Feeling lost and questioning her life, Aiah sets off on a solo trip in search of answers. She never expects that this journey will lead her to a deep, meaningful connection that changes her forever.
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AIAH’S POV
“Jho has flown back to the States. We’re good. We’re chill,” she said with a smile. Given what I had witnessed before leaving Siargao, I suspected they had reconciled.
I looked at the view in front of us. The city lights were reminiscent of the fireflies in Siargao, just as bright and golden. I hoped the future would be as luminous and promising for us, even if we go down different paths separately. I sighed, lost in thought.
“I’m happy for you. It’s great to see that things are finally okay between you after so many years,” I said, I looked at her eye to eye and with a slight smile on my face.
“Yes, we’re okay…” she paused. I looked away.
“But we’re better off as friends now. Jho is a closed chapter already. Our book has reached its ending.” Her words took me by surprise.
I turned and our eyes locked. I took a sip from my cocktail, and she gave me a slight, reassuring smile. I don’t know what to say next.
“When she came to Siargao, she tried to win me back but then we already lost that connection a long time ago…” I just let her speak.
“We were no longer on the same page... and I’m painting colors in a new and different book now.” She looked at me with those piercing eyes, as if they were telling me something.
She walked towards me, and I was taken aback by what happened next. She wrapped her arms around my waist and rested her chin on my shoulder. We faced the city lights together, and I could feel her breath on my neck, causing my body to tense up.
"I'm not usually one to believe in legends or theories," she began, her voice steady.
"I see them as just ideas people cling to. Something they can hold on to habang hindi pa nila kayang bumitaw." She paused.
"But when I read about the red string theory in your book, it all made sense. I’m a proud believer now." She gave me a flirty smile and I chuckled.
I held her hands that were on my waist. “Ang bilis naman magbago ng isip mo. What made you change your mind so quickly?” I asked in a playful tone.
“Ikaw.” She answered right away. “The universe is making its way to cross our paths again, especially now that the timing is right.” I leaned my head against hers.
“I have cleared everything on my way that has something to do with my past, so I can walk into the future with a clean slate because I don’t want to mess this up,” she continued.
“I don’t want to mess this up with you.” Her words left me speechless. I had no idea she felt this way about me too.
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“Our strings might have been stretched and became tangled, which has postponed or delayed things for us. But our ties were never broken.” I nodded myself in agreement.
Her hands went to the sides of my both hips. She twisted my body so we could face each other this time. I’m leaning on the glass terrace. My heart is beating so fast my breath could barely catch up.
“Now that I know you felt the same way through reading your book, I won’t let this chance slip away.” I did not expect for this to happen tonight, but the universe surprised me again… a good kind this time.
“I waited six months for this.” She smiled at me while scrunching her nose.
I put both of my hands on her shoulders. “Me too… I waited for this moment to arrive.” I replied with a smile on my face.
“If you noticed, my book has an open ending…” I began.
“Yes, I noticed it.” She confirmed.
“I wrote it that way because I didn’t want our story to end… just like that.” I looked at her straight in the eye with my utmost sincerity.
“I knew deep down within me that this day would come… and it did.” She tightened her grip on my waist, holding me close as if she never wanted to let go.
“The connection we have is like an ethereal reverie. I don’t think there are enough words to explain it.” I paused.
“It was the most cathartic type of connection I’ve ever felt… It changed me for the better.” I let out a breath of relief.
“Maybe this is how the universe has repaid me for being brave enough to lose control and go after what I want and what sparks joy in my heart.” I wiped the tears from my cheeks.
She looked up at the sky and whispered, “Thank you.” When she looked back at me, her eyes were teary this time.
“I, too, felt the same way. I lost too many years to grief… and I used to live a black and white life before you.” Tears are streaming down her face this time. I gently wiped them away.
“You, coming into my life, made me realize that it’s okay… That I can explore other colors too.” We both smiled through our tears of happiness, bliss, and love.
“If you don’t mind, I would love to continue the book and create more chapters of love and adventures with you.” I chuckled with tears of joy. This is so precious.
“With no ending…” I said with a smile on my face.
“Yea, with no ending…” She replied and smiled.
I let out my pinkie, “To many more adventures, sequels, and seasons to come.” She let out her pinkie and intertwined it with mine. “To many more adventures, sequels, and seasons to come.” She repeated what I just said to seal the promise of a lifetime.
She cupped my cheeks in her hands, and I smiled at her. She kissed my forehead, and I closed my eyes. She lifted my chin, and when I opened my eyes, she was leaning in to kiss me on the lips.
I closed my eyes once again, just to savor this very moment. Her tender lips were on mine, and we shared a gentle yet fulfilling kiss.
Everything around us had faded and become a background from a momentary scene in a movie. It felt as though our strings had intertwined once again, the puzzle piece was found, and it was complete again. That’s how this moment felt.
