Appreciated
Avery's Point of View
The night wasn't over yet.
After dinner, habang papalabas kami ng resto, hawak-hawak ko pa rin 'yung bouquet of red roses. I could still smell the faint perfume of the petals, sweet and intoxicating, parang constant reminder ng lahat ng nangyari ngayong gabi. My phone buzzed inside my purse, and without thinking, I pulled it out.
On instinct, almost as if my heart was controlling my hands more than my brain, I lifted the camera and snapped a picture of the bouquet front and center, Elliot's silhouette blurred in the background, the glow of the resto's warm lights framing him.
Soft launch.
I posted it straight to my IG story before I could chicken out. Walang caption, walang emoji, just the photo. Bahala na. Kung may makapansin, then so be it. They didn't need to know details kasi the picture itself spoke louder than anything I could say.
When I glanced up, Elliot was unlocking his car, and a grin tugged at my lips. He had no idea what I just did. Ngiting-ngiti ako habang naglalakad papunta sa kanya, the roses cradled in my arms like some secret I wasn't even trying to hide anymore.
The drive back to the dorm was quiet at first, just the hum of the engine and the faint city lights flickering past the windows. But inside me? Parang fireworks na hindi tumitigil.
"Elliot," I finally broke the silence, turning slightly toward him. My voice came out softer than I intended. "Thank you for tonight... for the dinner. For everything."
He smirked, eyes still on the road.
"Dinner?" he repeated, almost teasing. "You mean dinner date, right?"
I swear, if my cheeks could combust, they already did. "H-Huy, hindi mo sinabi na—"
"Of course it was a date," he cut in, his tone confident but gentle, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Do you think I'd go through all that trouble just for a regular dinner?"
I bit my lip, sinking deeper into my seat. My heart was doing somersaults, and the worst part? He knew. He knew exactly the effect he had on me, and he was enjoying every second of it.
"Elliot..." I whispered, half-annoyed, half-melting. "You're... unbelievable."
He glanced at me quickly, catching the way I was trying to hide my flushed face. His hand, steady on the wheel, flexed slightly, like he was restraining himself from reaching for mine again. "Get used to it, Avery. Because this isn't the last."
I blinked. "What do you mean?"
His lips curved into that smile that infuriatingly perfect smile that always made my stomach twist. "I'm not stopping here. Tonight was just the beginning. So brace yourself. Because from now on, I'm going to show you every single day what it means when I say... I like you."
I turned away, looking out the window because if I looked at him another second, I was going to explode. My reflection in the glass gave me away... flushed cheeks, sparkling eyes, lips fighting not to break into the widest grin.
Damn it, Avery. Look at you.
The ride back continued, and the silence wasn't empty anymore. It was charged, alive, almost unbearable in the best way. My hands clutched the bouquet tighter, and my lips curled into a smile I couldn't fight.
Maybe this was what it felt like to fall and not be afraid anymore.
Because with him, this felt like a free fall I didn't want to end.
Pagkauwi namin sa dorm, hindi na kami dumaan sa sala or kung saan man. Diretso agad kami ni Elliot sa kwarto naming dalawa, parehong tahimik pero parehong nakangiti.
The roses were still in my arms, and honestly, parang trophy siya na hindi ko pa rin ma-process kung sa'n ko ilalagay. I set it gently on my desk, inhaling the lingering scent before I pulled out my towel and toiletries.
"Half bath lang ako," sabi ko kay Elliot habang kinukuha ang mga gamit ko.
He was sitting casually on his bed, scrolling through his phone, but he looked up and nodded with that soft smile of his. "Go ahead. I'll wait."
And he really did wait.
Inside the bathroom, habang nagha-half bath at ginagawa ang nightly skincare routine ko, hindi ko maiwasang ngumiti mag-isa. Kanina lang nasa resto kami, and now, eto... back to ordinary night routines, except nothing about tonight felt ordinary anymore.
After I finished, lumabas ako ng banyo habang pinupunasan ang buhok ko ng tuwalya. And there he was, Elliot leaning casually sa wall, as if he'd been standing guard.
"Tapos ka na?" tanong niya, already holding his own towel and things.
I nodded. "Mmhm. Ikaw na."
He gave me a tiny smirk before heading into the bathroom, and ako naman dumiretso sa kama ko.
I sat down, grabbed my phone, and of course... notifications flooded my screen.
IG Story replies from Daphne, Hazel, and Elyza.
Daphne: WAAAAIT 👀who's that shadow?????? Sino 'yan sister, bakit parang may pa-soft launch ka jan HAHAHA
Hazel: Omg Averyyyyy??? Grabe naman! Kahit hindi clear 'yung face, kita ko na agad aura, eh. Seryoso baaaa? Spill na pls 🤭
Elyza: UM HELLO??? Soft launch without board approval???? 😤 charot. Pero seryoso girl, sino siya? Tell me this is who I think it is. Don't play games w me, I'm fragile.
I almost choked on my own laughter. Hays, these girls. They're always dramatic and always right on time.
Ayoko nang mag-reply individually, baka lalo pang humaba. Kaya dumiretso na lang ako sa GC namin.
Avery: Okay sisters, bago pa kayo mag riot d'yan, yes, I'll spill. But not tonight. Next time na magkita tayo, promise. Chill lang kayo riyan.
The typing bubbles popped up agad-agad, sabay sabay pa silang nag-react ng crying emojis, heart emojis, at mga pa-clap. Nakakainis pero nakakaaliw.
I tossed my phone sa side table, shaking my head with a smile that wouldn't leave my lips.
And as I slid under my sheets, the scent of the roses nearby and the sound of Elliot moving around in the bathroom filled the room. My heart was still racing, pero in the most comforting way.
Tonight didn't just feel like a chapter. It felt like the start of an entirely new book.
Dumating ang araw ng presentation namin.
The projector screen turned to black, and a collective, nervous sigh filled the room. Our presentation was finally over. For a long moment, tahimik lang ang lahat, you could only hear the low hum of the aircon and the sound of our classmates typing away on their laptops, still rushing to finish their reports.
Our instructor, pushed her glasses up her nose and scanned the five of us standing in front. The tension between the boys was so obvious, it was almost a physical thing. It was like a silent war, a very cold and uncomfortable atmosphere surrounding them.
"Okay, that was a very... comprehensive presentation," Ms. Reyes said, her voice cutting through the silence.
"Avery," she began, and my heart did a little jump. "Your research on the historical context was very well-executed. Your data was precise and your delivery was clear. Good job."
I smiled, feeling a genuine sense of relief. "Thank you, ma'am."
Then her eyes landed on Elliot.
"Elliot, your analysis of the financial projections was surprisingly... insightful." She paused, and I swear I saw a hint of a smirk on her face.
Elliot's jaw was tight, but he just managed a short, stiff nod. I knew he could do it. My mind flashed back to our late-night study sessions, the endless debates, and the way he had stubbornly refused to let me help him with the numbers at first. He really wanted to do well para sa amin.
Ms. Reyes shifted her gaze to the other two.
"George," she said. "Your field data on the solar panel setup was a great addition. Your observations were keen." George just grinned, proud of himself.
"And Fin, your work on the presentation script and flow was superb. It kept the presentation organized and easy to follow." Fin gave a polite smile.
Finally, Ms. Reyes turned to Lucas. "Lucas, your graphic design and the overall presentation flow were, as always, top-notch. The visuals complemented the data perfectly."
Lucas gave a polite smile, but his eyes were fixed on Elliot. The air between them grew thick with unspoken words, a silent challenge in their stare.
Ms. Reyes cleared her throat.
"Overall, a very good job. Your collaboration was very evident." She shot a quick, pointed look at all of us. "You can take your seats now."
We walked back to our table, and the tension was so thick it was almost unbearable. Lucas was a step ahead of us. I wanted to say something, anything, to break the ice. I glanced at Elliot, and he just kept his eyes on Lucas's back, a muscle ticking in his jaw.
When we sat down, Lucas immediately pulled out his phone, pretending to be busy. I started playing with my notes, my fingers tracing the letters, my heart pounding in my chest.
Then, in a voice only I could hear, Elliot said, "Lucas."
Lucas didn't look up.
"What?" he snapped, his voice sharp and cold.
"Look, man," Elliot began, and you could tell it was hard for him. It was difficult for him to get the words out. "About... about everything. The past few weeks. I was out of line."
I held my breath. I was completely focused on this one moment. Elliot wasn't a guy who said sorry. He was the kind of guy who would buy you the world instead of admitting he was wrong. This was different. This was new.
Lucas finally looked up from his phone, his eyes narrowed into slits. "You're just saying that because it's a part of some grand plan, aren't you, Enrique? Para lang magpa-good shot kay Avery?"
Elliot's jaw hardened. He was clearly getting annoyed, but he didn't snap back. Instead, he took a deep breath. "No. I'm saying it because I mean it. I'm sorry. I messed up. You didn't deserve that. Wala kayong dalawa. I was... I was jealous. I'm an idiot, okay?"
The words sounded foreign coming from him, awkward and a little rough, but they were sincere. It wasn't the kind of dramatic, over-the-top apology you'd expect. It was raw. And it was real.
A slow smile crept onto Lucas's face. It wasn't a happy smile. It was a mix of disbelief and... well, something I couldn't quite place.
"Wow. Nag-sorry ka pala talaga," he said, and the sarcasm was thick enough to chew on. "Kahit labas sa ilong."
Elliot flinched, but he didn't back down. "Fine. If that's how you want to see it. But I'm saying it. I'm sorry."
My heart was doing a wild little jig in my chest. Look at you, Elliot. You're actually growing up. I wanted to reach over and hold his hand, to show him that I saw this vulnerable, human side of him. But I held back. This was their moment, their truce.
Lucas was still for a long time, just staring at Elliot. Then, the corner of his mouth quirked up. "Ano, okay na? Bati na tayo?"
Elliot let out a slow exhale, a sound of pure relief. "Bati na tayo."
Lucas gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. He didn't say anything else, just turned back to his phone. But the tension was gone. The cold war was officially over.
As the noise of the classroom filled the silence between them once more, I finally took a deep breath. Finally. A genuine truce. It was a small victory, but it felt so important. It felt like another brick had been removed from the wall that separated them.
I glanced over at Elliot, and he caught my eye. A ghost of a smile touched his lips, a silent question in his gaze. Did I do good?
I returned his smile, a warmth spreading through me. Yes, Elliot. You did.
Maybe this wasn't about detoxifying my life from the boys anymore. Maybe it was about seeing that even in the most toxic of circumstances, with a little patience and a lot of heart, even the most difficult people could change. And maybe, just maybe, I was starting to see that in myself, too.
Right after our last class, habang lahat busy mag-ayos ng gamit, bigla na lang akong sinabihan ni Elliot, "Let's go out."
"Ha? Where?" tanong ko.
"Wala na tayong class this afternoon, right?" nakangisi siyang sumagot. "Let's go to the mall. You can buy whatever you want. My treat."
What?!
Halos mabilaukan ako sa tubig na iniinom ko. "Wait—no, that's unnecessary. Hindi ako papayag na ikaw ang magbayad ng kung ano-ano."
Nag-angat siya ng kilay, smug as always. "Who said you had a choice?"
The drive to the mall felt... different. Seryoso, kahit wala naman siyang ginagawa kundi mag-focus sa pagmamaneho, my heart kept thumping like I was on some roller coaster. 'Yung tipong kahit traffic lights, pakiramdam ko very cinematic.
Inside, everything felt so normal yet special. People going about their shopping, kids running, the hum of chatter pero sa akin, parang background noise lang siya. Because all I could focus on was Elliot walking beside me, hands in his pockets, looking effortlessly comfortable.
"Where do you want to go first?" he asked.
"Window shopping lang," sagot ko agad. Kasi duh, I wasn't about to splurge gamit ang pera niya.
But of course, my curious self dragged me inside this popular tote bag brand store. Alam mo 'yung tipong kapag pumasok ka, parang biglang bumababa 'yung self-esteem mo kasi sobrang classy? Yes, ganun.
I walked around quietly, trying my best not to look too amazed. Until my eyes landed on the tote bag. Cream, minimalist design, sturdy handle, practical yet chic. Perfect for school, perfect for casual days.
Elliot noticed the way I froze. "You like that one?"
I bit my lip, pretending to check the stitching. "It's... nice."
Then I saw the price tag. And holy sh—
Napaatras ako. Like, literally one step back. "Never mind."
"Avery," his voice low, teasing, but serious at the same time. "Get it."
"What? No way. Do you see the price? That's—"
"I said get it."
I shook my head furiously. "No, Elliot. Hindi ako papayag. That's way too much. Tote bag lang 'yan."
"Correction." He picked it up, twirling it like it weighed nothing. "It's your tote bag."
Arghhh. Ano ba 'to. Why does he always have to sound so... decisive?
"I'm serious," I said, crossing my arms. "Hindi ako comfortable na gumastos ka ng ganito for me."
"Then think of it as an investment," he said smoothly. "For my girlfriend-to-be. Hindi ba worth it?"
Shet. Kung may thunderstorm man sa loob ng dibdib ko ngayon, wala akong magagawa. Girlfriend-to-be??? Hindi pa nga official pero he says it like he already claimed it. Ehe!
"Elliot, stop making everything sound like—"
"Like what?" he smirked. "Like I'm courting you? Kasi I am."
I groaned, facepalming. "Ewan ko sa 'yo."
"And you're cute when you're annoyed," he countered.
I wanted to sink through the floor.
Eventually, he marched to the cashier before I could protest further. I just stood there, red as a tomato, wondering how I ended up with a guy who could buy a bag without even flinching.
After that whole chaos, I swore I wouldn't let him drag me into another shop. But of course, Elliot had other plans.
We ended up walking into an arcade. Yes, an arcade.
"Really?" I asked, raising a brow. "Akala ko pa naman mister serious ka."
He just grinned, swiping the game card. "I'm competitive. Let's see if you can keep up."
And so, it began.
Basketball hoops—he won by a mile, pero nag-cheer pa rin ako like an idiot. Dance machine—surprisingly, I beat him kasi mas magaling ako sumunod sa rhythm. Air hockey—chaotic. Literal na halos masira 'yung puck kasi sobrang intense namin pareho.
At the end, tumatawa na lang kami like kids. I hadn't laughed that hard in weeks. And seeing Elliot laugh, walang porma, at walang cool facade was something else entirely.
Later, we grabbed dinner at a casual Japanese resto inside the mall. Not too fancy, not too simple. The kind where you could talk for hours without realizing the time.
He asked me about random things like my favorite book, the subject I hated most, what I wanted to do five years from now. And I found myself answering honestly, freely.
By the time we headed back to the dorm, I was holding my new tote bag like a prized trophy, my stomach aching from too much laughter, and my cheeks sore from smiling.
I leaned against the car seat, glancing sideways at him. He caught my eye and gave that smug grin again.
"What?" I asked, pretending not to be affected.
"Nothing," he said. "Just... you look happy. That's enough for me."
Shit, Avery. You're doomed.
Because this wasn't just a date. This was Elliot slowly, carefully, breaking down every wall I built.
And I was letting him.
Pagkauwi namin sa dorm, habang nakahiga na ako sa kama at nakatitig lang sa ceiling, hindi ko mapigilang mag-isip.
Elliot.
The whole afternoon replayed in my head like a film on loop. The tote bag, the arcade, the dinner, the way he looked at me as if I was the only person in the entire mall. The way he always insisted na siya ang gagastos, kahit ilang beses kong tinanggihan. The way he never got tired of teasing me, but also never failed to make me feel secure at the same time.
I mean... what kind of guy does that?
He's really trying.
And I see it. I see his effort in every little thing whether it's in the bouquet he surprised me with, or how he never let go of my hand whenever we walk together, or how he listens whenever I talk, kahit nonsense pa minsan 'yung sinasabi ko.
Hindi ito 'yung tipong grand gestures na makikita mo lang sa pelikula. It's in the subtle things. The way he checks if I'm comfortable. The way he adjusts his pace kapag masyadong mabilis siyang maglakad. The way his eyes soften kapag ako na ang kaharap niya.
And honestly? That's more than enough.
I realized, sooner or later, sasagutin ko na siya.
Because what am I waiting for, really? Another grand moment? Another perfect timing? There's no such thing. Perfect timing doesn't exist. Ang meron lang ay kung paano ka pinapahalagahan ng tao ngayon. And right now, Elliot is doing everything to prove that he's serious.
Bakit ko pa patatagalin kung alam ko na rin naman ang sagot?
Oo, may takot pa rin. Takot na baka magbago. Takot na baka masaktan. Takot na baka hindi na maging katulad ng ngayon. But then again... isn't that always the risk when it comes to love?
And maybe, just maybe, for the first time in a long time... I'm willing to take that risk.
Kasi kahit anong inis ko sa kanya nung una, kahit gaano ko siya tinaboy noon, look at us now. Look at me, smiling like an idiot while hugging a tote bag he bought for me. Look at him making time, making effort, making sure na maramdaman ko na special ako.
It's ironic. The boy I swore I wouldn't even tolerate months ago is now the same boy I can't imagine not being around.
And I don't just like him, I care for him. More than I thought I would.
Maybe, love isn't about waiting for the perfect day to say yes. Maybe it's about recognizing when someone is already giving you their best, kahit pa hindi sila perfect. And Elliot... he's showing me every day that I matter. That I'm worth the effort.
So yes, sooner or later, I'll give him the answer he's been waiting for.
Because the truth is... the answer has always been yes.
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