Hello, Goodbye, and Everything In Between

Chapter 3 - Fools

Aika worked endlessly the moment she went back to Manila. She had too many things to do and could only do so much given everything that needed her attention. 

Nonetheless, she never stopped thinking about Cassie. She couldn't wait until her girlfriend got back home with her mom. 

While she only had to stay for 2 more days in Naga, Cassie's tasks also required almost all of her 24 hours, so she and Aika never met until a week after.

[Do you want to eat KFC when you get home?] Aika had to read the message twice. Finally!  

She couldn't help the smile that formed on her face. When I get home. Sarap naman pakinggan. 

Truly, Cassie is her home.

[I don't mind, but home? At your place?]

She wanted to test the waters by making a joke. Surely after a week, her girlfriend was in a brighter mood, and it sounded funny to her.

[Hindi, sa Naga. Ewan ko sayo, Jessica."]

She can already imagine the eye roll Cassie was possibly doing. She decided to push her luck a little further.

[Matalino akong tao eh] She sent. 

[Pero pagdating sayo, ewan ko, natatanga ako." Another message. It was a line from a local movie.

[Alam mo minsan nakakainis ka rin. Balik mo na kay Tricia humor nya.]

She couldn't help her laughter any longer. She let out a loud cackle, took a screenshot of their conversation, and sent it to her younger sibling.

[Look at this 📸] she sent to Tricia. 

She laughed harder when her sister responded and called her and Cassie chaotic. She then sent one last message to Cassie. 

[I can't wait to be home. xoxo]

She knew they still had so much to talk about, and they were far from being okay, but for now, the thought of coming home to Cassie gave Aika hope. 

Even the tiniest spark of hope goes a long way.

-In a distant future-

"Ang nagmamahal, nagpaparaya" are the words she never forgets to remember. She never fully understood how loving also meant setting them free. 

It was a lesson she would have to learn day by day. 

For Aika, loving meant protecting those whom she loved. It was set in stone for her the day her Papa died. 

She remembers the call clear as day. The world slowed, the noise around her muted, her mom's words hitting her in every second that passed. 

The news hadn't even settled in her head yet, but she was already put to the task of finding her sister. That was love for her, putting herself aside and doing what was best for her loved ones.

On nights when she's left alone with her thoughts, she feels the pain the most. She reflects on what has happened, what could've been, and what her reality is now. 

She has gotten so used to keeping it in that letting her emotions out felt so foreign.

Comforting arms wrap around her weeping figure. "Anak, I'm not one for words pero alam mo nung una kitang makita after kita ipinanganak, andami kung gustong sabihin sayo. Andami kong ipinangako sayo. Ang sabi ko gagawin ko lahat para protektahan ka, para mabigyan ka ng tahanan na magiging masaya, komportable, at ligtas ka."