Meet Me Halfway

Chapter 29: ALL TOO WELL

I sat alone in my room, surrounded by memories and emotions that threatened to consume me. The weight of my past pressed down on my shoulders, reminding me of the hardships I had endured. The abandonment of my mother, Kathleen, at a young age still haunted me, the wound never truly healing. And then, there were the memories of my complicated relationship with Jarelle, a love that felt destined but was ultimately forbidden.

As I looked around the room, my eyes fell upon a dusty photo album tucked away in a corner. It was filled with snapshots of happier times, moments shared between Jarelle and me. A bittersweet smile formed on my lips as I reminisced about the whirlwind romance that had turned our lives upside down.

Jarelle and I had met during our time at the University of the Philippines. We were both studying business and accounting, and our paths crossed during a lecture by our professor, Mr. Espiritu. From the moment our eyes locked, there was an undeniable connection between us.

We began spending time together, our friendship quickly blossoming into something deeper. Jarelle was charismatic, his presence filling the room with an electric energy. And I, a girl from the province with a difficult past, found solace and warmth in his embrace.

But fate had a cruel sense of humor. One evening, as we were sharing our dreams and aspirations, Jarelle dropped a bombshell. He revealed that he was the son of the president and that we were actually siblings. It was a truth neither of us could have ever imagined, and it shattered the foundation of our relationship.

The weight of that revelation was almost unbearable. The love we had built had to be sacrificed for the sake of our family's reputation and the pain it would cause our mother, Kathleen. We made the painful decision to part ways, to sever the ties that bound us together.

Now, sitting alone in my room, I couldn't help but dwell on the memories of our time together. The laughter, the stolen glances, and the tender moments flooded my mind, each one a bittersweet reminder of what we had lost.

But I knew deep down that I had to let go. I couldn't hold onto a love that was built on a foundation of lies and deceit. Jarelle and I had to forge separate paths, each of us finding our own way in the world.

As the days turned into weeks, I focused on rebuilding my life. My best friends, Julyza and Rein, stood by my side, offering unwavering support and reminding me of the strength I possessed. Together, we navigated the challenges of university life, leaning on each other when the weight of our studies threatened to overwhelm us.

During this time, Zandro, my friend from senior highschool who had been quietly vying for my attention, stepped into my life. He was kind, gentle, and his love for me was genuine. Zandro brought stability and a sense of security that I desperately needed. He understood the pain I carried within me, and his presence helped me heal in ways I hadn't thought possible.

But as much as Zandro cared for me, a part of my heart still lingered in the memories of Jarelle. It was a battle I fought daily, the struggle to let go of a love that was never meant to be. I knew I had to move forward, to embrace the possibilities that lay ahead, but the pull of the past was a constant reminder of what could have been.

In the midst of my inner turmoil, Naya, a mean-spirited classmate and daughter of the city mayor, took pleasure in tormenting me. She saw my vulnerability and used it to fuel her own cruel intentions. Her words stung, but I refused to let her break me. I had endured far worse in my life, and I would not allow her to define me.

It was during one particularly difficult day at university that I found myself seeking solace in the familiar halls of the library. As I scanned the bookshelves, a voice called out to me, snapping me out of my thoughts.