Sheena was never a morning person, her day would usually start past 10 am whenever she can help it, that’s why she never had a class before 10 am. She’s the type of person who would rather stay up late doing tasks than wake up to go to a class, a certified night owl. That’s why she became close with Mikha, a night owl herself, but for gaming and going out with friends, something Sheena doesn’t really do.
You see Sheena is a total introvert, choosing to spend time inside her room doing whatever her mind thinks of, mostly doing choreographies or just scrolling mindlessly on her phone. So it’s a question what the heck is she doing outside of her bed at 6 am on a saturday no less. Sheena sighs as she looks at the girl beside her, buzzing with excitement like a dog excited to go on walks.
She tightens her shoelaces as she starts stretching her arms and legs. “Yiieee I’m so excited” Aiah said beside her, almost jumping and bouncing in her place. Sheena sighs once again as she gazes at the girl, bakit ba kasi ang hirap humindi sayo? She thought to herself.
FLASHBACK
There's something about going to class at 10 am, there are fewer students as they are in their own classes which means there are less chances to get stopped by and get into small talks with classmates or orgmates. It's also one of the reasons she chose classes in the middle of the school day, so imagine her surprise when she heard her name out of nowhere.
“SHEE!!" The familiar voice said, she slowly turned around to look at the culprit but only saw a glimpse of raven hair before she was encased in a tight embrace, her body stiffened as she smelled a familiar perfume.
“Ate Aiah” she choked, the older girl loosened her hug but remained close to the girl, her smile almost blinding the younger girl, Lord kung hindi mapapasakin toh baka pwede ipilit, she thought to herself as she felt her knees getting weak with just a simple smile from the girl.
“Shee it's been a while” Aiah exclaimed lightly shaking her, Aiah Arceta, the real definition of a golden retriever, always active, nice, and smiley. They got close due to Mikha, Mikha’s girlfriend, Gwen is a childhood friend of Aiah. As her and Mikha got close she got dragged into dates as a third wheel yet she never complained because Gwen would bring Aiah as well, and the free food.
It wasn't really hard to get close with Aiah, as her ever radiant self would make sure that no one would feel left out, something Sheena is thankful for.
“Huy, nakikinig ka ba?” Aiah asked as she snapped her hands in front of the younger girl. Sheena lightly shook her head as a soft blush gently spreads across her face upon realising that she's been staring at the older girl for far too long.
“Sorry may iniisip lang, ano ulit yun?” She asked as she flashes her apologetic smile, the older girl's face lit up as she suddenly grabs her face. “Ang cute cute mo talaga bebe Shee” she said and squeezed her cheeks, lightly stretching it. At this point Sheena is sure her face could rival Mikha’s hair on how red it is.
“Aray ate Aiah masakit” She said as she gently held the older girl's hand before removing it. Aiah’s smile never falters. She placed a chaste kiss on both of her cheeks, Sheena's sure she's gonna faint anytime soon. Bakit ba kasi ang clingy netong babaeng toh, awa sa bading ate Aiah, she thought to herself.
She tried to fake disgust before wiping both of her cheeks off with the back of her hand. “Ano bayan ate Aiah, laway mo” she said yet Aiah never took offense even attempting to kiss her again just to annoy her, Sheena trying to save her heart took a step back and blocked her face with her hand.
“Ano yung sasabihin mo ate?” She asked instead, trying to hide the rapid pounding inside her chest. “Samahan mo ko sa Saturday” she started, Sheena's eyebrows raised at that, usually it was Gwen who she asks or other friends, so this is unusual. “Saan naman?” She asked, suspicious of the request.
“Jogging” Aiah said, almost a whisper, upon hearing this Sheena’s eyes widened before shaking her head. “Bye, hindi ako para diyan teh” she said and started walking away, without even making two steps Aiah already grabbed her arm to turn her around.
What Sheena saw made her self respect crumble, knees weak and heart beat a thousand times faster. Aiah's puppy eyes. “Shee sige na” she said, eyes pleading, hands clasped in a prayer position. Sheena gulped before turning away, closing her eyes trying to gather her remaining resolve to say no to the girl. “No” she mumbled, voice uncertain. “Yes” Aiah countered.
The two went on a back and forth a few times before Aiah grabbed Sheena's hand and pressed it between her's. “Bebe please, don't you wanna go bonding with me? Just us?” Aiah asked, and it's a mystery for Sheena how she didn't immediately collapse right then and there. Tangina naman ate Aiah, she cursed as she closed her eyes before nodding.
“YEY!” Aiah shouted, some students turned their way causing her to shyly apologise. She grabbed Sheena by the shoulder before pulling her in a bone crushing hug. “The best ka talaga Shee” she said and tightened the hug, Sheena just lightly tapped her, which cause Aiah to immediately let go.
"Send ko sayo lahat ng details ha" she said before giving her a flying kiss with a wink before walking away, leaving the girl fighting for her life.
And that is how Sheena ended up at UP diliman at 6 am on a Saturday. Aiah grabbed her by the arm and pulled her towards the other joggers. Nervous is an understatement in her condition right now, she's scared that she won't be able to keep up with the older girl.
The girl has signed her up for a small fun run event, she promised it's bigger friendly, Sheena doesn't really trust her idea of beginner friendly if she's being honest. “Ready ka na bebe?” Aiah asked as she grasped the younger girl's hand. "Ikaw na bahala sa pamilya ko kapag hindi ako nakauwi” she joked Aiah just laughed at her while shaking her head.
"Don't be so OA bebe, 3km lang naman toh. Let's just go out on a date after” She said, Sheena's ears perked up at the mention of a date before turning red, a thing about Aiah is that she never know if she's just being friendly or flirting with her, and Sheena being the useless gay she is just never asked.
"Sige basta libre mo” she said "Sure, anything for you” Aiah responded without missing a beat. Sheena was about to ask more when the signal gun was suddenly shot. Mamaya na lang, she thought to herself. True enough the jog was not bad, Aiah stuck by her side and asked her from time to time if she's alright, Sheena just smiles and nods as her being a out of shape is starting to scream at her.
At some point Aiah went a little in front of Sheena, just enough for Sheena to still see her face, this gave her the perfect view of the girl's jogging form, there's just something about Aiah that screams elegance, anything she does makes her look like a princess, and with the sun perfectly hitting Aiah’s face accompanied by a thin layer of sweat, her little gay heart couldn't take it.
She started slowing down, thankful that they chose to stick to the sides rather than the center where everyone is. Aiah immediately noticed the girl's presence missing behind her, turned and saw Sheena bent over and catching her breath, hands clasped tightly on her chest, worry immediately flooded her brain as she rushed to the girl's side.
“Shee ayos ka lang?" She asked as she placed her hand on the girl's back, lightly stroking it. Sheena gave her a thumbs up before standing up straight. “Huy ayos ka lang ba? Ang putla mo" Aiah said as she grabbed the younger girl's face. Color immediately went back on her face as she feels the close proximity of their faces.
“Ate Aiah akala ko ba good for the heart yung cardio? Bat parang aatakihin ako" she joked, her worries immediately removed as she playfully shoved the younger girl. “Sira ka, akala ko kung ano na nangyari sayo" she chuckled. Sheena looked at her full of seriousness, mind running at a thousand miles but at the same time blank. Bahala ka na Lord.
“Ate Aiah, ang ganda mo talaga noh?" She started as she grabs the older girl's hand lightly, Aiah chuckled before lightly shoving the younger girl with her free hand “Bola, wala akong perang ibibigay sayo" she teased, Sheena's smile widened as she pulled her closer and placed her hands around her waist.
“Pwedeng puso mo na lang?" Sheena asked, if you ask her how she got the confidence to say such a cheesy thing she won't have an answer as well. She would blame this on the lack of oxygen in her brain due to the jogging and Aiah’s beauty. May favoritism talaga si Lord kasi kahit anong gawin ni Ate Aiah ang ganda niya parin, she thought as she gaze at the older girl's face.
Aiah smiled at her before shaking her head and chuckling. “Sige basta maunahan mo ko" she said before she started running away from the girl's hold. Ha? Ano daw? It took Sheena a good 5 seconds before processing what Aiah just said. Sheena ran like her life depended on it, Lord ibigay mo na sakin toh, she said as she dashed across the remaining distance towards the finish line, Aiah just chuckling behind her.