Chasing Cali (Upper East Side One)

Chapter Twenty-Six

26 - Goodnight

Two years had passed since I left. For two years, I worked in our company under the supervision of Tito Zen. It was hard at first, but I strived.

Binibisita naman ako nila Mommy, Daddy at mga kapatid ko dito kasama si Thalia. That way, nakapag-adjust naman ko kaagad dito lalo na sa trabaho.

"Zoey, when? You need to go home now. Mom and Dad are asking you. They miss you already, and Thalia is bugging me almost every day." I chuckled, imagining how Thalia nagged Kuya Zavi because of me. Kuya Zavi called me through FaceTime.

"Next week, Kuya. Don't worry. I won't miss it. Tell Thalia I miss her. Take care, Kuya." I flashed a smile as I responded to him.

"Your work here is still the same. I talked to Tito Zen about your transfer. And he agreed." He explained. Tumango naman ako sa kanya.

"Okay, Kuya. I'll be home soon. Take care."

"Take care, Zoey. And by the way, he's asking about you." Napatahimik naman ako. I am always avoiding a topic when it's about him. I didn't answer him.

"I'll see you soon, Kuya. Bye." I didn't wait for him to talk, and I hung up.

Days passed by in a blur. I descended from the airplane while calling our driver. Nang makita ako ni Manong ay binuhat na niya ang mga dala ko.

"Kamusta po, Manong Cris?" I asked him as we settled inside the car.

Lumingon naman siya sa akin at ngumiti. "Maayos naman, Ma'am. Gumanda ka lalo Ma'am Zoey." I chuckled at his statement.

"Salamat po, Manong." I smiled at him. Hinatid niya ako sa bahay. I saw Mommy and Daddy in the garden.

"Hello, Mommy and Daddy." They looked surprised. They knew that I would be home this week. However, I told our driver not to say to them that I'm going home today.

"Oh my God, Zoey. I miss you." Mommy said while hugging me.

"I miss you too, Mommy." I looked at Daddy, and he's smiling while looking at us. Mommy pulled away from our hug, so I turned to daddy to hug him.

"I miss you, Daddy." Bulong ko.

"I miss you too, Zoey." I smiled at him and looked at Mommy again whose eyes were misty looking at me.

"Mommy..." I chuckled, but she just cried and hugged me tight again. Nagkatinginan kami ni Dad at sabay na natawa dahil kay Mommy.

After our catching up, I excused myself to go upstairs. I took a nap since I'm exhausted from my flight. I'll visit Thalia tomorrow.

I woke up when my phone rang. I looked at it, and it's an unknown number. I don't usually answer calls from strangers, but I accepted it.

"Hello," I said, a little bit disoriented from my sleep.

"Hello, baby." I froze when I heard his voice.

Even though his number didn't save from my phone, I knew it was him. I long to hear his voice back then.

"Jax," I whispered. I heard him gasp on the other line.

"I miss you, baby. Do you miss me too?" He asked. I nodded even though he can't see it.

"Jax." That was all I can say. I bit my lip hard as I listen to him.

"Come home to me, baby. I'll wait for you." Hearing those words made my heart skip a beat.

I remembered the time he told me that words back then. I remembered the hurt and pain we felt when he let me go. Until I walked away from his life.