Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

“Uy, oh.” Sheena called, smiling. “Si Miss World Wide,” she teased.

Jhoanna rolled her eyes as she sat between Sheena and Aiah. Her friends had already been waiting for her in the café.

“Bakit ba kasi kailangan pa bumili? Ayoko na nga tumuloy,” Jhoanna complained, throwing a small tantrum as she dropped her bag beside her chair.

“Jho, sayang yung pinang-book mo,” Maloi said, sipping her coffee.

“Ayoko nga pag ‘di kasama si Staku!” Jhoanna whined.

All her friends. Aiah, Maloi, and Sheena, rolled their eyes in unison. Someone even let out a sigh.

Yan na naman siya.

“Tumigil ka na nga kay Staku!” Maloi said irritably.

“Jho, this is your time to decompress. Find yourself. Soul search.” Aiah said gently.

“Oo nga, ate Jho. Take the time to decompose,” Sheena added bluntly.

“Decompress, bebe—” Jhoanna corrected, but Sheena was already continuing.

“Find your soul…” Sheena went on.

“Find your self. Soul search,” Jhoanna mumbled to silently correct Sheena.

“…mate,” Sheena finished with a grin, sticking her tongue out slightly after the final sound.

“Soulmate!” Maloi added excitedly. “Tama. Jho, maawa ka naman sa sarili mo. Mag wa one year na kayong break ni Staku. Umusad ka naman.”

“Plano namin ‘to, eh,” Jhoanna said in a childlike, protesting tone. “S’ya na nag lista ng mga pupuntahan, tapos—”

“Tapos? Tapos na. Tapos na kayo,” Sheena cut in bluntly.

Jhoanna pouted, lower lip trembling like a child. Her eyes started to well up.

“Ayan na, iiyak na siya,” Maloi muttered.

“Shee naman,” Aiah said softly, gently patting Jhoanna’s head.

“Ay, bakit? Totoo naman,” Sheena replied without remorse. “Nakipag-break si Staku, ayaw niya ng LDR. Tapos na. Hanggang kailan ka ganyan, ate Jho? Tinutulungan ka lang naman namin.”

Jhoanna quickly wiped her eyes before the tears could fall.

“Oo na!” she said, raising her voice a little. “Kaya ko mag-Taiwan mag-isa! Kahit maligaw pa ako!”

She stood up abruptly, grabbing her bag.

“Tara na. Bibili ba tayo ng maleta o paiiyakin niyo lang ako dito?”

Her friends looked at each other and then smiled, as if in quiet victory.

Sheena
Ate Jho, pag dating mo don may binook na kami na ride mo papunta ng hotel para di ka maligaw ha

Jhoanna
Weh ba????

Aiah
Yes, pero you’re on your own pag dating don ha. Matuto ka mag tanong tanong don

Maloi
3K yon, gcash mo nalang ako nag abono

Jhoanna
Leche kala ko libre na

Sheena
Sabi ko binook lang namin
Pero dahil mahal kita ate Jho
lilibre kita ng tour guide

Jhoanna
YAYYYY THANK YOU BEBE

 

Maloi
Wow ah
Tapos ako di mo malibre sa coffee shop kanina??

Sheena
Kakaibang tour guide to
Worth the money

Maloi
ano yan? Hoy baka isemento si Jho ah

Sheena
Rent a girlfriend for ate jho
WHSHSJSJSHAGSGSHAJAJ

Maloi
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAA PWEDE BA YON

Sheena
Oo baliw
Magulat nalang sya talaga

 

Maloi
Jho record mo yung tour mo ha
Gusto ko makitang safe ka

Jhoanna
aweee love you ate Maloi

NAIA

“Okay… passport, luggage, checked in na ako, phone, ID, camera, kumain na rin ako…” Jhoanna recited under her breath, counting on her fingers.

She sat at the waiting area, hands clasped tightly around her boarding pass. Her eyes drifted over the terminal, then down again, then to the ceiling.

A quiet prayer formed in her chest. “Lord, please sana po hindi bumagkas yung eroplano, sana maging safe rin ako makauwi…Lord, bigyan mo naman ako ng lakas ng loob makapag tanong tanong don. Kilala mo ho ako ikaw gumawa sakin, hindi ko talaga kaya, nahihiya ako. Lord, ikaw na bahala sakin ha? Promise? Hope to— Ah, namatay ka na nga pala para samin. Pero please po ha? Amen.”

She exhaled slowly.

“De, kaya ko ’to,” she whispered to herself, firmer this time. “Taiwan lang ’yan. Laking Laguna ako.”

As if that sentence alone could anchor her.

Then the intercom crackled to life.

“All passengers for flight BN008, please board now.”

The announcement cut through the noise of the terminal.

Jhoanna blinked. Once. Twice.

Her gaze dropped to her boarding pass like it had suddenly become heavier than before. Then, almost immediately, she stood up pulling her bag close as she gathered her things.

She fell into line with the other passengers, heart beating a little louder with every step forward, but her feet kept moving anyway.

As soon as she was seated. she pulled her phone out of her pocket.

Jhoanna
Girls boarding na ko

Sheena
Safe skies, Ate!

Aiah
Take care, update mo kami

Maloi
Yung camera mo ha
Video mo yung tour mo

Jhoanna
Yes namannnnn

Jhoanna quickly switched her phone to airplane mode and slipped it into her hand-carry bag.

“Magvi-video pa nga pala ako,” she said to herself.

She ran through her mental checklist. “Okay ulit… phone, camera, luggage malamang, passport, wallet—”

She froze.

“Wallet?”

Her hands immediately went back into her hand-carry bag, digging deeper, faster, messier.

“Put—” She stopped herself, breath catching. “Pumasok ako ng gate…check-in…Kumain ako… tangina, kumain ako.”

Her memory replayed sharply: the table, the moment she stood up, the wallet left behind. Not picked up. Not checked. Just… forgotten.

“Shet,” she whispered, covering her face with one hand.

“Staku kasi,” she muttered, voice trembling at the edge of tears. “Kung nandito ka, edi sana nadampot mo yung wallet… tas pagagalitan mo ko kasi ang burara ko.”

She crossed her arms tightly, trying to steady herself. Thankfully, the seat beside her was empty. Stacey’s seat, originally.

Two hours and a few restless minutes later, the plane finally landed.

Jhoanna exhaled as she arrived, jaw moving repeatedly as she tried to pop her ears. She scanned the arrival area, looking for the driver assigned to her.

Then she saw it. A small board with her name:

Robles, Jhoanna

She raised a hand and waved. The driver waved back. As he approached, she noticed him more clearly. Filipino.

“Kuya, Tagalog po?” she asked quickly as he reached her and took her luggage.

“Yes, ma’am,” he replied.

“Kuya, may alam ka po ba dito na pwede mag-cash out? Naiwan ko po kasi wallet ko sa NAIA. Nandoon cash at cards ko.”

“Ah, pwede naman po. Magpa-exchange ka na lang ulit, idaan ko po kayo,” he offered.

“Nako, thank you po kuya. Sobra.”

Finally, Jhoanna arrived at her hotel.

The moment the door closed, she dropped onto the bed, letting all the tension drain from her body.

“Nasa Taiwan ako mag-isa,” she whispered.

A pause.

“OMG. NASA TAIWAN AKO MAG-ISA!”

She sat up abruptly and rushed to the window, pulling the curtains open.

“Wow.”

Outside, everything felt unfamiliar. Signs she couldn’t read. Streets she didn’t recognize. Buildings she had only ever seen online. People moving in directions she didn’t yet understand.

She let out a small laugh, half disbelief, half excitement, and nodded to herself.

Then she stood up, grabbed her bag, and checked the cash she had just exchanged.

“2,394 TWD,” she counted. “Iccredit card ko dapat lahat ng gastos ko eh”

“Di naman siguro mahal yung mga bilihin dito.”

The next moment, reality caught up with her.

“500 TWD??” she blurted out in disbelief. “For a wallet?”

“699 usual price, down 500,” The shop attendant said firmly.

Jhoanna turned the wallet over in her hands. It looked ordinary. Something that in the Philippines might cost a fraction of the price.

“Sino ba nag-tahi neto, si Taylor Swift?” she muttered under her breath.

“What?” the attendant asked.

“Nothing,” Jhoanna said quickly. “Here.”

She handed over the 500 TWD.

As she walked out, she stared at the wallet again.

“Ano na ilalagay ko sa wallet na ‘to kung wala na ‘kong pera,” she muttered, squeezing the remaining cash inside. “Buti na lang talaga bayad na yung tour ko bukas.”

The next morning, Jhoanna woke up to a flood of messages and missed calls.

Sheena
ATE 3PM YUNG TOUR MO HA
WAG MO KALIMUTAN

MEET UP SA MAY NINGXIA MARKET

Maloi
JHO SELFIE KAYO NG TOUR GUIDE

Aiah
Pasalubong namin

She stared at the screen. 12:00 noon.

“Kelangan ko na mag-prep,” she said, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Then, quieter: “Paano na ‘ko neto… wala akong pera. Di ako marunong mag-commute sa Pinas, pano pa dito.” She sat up slowly. “Bahala na.”

She opened her phone and typed, “Grab.”

It loaded. “Putek, wala.”

She tried again. “Uber?” She downloaded it. It worked. “YES.”

She entered the destination and saw the price.

257 TWD.

“No.”

She leaned back slightly, staring at the ceiling again.

“Mamatay nalang ako sa gutom kaysa sabihin sa kanila na nawala yung wallet ko,” she muttered.

She already knew how it would go. If she told them, she wouldn’t hear the end of it. Not the worry. Not the concern. Just the scolding. And the laughing.

Jhoanna
Shee, ano name ni kuya tour guide?

Sheena
Ni ate tour guide?
Colet, pinay rin yan di ka mahihirapan

Papunta ka na? :)))

Jhoanna
YES THANK YOU
JUSKO UBOS NA ENGLISH KO
ano ba contact nya?

Sheena paused. She can’t she’s been contacting the woman in the rent a girlfriend website.

Sheena
Ako na cocontact
Basta nandon na sya, tabi daw ng malaking red na payong sa bungad ng market

Jhoanna
Okayyy

Jhoanna arrived at the market.

She moved slowly through the crowd, letting the noise wash over her. The overlapping calls of vendors, the rustle of plastic bags, the bright, restless energy of people coming and going. There was something strangely comforting about the chaos, as if it had its own rhythm she could almost understand.

And then she saw her.

A woman stood beneath a large red umbrella. Even from a distance, she seemed oddly out of place. Like she belonged more to a photograph than to a crowded market street.

Ang ganda naman nito. Dapat pala nag ayos pa ako. Ang aayos ng itsura ng ibang tourist.

Jhoanna found herself walking toward her without really deciding to. For a moment, she even entertained the thought that this woman couldn’t possibly be her tour guide. She looked too… put together for that.

When she was close enough, the woman looked up from her phone.

She smiled. “Jhoanna?” she asked.

“Ay, yes po,” Jhoanna answered quickly, dipping her head slightly.

Tour guide ko ‘to??

“Kayo po si Colet?”

Colet nodded. “Hi! Nice to meet you.”

Then, without hesitation, she stepped forward and pulled Jhoanna into a hug. Jhoanna stiffened.

Ay. Ang taray.

After a brief second of panic, she awkwardly patted Colet’s back. “Nice to meet you po.”

Colet pulled away easily, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “So, may gusto ka bang gawin?” she asked.

“Ay, kahit ano po. Susunod na lang ako sa inyo. Wala kasi akong alam dito,” Jhoanna admitted. Then, a beat later, “Wait… okay lang po ba mag-video and picture?”

“Oo naman,” Colet said brightly. “Tara, selfie tayo.”

Before Jhoanna could even fully process it, Colet had already slipped an arm around her shoulder, drawing her close. Her heart stumbled in her chest. If it had been anyone else, she would’ve been panicking. But this felt different. Unfamiliar, yes, but not uncomfortable.

Jhoanna lifted her phone. Colet’s face was right beside hers, close enough that Jhoanna suddenly forgot where to look. The camera, or her? They smiled anyway.

Ang pogi… gago….ang bango.

After the shutter clicked, Colet leaned in to check the photos. “Ang cute natin,” she said with a satisfied nod. Jhoanna’s brain short-circuited.

Medjo touchy pero wala akong reklamo.

She coughed lightly, trying to regain control of her expression. “Ang cute nga,” she managed.

“Post mo ‘yan ah,” Colet added.

Jhoanna just laughed, a little too quickly, and nodded because she didn’t trust herself to form a coherent sentence anymore.

“Gutom ka na? Kain tayo?” Colet asked, already gesturing toward the rows of food stalls lining the market.

Only then did Jhoanna realize she hadn’t eaten before coming out. Not because she forgot. Because she couldn’t afford it. Her hand instinctively drifted to her stomach.

“Tara,” Colet said, gently, as if she had noticed nothing at all. She held out her hand, waiting.

For a moment, Jhoanna just stared at it. Then she took it.

Ay… ganto ba talaga sa Taiwan?

“Ito, try mo ‘to,” Colet said as she stopped beside a skewers stall.

“Parang barbecue sa Pinas ’to pero iba yung timpla. Masarap pa rin naman,” she added.

She spoke briefly with the vendor and ordered two sticks. When the food was ready, she took both and gently blew on one to cool it down. Then she held it up in front of Jhoanna’s mouth.

Jhoanna stared at the street food, then flicked her eyes up to Colet.

Colet made a small gesture. “Ahh.”

Jhoanna obediently opened her mouth and took a bite.

“Hmm…” She paused, savoring it. “Oo nga, masarap,” she nodded, eyes slightly wide.

“Diba? Sabi ko sa’yo eh,” Colet said with a satisfied smile. “May i-try pa tayo doon.” She pointed toward another stall.

Jhoanna reached for her wallet. New, and unreasonably expensive in her mind and handed over 24 TWD to the vendor.

Scammer ba ’to? Basta kuha nalang ng pagkain n’ya tapos ako pa pinagbabayad. Yung tour guides sa Pinas, di naman ganito.

“Braised pork buns,” Colet announced as she returned, holding two neatly wrapped servings.

Jhoanna glanced at the price again. Fourteen each. She could almost see a red negative number flashing in her head.

Still, she took one when Colet finished cooling it down for her.

Ang sweet naman neto. Paano ako magagalit?

“Wow,” Jhoanna said after a bite. “Ang sarap din.”

“Diba?”

“Parang siopao na ready for mature roles,” Jhoanna added.

Colet burst out laughing. Real laughter this time, unguarded and warm.

“Ayos ’yun ah. Gagamitin ko ’yan,” she said.

“Totoo!” Jhoanna laughed too. “Mas exposed kasi siya oh,” she added, lifting the pork bun like it was evidence.

They wandered through the night market after that, trying different food until dessert: mochi and dango, rounded out their meal. Eventually, Colet led her to a bench nearby, the glow of the stalls spilling into the street like soft light.

“Gano katagal na po kayo dito?” Jhoanna asked.

Colet let out a short chuckle. “Pwede ba po, wag ka na mag-po sa’kin?”

“Ay sorry,” Jhoanna said quickly. “Di ako sanay eh.”

“Three years,” Colet answered. “Nagwo-work ako dito…well dati, tapos raket-raket lang din tulad nito.”

“Ah…” Jhoanna hesitated. “Ikaw lang po?”

“Opo,” Colet replied, then glanced at her.

Jhoanna immediately covered her mouth. “Ay.”

Colet smiled. “Cute mo.”

For some stupid reason, Jhoanna felt her chest tighten. Light, giddy, and annoying.

Jho, delulu ka na.

She stood up abruptly and brushed off her pants. Then she handed her phone to Colet.

“Pwede, papicture?”

“Akin na,” Colet said confidently. “Dito mas maganda background.”

Jhoanna followed her lead and posed. She wasn’t even sure where she was looking in most of the shots…probably not at the camera. Probably at Colet.

After a few clicks, Colet walked back over and showed her the photos.

“Ang ganda,” Colet said softly. Then, almost under her breath, “Ang ganda mo.” She looked up at Jhoanna. “Swerte ko naman.”

Jhoanna’s brain short-circuited.

Nasaan na ba yung mga simbahan dito? I-DO NA ’TO.

“Isa pa?” Colet asked.

Jhoanna shook her head, unable to speak properly. Her mouth had apparently forgotten how to function. She turned instead to the night lights, pretending to admire them, though she was very aware of everything behind her.

“Mahilig ka talaga mag solo travel?” Colet asked standing beside her.

Jhoanna shook her head. “Kasama ko dapat yung ex ko.” She answered without looking at her. “First time ko nga ‘to eh. Solo travel.”

“Ah, binook n’yo ng sabay no, nung kayo pa?”

“Oo” Jhoanna laughed. “Dapat pala refundable yung tickets pag jowa kasama mo mag plano eh.” She joked.

“Jhoanna— ay oo nga pala,” Colet corrected herself. “Ano pala gusto mong tawag ko sa’yo?”

Jhoanna blinked. “Ha? Tawag?”

“Mm.”

“Master,” Jhoanna said, half-joking.

Colet laughed, like she hadn’t expected it. But she didn’t hate it either. “Okay. Master.”

Then, she added, “Marunong ka mag-bike?”

“Oo naman.”

River Park

“Favorite color mo, Master?” Colet asked as she scanned the row of rental bikes.

“Blue,” Jhoanna answered.

Colet looked around, but none of the available bikes were blue.

“Wait lang.”

Before Jhoanna could ask what she meant, Colet grabbed a red bike and rode off toward a group of cyclists.

Jhoanna watched in confusion as Colet stopped beside a kid riding a blue bike. They talked for a moment. Colet handed over something (probably money) and a few seconds later, she was walking back with the blue bike.

“Baliw ka!” Jhoanna exclaimed. “Inagawan mo yung bata?”

“Hoy, hindi ah.” Colet denied. "Trade ’yon,” she added, winking.

Patay tayo diyan.

Colet wheeled the bike over to the rental stall and explained the exchange to the attendant. A few moments later, she returned with the blue bike for Jhoanna and a green one for herself.

Parang hindi naman ito tour.
Pero sige.

“Paunahan?” Colet asked, already wearing a challenging grin.

“Ayoko. Mamaya makaaksidente pa ’ko.”

“Ah.” Colet paused dramatically. “So hindi ka magaling mag-bike.”

“Magaling ako.”

“Okay lang naman kung hindi, Master.”

“Aba.” Jhoanna tightened her grip on the handlebars and pushed down hard on the pedal.

“Bagal mo!” She sped away.

Colet smiled.

Game.

She pedaled faster, quickly catching up. “Ha? Sino’ng mabagal?” she called before overtaking Jhoanna.

“Ang daya mo!” Jhoanna burst out laughing and pedaled harder.

Soon they were racing around the path, chasing and overtaking each other like children. Eventually, Colet slowed down and raised a hand.

“Oo na, panalo ka na.” Her eyes drifted toward a narrow pathway hidden behind a cluster of trees. “Tara.” Without waiting for a response, she started biking toward it.

“Huy! Bawal na ata diyan!”

Colet ignored her.

Jhoanna sighed and followed.

The path grew darker the farther they went. Tall grass brushed against their legs, and the trees blocked out most of the lights from the main road.

Mamamatay na ’ko. Papatayin ako ng poging tourist guide.
Sa Taiwan ako mamamatay. Isesemento na ’ko.
Lord, sabi ko Ikaw na bahala sa’kin, eh.

Then she passed through the last row of trees.

And froze. An old playground stood in the middle of a wide field. Grass swayed gently beneath the night breeze. Above them, the stars stretched endlessly across the sky.

Colet jumped off her bike and turned toward her. Just like earlier, she held out her hand.

Jhoanna took it.

Ah. Mamamatay na talaga ’ko.

Her heartbeat quickened.

“Tahimik dito,” Colet said as she led her toward the swings. “Para makausap kita nang walang manggugulo.” She removed her jacket and placed it on one of the swings before sitting down.

Ayon. Patay na ’ko.

Jhoanna sat on the swing beside her and covered her face with both hands. The last thing she wanted was for Colet to see how red she was.

“Master?” Colet leaned forward to peek at her face. She knew. Of course she knew. A smile tugged at her lips as she leaned back again and gently rocked on the swing. “Nag-enjoy ka ba?” she asked. “Magtu-two hours na. Patapos na yung araw natin.”

Jhoanna lowered her hands. “Ganyan ka ba talaga mag-tour sa lahat?”

“Hindi ah. Pag rumaraket ako ng tour, professional ako.” Colet laughed. “Hindi nga ako dumidikit sa turista. Baka mareport pa ’ko.”

“Wow,” Jhoanna shot back. “Nayakap at nahawakan mo na nga kamay ko, eh.”

“Girlfriend kita, hindi kita tourist.”

Jhoanna blinked.

Ha?

“Huy!” She stared at Colet. “Anong girlfriend?”

“Girlfriend.” Colet checked the time on her phone. “For the next… twelve minutes.”

“Ha?” Jhoanna frowned. “Saan galing ’yan?”

“Rent-a-girlfriend?” Colet pulled out her phone and showed her a website along with a booking confirmation and a conversation history.

“Paano ka nag-book nang hindi mo alam?”

“Tangina. Sheena Maeee!”

Jhoanna nearly jumped out of her seat. “Sorry po,” she said, mortified. “Pinagtripan yata ako ng tropa ko.”

“Ah.” Colet looked at the screen for a moment before locking her phone. “Okay lang.” Her voice was calm. “Tapos na rin naman.” She stood up and grabbed the handlebars of her bike.

“Balik na lang natin yung bikes.”

Jhoanna
SHEENA MAEEEE!!!
PUTRAGIS KAAAAA

Sheena
Ay nag mumura
Bad

Jhoanna
TANGINA KALA KO ORGANIC ENCOUNTER KO NA TO LECHE KA

Sheena
Uy, bet nya HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Maloi
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Yiiiieeeeee

Aiah
Told you it was a bad idea

Jhoanna
ALAM NYONG LAHAT???

Aiah
I wasn't on board with it

Sheena
Bet mo nga?

Maloi
Pag ayaw mo, mine ko nalang yan

Jhoanna
TANGINA NYO

Jhoanna and Colet biked back to the attendant. This time, Jhoanna wasn't feeling the same warmth she had earlier. Just awkwardness.

"Tapos na yung two hours natin, master," Colet said with a smile. "Nag-enjoy ako."

"Thank you. Sorry ulit," Jhoanna replied.

She checked her wallet. Just enough for an Uber back to the hotel. Pulling out her phone, she immediately opened the app, typed in her hotel, and pinned their location when…

"Hello, is there a pink and red bike available?"

Jhoanna froze.

Hinde. Kaboses lang. Please. Kaboses lang n'ya ‘to.

Slowly, she turned.

Standing beside her was Stacey. A second later, Stacey noticed her too.

"Jho?" Stacey blinked. "Tumuloy ka rin pala?"

Jhoanna couldn't answer.

"Babe, I don't think there's a red one." The voice came from behind Stacey.

Jhoanna's eyes shifted toward the girl. Red hair. Leather jacket. Pretty.

Colet glanced at Jhoanna. Then at Jhoanna's hand. It was shaking.

"Love, napagod ako," Colet said casually as she reached out and took Jhoanna's hand. "Book mo na yung Uber. Gusto ko na humiga."

Her grip tightened slightly, steadying the trembling fingers. Jhoanna looked at her. Their eyes met.

"Tara?" Colet asked softly. Jhoanna nodded. A grateful nod.

Colet gently tugged her away. "Ako na magbo-book. Baka maligaw mo pa tayo."

They walked off together. Behind them, Stacey continued watching.

The ride back was quiet. Jhoanna sat by the window, staring outside. Processing. Thinking.

"Jhoanna." Colet's voice finally broke the silence.

Jhoanna looked at her. Her expression unreadable.

"Extension 'to ah," Colet said. "Bank transfer mo na lang." She grinned hoping a little joke would lighten the mood.

Jhoanna's lips immediately formed a pout. Her lower lip trembled. Then her eyes filled. And just like that…

She burst into tears. Loud tears. The ugly kind.

"Ay!" Colet's eyes widened. "Joke lang, hoy!" She quickly scooted closer and started wiping Jhoanna's cheeks.

"Wala na 'kong pera!" Jhoanna cried.

"Huh?"

"Inubos mo kakaturo ng pagkain!"

"Hala di naman ganon kamahal yon..." Still panicking, Colet grabbed Jhoanna's hands and pressed it against her cheeks.

For a moment, Jhoanna stopped. She blinked. Looked at her. Actually looked at her.

Then, "WAAAAAHHH!" She cried even harder. "Akala ko gusto mo ‘ko! Binayaran ka lang pala!"

"Hindi, huy!" Colet wiped her tears again. "Lahat ng sinabi ko totoo."

Jhoanna sniffled. "Talaga?"

"Oo."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Colet gently squeezed her hand.

"Maganda ka."

Another squeeze.

"Nag-enjoy ako."

And another.

"Ikaw nga lang dinala ko sa playground, eh."

Jhoanna paused. Still sniffling. "Weh?"

"Oo, promise."

A beat passed. Then Jhoanna's face crumpled again. "Wala na akong pambayad sa'yo."

"Sige na nga," Colet said. "Freebie na 'to."

She smiled softly. "Tahan na. Okay?"

Her hands remained wrapped around Jhoanna's. Jhoanna's fingers still cupping her face. For one brief moment, she actually calmed down. Then,

"YAN KA NANAMAN!" Jhoanna wailed. "Pa-fall ka!"

"Ay, piskit!"

Gwen
Huy
San ka na?

Colet
Teka, yung nag rent sakin kanina umiiyak pa

Gwen
Naks hearttrob ka pala eh
Bilisan mo na Gerald Anderson

Colet
Leche

Colet and Jhoanna hopped off the Uber and stood infront of Jhoanna’s hotel.

“Wow, mahal dito ah” Colet commented. By now, Jhoanna’s tears have dried. Still though, she's still visibly sad. “Panong wala kang pera?”

“Naiwan ko wallet ko sa airport, cards tsaka cash ko nandon” Jhoanna responded.

“Pano ka kakain? Magano nalang ba yan?”

“230”

“Ha? Baliw bakit hindi mo sinabi?”

“Ewan ko! Bakit ba!” Jhoanna replied. Colet found it somehow endearing.

“Sumama ka na nga lang sakin” Colet said. Grabbing Jhoanna’s wrists.

“Saan?”

“Raraket”

Colet led the way, and they walked for nearly twenty minutes.

“Malayo pa ba?” Jhoanna asked, already sweating. “Anong raket ba ’to? Step and earn? Bawat hakbang may points?”

“Nandito na po, Master,” Colet replied.

They stopped in front of an apartment building. It wasn't fancy. Just an aging structure built for working-class tenants. The paint had long faded, and the narrow hallways were dimly lit, but it looked sturdy enough.

“Dito ka nakatira?” Jhoanna asked.

“Oo.” Colet fumbled with the lock on the small gate.

Click.

The gate swung open. She glanced over her shoulder. “Diyan ka lang?”

“Ayoko sumama. Mamaya may mga nakaabang sa loob.”

“Okay.”

Colet went in without protest.

Jhoanna stayed outside for a few seconds, arms crossed. Then she looked around. It was already nighttime. The street that had seemed normal moments ago now felt eerily quiet. Shadows stretched across the pavement. The nearest streetlight flickered weakly.

And suddenly, she realized she was alone.

“Teka!”

She sprinted through the gate.

A chuckle escaped Colet as Jhoanna hurried to catch up.

They climbed a narrow staircase. The wooden steps creaked beneath their feet. Outside several apartment doors were plastic bags of trash waiting to be collected. Somewhere nearby, a television blared from behind a thin wall.

Finally, Colet stopped at one of the doors.

“Okay. Welcome home.” She pushed it open.

Jhoanna blinked. The apartment was a studio unit with a single bed tucked against one wall. A small kitchen and a two seater dining table. Surprisingly tidy.

A stack of notebooks occupied one corner of the room. On the other side rested an acoustic guitar, a small speaker, an electric guitar, and several pairs of drumsticks.

Colet noticed her looking at her equipments. “Musika,” Colet said softly. “First love ko.”

“Writer or singer?” Jhoanna asked. She couldn't help staring. This felt oddly intimate, like being allowed into a part of Colet's life that few people ever saw.

“Parehas.” Colet walked over to the acoustic guitar, carefully placing it inside a worn guitar case. “Ito lang kailangan natin. Late na tayo.”

Without further explanation, she headed back toward the door.

They arrived at a busy district filled with foot traffic and rows of street vendors. The atmosphere buzzed with life.

“Tagal mo ah.” The voice belonged to Gwen.

When Colet came close enough to hear, Gwen crossed her arms dramatically. “Nakatahan na ba yung client mong iyakin?”

“Sorry,” Colet said. Then she stepped aside and gestured toward Jhoanna. “Tumahan naman na. Si... Jhoanna. Girlfriend ko kanina.”

Gwen's hand immediately flew to her mouth. “Gagi. Sorry!”

“Okay lang po,” Jhoanna said with a sheepish smile. “Iyakin po talaga ako.”

Colet silently agreed.

“Ehem...” Gwen cleared her throat and held out a hand. “Gwen. Joke lang yung kanina, ha?”

Jhoanna shook it.

“Tara na,” Colet said, gesturing toward the growing crowd. “Dami nang tao, oh.”

Then she turned to Jhoanna. “Parang Cubao ’to kung ikukumpara sa Pilipinas.”

“Ah.” That explained the crowd.

Gwen picked up the case resting beside her. Unlike Colet's guitar case, it was smaller.

A violin case.

Jhoanna watched as the two of them moved to the side of a wide walkway, making sure not to block pedestrians.

After a few practiced motions, they finished setting up. “Good evening!” Colet called out brightly. Several passersby glanced their way. “I’m Colet, and this is Gwen. Tonight, we'll serenade you.”

She set her guitar case on the ground. A handwritten sign taped to the inside read:

DONATIONS ARE APPRECIATED

The same message appeared beneath it in Taiwanese. At least, Jhoanna assumed it did.

The first strum of Colet's guitar was enough to make people turn their heads.

Then she began to play. A few moments later, Gwen lifted her violin and joined in. The melody flowed effortlessly between them. The guitar provided warmth, while the violin soared above it, weaving through every note with graceful precision.

People slowed their pace. Some stopped walking altogether. Jhoanna understood why almost immediately. They sounded amazing.

[Iris — Goo Goo Dolls]

"And I'd give up forever to touch you..."

Colet started singing. At first, only a few people stopped to listen. Five, maybe. Six, if Jhoanna counted herself. She stood off to the side, arms folded loosely against her chest, already lost in the rhythm. It wasn't just the song.

It was Colet.

The way her voice carried effortlessly through the evening air. The way she looked genuinely happy despite performing for a crowd that barely existed. The way she seemed completely content standing there with nothing but a microphone, a guitar accompaniment, and her music.

It was... something.

"Musika," Jhoanna whispered to herself.

Delikado 'to.

"And I don't want the world to see me..."

"Cause I don't think that they'd understand..."

As the chorus arrived, more people gathered. Some stopped in their tracks. Others pulled out their phones to record. A few swayed along with the music. The crowd grew without anyone noticing.

Jhoanna suddenly remembered something. She reached into her bag and pulled out her Osmo camera, lifting it to record. Through the screen, she watched Colet perform. Only then did she realize she was smiling. A huge, uncontrollable smile.

The song ended to warm applause. Several people stepped forward to drop money into the open guitar case. Then Colet leaned toward the microphone. "Thank you!"

The crowd cheered.

"I think this'll be more fun if one of you joins us."

Jhoanna laughed as she panned her camera toward the audience, curious to see who would volunteer. A hand suddenly grabbed her wrist. She looked down. Colet.

"Ikaw na."

"Ano?!" Jhoanna nearly yelped. "Hindi!" She tried pulling away, but Colet held on.

"Kailangan mo ng pera, 'di ba?"

Jhoanna froze. She didn't answer.

"Ito lang choice mo."

Before she could protest further, Colet dragged her toward the microphone. The audience erupted into cheers. Jhoanna's heart nearly launched out of her chest.

Leaning close, she whispered, "Tagalog lang alam ko."

"Okay. OPM." The casual confidence in Colet's voice somehow calmed her.

"Anong kanta?"

"Uhh..." Her mind went completely blank.

Colet chuckled. "Okay. Kung karaoke 'to, ano kakantahin mo?"

Jhoanna thought for a second. "Isa Pang Araw."

"Uy." Colet's eyebrows shot up. "Pang malakasan."

She turned toward Gwen and whispered something.

A moment later, Gwen nodded. The familiar intro began to play. Jhoanna tightened her grip on the microphone. Her eyes searched for confidence and landed on Colet. As if sensing it, Colet mouthed silently:

Karaoke.

Jhoanna exhaled. Then nodded. Colet turned to the audience, gesturing for them to clap along.

[Isa Pang Araw — Sarah Geronimo]

"Akala ko hindi na darating ang panahon..."

"Naliliwanag ang daang tinatahak at nasisilayan ko..."

"Sa libo-libong taong nangangarap..."

"Binigyan mo ako ng pagkakataon..."

The audience fell silent. Not out of boredom. Out of attention.

People swayed gently to the music, listening. Watching. Colet watched too. Honestly, she hadn't known what to expect. But definitely not this.

Jhoanna could sing. Really sing.

Jhoanna kept glancing at Colet between lines. And every single time, Colet would smile or nod encouragingly. A silent you're doing great. Little by little, the nervousness faded.

"Hindi ko napansing unti-unting nawawala..."

"Ang kaba sa 'king dibdib..."

"Bawat minutong nakapiling kita..."

"Tumatapang ako dahil sa'yo..."

Jhoanna finally relaxed. The glances toward Colet became less frequent. Not because she needed less reassurance. But because she no longer doubted herself.

Then the chorus arrived. And she absolutely nailed it. A loud voice suddenly rang from somewhere in the crowd. "Uy! Pilipins!"

Laughter erupted.

Jhoanna looked toward the source and waved. The crowd cheered even louder. At some point, she had taken the microphone off its stand.

She wasn't just singing anymore. She was performing. Moving across the small space. Interacting with the audience. Enjoying herself. And everyone loved it.

By the time the song ended, whistles and applause echoed through the street. Even more people stepped forward to drop money into the case.

Colet stared. Then stared some more.

"Tang—" She caught herself. "Ang galing mo!"

Before Jhoanna could react, Colet threw her arms around her.

Jhoanna burst out laughing. "Kaninong panaginip ba 'to?!"

"Lupet!" Gwen shouted from behind them.

The crowd quickly joined in. "More! More! More!" The chant spread.

Jhoanna and Colet exchanged amused looks before turning toward the growing audience.

"Isa pa?" Colet asked.

A grin slowly spread across Jhoanna's face. "Duet?"

"Game."

And so they sang. For another song. Then another. Then another.

Hours slipped by far too quickly. At some point, it stopped feeling like a raket. The money became secondary. The crowd faded into the background.

It became about discovering each other through music. About finding harmonies they didn't know they had. About stolen glances between verses and laughter between songs.

And Gwen, faithfully accompanying them in the background. She didn't mind. Not one bit.

--

“860 TWD.” Colet counted the bills and coins one last time before placing them in Jhoanna’s hand. “Enough na ’to para ’di ka mamatay sa gutom,” she said.

Jhoanna stared at the money, unable to hide her smile. She had earned this. Through music. Through something she loved.

“Paldo tayo ngayon,” Gwen said as she counted her own share. “Sumama ka na lang lagi, Jho.”

“Magbu-busk ba kayo ulit?”

“Oo. Sa ibang lugar lang,” Gwen answered. Then she pointed at Colet. “Hatid-sundo ka na ni Colet, oh. May bike ’yan.”

Colet immediately nudged Gwen’s side. “Gago. Tourist ’yan. Gagawin mong OFW.”

“Tourist? Wala nga siyang pera.”

“Aray!” Gwen rubbed the spot where Colet had pinched her.

“Game,” Jhoanna said. “Hindi ko rin naman alam gagawin ko. Wala akong kahit anong plano.”
It was a lie. Aiah had prepared an entire itinerary for her. Never mind that.

Colet smiled. “Okay. Raket ulit bukas.”

“Yun!” Gwen grinned before casually asking, “Anong oras tapos ng date mo bukas?” And just like that, the atmosphere shifted.

Ah. Oo nga pala.

“Ah...” Colet paused. “’Di ko alam.” Her voice came out quieter than before.

“Sabihan n’yo na lang ako,” Jhoanna said quickly. She scribbled her contact information onto a small piece of paper and handed it to Gwen. “Eto.” Then she waved and started walking away. She needed to get out of that. Whatever that was.

“Hatid na kita, Master!” Colet called as she hurried after her.

“Baliw. Jho na lang,” Jhoanna replied. “Tapos na ’yung two hours.”

“Okay.” Colet nodded. “Hatid kita, Jho.” Jhoanna didn’t answer. She simply let Colet walk beside her.

For rent nga pala. Raket lang.

“Matagal na kayong break ng ex mo?” The question was risky. But Colet knew it would get Jhoanna’s attention. It did.

Jhoanna glanced at her. “Hmm. Nine months.”

“Gaano kayo katagal?”

“Four years.”

“Mahal mo pa?”

Jhoanna’s pace slowed. She didn’t know. Most days, she cried out of anger. Or bitterness. Was it still love? “Hmmm.”

She stared ahead. “Ewan. Kilala na kasi niya ako. Nanghihinayang siguro.” She shrugged. “Wala nang nag-aasikaso eh. O nagpplano.”

“Ah.”

“Gets mo ba?”

Colet nodded. “Namimiss mo kasi naging dependent ka.”

The words landed harder than Jhoanna expected.

“Sa apat na taon, nasanay kang siya lagi ang nagde-desisyon.”

“…Oo.” Jhoanna hated admitting it.

“Okay. Gets ko.” Colet shoved her hands into her pockets. “Bakit ka umiyak kanina?”

“Nagulat? Nainis rin sa sarili ko. Kasi ‘di ako nakapag salita. Ang hina ko lang.”

“Hayaan mo na.” Colet waved it off. “Buti nga wala silang nakuhang red na bike. Ako nag-trade no’n para may blue ka, ’di ba?”

Jhoanna laughed. “Oo nga, no?” She remembered. “Buti nga sa kanila.”

A comfortable silence settled between them. For a few moments, neither spoke. Somehow, the walk back felt much shorter than before.

“Bakit ka nandito?” Jhoanna asked, then glanced sideways. “Sa Taiwan?”

Colet didn’t answer immediately. “Pamilya.” Her voice softened. “Lagi namang gano’n, ’di ba?” She looked ahead. “Kaso wala eh. Isa na lang ’yon. Si Mama lang pamilya ko tapos ’di ko pa naabutan.”

Jhoanna’s heart sank. She wasn’t sure how to respond. “Sorry.” She swallowed. “Condolence.”

Colet blinked. Then burst out laughing. “Baliw. Buhay pa si Mama.”

“Sabi mo--”

“’Di ko lang naabutan kasi nagka-boyfriend siya sa U.S. Do’n na siya tumira.”

“Parang tanga ka naman magkuwento!” Jhoanna hissed, smacking her arm lightly.

Colet laughed even harder. “De, pero totoo naman.” She shrugged. “Hindi na kasi kailangan ni Mama ng suporta ko. Sabi niya, ipunin ko na lang daw para sa sarili ko.”

“Pero nag-uusap pa kayo?”

“Oo naman. Palagi.” A smile tugged at her lips. “Englishera na nga eh. Feelingera.”

“Oh.” Jhoanna chuckled. “Eh bakit ang dami mong trabaho?”

Colet thought about it for a moment. Then she smiled. “Kasi mas mahal bumuo ng pangarap.”

The answer caught Jhoanna off guard.

“Equipment. Marketing. Producing. Demos.” She counted them off with her fingers. “Si Mama, padalhan ko lang dati ng twenty thousand, okay na siya. Sasabihin pa no’n, huwag na raw akong magpadala ulit.”

“Ang bait naman ng mama mo.”

“Gusto mo ma-meet?” Colet was already pulling out her phone. “Tawagan ko.”

“Isa!” Jhoanna immediately grabbed her wrist. “Ayoko.”

“Okay, okay.” Colet raised both hands in surrender. “Hindi na po, Master.”

Jhoanna rolled her eyes. A few moments later, she stopped walking. “Dito na ’ko.”

“Ah.” Colet looked up at the establishment in front of them. “Oo nga.”

“Thank you ulit.” The words came out softer than Jhoanna intended.

Colet’s smile returned instantly. “See you tomorrow!” Then she turned around and started walking back down the street.

Unknown
Good night, master

Jhoanna
Bilis naman.
Kay Gwen ko lang binigay number ko ah

Unknown
Grabe ka naman sa ex mong to :((

Jhoanna
Yuck, ex
Block kita d’yan eh

 

Unknown has been changed to GF for Rent.

GF for Rent
Bitter!

Jhoanna
Matulog ka na
Kumayod ka buong araw

GF for Rent
Yiiieeee
Concerned <3

Jhoanna
Landi mo
Di kita babayaran

GF for Rent
Oo na HAHAHA
Goodnight Jho

Jhoanna
Goodnight

10:00 AM

GF for Rent
Good Morning!!
Lalabas ka today?

Jhoanna
Wow
Marketing strat ba to? Wala po akong pambayad

GF for Rent
On the house na ‘to
Lalabas ka?

Jhoanna
Wala akong alam na pupuntahan

GF for Rent
Samahan kita
Bored ako eh

Jhoanna
Wala ka bang ibang Raket??

GF for Rent
Maya pa eh
Kain tayo

Jhoanna
Sige na
Prep lang ako

GF for Rent
Dito na ko ah, hintayin kita

Jhoanna
Ha??
Baliw ka ba’t ka nand’yan

GF for Rent
Bored nga, kulit naman

Jhoanna
Teka nga

Jhoanna jumped out of bed. There went her Taiwan version of doom-scrolling plans. Ruined.

“Parang tanga naman, ang aga-aga pa,” she mumbled. Ignoring the fact that she was moving as fast as she could just to greet the girl waiting downstairs in the lobby.

She showered while humming a few songs from the night before.

Afterward, she put on light makeup, her thoughts drifting back to yesterday. She caught herself smiling.

“Ops!” She pointed at her reflection in the mirror. “Ngumingiti ka, beh. Kitang-kita! Tumigil ka!”
Then she sighed. “Eh pa’no naman kasi hindi ngingiti?” she muttered under her breath.

“Forty-five minutes.” Colet's voice greeted her the moment she came into view. “Pero worth it,” she added.

Lecheeeeeeeeeeee.

“Ang aga-aga, Colet.” Jhoanna rolled her eyes.

Colet stood from the couch she had been sitting on and casually fell into step beside her. “Rice tayo today,” she announced.

“Weh?” Jhoanna's eyebrows shot up. “Thank you, Lord.”

Colet only laughed and led her outside.

A few minutes later, they arrived at a small restaurant tucked away from the main road. An elderly woman owned the place. Colet used to work there. The moment they stepped inside, Colet greeted her warmly. The old woman smiled and gestured toward an empty table.

“Wow.” Jhoanna looked around, quietly admiring the establishment.

There were certain places that simply felt warmer than others. This was one of them.

“Ganda dito, no?” Colet said as they sat down. “'Di mamahalin, pero grabe yung pagkain. May puso.”

“Oo nga,” Jhoanna agreed. “Parang nasa bahay ka.”

A few moments later, the elderly woman returned carrying several plates. She set them down in front of the two girls with a smile.

“Thank you po,” Jhoanna said, bowing her head slightly.

“Ayan, oh.” Colet pointed at one of the dishes. “Puso ng manok.”

“Bwiset!” Jhoanna exclaimed. “Kala ko passion!”

“Meron rin naman.” Colet burst out laughing.

“Kailan ka pa pala kumakanta?” Jhoanna asked after a while. They were already halfway through their meal.

“Since I was five,” Colet answered. “Ewan. Lumaki na lang akong mahilig kumanta. Tapos no’ng high school, nagsimula akong magsulat.”

“Parinig ako ng mga sulat mo.”

Colet scrunched her nose. “Ih.”

“Ang damot mo,” Jhoanna complained.

“Nakakahiya.”

“Ngayon ka pa nahiya, sa tagal ng relasyon natin? Two hours ‘yon, Colet! Two hours tayong nagsama,” Jhoanna said dramatically.

Colet laughed. “Oo nga pala. Ang dami na nating napagsamahan.”

Jhoanna laughed too. “Col, sige na,” she said.

“Wow. Nickname basis.”

“Tamad lang akong magsabi nang buo,” Jhoanna replied. “Papansin.”

“Sige na. Pero hindi ngayon. Pipili pa ako ng pwede mong pakinggan.”

Jhoanna celebrated with small claps held close to her chest. Colet could only sigh.

“Grabe, busog,” Jhoanna exclaimed as they stepped out of the restaurant, patting her stomach.

“Ano pa’ng gusto mong gawin?” Colet asked.

“Kape?”

“Okay. Ikaw ang master dito.”

Colet let her lead the way. A coffee shop was just a ten-minute walk away.

Jhoanna ordered the most familiar drink she could recognize. Colet ordered what she thought was the best on the menu.

“Thank you,” Colet said to the barista as she picked up their drinks. She made her way back to their table.

“Ito ‘yung sa’yo,” she said, placing Jhoanna’s drink in front of her.

Jhoanna looked up from her phone. “Ang bango,” she said, brightening.

“Tikman mo.” Colet sat across from her.

Jhoanna took a sip and lingered on the taste, nodding slightly.

“Ito, tikman mo,” she said, pushing her own drink forward.

Jhoanna obliged. She took a sip and nodded as well, a little more enthusiastically this time. “Ang sarap nito!”

Colet smiled and slid Jhoanna’s drink closer to her. “’Yan na lang sa’yo.” Jhoanna didn’t argue. She simply accepted it.

After a few minutes, Jhoanna began taking pictures around the café. Of the drinks, the place, and Colet.

Colet just watched her. Like someone observing a child discovering a playground for the first time.

“Alam mo,” Jhoanna said eventually, still scrolling through her photos.

“Pangarap ko dati magkaroon ng café. Tapos may live band, or open mic para sa mga aspiring artists.”

“Okay ‘yon ah,” Colet said.

Jhoanna smiled. “Diba? Musika at kape. Two of my favorite things.”

“Bakit hindi mo ituloy?” Colet asked.

“Kasi mas mahal bumuo ng pangarap,” Jhoanna said, quoting Colet.

“Pero kaya naman. Mas mahaba lang proseso.”

“Hindi pa naman ‘yon nakalimutan,” she added. “Hindi lang priority.”

“Pag nagawa mo na, patugtugin mo kami ni Gwen.”

“O, sige!” Jhoanna said confidently.

“Promise?”

“Oo naman.”

“Promise?” Colet held out her pinky.

Jhoanna met it without hesitation, linking hers around it. “Promise.”

Colet
Hoy, san ka

Gwen
Di mo ko mamadaliin
Bwiset ka

Colet
Hahahaha
Sorry na, bilisan mo na kasi

“Kupad ni Gwen,” Colet muttered under her breath.

Jhoanna, seated on the grass, glanced up at her. They were at a nearby park, waiting to start busking. Gwen was the only one missing.

"Sa'n ba galing?" Jhoanna asked, shielding her eyes from the afternoon sun as she looked at Colet, who remained standing beside her.

"Galing sa date," Colet answered casually.

"As in…"

"Mhm." Colet nodded before lowering herself onto the grass beside Jhoanna. "Sales rep talaga ako dati, kaso nasisante ako. Kaya si Gwen 'yung nagsabi sa'kin tungkol sa rent-a-girlfriend na 'yan habang nag hahanap ng mas stable."

"Ah..." Jhoanna trailed off before clearing her throat. "Ikaw, wala ka bang ano... date? Today?"

"Meron." That was all Colet said. Jhoanna didn't reply. Something about the answer sat strangely in her chest.

"Tara na." Gwen's voice cut through the silence. The two turned toward her. Gwen walked over with a scowl already on her face, glaring directly at Colet.

"Sungit mo naman," Colet teased. "Kamusta date mo?"

"Leche ka. Hindi na 'ko sasalo sa'yo," Gwen snapped.

"Tangina no'n. Inabutan ako ng three thousand para samahan siya sa hotel niya."

Colet burst out laughing. Jhoanna followed a second later. Then the words registered.

"Sinalo mo si Colet?" Jhoanna asked, blinking.

"Date niya 'yon! Ako pinapunta niya!" Gwen shot back.

Jhoanna instinctively glanced at Colet. Colet wasn't looking at her.

Hindi niya sinipot?

"At least may three thousand ka," Colet said, still grinning.

"Ulol. Hindi ko kinuha 'yon!"

Colet only laughed harder. She already knew how Gwen would react. Gwen had always been ridiculously easy to ragebait.

"Tara, tugtog na." Colet stood up and extended a hand toward Jhoanna.

Jhoanna stared at it for a moment before taking it. She quickly shrugged off the thought.

Mamaya na mag overthink.

"Game," she said.

Colet and Gwen immediately got to work setting up their speakers, microphones, and instruments.

Today, Gwen would open. The crowd began to gather after her first song. Gwen's voice was different. More angelic. Hypnotizing.

Even people who had simply been passing by slowed to a stop. Children tugged at their parents' sleeves. Couples lingered beneath the trees. People who had intended to keep walking stayed.

Jhoanna remained at the side at first, quietly watching.

Then, just like the night before, Colet asked for a volunteer. Without hesitation, she chose Jhoanna.

Music flowed through the entire park. The crowd grew larger. More laughter echoed around them. More children danced near the front.

"Ang dami!"

Jhoanna's eyes widened as she looked at the money piled inside Colet's guitar case.

"Ang yaman na natin, guys!" Her excitement was infectious.

Gwen snorted while packing away the microphone stand, and even Colet couldn't hide the smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Gusto ko ng ice cream," Gwen announced out of nowhere.

"Tara!" Jhoanna said immediately.

"Sige, tara," Colet agreed.

There was a small ice cream shop just a few minutes away from the park. The three of them walked over, each ending up with different flavors in hand. They settled at a corner table.

"Dapat pinakilala mo si Colet, eh," Gwen said between licks of her melting cone.

"Hindi nga siya makapagsalita no'n," Colet replied. "Nanginginig pa nga 'yan."

"Edi ikaw dapat nagpakilala," Gwen rebutted.

Jhoanna laughed softly.

"Hayaan mo na. Hindi rin naman siya nagsalita no'ng tinawag akong love ni Colet."

"Love pala, ah?" Gwen commented, immediately grinning. "Tamis niyo naman."

Colet only chuckled beside her.

"Ano'ng itsura nung bago?" Gwen asked again.

"Napaka-chismosa mo talaga," Colet said.

Jhoanna thought for a moment. "Mestisa. Red 'yung hair. Maganda..."

"Matangkad tapos mukhang kano?" Gwen completed.

Jhoanna blinked before looking at her in surprise. "Ayun! Ang galing mo!"

"Malamang." Gwen pointed toward the cashier with her cone. "Ayun, oh."

Jhoanna instinctively followed the direction.

The girl stood by the counter, paying for her own ice cream. No Stacey in sight.

"Oh," Colet muttered quietly. "Ayun nga."

Jhoanna stared for a few seconds. It didn't bother her as much as she thought it would.

Still... Having your ex's current girlfriend standing in the same room as you was awkward in a way she couldn't explain.

"Mas pogi ka, Col," Gwen whispered dramatically.

"Oo naman," Colet answered without hesitation.

Jhoanna glanced sideways at her. Colet looked completely serious. "...Mas pogi ka nga," Jhoanna agreed.

Colet's smile widened. "Friends pa ba kayo ng ex mo sa IG?" she asked casually.

"Oo."

"Story mo 'ko."

Jhoanna raised an eyebrow. "Bakit?"

"Iyabang mo lang ako."

"Dali na," Gwen chimed in. "Para makita ng ex mo. Ragebait lang."

Jhoanna hesitated. Then she pulled out her phone. A few taps later, the camera opened. She pointed it at Colet. Colet posed without question.

"Anong ilalagay kong kanta?" she asked.

"’Yung maganda," Gwen suggested.

"Ang arte mo naman!" Colet whisper-shouted.

"Eh ano nga?"

Unable to help herself, Gwen snatched the phone from Jhoanna's hands.
Gwen typed something and then pressed a final button before handing it back to Jhoanna.

Jhoanna looked down at the screen. "Kiss It Better?" Her eyes widened. "Gago ka."

Colet burst into laughter.

"Bagay kaya!" Gwen defended.

Jhoanna looked between the two of them. Gwen looked far too pleased with herself. Colet was still laughing.

Maloi
ANO YANNN???????
HALIPAROT

Sheena
ATE???? SHSSGGAAJAKSJSBSBZUAHSBSZIJAHSBSHZUSHSBSHSUSBSHSUSHHSUS
DI KO KINAKAYA YUNG PA KISS IT BETTER MO

Aiah
OMG
What does this mean??

"Ako naman."

Before Jhoanna could even put her phone away, Colet had already pulled out hers.

"Ay, tag mo muna 'ko sa story mo."

Jhoanna stared at her in disbelief. "Ang dami niyong utos. Ang dami na ngang nagre-react, eh."

"Ayaw mo?" Colet's voice carried mock disappointment. A slight pout. A dramatic sigh. As if she were the victim.

Jhoanna looked at Gwen for help. Gwen betrayed her immediately. "Tag mo na."

Jhoanna let out an exasperated groan before unlocking her phone again. "Ayan."

She tagged Colet. A second later, notifications flooded her screen.

coletskiii reposted your story.
coletskiii mentioned you in a story.

"Huy!" Jhoanna nearly choked on her ice cream. "Ang lapit naman ng mukha natin dito!" She shoved the phone toward Colet.

The posted photo showed the two of them squeezed into the frame, shoulders pressed together.

Too close. Way too close.

"Isa ka pa," Jhoanna continued, glaring at her. "Yung kanta mo..."

She glanced at the title again.

Actually...

"...maganda."

Nilalang by Dilaw.

Naiinis sa sarili, shit ba't gan'to?
Nawawala lahat-lahat ng angas ko.

Colet's grin widened. "Sabi sa'yo."

Then Gwen, who had been suspiciously quiet for the past thirty seconds, burst into laughter. "Ang landi ng caption!" Of course she had noticed it.

Jhoanna looked down. And immediately regretted it.

pretty little baby… and me.

"..."

"..."

"Ang cute kaya," Colet defended.

"Ang korni," Jhoanna shot back.

Though her voice lacked its usual conviction.

Gwen was practically vibrating beside them. "Basahin mo ulit!"

"Hindi na!"

"Pretty little baby and me," Gwen repeated anyway before cackling. "Tangina. Sino ba 'yung pretty little baby na ‘yan?"

Colet didn't even hesitate. "Si Jho."

Jhoanna felt heat crawl up her neck. "...Baliw."

"Ba't ka pula?"

Jhoanna immediately turned away. "Naiinitan lang ako."

"Talaga?" Gwen asked innocently. "Kasi hindi naman mainit."

"Oo nga," Colet added. "Malamig pa nga."

Jhoanna tightened her grip on her cone. Her face felt warm. Her ears felt warm. Even the tips of her fingers felt warm.

Bakit ba siya naiinitan?

She glanced at Colet from the corner of her eye.

The other girl had gone back to eating her ice cream as if she hadn't just called Jhoanna pretty little baby in front of Gwen.

As if posting their picture with that caption meant nothing. As if this was all just another joke.

Lahat naman ng ginagawa nila, kunwari lang.

The hand-holding. The "love." The stories. The captions. The teasing. The way Colet smiled at her.

Kunwari lang.

Jhoanna swallowed. Then why did her heart insist on taking it seriously?

—

GF 4 Rent
Nakaakyat ka na? :)

Jhoanna
Hinatid mo ko sa lobby
Malamang makakaakyat ako

GF 4 Rent
Sungit mo :((

Jhoanna
Nakauwi ka na ba?

GF 4 Rent
Sungit to concerned in 0.01 seconds (‘-' )
Oo, kakapasok lang ng unit

Bakit ang sungit mo? curious lang

Jhoanna
Nakakairita kasi yung lambing mo
Feeling ko babaero ka

GF 4 Rent
Di rin

Jhoanna
syempre mag dedeny
sabagay nasanay ka nalang siguro kasi kung sino sino dinedate mong babae

GF 4 Rent
Di madali maging for rent no
Hirap kaya

Jhoanna
WOW???
Kawawa ka naman, lalambing ka lang tapos ililibre ka hirap na hirap ka pa

GF 4 Rent
Kala mo kaya nya

Jhoanna
Kayang kaya

GF 4 Rent
Okay

Colet has sent you 4000 TWD

Jhoanna
Ano ‘to??

GF 4 Rent
Mayabang ka eh
2 hours bukas, rentahan kita
6PM wala naman tayong busk at wala si Gwen ng hapon

Jhoanna
papansin ka
ibabalik ko ‘to

GF 4 Rent
pag binalik mo yan
inaamin mong di mo kaya
See you tomorrow, future girlfriend!

Jhoanna
HOOYYYYY