Meet Me Halfway

Chapter 24: CALL ME WHEN IT IS ALREADY DONE

I stared at Jarelle, my mind reeling from the shocking revelation he had just shared. We were siblings, sharing the same mother. It was an unexpected twist of fate that brought us together, and now we had to navigate this new reality.

As the realization sank in, Jarelle and I exchanged a mixture of emotions. Confusion, disbelief, and a strange sense of connection intertwined within us. We decided to take some time to let everything sink in and give ourselves the space to reflect on this newfound truth.

Jarelle and I retreated to a quiet cafe near the university. We sat in silence for a while, lost in our own thoughts. It was Jarelle who broke the silence, his voice gentle yet filled with uncertainty.

"Alianna, this changes everything, doesn't it? We were getting closer, and now we discover that we're siblings. I don't know how to process all of this."

I nodded, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on me. "I know, Jarelle. It's a lot to take in. We never expected this. But we have to face it and find a way to move forward."

We decided to spend some time apart, to let the reality settle in. Jarelle focused on his studies and spent time with his friends, while I sought solace in the company of my closest friends, Julyza and Rein.

Julyza and Rein had been my pillars of support throughout this rollercoaster of emotions, and their unwavering presence gave me strength.

Days turned into weeks, and as time passed, I found myself missing Zandro more and more. Memories of our time together in Senior High School flooded my mind, reminding me of the happiness we shared. My heart longed to see him again, to confide in him and seek comfort in his familiar presence.

One evening, as I sat alone in my room, my phone buzzed with an incoming call. The name that flashed on the screen brought a mix of excitement and apprehension. It was Zandro. My heart skipped a beat at the thought of hearing his voice.

I answered the call, my voice betraying a mixture of emotions. "Zandro, it's been a while. I've missed you."

Zandro's voice was warm and filled with genuine affection. "Alianna, I've missed you too. I heard about what happened between you and Jarelle. I hope you're doing okay."

I sighed, feeling guilty for neglecting Jarelle in my thoughts. "It's been a whirlwind, Zandro. Jarelle and I discovered we're siblings. It's complicated, and I don't know what to do."

Zandro was silent for a moment before speaking softly. "Alianna, you know I care about you deeply. I want nothing but your happiness. If being with Jarelle makes you happy, then follow your heart. But if you still have feelings for me, if there's a chance for us, I'll be here waiting."

His words stirred something within me, igniting a spark of hope. I realized that I couldn't deny my feelings for Zandro, nor could I ignore the bond that had developed between Jarelle and me. It was time to make a decision, to be true to myself and to those around me.

With renewed determination, I made plans to meet both Jarelle and Zandro. It was time to have an open and honest conversation, to lay my cards on the table and let them know where my heart truly belonged.

The day of the meeting arrived, and my heart fluttered with nervous anticipation. I met Jarelle in the park near the university.

Jarelle stood beneath the shade of a towering oak tree, his eyes filled with a mix of uncertainty and hope. As I approached him, the feeling of guilt tugged at my heart. I knew that my decision would have a profound impact on his life too.

"Alianna," he said softly, his voice laced with both sadness and understanding. "I've been doing a lot of thinking these past weeks. I love you, and I always will, but I also understand the complexity of our situation now. We're siblings, and that changes everything."