Chapter 1
"And the Ms. University 2025 is none other than... Aiah Arceta from the College of Health and Science!" The roar of applause echoed through the auditorium as the emcee announced the winner that night. Everyone had expected Aiah to take the crown, and the crowd’s reaction was nothing short of electrifying. Her grace, intelligence, and poise had made her a favorite, but little did they know, her toughest competition was about to change everything.
Stacey Sevilleja smirked as the winner was announced. "Mas maganda sagot nung isa," she muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing slightly. She had only transferred to the university three weeks ago, but already, the name Mariah Queen Arceta—or simply Aiah, as everyone called her—was impossible to ignore. The whispers, the admiration, the hype—Aiah's reputation had reached her before she even set foot on campus. But Stacey wasn’t here to admire. She was here to compete. And she wasn’t about to let Aiah’s crown go unchallenged.
There was something about this Mariah that stirred a sense of curiosity in Stacey. She could feel it, see it—everyone adored her. The way the crowd cheered, the way eyes followed her every move—it was clear Aiah Arceta had an undeniable presence. Stacey stood up from her seat, her gaze lingering one last time on the crowned queen, before turning and quietly leaving the auditorium. Watching the pageant had never been part of her plan tonight, but now, as she stepped into the hallway, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this encounter with Aiah might be the beginning of something... unexpected.
~
"Congrats, Aiah! Never doubted na ikaw mananalo, ganda ng pasok ng school year sayo!" Maloi, her best friend, exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around Aiah in a tight hug. The rest of their friends—Jhoanna, Colet, and Mikha—gathered around, grinning and offering their congratulations. They had been through it all together, ever since high school, and now here they were, celebrating Aiah’s victory. The tight-knit group had always supported her, and tonight was no different. Aiah smiled warmly, feeling the love of her friends surrounding her. Despite the competition, she knew she could always count on them. "Thanks, guys. Couldn’t have done it without all of you," she replied, her heart swelling with gratitude.
"Let's take a picture, dali, para may pang-post ako sa IG!" Jhoanna called out, quickly spotting a random student nearby. She waved them over and asked, "Hey, can you take a picture of us?" The student nodded and adjusted their phone, capturing the group of friends in their joyful moment. Aiah, Maloi, Jhoanna, Colet, and Mikha all smiled brightly, their bond clear in the way they stood together. Aiah's crown gleamed under the lights, but it was the genuine happiness in their faces that made the photo unforgettable. "Perfect!" Jhoanna grinned as she grabbed her phone, ready to share the moment with everyone online
By the time the night came to a close, it was already past 11 PM, and everyone began heading home—some had classes the next day. Aiah sat quietly for a moment, scrolling through her phone. Her notifications were flooded with congratulatory messages from friends, family, and even people she hadn’t spoken to in a while. The title of Ms. University 2025 was hers, but for Aiah, it was just another chapter in a long journey.
Ever since high school, she had always been the class muse, the one chosen to represent her section in every pageant. It wasn’t just about the titles or the glamour; it was her passion, her love for the stage, and the feeling of representing something bigger than herself. On top of that, Aiah had always been dedicated to her role as a student leader. Balancing academics, leadership, and pageants was no easy feat, but it was the challenge that kept her grounded, motivated, and, above all, focused. Tonight, though, as the messages piled up, she couldn't shake the thought that something—someone—was changing the rhythm of her world
Hindi alam ni Aiah kung namamalikmata lang ba siya kanina. She couldn't shake off the image of the unfamiliar face smirking at her during the pageant. Sino ba yun? she wondered, feeling a strange curiosity stir inside her. I can't stop thinking about her, she admitted to herself. While everyone else in the crowd cheered and celebrated her victory, this girl seemed... different. She was the only one who didn’t look happy for her, and that stuck with Aiah.
If she had to describe her, Aiah would say she had long, straight hair, a delicate, chinita eyes, and a complexion so fair it almost glowed. And, of course, she was undeniably beautiful. But it wasn’t just her appearance that Aiah couldn’t get out of her head. It was the look in her eyes—the way she had smirked, like she was sizing her up, or maybe even challenging her. Aiah felt a strange pull in her chest, unsure of what to make of it. Who was she?