Sheena believed in the magic of Simbang Gabi. Every year, when the Christmas season approached, the excitement would bubble inside her, building up to the nine consecutive nights of the Simbang Gabi Mass. It was a tradition passed down in her family, something she held dearly. No matter how busy her life got, no matter how much she had on her plate, Sheena always made it a point to attend every night. Each night meant something special—each Mass brought with it the hope that her wishes would come true.
Her wishes were never extravagant, never selfish. They were simple: for the health and happiness of her family, for her friends to stay safe, for the people she loved to be okay. For years, Sheena had faithfully made the same wish, and every year, she watched it come true.
It had always been about everyone else. Every Simbang Gabi, Sheena focused her prayers on the well-being of others, hoping the universe would listen. This year, though, was different. This year, Sheena had a completely different wish.
Her wish was for herself. It wasn't a wish for health or wealth. It wasn't for good grades or a better future. This year, Sheena's wish was selfish: she wanted Gwen.
Gwen Apuli was quiet, a person of few words. She didn't draw attention to herself like Sheena did. In fact, Gwen was the exact opposite. Sheena was loud and chaotic, often making her presence known in the most dramatic ways, while Gwen barely spoke, keeping her distance from the noise Sheena often created. The two couldn't have been more different.
Sheena was often the one to make the group laugh, to fill the room with her energy, her stories, and her jokes. But Gwen? Gwen was the calm, collected one. She'd listen, her nonchalant demeanor always present, making Sheena's heart race every time their eyes met. Gwen was the kind of person who would quietly smile at a joke, but not say a word. She wasn't the loud, enthusiastic type, and yet, Sheena found her captivating.
Sheena had liked Gwen for months now, but she'd never found the courage to tell her. How could she? Gwen barely spoke, and Sheena was too chaotic for her. It seemed impossible. But still, Gwen, who never seemed to care about much but still had an uncanny ability to occupy Sheena's every thought. Sheena had fallen hard—and as much as she hated to admit it, she was banking on the magic of Simbang Gabi to help her out.
It was the ninth and final night of Simbang Gabi, and Sheena had never missed a single night in all her years. Bundled in her jacket, clutching her rosary, and filled with her usual Christmas spirit, she had every intention of completing her novena. But things didn't go as planned.
Sheena arrived at the church steps breathless, only to find the gates closed. The mass had ended. The crowd was dispersing, people smiling and chatting as they headed home or to nearby food stalls for bibingka and puto bumbong. But Sheena stood frozen, staring at the church doors.
Her chest tightened. All the prayers and effort she'd put in for this year's wish—her most personal and vulnerable one—felt wasted. Her usual optimism was gone.
As she stood there, lost in her thoughts, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, her fingers trembling slightly as she unlocked the screen. It was a message from Gwen.
Gwen: Hey, are you okay? I saw you leave earlier.
Sheena's heart skipped a beat. Gwen had noticed? Sheena had barely interacted with her outside of their circle of friends, let alone outside of it. Gwen was quiet, often keeping to herself, and Sheena couldn't remember the last time they had spoken outside of group. The fact that Gwen had noticed her leaving, let alone cared enough to ask if she was okay, made Sheena's heart flutter in her chest.
Sheena: I'm fine. Just... just a little late for Simbang Gabi.
Sheena cursed under her breath as she pressed 'send'. Of course, she'd mention Simbang Gabi. She hadn't been planning on telling Gwen anything about it. It was a tradition Sheena held close, something personal to her, but now it was out there.
Seconds later, Gwen replied.
Gwen: Aww, I know how important Simbang Gabi is to you. Don't worry about it. You're not the only one who's missed a Mass this year, haha. But hey, are you still outside the church?
Sheena blinked at the message. Gwen was... coming to see her?
Sheena: Yeah, just needed some air.
Sheena's fingers hovered above the phone, unsure of what to say next. What was Gwen thinking? She felt an overwhelming urge to explain herself, to tell Gwen how silly it was to get worked up over something like this, but she didn't want to make things awkward. She was already self-conscious enough.
A few moments passed before Gwen's reply came through.
Gwen: I'm heading over there now. I'll bring you some hot chocolate. Meet me by the entrance in five?
Sheena's heart skipped a beat. Hot chocolate? Gwen, the quiet girl who said so little, was bringing her hot chocolate? This was too much. She couldn't stop herself from smiling, even if she was still standing in front of the church, frozen by the cold and her own racing thoughts.
In a flurry, Sheena stood up, adjusting her jacket and trying to compose herself. She quickly made her way to the entrance, her mind a whirlwind of nerves.
When Gwen arrived a few minutes later, Sheena's heart pounded in her chest. Gwen was bundled up in a large winter coat, her short hair still intact even with the wind, a cup of hot chocolates and a paper bag of hot bibingka. Gwen looked as calm as ever, her expression unreadable, but her head tilted slightly in concern. Sheena immediately noticed how the soft glow of the church lights seemed to illuminate Gwen's features, making her look even more ethereal than usual.
"Huwag mong gawing dramatic 'to, but I know you've been down lately," Gwen said with a small grin, handing Sheena the warm cup. "So, here's your Christmas miracle in a cup with a bibingka on the side."
Sheena chuckled softly, feeling a wave of relief flood through her. "Thanks," she said, taking the cup gratefully. The warmth of the chocolate was soothing, especially in the cold evening air. "I just... I don't know. I feel like everything's falling apart. I missed a night of Simbang Gabi, and this year feels different. I mean, huling araw na nga eh, na-miss ko pa."
Gwen tilted her head, silently observing Sheena as she took a slow sip of her own drink. Sheena couldn't help but notice how Gwen seemed unaffected by the situation, her eyes soft and calm. There was no judgment, no sympathy, just understanding.
"You're being a little dramatic, don't you think?" Gwen said quietly, but her tone was laced with affection. "It's just a Mass, Sheena. You'll be fine."
Sheena shook her head, tears threatening to spill. "I missed it. I missed the last Simbang Gabi."
Gwen frowned. "It's just a mass, Sheena. Next year naman ulit, di ba?"
Sheena shot her a frustrated look. "Di mo gets, Gwen! Every Simbang Gabi, pag nakompleto mo yung nine nights, matutupad yung wish mo. Every year, it always works for me! Tapos ngayon—" Sheena's voice cracked as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Gwen stepped closer, her nonchalant demeanor softening. "Sheena, sorry... Pero hoax lang 'yan, di ba? Wishes don't always work like that."
"Hindi totoo yan! For years, lagi namang nagkakatotoo ang wishes ko!" Sheena insisted, her voice shaking with conviction. "Ngayon lang ako pumalpak. Kaya ngayon lang din siguro hindi mangyayari..."
Gwen placed a tentative hand on Sheena's shoulder. "Ano bang wish mo?"
Sheena wiped her tears hastily and shook her head. "W-wala..."
"Sheena, hindi 'yun wala kung iniiyakan mo."
She took a deep breath, her cheeks flushing red. She looked down at her shoes, unable to meet Gwen's gaze. "W-wish ko kasi na... na i-crush back mo na ako..."
Silence fell between them. The cold December air bit at Sheena's skin, but her face burned with embarrassment. She expected Gwen to laugh, to dismiss her feelings, or worse, walk away.
But then Gwen spoke, her tone soft and almost hesitant. "Sheena... hindi mo na kailangan ng Simbang Gabi para mangyari 'yun."
Sheena's head snapped up, her wide, tear-filled eyes meeting Gwen's calm but meaningful gaze.
"Bakit?" Sheena whispered.
Gwen looked away for a moment, scratching the back of her neck as if she was embarrassed too. "Kasi... matagal na rin naman kitang gusto."
Sheena blinked, her heart skipping a beat. "Totoo?"
Sheena's heart felt like it was about to burst. All the sadness and frustration she'd felt moments ago melted away, replaced with a warmth that had nothing to do with the Christmas season.
Maybe she hadn't completed her Simbang Gabi this year, but for the first time, Sheena realized she didn't need it.
Her wish had already come true.
Gwen slowly set her cup down, her fingers brushing against Sheena's hand as she turned toward her fully. "You've been my secret wish too," Gwen said quietly, her voice low but steady. "I just... I never knew how to say it either."
Sheena blinked, stunned by Gwen's words. Gwen had liked her back? The quiet girl who barely spoke had somehow felt the same way?
Sheena's chest tightened, and she fought to keep her voice steady. "You... you like me? Like gustong gusto?"
Gwen nodded, her hand gently squeezing Sheena's. "Yeah. I think I've liked you for a long time. But you're so loud and chaotic, and I'm... well, you know me. I'm not good at saying things like this."
Sheena felt a rush of emotion she hadn't expected. Everything felt surreal, like the Christmas lights around them were shining just a little brighter. She couldn't stop smiling.
"So... this wish?" Sheena asked, her voice trembling with excitement.
Gwen smiled softly, her hand still resting gently on Sheena's. "I think it's already come true."
And as the night sky stretched above them, filled with stars and the spirit of Christmas, Sheena realized that sometimes, the best wishes were the ones we'd been holding onto all along.