In the busy halls of University of Our Lady Fatima, two strangers unknowingly met their soul mate, sharing sweet but short glance but never words. One try and both of their lives changed forever. As they tie the knot, let us reminisce their beautiful story with them.

Maica was a first-year nursing student, and Januar was a second-year HRM student, both attending the same university. They often crossed paths outside but never acknowledged each other. Maica remembered this well since the canteen where they each hung out with friends was right next to each other.

One day, Maica’s blockmates suggested they hang out at a different canteen on campus, and she decided to go along, especially since her close friends were joining. After lunch, as they relaxed and waited for the time to go back to their classroom, one of her girl friends suddenly exclaimed, "ay! Ang pogi!” Maica looked up and saw Januar entering the same canteen where they were.

It turned out that he also frequented that spot. After about 20 minutes, one of her classmates suggested they head back to class, so Maica decided to freshen up. She stood by the mirror hanging nearby, fixing her hair, when she heard Januar’s voice, "te ano po number mo?" Maica ignored him and laughed it off with her friend, saying, "hindi ko kaya iholding hands ung lalaking may peklat sa kamay haha." She’d noticed a scar on his hand earlier, a mark he’d gotten from joining a fraternity.

In the weeks that followed, Maica and Januar continued to cross paths outside the building at Fatima.

Then came the first semester of her second year. About two weeks in, Maica was on her way to class when the guard stopped her because she didn’t have her ID or registration card, both of which she’d forgotten at home after switching bags.

She tried sweet-talking the guard with a smile, hoping he’d let her in. After a bit of back-and-forth, the guard finally agreed to let her pass.

As Maica walked on, she noticed Januar watching the whole scene between her and the guard, waiting to see if she’d get through.

Januar asked, “Bakit ayaw kang papasukin ni kuya guard?”

Maica replied, “wala akong ID and registration card.” “E bakit pinapasok ka na?” he asked.

She shrugged, “ewan ko.”

Januar smirked, “ang ganda mo kasi.”

A bit surprised and slightly flustered, Maica felt a little thrill at his words but didn’t show it. She brushed it off and continued walking to her class.

But she found herself thinking back on it. He’s the one I keep running into... the one with the scar on his hand. He actually looks good... and his eyes are really nice. Curiosity sparked—she wondered about his name, his course, and a little more about the guy she kept encountering.

After class, Maica ran straight to the spot where her friends usually hung out to tell them what had happened. Yes, she actually ran there, giddy and excited!

She found Luis, her close friend, and launched into the story, bursting with excitement. As she relayed every detail to Luis, she suddenly remembered where Januar often hung out—the same canteen where he’d first asked for her number.

She convinced Luis to go with her to that canteen to see if anyone there knew Januar.

Once they arrived, Maica approached one of the crew members at the counter.

"Ate may kilala po kayong student na lalaking maputi, pogi at may peklat sa kamay?" The crew member thought for a moment, then replied, "Hmm, pogi? Baka si Januar un."

"Madalas ba un dito?" Maica asked.

"Oo! Teka un oh kaibigan nya" The crew member called over a guy named Bamboo. "Bamboo, may naghahanap kay Januar!"

Bamboo approached them with a curious expression. "Bakit mo hinahanap si Januar te?" Luis, ever the joker, jumped in, "kinilig kasi sya! Muntik nang mamatay e!" Maica shot a glare at Luis, "ay wala naman kuya!"

Bamboo raised an eyebrow, "Niloko ka ba te?"

Maica laughed nervously, "hindi kuya! Gusto ko lang malaman pangalan nya."

Bamboo grinned. "Hingin ko nalang number mo te, para matext ka nya"

Without thinking, Maica gave her number. "Sure, it’s 09..."

As they walked away, Luis couldn’t resist teasing her, "iba ka rin girl e noh! Akala ko ba ayaw mo pa mag boyfriend?"

Maica just sighed, feeling caught, but a little smile crept onto her face.

Two days later, Maica received a text.

Januar: "Hi po! Hinahanap mo daw ako?"

Maica: "Hello, naitanong ko lang kung anong name mo." Januar: "bakit po? May utang ba ako sayo?"

Maica: "wala. Ako pala ung ayaw papasukin ng guard"

After that, they became textmates. Their conversations weren’t deep—just the usual greetings: "hello," "good morning," "have you eaten yet?" and "good night." This went on for about a week, until one day Januar asked if she wanted to meet up. Maica agreed, and they decided to meet on August 20, 2008, after class at the same canteen where she’d looked for him.

Maica arrived early, as her class had been canceled, and waited. When Januar arrived, he brought two styrofoam boxes filled with food. He sat beside her, and they ate together, feeling surprisingly comfortable, as if they’d known each other.

Januar: "masarap? Luto ko yan."

Maica: "ok naman. ano ba course mo?" 

Januar: "HRM. Ikaw?"

Maica: "Nursing."

Januar: "gusto mo lumipat? Magulo dito e." Maica: "sige."

That day, August 20, 2008, with no formal courting, they somehow ended up together.

Januar: "may boyfriend kaba?" 

Maica: "wala. Ikaw may girlfriend ka?" 

Januar: "wala din. Tayo nalang kaya?" 

Maica: "ha?"

Januar: "tayo nalang! Try natin."

Maica: "pwede naman. Try lang."

Januar: "anong date ngayon?" (He checked his phone) "August 20, 2008—yan ang date natin." Maica: "anong tawagan natin?"

Januar: "Baby."

The rest is history, 15 years later here they are embracing a new chapter in their life, this time, together, as one, as partners for life.