When was the last time I had spare time to do this? Wala na akong matandaan. I chewed on my bottom lip as I blankly stared at the table where the ingredients I will use for baking scattered.

Yes, scattered. I love baking but it has been a long time.

“Itutuloy ko pa ba?” I asked myself.

Walang tao ngayon sa bahay. Ako lang. Malaya akong gawin kung ano ang gusto ko.

Aside from my passion for makeup, I love baking too. Marami akong gusto, kaya hirap akong pumili ng kurso noon. I want to learn almost everything I could use to earn money, na hindi ko naman nagagamit.

I am having a hard time managing my time as it is. Selling baked goods will definitely take my entire time.

“Let’s just make the basic one…” Cookies.

I cleared my head and proceeded with preparing the ingredients I needed, placing back the other ingredients I didn't need in our kitchen cabinets.

Confident ako sa skills ko when it comes to baking, mabilis ako magtrabaho, but this time I really took my time measuring all ingredients. Ayoko na magkamali. Afraid that Jules Kio might not like it.

I don’t know… I badly want to impress that girl.

“You’re baking?”

I stopped sifting the flour when I heard my mother’s voice. Naka formal attire pa ito, galing trabaho. She looks neat. Mukhang hindi napagod sa trabaho niya. How I wish I will look like her kapag nagtatrabaho na rin ako.

Always pretty and neat. Fresh. Walang bakas ng pagod.

But if I look at myself right now… I am so sure na mukha na naman akong bata na madungis. My hair was tied in a messy bun. Sweat is forming on my forehead because I can’t use the fan. I am not wearing any makeup either.

Bigla ko na lang din kasing naisipan na mag bake.

“Is there any occasion? Or is something bothering you?” bakas ang pag aalala sa boses nito.

I smiled. Hindi man siya madalas present dahil sa trabaho niya… My mother really made sure that she still knew her daughter.

Alam niya na nag bi-bake lang ako kapag may okasyon… o kapag may iniisip ako, aside when I’m bored and has free time.

“I have a new friend, Ma… I’m planning to give it to her.” Swerte naman niya.

Well, I have a motive… I haven’t asked her again about the collaboration I’ve been wanting. Of course, hindi ko pa rin ‘yon isusuko. I still need another model aside from Leona—who volunteered.

I’ll propose something else to her. With my baked goods, cookies, sana mahirapan siyang tanggihan ako.

“Alam nila Mariot?” gulat na tanong niya. I chuckled.

“Kilala rin po nila…”

I saw the glimpse of amusement flickering in her eyes. Alam niya rin kung gaano ka-protective ang dalawang kaibigan niya sa kanya.

Nilapag niya ang bag sa counter at umupo, planning to stay and watch me. Tinuloy ko ang ginagawa ko.

“Paano mo nakilala? You’re being a social butterfly again, hm?” natutuwa na tanong niya.

I stretched my back upon finishing sifting the flour. Ready na lahat ng mga ingredients na gagamitin ko.

“I was merely asking for a collaboration, Ma,” I answered honestly. Ayon naman talaga ang pakay ko kay Jules Kio.

I was attracted to her content. I wanted to try it. Kaya ko naman gawin ‘yon na ako lang… but my curiosity about her wins.

“Ah… for content lang sana?”

“For some reason, that sounded so wrong, Ma.” I shook my head as I started to combine the dry ingredients.

“But it’s true? For content… you were asking for a collaboration. What’s important now is that you guys took a liking to her… ‘no?” she smiled warmly at me.

Marahan akong tumango. “Yes… she’s kind.”

“May I see her?”

My hand stopped whisking and was about to reach my phone when a realization hit me. Wala nga pala kaming picture. I only see her face to face, and not through the lenses of the camera nor phone screen.

But we’re attending the same school.

I wiped my hands and got my phone, searching for her name on our school page. Meron akong iilan na stolen pictures, hinahanap ako, or minsan naman they’re admiring me—and there’s also those who throw hate at me.

“We don’t have a picture together, Ma. Pero sure ako sa page ng school namin meron.” I playfully wiggle my brows at her.

We’re not mutuals on IG, sa main account pa nga, doon na rin kami madalas mag usap. Pero wala naman akong makikita doon. Walang laman ang IG niya. Her display profile was just half of her body, hugging a bear, no trace of her pretty face.

“Ah-ha,” I exclaimed when I finally found one after scrolling through the page.

As expected, hinahanap ang facebook account niya. They know her name, saang department siya, but no one knows her social media account. Naka private rin kasi ang IG nito. So, they won’t get in unless she lets them.

She has one public account though… sa Clock app nga lang.

“You’ve found a picture of her?” she curiously asked. Tumayo pa ito at lumapit sa akin para matingnan ang phone ko. “Is that her?”

I zoomed the picture in. Wala akong makitang picture niya na nakaharap sa camera, most of them are stolen, sa gilid ang kuha.

“She’s pretty…”

I looked at her with a wide smile plastered on my lips. “Right? Pretty is actually not enough to describe her beauty, Ma! Mas maganda siya sa personal. I was speechless whenever I saw her.”

“Looks like you like her… a lot.” She tapped my back gently. “You should continue with that. Aalis na ako, sinilip lang talaga kita dito.”

I kissed her cheeks. “Ingat, Ma.”

“Lock the door. Ikaw lang mag isa. Okaya, daanan ko si Mariot, papuntahin ko dito.”

“Hindi na, Ma. Aalis din ako mamaya.” I cheekily smiled at her. I’m planning to give my baked goods to Jules Kio today.

My mother just nodded her head before heading out again to work, on the other hand, I continued working with the cookies I am baking.

It took me an hour to finish baking, and another half an hour for cleaning the entire kitchen. Hindi ko naman pwede na iwanan na marumi ang kusina, tatalakan ako.

Pinunasan ko muna ang mga kamay ko bago dinampot ang cellphone ko na kanina ko pa hindi pinapansin. I already lessen my workloads, including my pendings at school. I definitely have a lot of free time now.

“I wonder if she’s busy…”

Sumandal ako sa counter at tiningnan ang messages namin sa IG. Looking back, kung hindi ko ‘to kinulit, wala sana ako sa main account niya ngayon. A smile formed on my lips.

From hindi nire-reply-an to mutual na ngayon sa IG. I feel blessed.

crimsion:
Hello! Busy ka ba today?

rivjules:
Not really. Why?

crimsion:
Saan ka?

rivjules:
Bahay lang. May ginagawa. Bakit?

I pursed my lips. That means she’s busy.

rivjules:
I kept asking you why and you’re not giving me an answer. Wanna come here?

Pigil ang sarili na ngumiti ako nang mabasa ang message niya. She’s now inviting me to come? Sa bahay niya? Sus.

crimsion:
Okay! Mag ayos lang ako.

rivjules:
Message me when you’re done. I’ll pick you up :)

I left the cookies on the baking rack to let them cool down while I’ll make myself pretty presentable. Ayoko magpakita sa kanya na ganito ang istura, ang dungis. I took my time in the shower, and wore a simple shirt paired with flared jeans and peep toe flats.

I also did my everyday makeup routine. I stopped when I noticed my hands picking up the hardly used blush on. I have no reason to wear them, maliban na lang kung kailangan kong gawan ng review. I love soft pink blushes, but I hardly use them.

I always go on peach, mauve, and crimson… but never soft pink.

“I think… I feel too happy around her for me to wear this…” Naiiling na bulong ko sa sarili.

I shook my head and finished my look. Tama na ‘yan. Hindi naman niya siguro mahahalata na paiba-iba ang blush on na gamit ko. And she might think it’s only natural, uso naman ang project ‘hitting the pan’ ngayon.

Nilagay ko sa box ang mga cookies na nagawa ko, nagtira lang ako ng ilang piraso para kina Mama. She’ll definitely look for one later.

Minessage ko na lang si Jules Kio na magkita sa café malapit sa school namin. Ayoko naman makita siya ng mga kapit bahay namin dito, baka ano na naman ang masabi sa Lola at Tita ko. I’ve had enough on my plate right now. I cannot entertain them, kaya ako na ang umiiwas.

I bit my lower lip when I saw her leaning against her car. Rich kid, gago.

Our family is not rich. At least, that’s what I want to think. Si Mama at ako lang naman ang nagtatrabaho. Kinukulang dahil ang daming pinagbubuhusan ng pera na kinikita niya.

“Ang pogi,” I teased.

She smirked at me as she pointed at herself. “Ako?”

“Sasakyan mo.” I chuckled. Pinakita ko sa kanya ang box na dala ko. “I baked cookies.”

“Is it for me?” taas ang isang kilay na tanong niya. Mukhang ayaw na mag assume.

“Hm, I want you to try my baked goods.” I honestly answered.

Binuksan niya ang pinto ng sasakyan at giniya ako papasok, pagkatapos ay umikot ito para sumakay sa driver seat.

“Are you starting a business?” tanong niya.

“Sira, nag bake lang ako!”

Mahina siyang tumawa. “For me?”

“Assuming ka ha?” pang-aasar ko sa kanya.

Jules Kio shifted on her seat, watching me to put my seatbelt on.

“May iba kang binigyan?”

I shook my head. “May tinira lang ng konti para kina sa amin.”

“Edi nag bake ka nga para sa akin?” pangungulit niya.

I find her cute but annoying. Paulit-ulit siya.

“Kung ‘yan ang ikaliligaya mo… sige, nag bake ako for you.” I flashed a sweet yet fake smile to her, just to annoy her more.

“Is it okay if you’ll stay with me for a while?” she asked.

Tumango ako. “Wala naman akong kasama sa bahay. Alam din naman ni Mama, oks lang.”

“Areglado…”

“You really talk like a freaking syndicate sa mga series! Katakot ka minsan ha!” I pointed out.

She glanced at me for a second and laughed. “Ikaw rin naman? Nakukuha mo na ako.”

“Yes, you’re rubbing it on me.” I agreed. “Siguro kapag nag-usap kayo ni Mariot, sasakit ang ulo ko.”

Mabilis mag adapt ang isang ‘yon. Siguro kasi chronically online? She has been sending me videos of people’s conversations na iba ang typing. Laging may ‘Sah’ sa dulo, ‘day ones’, and ‘aray ko’, kahit wala naman nakakasakit sa convo nila? I guess, ‘yung nauuso ngayon… hindi siya for me.

“Coquette ka kasi,” Jules Kio said, teasing me, halata.

“Edi Jejemon kayo? Anong year na ba tayo? Bakit uso pa ‘yan?” nakasimangot na tanong ko sa kanya.

“Deins, dol.”

I shook my head and kept my mouth shut. Hindi ko na siya maintindihan. I’ll ask Mariot about it later.

Hindi naman malayo ang bahay niya sa school, pwede ngang i-tricycle nalang, nag sasakyan pa yan siya. The house is simple and very welcoming, it’s a two storey house with three rooms based on the windows outside. Mas malaki ang bahay nila compared sa bahay namin ngayon.

“Ma!” I was startled a bit when she yelled all of a sudden. “May kasama ako.”

I clasped my hands together when her mother suddenly showed up. Smiling as if this is the first time na may dinalang kaibigan ang anak niya sa bahay nila. O baka totoo na ako ang nauna? Assuming.

“Ma, si Shion. Shion, Mama ko.” Jules lazily introduced me. I wanted to smack her, kung wala lang ang mama niya sa harap namin.

“Hello po… Crimson po,” I reintroduced myself.

I already made peace with myself that my second name is solely for the people who I am not close with, for work —content creation. And my first name is for the people I am close with and people I wanted to be close to me.

“Sabi mo Shion? Hindi mo ba kilala ang kaibigan mo, Kio?” Mahina nitong tinapik ang kamay ni Jules Kio.

“Ah, second name ko po ‘yung Shion. Mas komportable lang po ako sa first name ko…” I explained immediately.

I noticed Jules Kio's brows furrowed.

“Kay gandang pangalan naman… Hala, sige, umakyat muna kayo. Mag re-ready lang ako ng meryenda
niyo.”

“May dala po akong cookies…” I blurted out. Ngayon lang ulit ako nakapunta sa ibang bahay at nag meet the parent. Sanay na sa akin ang mga magulang ni Cloud at Mariot.

“Juice… Mag re-ready na lang ako ng juice!”

Jules Kio reached for my hand and guided me upstairs, towards her room. My lips curled up. I am in her room, na napapanood ko lang noon sa mga videos niya bago ko pa siya kulitin sa collab.

“So, you’re more comfortable with Crimson?” My steps halted at her question.

“You can call me, Cri, if you like…”

“I haven’t heard you calling me in my name yet…” Her eyes bore into me. I gulped at how intense her gaze was.

“Hindi ako sigurado ano itatawag ko sayo… Ang awkward naman yata kung tatawagin kita sa buong pangalan mo.” Amin ko. We’re not too close to call her Jules nor Kio. Edi Jules Kio na lang.

“Just Kio…” she uttered.

“Okay… Kio,” I said.

She looks satisfied with it. Hinayaan niya ako na gumala sa kwarto niya habang siya ay umupo sa study table niya, ready to locked in with the work she left so she could pick me up.

Her room is black and white theme. Too common. May single bed, study table, single bookshelf kung nasaan ang mga manga nito, she even has a few limited edition hirono figures. Sa tabi ng kama niya, nandoon ang tripod na may ring light, at sa likod naman ng pinto, nandoon ang human size mirror at ang clothing rack na madalas makita sa mga video nito.

“You can sit on my bed.” Kio glanced at her, pointing at the edge of her bed.

Masunurin naman ako kaya doon ako umupo, inabot ko lang ang isang unan niya at pinatong sa hita
ko.

“I’ll just finish this one… Is that okay?” tanong nito. Ngayon ko lang din napansin na ang lambing ng boses nito kapag ako ang kausap.

“Sure!”

Nilibang ko ang sarili ko sa cellphone ko. I made sure na hindi ako gumagawa ng ingay para hindi ko siya maistorbo. Umakyat din sandali ang mama nito para ihatid ang juice na gawa niya saka nagmamadaling umalis.

“Here…” Nilapag ko ang isang baso ng juice at cookies na nasa platito sa tabi niya. “Kain ka muna.”

“Thanks…” she uttered while massaging the bridge of her nose.

We were conversing from time to time while she’s working with her laptop. Bilib ako sa kanya kasi kahit nag uusap kami, hindi ito nawawala sa focus. Mabibigla ko kaya siya?

I cleared my throat to get her attention.

“Hm?” She hummed. Not looking at me.

“Kio, can you be my model? Not in front of the camera. I won’t show your face in my account. Just be my model, please?” I plead.

My heart almost leaped out from my chest when Kio turned around to face me. Seryoso ang mukha nito at diretso ang tingin sa mga mata ko.

“Ano naman ang makukuha ko?” she asked.

“Dress me up? Gawin nating content?” I suggest, unsure. Marami naman siyang viewers na siya lang… She doesn’t need me at all.

Kio shrugged. “Okay.”

☕️