Love Beyond The Spotlight

Chapter 06

It’s Sunday morning.

I’m sitting at the table, holding a warm cup of coffee in both hands. I watch the steam go up and slowly disappear. Everything is quiet. Even the usual noise from the city sounds softer today.

I should be reviewing. Or cleaning. Or doing literally anything else. But here I am, staring at my phone like it owes me something.

Just a small moment. A few words. A look I swore I didn’t care about. And yet… Here I am, two days later, still thinking about it.

Still checking my phone, hoping that maybe, just maybe he’ll message me. Sabi niya magmemessage siya. Ewan ko ba kung bakit ako naniwala. Tarantado talaga!

But that’s stupid, right?

We’re not even close. We argue more than we talk properly. He’s smug, sarcastic, and annoyingly unreadable. Completely not my type.

I took another sip of my coffee, forcing myself to scoff at my own thoughts.

"Ang tanga ko," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head.

I focused on doing my notes and house chores. I heard my phone beep and stood up to check it beside the TV. It was Ley.

Azahlea Jhaez Pangilinan:

Hey! Josh and Ysmael are here at our house. They want to create a group chat. Is it okay?

Kahit hindi naman ako active sa Messenger, pumayag na lang ako.

Claire Cervantes:

Okay, sige lang.

After I replied, I went back to my notes, pero hindi ko maiwasang mapaisip. Group chat? Para saan kaya? Wala naman kaming ginagawa na kailangan ng group chat, ‘di ba?

A few minutes later, my phone buzzed again. Pagtingin ko, may bagong group chat na.

Group name: 7PM Crew

Azahlea Jhaez added you, Joshua, Ysmael, Lim, Akiro Kent and Cloud.

Ysmael:

Yow! Kumusta kayong lahat?

Cloud:

Puro rehearsals na lang tayo, pre! Mamamatay na ata ako sa sakit ng katawan!

Joshua:

3 hours lang tulog ko!

Azahlea Jhaez:

You guys seriously need a break. Nasaan na yung iba? Don’t expect a message from Claire, nag-aaral 'yon, panigurado.

Ysmael:

Si Asher baka tulog. Mula Biyernes, walang tulog 'yon. Ayaw kasi magpahinga. Parang gago.

Akiro Kent:

Anong oras tayo mamaya?

Joshua:

Tara mamaya! Alas-sais, kahit tambay muna tayo kina Ley. Okay lang ba 'yon?

Cloud:

Okay, see you guys!

Ysmael:

See you @everyone

I just reacted with a like to Joshua’s message. That’s enough to let them know I saw it. Napangiti ako nang hindi ko namamalayan. It felt... nice. Like I was slowly being pulled into something warm, something fun.

I had just wrapped up my readings and schoolwork for the day. Nothing was due yet, but I wanted to clear my plate early. The less I had to think about later, the better.

I was on my way to the shower when my phone buzzed on the bed. I paused, towel in hand, and reached for it.

Azahlea Jhaez:

Baka si Asher na lang ang magsusundo sa'yo. Dadaan din naman siya diyan, tsaka nakabili na rin ng pagkain sina Aki. See you!

I blinked at the message, reading it twice.

Si Asher?

Okay. Cool. Asher. Whatever.

I grabbed my towel again and walked straight to the bathroom, determined not to overthink. It’s just a ride. It doesn’t mean anything.

But as I turned the shower knob, I caught myself pausing. My reflection stared back at me from the mirror, still calm, still collected... but with the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of my lips.

I sighed, rolling my eyes at myself.

Ignore him, ha. Sure.

Just as I stepped out of the bathroom, a towel draped around my shoulders, I heard a soft beep from outside. I peeked through the window and saw Asher.

He was leaning casually against the car, one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting on the open window frame. The late afternoon light caught the edges of his face, softening his features.

I felt a slight flutter in my chest, but I ignored it.

I quickly dried off, got dressed, and headed out with my sling bag hanging from my shoulder. As soon as I stepped outside, he noticed me and sat up straighter in the driver’s seat.

I offered him a small smile and went straight to the passenger seat without saying a word.

"Hi, good afternoon," he greeted, his voice calm, almost careful.

I didn’t look at him. Instead, I pretended to search for something in my sling bag, fingers fumbling over nothing.

"Hi rin," I replied simply, keeping my tone neutral.

For a second, I could feel his gaze on me.

Wala siyang sinabi.

Ilang segundo pa, marahan siyang bumaling paharap, saka pinaandar ang sasakyan.

We stayed quiet as the car moved along the road. The only sounds were the low hum of the engine and the rush of wind from outside.

I thought the silence would stretch on, until he spoke softly, almost hesitant.

"You okay?" he asked. He didn’t look at me, but I could tell he was waiting for an answer.

I didn’t reply right away. I kept my eyes on the road ahead, pretending to be lost in thought, even if all I was really doing was trying to keep my expression unreadable.

"Yeah," I said finally. Short and plain.

The car turned a corner, slowed down, then finally stopped in front of Ley’s house.

“Here we are,” he said quietly, eyes still on the windshield.

I nodded, unbuckled my seatbelt, and reached for the door handle. "Thank you!"

When we stepped inside, the warmth and noise of the house instantly wrapped around me. Everyone was there, moving around the living room and kitchen, busy arranging food and drinks on the table.

As soon as they saw us enter, their heads turned, and just like that, the teasing looks started.

Ley was the first to rush over. “I miss you!” she said dramatically, throwing her arms around me in a tight hug.

I raised an eyebrow at her sudden energy, caught off guard. “Okay...?” I muttered, half-laughing.

She pulled away with a grin, then grabbed my hand and dragged me toward the couch. “Come on, sit. You look like you just survived a long, awkward car ride,” she whispered teasingly before winking.

I rolled my eyes, but let her pull me anyway.

The others were still busy in the kitchen, arguing playfully about plating and who forgot to bring ice. Aki was setting up cups while Ysmael hovered over the turon like it was sacred.

“Uy, Asher,” Cloud called out, squinting at him like he’d seen a ghost. “Parang nakadroga ka, gago.”

Josh burst out laughing. “Legit, bro. Baka maturn off na 'yung mga fans mo niyan!”

Ysmael leaned back with a smug grin. “Baka kasi inuna mo pang lumandi kaysa matulog, 'no?”

Asher gave a tired smile and shrugged. “Kape lang ang bumubuhay sa’kin ngayon,” he said, his voice low but amused. “One more cup and I might start speaking in code.”

Ley looked up from where she was opening a pack of chips, curiosity written all over her face. “You guys are busy?” she asked, tilting her head.

Aki nodded, mouth already half-full. “Literal na wala na ngang weekend. Pero okay lang, masaya naman kahit nakakapagod.”

Ysmael spoke up as he reached for a plate of turon. "We’ve had a packed schedule since last week. Ang dami naming gigs, kaya kulang kami lahat sa tulog.”

Josh glanced at Asher with a smirk. “Ewan ko sa gagong ‘yan kung bakit todong walang tulog. Parang ayaw na talagang matulog, eh."

Everyone laughed, including Asher, who just shook his head like he’d already accepted his fate.

I do speak sometimes when it’s needed. Most of the time, natatawa na lang ako sa mga kalokohan nila. The room was full of noise and laughter, but it was the kind that made everything feel lighter.

When they all got busy, I quietly stepped outside and walked for some air. I wandered into the garden, letting the stillness settle around me.

My thoughts ran deep, pulling me into the quiet of my own head, until I heard footsteps behind me.

I turned and saw Asher walking toward me. He stopped a few steps in front, his expression unreadable..

“Are you mad?” he asked out of nowhere.

I blinked. “Ha? Bakit naman ako magagalit?”

“You’re ignoring me since earlier,” he said, his voice soft but certain.

I looked at him. His eyes looked tired. Hindi pa ata talaga siya natutulog ng ilang araw. Pero gwapo pa rin.

"I’m not,” I said softly. “I just… didn’t really have anything to say.”

He gave a small nod, like he was surrendering the thought. “I didn’t text you last Friday,” he began, “because I was caught up with work. I wanted to, but… I was scared I’d bother you.”

His words hung in the air, honest and hesitant.

I shook my head. “Okay lang ’yon, don’t overthink it. Tsaka wala naman nangyari sa apartment.”

He slipped his phone out of his pocket and tapped quickly on the screen. A second later, I heard a beep from my own phone inside my bag.

0920*****

Save my number. I’m sorry.

I looked up at him, a bit surprised.

He gave me a small smile, almost shy, then he reached out and took my wrist lightly.

“Let’s go back inside,” he said.

And for some reason, I let him.

We went back inside to join the group and continue the bonding. This time, Asher sat beside me, not too close, but close enough to feel the shift.

By around 10 PM, everyone started packing up. They still had schedules early the next day, so one by one, they said their goodbyes with lazy waves and tired smiles.

I decided to stay for a few more minutes, just to help tidy up a bit. Eventually, Ley offered to drive me home, and I didn’t argue.

Pagkadating ko sa bahay, dumiretso agad ako sa banyo para maglinis at magpalit ng pambahay.

After that, I opened Messenger and checked the group chat. Flooded with photos from earlier. Group shots, candid moments, and the usual chaotic selfies. I smiled quietly at the screen.

Lim Ramirez:

Hello, boss. You got home safe?

I stared for a few seconds, not expecting any messages. I typed back with one hand, the other scratching my head.

Claire Cervantes:

Hi, oo. Salamat!

I put the phone down beside me. Seryoso, ang bilis niya mag-reply.

Lim Ramirez:

Okay. What are you doing?

I let out a small laugh, not loud, just a puff of air through my nose.

Claire Cervantes:

Wahahahaha! Matulog ka na. Baka pumangit ka niyan.

I stretched my legs under the blanket. This was starting to feel like one of those random late-night convos that just happened.

Lim Ramirez:

So pogi ako?

Oo. I shook my head, grinning a bit.

Claire Cervantes:

Utot mo. But seryoso, get some sleep.

I turned to my side, phone in hand, thumb hovering while waiting for his reply.

Lim Ramirez:

Okay, you should sleep too.

Have a good night's sleep, Ashley.

For a while, I just stared at the screen. He called me Ashley, my second name. And for the first time, I didn’t get annoyed. I didn’t even feel like correcting him.

I placed my phone face-down on the bed and closed my eyes. Sana hindi na siya mag-reply. Hindi ako mahilig sa late-night talks.

And before I even realized it, I was smiling again.