𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙧. 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙝𝙞𝙙

15. Reunion

Ayaw man lang tumigil ng puso ko sa kakapintig nang mabilis. Mula sa paglapag ng eroplano sa Riversville International Airport hanggang sa makasakay ako ng taxi papunta sa venue ng reunion party, halos mabingi ako sa lakas ng kaba ng aking dibdib.

"After kita maihatid, idadaan ko sa inyo ang luggage mo. Kaya mo bang magtaxi pauwi mamaya?"

"Yan, I told you kaya ko. Taga rito rin naman ako eh. You need to see your family first."

"Worried lang ako. Tawagan mo ako anytime kung may something sa party, okay? And please huwag kang uminom. Naging ibang tao ka kapag nalasing."

Natawa ako, pampabawas sa kabang nararamdaman ko.

A few minutes later, bumaba ako sa harap ng isang club. It didn't look like any club with a lot of people outside. Maliban sa guard na nakatayo sa labas ng pinto, wala akong nakikitang pumipila.

Matapos makaalis ang taxi'ng sinakyan namin, naglakad ako papalapit sa guard.

"Good evening po."

"Good evening, ma'am."

Ipinakita ko sa kaniya ang invitation card sa phone ko.

"Pasok po kayo, ma'am. Nasa loob po sila."

Pinagbuksan pa niya ako ng pinto.

I was amazed when I entered the club. Hindi ganito ang mga clubs sa New York.

This club is different in style. May mga upuan at mesa, may counter, may dance floor, at may mini park sa labas ng salamin na tila nakahiwalay sa main floor.

Smoking area, maybe?

I noticed the subtle lighting and the soft music playing in the background. It felt cozy and intimate, unlike the bustling atmosphere of clubs I was used to.

Napako ang tingin ko sa dalawang taong nakatayo labas ng salamin.

Hailey.

Zayne.

Nag-uusap ang dalawa.

Bakit sila agad ang una kong makita?

'Calm down, Bella, calm down. You are not supposed to look like a lovesick teenager right now. Breathe in, breathe out.'

"Bella?"

Thank God someone called my name.

Tumingin ako sa tumawag sa pangalan ko.

"Stella?"

"Oh my God, ikaw nga. Welcome back."

"Thank you. Am I late?"

"No, no. Tamang-tama lang dating mo. Buti nakaabot ka."

"Kakarating ko lang galing airport. Walang tao?"

"Andon sila sa loob ng karaoke room. Halika."

Hinila niya ang kamay ko.

That's when I saw Zayne looking at me.

There was something in his eyes; disbelief.

Napahinto ako nang makitang papasok si Zayne.

Halos hindi ko marinig ang sinabi ni Stella sa lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko.

I was only looking at his face. Hindi ko mabasa ang reaksyon sa mukha niya.

He's mad.

He's happy.

He's excited.

He's hurt.

All of the above?

I was caught off guard when suddenly I was held captive by his strong arms, and my face was hidden in his neck.

When did he become so tall?

"Bakit ang tagal mong dumating?"

His voice is different. Mas buo, mas mature, mas nakakabighani sa pandinig niya.

"Ahhh, Z___."

"Stop talking and let me hug you."

I could feel his hot breath on my neck, sending shivers down my spine. The warmth of his embrace enveloped me, stirring up feelings I thought I'd buried long ago.

Being hugged by him so hard and tight, wrapped in his arms, I marveled at how real our bodies felt after so many years apart.

This is not the reunion I was imagining before coming here. I thought it would be awkward, filled with small talk and catching up, but this felt different—more intense.

He held me like that for what seemed like forever. I didn't want to let go, but when I looked at Hailey, I gently pushed Zayne away from me.

"Welcome back, Belle."

Her face, beautiful as ever.

"Hail."

Kumalas si Zayne sa pagkakayakap sa akin. And Hailey came to me with open arms too.

"I miss you."

And I hugged her back.

Nanatili kaming magkayakap.

And I'm glad I got to hug her again.

I miss my best friend.

"I miss you too, Hail. I'm sorry for leaving without saying goodbye."

"We can talk about that later. Are you hungry?"

Natawa siya nang tumango ako.

Nang kumalas kami sa pagkakayakap mula sa isa't isa, hinarap niya si Zayne.

"She's hungry, Zayne. Go get some food for her."

Yun lang at hinila niya ako papasok sa loob ng karaoke room na sinasabi ni Stella.

As we walked into the room, the sound of laughter and music filled the air. It felt good to be surrounded by friends again. When I looked back at Zayne, I saw him smiling, and it warmed my heart.

Maybe coming home wasn't so bad after all. I realized that, despite the years and distance, some connections remain unbroken, ready to be rekindled.

As I entered the karaoke room, I could sense the excitement in the air, and I couldn't help but smile. This reunion was shaping up to be more than just a party—it felt like a homecoming.