It was a typical Sunday morning in the Arceta-Ricalde household, the kind of morning that would make you want to stretch and sigh in contentment. The air felt soft and comforting as the sun peeked through the curtains, casting golden rays across the kitchen floor. The kitchen was warm with the smell of pancakes sizzling on the stove, a smell that immediately made everything feel like home.
Aiah Arceta stood in front of the stove, her focus on the pancakes she was cooking. Her hair was messy, a loose bun on top of her head, strands falling around her face. Her hands moved skillfully, flipping the pancakes one after the other, the light sheen of sweat from the heat mixing with the glow of morning light. She hummed softly to herself, the tune one of those old love songs they both liked. It was a song that always reminded her of Maloi.
Maloi Ricalde, her girlfriend of three years, was sitting casually on the kitchen counter. She swung her legs back and forth, her feet barely touching the floor as she watched Aiah. A mischievous glint flickered in her eyes as she admired Aiah's every movement, the way her brow furrowed slightly in concentration, the way her lips would curl into a small smile when she succeeded in flipping a pancake just right.
"Babe," Maloi called out, her voice playful, her lips curling into a smirk. "Ang ganda mo pala kahit hindi pa naka-kape."
Aiah chuckled, rolling her eyes without looking up. "You always say that, but I'm pretty sure you're just hungry."
"Tama ka, pero kasi, ang saya ko lang na makita ka." Maloi jumped down from the counter, standing next to Aiah. "Let me help you with that. I think you need a break."
Aiah raised an eyebrow. "You? Help me cook? That's a first."
"Don't act surprised. I'm perfectly capable of cooking." Maloi grinned as she reached for the spatula.
Aiah stepped aside and handed her the spatula with a teasing smile. "Well then, let's see you do it."
Maloi didn't miss a beat. With a flick of the wrist, she flipped the pancake with impressive precision. "Tadah! See, I told you I could do it."
Aiah laughed, shaking her head. "You're such a show-off."
"Well, someone has to be around here," Maloi said with a wink, her arms circling Aiah's waist from behind as she placed a kiss on her cheek. "But I'm only showing off for you, babe."
Aiah felt her heart flutter at the sweet gesture. It was these little things that made her fall in love with Maloi over and over again—the way she could make the simplest moments feel special, the way her love was always wrapped up in teasing, in humor, in affection.
As the pancakes finished cooking, Aiah set the table, placing the plates and cups for their breakfast. It was a routine, simple yet comforting. Aiah preferred the slow mornings like this, after a long week of work. There was something about waking up in the same space, with the person you loved by your side, and nothing to rush for. Just being together. That was all that mattered.
As they sat down to eat, Honey, their golden retriever, was the first to notice. She padded over to Aiah, her tail wagging excitedly. "I think she's hoping you'll drop something," Maloi teased as Honey nudged Aiah's leg.
Aiah laughed softly, giving Honey a small piece of pancake. The dog devoured it with a happy wag of her tail. Juyon, their male cat, was perched on a nearby chair, his fur pristine and almost regal as he watched the breakfast scene unfold. Lingling, their black cat, was curled up on the windowsill, basking in the morning sun, clearly uninterested in the food, but happy to be part of the quiet morning scene.
Maloi raised an eyebrow at Juyon. "You sure you don't want some, buddy?"
Juyon blinked slowly, his eyes half-closed as he stretched out, a regal air about him. He was the type of cat who wasn't impressed by food or anything else unless he deemed it worthy.
"Okay, okay," Maloi said, laughing. "I guess you're the king of the house."
"Maloi, I think we're the ones who are spoiled by our babies," Aiah mused, a smile on her lips as she took a bite of her pancake.
"I'm okay with that," Maloi replied, taking a bite of her own pancakes. "As long as I'm spoiled by you, too."
Aiah's cheeks flushed at the comment, but she smiled nonetheless. "You really do know how to make me blush, huh?"
"Guilty as charged," Maloi teased. "But hey, I like it when I can make you feel special. You deserve it."
Aiah reached out and gently squeezed Maloi's hand. "You make me feel special every day. Even when it's just like this. Quiet mornings, no stress."
They ate their breakfast in comfortable silence, the kind of silence that spoke of years of being together, years of knowing each other so well. The simple act of sharing pancakes, of being in each other's company, was enough. There was no need for words, just the unspoken connection they shared.
After breakfast, the day stretched lazily ahead of them, and Maloi suggested they take it easy. "How about we slow dance to that song we always play?"
Aiah smiled. She knew exactly which song Maloi meant—the one that had been theirs since the very beginning. It was a slow ballad, soft and sentimental, the kind of song that could make anyone feel like they were the only two people in the world. She stood up, extending her hand to Maloi. "Lead the way, then."
Without a word, Maloi took Aiah's hand, and they moved into the living room. The song started playing softly in the background, its familiar chords filling the air. Slowly, Maloi pulled Aiah into her arms, and they swayed together, lost in the music, in each other. It was a simple thing—slow dancing in their living room—but to them, it was everything.
Aiah rested her head against Maloi's chest, breathing in the warmth of her skin, feeling the beat of her heart beneath the soft fabric of her shirt. The world outside seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them wrapped in the soft glow of the morning light.
"Masaya ako," Aiah whispered, her voice barely more than a breath.
Maloi smiled, her chin resting on top of Aiah's head. "Masaya din ako, babe. Hindi ko alam kung anong ginawa ko para maging ganito ka espesyal sa buhay ko, pero nagpapasalamat ako."
Aiah's heart swelled with love at her words. "Ako rin, Maloi. You make everything better. You make me feel at home."
Maloi gently pulled away, just enough to look into Aiah's eyes. "You are my home, Aiah. And I'll never let you forget that."
The sincerity in Maloi's eyes made Aiah's chest tighten. There was nothing more comforting, more beautiful than this—being loved so fully, so completely. And with that, they went back to their slow dance, the music wrapping around them like a blanket.
After a while, they moved to the couch, both of them curling up together under a soft throw blanket. Honey lay at their feet, still content and dozing off, while Lingling and Juyon stayed nearby, their presence a quiet reminder of the family they had built together. The house was quiet now, save for the sound of their breathing, the occasional rustle of fur, and the distant hum of a lazy Sunday morning.
"I love you," Aiah murmured, her voice soft as she nuzzled into Maloi's shoulder.
"I love you more," Maloi whispered back, kissing the top of Aiah's head.
And as they lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, with their three babies nearby, they knew that this was enough. This was all they needed—a life filled with love, laughter, and the quiet moments that made everything else fade into the background.
For Aiah and Maloi, this was what happiness looked like: simple, slow, and perfect.
The afternoon passed like a slow-moving river, each moment slipping by quietly, peacefully. The light outside had shifted from a soft golden to a warm amber, casting long shadows across the room. Aiah and Maloi remained nestled on the couch, wrapped in the same blanket, their bodies pressed close together, content in each other's warmth.
Maloi had her arm draped over Aiah's shoulders, her fingers lightly tracing patterns on her skin. Aiah had her head resting on Maloi's chest, listening to the rhythmic beat of her heart, a sound that brought her an overwhelming sense of calm. The hum of the ceiling fan was the only thing competing with the sound of their steady breathing, the occasional meow of Juyon, and the soft thump of Honey's tail as she stirred beside them.
"Naalala mo pa ba yung unang araw natin?" Aiah asked softly, her voice barely a whisper, as if she didn't want to disturb the quiet peace between them.
Maloi smiled, her eyes flickering with fondness. "Of course. How could I forget?" She shifted slightly, so she could look at Aiah more directly, her voice soft but filled with meaning. "It feels like it was just yesterday, but also like we've always been like this—together."
Aiah chuckled softly, the sound like a melody. "I was so nervous. I thought I'd mess everything up, but you... you were so calm. You made me feel like everything was going to be okay."
Maloi's smile deepened as she recalled the memory. "You were so cute, so serious. But I could tell. I knew right away that we were meant for each other. There was something about you, the way you carried yourself. I don't know. It just clicked."
Aiah sighed contentedly, the memory still as clear as if it had just happened. "I was so afraid to let myself fall in love. But with you, it just happened, naturally. I never thought someone could make me feel so safe, so... loved."
Maloi leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Aiah's forehead, her lips lingering for a moment. "I feel the same way. You're my safe place, Aiah. You always have been."
They stayed like that for a few moments, just basking in the warmth of each other's presence. Outside, the sky had deepened into shades of pink and purple, signaling the end of the day. The peace of the evening wrapped around them like a cozy blanket, and the soft sounds of the world outside only added to the feeling of contentment.
"Are we still doing that thing later?" Aiah asked, her voice a little more playful now, as she lifted her head from Maloi's shoulder and looked up at her with a teasing glint in her eyes.
Maloi raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming on her lips. "What thing?" she asked, clearly feigning confusion, though she knew exactly what Aiah meant.
"The movie marathon," Aiah replied, her tone light but with a sense of mischief. "You promised that we'd watch all those cheesy rom-coms tonight, remember? No backing out now."
Maloi chuckled, shaking her head. "I didn't think you'd remember that, but sure, I'm in. You know I love watching those with you."
Aiah smiled, her eyes sparkling. "I know. You're a sucker for them, even though you pretend you're not."
"Oh, hush," Maloi teased, nudging her gently. "I'm only human, and I like to see the happily-ever-afters too. Besides, who wouldn't want to be in love with someone like you?"
Aiah's heart fluttered at the compliment, and she leaned in to kiss Maloi, soft and sweet. The kiss was tender, but it held so much love, so much affection—everything they had built together, everything they were.
"I can't wait," Aiah murmured after pulling away, her fingers tracing the outline of Maloi's jaw. "Spending this day with you... it's perfect."
Maloi smiled warmly, her eyes full of admiration. "It's perfect because we're together. No matter what we do, as long as I have you, everything is perfect."
Aiah smiled softly, feeling her heart swell at the words. "I feel the same way."
They spent the next hour preparing for their movie marathon, getting comfy on the couch with blankets, pillows, and a spread of snacks. Honey had decided to settle at their feet, her soft snoring adding to the calm atmosphere, while Lingling was now lazily sprawled out next to the coffee table, her tail flicking in and out of view. Juyon, on the other hand, had found a spot on the arm of the couch, watching the two of them with what could only be described as disdain. But, as always, he stayed close, just observing, as if he was above everything else but still needed to be near them.
As they settled in, the first rom-com began to play on the TV, and Maloi glanced at Aiah, raising an eyebrow in a challenge. "I bet you five bucks I can guess the ending before it happens."
Aiah grinned, raising her own eyebrow. "You're on. But you know I'm the rom-com expert, right? I'll have you eating your words."
The movie played on, and the two of them were drawn into the cheesy plot, the predictable but lovable characters, and the over-the-top love story that would inevitably end in a dramatic kiss. Every now and then, Aiah would glance over at Maloi, catching her eyes, and the spark between them would reignite—like a quiet reminder of the love they shared. They didn't need the movie to feel that warmth; they already had it in each other.
By the time the third movie came on, they were both curled up together, Maloi’s head resting on Aiah’s shoulder, Maloi's arm around Aiah's waist. Their fingers intertwined as they watched, the world outside forgotten, the movie nothing more than background noise to the rhythm of their steady breaths, the quiet sound of their hearts beating in sync.
As the final movie began, Aiah could feel her eyelids growing heavier. The warmth of the room, the gentle thrum of Maloi's heartbeat against her cheek, the steady presence of their fur babies—all of it combined to create the perfect lullaby. She yawned softly, snuggling closer into Maloi's side.
"Maloi," she murmured, her voice sleepier now. "You're still the best thing that's ever happened to me."
Maloi smiled, brushing a strand of hair from Aiah's face as she leaned down to kiss her forehead. "I feel the same way, babe. I promise I'll always be here. You and me, together. Forever."
Aiah smiled, her eyes closing as sleep overtook her. "Forever," she whispered in agreement.
And as they drifted off to sleep, with the soft flicker of the TV and the warmth of each other's embrace, the world outside might have been busy and full of noise, but in that moment, in that quiet room, it was just them—Aiah, Maloi, their three fur babies, and a love so deep and steady that nothing could ever shake it.
In each other's arms, they found everything they needed, and the rest of the world could wait.