Under the Same Playlist

Chapter 1: Wrong Send, Right Song

The kind of quiet that doesn't ask for attention, but still deserves to be heard.

I open my phone again, scroll through his short messages. Stephen.

"Alright," I mutter. "Challenge accepted."
If he won't share his songs, then maybe I'll just find ways to make him comfortable.

Ashton's POV

Later that evening, I plug in my earphones and check the campus radio again.

Eli's voice fills my small dorm room.

"This next track goes out to everyone who accidentally shared something too personal—but maybe that's how we connect, no?

Sometimes, mistakes are the start of something good."

He laughs a little after that, and I freeze.
Was he... talking about me?

My cheeks grow warm, and I hide my face under my blanket, smiling despite myself.
Maybe it wasn't such a disaster after all.

Ashton's POV

Friday afternoon. Mainit pero presko sa ilalim ng puno sa may campus café. Usually tahimik dito — the kind of place na puwedeng mag-review o magdaydream ng malala.

Ako 'to, as usual, may earphones, laptop, at iced caramel latte sa gilid. Trying to look busy habang sinusulat ko 'yung melody for another class. Pero, to be honest, ang hirap mag-focus.
Every time I try to think of a new line, I hear his voice.

"Sometimes, mistakes are the start of something good."

Tss. Bakit ba kailangan niyang sabihin 'yon sa radio? It felt... directed at me. And the worst part? It made me smile.

I sigh, pressing random chords on my keyboard. My song ideas are all over the place — too many drafts, not enough confidence.

Until I hear someone say— "Rhythm_Ash?"
Napalingon ako agad. He's standing there.
Tall, wearing a loose white shirt and a lanyard around his neck. Light brown hair, a little messy in a charming way and smiling at me.

Eli Reyes.

Oh no.

"Uhh—hi?" halos pabulong kong sabi, parang gusto kong matunaw sa upuan.

He grins, dimples showing. "Akala ko ikaw nga 'yung Ashton na tinutukoy sa email. Lucky guess."

"How did you even—"

"Your playlist name sa Spotify. Pareho 'yung profile picture, bro. Parang ikaw talaga."
I blink. "You stalked me?"

He laughs, hands raised. "Investigated! Not stalked. Para fair."

Ang kulit. Pero... hindi ko rin magawang mainis.

He gestures to the empty chair across me.

"Pwede?"

"Uh, yeah, sure."

He sits down, resting his phone on the table. The sunlight hits his face — warm and easy, like his voice on the radio.

"So," he starts, sipping his drink, "did you think I'd forget the guy who accidentally sent me a masterpiece?"

I cover my face with one hand. "Can we please not talk about that?"

Eli chuckles softly. "Alright, alright. Pero seryoso, Stephen — your song hit me hard. Alam mo 'yung feeling na tahimik pero puno?

Ganun 'yung vibe."

I lower my hand, looking at him. His eyes aren't teasing now. They're soft and sincere.

"Thanks," I mumble. "Hindi ko inaasahan na may makaka-appreciate nun."