1. How it started

Behind the mask of smiles and laughter, a hidden truth resides. The stranger's eyes, a window to their soul, sparkle with joy, but do they genuinely shine from within? Or is it just a clever disguise, a veil of happiness that conceals the turmoil beneath?

"Et, g kaba mamaya?''

My friend, Ashely. Her smile was a masterpiece of deception, a radiant beacon that lit up the room. But as I gazed deeper into her eyes, I wondered: was that joy authentic, or a skillfully crafted disguise? Had she perfected the art of concealment, hiding the turmoil beneath a mask of warmth and welcome? Her smile was a puzzle, a riddle that begged to be solved.

I shook my head, my voice trembling with doubt. ''I don't know if I'm in,'' I said. Our friends were buzzing with excitement, planning a night out at a bar to celebrate the end of finals. But I was hesitant, unsure if I was ready to let loose.

"May problema ba? Kanina kapa tingin ng tingin sa 'kin, Ahh!!" Her words hung in the air like a whispered secret. I let out a weighted sigh, my heart sinking with a sense of foreboding. As I drew closer, concern wrapped itself around me like a shroud. I knew her, knew the contours of her smile and the sparkle in her eyes. But today, her expression was a map of worry, etched with lines of distress. Something was wrong, and I could feel it in every fiber of my being.

"Ikaw dapat tatanongin ko niyan." The words tumbled out of me, and her expression shifted in an instant. Her eyes, once calm, now darted about like restless birds. ''Is everything okay?'' I asked, my voice firm but gentle. But she couldn't meet my gaze, her eyes skirting mine like a nervous whisper. The air was thick with unspoken words, and I could sense the weight of her secrets.

"Bahay," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. I nodded, understanding the unspoken words. It was a topic she didn't want to broach, and I respected her boundaries. I offered her a reassuring smile, and she returned it, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. 'Forget about it, let's focus on the fun tonight - ang alak at mga pogi!' she exclaimed, her voice now dripping with excitement. With a sudden burst of energy, she grabbed my hands and began to transform me, dressing me up for a night to remember.

As we stepped into the bar, the thumping music enveloped us, a vibrant energy that pulsed through every cell. Inside, the atmosphere was electric - faces aglow with joy, laughter spilling like champagne. The weight of finals, once a crushing burden, seemed to have lifted, leaving only unbridled revelry in its wake. I fit right in, dressed to impress in my black mini skirt, fiery red tube top, and sultry black see-through sleeves. My black Dolce Vita boots, with their sleek knee-high design, added the perfect touch of sophistication to my overall look.

As I scanned the crowded bar, a furrowed brow betrayed my confusion. Hadn't Lyle, our block mate, promised an exclusive night for our group? Yet, the sea of faces before me was a jarring mix of familiar and unknown. I spotted strangers laughing and mingling with our friends, their presence a puzzling anomaly. They didn't look like they belonged to our department. I looked at my friend, Ashely, pero wala man lang pagtataka ang kaniyang mata, sa halip ay busog na busog pa ito sa mga mukha ng mga kalalakihan.

Lyle's voice cut through the din, beckoning us over. ''Clyde, Ashe, dito tayo!'' We wove through the crowd, exchanging warm greetings with Lyle. But as we settled in, I couldn't help but notice the unfamiliar faces surrounding us. Lyle caught my curious glance and offered a sheepish smile. ''Sorry, guys, my brother's block mates are here too.'' We reassured her with understanding smiles, knowing that her brother, a second-year med student, had likely brought his own crew to the party.

As I sipped my drink and laughed with friends, a shiver ran down my spine. I felt eyes on me, and my gaze swept the room, searching for the source. That's when I saw him - a stranger sitting at the next table, his piercing stare fixed intently on me. He exuded an air of confidence, his chiseled features accentuated by slicked-back hair and a fitted white polo that showcased his toned physique. The khaki pants he wore seemed to complete the picture of a man who knew he was worth looking at. His grip on the bottle of alcohol in his hand seemed almost possessive, and I couldn't help but feel a flutter of unease under his intense gaze.

I quickly averted my gaze, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks. He was...arrestingly handsome, and I couldn't deny the flutter in my chest. To shake off the unease, I reached for my bottle of Black Label and took a swig, letting the smooth liquor slide down my throat. The familiar burn coursed through my veins, and I shivered, feeling a rush of adrenaline. With newfound courage, I set my drink aside and slipped into the throng of dancers, losing myself in the pulsating rhythm and the laughter of my friends.

I let the music consume me, my body swaying with reckless abandon. I danced like I was the only one in the room, lost in the rhythm and the thrill of the moment. The crowd around me melted away, leaving only the pulsating beat and my own unbridled joy. When exhaustion finally caught up with me, I stumbled back to our table, grinning from ear to ear. My friends were already there, laughing and cheering, our collective euphoria hanging in the air like a challenge. We'd pushed the night to its limits, and emerged victorious, our spirits soaring. And as we stumbled out into the cool night air, arms around each other's shoulders, we knew we'd never forget this night - a night that had left us breathless, and beautifully, utterly wasted.

Ni hindi ko nga alam kung paano ako nakauwi.

I slowly came to, groggily opening my eyes to a world that seemed to be spinning. The clock on my nightstand glared at me, its bright digits mocking me with the lateness of the hour. But I didn't care. My head was pounding, a relentless drumbeat that threatened to split my skull wide open. 'Screw it,' I muttered, tossing a hand over my eyes to block out the light. I'm not even sure if I'm going to make it to class today. The hangover from last night's escapades had left me feeling drained, defeated, and utterly miserable.

"Girl, gising na, may pasok pa tayo." Ashley's voice pierced the air, jolting me out of my hangover-induced haze. We were more than just friends - we were housemates, sharing her cozy condo in a convenient arrangement that benefited us both. Technically, the place belonged to her, but she'd graciously offered me a room, helping me cut down on living expenses. Plus, she'd confessed that she hated living alone, so I'd become her built-in companion, and she'd become mine.

"Ayaw kung pumasok. My head hurts." I said. Agaran niya namang hinila ang kumot ko at pinilit na pumasok.

"Gaga ka, may attendance tayo, tanga ka ba?"

I rolled my eyes good-naturedly at Ashley's teasing and hauled myself out of bed, shuffling towards the bathroom for a much-needed shower. The warm water worked its magic, easing the throbbing in my head, and I felt a tiny spark of life return to my hungover self. After drying off, I slipped into a comfy outfit - black high-waisted jeans, a crisp white top, and my trusty pink Samba shoes. A quick swipe of light makeup and a ponytail à la Ariana Grande later, I was feeling almost human again.

"Buti naman at naisipan mong bumangon na." Bungad nito sa 'kin pag labas ko ng kwarto. "In fairness, ganda mo ngayon, hindi mukhang may hangover." Ashley chimed in, her teasing relentless. I playfully rolled my eyes at her, padding over to the dining table to fuel up with some much-needed brunch. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and toast wafted up, tantalizing my taste buds and promising a welcome respite from my lingering hangover.

''Ang aga, naka busangot kana agad,'' I teased, noticing the deep sighs she let out. It was obvious she was lost in thought. ''Anong meron?'' I asked, curiosity getting the better of me. Another sigh escaped her lips before she dropped the bombshell.

''May naka halikan ako kagabi.'' My eyes widened in surprise.

''Kaya pala nawala ka bigla eh,'' I thought aloud. ''Buti hindi kayo nag one-night stand?'' I asked, still trying to process the news.

''Rejected ako eh,'' she replied, her face still sporting a crestfallen expression. I couldn't believe it.

''Ehh?? Pa'no? At ikaw pa talaga ang rejected,'' I pressed, incredulous. Ashley was stunning, effortlessly beautiful, and had a magnetic charm that drew people in. I'd lost count of how many guys had tried to win her over. The idea of her being rejected was unthinkable.

Ashley continued her story, her voice laced with embarrassment. ''I was totally wasted last night, and I saw this gorgeous guy... so I went up to him and tried to flirt.'' She paused, her eyes dropping in shame.

''And, well, I kissed him.'' She admitted, her face scrunched up in a mixture of mortification and amusement. I couldn't help but chuckle at her antics. ''So, he told me to go home and not kiss strangers,'' she said, her voice dripping with drama. ''And I asked him, "Why? Didn't you like my kiss?" She mimicked her own question, making me laugh even harder.

''And then...?'' I prompted, eager to hear the rest.

She grinned mischievously. ''He said, "Yes, I didn't like it. You're not my type, and I already like someone else. Ms. Please don't kiss someone you don't know." She pretended to sob, her shoulders shaking with fake tears.

I laughed so hard I snorted. ''Finally, someone rejected you!'' I teased, wiping away tears of my own. ''I already like him, whoever he is.''

As we stepped onto campus, Ashley and I exchanged a look of instant regret. Why had we even bothered coming to school today? It quickly became apparent that we weren't missing out on anything - not a single professor had shown up. hanggang 7:30 pa naman class namin, we had hours to kill. I turned to Ashley and informed her that I will spent my time in the library.

As a BS Accountancy student, I knew that survival depended on staying ahead of the game. Every spare moment counted, and I was determined to use this unexpected free time to get a head start on my reading.

As I delved into my books, eager to get a head start on my reading, my pen slipped from my grasp, clattering to the floor. Before I could react, a hand swooped in, snatching it up with lightning speed. My gaze trailed upward, curiosity getting the better of me, and that's when I saw him. His chiseled features took my breath away - the sleek, slicked-back hair, the piercing eyebrows that hinted at a brooding intensity, and those almond-shaped eyes that seemed to hold a thousand secrets. A perfectly sculpted nose, lips that beckoned to be kissed, and a jawline that could cut glass... my heart skipped a beat as our eyes met, the pen forgotten in his hand.

The deep, velvety tone of his voice shattered the spell that had left me entranced. ''Are you okay, Miss?'' he asked, his words snapping me back to reality.

As I refocused on him, a nagging sense of familiarity tugged at my mind. I'd seen him before, but where?

My gaze roamed over him, taking in the details. He wore a crisp black slack and a warm brown polo, with a customized lanyard that caught my eye. Our school's departments each had their own unique lanyard design... and his revealed that he was a student of Bachelor of Science in Special Education.

"I'm fine, thanks for grabbing my pen," I said, taking it from his hand.

He nodded, his eyes drifting to the empty chair in front of me. "Is this seat taken?" he asked, his voice low and polite.

I hesitated for a moment before responding, "No one's sitting there."

"Do you mind?" He asked and I smiled, giving him silent permission.

He sat down, immersed himself in his book, and began to read intently.As I returned to my own reading, my eyes began to burn from focusing for almost two hours. I glanced up to see him still engrossed in his book.

The title caught my eye: "A Guide to Understanding the Behavior of Individuals with Down Syndrome." I was impressed; it was rare to meet someone, especially a guy, studying special education with such dedication.

He was so focused that he didn't even notice me watching him. His serious expression and meticulous note-taking only added to his allure. Suddenly, he looked up and asked, "Do you need something?"

I felt my face flush with embarrassment as I quickly looked away. "Nothing," I replied, grateful that my voice didn't tremble. His eyebrow arched, and he set his book down.

"Then why were you staring at me?" he asked, his tone neutral.

I defensively replied, "Staring? Anong starring? Hindi kaya kita tinititigan? Sino kaba?"

He looked at me blankly and said, "Okay," before returning to his book.

I broke the silence again, "Uh, can I ask you something?" He looked up, raising an eyebrow.

"No," he said curtly, making me gasp and roll my eyes.

"Sayang ang gwapo, kaso masungit." Bulong ko sa sarili ko.

To my surprise, he said, "I heard that. What is it?"

I was taken aback, how did he hear me whispering to myself? Lakas ng pandinig ahh!

I composed myself and asked, "You're a Special Ed student, right?"

He nodded, "Yeah, why?"

I smiled innocently, "Just curious."

He asked coldly, "Are you done satisfying your curiosity?"

I thought, wow, he's really unfriendly. I teased,

"Alam mo bang pogi ka, pero masungit?"

He started packing up his things, "Tss."

"Just kidding, hehehe."

He sternly said, "Make it quick."

"Why did you choose Special Ed?" I asked. He looked at me intensely.

"I have a sister with Down syndrome." His answer left me speechless.

He stood up, "If you're done asking questions, I have to go. I have class."

I quickly stood up, smiled, and glanced down at his ID.

Nice name.

"Okay, goodbye, Jarred." He looked at me for a moment before leaving.

As I watched him walk away, I noticed something on the table. A delicate, paper cherry blossom. It was intricately crafted, with petals that seemed to dance in the light. I picked it up, feeling a strange sense of connection to it.

I wondered, did Jarred leave this behind on purpose? Or was it just a careless mistake? Either way, I felt a flutter in my chest as I held the paper flower. It was as if he'd left me a secret message. I turned the flower over in my hand, studying it carefully. It was beautiful, just like its creator. I smiled to myself, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation.

And that's how it started – our love story.