kundiman.

chapter 24.

Clara tells the cab to stay at the front of the hotel as she rushes back to the room and gathers all her stuff. The whole time she feels her body trembling with anxiety and panic.

Jason hurries back to the hotel as well but somehow gets stuck in a traffic jam due to an accident further down the road. His heart frantically pounds in worry. He smacks his steering wheel, hoping the Miami traffic would soon clear up.

Clara runs back to the cab, instructing him to take her to the airport. Her phone is blowing up. Jason relentlessly dials her number. She puts her phone in do not disturb and proceeds to search for flights back to New York. She finds one last ticket available, boarding in less than an hour. She immediately books it. They make it to the airport and she hurries to gather her belongings. She checks in with her airline and gets her ticket. She runs to her gate and within another hour, she's gone, leaving for New York.

Jason makes it back to the hotel after 45 minutes in traffic. He runs to his room and opens the door. Clara's belongings are now gone. He finds a note folded over on the bed. He picks it up and reads it.

"Jason, I believe it is in our best interest if I tell you what I had to say on paper. My heart could not bear to tell you what has been going on in person. I would just break down. For the past few months, I have realized that the life that I once encouraged and pushed you to pursue, is impossible for me to exist in. The fame, the pressure, has proved far too much for me. I am not made for this kind of life love. I love you so very much and I cannot imagine not being with you. But living this life will kill me. It will be very hard, but I must take some time away. From you, from the spotlight, from everything. My mind and my heart can't take much more. Please give me time to work things out with myself. Please continue to do your best. I will only hold you back from flourishing in the life you so badly want to live. I truly am sorry Jason. I hope and pray in the end, I can figure all of this out.  I love you so much.
- Clara
P.S. Kung di man tayo hanggang dulo, wag kalimutan na nandito lang ako. Ako parin yung Clara na nahulog sayo nung nagkabanggaan tayo sa hagdanan. I will never love the same way I loved you ever again."

//////////////

"Yo Jason! Big fan dude!" yells a random man across the street.

"Thanks buddy!" Jason yells back.

He steps out of his car, the frigid New York air biting at his face. He makes his way up the steps to his dad's house and rings the doorbell. His dad opens the door and yells, hugging his son.

"Hey son! Why didn't you tell me you landed already?"

"Haha what's the fun in that?" Jason replies.

"Ah get in here superstar!"

His dad crushes him, one of very few people who can actually do so. They enter into the house, the familiar scent of his home filling his heart with nostalgia. He removes his coat and sits on the couch.

"So how's it going son? You doin' alright?"

"Yep. All good."

"You sure son?"

"Yeah dad. I'm alright."

His dad looks at his hand, his engagement band still wrapping around his ring finger.

"How are things with Clara?"

Jason smiles and shakes his head no.