Hello, Goodbye, and Everything In Between

Chapter 11 - Say Something

The day felt different. Of the many talks and fights they've had, this one, right here, felt like watching their favorite tv series airing its last episode. 

They were coming to a close. She could feel it. This wasn't like any other argument, although they were on the same problem again.

[Bub: I'm almost done with work]

It was a very straightforward message from Cassie. They exchanged messages after the incident in Taiwan but didn't exactly get the chance to see each other. 

Cassie and her family stayed until the new year, while Aika and her family went back to the Philippines.

[JMGR: I'm leaving in a few]

The tension in their messages was palpable. It hurt them both to say and hear the other say I love you yet feel the unspoken "but" that comes after those three words. 

It hurts how those long messages that kept them up until the wee hours of the night turned into short words and emojis even.

[Bub: I'll see you soon]

How did they go from promises of forever to what seems now is a happy never-after? How could a selfless, genuine love end so soon? How?

Aika closed the messaging app on her phone. She prepared herself to meet Cassie at the cafe where they had their first unofficial date. 

"I know this small cafe para hindi medyo matao, hopefully. Medyo tago kasi. Let's meet after your work?"

She still remembers the day like it was just yesterday, as cliche as that sounds. 

It seems the safe space that witnessed most, if not all, of their moments would have to witness their story closing. Where it started is where it ends.

Cassie was already waiting for her when she got inside the cafe. Ironically, she was seated at the same inconspicuous table where they sat on their first date.

"Hi, kanina ka pa?" Aika wills herself to ask as arrives at the table. 

Cassie looks up from her phone and smiles at her. Her smile didn't reach her eyes, but it satiated the feeling inside Aika. She had missed her girlfriend, and she would willingly take that small smile amidst this bitter circumstance.

"Not really, about fifteen minutes or so. I hope you don't mind nag order na ako for us. Hot mocha, no whip?"

"I was going to get iced americano lang sana, but it's okay." Aika didn't want to make a big deal out of it. 

It didn't matter what drink she was going to have. No drink could calm her already jittery nerves.

"Sorry. Mali pa tuloy na order ko. I seem to get you wrong these days." Cassie's words were a double-ended sword that struck Aika. 

She was right, they don't seem to agree with each other these days. Cassie told herself to fake it until they made it, but how long would she keep faking it?

"I'm kidding. Pwede pa siguro natin palitan." Cassie breaks the tense air. She spots the server making his way to their table with their orders. "Oh my bad, andyan na pala orders natin."

They tried to enjoy the quiet sips from their drinks, but they were there to talk. Aika was the first to speak.

"How was your new year?" Cassie's face remains stoic as she thinks of words that best describe how her new year went.

"It was as good as it gets, I guess? Less eventful than Christmas for sure." She doesn't mean to be spiteful. She doesn't mean to hold it over Aika's head, even when it still hurt her.