Drinking Game
The gym was alive with energy, the air thick with cheers, laughter, and celebration. The first game of the season was always crucial—it set the tone, proved their team was a force to be reckoned with.
And they did it.
Coach Mad beamed, his usual tough demeanor cracking as he clapped his hands. "Hell of a game, girls! First win of the season, and you made it look good."
A round of cheers erupted.
"Since I’m feeling generous today," Coach continued, "I’m treating everyone to samgyup. No excuses. We feast tonight!"
Another wave of excited shouts followed.
Maiven, still catching her breath, wiped the sweat off her forehead. She had no plans of joining—she just wanted to go home, shower, and pass out on her bed.
But before she could even open her mouth—
"You’re not bailing, Maiv," Jorge warned, crossing her arms.
Cali nodded, hands on her hips. "We’re not letting you disappear this time. Team bonding, remember?"
Maiven sighed, already knowing she lost this battle. "Fine, fine."
"Good. Now go change, Cap," Cali smirked. "You stink."
Before heading to the locker rooms, Maiven’s eyes instinctively scanned the crowd one last time.
Still no Avara.
Her chest tightened, but she forced herself to shrug it off.
It’s fine.
She turned on her heel, heading toward the lockers with the team.
The restaurant was loud and lively, filled with the team's laughter, clinking glasses, and plates being refilled nonstop. They had already gone through round after round of samgyupsal, but the orders just kept coming. Maiven leaned back on her seat, chopsticks in one hand, a drink in the other, watching as her teammates devoured the latest batch of grilled meat.
"Maiven, speech!"
Maiven looked up, blinking. It was one of the first-years—Yna, the team’s rookie setter—grinning at her expectantly.
"Yeah, Cap! Speech! Speech!"
The rest of the team cheered and clapped, voices blending into a chorus of encouragement and teasing.
Maiven sighed, shaking her head with a small smile. "Hay nako, hindi na ba kayo nagsasawa sa mukha ko? Araw-araw na nga tayo magkasama."
"Kahit araw-araw pa, gusto pa rin namin marinig words of wisdom mo, Cap!" Jorge teased, nudging her.
Cali smirked. "O, baka gusto mo na lang mag-TikTok dance instead? Para viral!"
"Ulol, no way," Maiven groaned, making the team laugh. She placed her drink down and stood up. The table fell silent, all eyes on her.
"First of all," she started, "I wanna say I’m proud of every single one of you. We trained like hell, and today, it paid off. This is just the beginning, but if we keep playing with the same fire, the same hunger—walang makakapigil sa atin."
The team cheered, banging on the table.
"And second," she continued, "I wanna say thanks. To all of you. Volleyball isn't a one-woman show, and I wouldn’t be standing here without this team. Masarap maglaro kasi kasama ko kayong lahat."
More cheers. Even Coach Mad, red-faced from drinking, clapped and nodded proudly.
"Now," Maiven smirked, "let’s keep eating and—"
"DRINKING GAME!"
The sudden announcement came from Gali, who had already pulled out a deck of cards.
The team roared in agreement.
"First player?!" someone called out.
Jorge grinned. "Obviously Maiven."
"Wait—" Maiven barely had time to react before a shot glass was placed in front of her.
Cali smirked. "Scared, Cap?"
Maiven rolled her eyes. "Please, I can handle this."
"Sure ka? Baka bumagsak ka mamaya, hindi mo na kami matulungan sa mga pagkain," Jorge teased.
"Gagi, parang di niyo ko kilala," Maiven scoffed.
And she could. Maiven knew her alcohol tolerance was good.
But exhaustion?
That was a different story.
She downed the shot. The burn was familiar, but she welcomed it.
"Wooooh! Isa pa!"
Then came another. And another.
Cali leaned in, laughing. "Cap, okay ka pa ba? Baka mamaya ako na magbubuhat sayo pauwi ah."
Maiven smirked lazily. "Ha? Sino magpapatumba sakin? Lakas ko kaya."
Jorge raised a brow. "Cap, parang lasing ka na eh."
Gali grinned. "Oo nga, bakit parang nakatingin ka na sa amin na may delay?"
Maiven blinked slowly. "Hindi ah… bagal niyo lang gumalaw."
The whole team burst into laughter.
The night blurred into laughter, cheers, and the feeling of warmth sinking into her bones.
The night stretched on, filled with endless rounds of laughter, meat sizzling on the grill, and alcohol flowing freely. The team was loud and happy, still riding the high of their victory.
Then, in the midst of the chatter, someone shouted from another table.
"TANGINA! PANALO YUNG BASKETBALL TEAM!"
Everyone turned toward the voice.
"MVP si Captain Gio!"
The restaurant erupted into cheers, other students clapping and celebrating. The news spread like wildfire, and even some of Maiven’s teammates whooped in excitement.
But Maiven?
It felt like a punch to the gut.
A bitter taste settled in her throat, sharp and unwelcome.
She quickly grabbed another shot and downed it without a second thought. Then another. And another.
"Maiv, dahan-dahan," Cali muttered, watching her closely.
Maiven simply poured another drink. "Okay pa ko."
As the night wore on, one by one, her teammates started heading home. Coach Mad, still red-faced from drinking, called over the staff and told them to add everything under his tab.
And then—there were four.
Jorge was already drunk, slumped in her seat, giggling at nothing.
Gali had completely passed out, head resting on the table.
Cali was tipsy, but still coherent, checking her phone while keeping an eye on Maiven.
And Maiven?
She looked fine.
On the outside.
But inside?
She was spiraling.
She leaned her elbows on the table, her vision slightly unfocused. The alcohol buzzed in her veins, her body swaying ever so slightly. Then, out of nowhere—
"She promised."
Cali glanced at her. "Huh?"
"Ava." Maiven swallowed. "She promised she’d come today."
Cali sighed, putting her phone down.
Maiven laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Hindi man lang nagparamdam. Not even a text. Not even a missed call."
Cali stayed quiet, letting Maiven talk.
"Alam mo ba? Kanina, before the game, I kept looking for her in the crowd," Maiven confessed, staring at her empty glass. "Nung halftime? I checked again. Akala ko late lang. Tapos… hanggang matapos yung laro, wala."
Her voice cracked at the end, but she quickly cleared her throat, masking it with a laugh.
"Tangina noh?"
Cali sighed, crossing her arms. "Maiven… you know how Ava is."
Maiven shook her head. "Do I?" She let out a breath. "Alam mo, Cali, ang labo. Kasi kung tutuusin… she acts like she cares. But when it matters? She’s just—gone."
Cali bit her lip. She had seen this for years.
Maiven always gave more.
Avara always took.
And yet—Maiven never stopped.
"Bakit ganun, Cali?" Maiven muttered. "Parang… ako lang yung laging nagbibigay. Laging nandiyan. Laging naghihintay."
Cali looked away, then back at Maiven, her heart aching for her friend.
"Maybe it’s time to stop waiting, Maiven."
The words "Maybe it’s time to stop waiting, Maiv." hung in the air.
Maiven didn’t respond. She just leaned back against her seat, eyes slightly unfocused, heart heavy.
Out of habit, she pulled out her phone, hoping—just maybe—Ava had finally messaged her.
But there was nothing.
Instead, as she scrolled mindlessly, her thumb accidentally hovered over a post.
A newly uploaded photo.
A familiar smile.
Two familiar faces.
Gio. And who else?
Ava.
Both looking radiant, laughing, too close for comfort. The caption screamed at her:
"MVP WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND!!! 🏀🏆❤️"
Maiven's grip on her phone tightened. Her heart dropped to her stomach.
She blinked. Once. Twice.
Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe it was the exhaustion.
But she still heard her own voice, thinking out loud, bitter and disbelieving—
"Akala ko ba break na sila?"
Cali, who had been adjusting Jorge’s arm over her shoulder, froze mid-movement. She turned sharply, eyes darting toward Maiven’s phone.
Maiven let out a dry laugh, but it sounded empty.
"Kaya pala wala siya sa game ko."
Cali sighed, rubbing her temple. "Tangina naman, Ava…"
Before Maiven could say anything else, two new figures arrived. Lei, Cali’s girlfriend, and Sab, Gali’s girlfriend.
Sab immediately marched toward Gali, arms crossed, fuming.
"GALI! ILANG BESES KO BANG SINABING ‘WAG KANG MAGINOM NG GANYAN?!"
Gali, still half-unconscious, mumbled something incoherent.
"Ano ‘to?!" Sab glared at Cali, who just raised her hands in surrender. "Alam niyong hindi siya marunong mag-handle ng alak pero hinayaan niyo?!"
Cali sighed. "Sab, kalma. We tried to stop her, pero—"
"WALA AKONG PAKI!" Sab snapped, before gently lifting Gali’s arm over her shoulder. "Uwi na ‘to. I swear, pag nagising ‘to, lagot siya sa akin."
As Sab guided Gali toward her car, Lei went straight to Jorge, helping Cali balance her drunken friend.
Maiven?
She was still staring at her phone. The words "his girlfriend" echoed over and over in her head, but she felt too numb to even react anymore.
Cali, noticing how eerily still Maiven was, nudged her. "Hoy, ano ka d’yan, estatwa? Stay put, ha? Ipapasok lang namin si Jorge sa kotse." Maiven barely nodded.
Cali exchanged looks with Lei before dragging Jorge toward the car.
And then—
As they made their way back to the restaurant, they saw her.
Ava.
Rushing inside. Out of breath. As if she was late for something.
Maiven stilled.
Cali cursed under her breath. "Ano ‘to, late realization?"
But Maiven couldn’t move.
Because no matter how much she hated it…
Her heart still jumped at the sight of her.
Maiven just stared.
Ava was right in front of her—hair slightly messy, chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath.
Maiven blinked.
Was it the alcohol? Was she imagining this?
"Bakit ka naglasing?" Ava’s voice was firm, but there was something else laced in it—concern? Frustration?
Maiven couldn’t answer.
She just stood there, unmoving, unsure.
Why was Ava here?
Why now?
Ava took a deep breath, seemingly collecting herself, before stepping closer. "Tara na. Uwi na tayo."
Maiven’s lips parted as if to protest, but before she could say anything—
Cali and Lei reappeared.
Cali’s brows raised slightly at the sight in front of her. Ava. Maiven. Together. Again.
Lei, ever observant, simply looked between the two before exchanging a glance with Cali.
Ava didn’t even look at them as she spoke.
"Ako na maghahatid sa kanya."
Cali and Lei shared another look. A silent conversation.
Cali, despite everything, sighed and nodded. Lei, arms crossed, shrugged.
"Sige," Cali finally said, tone unreadable. "Ikaw na bahala sa kanya."
Ava didn’t say anything else.
She just gently reached for Maiven, looping an arm around her to support her weight. Maiven let herself be led—too dazed, too tired, too emotionally drained to resist. Her mind was still swimming with unanswered questions.
Why now? Why after she spent the whole day waiting for her? Why after she saw that picture?
Her heart still ached, but her body betrayed her—leaning into Ava’s warmth, just like it always did.
And Ava?
Ava just held her closer, guiding her to the car.
As Ava wrapped an arm around Maiven’s waist, guiding her to the car, Maiven let out a drunken chuckle.
"Ano ’to, Ava? Biglang may pake?" she slurred, leaning slightly into Ava but refusing to meet her eyes.
Ava sighed, adjusting her grip. "Di kita pwedeng pabayaan. Lasing ka na nga, ang bigat mo pa."
Maiven scoffed. "Edi ‘wag mo akong buhatin."
Ava stopped walking and looked at her, clearly done with her antics. "Edi paano kita iuuwi? Iiwan kita rito?"
Maiven furrowed her brows. "Teka… bakit ka nga ba nandito?"
Ava blinked at her, clearly unimpressed. “Lasing ka na tapos makakalimutin ka pa? Ikaw tumawag, Maiv. ‘Ava, sunduin mo ‘ko. Ang lungkot-lungkot ko. Bakit mo ‘ko iniwan?’” she mimicked in an overly dramatic voice.
Maiven froze. "Wala akong ginawang ganun."
Ava smirked. “Gusto mo i-play ko ‘yung call log mo?”
Maiven groaned, pushing her forehead into Ava’s shoulder. “Tangina…”
"Buti na lang talaga at nasa malapit lang ako. Paano na lang kung hindi?" Ava added, raising a brow.
Maiven squinted at her. "San ka ba galing?" Ava stiffened for half a second, but quickly recovered. "May kasama."
Maiven suddenly felt sober. "Kasama… si Gio?"
Ava didn't answer right away, which was already an answer in itself. "I was with him before coming here."
Maiven let out a breathy laugh, shaking her head. "Kaya pala wala ka sa game ko."
Ava frowned, as if realizing something. "Ha?"
Maiven sighed, shaking her head. "Wala."
Ava helped Maiven into the passenger seat, buckling her in.
As Ava leaned in, Maiven muttered under her breath, “Ba’t ka pa pumunta…”
Ava sighed, glancing at her before closing the door. "Kasi ikaw tumawag."
Then she walked around to the driver’s seat, started the engine, and pulled out of the parking lot—while Maiven sat there, pretending she wasn’t replaying everything in her head.
Maiven barely remembered how she got from the car to her condo, but somehow—miraculously—Ava had managed to drag her inside. The world tilted and swayed, or maybe it was just her head spinning from the alcohol. Either way, she felt herself being plopped down onto the couch, a sigh escaping Ava’s lips as she stood over her, hands on her hips.
“Ang bigat mo, Maiv, ano ba ‘to,” Ava huffed, wiping nonexistent sweat from her forehead. “Ano bang pinapakain sa’yo ng team mo?”
Maiven groaned, burying her face into a pillow. “Muscles ‘yan, hindi taba.”
Ava chuckled, shaking her head as she kneeled beside Maiven, tugging off her sneakers. "Oo na, ang macho mo na."
Maiven turned her head, eyes half-lidded and slightly unfocused, yet still managing to stare straight at Ava. "Dito ka na matulog."
Ava let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "Lasing ka na, Maiv. Matulog ka na rin."
Maiven reached out sluggishly, attempting to grab Ava’s wrist, but her movements were slow, clumsy. She ended up just poking Ava’s arm instead.
"Seryoso ako." Her voice was softer this time, as if asking, pleading.
Ava stared at her for a moment, something flickering in her eyes. But then, her phone suddenly rang, breaking the moment.
Ava glanced at the caller ID and without hesitation, stood up.
“Uuwi na ‘ko.”
Maiven blinked, her drunken haze lifting just enough for confusion to settle in. “Sino ‘yan?”
Ava ignored the question as she turned away, picking up her bag. Before Maiven could say anything else, Ava stepped closer, leaned down, and pressed a soft kiss to Maiven’s forehead.
Maiven froze.
"Drink cold water bago ka matulog," Ava murmured, her breath warm against Maiven’s skin. "Tsaka mag-medicine ka para ‘di ka magka-hangover."
Ava straightened up, adjusting her bag over her shoulder.
Maiven could only watch as Ava walked to the door, answering the call on her way out.
“Oo, pa-uwi na ‘ko.”
The door clicked shut.
Silence.
Maiven let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.
She turned onto her back, staring at the ceiling, her body heavy with exhaustion and alcohol. But more than anything, it was the hollow feeling settling in her chest that made her feel the most tired.
She shakily reached for her phone, unlocking it with slow fingers. The screen was too bright, making her squint, but she ignored it. She opened her call logs.
Her breath hitched.
There it was—a drunk call to Ava, timestamped just before Ava arrived at the restaurant.
Maiven let out a bitter laugh, running a hand over her face.
So, that’s why she came.
Not because she wanted to, but because Maiven had been pathetic enough to call her.
She turned off her phone and threw it onto the floor before pressing her forearm over her eyes, letting out a sigh.
Her head pounded, her chest ached, and the ghost of Ava’s lips lingered on her forehead.
“Ano pa bang kailangan kong ibigay…” she whispered, her voice barely audible in the silence of the room. “Para mapansin mo naman ako?”
No answer came.
Not from the ceiling.
Not from Ava.
And definitely, not from herself.
Maiven woke up around lunchtime, her head pounding like a drum. She groaned, rolling onto her side, but the movement only made her stomach churn. She tried to sit up, squinting at the harsh daylight streaming through her window.
"Tangina..." she muttered under her breath, pressing her palm against her forehead.
She swung her legs over the edge of the couch, attempting to stand—only to stumble as her knees buckled beneath her. She caught herself against the side table, breathing deeply to stop the dizziness.
She was still wearing her clothes from last night.
That realization hit her at the same time as the flood of memories from the night before.
The game. The celebration. The drinking. The frustration. Ava.
She groaned louder, running a frustrated hand through her hair.
“Putangina, tinawagan ko siya.”
She flopped back onto the couch, covering her face with both hands as if that would somehow erase what had happened. Not only did she drunk call Ava, but Ava actually came.
And now, Maiven had to deal with the aftermath of whatever nonsense she spouted over the phone.
With a sigh, she forced herself up and trudged toward the kitchen, grabbing a cold bottle of water from the fridge. She twisted off the cap and downed half of it in one go, the icy liquid soothing her parched throat. Then, she rummaged through one of the drawers for pain relievers, popping two pills into her mouth and chasing them with the rest of the water.
Her stomach growled.
She opened the fridge, hoping to find something quick to eat, but all she saw were condiments, bottled water, and a sad-looking pack of eggs.
"Wala na namang pagkain," she muttered to herself.
She was too lazy to cook. She barely had the energy to stand, let alone deal with a stove.
Instead, she dragged herself to the bathroom, turning the shower knob all the way to cold. The freezing water made her gasp, the shock sending goosebumps down her skin. But after a few minutes, the chill helped ease the lingering headache, grounding her back to reality.
Once she was done, she toweled off and threw on a fresh pair of sweats and an oversized shirt. She felt better, but her stomach still grumbled in protest.
She padded back to the living room, searching for her phone. It was nowhere near her nightstand or the couch. She checked the floor and found it at the bottom of the TV rack, wedged between some magazines.
"Paano ka napunta diyan?" she mumbled, fishing it out.
As soon as she turned it on, notifications flooded the screen.
- 20+ messages from the team group chat.
- 5 missed calls from Jorge.
- A few texts from Cali.
- Gali spamming memes.
She stared at the screen, debating whether she had the mental capacity to deal with them right now.
She didn’t.
With a sigh, she ignored the messages and opened a food delivery app instead, scrolling through options. She was about to place an order when—
A knock.
She frowned.
Another knock. More insistent this time.
She trudged to the door and cracked it open.
Cali.
Holding a plastic bag.
“Tangina, Maiven, ang bagal mo,” Cali huffed, pushing past her and stepping inside. "Akala ko na-tepok ka na diyan sa loob."
Maiven blinked, still half-processing everything.
"Uh. Good afternoon?"
Cali rolled her eyes, dumping the plastic bag onto the kitchen counter. “Alam kong wala kang matinong pagkain dito, kaya bumili na ‘ko ng lugaw.”
Maiven stared at her, somewhat touched. "Aww, Cali, I didn't know you cared—"
"Shut up. Utang na loob, huwag ka nang magdrama. Kumain ka na lang bago ka mamatay sa gutom," Cali deadpanned, pulling out a steaming container of rice porridge.
Maiven chuckled, finally closing the door behind her. "Bestie material ka talaga, ‘no?"
"Alam ko."
Cali paused, eyeing her carefully.
“Okay ka lang ba?” she asked, softer this time.
Maiven hesitated for a second, then shrugged. "Buhay pa naman."
Cali didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t push further. Instead, she slid the bowl toward Maiven and nodded toward the utensils. "Sige na, kain."
Maiven sighed, pulling up a chair and finally giving in.
Maybe lugaw and a friend’s company were exactly what she needed right now.
Cali smirked as she sat across from Maiven, watching her scoop a spoonful of lugaw into her mouth.
"So," Cali started, tapping her fingers against the table. "Kumusta ang first time mong naglasing nang todo?"
Maiven groaned, rubbing her temple. "Wag mo na akong paalalahanan. Pakiramdam ko, sinagasaan ako ng truck."
Cali chuckled. "Deserve mo ‘yan. Ikaw din naman ‘tong nagpaka-warflashbacks sa alak."
Maiven rolled her eyes. "Hindi ko naman plano malasing ng ganon, okay? Kaso biglang may sumingit sa usapan—"
"Basketball team, Gio, MVP, at kung anu-ano pang nagpababa ng mood mo," Cali finished for her, leaning back in her seat.
Maiven sighed, stabbing at her bowl with her spoon. "Tangina, Cali. Ang sagwa ko kagabi. Alam mo ba ginawa ko?"
Cali grinned. "Oo. Pero gusto kong marinig mula sa'yo para mas feel ko ‘yung shame mo."
Maiven groaned, hiding her face behind her hands. "Nag-drunk call ako kay Ava."
Cali let out a wheezing laugh, nearly knocking over her drink. "PUTA. Alam ko nang tatawagan mo siya, pero ‘di ko inexpect na ang kapal ng mukha mong gawin talaga!"
Maiven glared at her from behind her fingers. "Tangina, wag mo akong i-encourage."
"Eh ano naman sinabi mo?" Cali asked, still grinning like a madwoman.
Maiven hesitated, then groaned again. "Hindi ko maalala lahat. Pero sigurado akong ang dami kong kuda."
"Oo nga, ‘yun nga point ng drunk call—unfiltered ka, bestie," Cali teased.
Maiven huffed. "Pero ang weird, Cali. She actually came."
That made Cali pause.
Maiven set down her spoon, eyes unfocused as she recalled what happened. "Oo. Dumating siya."
"Galing saan?"
Maiven shrugged, pursing her lips. "Ewan. Pero sigurado akong kasama niya si Gio bago siya pumunta sa’kin."
Cali's expression darkened slightly. "So, naisipan lang niyang dumaan after makipag-date? ‘Ganon ba?"
Maiven let out a bitter chuckle, shaking her head. "Mukha ngang ganon."
For a moment, they sat in silence.
Then Maiven spoke again, her voice quieter this time.
"Alam mo, Cali... parang may moment kami kagabi."
Cali arched a brow. "Moment? Anong moment?"
Maiven exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "Ewan. Parang, for a second, parang may koneksyon kaming dalawa. Parang... may gusto siyang sabihin." Cali stayed quiet, waiting for her to continue.
"Pero biglang tumunog yung phone niya," Maiven muttered, bitterness seeping into her tone. "At sino pa ba ang tatawag sa kanya ng ganoong oras? Si Gio."
Cali clenched her jaw. "Tapos?"
Maiven let out a hollow laugh, leaning back in her chair. "Tapos wala na. Nawala ‘yung moment. Biglang nagmamadali. Iniwan ako."
Cali stayed quiet for a second before speaking. "Tangina, Maiven."
Maiven sighed. "Alam mo ‘yun? Yung feeling na binigay mo na lahat pero hindi pa rin sapat?"
Cali frowned. "Maiven..."
Maiven shook her head, forcing a chuckle. "Wala lang. Nakakatawa lang isipin."
Cali leaned forward, reaching out to nudge Maiven’s hand. "Alam mo, Maiven, kung ikaw na lang nang ikaw ang laging nagbibigay, hindi ba dapat mong tanungin kung may natitira pa bang matanggap mula sa kanya? Kasi sa totoo lang, ang relasyon, kahit anong klase pa ‘yan, hindi dapat isang tao lang ang nag-e-effort. Kung ikaw lang ang palaging sumasalo, sumusunod, at nag-a-adjust, kailan mo naman iisipin ang sarili mo? Baka oras na para tanungin mo kung siya ba, kahit minsan, naisip na ring ipaglaban ka gaya ng ginagawa mo sa kanya."
Maiven just stared at her before forcing a smirk.
"Tangina, Cali. Biglang naging philosopher?"
Cali rolled her eyes but smirked back. "Tarantado. Seryoso ako."
Maiven just sighed again, stabbing at her lugaw without much appetite anymore.
As expected, when Cali was around, Jorge and Gali weren’t far behind. The two arrived unannounced, barging into Maiven’s condo like they owned the place.
“Tangina, Maiven! Akala ko patay ka na, ‘di ka man lang nagparamdam sa GC!” Jorge declared, dropping onto the couch like she belonged there.
“Mukha ngang muntik na,” Gali added, grinning as she plopped beside Jorge. “Mukha ka pa ring lasing.”
Maiven rolled her eyes, taking another sip of water. "Punyeta kayo, ‘di ba kayo busy? Bakit nandito kayo?"
"Sinundo lang namin si Cali, pero alam mo namang ‘di kami aalis nang ‘di ka inaabala," Jorge said, smirking.
Gali snorted, nudging Maiven. "Teka, anong nangyari kagabi? Pinakawalan mo ba ang inner-dramatic drunk self mo?"
Before Maiven could retort, Cali suddenly let out a loud cackle. "Putangina, teka lang! Huwag nating pag-usapan si Maiven, pag-usapan natin si Gali!"
Jorge's grin widened. "Tama! Gali, bakit parang ang tahimik mo ngayon?"
Cali grinned knowingly. "Teka, bakit nga ba, ‘no?"
Gali groaned, covering her face. "Putangina, tigilan niyo ako."
Jorge pounced. "Ano sabi ni Sam, ha?"
Cali mimicked Sam’s stern tone. "‘Gali, ilang beses ko nang sinabi na ‘wag kang inom nang inom kung ‘di mo rin kayang i-handle!'"
Maiven chuckled despite herself. "Ay, kaya pala parang gusto mo nang magpakalunod sa sahig."
“Loko kayo!” Gali whined, kicking at Jorge’s leg while the rest of them laughed at her misery.
Eventually, as the laughter died down, Jorge stretched and yawned. “Gusto sana namin mag-sleepover, Maiven, kaso… we made a promise na may dinner kami with our girlfriends.”
Gali grumbled, still recovering from the teasing. “Ako nga ‘tong bugbog sarado, tapos kailangan ko pang humarap kay Sam.”
Cali grinned at Maiven. “Kaya ikaw, Maiv, mag-girlfriend ka na rin nang hindi ka namin iniiwan palagi.”
Maiven scoffed. “Wag na. Ang toxic niyo kaya.”
Gali smirked. “Speaking of, paano na ‘to? Wala tayong gagawing masama kay Maiven ngayong wala siyang jowa.”
Cali narrowed her eyes mischievously. “Hmm. Eh di ipasa natin kay Jorge! Wala rin naman siyang girlfriend, eh.”
Jorge smirked, leaning back smugly. "Excuse me? Hindi ako single, ano! May naghihintay sa’kin."
The three of them gasped dramatically. "HA?!"
"Sinong matinong babae ang pumatol sa’yo?!" Gali exclaimed.
Jorge grinned, pulling out her phone and waving it in front of them. "Si Spence, syempre."
Cali gawked. “Tangina, Spencer? Si Spencer talaga?"
"Anong Spencer?!" Maiven snorted. "Eh ‘di ba ‘yon ‘yung babalik ng Canada next month?!"
"Eh ‘di ibig sabihin, sulit-sulit oras namin," Jorge replied smugly.
They all groaned at Jorge's shamelessness, but in the end, they said their goodbyes, knowing they had other plans for the night.
The moment the door clicked shut, silence descended upon Maiven’s condo.
At first, she enjoyed the quiet, but after a while, it started to feel… heavy.
She leaned back on the couch, staring at the ceiling, Cali’s words from earlier echoing in her mind.
"kung ikaw na lang nang ikaw ang laging nagbibigay, hindi ba dapat mong tanungin kung may natitira pa bang matanggap mula sa kanya?"
Maiven swallowed.
She checked her phone again.
Still nothing from Ava.
Her chest tightened, the same way it always did when she found herself waiting for something from Ava that never came.
She had given so much—her time, her patience, her feelings. But what had she really gotten in return?
Maiven sighed, closing her eyes for a moment.
Maybe…
Maybe it was time to start giving something to herself for once.