Aika says something that makes you laugh, and Tricia fails at stopping the scowl that appears on her lips at the sight of your hand falling on her older sister's shoulder.

Really, it's her own fault that she's suffering like this. When you had entered their house and saw Tricia on the couch with papers strewn around her on the couch, you offered for you and Aika to take your conversation to her room.

Tricia didn't like the idea of you being alone with her sister in her room with the door closed, so she insisted it was fine- That she had airpods on anyways and that you guys wouldn't be a disturbance. Now she deals with the consequences of her foolish actions.

Seated on the far side of the L couch with her back resting against the armrest, Tricia's got a crystal clear view of you and Aika being too close to one another for comfort. Your thighs were basically touching as you sat on the couch facing one another, every now and then you lean your head on her sister's shoulder after a particularly tiring laugh... Aika leans her head on yours in return.

She's supposed to be studying her notes for the upcoming exam next week. But instead, here she is glaring at her sister's form across the couch and hoping for the floor to open up and let her fall all the way down to the lobby.

Aika checks the time and her eyes widen, she takes your hand before standing up which results in you being pulled along with her towards the direction of the front door. You and your best friend quickly exchange words, mouths moving far too fast for Tricia to read with her Airpods on and playing music.

You finally wrench your stubborn shoe on your foot and simultaneously, Aika has opened the front door while Tricia had taken out one of her Airpods just in time for you to face her and wave.

"-Sorry at biglaan nalang kaming aalis agad, we lost track of time yun nga pala may gawain at aatupagin pa kaming errands. It was nice seeing you again Tricia! Ganda mo as always, sa susunod hang-out tayo ha? Bye!"

The oldest Robredo sister succeeds in dragging you through the doorway, and she closes it shut. The Resident Doctor hears the lock securely click into place and finally, she drops the notebook in her lap down on the couch cushion. Pressing her palms into her eyes with a loud groan.

"Paano niya malalaman na crush mo siya pag di ka kikilos?"

"JILL?!"

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You lean on the elevator railing, Aika stand infront of you with a smug smile and crossed arms.

"Sabi ko naman na sayo, crush ka rin niya."

You scoff, and the elevator bell dings to signal your arrival at the lobby floor. You stuff your hands into your pockets, before walking out after your best friend. "Di mo alam yun." You mutter as soon as the two of you have left the building.

Aika spins on her heels, facing you before grabbing you by the shoulder and giving you a firm shake.

"Hoy, kapatid ko siya. We're close enough to the point na sinasabi namin sa isa't isa mga bagay na to. Ngayon if ayaw mo pa rin maniwala, edi kapag tinanggihan ka niya mamayang gabi hahayaan kitang batukan ako- Sabayan mo pa si mama go lang!"

You smile a bit at the confidence she speaks with, and you promise to do your best to keep your nerves under lock and key. Aika gives your shoulders a pat before she brushes them off.

"Now tara na, lets get those flowers and everything else we need for tonight's dinner."

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The door open as Tricia steps out of her room, she hears her sister's voice fill the living room as well as her mother's welcoming greetings.

"Hi po tita!"

Tricia walks into the living room, sighting your form embracing her mother, with a bouquet of flowers in your hands which you hand to her with a smile on your face after pulling away. "Para sa inyo po. Specially ordered po to thrive when planted in soil, alam ko po how much you love gardening!"

Your eyes meets hers and she tries in vain to keep her face from heating up when you make a move for her and open your arms, asking for a hug. As much as her heart beats erratically, wanting her to run and save herself the risk of fainting- Tricia's not someone who can find the strength to refuse your affections.

You wrap your arms around her, squeezing for good measure. "Namiss kita!" Your best friend's little sister turns red, and when you pull away you make a show out of asking if she's got a fever, pressing the back of your hand to her forehead and asking if she's sure she's feeling alright as Tricia turns even redder. Inwardly though, you're having the time of your life.

It's nice to tease people relentlessly when you can get away with it.

Even better when the person's mother and siblings let you get away with it because they approve of you.

Jillian calls from the kitchen, stating that the meals are all ready to be served and eaten. Aika takes her mother's hand and starts walking to the kitchen, she pats your back as she passes you and she makes it a point to squeeze Tricia's cheek when she passes her little sister. Leni pats your arm and gives your shoulder a light squeeze before her eldest can drag her out of reach from you.

"Oo nga pala, teka lang." You open your backpack and pull out a big bag of gummy bears. Tricia's eyes widen and her mouth falls open in shock and glee when you thrust the bag of candy in her direction. She makes a move to grab it, and just before her hand can grip the bag- You pull it out of her reach.

"Dahan dahan lang ha? Masama ang pag-kain ng masyadong maraming matamis!" She looks insulted at the teasing smirk on your face, she makes a move to grab the gummy bears and you let her take the bag of goodies this time.

"Sino nga ulit ung doktor saating dalawa?"

"Hoy ambisyosa, nag aaral ka pa lang."

"Resident na ako!"

"Nag aaral pa rin!"

The rest of the Robredo family share looks and shake their heads as you and Tricia's voices disappear from hearing as you make your way to the future-doctor's room to hide the candy bag.

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Dinner is peaceful despite the small amount of teasing that the sisters aim at one another. They're like kittens really, loving with their siblings but sometimes they also pick fights just because they can and they feel like doing so.

Aika relays her day at work and some of the things you and her have been up to this noon, Jillian talks of how thankful she is that NYU has issued a whole month break for its students, Tricia shares her anxiousness about the upcoming exams, and Leni as always- listens to her children and comforts them whenever they share uncertain feelings before she talks about her day and work.

It was a nice gathering, relaxing and fulfilling. The people around you simply being in the moment and taking the time to appreciate each other's presence.

The five of you stand after the dinner, everyone making moves to start clearing the table. You arrange the used dishes and silverware in a stack, Jillian moves to clear the stove, while Aika and Tricia work together to fix and pack up the left-overs.

It takes only a few minutes to get the table cleared and all dirty dishes in the sink. Aika makes a move to put the left-overs in the fridge when you catch her wrist. You smile at her, and with a nod you tell her "I got this."

Aika nods at you then makes eye contact with Jillian, who get the message and drags Tricia out of the kitchen with them. You hear three doors click shut and with nothing more holding you back, you place and arrange the tupperware of left-overs in the fridge.

Once you close the fridge door, you ake a deep breath and listen to the sound of the rushing faucet water to help calm your nerves for what you're going to do next.

"Tita?"

"Ano yun Y/N?"

"Sigurado na po kayong okay sa inyo na ligawan ko po si Tricia?"

She turns around after rinsing the last plate in the sink and shutting off the faucet. The smile on her face conveys nothing but encouragement and support.

"Saakin alam mo, hindi mabigat na pumayag. Kita ko na parehas kayong may gusto sa isa't isa, pero ikaw lang nakakaalam sa inyong dalawa nun. Kita ko rin papaano mo idistansya sarili mo kay Tricia baka sakaling maging uncomfortable siya, without making her feel insignificant or a lesser friend compared to Aika. Para saakin Y/N? I couldn't ask for a better suitor for my child."

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Someone knocks on her door, and Tricia looks up from her notes. "Pasok!" She says loud enough for the person to hear. The door knob turns and you stick your head in through the little gap. "Hello." You greet her before putting the rest of your body through the gap, and shutting the door with a soft click.

Tricia gives you a kind smile, motioning to the space in the bed infront of her. You return the smile before taking a seat. Your fingers fiddling with one another in an anxious matter. Apparently she notices, as she gently places her hands on top of yours to calm your nerves.

"Okay ka lang?"

There's concern in her eyes and a crease by her right eyebrow as they furrow at you in concern. You think she looks cute like this, you give her a reassuring smile before speaking.

"Yeah, may gusto lang sabihin."

She gently squeezes your hands before letting go, motioning for you to speak before she lets her words out.

"Sure! Go ahead. Ano yun?"

"Paninindigan mo siya ha?" The only request her mother asked of you tonoght. You hang onto the words that Leni gave you earlier, and with a newfound bravery- Your back straightens and you lock eyes with the girl of your dreams.

"I've had a crush on you for four years na, and although alam ni tita, ni Jillian, ni Aika- Ikaw hinde, so eto ako umaamin right now."

You pause to collect yourself, your voice had started getting shaky and you grab onto your knees to your hands from shaking too.

"Umaamin na ako ngayon, kasi two weeks ago I asked tita and your sisters for permission para ligawan ka. I've wanted you for so long, pero I didn't speak of it to you kasi alam kong gusto mo muna magtapos at maging lisensyadong doktor bago mo bigyan ng pansin ung romantic life mo."

"Believe me, kaya ko sana hintayin ung araw na makamit mo ung pangarap mo bago ko to gawin. Pero lately we've noticed you pulling away, the closer you get to your graduation- The farther you distance yourself. I have noticed the way your eyes droop in the noons whereas nasa bahay ka on your day off, pagod from your shift the day before."

"Trish, I couldn't wait anymore kasi I can see you struggling sa sarili mo and with the way you think? Alam ko na di ka lumalapit sa pamilya mo kasi ayaw mo maging burden sa kanila. Which is absurd by the way, hinding hindi ka magiging pabigat, scholar na na, pala-aral pa, mabait pang anak-"

You catch yourself before you can drift any further from the topic. You take a deep breath with your eyes closed, and when you exhale and open your eyes. You meet with shocked brown ones.

"I want to be there for you. Not just as a family friend or yung best friend ni ate Aika mo. I want to be there for you as yours.... Kaya kung papayag ka, may I have the honor of proving myself and my worth for you?"

The shakiness in your hand worsens, but you refuse to take a step back out of fear. So you try to compose yourself, and in the intense effort of trying to curb your growing nervousness, you don't notice the way Tricia's eyes brighten at the end of your confession, you don't notice the way she smiles so brightly.

So she takes matters into her own hands, and she tackles you in a hug which has you lying on your back due to the force. Tricia presses her forehead against yours and with the wide smile on her face, she speaks.

"Hindi mo na kailangan patunayan pa ang sarili mo. I accept Y/N. If you'll have me? Then I'd gladly be yours."

The lightness in the atmosphere is infectious, and soon the two of you are laughing in joy and are wrapped in each other's hugs and presence. The joint laughter dies down, and when the two of you finally settle into silence. You speak in a hushed but teasing voice.

"Wag mo nang pag selosan ate mo ha?"

"Tikom mo muna bibig mo..."

You laugh alone, but you feel Tricia's smile against your neck.

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A/N: So mag detective work muna tayo. Chineck check ko sa google and walang age nor exact birthdate na lumalabas para kay Doc Tricia. But I remembered vaguely na sa isang tiktok vid kung saan ikinuwento nung Robredo sisters yung time na naiwan si Baby Tricia sa party, someone mentioned ate Aika being 8 at that time and Tricia being 2.

Six years between them, and kung tutuusin ung current age ni Ms. Aika which is 34. Dr. Tricia is 28, and in this particular oneshot the MC has been friends with the oldest sister since internship or fresh graduate days. Which might make Ate Aika about 26 at the time and the MC around 25-26. Work mates pa lang si MC at si Aika noon, di pa close. So it took a while (4 Years) for Aika and MC to build a close relationship, a relationship close enough na naging trusted family friend si Y/N, at naging constant presence na rin sa Robredo Household.

In this oneshot, the first time you had a serious philosophical convo with Joferlyn- Naging crush mo siya for her brains so ayan. Tada!