The café was their spot—a small, cozy nook tucked away in the corner of town, with soft yellow lighting and walls covered in mismatched art. Jhoanna had practically dragged Maloi here during their first date months ago, and since then, it had become their place.
Now, it was also their unofficial study corner, which Maloi wasn’t entirely thrilled about.
“Maloi,” Jhoanna groaned dramatically as she leaned over the table, waving a notebook in the air, “this equation isn’t going to solve itself.”
Maloi, sitting across from her, looked unimpressed. She was twirling her red highlighter between her fingers, her expression the picture of disinterest. “I’m convinced this equation doesn’t want to be solved. Maybe we should respect its wishes.”
Jhoanna gasped, her eyes wide in mock horror. “You’re impossible! Do you know that? Sino bang gumagawa ng assignments ng ganito kasimple na may ganyang attitude?”
“You,” Maloi replied flatly, pointing the red highlighter at Jhoanna like it was a weapon.
Jhoanna couldn’t hold back her laugh. “Sira ka talaga.”
Maloi smirked. “That’s why you love me.”
Jhoanna paused for dramatic effect, tapping a finger on her chin. “Hmm. Maybe I do, but I’m seriously questioning my choices right now.”
Maloi leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. “Too late to back out now. You’re stuck with me.”
Jhoanna sighed, a smile tugging at her lips. “Lucky me,” she murmured, her voice soft.
Their “study dates” were less about studying and more about Jhoanna trying to keep Maloi focused for more than five minutes. But this time, Maloi was visibly frustrated.
It happened when they hit a particularly tough problem. Maloi stared at the numbers and variables, her brow furrowed in concentration, before letting out an exasperated groan. “I can’t do this! It’s useless!”
Jhoanna blinked in surprise as Maloi slammed her pen onto the table, burying her face in her hands.
“Maloi…” Jhoanna said softly, reaching out to touch her arm.
“No, Jho,” Maloi snapped, lifting her head. Her voice cracked with frustration. “I’m serious. I don’t get it. I’ve tried everything, and nothing’s working! I’ll never get this. Maybe I’m just not cut out for calculus.”
The café’s usual chatter faded into the background as Jhoanna leaned closer. Her expression softened, her voice steady. “Hey. Look at me.”
Maloi hesitated but eventually met Jhoanna’s gaze, her eyes glassy with unshed tears.
“You’re not giving up. Not today,” Jhoanna said firmly. “You’ve done harder things before, Maloi. Remember when you swore you couldn’t memorize the periodic table? And then you aced that quiz because you refused to quit?”
“That was different,” Maloi mumbled, crossing her arms.
“No, it wasn’t,” Jhoanna countered. “You’ve always been capable of more than you think. You’re just stuck right now. That doesn’t mean you’re failing.”
Maloi didn’t respond, her jaw tightening.
Jhoanna smiled gently. “You don’t have to figure it out all at once. That’s why I’m here. We’ll take it one step at a time, okay? Together.”
For a moment, Maloi didn’t say anything. Then she let out a long sigh, slumping back in her chair. “You make it sound so easy.”
“It’s not easy,” Jhoanna admitted. “But it’s doable. And you’re not alone.”
Maloi glanced at the notebook, then back at Jhoanna. Slowly, she nodded. “Fine. One more try. But if I fail again, I’m ordering dessert and refusing to study for the rest of the day.”
Jhoanna laughed, relief washing over her. “Deal. But you’re not going to fail.”
They returned to the problem, Jhoanna guiding Maloi step by step. Slowly, Maloi began piecing the solution together, her earlier frustration giving way to cautious determination.
When she finally wrote down the correct answer, she stared at it in disbelief. “Wait. That’s it?”
“That’s it,” Jhoanna confirmed, her grin wide.
Maloi exhaled a shaky laugh, a mix of relief and pride. “I actually did it.”
“Told you,” Jhoanna said, leaning her chin on her hand. “You’re brilliant, Ricalde. You just needed a reminder.”
Maloi looked at her, a small, grateful smile forming on her lips. “Thanks, Jho. For… not giving up on me.”
“Always,” Jhoanna said softly.
As they stepped outside, the late afternoon sun painted the street in soft hues of orange and pink. The air was warm, carrying the faint scent of brewed coffee and freshly baked bread. Jhoanna instinctively reached for Maloi’s hand, lacing their fingers together as they walked.
For a while, neither of them spoke, letting the soft rhythm of their steps fill the silence. The world around them seemed to blur—the passing cars, the chatter of people on the sidewalks, the rustling leaves in the breeze. All that mattered was the warmth of their hands intertwined and the steady presence of each other.
“You know,” Jhoanna began, her tone light but teasing, “I think you owe me a kiss for all my hard work today.”
Maloi slowed her steps, tilting her head to glance at Jhoanna with a raised eyebrow. “Oh, is that what you think?”
Jhoanna stopped walking entirely, tugging Maloi closer. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she grinned. “Yep. And I’m rarely wrong.”
Maloi rolled her eyes, though the faint smile on her lips betrayed her amusement. With an exaggerated sigh, she leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to Jhoanna’s lips. “There. Happy?”
Jhoanna beamed, but before she could respond, Maloi surprised her by wrapping her arms around her waist and pulling her in for a second kiss—this one slower, softer, and lingering. When they finally pulled apart, Jhoanna’s cheeks were flushed, and her playful grin had softened into something gentler.
“Now I’m happy,” Jhoanna murmured, her voice quieter.
Maloi chuckled, her forehead resting lightly against Jhoanna’s. “You’re such a handful, you know that?”
“And yet, here you are,” Jhoanna quipped, her smile widening.
“Yeah,” Maloi said, her voice almost a whisper. “Here I am.”
They resumed walking, their fingers still laced together. The golden hour cast a dreamy glow over everything, making the mundane seem magical. Jhoanna glanced at Maloi, her chest tightening with a warmth she couldn’t quite put into words.
“You know,” Jhoanna said after a while, her tone more serious, “I’m really proud of you. For not giving up earlier.”
Maloi glanced down at their joined hands, her thumb absently brushing over Jhoanna’s. “I couldn’t have done it without you,” she admitted. “I mean, I probably would’ve stormed out of the café and sulked the whole day if you weren’t there.”
Jhoanna squeezed her hand, a soft laugh escaping her lips. “Good thing I’m here, then.”
Maloi stopped walking again, this time pulling Jhoanna to the side of the path. She looked at her, a rare vulnerability in her eyes. “Seriously, Jho. Thank you. For always believing in me, even when I don’t.”
Jhoanna’s heart swelled, and she reached up to cup Maloi’s cheek, her thumb brushing against her skin. “Always,” she promised, her voice steady. “Ikaw pa ba?”
Maloi leaned into her touch, her eyes fluttering shut for a moment before she opened them again. “I don’t say it enough, but… I’m really lucky to have you.”
Jhoanna’s grin returned, bright and full of life. “Damn right you are.”
Maloi laughed, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”
“And yet, here you are,” Jhoanna teased, echoing their earlier banter.
Maloi didn’t reply this time. Instead, she pulled Jhoanna into another kiss, her arms wrapping tightly around her. It was the kind of kiss that spoke of gratitude, love, and all the emotions she couldn’t quite express with words.
When they finally broke apart, Jhoanna was breathless, her cheeks flushed. She stared at Maloi, her own emotions shining in her eyes. “You’re really bad for my heart, you know that?”
Maloi smirked, grabbing Jhoanna’s hand again as they started walking. “Good. Means you’re stuck with me.”
Jhoanna laughed, the sound light and musical as it echoed down the street. “Forever sounds just fine to me.”
They continued walking, the sunset painting the world in golden hues. And as the city hummed around them, they both knew they’d never need anything more than this—two hearts, one love, and a world of possibilities ahead.