Chapter Text
Jhoanna’s POV
“Where are they?” I muttered, pacing back and forth as my heels clicked against the hard concrete.
Frustration bubbled up with every passing car and every group of friends casually strolling into the bar. Meanwhile, here I was, waiting—and waiting—outside, feeling utterly ridiculous.
Colet had told me to wait here. “Wear something nice,” she had said. “And don’t forget to put on makeup.” Her words echoed in my mind, and I scoffed, regretting our conversation from the other night.
I should’ve known better than to agree to this setup.
She hadn’t even given me proper instructions. Just vague directions: meet outside the bar at this time and look for “a girl.” That’s it. No details, no name. Nothing.
And now, as I stood here scanning the growing crowd, I realized how stupid I’d been to even give this a chance.
“I don’t need this. God.” My patience was wearing thin, and I checked the time for the fifth time in as many minutes.
“She’ll be wearing pink,” Colet had said.
I looked up again, squinting as I tried to pick out someone—anyone—wearing pink. And, of course, it seemed like half the women heading toward the bar were wearing pink.
“How am I supposed to know which one is her?” I muttered under my breath, feeling even more foolish.
“Jhoanna?”
The voice behind me was unfamiliar, confident, and instantly made me freeze mid-thought. I furrowed my brows, turning around to see who it was.
And then I saw her.
Standing in front of me was, without exaggeration, the most beautiful person I’d ever laid eyes on.
She held a photo in her hand, her gaze flicking between it and me, and when her face lit up with recognition, I almost forgot how to breathe.
“It’s you!” she said, smiling so brightly I swore the entire street dimmed in comparison.
My heart raced as she walked toward me, each step feeling like it was in slow motion and I’m watching a runway show.
Whoa.
She stopped just a breath away and extended her hand.
I froze. Say something. Say anything. But no words came out.
“Uh… hi?” I finally stammered, my voice embarrassingly shaky as I took her hand.
She chuckled softly, and I swore I felt the sound settle in my chest. My cheeks flushed instantly, and I couldn’t decide if I wanted to run away or stay still.
“Stacey po,” she replied, and I swear her name fit her perfectly.
My ears buzzed as I realized I had been staring too long. She cleared her throat, snapping me out of my trance, and I instinctively scratched the back of my neck, utterly mortified by my actions.
Get a grip, Jhoanna. What is wrong with you?
“Colet actually sent me,” she added, and her words sent a jolt through my entire body.
She’s my date. My date !
“Oh my gosh! Hi!” I blurted, unable to contain my excitement as I leaned in to hug her lightly. Only moments ago, I’d been ready to bolt from this whole setup, but now?
Now I didn’t want to leave.
As my nose caught her scent during the hug, I nearly swooned. She smelled like fresh blooms—soft, sweet, and intoxicating.
Okay, calm down. You’re overreacting.
“Nag-antay ka ba ng matagal? I’m so sorry,” Stacey said as we pulled apart, her voice laced with genuine concern.
Honestly, Stacey, you could’ve kept me waiting all night, and I wouldn’t mind.
“Actually, kakarating ko lang,” I lied with a cheeky smile. If this is the person I’d been waiting for, I would’ve happily waited forever.
Stacey laughed at my response, and even her laugh was mesmerizing.
Oh Lord, this is bad.
“I actually saw you earlier. Parang kanina ka pa gustong umalis,” she teased, and I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment.
She’d been watching me?
“Wait… so kanina ka pa diyan?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. But as I watched her laugh, her smile so contagious, I couldn’t help but grin back.
“Around 15 minutes,” Stacey admitted, clearing her throat. Then she licked her lips, and my eyes betrayed me—following the movement of her tongue against her lips.
And just like that, the air shifted.
I quickly looked away, shutting my eyes for a moment to ground myself. My face felt like it was on fire.
“Oy, sorry ha,” Stacey said softly, noticing my reaction. “I don’t have a phone kasi.”
As the wind carried her scent again, my thoughts buzzed, barely keeping up. This girl was doing things to me—things my brain couldn’t process.
When I didn’t respond right away, she reached for my hand, her skin so soft and her touch light but deliberate. I froze, and when our eyes met, the world seemed to still.
It wasn’t just me.
There was something—something electric between us. Maybe it was the flickering streetlamps or the muffled music from the bar, but whatever it was, it felt real.
I could tell she felt it too. Her hand lingered in mine for just a second longer before she let go, almost hesitantly, as if the connection had startled her just as much as it had me.
“Uhm, it’s okay. I don’t mind, really,” I said, trying to sound as calm as possible while my nerves danced uncontrollably beneath the surface.
Stacey smiled again, and instinctively, I smiled back. But deep down, I couldn’t ignore the mixed of emotions stirring within me. What is this I’m feeling?
I’d only just met her, and yet here I was, already swooning. Was it her smile? Her voice? Or simply her , effortlessly catching me off guard in ways I didn’t expect?
“So, tara?” Stacey asked, glancing toward the bar entrance where bursts of laughter and shouting spilled out into the night.
I hesitated for a moment, the idea of entering that loud, crowded space suddenly unappealing.
Not with her. Not now. I wanted something quieter, somewhere I wouldn’t lose this fragile sense of connection building between us.
“Uhm… would it be okay if we skipped the bar?” I asked, scratching the back of my neck with a sheepish grin.
Her lips curled into a small smile, and she nodded like she understood exactly what I meant. “I don’t think I’m up for a drink right now anyway.”
The relief that washed over me was almost embarrassing. My heart seemed to leap as I grinned back at her. “Kain nalang tayo? Or we could go to an arcade?”
She chuckled softly, her eyes lighting up in a way that made the night feel brighter. “Arcade sounds fun. Tara!”
And just like that, the world outside faded into the background as we turned away from the bar, stepping into something I couldn’t quite name yet—but it felt like the beginning of something unforgettable.