Until | MikhAiah AU

A soft shuffle rouses me from sleep. I groan, burying my face deeper into the pillow.

“Maiv.” I grunt in response.

“Maiv, gising na.”

I peek through one barely opened eye and find Ava crouching beside me, her hair still messy from sleep, eyes wide with excitement. “Anong oras na?” I mumble, voice hoarse.

“Four.”

I groan louder. “Ava, tangina, natutulog pa ang buong mundo.”

She laughs, the sound light and mischievous. “Eh, gusto kong mag-drive to Tagaytay. Tara na.”

I pull the blanket over my head. “Tulog pa ako, Ava. Mamaya na.”

I feel the bed shift as she stands. Then, in that sing-song voice that always gets me in trouble, she pleads, “Maiv…”

I sigh. Long. Deep. Defeated.

And when I finally pull the blanket down, she’s smiling at me—bright, sweet, the kind that makes it impossible to say no.

“Damn it,” I grumble, pushing myself up. “Sige na nga.”

The city streets are still bathed in darkness as we cruise down the near-empty roads, the occasional headlights passing us by. I stifle a yawn, one hand lazily gripping the steering wheel while the other rubs my eyes.

Ava, ever the energetic one even at four in the morning, taps away on her phone before the car’s Bluetooth beeps, signaling a connection.

“Para hindi ka antukin,” she declares, scrolling through her playlist.

I already know what’s coming. “Ava, ‘wag mo nang i-play ‘yang—”

Too late. The first few beats drop, and I groan as Usher’s "Yeah!" blasts through the speakers.

Ava turns to me, grinning. “Gising ka na?”

I snort. “Ano ‘to, club?”

“Dapat lively!” she insists, turning the volume up. “Gusto mo makatulog tayo sa expressway?”

I roll my eyes but let it slide. I’d rather suffer through her throwback R&B playlist than risk falling asleep at the wheel.

She wiggles in her seat, doing small dance moves. “Gusto mo rin ‘to, Maiv. Aminin mo.”

“Hindi ko talaga trip,” I lie, tapping my fingers against the steering wheel in time with the beat.

She gasps dramatically. “Taksil ka! Eh dati nga ‘di ka nagreklamo nung nag-One Direction ako.”

I scoff. “Kasi ‘di naman pampasayaw yun.”

“Excuses.” She swipes through her phone again, and the next song starts playing—"Take You Down" by Chris Brown.

I shoot her a look. “Tangina, Ava. 4 AM ‘to, hindi 2 AM sa bar.”

She bursts out laughing. “Basta ‘wag ka lang makatulog! Gusto mo RINI next?”

I sigh in surrender, letting her DJ for the rest of the drive.

After a few more songs, we reach the gas station. I pull into the parking lot and shift the car into park, stretching my arms above my head.

Ava unbuckles her seatbelt, already halfway out the door. “Coffee break muna!”

I shake my head, yawning. “Dapat lang. Baka tuluyan na akong makatulog sa byahe.”

She grins. “Sabi ko naman sayo, Usher is life.”

I chuckle, stepping out of the car. “Sige na nga. Pero ako ang pipili ng coffee.”

And just like that, our spontaneous road trip continues.

Back on the road, the early morning air seeps through the car windows as we drive with the crisp wind rushing past. The roads are still quiet, bathed in a soft, bluish hue from the lingering night. Ava rolls the window down slightly, her arm resting on the edge as she watches the sky shift from deep navy to a lighter shade.

“Maiv, bilisan mo konti. Baka ma-miss natin yung sunrise,” she says, excitement lacing her voice.

I glance at her briefly before sighing. “Alam mong hindi ako kasing hyper mo nang ganitong oras, ‘di ba?”

She grins. “Eh paano, mahina ka kasi sa puyatan.”

I scoff but don’t argue. Instead, I press a little harder on the gas, just enough to keep up with her energy.

By the time we reach Tagaytay, the sky has started its slow transformation. Hues of orange and pink spill over the horizon, the Taal Volcano coming into view against the misty lake. Ava leans forward, her hands pressed against the dashboard as she takes it all in.

“Ang ganda,” she breathes out, eyes reflecting the glow of the morning light.

I hum in response, still groggy, but I can’t deny it—the view is breathtaking.

We finally arrive at one of the well-known restaurants overlooking Taal. The sign on the door says it opens at 6:30 AM, but that doesn’t stop Ava from marching up to the staff near the entrance.

"Kuya, pwede na po kaming pumasok?" she asks, her voice dripping with charm.

The staff hesitates, glancing at the locked doors before looking back at her. “Miss, 6:30 pa po ang opening—”

"Promise, tahimik lang kami. Order din agad para ‘di hassle," she presses, flashing them a sweet, hopeful smile. I shake my head, stuffing my hands in my hoodie pocket. Typical Ava.

The kuya sighs, defeated, and nods. "Sige po, pero veranda lang muna habang nagse-set up kami."

Ava turns to me, grinning in triumph. "Tara, Maiv."

She leads the way, and we settle at a table near the veranda, where the cool breeze greets us. Ava immediately focuses on the view, her expression unusually quiet. I rest my chin on my palm, half-asleep, only to hear her voice break the silence.

"Iniisip ko lang..." she starts, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the condensation on her water glass. "Akala ko okay naman kami ni Gio."

I don’t say anything.

She continues, “Pero siguro nga, nagbago na siya.”

I clench my fist inside my hoodie pocket. My jaw tightens. Inaalagaan ko nga ito mabuti tapos gaganyanin mo lang?

“Maiv?”

I blink, realizing I must have been frowning too hard because Ava suddenly reaches across the table and presses her fingertips to my forehead, gently massaging the space between my brows.

Caught off guard, I freeze.

“Lagi mong ginagawa ‘to pag may iniisip ka,” she says softly, her touch lingering. “Relax ka lang.”

I swallow, my breath hitching for a second. The warmth of her fingers against my skin sends an unfamiliar feeling down my spine.

I exhale through my nose, forcing myself to relax. "Ava, di mo kailangang isipin ‘yon ngayon," I murmur, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "Deserve mo yung mas maayos na tao."

She pulls her hand back slowly, her expression unreadable. "Hmm," is all she says before turning back to the view.

And for a moment, we sit there in silence, watching as the sun finally peeks over the horizon, painting everything in gold.

True to her word, the moment the restaurant officially opens at 6:30 AM, we place our orders. Or rather, she does.

I wasn’t planning to eat much. I never do in the morning. Breakfast has never been my thing, but coffee? Non-negotiable.

Just as the staff approaches our table to take our orders, my phone vibrates inside my hoodie pocket. I glance at the screen—Cali.

“Sandali lang,” I say, standing up to step away from the table.

I know what this is about, so I answered the call. "Sorry, Cali. I can't join today."

"Si Avara ba ‘yan?" I hear her exasperation loud and clear.

"Sorry talaga. Babawi ako, promise."

"Hay nako. Ikaw talaga, Maiven!" she huffs. "Nasaan ba kayo ngayon? Hindi ka ba makakasunod saglit?"

"Tagaytay."

"Hoy! Jusko ka, Maiven! Naging driver ka na naman niyan."

"Tama na sermon, Cali. Sesermunan pa ‘ko ni coach for sure."

"Talaga! Galit na galit na! Alam mo namang isang buwan na lang bago mag-start ang season."

"Bawi talaga ako, Cali."

"Ano pa nga ba."

"You’re the best!"

"Wag mong kalimutan yung pasalubong namin!"

By the time I return to my seat, Ava is casually scrolling through her phone, looking way too smug.

I eye her warily. I know that look.

“Ava…” I start cautiously.

She grins up at me. “Nag-order na ‘ko para sa’yo.”

I raise a brow. “Bakit parang feeling mo ang galing mo?”

She just shrugs, sipping her water. “Alam ko namang ‘di ka mag-oorder ng maayos. As usual, ‘unli kapeng barako’ ka lang, so I got you tocino with eggs.”

I stare at her, unimpressed. “Ava, you know I don’t eat breakfast.”

“Edi kapehin mo nalang yung kanin,” she teases, giggling.

I shake my head, already accepting my fate. Then my gaze drops to her plate—breakfast sampler with hot choco.

I sigh. “And as usual, you ordered too much.”

She grins, feigning innocence. “Whaaat? Gutom ako, Maiv.”

“No, you’re not,” I deadpan. “You’ll eat half of it, then ipapasa mo sakin yung leftovers mo.”

She gives me a sheepish look but doesn’t deny it. “Well… at least busog ka?”

I roll my eyes but let it slide. I’ve been finishing her leftovers for years. At this point, it’s just part of our dynamic.

As we wait for our food, she tilts her head, eyeing me. “Sino tumawag?”

I lean back on my chair, crossing my arms. “Cali lang.”

She frowns. “Bakit?”

“Wala, binubwisit lang ako,” I say nonchalantly, brushing it off.

Ava narrows her eyes at me. “Sigurado ka?”

Before she can press further, my phone vibrates again. This time, it’s a message.

I glance down. Coach Mad.

Missed practice again. This is getting old, Maiven.

I exhale sharply, locking my phone and shoving it back in my pocket. I already know what this is about.

Cali and Jorge can handle it. Right now, I have more important things to focus on.

Like the girl sitting in front of me.

Ava doesn’t notice the shift in my mood because the moment our orders arrive, she practically bounces in her seat, eyes shining as she watches the staff place the food in front of us.

“Wow! Ang bilis! Salamat po, kuya!” she beams, flashing them that ridiculously bright smile of hers.

The staff chuckles. “Enjoy po, ma’am.” I watch her, shaking my head at how easily she finds joy in the simplest things.

She claps her hands together before picking up her spoon. “Ang bango, Maiv! Ang sarap nito for sure.”

“Sinabi mo lang kasi gutom ka,” I tease, watching as she takes a sip of her hot choco, her face lighting up instantly.

“Ugh, ang sarap!” she exclaims, closing her eyes in bliss. “Try mo, Maiv.”

I lift my coffee cup. “Pass. Hindi tayo compatible pagdating sa drinks, Ava.”

She sticks her tongue out. “Mas masarap ang hot choco kesa sa kape!”

“Debatable.”

She grins. “Okay, fine. Pero try mo ‘to, please?”

She scoops a bit of her food and holds out her spoon toward me. I roll my eyes but lean forward anyway, taking a bite.

“Hmm,” I say, chewing slowly. “Pwede na.”

She gasps dramatically. “Pwede na? Napaka-ungrateful mo talaga!”

I smirk. “Joke lang. Masarap.”

She nods, satisfied, before digging into her food with enthusiasm.

And just like that, whatever stress I was feeling earlier fades into the background.

We take our time finishing breakfast. Well, mostly me, since Ava barely eats half before predictably pushing her plate toward me.

“Di ko na kaya,” she announces, dramatically rubbing her stomach.

I raise a brow. “Ava. You barely touched it.”

“Uy, hindi totoo yan! Halos kalahati na ‘yan, noh.”

I sigh, stabbing a piece of her leftover sausage. “Kung di mo kayang ubusin, bakit ka nag-oorder ng madami?”

“Para may tira ka. Gusto mo naman ‘di ba?” she says cheekily, sipping her hot choco. I roll my eyes but still eat the leftovers. She’s impossible.

Meanwhile, she’s scrolling through her phone, searching for things to do. Since we only grabbed our jackets and wallets on the way here, we’re limited in terms of activities.

“Oh! Let’s go island hopping! May Pagsanjan Falls tour!” she says excitedly.

I shoot her a flat look. “Ava, wala tayong extrang damit.”

“We can buy—”

“No. Hindi practical.”

She pouts, sulking as she scrolls again.

A few minutes later, she perks up. “Eto! Let’s book a tour!”

I glance at her screen. “Ava, may sasakyan tayo.”

She groans, dramatically dropping her phone onto the table. “Eh ano nalang gagawin natin?”

I smirk. “DIY trip na lang tayo.”

She sighs but eventually nods. Before leaving the restaurant, we order the famous pandesal with butter and empanadas to bring home for my friends.

After deciding against Sky Ranch because of the crowd, we head to Puzzle Mansion instead.

The moment we step inside, Ava's eyes widen in awe. “Ang dami, Maiv! Look at this!” she exclaims, tugging at my sleeve before rushing toward a display case filled with 3D puzzles of famous landmarks.

I shove my hands inside my hoodie pocket, watching her with an amused smile. “Para kang bata.”

She ignores me, practically bouncing on her feet as she moves from one exhibit to another. “Ang galing nito! Grabe, sino kayang may tiyagang buuin ‘to?” She gestures toward a massive 32,000-piece puzzle mounted on the wall.

I whistle low, pretending to be impressed. “Imagine mo kung may isang pirasong nawala—buong taon mong binuo tapos kulang.”

She gasps dramatically, clutching her chest. “Ang sakit non, Maiven! Parang heartbreak!”

I chuckle. “Mas masakit pa ‘yon, ‘no?”

She turns to me, eyes playful. “Ikaw ba? Nag-try ka na bang mag-puzzle?”

I scoff. “Ava, anong tingin mo sakin? Wala akong pasensya sa ganyan.”

“Pero may pasensya ka sakin?” she teases, bumping my shoulder.

I roll my eyes but don’t answer.

She drags me along, leading me deeper into the exhibit where puzzles of all sizes and designs fill the room. Some are framed on the walls, while others are displayed on pedestals, including those made of wood, metal, and even crystal.

As she marvels at one of the largest jigsaw puzzles in the collection, she suddenly reaches for my hand—fingers intertwining with mine like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

I freeze.

A beat passes before I glance down at our joined hands. My heart stumbles over itself, a rapid beats against my ribs.

She doesn’t even seem to notice what she’s done. Her entire focus is on the puzzle in front of us, eyes gleaming with admiration.

“Seryoso, paano ‘to ginawa?” she muses aloud. “Gusto ko tuloy mag-try ng ganito sa condo.”

I clear my throat, trying to ignore the way my palm feels too warm against hers. “Tingin mo ba may space ka pa sa condo mo?” I mutter, voice coming out rougher than intended.

She pouts, finally turning to me. “Sikip ba?”

“Ava, yung sapatos mo nga lang, nakikipag-agawan na ng space sakin dun.”

She laughs, tightening her grip on my hand for a split second before letting go, leaving behind an unshakable warmth.

I exhale quietly. Get a grip, Maiven.

Ava, unaware of my internal chaos, continues wandering around, her excitement never faltering. She points at another intricate puzzle of Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night.’ “Uy, Maiv! ‘Di ba paborito mo ‘to?”

I nod, glad for the distraction. “Oo. Pero never akong nagka-puzzle ng ganyan.”

“Gusto mo?” she asks, grinning. “Bilhin natin, tapos buuin natin together!”

I raise an eyebrow. “Feeling ko ako lang bubuo niyan habang nanonood ka ng Netflix.”

She gasps in mock offense, clutching her chest again. “Grabe ka sakin, Maiven. Ganyan ba tingin mo sakin?”

I smirk. “Oo.”

She bursts into laughter, playfully nudging me. “Hala, ang sama mo.”

Still, she doesn’t insist on buying it. Instead, she moves on to another section, her happiness infectious as we explore the rest of the mansion.

Even though I’m not really into puzzles, just watching her like this—eyes bright, smile wide—makes the trip worth it.

And for a moment, I let myself enjoy this. Just the two of us, no calls, no heartbreaks, no complications. Just Ava being Ava.

Lunchtime came, and as expected, another debate arose.

“I’m telling you, food trip sa Sky Ranch na tayo!” Ava insisted, arms crossed as she leaned against the car. “Ang daming stalls dun. Pwede tayong mag-try ng iba’t ibang food.”

I shook my head. “Ava, we’re in Tagaytay. Sino bang pumupunta dito tapos hindi kumakain ng bulalo?”

She scrunched her nose. “Eh kasi naman, Maiv, lagi na lang bulalo. Tapos sa karinderya pa? Hindi ba pwedeng—”

“Nope,” I cut her off. “Tayo na. Wala ka nang choice.”

She groaned dramatically but didn’t argue further. Victory!

We found a local bulaluhan—the kind you’d find along the streets, where the air is thick with the scent of simmering beef broth, and the seating is simple but homey. No frills, just great food.

As soon as the piping hot bowl of bulalo was placed in front of me, I made sure to ask for extra sabaw and requested extra crispy tawilis on the side.

Ava watched me in amusement as I heartily ate the tendons, savoring each bite. I noticed her stare and raised a brow. “Bakit?”

She shook her head, smirking. “Wala lang. Naalala ko lang, ang dami mong kinain nung breakfast.”

I scoffed, taking another spoonful of soup. “Sino bang hindi mapapakain ng marami kapag kasama ka? Nakakapagod kang bantayan.”

She gasped, pretending to be offended. “Huy! Ang sama mo sakin.”

I shrugged. “Totoo naman.”

She giggled, but instead of continuing the banter, she focused on her food. Unlike me, she wasn’t that into bulalo, so she took smaller bites, mostly eating the vegetables and sipping the broth. I knew she’d be full soon, and I’d probably end up finishing her leftovers again. Some things never change.

After we ate, I struck up a conversation with Manang, the friendly owner of the eatery.

“Manang, may marerecommend po ba kayong magandang puntahan dito?” I asked as I handed her the payment.

She beamed. “Naku, hija, kung gusto niyo ng pamparelax, may kawa hot bath sa isang resort sa tapat lang ng simbahan diyan sa highway.”

“Kawa bath?” Ava repeated, intrigued. “Yung parang malalaking kawa tapos parang niluluto ka?”

Manang chuckled. “Oo, hija, pero mainit na tubig lang yan, hindi kayo lulutuin.”

That actually sounded nice—a massage and a hot bath after all the driving and walking around.

“Game?” I asked Ava.

“Game!” she nodded excitedly.

Before heading to the resort, we decided to stop by the church first.

It was a modest yet beautiful church—not too big, not too small, just enough to seat a hundred people. There was no ongoing mass, so the place was peaceful, filled only with the soft hum of prayers and the occasional creak of wooden pews.

As we entered, Ava made her way to the very front and kneeled, clasping her hands together.

I followed, kneeling beside her. She prayed quietly. I didn’t know what she was praying for, but her expression was serene, her lips moving softly in silent conversation with God.

I closed my eyes and prayed too.

Lord, alagaan Niyo po siya. Sana palagi siyang masaya. Sana walang makasakit sa kanya.

When I opened my eyes, Ava was still deep in prayer.

I turned to her, watching her for a moment. The sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting a soft glow on her face.

She looked at peace.

And in that moment, I prayed again.

Sana kahit anong mangyari, hindi siya mawala sakin.

Ava finally opened her eyes, taking a deep breath before making the sign of the cross. She turned to me, tilting her head slightly. “Nagdasal ka rin?”

I scoffed. “Syempre. Akala mo ikaw lang marunong?”

She smirked. “Anong pinagdasal mo?”

I shrugged, standing up and dusting off my jeans. “Secret.”

“Wow, damot,” she teased, standing up as well.

“Eh ikaw?” I countered, raising a brow at her.

Ava grinned playfully. “Secret.”

I rolled my eyes. “Tsk. Babalik ko lang sayo tanong mo.”

She laughed, linking her arm with mine as we walked toward the exit. “Feeling ko alam ko naman pinagdasal mo.”

I shot her a look. “Talaga? Edi ano?”

She placed a finger on her chin, pretending to think. “Hmm… na sana hindi ako biglang magyaya ng spontaneous trip ulit?”

I groaned dramatically. “Sana nga sinagot agad ni Lord ‘yan.”

Ava pouted. “Rude.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Ikaw, ano naman hiling mo kay Lord?”

She hummed before grinning. “Sana mag-enjoy ka ngayong trip natin.”

I paused for a second before looking at her, only to find her smiling at me—that kind of smile. The kind that makes it impossible to stay annoyed at her.

I sighed in surrender. “Tara na nga. Baka dumami pa hiling mo.”

She giggled, pulling me toward the car. “Excited na ‘ko sa kawa bath! Imagine, Maiv, maliligo tayo sa kawa! Parang bulalo ka na rin!”

I groaned. “Ava, for the last time, wala pong kinakain na tao sa bulalo.”

She burst out laughing, squeezing my arm. “Sabagay, sayang naman. Ang mahal mo pa naman siguro sa market.”

I flicked her forehead lightly, making her yelp. “Tigilan mo nga ako.”

She stuck her tongue out at me before hopping into the car.

I sighed, shaking my head as I followed. God, give me patience. Or more energy.

I was going to need it.

As I booked a room to secure our kawa bath and massage session, I glanced at Ava, who was practically bouncing on her heels.

"Sunset session tayo," I told her, sliding the confirmation slip into my wallet.

Ava clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling. "Talaga? Maiv, ang galing mo naman!"

I smirked. "Dapat lang. Alam kong gusto mong manuod ng sunset habang nagrerelax."

She grinned, nudging my side playfully. "Alam mo na agad? Psychic ka na ba?"

I scoffed. "Hindi psychic. Kilala lang kita."

She beamed at me before dramatically sighing. "Ako nalang talaga ang hopeless romantic na hindi pa rin naseseryoso."

I rolled my eyes, shoving my hands in my hoodie pocket. "Baka kasi masyado kang choosy?"

She gasped, feigning offense. "Hindi ah! Nagmamahal lang ako ng totoo."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Sige na nga."

While waiting for our kawa bath session, we decided to explore the venue. The resort had a charming, rustic feel—wooden walkways, hanging fairy lights, and the scent of fresh earth mixed with the faint aroma of essential oils. Ava was in her element, taking pictures of almost everything.

I was minding my own business when she suddenly tugged my sleeve. "Tingnan mo 'to, Maiv!"

I followed her gaze and saw an outdoor cinema. A small clearing with bean bags and picnic tables, a large projector screen set up in front.

"Uy, ganda dito," I admitted. "May schedule ng movie?"

Ava leaned closer to read the sign. "Oh! May screening mamaya! 7:30 PM… That Thing Called Tadhana!"

I groaned internally. A heartbreak movie. Classic Ava choice.

She turned to me, already pouting. "Dito na tayo mag-dinner habang nanonood? Pleaaase?"

I sighed. "Kahit wala pa kong sinasabi, nagpipilit ka na?"

She grinned, clasping her hands together. "Kasi naman, alam kong papayag ka rin! Diba? Diba?"

I exhaled, shaking my head. "Oo na, oo na. Dito na tayo kakain."

She squealed, hugging my arm. "Maiv, ang bait mo talaga!"

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t fight the small smile on my lips. God, this girl.

The kawa bath was an experience—soothing, warm, and oddly calming—but the massage that followed? Next level.

It was my first time getting a massage outdoors, the fresh air and faint rustling of leaves adding to the experience. A thin curtain was the only thing separating me from Ava, but I could hear her occasional hums of satisfaction, confirming she was just as relaxed as I was.

By the time we were done, I felt both energized and at peace. Stress? Gone. Soreness? Melted away.

As we made our way back to our room, Ava stretched her arms overhead, sighing happily.

“That was soooo good,” she mumbled, still in a post-massage haze.

I chuckled. “Sabi ko sayo maganda ‘to.”

She pouted playfully. “Dapat pala matagal na nating ginawa ‘to!”

I rolled my eyes. “Tapos ako na naman magbabayad, no?”

She grinned, looping her arm around mine as we entered the room.

Once inside, I checked my phone and remembered the outdoor cinema.

“Uy, tulog ka muna saglit. Kukuha lang ako ng slot para sa movie,” I told her.

She yawned, rubbing her eyes. “Okay, pero gisingin mo ko ha.”

I left her in the room and went to the reception to secure our reservation. It took a few minutes, but I made sure we got a good spot.

By the time I got back, Ava was fast asleep. She was curled up on her side, breathing softly, hair sprawled across the pillow, her face peaceful and relaxed. The warm glow from the bedside lamp made her look almost ethereal.

I stood by the door for a moment, just watching her.

Then, on impulse, I pulled out my phone.

Click.

A photo of her—serene, vulnerable, beautiful.

I let out a small chuckle, shaking my head before setting my phone aside. Carefully, I lied down beside her, making sure not to wake her up.

Because if there was one thing I knew about Ava—

Grumpy Ava is a no no.

I softly nudged Ava awake around 7 PM.

She was never a light sleeper—you could probably carry her out of the room and she wouldn’t stir. But somehow, she always managed to wake up at the crack of dawn whenever she wanted to go for a run. Selective body clock, I swear.

She stirred slightly, letting out a soft hum before shifting closer. Then, without warning, she wrapped her arms around my waist and tucked herself into me.

I froze.

This was dangerous territory.

“Ava,” I murmured, trying again. “Gising na.”

She only nuzzled deeper into my side. “Mmm… Maiv, ang lambot ng unan ko.”

I sighed, shaking my head. “Ava, I swear, kung hindi ka lang mabigat…”

She let out a muffled giggle but didn’t move. Instead, she sniffed.

I tensed. “Anong ginagawa mo?”

She suddenly pulled back slightly, blinking sleepily up at me. Then, with a lazy grin, she teased, “Ba’t amoy bulalo ka?”

I groaned. “Ava…”

She chuckled, finally sitting up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “Promise, Maiv, hindi ka ba naluto kanina sa kawa bath natin?”

“Baka ikaw lang gutom.”

She stretched her arms and yawned. “Hmmm. Possible.” Then, without warning, she patted my cheek. “Sige na, tara na. Baka mapagkamalan kitang dinner.”

I rolled my eyes but stood up, offering my hand. She took it, intertwining our fingers effortlessly, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

I didn’t comment on it. Didn’t want to ruin the moment.

We stepped out of the room, walking hand-in-hand toward the outdoor cinema. The cool night breeze welcomed us, sending a shiver through Ava. She was never good with the cold.

True enough, a few moments later, she let out a small huff. “Maiv… Ang ginaw.”

I smirked. “Sabi mo kasi jacket lang, wala kang dala kahit blanket.”

She playfully nudged me before suddenly pulling our joined hands into her hoodie pocket.

I stiffened.

“Ayan, mas mainit.” She grinned, completely unaware of the effect it had on me.

Heart, please. Not now.

The movie started, and as we ate, Ava’s attention stayed glued to the screen. Mine, however, kept drifting to her.

Her face would light up at certain scenes, eyes twinkling with unfiltered excitement. At some point, she gasped so dramatically that she almost choked on her food.

I shook my head, amused. “Ava, manonood ka lang ng sine, parang rollercoaster ‘yung emotions mo.”

“Shhh,” she hushed me, stuffing a fry into my mouth without looking away from the screen.

I huffed a laugh but let her be. Anything to keep her happy.

As the movie reached its climax, a sudden loud bang echoed through the night.

Fireworks.

Ava gasped in delight, immediately turning toward the sky. “Maiv, tingnan mo!”

I looked—not at the fireworks, but at her.

The colorful lights danced across her face, illuminating the pure joy in her expression. She was mesmerized.

And so was I.

She clapped her hands together, eyes never leaving the sky. “Ang ganda…”

I hummed in agreement. But I wasn’t talking about the fireworks.

She had no idea, did she? That no matter how beautiful the sky was, she was always going to be the brightest thing in my world.

She turned to me, grinning. “Sabi ko na nga ba worth it mag-stay till late.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Oo na, Ava. Tama ka na naman.”

She beamed, then leaned her head against my shoulder, sighing in contentment.

I let her.

Anything for you, Ava.

Anything.

We didn’t stay overnight at the resort. Instead, we decided to take the long route home, letting the quiet hum of the car and the distant city lights accompany us.

At first, Ava was still full of energy, recounting every single detail of our trip. “Maiv, grabe, hindi ko in-expect na ang relaxing pala ng kawa bath! Akala ko parang pakuluan lang tayo ng mga cannibal, pero ang sarap pala sa katawan,” she gushed, stretching her legs under the dashboard.

I shot her a look. “Ava, normal ba talaga na ‘yan ang unang pumasok sa isip mo?”

She giggled. “Well, ‘di ba parang sa cartoons ‘yun? ‘Yung mga tribal na nagluluto ng tao?”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Ikaw lang ata nakaisip nun habang nagrerelax tayo dun.”

She hummed, then leaned back on her seat. “Pero legit, Maiv. Gusto ko ulit bumalik. Masarap pala sa katawan ‘yun, tapos ‘yung sunset, ang ganda!”

I smirked. “O baka gusto mo na rin next time mag-full spa treatment? Pati hot stone massage?”

Her eyes lit up in an instant. “Pwede ba ‘yon? Kung oo, tara na ulit next weekend!”

I sighed dramatically. “Ava, kalma. Baka gusto mong umuwi muna.”

She laughed, then continued rambling about how she wanted to print the polaroids we took and maybe make a scrapbook out of them.

“Tapos lalagyan ko ng dried flowers sa gilid, para aesthetic,” she mused, staring dreamily at the window. “Gawa tayo, Maiv.”

I glanced at her. “Tayo? Since kailan ako marunong sa mga ganyan?”

She shot me a look. “Kaya nga ikaw ‘yung taga-cut, tapos ako ‘yung taga-design. Teamwork ‘yan, Maiven.”

I rolled my eyes but didn’t argue. “Sure, sure.”

She grinned in satisfaction, then yawned, her voice slowly fading.

By the time we were halfway home, the conversation died down. I glanced at her and saw her head slowly drooping to the side. She was already dozing off.

I smiled faintly. Ava always falls asleep so easily in cars.

I adjusted the temperature slightly so she wouldn’t feel too cold. She always complained about the cold but never actually prepared for it.

When we finally reached her condo, she barely stirred when I parked the car.

“Ava,” I called softly. No response.

I sighed, getting out and walking around to open her door. Leaning down, I gently tapped her cheek. “Ava, condo mo na.”

She groaned, burying her face into her arms.

I chuckled before teasing, “Ano, gusto mo buhatin kita?”

Her eyes snapped open, looking at me with mild horror before she quickly sat up, rubbing her face. “Jusko, Maiv, parang gusto mo ata ‘kong i-body slam!”

I laughed as she sluggishly unbuckled her seatbelt. “Ikaw ang may sabi niyan, hindi ako.”

She yawned, grabbing her wallet and jacket before stepping out of the car. “Salamat, Maiv. Drive safe, ha?”

I watched her stumble sleepily toward her building before finally heading home.

As soon as I got inside my condo, I texted her.

Me: “Landed. Gising ka pa?”

No reply.

Figures.

Shaking my head, I took a quick pic of the pasalubong—pandesal, butter, and empanada—and sent it to our group chat.

Me: “O, Cali, eto na ‘yung bilin mo.”

Cali responded almost immediately.

Cali: “At last! May silbi ka rin!”

Jorge: “Wow, Maiven actually remembered something other than Ava.”

Gali: “Historical moment. I’m saving this screenshot.”

I rolled my eyes at their teasing.

Me: “Bwisit. Ibabalik ko na lang ‘to sa Tagaytay.”

Cali: “Wag ganon! Hahaha. Pasensya na po, Ma’am Maiven.”

A few more banters were exchanged before I finally put my phone down, sighing.

Tomorrow, I’d need all the energy I could get.

Because Coach Mad is really mad.