Stella Sevilla
Maki flipped through the profiles until she reached the last one. It didn't say much. Except for a picture and an address.
Tondo.
Maki frowned. Ayun lang?
Her driver pulled up to a busy street.
Magulo. Puno ng tao na nagdadama, nagtotoma sa kalagitnaan ng araw, nagaalisan ng puting buhok.
May mga mamang nagmamasid na parang snatcher.
A loud boom box blasted Buhay ng Gangstah, adding to the chaotic energy of the place.
Upon stepping out, Maki felt all eyes on her.
The tambays, lounging against their makeshift stools, suddenly perked up.
"Makiii! Kala namin di ka na namin makikita!"
Maki stiffened. "Teka..."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Need natin masabi ‘to kay Princess."
Princess? Maki thought. Sino naman yun?
Tinawag siya ng isang tambay para sumunod at dinaan siya sa eskinita.
The alley twisted and turned, each turn revealing more cramped passageways.
Basang-basa ang daan, halos walang katapusan ang pasikot-sikot.
Para siyang nasa labyrinth.
Finally, they stopped sa isang bahay sa dulo ng isang alley.
A Hev Abi song blasted from inside.
“Princeeeeesss! Si Maki, si Maki!” one of the guys called out, banging on the door.
A moment later, the door swung open, and out stepped a woman who was both unexpected yet oddly familiar.
Her complexion was smooth, almost porcelain, her features sharp and stunning. S
he looked entirely out of place in the rugged setting—until she spoke.
"Nubakaaasiii yown!" she groaned, stretching her arms. "Aga-aga istorbo kayo, nagpapakyutiks ako kay Gina!"
Maki’s eyes widened as recognition hit her. It was Stella Sevilla.
The same woman from the profile.
Then, Stella’s eyes landed on Maki, and in an instant, her expression changed. A slow grin stretched across her face before she dramatically flung open her arms.
"Makiiiiii! Mi lovesss!" she squealed, rushing forward. "Nandito ka na!"
Before Maki could react, Stella practically jumped on her, wrapping her in an exaggerated embrace that smelled of cheap floral perfume.
The tambays hooted and cheered in the background, clearly entertained by the scene.
Maki, still stunned, could only blink. "Uh…" She tried to find the words, but nothing seemed appropriate for the absurdity of the moment.
Stella pulled away just enough to look at her, her gaze scanning Maki from head to toe.
"Bakit ganyan yung mukha mo? Para kang nakakita ng multo. Don’t tell me… nakalimutan mo ‘ko? Ay oo nga pala nagka amnesiac ka..."
Silence stretched between them, and for the first time since she arrived, Maki felt genuinely nervous.
She had no idea who Stella was to her.
But judging by Stella’s reaction, she wasn’t just another name on that list.
----------
The first time Maki met Stella, it wasn’t in a glamorous setting or through an elegant introduction.
It was on a dimly lit street in Tondo, in the middle of the night.
Maki had been speeding, her hands gripping the steering wheel as tears blurred her vision. She had been furious—at the world, at herself, at whatever had driven her to lose control that night. She didn’t see the figure standing at the curb, waving for a tricycle.
Stella clapped her hands and called out, "Tricy!"
And then—
A loud thud.
Maki slammed the brakes, her heart nearly stopping as she saw a body collapse onto the pavement.
Panic shot through her veins as she ran out of the car.
Stella was unconscious.
Maki wasted no time, carrying her into the car and rushing her to the nearest hospital.
Thankfully, there were no major injuries—just minor bruises and a scraped knee.
When Stella woke up, however, she was livid.
"Anong ginawa mo sakin walangya ka! nagkasugat pakooooo sa legs at kamay?!" Stella shrieked, smacking Maki repeatedly.
"I-I’m sorry! It was an accident!" Maki stammered, wincing as Stella’s surprisingly strong hands continued to hit her.
"Hindi! Magdedemanda ako!" Stella huffed, crossing her arms. "Nasayang yung ganda ko! Mag-aapply pa naman ako sa beauty pageant sa kabilang barangay!"
Maki paled. A scandal was the last thing she needed. Her reputation could not be tainted.
And so, to make amends, she did the only thing she could think of—
"Bibigyan kita ng pang-ospital and allowance, wag ka lang magdemanda...please" Maki pleaded.
So she showed up at Stella’s house. Every. Single. Day.
Maki brought flowers, fruits, food, and even expensive makeup and gowns. At first, Stella played hard to get, scoffing at her efforts.
But slowly, the barriers melted. When Stella finally agreed to let Maki accompany her to a beauty pageant audition, everything changed.
Stella won. And she won every single time after that.
Somewhere between all the bribes and the laughter, Maki got used to the routine.
The way Stella’s energy lit up the room. The way she would dramatically twirl and wink after every crown she won.
And kahit gaano siya kabargas, Stella had a way of making Maki feel something… soft.
Because while Stella was wild, she was also sweet.
She was clingy in a way Maki secretly liked—grabbing onto her arm, playing with her hair, calling her the love of her life just to see her flustered.
And at some point, Maki realized—
She had fallen for Stella.
Hard.
-----------
Maki felt a lump form in her throat as Stella spoke, her voice softer now.
"Maki, alam ko mahirap maalala pero sana alam mong andito lang ako para sayo. Kahit ayaw sakin ng tatay mo dahil hindi naman ako galing sa class na pamilya kagaya niyo."
Suddenly, a flash of memories invaded Maki’s mind—
Her father’s angry voice echoing in a large room.
"You are NOT to be seen with that girl again, Maki! Ano nalang sasabihin ng mga kumpare at kumare ko, mga business partners ko... mamaya pera lang ang habol niyan sayo..."
Maki, standing her ground, gripping her fists.
"I love her!"
Her father slamming a hand against his desk. "You don’t know what love is!"
Maki’s heart pounded. Her vision blurred for a moment as the memory faded.
She looked at Stella, who was staring at her with quiet understanding.
"Maki?" Stella called out gently, reaching for her hand. "Naalala mo na ba?"
Maki swallowed hard.
She didn’t know if she remembered everything.
But she knew one thing—
Whatever she had with Stella… it was real.