Rumble, Rumble
The celebratory dinner was chill at first, but as expected, the aftermath was pure chaos. The BINI girls had their fill of drinks, with most of them knocking out before they even got home. Jhoanna, Colet, and Gwen, being the least intoxicated, took on the responsibility of getting everyone back safely. They all piled into Jhoanna’s car, a mixture of giggles, hiccups, and drunken slurs filling the vehicle.
The first stop was Sheena’s condo. Sheena, despite being half-unconscious from alcohol, was still laughing uncontrollably while simultaneously trying to resist being taken inside.
"Shee, lakad ka na maayos, dali na," Jhoanna coaxed, half-carrying her.
Sheena, however, was too busy laughing uncontrollably between hiccups. "Guys, ang saya saya koooooo! Pero gusto ko sumuka. Pero masaya pa rin ako!"
Colet groaned, struggling to keep Sheena upright. "Sheena, p*tangina, ang bigat mo”
“Kulang pa yung sayaw natin, Ate Col! Tara na!” Sheena cackled before suddenly doubling over, throwing up right on the pavement. Colet immediately stepped back in disgust, while Jhoanna sighed, rubbing her temples.
“Hirap na hirap na nga tayong iakyat siya, dagdagan pa natin ng suka,” Colet muttered.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally managed to get Sheena inside her unit. The next stop was Aiah’s condo then Mikha’s. Thankfully, neither of them was as much of a hassle as Sheena. Gwen took this as her cue to head up to her own place as well, leaving just Colet, Jhoanna, and a completely wasted Stacku and Maloi in the car.
By the time they reached Maloi’s condo, Jhoanna was about to get out and help, but Stacku was already getting restless in the backseat.
“Ate, sama na ko—”
“Huwag na, Jho. Hintayin mo na lang ako dito. Di mo pwedeng maiwan si Stacku,” Colet reasoned, already preparing to haul Maloi out of the car.
Maloi was far from cooperative. If Sheena had been a struggle, Maloi was a full-blown disaster. She was practically draping herself over Colet, giggling uncontrollably.
"Ba’t ba kasi ang dami mong ininom?" Colet scolded, adjusting her grip as Maloi nearly stumbled.
Maloi laughed loudly. "Sinabayan ko lang si Sheena, kaso mukhang napasobra! Hahaha!"
Colet winced. "Lower your voice, madaling araw na!"
By some miracle, they reached Maloi’s door. Colet quickly punched in the passcode—don’t ask how she knew it—and helped Maloi inside, keeping a firm grip on her arm as she swayed slightly. The moment the door clicked shut behind them, Maloi sighed dramatically and leaned her entire weight on Colet, her forehead resting against her shoulder.
"Ang bigat mo," Colet muttered, shifting to support her better.
Carefully, she guided Maloi toward the bed and eased her down onto the edge. Maloi slumped forward slightly, blinking up at Colet with half-lidded eyes.
Colet exhaled. "Maghilamos ka muna at mag-shower bago ka matulog," she instructed, her voice gentle but firm.
Maloi pouted, her lips jutting out. "Ang dami mong utos," she mumbled, but she still pushed herself up, albeit unsteadily.
Colet just watched her stumble toward the bathroom. She stood there for a moment, listening to the sound of the door closing, then sighed and turned to Maloi’s closet.
She pulled it open and quickly sifted through the neatly folded clothes, eventually settling on a soft, pantulog set that Maloi always wears. She laid it on the bed before stretching and glancing toward the bathroom. The faint sound of running water filled the quiet apartment.
Several minutes went by as Colet idly scrolled through her phone, sending Jho a quick message that she was on her way down. Just then, the warm scent of vanilla and coconut filled the air, and before she could fully register it, the bathroom door clicked open.
Colet looked up—and immediately wished she hadn’t.
Maloi stood there, hair damp and tousled, steam still clinging to her skin. She was wrapped in nothing but a towel, the soft fabric hugging her frame. Droplets of water trailed down her collarbones, catching the light as they disappeared beneath the edge of the towel.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Maloi, seemingly oblivious, yawned and stretched her arms above her head, the movement making the towel shift slightly. Colet’s throat went dry. She quickly snapped her gaze to the floor, her ears burning.
"Ayan na ‘yung damit mo," she managed, her voice coming out a little too fast, a little too high. She cleared her throat, forcing herself to keep her tone steady. "Magbihis ka na. Lalabas muna ako."
Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and practically bolted out of the room, shutting the door behind her with a little more force than necessary.
Minutes later, Maloi emerged from her room, now dressed in her favorite white spaghetti strap tank top and a pair of short shorts. Her damp hair clung slightly to her skin, and she absentmindedly ran her fingers through it as she padded barefoot across the floor.
Colet, who had been sitting on the couch, immediately stood up. "Una na 'ko, Maloi," she said, as she prepared to leave.
Maloi merely grinned, "Dito ka na matulog."
Colet scoffed, raising a brow. "Buang ka. Naghihintay sila Jho sa baba."
"’Di na." Maloi waved a hand dismissively. "Tinext ko na si Jho kanina habang nagbibihis ako. Sabi ko, mauna na sila ni Stacku."
Colet blinked, immediately checking her phone. Sure enough, there was a message from Jhoanna confirming Maloi’s claim:
Jho: Nauna na kami, ate! Sabi ni ate Maloi diyan ka na raw muna stay.
She stared at the message, then slowly lifted her gaze back to Maloi, who stood there with a smug smile before casually turning on her heel and sauntering back to her room.
"Lika na~" Maloi called over her shoulder, voice teasing.
Colet exhaled sharply, torn. She could still book a ride home—she should book a ride home. But just as she was about to pull up the app, Maloi’s voice softened.
"Beh, madaling araw na. Dito ka na magpahinga."
When Colet looked up, Maloi was leaning against the doorframe, her playful smirk replaced by something gentler. The sight of her standing there, in the dim glow of the bedside lamp, made something in Colet’s chest tighten.
She hesitated a moment longer before finally sighing. "Fine," she muttered.
Deciding she didn’t want to sleep feeling sticky from the night’s chaos, she grabbed a black spaghetti strap tank top and a pair of long pajama pants from Maloi’s closet before heading to the bathroom. The warm water helped ease some of the tension in her body.
When she stepped out, towel-drying her hair, she found Maloi already curled up under the sheets, her breathing soft and even. The sight was nothing new—she had slept beside Maloi and the other girls countless times before.
Colet slid under the covers and found her spot opposite of Maloi’s.
As Colet lay still, searching for sleep, she turned her back to Maloi and curled into a comfortable position. The exhaustion from the long day was finally catching up to her, and her eyelids grew heavy. The soft hum of the air conditioning filled the room, blending with the faint sounds of the city outside. Her breathing evened out, her body slowly surrendering to rest.
Then she felt it.
A hand.
Light at first, fingers barely grazing her waist. Then firmer—steady, warm. Before she could react, Maloi shifted closer, her body pressing against Colet’s back, her arm looping around her waist in a loose yet familiar embrace.
Colet tensed.
She let out a quiet sigh, already used to Maloi’s clinginess whenever she had a bit to drink. It wasn’t the first time. It wouldn’t be the last. Colet reached for Maloi’s arm, her fingers brushing against the older girl’s wrist, intending to gently pry it away. But before she could, Maloi’s grip tightened, her fingers curling into the fabric of Colet’s shirt, holding on.
“Col,” Maloi mumbled, her voice thick with sleep, drowsy but certain. Then, in a softer, almost pleading tone, she whispered, “cuddle lang… minsan lang naman ih.”
Colet stilled. The words weren’t unusual—Maloi was always touchy, always teasing. Colet swallowed hard. Maloi’s lips were close, too close, the warmth of her breath ghosting over the nape of her neck, sending a shiver through her. The heat of Maloi’s body seeped through the thin fabric of her shirt, her presence overwhelming, inescapable.
Colet knew she should insist—push Maloi away before she got too comfortable. But when she tried again, Maloi simply nestled deeper into her back, arms firm around her waist, locking her in place.
Colet sucked in a slow, shaky breath. “Maloi…” she started, but the only response she got was a quiet sigh against her skin, warm and unguarded.
Her chest tightened.
Bahala na.
At this point, moving away felt impossible without waking Maloi. And if she was being honest, she wasn’t sure she even wanted to anymore. So she gave in, allowing Maloi to cling to her, their bodies perfectly aligned, breathing in sync.
The room was silent except for the occasional rustle of sheets as Colet shifted slightly, careful not to disturb the sleeping girl behind her.The only problem was that she was already starting to feel stiff. She adjusted slightly, preparing to turn to her other side. But as she adjusted, her gaze landed on Maloi’s face—eyes closed, brows slightly furrowed even in sleep, exhaustion evident in the gentle rise and fall of her chest.
Colet’s throat tightened. The playfulness Maloi always carried was nowhere to be found. Instead, she looked vulnerable, small.
A small, resigned smile ghosted over Colet’s lips.
Slowly, cautiously, Colet reached out, adjusting Maloi’s position so she wouldn’t wake up sore. Instead of turning away again, she faced Maloi. Maloi stirred slightly, instinctively tucking herself into the warmth Colet offered. The scent of her shampoo lingered in the space between them—faint, familiar, intoxicating.
Their bodies now faced each other, warm under the soft glow of the bedside lamp. Before she knew it, sleep finally took over.
Sometime later, Colet stirred, her consciousness surfacing sluggishly. A faint ticklish sensation ghosted over her skin—soft, warm, lingering.
Then she felt it again.
A slow, hazy realization crept in, tingling at the edges of her awareness before slamming into her like a jolt.
Her eyes fluttered open, heart pounding in her chest. The room was dim, shadows stretching across the ceiling, the air thick with the quiet of late-night stillness. But that wasn’t what had woken her.
It was the feeling of Maloi’s lips.
Featherlight. Deliberate. Pressing the softest, most unhurried kisses against the sensitive skin of her neck.
Colet froze.
Maloi was curled up beside her, her body still warm and relaxed from sleep, but now—her face was nestled into the crook of Colet’s neck, her breath fanning softly against her skin with every exhale. She moved with an almost dreamlike slowness, lips brushing over Colet’s throat in a rhythm that sent an unfamiliar, dizzying sensation spiraling through her.
Colet’s breath hitched, her fingers twitching against the sheets. She needed to move—needed to wake Maloi up and demand to know what the hell she was doing—but before she could, Maloi stirred slightly, her lashes fluttering as she pulled back just enough to meet Colet’s eyes.
And then, in a quiet, breathy murmur, Maloi spoke.
"Just tonight… please?"
Her voice was barely above a whisper, but the way she looked at Colet—soft, pleading, almost vulnerable—made something inside her falter.
Colet swallowed, her mind screaming at her to put a stop to this before it got too far. But the small amount of alcohol still lingering in her system dulled her rationale, made her head feel lighter, her thoughts slower. Before she could fully process the gravity of the moment, she found herself nodding.
Maloi’s lips returned to her skin, this time pressing slower, more deliberate kisses. The warmth of her mouth, the faint pressure—it was intoxicating. Colet’s breathing grew uneven, her fingers curling into the fabric beneath her as if grounding herself.
What is she doing?
Why is she doing this?
And why is she letting her?
The questions circled her mind, but she didn’t move. Didn’t stop her.
"Loi… hickeys," she whispered, her voice shaky, a weak attempt at restraint.
Maloi hummed in response, a quiet, lazy sound against her throat—acknowledgment, yet not compliance. If anything, her lips lingered longer, her touch bolder.
Then, in one smooth, fluid movement, Maloi shifted.
Colet barely had time to react before she was gently pressed onto her back, Maloi moving above her with effortless ease. The sudden shift made Colet gasp, her hands instinctively flying to Maloi’s waist—warm, firm beneath her fingertips.
Above her, Maloi hovered, eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made the space between them feel unbearably charged. Her gaze flickered down to Colet’s lips for the briefest second before she dipped her head again, resuming her slow, deliberate ministrations.
Colet bit her lip, trying to suppress a shiver as Maloi’s kisses became more insistent, more urgent. Each press of her lips sent a pulse of heat curling through Colet’s veins, her body betraying her better judgment.
Then—Colet stiffened.
Maloi had just run her tongue along the length of her neck, tracing a slow, teasing path before exhaling a quiet, satisfied hum. The sound—soft, almost smug—made something deep in Colet’s stomach tighten.
Maloi smirked. She had noticed.
The air in the room thickened, heavy with the mingling of their breaths, the quiet rustle of sheets, the warmth radiating between them. Colet’s grip on Maloi’s waist tightened involuntarily as Maloi’s kisses trailed lower, finding the sensitive spot just beneath her jaw.
A shaky breath escaped Colet’s lips. Without thinking, she tilted her head to the side, instinctively offering more space.
Maloi stilled for a fraction of a second, as if savoring the silent invitation. Then, with agonizing slowness, she pressed deeper, her sensual kisses trailing along the exposed skin, each one sending a slow burn of pleasure down Colet’s spine.
Colet clenched her jaw, heat pooling in her chest as Maloi’s teeth scraped lightly against her pulse point before soothing the spot with another lingering kiss. The way Maloi moved—so sure, so utterly in control—left no room for hesitation, no space for second thoughts.
And then—
"Col."
The voice was distant, barely reaching through the fog in her mind.
"Colet."
Her eyes snapped open.
"Col, pag ‘di ka pa gumising diyan—"
The world shifted. The warmth, the weight pressing into her—it was gone.
Her pulse still erratic, Colet sat up abruptly, heart hammering against her ribs. The bedroom door was slightly ajar, Maloi’s head peeking in from the other side, eyes bright with amusement.
"Col, maligo ka na. Tawag tayo ni Direk, may announcement ata."
The words barely registered. Colet’s breath was still uneven, her skin still tingling. She felt too warm, too disoriented—
A dream.
It was just a dream.
Realization crashed over her like a tidal wave, leaving her stunned in its wake.
Without thinking, Colet bolted to the bathroom, twisting the faucet open and splashing cold water onto her face. She gripped the sink, her breaths uneven as she tried to steady herself.
She stared at her reflection, heart still pounding.
What the hell was that? she muttered, tapping her cheeks in a desperate attempt to shake off the memory.
But it wouldn’t leave her. The dream clung to her thoughts like static, every detail still vivid—the warmth, the way Maloi had looked at her, the way it had felt real. It made her stomach twist uncomfortably.
She groaned, burying her face in her hands. Hindi ko na ‘to iisipin. Hindi ko na ‘to iisipin.
Easier said than done.
Even later, when they arrived at the studio, her mind refused to cooperate. The girls chatted excitedly around her, their energy buzzing as they prepared for their Rainbow Rumble guesting, but Colet could barely focus.
Direk Lauren was in front of them now, going through the schedule. She knew she should be listening, nodding along like the rest of them, but instead—
Ano kayang itsura ko nung nagising ako kanina? Piskit, nakakahiya!
She swallowed, pressing her lips together.
Paano kung nalaman ‘to ni Maloi?
The thought alone made her want to shrink into the floor.
“…So this Friday na ang guesting niyo, ha. Be ready.”
Colet barely registered the words. She only realized everyone else was nodding when Aiah nudged her side, snapping her back to reality.
“Ah—opo, Direk!” she blurted, a second too late.
Some of the girls looked at her funny, but she forced a small smile, hoping they wouldn’t pry. She couldn’t let them know she had spent the entire announcement spacing out.
The days passed, but the embarrassment never fully faded.
Even as she got lost in rehearsals and work, there was always a small part of her—however tiny—that still burned with the memory of that stupid, stupid dream.
And then Friday came.
The girls arrived at the studio with their families, the place already buzzing with energy. Maloi came with her parents, while Colet stuck close to the others, laughing along as they settled in for the shoot.
For the most part, she was having fun. The games were ridiculous in the best way, and she was too caught up in the moment to dwell on anything else. But every now and then, a stray thought crept in—reminders of that dream she was still trying to push to the back of her mind. It wasn’t as bad now. At least she wasn’t actively avoiding Maloi anymore. She just... wasn’t going out of her way to be around her either.
Her attention shifted when she caught sight of Tita Maggie, Maloi’s mom, pressing a fond kiss to Mikha’s cheek like she was a kid. Mikha grinned, leaning into it without hesitation. Of course, she was used to it—she had always been close to Maloi’s family, always tagging along to their trips and gatherings. It wasn’t new, and Colet knew that. But lately, it felt like Maloi had been spending all her time with Mikha.
She wasn’t even sure why she was noticing.
By the time the show wrapped up and they all sat down for lunch, it was still the same. Mikha was chatting animatedly with Tita Maggie, and Maloi was right there with them, laughing along. Colet had no reason to care, so she didn’t.
Or at least, she told herself she didn’t.
“Col, sama ka sa Batangas,” Maloi suddenly said, dropping into the seat beside her like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Colet blinked. “Ha? Anong meron?”
“Birthday ni lola,” Maloi said easily. “Dun ‘yung celebration.”
She hesitated. She hadn’t been around Maloi much these past few days—something she had done on purpose, though she wasn’t sure if Maloi even noticed. But now, she was looking at Colet expectantly, like she’d already made up her mind about it.
“Sa next, next week pa naman,” Maloi added. “Friday tayo aalis, balik Monday. Nagpaalam na ako sa management, ikaw na lang ipagpapaalam ulit.”
Colet exhaled, thinking it over. Wala naman siyang lakad that weekend.
“Ba’t ‘di mo na lang isama si Mikha?” she teased, tilting her head.
"May lakad siya nun," Maloi shrugged.
Colet hesitated, glancing at Maloi’s expectant face. She wasn’t sure if she really wanted to go—spending an entire weekend alone with Maloi after everything felt like asking for trouble. But then Maloi tilted her head, eyes softening in that way she always did when she wanted something.
"Wala ka namang gagawin nun, 'di ba? Sama ka na, Col," Maloi coaxed, her voice light but persistent.
Colet sighed. Wala naman talaga akong plano… and it wasn’t like she could say no—not when Maloi was looking at her like that.
"Okay, sige na nga," she relented.
Maloi’s face immediately lit up. "Yay! Salamat, Col!" she beamed, rocking on her heels like she was holding back the urge to hug her.
Then, as if that was that, she murmured a quick “Thank you” and just as quickly slipped back to Mikha and Tita Maggie like she had never left.
Colet watched her go, something settling in her chest that she couldn’t quite place.
So much for keeping her distance.