated this girl.

Because Scarlett always won.

Even when she was on the verge of exploding, even when her face was burning hotter than ever—

Scarlett was standing there, waiting, smiling like she had all the time in the world.

And God help her—

Amber wanted to say yes.

At first, Scarlett thought Amber was just teasing.

That all the sudden lambing was just another way to make her flustered, another game in their never-ending battle of one-upping each other.

But then—

Then, Amber never stopped .

It started small.

Amber would wrap her arms around Scarlett’s waist whenever she could—during conversations, while waiting in line, even when they were just standing around with friends.

At first, Scarlett would short-circuit every single time.

But then Amber did it so often—like it was second nature—that Scarlett slowly started getting used to it.

(Well. Not entirely. Her heart still pounded every damn time.)

Then came the side hugs.

If they were sitting next to each other, Amber’s arm would always find its way around Scarlett’s shoulder.

If they were walking, Amber would sling an arm around her neck, pulling her in like they were attached at the hip.

At one point, Scarlett even tried moving away—just to see if Amber would notice.

She did.

And she whined.

“Bakit ka lumalayo?” Amber pouted, grabbing Scarlett’s wrist and pulling her back.

Scarlett had to physically hold back a scream.

But the real kicker?

Amber wasn’t even the suitor.

And yet—

She recorded herself playing the ukulele, singing soft love songs in her room like she was serenading Scarlett through her phone screen.

She cooked Scarlett’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner—carefully packed in cute little lunchboxes, delivered with the most casual, conyo-sounding, “Oh, ikaw na bahala diyan, ah.”

She spent hours just sitting with Scarlett, leaning on her, laughing at her kanal jokes like they were the funniest thing in the world.

She made sure to tell Scarlett how amazing she was, how funny she was, how she was the best part of her day.

She sent good morning and good night texts—every. single. Day.

Scarlett had seen guys court girls before.

She had seen grand gestures, flowery words, extravagant gifts.

But nothing—compared to this.

Because Amber—Amber, the supposedly spoiled, conyo rich girl who never had to lift a finger her whole life—

Was out here acting like she was Scarlett’s girlfriend already.

“Uh…” Scarlett finally asked one day, after receiving yet another lunchbox with perfectly cooked rice, viand, and even a little note. “Seryoso ka ba?”

Amber blinked at her. “Ha?”

“You’re not even the one courting me,” Scarlett pointed out, feeling her face heat up. “Pero ikaw ‘yung clingy. Ikaw ‘yung nagbibigay ng baon. Ikaw ‘yung halos hindi na ako mabitawan—”

Amber shrugged, stuffing her hands in her pockets. “Eh bakit?”

Scarlett raised an eyebrow. “Bakit nga?”

Amber smirked, tilting her head.

Then, with the most nonchalant, heart-stopping tone, she said—

“Eh gusto kita, eh.”

Scarlett. Died. Right then and there.

Scarlett malfunctioned.

Her brain, normally sharp with kanal humor, crashed like a Windows XP error screen.

Eh gusto kita, eh.

The words replayed in her head like a broken record.

Amber was still standing there, all casual and relaxed, as if she hadn’t just dropped a bomb on Scarlett’s already unstable heart.

“…Ha?” Scarlett croaked out, gripping the lunchbox like it was the only thing keeping her upright.

Amber blinked innocently. “Ano, ‘ha?’”

“You—” Scarlett’s voice cracked. She cleared her throat. “Sinabi mo lang na gusto mo ako?”

Amber raised an eyebrow. “Oo naman. Obvious naman, ‘di ba?”

Scarlett felt like she was about to explode. “Putangina!”

Amber grinned. “O, kita mo? Marunong ka nang magmura sa harap ko.”

Scarlett groaned, pressing the lunchbox to her face to hide the fact that she was burning red. “Hindi mo ba ako niloloko?”

Amber’s smirk softened. “Ikaw ba sa tingin mo lolokohin kita?”

Scarlett hesitated.

Because that was the thing, wasn’t it?

Amber had every opportunity to joke, to mess around, to turn this into one of their usual back-and-forths.

But she wasn’t.

She was just standing there, watching her, waiting for her to process it all.

And that was what made it real.

It wasn’t a tease. It wasn’t a joke.

It was real.

“I mean…” Scarlett swallowed hard. “Bakit nga ba?”

Amber tilted her head, eyes glimmering with something unreadable.

Then, she took a step forward—closing the space between them in a way that made Scarlett’s heart trip over itself.

“Gusto kita,” Amber repeated, slow and deliberate, “kasi…”

She reached out, casually fixing the loose strand of hair on Scarlett’s forehead.

“Kasi ikaw lang ‘yung ‘di ako tinrato na parang trophy.”

Scarlett froze.

Amber’s fingers lingered—just a second too long—before she pulled away, tucking her hands back in her pockets.

“You actually make me work for it,” Amber continued, a lazy grin forming on her lips. “Ang dami kong ginagawa para lang sa ‘yo, pero ‘di mo pa rin ako binibigyan ng label.”

Scarlett’s brain short-circuited.

Because what the hell?

Was this… was this Amber implying that she was actually trying?!

“… Teka lang! ” Scarlett finally snapped out of it, pointing at her. “So, sinasabi mo, ikaw na ‘tong nanliligaw sakin?!”

Amber just smirked, leaning in slightly.

“Depende,” she murmured. “Payag ka ba?”

Scarlett’s entire existence combusted.

.

Despite the way Amber was practically glued to Scarlett whenever they were together, she was somehow even worse over text.

Her clinginess did not take breaks.

[10:32 AM] Amber 🌸
Hoy, anong ginagawa mo?

[10:32 AM] Scarlett 😈
Nag-aaral, duh.

[10:33 AM] Amber 🌸
Ew. Bakit ang sipag mo? Drop out na tayo.

[10:33 AM] Scarlett 😈
Ikaw mayaman, ako hindi. Sino sa atin ‘yung may choice mag-drop out?

[10:34 AM] Amber 🌸
Ang lungkot naman n’yan. Sige, mag-aaral na rin ako para solidarity.

[10:35 AM] Scarlett 😈
Wow, ang bait. Sino ka at anong ginawa mo kay Amber?

[10:36 AM] Amber 🌸
Gusto mo ba akong ligawan?

[10:37 AM] Scarlett 😈
PUTANGINA ?!

[11:47 PM] Amber 🌸
Iniisip mo rin ba ako bago ka matulog?

[11:48 PM] Scarlett 😈
Tangina, Amber, matulog ka na.

[11:48 PM] Amber 🌸
Eh paano kung ikaw ‘yung tulog at ako ‘yung gising?

[11:49 PM] Scarlett 😈
Edi ikaw ‘yung gago.

[11:50 PM] Amber 🌸
Ang harsh mo naman. Nakakaiyak. 😔

[11:51 PM] Scarlett 😈
Good night na, Amber.

[11:51 PM] Amber 🌸
Paano ako makakatulog kung wala kang good night kiss?

[11:52 PM] Scarlett 😈
AMBER .

[3:20 PM] Amber 🌸
Ganda mo today.

[3:21 PM] Scarlett 😈
Hindi mo nga ako nakikita?!

[3:21 PM] Amber 🌸
Nakikita kita sa utak ko. Lagi.

[3:22 PM] Scarlett 😈
Lintek ka, Amber.

[3:22 PM] Amber 🌸
I miss you.

[3:23 PM] Scarlett 😈
Magkasama lang tayo kaninang lunch?!

[3:24 PM] Amber 🌸
Eh ano ngayon? Namimiss pa rin kita.

[3:25 PM] Scarlett 😈
Ugh. Busy ako, huwag mo muna akong kulitin.

[3:26 PM] Amber 🌸
Sige, sige. I’ll stop.

[3:28 PM] Amber 🌸
Wait. Pero saglit lang—

[3:28 PM] Scarlett 😈
PUTANGINA AMBER.

[8:10 AM] Amber 🌸
Gising ka na?

[8:12 AM] Scarlett 😈
Kanina pa.

[8:12 AM] Amber 🌸
Ba’t di ka nag-good morning sakin? 😞

[8:13 AM] Scarlett 😈
Tangina, ang demanding mo??

[8:14 AM] Amber 🌸
Syempre. Ikaw ‘yung unang iniisip ko pag-gising ko, tapos ikaw wala man lang pa-good morning? 😔

[8:14 AM] Scarlett 😈
Huy—

[8:15 AM] Amber 🌸
Sige na, bumawi ka na.

[8:16 AM] Scarlett 😈
Good morning na.

[8:16 AM] Amber 🌸
Dapat may kasamang heart.

[8:17 AM] Scarlett 😈
Good morning. ❤️

[8:17 AM] Amber 🌸
Awww, ikaw rin, love. 💖

[8:18 AM] Scarlett 😈
ANG LANDI MO AMBER.

[12:30 PM] Amber 🌸
’Di ka pa nagla-lunch?

[12:32 PM] Scarlett 😈
Mamaya na.

[12:33 PM] Amber 🌸
Ano ka, robot?

[12:34 PM] Scarlett 😈
Busy ako eh.

[12:35 PM] Amber 🌸
Kunin kita.

[12:36 PM] Scarlett 😈
Ha? Saan mo ako dadalhin??

[12:37 PM] Amber 🌸
Kakain tayo. May dala akong food. Favorite mo. 😏

[12:38 PM] Scarlett 😈
Gagi, di mo naman kailangan—

[12:39 PM] Amber 🌸
Kailangan ko kasi gusto kitang alagaan, duh.

[12:40 PM] Scarlett 😈
Takte, Amber.

[12:41 PM] Amber 🌸
Kita tayo sa labas in 5 minutes.

[12:42 PM] Scarlett 😈
Di pa ako tapos sa ginagawa ko??

[12:42 PM] Amber 🌸
5 minutes.

[12:43 PM] Scarlett 😈
Hayop ka.

[12:44 PM] Amber 🌸
Cute ako.

And sure enough, five minutes later, there Amber was—standing outside with a lunchbox and the smuggest grin in existence.

[11:30 PM] Amber 🌸
Matutulog ka na?

[11:31 PM] Scarlett 😈
Mmhm.

[11:31 PM] Amber 🌸
Paano ako makakatulog kung ‘di kita na-good night properly?

[11:32 PM] Scarlett 😈
Ay gago ka, matulog ka na.

[11:32 PM] Amber 🌸
Sige na, last na.

[11:33 PM] Scarlett 😈
Ano?

[11:33 PM] Amber 🌸
Good night, love. Sweet dreams. 😘💖

[11:34 PM] Scarlett 😈
AI—TANGINA, HUMINTO KA NA!!

[11:34 PM] Amber 🌸
Pano kung gusto kitang ligawan talaga? 😉

[11:35 PM] Scarlett 😈

PUTANGINA AMBER.

Scarlett was used to being independent—she never expected to have someone dotting over her like Amber did.

One afternoon, she was walking home from campus, exhausted from back-to-back classes. Just as she was about to enter her apartment, she noticed a paper bag hanging on her doorknob.

She frowned, picking it up. Inside were neatly packed takeout containers, still warm.

Amber's handwriting was scrawled on a sticky note:

"Kumain ka, bida-bida. Huwag masyadong magpaka-busy. 😘 - Amber"

Scarlett clutched the note, shaking her head but smiling like an idiot.

After Scarlett’s first harana attempt, Amber wouldn't let her live it down.

One evening, Amber got revenge.

Scarlett was studying in the library when she suddenly received a video message.

She clicked on it, and—

There was Amber. Sitting in her room, holding the ukelele.

"Since bida-bida ka, ako rin," Amber teased on the video. Then, with a soft strum, she started singing.

It was a slow, sweet version of "Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko."

Scarlett almost threw her phone across the library.

She exited the video and immediately texted Amber:

[9:27 PM] Scarlett 😈
GAGO KA BA AMBER—ANO TO??

[9:27 PM] Amber 🌸
Harana mo ‘di ba? Ako naman. Fair lang. 😌

[9:28 PM] Scarlett 😈
PUNYETA, NAKAKAINIS KA.

[9:28 PM] Amber 🌸
Nakakainis pero kinilig ka. 😏

[9:29 PM] Scarlett 😈
SHUT UP.

Her face was burning.

They were watching a movie in Scarlett’s apartment.

Or well, Scarlett was watching. Amber, on the other hand, was staring directly at her.

When Scarlett finally noticed, she frowned. "Ano?"

Amber blinked innocently. "Wala."

Scarlett sighed and turned back to the screen.

Then—Amber scooted closer. And closer.

Scarlett could feel her breath. Her heart slammed against her chest.

"...Amber," Scarlett whispered.

"Hmm?"

"Ang lapit mo."

Amber smirked. "Bakit? Kinakabahan ka?"

Scarlett gulped, refusing to back away. "Hindi."

Amber tilted her head slightly, lips just inches away.

"Good," Amber murmured.

And just when it seemed like something would happen—

Honey, the dog, suddenly jumped onto Scarlett's lap, barking excitedly.

They both yelped, the moment completely shattered.

Scarlett glared at the dog. "Honey, gago ka."

Amber, laughing, ruffled the dog's fur. "Good timing, Honey."

(Was it really, though?)

And so, their courting stage continued—full of teasing, full of warmth, and full of moments where Amber made it impossible for Scarlett to not fall for her even harder.

She didn’t know if it was possible to fall for the same person just as many times as she sees her for every second. But here she was.

Maybe it was enough for now.