CHAPTER FIVE: Partners
662 Words
Tuesday.
11:45 A.M.
The university cafeteria was unusually crowded.
Students occupied almost every table, while the aroma of freshly cooked meals filled the air. Laughter echoed from every corner as friends caught up between classes.
Victoria stood near the cashier, patiently waiting for her order.
"One chicken fillet meal, one bottled water," she said.
"That'll be one hundred five pesos."
She reached into her bag.
"..."
Then checked again.
Her wallet wasn't there.
A slight crease formed between her brows.
*I left it in my locker.*
She stepped aside to let the next customer order.
"It's okay," she whispered to herself. "I'll just go back."
Before she could leave—
"I'll pay for it."
She turned around.
Joseph stood behind her, holding his own lunch tray.
"You don't have to," Victoria said quickly.
"It's fine."
"I insist."
Without waiting for another protest, Joseph handed his payment to the cashier.
"Two chicken fillet meals."
Victoria sighed softly.
"I'll pay you back."
"I know you will."
She looked at him.
"You sound very confident."
He smiled.
"I've only known you for a week, but I don't think you're the type to owe people on purpose."
For some reason...
That simple statement made Victoria smile.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, partner."
---
They found an empty table near the window.
For a few minutes, they ate quietly.
Joseph noticed Victoria opening her planner.
"You schedule everything?"
She nodded.
"My classes."
"My study hours."
"My allowance."
"My deadlines."
"My sleep."
Joseph almost choked on his drink.
"You schedule your sleep?"
"It helps."
He laughed.
"I don't even know what time I'll sleep tonight."
Victoria closed her planner.
"I'm guessing varsity practice?"
"And an exam tomorrow."
She looked at him with amusement.
"So even the varsity captain crams?"
Joseph pointed his fork at her.
"I prefer the term 'strategic reviewing.'"
Victoria laughed.
"That's still cramming."
"Don't expose me."
---
After lunch, they headed to the library to discuss their Ethics project.
Joseph spread several printed articles across the table.
Victoria brought a yellow legal pad filled with handwritten notes.
Joseph stared at the pages.
"Did you write all of this?"
She nodded.
"I summarized the references."
"In one night?"
"I couldn't sleep."
Joseph leaned back.
"I suddenly feel lazy."
Victoria smiled.
"You play basketball for three hours every day."
"I read books for three hours every day."
"I think we're even."
He chuckled.
"Fair enough."
As they continued working, they realized how naturally they complemented each other.
Joseph was good at explaining real-life situations from a criminology perspective.
Victoria connected them to legal principles and ethical standards.
Neither tried to dominate the discussion.
Instead, they listened.
Questioned.
Improved each other's ideas.
Hours passed without either of them noticing.
---
When they finally packed their things, the campus was already painted in shades of orange by the setting sun.
As they walked toward the main gate, Joseph noticed Victoria rubbing her temples.
"Headache?"
"A little."
"You've been reading since this morning."
"I still have two chapters to finish tonight."
Joseph frowned.
"You know..."
"What?"
"It's okay to rest."
Victoria looked ahead.
"I'll rest after I reach my goals."
Joseph remained quiet.
There was determination in her voice.
But there was also exhaustion.
Before they reached the gate, Victoria stopped.
She opened her bag, took out a small envelope, and handed it to him.
Joseph looked confused.
"What's this?"
She smiled.
"The money for lunch."
He laughed.
"You really came prepared."
"I told you I'd pay you back."
Joseph accepted the envelope but didn't open it.
"I never doubted you."
Victoria gave a small nod.
"See you on Thursday, partner."
"See you."
She crossed the street toward the jeepney terminal.
Joseph stayed where he was, watching until she safely boarded a jeep.
Only then did he turn and walk in the opposite direction.
Neither of them realized it.
But somewhere between shared meals, library discussions, and quiet walks across campus...
They had already become part of each other's daily routine.
- Writer
