The rest of the date was simple. Ordinary. But somehow, it still felt perfect.
After the movie, they walked out of the theater together, laughing quietly about the cheesy lines from the rom-com they just watched.
"Admit it," Frooze said, nudging her lightly. "Naiyak ka sa ending."
"Hindi noh," Kate denied, covering her face with her drink. "Na-allergy lang ako sa popcorn." Pero totoo naman na nakakaiyak iyong ending part nung movie.
Kahit ilang taon pa kayong magsama, if it's not meant to be, the person will still leave. There are just some people destined for you, and no matter what, they stay.
"Sure. 'Allergy.' May nakita akong tissue sa lap mo ha," he teased, flashing a smug grin.
"Grabe ka. Stop teasing!" she groaned, pushing his arm.
He laughed, completely unbothered. "Can't help it. Ang cute mo kasi kapag defensive."
Their laughter mingled and faded as they made their way to one of the quieter food spots tucked away in the mall.
The place smelled like toasted bread and caramelized onions. They shared a meal, exchanging bits of food and silly stories — the kind of light, meaningless chatter that somehow made her chest feel warm and full.
"Ang sarap ng burger nila dito ah," Kate said between bites, pleasantly surprised. "Not usually a fan of burgers but this one… solid."
Frooze smirked, picking up a slice of pizza they were sharing. "Told you."
They fell into an easy rhythm, Frooze occasionally picking fries off her plate like they'd been doing it forever. Normally, Kate would find it a little annoying, but today, she didn't mind at all. It felt intimate, like the kind of thing couples did without thinking.
After they finished, Frooze reached across the table, offering his hand with that familiar grin. "Let's go. I'll take you home."
Kate hesitated for a second, the familiar flutter of nerves rising. But then she placed her hand in his, letting him guide her out of the mall and toward the car.
The drive home was filled with music—something soft and slow—and quiet conversation.
Frooze tapped his fingers on the steering wheel in time with the beat, glancing her way every now and then. Each look sent a little flutter through her stomach, the kind that made her pulse speed without warning.
Kate found herself stealing glances at him, too—at the way his jaw clenched slightly when he was focused on the road, the way his eyes softened when he smiled at something she said.
When they reached her apartment, he parked at the curb and turned to her.
"Well," he said, resting his hand on the gear shift, "I guess this is it for now."
Kate nodded slowly. "You're heading back today noh?"
"Yeah. Need to rest. I'm working tomorrow, Sunday, para matapos ko agad yung papers. I want everything ready by Wednesday so I can move in." Frooze pointed the house next to her.
She frowned slightly. "Don't push too hard, okay? Huwag mo masyadong i-pressure sarili mo. Masyado kang masipag. Buti nalang student pa ako. Sa studies palang ako stress."
His smile softened. "You always say the right things, you know that?"
"I'm serious, Frooze."
"I know. And I appreciate it." He leaned closer, brushing a quick kiss on her temple. "Thank you, baby."
Her cheeks warmed. "Safe drive, okay?"
"I'll message you as soon as I get there."
"Good."
He opened the door and stepped out, walking around to open hers. She climbed out, clutching the little paper bag of leftover fries and drinks. They stood at her gate for a few seconds, neither moving just yet.
Frooze looked at her, his eyes lingering like he wanted to say something more. But instead, he gave her a crooked grin.
"Next time, you owe me a date."
Kate raised a brow. "Saan?"
"Surprise me."
With a final wave, he climbed back into the car. The engine roared softly, and Kate stepped back as he pulled away from the curb, driving off.
She watched until the car disappeared from view.
Her heart was full.
It was short. Simple.
But undeniably sweet.
---
Sunday morning arrived with the comforting scent of coffee beans and the soft clatter of ceramic cups against saucers. Kate sat at a cozy café near the plaza, the sunlight spilling across her table by the window.
She took a sip of her iced latte, fingers tapping against her phone screen.
Kate: "Nandito ako sa café, waiting for Riz. May girl talk daw kami hehe."
Frooze replied seconds later:
Frooze: "Tell her I said good luck. 😂 Don't let her bully you too much. I know how scary best friends can be."
Nakwento kasi niya dito na nakita sila ng friend niyang si Riz kahapon doon sa sinehan. Frooze was shocked but then laughed. He wished he had met her and introduced himself.
Kate laughed quietly.
Kate: "Too late. I can already feel the judgment from here."
Frooze: "Good luck, baby. I'm rooting for you. Haha. Also—"
Another message popped up right after:
Frooze: "Good morning. ☀️ Missed you already."
Her heart fluttered. He really was consistent. Last night he messaged her that he'd gotten home safely. A simple "Goodnight, baby. Dream of me."
And now this.
Before she could type back, the bell above the café door jingled—and in walked Riz, her expression already locked into interrogation mode.
"There she is," Riz said, plopping down across from her. "You. Have. Explaining. To do."
Kate raised a brow. "Order ka muna. I'm not spilling anything until you have coffee."
"Fine. But this better be juicy."
Riz disappeared to the counter. Kate chuckled and took another sip of her latte, her heart still skipping every time she thought of last night—and this morning.
Minutes later, Riz returned with a caramel macchiato and a slice of blueberry cheesecake.
"Now talk," she said, pointing her fork at Kate. "Start from the top."
Kate inhaled deeply and placed her drink down. "Okay. So… yeah. I was with Frooze. On a date. It wasn't really planned. He kinda just showed up at my place… at 2am."
Riz's eyes widened. "WHAT? BOBA KA PINAPASOK MO NAMAN SA APARTMENT MO?!"
"I know, I know. Nakakagulat. I was ignoring his chats kasi—long story—but I needed space. He noticed. And then boom, he was knocking on my door. Tapos we argued. A lot."
"Wait, wait. What? Why were you ignoring him? Kaya ka ba laging down nung mga nakaraang araw? Hay nako ka talaga friend."
Kate looked down at her hands. "I got scared, Riz. I started catching feelings. And I didn't know what we were. I was afraid na baka it was all just fun for him. And I didn't want to ask because… what if the answer hurts?"
Riz's face softened. "Oh…"
"So I distanced myself. I muted him. I told myself it was safer. But it hurt. Then nung dumating siya, I couldn't hide anymore. Nasabi ko na—I confessed. I told him I liked him."
Riz leaned forward. "And? What did he say?"
Kate gave a wry smile. "He said he's not ready for anything serious. That he's still recovering. Apparently, he had this long-term relationship that ended badly. Four years sila, had a business together, big dreams—then the girl just left. Left him when he was at his lowest. Tapos recently may three-month relationship pa siya. The girl cheated. Kaya he's scared. Hurt. But… he also told me something else."
Riz raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"He said he loves me."
Riz's fork froze mid-air. "HE WHAT? POTEK TRUE BA YAN?"
"He said he didn't expect to catch feelings. Akala niya curiosity lang. Pero hindi raw siya makalayo. And when I started ignoring him, it drove him crazy."
Riz leaned back in her chair, stunned. "Holy shit."
"Yeah."
"So where does that leave you two now?"
Kate shrugged. "I don't know. We're both not ready. But… we're trying. We're figuring it out."
Riz sighed. "Well, damn. That's a lot. Grabeng tea ito ah. Ang sarap. Mas masarap pa kaysa dito sa inumin ko."
Kate nodded. "It is. But… I'm weirdly okay. He's honest with me. He's not perfect, and I'm still scared, pero at least ngayon, alam ko na where we stand. And that means something."
Riz smiled faintly. "I'm glad you told me. And I'm glad he's not just some flirty one-night stand. Honestly, girl, you deserve someone who makes you feel safe even in your scariest moments."
She leaned forward, more serious now. "Pero let me tell you this ah, maaga pa masyado… don't let yourself fall hard. Mag-iingat ka parin, guard your heart. Mahirap yang pinasok niyo. Parehas kayong nasa bangka following the flow. Wala kayong sagwanan, kapag iyan nabutas tapos ang laban."
Kate stayed quiet.
Riz continued, voice softer. "And kahit sabihin mong honest siya, kahit sabihin mong mahal ka niya… you still need to protect yourself. Love can make people say a lot of things they're not ready for. Hindi ko sinasabing nagsisinungaling siya. I'm just saying—people change. Emotions fade. Yung mga planong biglaan, madalas mabilis din mawala."
Kate looked down at her cup, fingers tightening slightly around it.
"But," Riz added, smiling, "kung seryoso ka, then go for it. Just don't lose yourself, Kate.
If one day it doesn't work, gusto ko you still recognize who you are, even without him."
Kate gave a faint, grateful smile. "Thank you. That actually helps."
Riz chuckled. "That's what I'm here for. Now drink your latte before it melts into water."
Kate's phone buzzed again.
Frooze: "Hope the interrogation's not too rough. 😘 I miss you again already."
Kate smiled down at the screen.
Riz noticed. "Still him?"
Kate nodded. "Still him."
And for now… that was enough.