Rain blurred my vision, the wind cut through my clothes, and the stairwell stretched endlessly ahead of me. Every step was a battle. My soaked hoodie clung to me, heavy and ice-cold, while the wind shoved at my back like it wanted me to fall. Tequila trembled in my arms, her little raincoat useless against the downpour.
"Almost there, girl," I muttered, though my words barely made it past my chattering teeth.
I glanced down, and my stomach clenched. The flood had already entered the building.
What the hell? The water rose this fast in just a few hours?
This has never happened before.
Damn it. This isn't just bad. It's a disaster!
Water streamed down the slick stairs, pooling at the edges before spilling over in thin, relentless sheets. My shoes were drenched, squelching with every step, but stopping wasn't an option.
Kz's apartment wasn't far now, just a few more steps, just past this damn storm.
The wind roared, the rain lashed against me, but I didn't stop.
Couldn't.
Kz was waiting.
I pushed forward, reached her door, and wrenched it open with numb fingers. The wind slammed it shut behind me. My breath came hard. My clothes dripped onto the floor.
And then I saw her.
Kz stood in the middle of the room, gripping the hem of her shirt. Her hands trembled. Her eyes wide, searching, locked onto mine, uncertain.
She already knew.
Water dripped from my hair onto Tequila's head. I swallowed hard.
"Kz—"
"I... I don't mean to scare you, but the situation outside is getting worse." Her voice was quiet, unsteady. "The first floor is nearly flooded, and if this keeps up... it might even reach my apartment."
Her lips parted slightly, her breath shaky. "What...what do we do now?"
I exhaled slowly, grounding myself. "First—" My voice was steady, certain. "We survive the night."
Her head dropped slightly before she turned toward Lucky and Cleo. Her brows knitted together, and a weighted silence lingered between us. She glanced around, restless, as if searching for reassurance.
When she looked at me again, she hesitated. Her fingers curled around the hem of her shirt, gripping tighter than before. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her shoulders tensed.
"Tyler... you're soaked."
Like that's the most important thing right now.
"Don't worry about me," I said, shaking my head. "I brought a change of clothes. I'll go dry off and secure your balcony door."
She blinked, surprised. "What about your apartment?"
"Secured it before the typhoon hit." I shifted Tequila in my arms. "The real problem is the flood. Bringing Tequila here was the best move. I doubt the water will reach this high. Hopefully."
She started to say something but stopped, her thoughts pulling her away.
I watched her for a moment, waiting, but she stayed silent.
Sighing, I placed the emergency light above her refrigerator so it would illuminate most of the room. Then, without another word, I headed to the bathroom to change.
The bathroom that started it all.
A familiar ache settled in my chest, her words from earlier stinging fresh about how this bathroom wasn't a problem anymore.
But there were more pressing matters.
I pushed my feelings aside for now.
After a quick change, I stepped out and found her in the kitchen. She was standing by the counter, quiet, focused. As I got closer, I saw the ingredients laid out before her; chicken, malagkit rice, ginger, eggs, calamansi.
Arroz Caldo.
"How are you feeling? You should be resting right now."
She smiled and shook her head. "I can do this much. It's the least I can do for you."
Hearing that, warmth stirred in my chest, but I shoved it down before it could show. I quickly turned away and headed for the balcony door, focusing on the task at hand. My pulse quickened, but I kept moving. I duct-taped the edges to seal out the wind and zip-tied the handles together for extra security.
"Kz, would it be okay if I push this table over here to add resistance?"
She gave me a thumbs-up.
The wind battered the glass, the door rattling in its frame. I gritted my teeth as I dragged the table against it, hoping it would hold.
With that done, I grabbed my phone from the table where I'd left it earlier and checked the news.
Typhoon Maita Update: Dams Forced to Open Spillgates
Typhoon Maita has dumped 380mm of rain in six hours, nearly a month's worth forcing La Mesa, Ipo, and Angat Dams to release excess water. PAGASA warns the situation is becoming comparable to Typhoon Ondoy.
Floodwaters are rising fast, leaving streets submerged and hundreds of vehicles stranded. Power distributor Meralco has begun cutting electricity in affected areas, and rescue operations are struggling against relentless winds and rain.
Authorities urge residents in flood-prone zones to seek higher ground and stay updated as conditions worsen.
The gentle scrape of a ladle against the pot echoed through the dimly lit kitchen, followed by the soft clink of a spoon against ceramic. A gentle bubbling sound came from the simmering pot, steam curling into the air, and the rhythmic chopping of ingredients filled the quiet space, small, ordinary sounds that suddenly felt grounding despite the chaos outside.
A grumble from my stomach pulled me back to the present.
I stood from the couch and offered to set the table. Kz carried the pot of freshly cooked Arroz Caldo over, and the warm, familiar aroma filled the room, easing some of the tension that had settled in my chest.
"Let me just feed the dogs first," I said, about to head toward the kitchen when she hesitated and turned to face me.
"Uhh... would it be okay if we gave them some of this as well?" she asked. "The warmth might help them relax a bit. If you don't mind. I also think Tequila could use some."
"Of course!" I grabbed three dog bowls from the counter while she carefully ladled portions of Arroz Caldo into each one. Even in the dim light, wisps of steam curled from the bowls, rising in unison. I blew gently over them, letting the food cool before setting the bowls down for the dogs.
The moment they were given the signal, they eagerly devoured their meals, licking their bowls clean within seconds. I watched them, a small chuckle escaping me at the sight of their sheer enthusiasm. When I turned to Kz, I found her watching them just as intently, her face soft with affection.
Something about the way she looked at them — warm, gentle, loving — stirred something deep in my chest. Before I could stop myself, I smiled.
Then, as if sensing my gaze, she suddenly turned to me and caught me staring. Her eyes widened slightly before she quickly lowered her head, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Uhm, I guess it's our turn?"
"Ahh, yeah. Sorry. Let me just put these bowls in the sink," I said, snapping out of my thoughts.
After clearing the bowls, I sat across from her at the table. She was already scooping a generous serving of Arroz Caldo into my bowl, finishing it with a sprinkle of fried garlic and chopped onion leaves before handing me a piece of Calamansi.
I squeezed the Calamansi in a slow circle, watching the juice seep into the steaming broth before stirring it all together. Bringing the spoon to my lips, I took a bite, my eyes fluttering shut as the comforting flavors filled my mouth. The warm, rich broth slid down my throat, soothing and familiar. A small sigh of relief left me as the heat spread through my body, chasing away the lingering chill.
Outside, the storm raged on. But for a moment, the world beyond these walls was momentarily forgotten.
As we finished eating, a jolt of panic shot through me. My stomach twisted.
"Sh*t." My spoon clattered against the bowl.
Kz blinked. "What?"
"I forgot—" My breath caught. "I forgot to grab some important stuff from my place. And—" My chest tightened. "I didn't shut off the main breaker."
Her eyes widened. "Wait, you left it on? With the flood rising?"
I shot to my feet, already reaching for my rain-soaked hoodie. "I have to go back."
She grabbed my arm, fingers tightening like a vice. "Wait! I'm coming with you!"
I turned to her, eyes sharp. "No. It's too dangerous."
But she shook her head, already reaching for her raincoat. "I'm not letting you go out there alone."
"Kz—" I started, but the storm howled outside, rattling the windows as if to remind us what we were up against.
Slowly, I turned back to face her, expecting, hoping I'd misheard. But no. Kz stood there, arms crossed, gaze steady despite the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.
I froze.
I blinked. Once. Twice.
"I'm coming with you," she repeated, firmer this time.
My stomach dropped. "Kz, your knee—"
"I'm not staying here while you go out in that alone." She gestured toward the storm outside, the wind rattling against the sealed balcony door as if to prove her point.
I ran a hand through my damp hair, trying to process. This wasn't just reckless, it was insane!
"You can barely walk straight, and you want to—"
"I can walk," she cut in. "And I can handle this."
A sharp breath left me, frustration curling in my chest.
"Kz, this isn't just a drizzle. It's a godd*mn typhoon."
"I know that," she snapped. "But you're not doing this alone."
I stared at her, waiting for her to back down.
She didn't.
Of course, she didn't.
My grip tightened on my jacket.
Damn it.
I sucked my teeth, a sharp sound of disapproval escaping me.
"Wait. I'll just wrap cling wrap over the wound then grab my raincoat."
I clenched my jaw, fists tightening. I still hated this. Every damn part of it. But she wouldn't back down.
I stood by the door, gripping the handle as she hurried to change. When she approached, I gave her one last out. "Last chance. I can do this. You don't have to."
She met my gaze, unwavering. "I'm coming. End of discussion."
I exhaled sharply, looking up in disbelief. Then, without another word, I pulled the door open.
A wall of wind slammed into us. Rain lashed at our faces like needles. I stepped forward first, my eyes locked on the stairs ahead.
Then Kz's mouth moved — something urgent, but lost to the storm.
Her face paled.
Her eyes widened in pure, undiluted terror.
And then she ran.
No hesitation. No limp. Just adrenaline-fueled speed, her injured knee forgotten.
I frowned, confused. Until I saw it...
To my left.
A dark, jagged mass hurtling straight for me.
Time stopped.
The wind roared, but it was distant now, muffled like sound trapped underwater. I should move. I knew that. But my body refused to obey. It was too fast. Too sudden.
Too late.
A blur — Kz.
Her hands collided with my chest.
The world tilted.
Weightlessness.
Then the deafening crash.
Splinters. A shower of debris.
A breathless, crushing silence.
I gasped, air slamming back into my lungs as I hit the wet ground, Kz half-sprawled over me.
The storm still raged. But for a split second, all I could hear was the pounding of my heart.
And hers.
She was breathing.
I sucked in a sharp breath, reality snapping back into focus. The wreckage beside us; splintered wood, shards of glass was too close. If she hadn't pushed me...
I swallowed hard. My hands tightened around her arms as I pulled back slightly. "Kz... are you—?"
"I'm fine," she breathed out, her voice shaky but firm. "Are you?"
Thunder cracked overhead. The rain blurred everything around us, but through it, I saw her eyes — sharp, steady, locked onto mine.
I should have been dead. The thought hit like a second impact, knocking the breath from me. Kz had thrown herself into danger without hesitation. For me. And I'd almost let it happen.
She just saved my life.
I exhaled, shaking my head. "You're insane."
She huffed out a breath, half a laugh.
The moment shattered as another gust of wind slammed into us, a fresh wave of rain soaking through every layer of fabric. Kz winced, shifting her weight.
We couldn't stay here.
I pushed myself up, ignoring the sting in my limbs. "Come on. We need to keep moving."
She nodded, gripping my arm as I helped her to her feet. Neither of us spoke as we trudged forward, the storm howling behind us.
But one thing was clear.
This night wasn't over.
Not even close.