Salamin, Salamin
Like the push and pull of a tide, Maloi and Colet’s dynamic had settled back into its familiar rhythm—Maloi, ever the affectionate and clingy one, and Colet, cool and composed as always.
There were still moments when Colet spent time with Jhoanna, but it no longer gnawed at Maloi the way it used to. After all, Colet still made time for her in little ways, small glances, fleeting touches, and unspoken assurances that kept Maloi’s heart at ease.
Everything was going great. Their latest single, Salamin, Salamin, had just been released, and the reception was overwhelming. BINI was making waves in the industry, and all eight of them were reveling in their growing success.
Right now, they were all squeezed into the cramped recording studio, their bodies heavy from practice but their spirits light as they laughed and chatted.
The small booth only had a couch and a couple of extra chairs, all of which had already been taken. Maloi was seated at the farthest end of the couch, right beside the armrest, Aiah sitting to her left, while the other members had settled wherever they could.
Mikha, Aiah, and Maloi were casually chatting on the couch, their conversation meandering from food cravings to plans after practice.
"Ano nga uulamin niyo mamaya?" Mikha asked, stretching her legs out with a groan.
"Feeling ko magpapadeliver ako ng samgyup," Aiah replied, scrolling through her phone. "Kayo?"
"Parang gusto ko ng something cheesy," Maloi mused absentmindedly. "Baka mac and cheese? Or pizza?"
Mikha snorted. "Lagi ka namang may gusto na may cheese."
Maloi hummed in response, but her focus was already drifting. She barely registered Aiah and Mikha continuing their talk about food, her thoughts slipping elsewhere. The noise of the room faded into the background.
And then Colet walked in.
The limited seating meant that space was scarce, and by the time Colet entered, every available spot had already been taken. Maloi caught sight of her and instinctively patted her lap with a teasing smile.
“Col, dito ka na lang,” she said sweetly, eyes twinkling with mischief.
Colet hesitated, her gaze flickering around the room for another option. But before she could make a move, Maloi took her wrist and gently tugged her, pulling her down onto her lap with an ease. A tiny yelp escaped Colet as she lost her balance, landing right on Maloi’s lap.
A triumphant warmth spread through Maloi’s chest as she wrapped her arms around Colet’s waist, securing her in place. Colet tensed for a second, as if contemplating resistance, but Maloi simply tightened her hold, silently daring her to try and escape.
After a brief struggle, Colet sighed in surrender, finally allowing herself to settle against Maloi.
The rest of the girls were too engrossed in their own conversations to notice, giving Maloi the perfect excuse to indulge in this stolen moment. She rested her head on Colet’s shoulder and whispered, “Naaral mo na ba yung sa verse two? Medyo nalilito pa rin ako dun.”
Colet shifted slightly but didn’t move away. “Oo, inaral namin ni Jho kanina.”
At the mention of Jho, Maloi pouted, her arms instinctively tightening around Colet’s waist as if to reclaim her. “Ahh, ganun? Pahelp ako later, ha?”
Colet nodded, subtly trying to create some distance, but in her shifting, she nearly lost her balance. Instinctively, she gripped Maloi’s hands that were still snugly wrapped around her waist. Maloi chuckled, amused at how Colet, despite her usual aloofness, was now caught in her grasp. “Ayan kasi, ang likot mo. Pumirmi ka nga.”
With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she pulled Colet even closer, relishing the rare opportunity to hold her like this. The heat between them felt undeniable, and Maloi, ever the instigator, couldn’t resist pushing her luck further.
On impulse, she gave Colet a playful squeeze, earning a sharp, startled gasp in response.
Maloi chuckled, the sound low and teasing, before pressing her forehead against the back of Colet’s head. The scent of her shampoo and perfume filled Maloi’s senses, making her feel dizzy in the best way possible. Her heart pounded in her chest as an urge—small but insistent—began to take root.
Overcome with a sudden, overwhelming affection, she gave in to the impulse that had been tugging at her.
Colet’s hair was tied up, exposing the delicate curve of her nape. Maloi stared for a moment, then dipped her head slightly. Before she could second-guess herself, she pressed a lingering kiss against the bare skin.
Colet stiffened, her breath hitching. Maloi felt it—the sharp intake, the slight tremor that coursed through Colet’s frame. But she didn’t pull away. She didn’t move. And that sent a wave of exhilaration through Maloi’s veins.
A teasing smile curled on Maloi’s lips. She was about to do it again when—
“Colet, ikaw na.”
Coach Anna’s voice rang from the mic booth, shattering the moment.
Colet shot up from Maloi’s lap like she had been electrocuted, her face unreadable as she walked toward the booth. One by one, the other members were called, and soon, the couch had more space.
Maloi, left in the couch, leaned back against the cushions, draping an arm over her face in an attempt to calm the giddy rush in her chest. She bit her lip, willing herself to play it cool, but the warmth spreading through her was impossible to ignore.
“Jusko po, Rudy,” she muttered under her breath, grinning like a fool.
Right now, the electric buzz of anticipation filled the air as BINI took the stage for their Talaarawan mall show. The moment they stepped into the spotlight, they were met with a deafening roar from the thousands who had gathered—far beyond what they had expected.
It was surreal.
The sheer magnitude of the crowd, the sea of faces beaming up at them, hands raised high, banners waving—it felt like a dream.
Backstage, before their final set, Mikha, Maloi, Sheena, and Stacey huddled together, catching their breath. Their adrenaline was still surging from the performance, their skin glistening with sweat, their hearts racing in sync with the beats of their songs.
"Grabe, ang dami nila," Mikha murmured, still wide-eyed as she glanced at the crowd.
"Hindi ako makapaniwala," Maloi said, shaking her head in disbelief. "Akala ko maraming tao na ‘yung sa ibang mall shows natin, pero this... this is something else."
Sheena chuckled, running a hand through her slightly damp hair. "Parang concert na ‘to, hindi na lang mall show. Sobrang lakas ng sigawan oh."
Stacey grinned, nudging Maloi. "Pati ‘yung banners nila, ‘di ba? May mga gawa pa silang tarpaulins! Sobrang effort. Nakaka-touch."
A staff member signaled them—it was time for their last song. The girls exchanged glances and nodded in silent agreement: they would give it their all.
As the first notes of Salamin, Salamin echoed through the speakers, the audience erupted into cheers so loud that the girls could barely hear themselves. But that didn’t matter—the music, the energy, the moment carried them.
The connection between them and their fans was undeniable. Their harmonies soared, their movements synchronized with ease, their smiles reflecting the sheer joy of performing.
The energy in the air was electric, and as the song neared its climax, every member gave it their all, savoring each moment. They moved into their final formation, striking their last pose just as the song ended.
And then it happened.
As Colet held her final position, she suddenly leaned toward Maloi, her lips hovering just inches away, a playful amba of a kiss. It lasted only a second—but it was enough.
Maloi's eyes widened in surprise, her breath hitching, and despite her best efforts to stay composed, the delighted shock on her face was unmistakable.
The audience caught it instantly.
The crowd went wild. The entire mall trembled with the force of the fans’ screams, their ecstatic energy filling every inch of the venue. The moment had been caught—burned into their memories, and soon, into every camera and screen capturing the scene.
The kilig was palpable. Maloi, caught in the moment, let out an involuntary giggle, her cheeks turning an obvious shade of pink. The other members struggled to hold back their own laughter as Colet, merely grinned, completely unfazed by the chaos she had just caused.
The mall trembled with the force of the fans' reaction, their cheers growing even louder as the show officially ended. The girls bowed, laughing, their hearts still racing from the performance—and the unexpected moment that had just unfolded.
Backstage, as they finally came down from the high of the performance, their management gathered them together.
"Since tonight was such a success, we’re celebrating!!," one of their managers announced.
"We’ve arranged a special dinner for all of you at one of the bosses' houses."
A collective cheer erupted from BINI.
"YES! KAINAN!" Aiah immediately raised her arms in victory, making everyone laugh.
"Deserve natin ‘to!" Jhoanna added, clapping her hands together. "Grabe kayong lahat kanina."
"Ang saya!" Maloi beamed, the excitement from their performance still coursing through her.
Her gaze met Colet’s for a brief second before she quickly looked away, attempting to hide the warmth creeping onto her cheeks.
The house of their boss was grand, expansive enough to accommodate the entire team. In the vast backyard, a beautifully arranged dinner setup shimmered under the glow of warm lights, casting a cozy ambiance over the night.
Some were still eating, while others had gathered in small groups, chatting softly, the air filled with the comforting hum of conversation.
Despite their exhaustion, happiness lingered in the atmosphere—satiated hunger, tired bodies, but hearts brimming with contentment.
Maloi, having finished her light dinner, glanced around the yard in search of the other girls.
Her gaze drifted over the familiar faces of their team, finally landing on Jhoanna, Aiah, Stacey, Mikha—and Colet—gathered around one of the long tables, their conversation alive with laughter that spilled into the yard, light and unrestrained.
Maloi’s focus narrowed, drawn irresistibly to Colet who was perched on the table, legs swinging lazily over the edge,
Maloi quickened her pace, making her way toward them, her curiosity piqued by whatever it was that had them all so engrossed. As she approached, she could hear snippets of their chatter, their hushed tones laced with intrigue. It was clear—this was no ordinary conversation. It was chismis.
A grin tugged at her lips as she slipped into their circle, casually positioning herself beside Colet while facing the others.
The girls barely paused to acknowledge her before continuing their exchange, their excitement too great to halt. She found herself laughing along, her amusement growing as the conversation escalated.
Without thinking, she inched closer, the warmth of the group pulling her in. At some point, as she spoke animatedly, hands gesturing mid-story, she realized she had leaned back—settling comfortably between Colet’s legs.
Colet didn’t react. She remained as she was, unfazed, her hands resting lightly on the table beside her.
As the conversation carried on, Maloi reached for Colet’s hands, her fingers instinctively finding their way around them.
She played with them absentmindedly, tracing the smooth skin with featherlight touches, intertwining their fingers in a mindless pattern.
It was second nature, a motion she had done a thousand times before.
The breeze picked up, sending a shiver down her spine. Maloi hesitated for only a moment before taking things a step further—without a second thought, she grasped Colet’s arms and wrapped them securely around her waist, sighing softly as she leaned back against her warmth. The gesture was effortless, instinctive.
Colet didn’t pull away. She didn’t tense. She simply let Maloi fit herself against her, her arms settling comfortably around her waist, holding her in place as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
She continued talking with the others, her voice steady, her laughter blending seamlessly with the rest.
To an outsider, the sight was unmistakable—two people nestled into each other with a closeness that spoke of something more, something deeper.
Yet those around them didn’t seem to bat an eye. They knew Maloi was affectionate, that she sought warmth and comfort wherever she could find it, and that Colet, steady and patient, always let her.
But, tonight beneath the golden glow of the backyard lights, amidst hushed conversations and laughter, it seemed as though this time, there was something different in the way Maloi leaned into Colet.