Chapter 3
Avery's laptop alert faded into the background as tantalizing aromas filled the house. She glanced at her phone - 11 AM already.
Jasmine moved through the kitchen with practiced grace, gathering ingredients. "Have you heard from Shay? Baka gutom na 'yun sila."
"Check ko." Avery pulled up her messages, trying not to stare as Jasmine tied her hair back, exposing the elegant line of her neck. "'Di pa sila nagtext."
The kitchen transformed into Jasmine's orchestra pit. She sliced tomatoes with precise movements, the knife creating a steady rhythm against the cutting board. Onions and garlic hit hot oil with a satisfying sizzle, their fragrance making Avery's mouth water.
"Pwedi pa wash ng spinach?" Jasmine asked, adding chunks of pork to the pot.
Avery nodded, watching in fascination as Jasmine dropped tamarind into the broth. The way her hands moved - confident, purposeful - held Avery transfixed. She nearly overfilled the sink, catching herself just in time.
Steam rose as Jasmine stirred the sinigang, tasting and adjusting seasonings. A loose strand of hair fell across her face, and she blew it away absently, the gesture so unconsciously graceful that Avery's heart skipped.
For the bistek, Jasmine marinated thin slices of beef in soy sauce and calamansi. The citrus scent mingled with the sour tamarind soup, creating an intoxicating symphony of aromas.
"Tikman mo 'to." Jasmine held out a spoon of broth.
Avery leaned forward, hyper-aware of their proximity as Jasmine's hand steadied beneath the spoon. The soup was perfect - sour and savory with just the right kick of heat. But Avery barely registered the taste, distracted by the way Jasmine's eyes crinkled with anticipation, waiting for her reaction.
"Masarap," she managed, her voice embarrassingly breathy.
A satisfied smile lit up Jasmine's face as she turned back to the stove. Avery gripped the counter, trying to calm her racing pulse. Since when did watching someone cook affect her like this?
The sound of onions caramelizing for the bistek brought her back to the present. Jasmine hummed softly as she worked, completely in her element, while Avery felt increasingly flustered by every graceful movement, every confident gesture, every pleased little sound Jasmine made as she tasted and adjusted her creations.
The rice cooker chimed, its familiar melody mixing with the sizzling sounds from the stove. Avery's heart raced as Jasmine held out another spoon, this time with the bistek sauce.
"Does it need more calamansi?" Jasmine's fingers brushed against Avery's as she guided the spoon.
The touch sent electricity through Avery's skin. She barely tasted the sauce, too focused on their proximity, on the way Jasmine's eyes searched her face for a reaction. "It's perfect," she breathed.
The front door burst open as the hiking group returned, their chatter filling the house.
"Oh my god, what smells so good?" Shay's voice carried from the entrance.
Avery seized the chance to put some distance between herself and Jasmine. "You all need showers before lunch." She wrinkled her nose at their sweaty state. "Come on, punta kayo sa vila, magshower kayo dun."
"Pero 'yung food..." Shay pouted.
"Twenty minutes," Jasmine called from the kitchen. "Simmer ko lang ang sinigang for a while."
Avery herded the group toward their villa, grateful for the cool mountain air clearing her head. While they showered, she returned to help set the table, arranging plates and utensils with careful precision.
Jasmine transferred the sinigang into a large serving bowl, steam rising in fragrant clouds. The bistek followed, perfectly caramelized onions nestled among the tender beef slices.
"This looks incredible." Avery's voice came out softer than intended as she watched Jasmine garnish the dishes with fresh herbs.
A light blush colored Jasmine's cheeks. "It's just simple home cooking."
"Simple?" Avery shook her head in amazement. "Jasmine, this is better than most restaurants I've been to."
The others returned, clean and changed, just as Jasmine was serving the rice. Avery couldn't take her eyes off Jasmine's satisfied smile as everyone praised the food, her chest filling with a warmth that had nothing to do with the steaming soup in front of her.
Avery watched as bowls of steaming sinigang were passed around the table, the tangy aroma making everyone's mouths water. Shay practically bounced in her seat as she grabbed the rice, piling her plate high.
"WOW! This is heaven." MJ closed her eyes after her first spoonful. "Unlike someone's attempt few days ago."
Starr's head snapped up. "Grabe ka Mavis Jane, I tried my best!"
"Babe, it was black." MJ smirked. "The soup was literally black."
"That's because someone," Gillian pointed her spoon at Shay, "kept distracting her with TikTok dances."
"At least I can cook more than instant noodles and hotdogs." Starr shot back at Shay.
"Hey! My pancit canton is legendary." Shay's dimple appeared as she grinned. "And those hotdogs are perfectly octopus-shaped."
"Only because you watched that Tiktok tutorial fifty times," Gillian added, dodging Shay's playful swat.
Laughter filled the room as everyone dug into their meals. Avery found her attention drawn to Jasmine, who sat quietly observing the friendly banter. A genuine smile played across her lips as she watched Shay dramatically defend her culinary skills.
"Remember when Shay tried to boil eggs?" MJ leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "And forgot about them until the pot exploded?"
"The ceiling still has spots!" Starr cackled.
Jasmine's laugh rang out, clear and musical, making Avery's heart flutter. The sound seemed to chase away the shadows that had lingered in Jasmine's eyes all morning.
Avery watched as the hikers insisted on cleaning up, shooing both her and Jasmine away from the kitchen. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the porch as they settled into the wooden chairs, a comfortable silence falling between them.
"Gusto mo maglakad-lakad?" Jasmine's voice was soft, barely above a whisper.
Avery nodded, her heart skipping as Jasmine stood and stretched. "Guys, we're going for a walk!" she called back into the house, met with various acknowledgments from the cleaning crew inside.
They followed a gentle path through the pine trees, their footsteps cushioned by fallen needles. Jasmine walked with her hands in her pockets, face tilted up to catch glimpses of sky through the canopy. A melody drifted from her lips - something dreamy and wistful that made Avery's chest tighten.
The tune wrapped around them like silk, making the forest feel magical somehow. Avery found herself stealing glances at Jasmine's profile, mesmerized by the way sunlight dappled across her face through the leaves.
"Ang ganda ng boses mo," Avery said, breaking the spell. "Would you sing it for me?"
Jasmine glanced at her, and Avery's breath caught at the soft smile that curved her lips. "Maybe next time," she said softly, her eyes twinkling with something playful and mysterious.
That smile - it hit Avery like a physical force, making her stumble slightly. She caught herself against a tree trunk, hoping Jasmine hadn't noticed how flustered she'd become from just a look. But the composer kept walking, still humming that haunting melody, leaving Avery to trail behind her like a moon caught in orbit.
They found a fallen log overlooking the valley, pine needles crunching beneath their feet as they sat. The mountains stretched endlessly before them, peaks wreathed in wisps of cloud. Jasmine drew her knees up, wrapping her arms around them.
"Are you feeling better?" Avery's voice was gentle, careful. "After this morning, I mean."
Jasmine's throat tightened at the memory of her mother's call. She focused on a distant bird soaring between the peaks, its wings catching sunlight. "I'll be fine."
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." Avery's shoulder brushed against hers, warm and steady. "But I'm here if you need someone to listen."
The wind rustled through the pines, carrying the scent of earth and resin. Jasmine closed her eyes, letting the mountain air fill her lungs. "Tatlong taon na rin ang nakalipas." Her voice came out barely above a whisper. "You'd think it wouldn't matter anymore, hearing that she's back."
"Your ex?"
Jasmine nodded, her fingers picking at a loose thread on her sleeve. "Mom said she's looking for me. Apparently, she's finished her MBA at Columbia."
"That must be..." Avery trailed off, seeming to search for the right words.
"Complicated?" Jasmine let out a hollow laugh. "I've moved on. Really, I have. But knowing she's back..." She uncurled one hand, watching her fingers tremble slightly. "It doesn't make it easier. Lalo na at wala kaming closure."
Avery shifted beside her, and Jasmine could feel her wanting to ask more questions. But she stayed silent, offering quiet support instead of pressing for details. The gesture made something in Jasmine's chest loosen, just a little.
A cloud passed over the sun, casting shadows across the valley below. Jasmine watched them drift across the landscape, remembering how different shadows had once danced across Ysabelle's face in late-night study sessions, in quiet moments between kisses, in their final goodbye at the airport.
"Sometimes I think I've forgotten what it felt like," Jasmine said softly. "And then something like this happens, and it all comes rushing back."
Jasmine's fingers curled into fists, her nails digging into her palms. The mountain breeze felt cold against her cheeks as the memories flooded back.
"Ni hindi man lang siya tumawag o nagpaliwanag." Her voice cracked. "Just a text. I think we need space to focus on our goals. That's all I got after four years together."
The words still burned in her mind, each one etched like acid on her heart. She remembered staring at her phone screen, reading those words over and over until they blurred through her tears.
"Tinawagan ko siya." Jasmine's throat tightened. "God, I called her so many times that night. Begging, crying, promising I'd do better, be better. Anything to make her stay." She let out a bitter laugh. "Ang tanga ko no?"
Beside her, Avery remained silent, but Jasmine felt her shift closer, their shoulders touching.
"You know what the worst part was?" Jasmine blinked back tears. "Three months later, I found out she was seeing a girl from her MBA class. They'd been getting close while she was telling me she needed to 'focus on her goals.'"
The memory of scrolling through those photos—Ysabelle and Jessica at coffee shops, at parties, their heads bent close together over textbooks—made her stomach clench. "I threw up when I saw those pictures. Actually threw up. Then I spent the next week in bed, wondering what I'd done wrong, what I could have changed."
Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I kept thinking—was I not ambitious enough? Not smart enough? Did she look at Jessica and see everything I wasn't?" She wiped roughly at her eyes. "I deleted all our photos that week. Four years of memories, gone with a click. But I couldn't delete how stupid I felt, how worthless."
The pine needles crunched under her feet as she dug her heels into the ground. "Sometimes I still wake up and check my phone, thinking maybe she'll explain it all. Tell me it wasn't what I thought." She shook her head. "Pretty pathetic, right?"
Warmth spread through Jasmine's arm as Avery's hand found hers, fingers intertwining with gentle pressure. The touch anchored her, pulling her back from the spiral of memories.
Avery didn’t respond right away, but Jasmine could feel her steady presence, a calming force beside her. Then, after a moment of silence, Avery spoke with quiet certainty.
"You know what I think?" Avery’s voice carried a hint of playfulness. "I think she did you a favor."
Jasmine turned, catching the mischievous glint in Avery's eyes. "Paano mo nasabi?"
"Well, imagine still being stuck with someone who thinks focusing on goals means secretly dating their classmate." Avery’s nose wrinkled in mock distaste. "Sounds exhausting. At sa totoo lang? Pretty basic."
A laugh bubbled up in Jasmine’s throat, surprising her. "Basic?"
"Super basic. Like pumpkin spice latte, live-laugh-love basic." Avery's fingers squeezed hers. "Meanwhile, you're out here composing music that makes people feel things they can't even explain. Creating whole worlds with sound." She bumped Jasmine’s shoulder gently. "Face it, you were way too cool for her."
Heat crept into Jasmine’s cheeks. "I wouldn’t say—"
"I would," Avery said, her voice softening as she looked at Jasmine with a smile that held both tenderness and admiration. "At alam mo ba? You should totally start dating again before she comes crawling back."
Jasmine raised an eyebrow. "Bakit mo nasabing babalik siya?"
"Please." Avery rolled her eyes. "She's looking for you, isn't she? Classic move. She probably realized what she lost and now she's hoping to sweep back in with her fancy MBA and her corporate success story." Avery’s voice dropped into a playful, mock-serious tone. "But plot twist—you’ll already be dating someone amazing who actually appreciates your genius."
Something fluttered in Jasmine’s chest at the way Avery’s eyes lingered on her face. "Someone amazing, huh?"
"Absolutely." Avery’s thumb traced gentle circles on the back of Jasmine’s hand, her gaze soft and sincere. "Someone who gets how incredible you are. Someone who wouldn’t dream of letting you go."
The air between them seemed to thrum with something unspoken, a charge that Jasmine couldn’t quite explain. She felt her heart pick up pace as Avery leaned a little closer, her expression deepening into something that made it hard to breathe.
"You deserve that, you know," Avery murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Someone who sees you. Really sees you."
Jasmine's heart fluttered at Avery's words, her chest tightening. But before she could respond, Avery straightened up with an exaggerated flourish, breaking the tension.
"Allow me to present my credentials," Avery said dramatically, clearing her throat as if about to deliver a grand speech. "Harvard MBA graduate, though most of the time tulog lang ako sa library. Expert at losing millions in crypto before making it back through sheer dumb luck. Professional avoider of responsibility. Oh, and I make a mean scrambled egg."
Jasmine burst out laughing, the sound spilling out freely. "Are you seriously trying to sell yourself by listing your worst qualities?"
"Hey, nagpapakatotoo lang," Avery shot back with a grin. "I also have the attention span of a goldfish and a concerning addiction to hazelnut coffee." She raised a finger for emphasis. "But!" she continued, "Magaling ako mag-order ng takeout and I’ve never forgotten anyone’s coffee order. Plus, I’m told charming daw 'yung smile ko. I think totoo naman."
"You’re ridiculous." Jasmine couldn’t stop giggling, the weight of everything lifting just a little.
"I’m a catch, sinasabi ko sa'yo." Avery flipped her hair dramatically. "Tanungin mo pa Mama ko—she’s been trying to marry me off for years. Ganda ko raw kasi sabi niya, sayang lahi ko."
Jasmine’s laughter bubbled up even more, and she looked at Avery, catching the way the older woman’s eyes softened, a dazed kind of affection crossing her features. The moment stretched between them, charged with something that made Jasmine’s breath catch in her throat.
Just as the air between them thickened with something unspoken, Jasmine’s phone buzzed in her pocket. The sound shattered the stillness. Unknown number. Her stomach tightened.
"Hello?" Jasmine answered, her voice steady despite the sudden rush of nerves.
"Jasmine? Jace?" The voice on the other end made her spine go cold. "It’s Ysabelle."
Jasmine’s grip tightened around the phone. "Paano mo nakuha number ko?"
"Your mom gave it to me." There was a pause, then a hesitant sigh. "I heard nasa Sagada ka?"
Avery’s hand found hers again, squeezing gently, as though sensing the shift. Jasmine focused on the warmth in her palm, trying to steady herself. "Why are you calling, Ysa?"
Her heart began to hammer in her chest as Ysabelle’s voice filled her ear, as smooth and familiar as ever. "I’m back in the country," Ysabelle continued. "For good this time. I thought maybe we could catch up?"
The lilt of Ysabelle’s voice—the mix of professional warmth and underlying intimacy—made Jasmine’s stomach twist. She glanced at Avery, who was watching her closely, her thumb tracing soothing circles on the back of her hand.
"I don’t think that’s a good idea," Jasmine replied, surprising herself with the strength in her voice.
"Jas, please. I know things ended… badly." Ysabelle’s voice faltered, regret seeping through. "But I’ve changed. Columbia changed me. I realize now—"
"Stop." Jasmine cut her off, her heart thudding in her chest. "You don’t get to do this. You don’t get to waltz back into my life and act like you didn’t—" She swallowed hard. "Like you didn’t break my heart while dating someone else."
There was a long pause on the line. Jasmine felt the presence of Avery beside her, calm and grounding, like an anchor in the storm.
"That’s not fair," Ysabelle’s voice took on a defensive edge. "Jessica and I—"
"I don’t want to hear about Jessica." Jasmine’s fingers trembled, but she held firm. "I don’t want to hear about Columbia, or how much you’ve changed, or whatever explanation you’ve spent the past three years crafting. I’m not interested."
"Jace—"
"Don’t call me that." Jasmine’s voice broke slightly, but she kept going. "Don’t call me at all, actually. I’ve moved on. Matagal na tayong tapos."
She ended the call before Ysabelle could respond, her hand dropping to her lap as the weight of the conversation settled over her. The phone buzzed with another incoming text, but she ignored it, focusing instead on the warmth of Avery’s hand in hers.
"You okay?" Avery’s voice was soft, the concern in it clear.
Jasmine turned to face her, taking in the genuine concern in those warm brown eyes. A quiet kind of peace settled in her chest—maybe not completely, but it was the closest thing she’d felt in years.
"Yeah," she said, surprising herself with how much she meant it. "I really am."
The phone buzzed again, but Jasmine slipped it into her pocket without a second glance. The mountain breeze swept past them, carrying the scent of pine, clearing away the last remnants of tension from Ysabelle’s call.
"So," Avery drawled, breaking the silence, "about sa credentials ko…"
Jasmine snorted, unable to contain her amusement. "The napping-in-libraries part or the losing-millions part?"
"I’ll have you know," Avery said, her eyes sparkling with mischief, "those naps were very strategic. Best dreams happen surrounded by dusty economics textbooks."
"Is that how you made your crypto fortune? Dream investing?"
"More like panic investing while half-asleep." Avery’s grin widened, dimples flashing. "But hey, it worked out. Although, I did spend one terrifying week living on instant ramen when Bitcoin crashed."
Jasmine laughed again, the sound light and carefree. "You’re a mess."
"I’m a catch, remember?" Avery winked, her playful tone still lingering in the air.
The mental image of Avery, in her designer clothes, hunched over a cup of instant noodles made Jasmine giggle. "Please tell me na alam mo mag boil ng water properly."
"Unlike some people-" Avery raised her voice deliberately, "-I don't need TikTok tutorials to cook basic things."
"Naririnig kita Ate!" Shay's voice carried from somewhere down the trail, making both of them jump.
"Paano niya narinig 'yun?" Jasmine whispered, eyes wide.
"Selective super-hearing," Avery whispered back. "Works best with food-related insults and- OW!"
A pinecone bounced off Avery's head, followed by Shay's distant cackle.
Jasmine couldn't help it - she burst out laughing, the sound echoing through the trees. Her sides hurt, tears gathering in her eyes as Avery rubbed her head with an exaggerated pout.
"See what I have to deal with?" Avery grumbled, but her eyes shone with affection. "This is why I need someone sensible in my life. To protect me from flying pinecones and feral sister."
The way Avery looked at her then, soft and hopeful, made Jasmine's heart skip. She found herself leaning closer, drawn in by the warmth in those brown eyes.
"Well," Jasmine heard herself say, "I do have some experience in self-defense coding. Maybe I could write you a pinecone-detection algorithm?"
Jasmine and Avery made their way back down the trail, shoulders brushing occasionally. A burst of laughter caught their attention, and Jasmine spotted the others ahead - MJ and Starr walking hand in hand, with Shay draped over Gillian's back like a koala.
"Speaking of feral sister," Avery muttered.
"Get a room!" Shay called out, making Jasmine jump. She hadn't realized how close she and Avery had been walking.
"Naglalakad lang kami," Avery shot back.
"Mhm." MJ's eyebrow arched. "Kaya pala mukha kayong guilty tingnan."
Heat crept up Jasmine's neck. "We were just-"
"Nagm-moment ba kayo?" Starr supplied, grinning. "We saw you two getting cozy up there."
"From the villa?" Jasmine squeaked.
"Binoculars," Shay announced proudly, still clinging to Gillian's back. "Hiniram ko lang."
"You mean you stole them," Gillian corrected, adjusting her grip on Shay's legs.
"Hiniram ko without permission," Shay insisted. "Besides, how else were we supposed to spy on their romantic mountain date?"
"Hindi 'to date!" Jasmine protested, but her voice cracked embarrassingly.
"Your face is red," MJ observed with a smirk.
"It's the sun," Avery jumped in, but her own cheeks were pink.
"The sun made you hold hands too?" Starr asked innocently.
Jasmine wished the ground would swallow her whole. She hadn't realized they'd been that visible from the villa.
"I have receipts!" Shay waved her phone dangerously while still perched on Gillian's back. "Want to see the zoom quality on these bad boys?"
"Delete those!" Avery lunged for the phone, but Shay just cackled and made Gillian run away, nearly taking out a small tree in the process.
"Too late!" Shay's voice echoed back. "Already sent them to the group chat!"
Jasmine's phone buzzed in her pocket, along with everyone else's. She didn't dare check it.
"I'm going to kill her," Avery muttered, watching her sister disappear around the bend, still cackling. "I'm actually going to kill her."
"Not if you're too busy planning your second date," MJ teased.
"It wasn't a first date!" Jasmine and Avery protested in unison, then looked at each other and quickly away.
The others dissolved into laughter, and Jasmine wondered if it was possible to die from embarrassment. At least Avery looked equally mortified, which was somehow comforting.
»
The next few days passed in a blur of laughter and discovery. Jasmine found herself falling into an easy rhythm with the group, especially during their morning hikes through Sagada's misty trails. The cool mountain air filled her lungs as they explored hidden caves and ancient burial sites, with Shay providing dramatic narration that was probably more fiction than fact.
In the villa's kitchen, Jasmine discovered her happy place. She'd wake early, before the others, to experiment with local ingredients from the market. The first morning, she'd created fluffy ube pancakes that had Shay literally bouncing off walls. The second day, she'd attempted traditional mountain rice with wild mushrooms - though that ended with smoke alarms and Avery rushing in with a fire extinguisher, looking more amused than concerned.
"You're supposed to be good at this," Avery had teased, helping her clean up the mess.
"I am! Usually." Jasmine had pouted. "The altitude's different here."
But it was the quiet moments that stuck with her most - watching sunset at Kiltepan Point with everyone sprawled on blankets, sharing stories and snacks. MJ and Starr teaching them local ghost stories that had Shay hiding behind Gillian. Avery's constant presence beside her, their shoulders touching, hands finding excuses to brush against each other.
During their visit to the Echo Valley, Shay had insisted on yelling increasingly ridiculous phrases, making them all crack up when the mountains echoed back "I LOOOOVE CHICKEN NUGGETS" in her voice. Even MJ, usually the composed one, had joined in, her "STARR SOBRANG LATINAAAAA" bouncing off the cliffs and sending them into fits of giggles.
The local food became a daily adventure. They'd discovered a small café that served mountain tea so good it had Jasmine attempting to recreate it in the villa's kitchen. Her efforts resulted in something that looked more like swamp water, but Avery had drunk it anyway, insisting it wasn't that bad while her face told a different story.
"You don't have to pretend to like it," Jasmine had said, fighting a smile.
"I'm not pretending," Avery had replied, grimacing through another sip. "I'm being supportive. There's a difference."
The memory of Avery's exaggerated faces still made Jasmine laugh, especially when paired with her absolutely serious attempts to finish the entire cup for the sake of culinary appreciation.
»
The morning sun filtered through pine needles as Jasmine followed Avery down a narrow trail. Their shoulders brushed occasionally, sending sparks through Jasmine's skin despite the cool mountain air.
"Trust me, you'll love this spot," Avery said, ducking under a low-hanging branch. "Found it yesterday while everyone else was napping."
Jasmine's feet crunched on fallen pine needles. "Should I be concerned that you're leading me into the wilderness alone?"
"Depende." Avery glanced back, dimples appearing. "Takot ka ba sa waterfalls?"
The sound hit Jasmine before she saw it - a gentle roar growing louder with each step. They rounded a bend and her breath caught. A small waterfall cascaded down moss-covered rocks, creating a crystal-clear pool below.
"It's perfect for swimming," Avery said, already kicking off her shoes. "Tara, bilis!"
"Wait, ngayon na?" Jasmine's heart raced as Avery pulled off her oversized sweater, revealing a black swimsuit underneath. "Wala akong dala-"
"Already packed you one." Avery tossed her a bundle from her backpack. "The blue one you bought yesterday."
Heat crept up Jasmine's neck. "You planned this."
"Maybe." Avery's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Or maybe I'm just really good at improvising."
The water was cool but not freezing when Jasmine finally worked up the courage to wade in. Avery floated nearby, looking completely at peace.
Jasmine's brain short-circuited. Water droplets traced down Avery's collarbone, catching the sunlight. Her black swimsuit hugged curves in ways that made coherent thought impossible. Even her messy bun looked unfairly perfect, loose strands framing her face like some kind of swimwear goddess.
"Okay ka lang diyan?" Avery's voice snapped her back to reality. "You're looking a bit red."
"The sun," Jasmine squeaked, sinking deeper into the water. "It's hot. The sun. Is hot."
"Right." Avery's lips twitched. "The sun."
Jasmine ducked under the surface, hoping the cool water would reset her malfunctioning brain. When she came up for air, she caught Avery staring at her with wide eyes.
"What?" Jasmine pushed wet hair from her face. "Is there something on me?"
"No, you just-" Avery cleared her throat. "Bagay sayo ang kulay blue. Tapos 'yung buhok mo, when it's wet, it's..." She gestured vaguely, cheeks pink. "You know."
"I know?"
"Stop looking pretty," Avery blurted, then immediately slapped a hand over her mouth.
Jasmine burst out laughing, equal parts delighted and flustered. "Did you just tell me to stop looking pretty?"
"No." Avery sank until only her eyes were above water, bubbles rising as she muttered something unintelligible.
"Ano 'yun?" Jasmine swam closer, heart racing at Avery's obvious fluster.
Avery emerged with an exaggerated pout. "I said this isn't fair. I was supposed to be the smooth one here."
"You planned to be smooth?"
"I had a whole script prepared." Avery splashed water at her. "But then you had to go and look all..." She waved her hand frantically. "Like that."
"Like what?" Jasmine couldn't help teasing, even as her own cheeks burned.
"Like some kind of water nymph!" Avery threw her hands up. "With your perfect face and your perfect everything and-" She stopped, horror dawning. "I'm still talking, aren't I?"
"Mhm." Jasmine bit her lip to keep from grinning too wide. "Sige, pagpatuloy mo. I'm enjoying this complete reversal of your smooth master plan."
Avery shot her a glare, but there was a playful edge to it. "Well, you can't blame me for trying, right?"
She grinned before reaching down into the water, her fingers brushing against Jasmine's with a light touch while showing off the place. "Ganda no? Worth the trek, pero-" she added, squeezing Jasmine's hand in her own.
"Ano?"
"I might have gotten us slightly lost on the way here."
Jasmine splashed her. "Slightly lost?"
"Hey! I said might!" Avery laughed, splashing back. "Besides, getting lost with me isn't so bad, right?"
The way Avery looked at her then, water droplets clinging to her eyelashes, made Jasmine's heart skip. "No," she admitted softly. "Not bad at all."
Jasmine's breath caught as Avery drifted closer in the crystal-clear pool, their legs brushing underwater. The waterfall's steady rhythm matched her thundering heart.
"Grabe namang titig 'yan," Avery murmured, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Hindi kaya." Jasmine ducked her head, watching ripples spread from where her fingers traced patterns on the water's surface. "Napaisip lang ako."
"About?"
"How different this is." The words slipped out before she could stop them. "From before. From her."
Avery's hand found hers under the water, warm despite the cool temperature. "Different good or different scary?"
"Both?" Jasmine lifted her gaze to meet Avery's. "With Ysa, everything was planned. Calculated. She had our whole future mapped out in her head before we even started dating."
"And now?"
"Now..." Jasmine watched a dragonfly dart across the pool, its wings catching sunlight. "Now I'm in a secret waterfall with someone who admits she's gotten us lost."
Avery's laugh echoed off the rocks. "Hey, I said might have gotten us lost. And I definitely know which general direction the villa is. Probably."
"Hindi siya reassuring, Avery." But Jasmine found herself smiling, the anxiety that usually accompanied uncertainty nowhere to be found.
"Life's more fun with a little mystery." Avery floated closer, her eyes soft. "Besides, sometimes the best things happen when you're not following a carefully plotted roadmap."
The truth of those words settled in Jasmine's chest, warm and certain. Here, with water droplets catching light in Avery's hair and pine trees swaying overhead, she felt more herself than she had in years.
"Like finding secret waterfalls?" Jasmine asked.
"Like finding you."
Jasmine's heart stuttered at Avery's words. The waterfall's mist caught the sunlight, creating tiny rainbows that danced around them. She watched a droplet trace down Avery's cheek, following its path to where it met her smile.
"You're doing it again," Avery whispered, moving closer.
"Doing what?"
"That thing where you get lost in your head." Avery's fingers intertwined with hers under the water. "Want to share what's going on in there?"
Jasmine focused on the warmth of Avery's hand, anchoring herself to the present moment. "Just... processing. Everything's different with you. The way you look at me, how you make me feel..." She swallowed. "It's terrifying in the best way."
"Terrifying?" Avery's thumb traced circles on her palm.
"You make me want to be spontaneous. To take risks." Jasmine met her eyes. "I've spent so long playing it safe, following other people's plans. But with you..."
A splash interrupted them as a fish jumped nearby, sending ripples across the pool's surface. They both laughed, the tension breaking.
"With me?" Avery prompted, her eyes sparkling with that familiar mix of mischief and warmth.
"With you, nakakalimutan kong matakot." The words came easier now, floating between them like the mist from the falls. "Even when we're lost in the mountains with no clear way back."
"We're not lost," Avery protested, pulling her closer. "We're exactly where we're supposed to be."
The water swirled around them as Avery closed the distance, her free hand coming up to cup Jasmine's cheek. Time seemed to slow, measured only by the steady rhythm of the falling water and Jasmine's racing heart.
Jasmine's heart thundered in her chest as Avery leaned closer, their breaths mingling in the misty air. The waterfall's steady rhythm faded into background noise, her entire world narrowing to the warmth of Avery's hand on her cheek and the way those brown eyes flickered to her lips.
Time seemed to stretch like honey, sweet and slow. Jasmine's fingers tightened around Avery's hand underwater, anchoring herself to this moment, to the reality of being here with someone who made her feel both terrified and completely safe.
Avery's thumb traced her cheekbone, leaving trails of warmth despite the cool water droplets on her skin. The gentle touch sent shivers down Jasmine's spine that had nothing to do with the mountain air.
"Can I..." Avery's whisper barely carried over the sound of falling water.
Jasmine found herself nodding, unable to form words as she tilted her face up. The space between them disappeared inch by inch, and she could feel the ghost of Avery's lips just a breath away from hers.
A sharp crack echoed through the trees, followed by Shay's distant voice carrying clearly over the waterfall: "I FOUND THEM!"
They jerked apart, Jasmine's heart leaping into her throat for an entirely different reason now. Avery's forehead dropped to her shoulder with a groan.
"I'm going to kill her," Avery muttered against her skin. "I'm actually going to kill her this time."
Jasmine's heart still raced as she heard footsteps approaching through the trees. She pulled away from Avery, though their hands remained linked underwater.
"There you are!" Shay burst through the foliage, leaves stuck in her hair. "Kanina pa namin kayo hinahanap!"
"'Di totoo yan, bebe" Gillian appeared behind her, looking apologetic. "She saw you leave and insisted on following."
MJ and Starr emerged from the trees, both grinning like they knew exactly what they'd interrupted.
"Nice spot," Starr said, already pulling off her shoes. "Room for a few more?"
"Actually-" Avery started, but Shay had already cannon-balled into the pool, sending a wave of water over everyone.
"The water's perfect!" Shay surfaced, beaming. "Bebe, come in!"
Jasmine felt Avery's fingers squeeze hers underwater - a silent apology, or maybe a promise for later. The moment had shattered, but the warmth in her chest remained, along with the phantom sensation of Avery's breath against her lips.
"Scoot over, lovebirds," MJ waded in, dragging a laughing Starr behind her. "This pool's big enough for all of us."
Jasmine watched as their peaceful hideaway transformed into a splash war zone, with Shay as the main instigator. She should have felt disappointed at the interruption, but somehow, surrounded by laughter and the casual chaos of her friends, she couldn't bring herself to mind.
Avery leaned close to whisper in her ear, "We'll find another moment."
The promise in those words sent a shiver down Jasmine's spine that had nothing to do with the cool water.
The afternoon sun warmed Jasmine's skin as they made their way back to the villa, their clothes still damp from the impromptu swim. She couldn't stop thinking about the almost-kiss, the memory making her stumble over roots and rocks.
"Watch your step," Avery caught her elbow, steadying her. The touch sent sparks through Jasmine's arm.
"Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na naligaw kayo," Shay called from ahead, skipping backwards while holding Gillian's hand. "Miss I-have-an-excellent-sense-of-direction Arceta."
"Hindi nga kami naligaw," Avery protested. "We were exploring."
"Is that what they're calling it now?" MJ smirked.
"Yeah, exploring each other's faces," Starr added, ducking as Avery threw a pine cone at her.
Jasmine's face burned. "We weren't-"
"Oh please," Shay interrupted. "Ganito na kalapit mukha niyo." She pressed her palms together. "If I hadn't shown up-"
"You mean if you hadn't stalked us," Avery corrected.
"Someone had to make sure you didn't get eaten by bears!"
"Walang bears sa Sagada, bebe" Gillian sighed.
"Tigers then!"
"Wala ring tigers."
"Well, something could have eaten them!" Shay insisted. "Like... like..."
"The only thing trying to eat anyone was Avery trying to eat Jasmine's face," Starr supplied helpfully.
Jasmine choked on air while Avery launched another pine cone, this time hitting Starr square in the back.
"Hey! Violence isn't the answer!" Starr yelped.
"Neither is stalking," Avery shot back.
"Hindi siya stalking if we're concerned citizens," Shay declared. "Besides, someone needs to document your love story for the wedding video."
Jasmine tripped over nothing this time, and Avery's hand shot out to steady her again. Their eyes met briefly before they both looked away, cheeks pink.
"There won't be a wedding video because I'm about to become an only child," Avery threatened.
Shay just laughed, using Gillian as a human shield. "Too late! Already started the slideshow. Want to see the title? It's 'From Waterfall Kisses to Wedding Bliss-es'!"
"We didn't even kiss!" Jasmine blurted, immediately regretting it when everyone's eyebrows shot up.
"Yet," MJ added with a knowing smile. "You didn't kiss yet."