Good Luck, Babe! [Macolet AU]

Chapter 9

Third Person's Point Of View

As Maloi walked towards her next class, she couldn't help but feel a little anxious despite the calming presence of the fidget toy Colet had given her. She twirled it in her hand, trying to focus on the steady rhythm to ease her nerves. Anatomy had always been one of her favorite subjects, but today, something felt off.

Maloi entered the lecture hall and spotted Jhoanna sitting near the front. Jhoanna waved her over with a bright smile. Maloi returned the smile, feeling a bit of her tension ease.

"Low, Malou!" Jhoanna greeted cheerfully. "Ready for another exciting day of anatomy?"

Maloi chuckled, taking a seat next to her. "Sus, sino bang magiging ready jan?"

The lecture started, and Maloi tried to focus on the professor's words, but her mind kept drifting back to Colet. She wondered how Colet was handling the announcement delay and if she was feeling as disappointed as Maloi imagined. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she discreetly glanced at it, hoping it was a message from Colet.

To her disappointment, it was just a notification from a group chat. She sighed softly and turned her attention back to the lecture, determined to concentrate.

After class, Jhoanna turned to Maloi with an eager expression. "So, about that dinner—are you still up for it?"

Maloi hesitated. "Actually, Jho, I was thinking of asking Colet out for dinner this time. She's been really busy, and I feel like we need to catch up."

Jhoanna nodded understandingly. "No problem. Maybe another time then."

-

Colet's phone buzzed with an incoming call just as she was about to leave the restroom. She glanced at the screen and saw Maloi's name flashing. Surprised, she answered the call.

"Hello, Loi. What's up?" Colet greeted, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"Hey, Col! Are you busy right now?" Maloi's voice sounded cheerful on the other end, and Colet couldn't help but smile at the sound.

Colet hesitated, checking the time on her wrist watch, "Not really. Why? What's going on?" Colet replied, adjusting her backpack as she prepared to head out.

Maloi's tone turned slightly nervous. "I was wondering if you'd like to grab dinner with me tonight? Just the two of us."

Colet's heart skipped a beat at the invitation. She hadn't expected Maloi to ask her out for dinner, just the two of them. It sounded like a perfect way to spend the evening.

But as she glanced around the office, her eyes fell on a group of students chatting nearby. Among them was Jhoanna, Maloi's classmate and newfound friend.

"I'd love to, Loi," Colet started, but her gaze lingered on Jhoanna and Maloi, who were chatting animatedly outside the lecture hall. Something stirred inside her—a feeling she couldn't quite place. She tore her gaze away, focusing back on her conversation with Maloi.

"Oh.. sorry, Loi. I can't pala tonight. I have some stuff to take care of," Colet replied, her voice strained with indecision.

Maloi's enthusiasm faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "Oh, okay... sa susunod na lang siguro?"

"Yeah, definitely. Sorry about that, Loi. Babawi ako, okay?" Colet said, feeling a pang of guilt for disappointing her friend. She knew she should have accepted Maloi's invitation, but something held her back.

The thing is..

Hindi nangako si Colet this time.

As soon as she hung up, Colet felt a wave of regret wash over her. She leaned against the wall, running a hand through her hair as she tried to shake off the uneasy feeling gnawing at her. Why did she hesitate? Why couldn't she just say yes?