Maybe Next Time

Chapter 26

The days blurred into one another as I pushed myself beyond my limits. Dahil tapos na ang internship namin, my mornings were now dedicated to work, and my evenings to studying for the upcoming competition. I couldn’t afford to lose focus, not when everything was at stake. Nakasalalay ang latin honor ko rito.

Every hour, every task, every moment of exhaustion was a step closer to reclaiming the dream I’d almost lost. Mahirap man, but I wasn’t going to stay down. I had to prove to myself, to my parents, and to everyone who believed in me that I could do this.

Yet, amid my restless days, Lachlan was my constant. He was the calm in the storm.

Each evening, after a long day, he would come by, waiting for me to finished my work. Pagkatapos ay sasabayan niya akong umuwi para makapag-review kami nang sabay.

We’d sit together, books and notes spread out on the table, but more often than not, I found myself watching him instead of focusing on the material. Halos dalawang linggo rin kaming nag-rereview ng sabay.

After hours of reviewing, ramdam ko na ang sakit ng batok at katawan ko. I leaned back, rubbing my tired eyes. “Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko kung wala ka, Lach,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Lachlan looked up from his notes, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Nang-uuto ka ba? Anong hindi? Do it yourself ika nga. Joke lang.  But I’m glad I can be here.”

"Alam mo kahit kelan ang sarap mong gaguhin." ganti ko sakaniya.

He reached across the table, gently taking my hand in his. His touch was reassuring, grounding me in the present moment.

“Pahinga ka muna,” he suggested. “Just for a few minutes.”

I hesitated, glancing at the books and notes still ahead of me, but then I nodded. “Hindi na kailangan. Ikaw yung pahinga ko.”

"Ano ba ang nakain mo at inuuto mo talaga ako? Hmm?" he shyly asked.

Tinawanan ko lang siya. We moved to the couch, where I let out a long sigh, leaning my head against his shoulder. Lachlan wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer. In that small space, I felt safe, like I could breathe again.

“Thank you,” I murmured. “For everything.”

He just kissed my hand.

“I’m so tired, sobrang pagod na pagod ako Lach,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “Pero kapag kasama kita, it doesn’t feel as hard.”

He turned his head slightly, resting his cheek against my hair. “You’re the strongest person I know, Zaylee. Pero hindi naman kailangan na lagi kang strong. Not with me.”

I felt my eyes sting with unshed tears. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that. How much I needed to be reminded that it was okay to lean on someone else for a while.

After a while, Lachlan shifted slightly, and I lifted my head to look at him. There was something in his eyes. He reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my cheek.

“Ang galing mo. Ang talino mo. Ang sipag mo at mas lalong ang ganda-ganda mo. Alam mo ba yun?” he said softly, his voice filled with admiration.

I felt a blush creep up my cheeks, but I didn’t look away. “Magaling lang naman ako dahil nandyan ka.”

Lachlan smiled, a slow, genuine smile that made my heart flutter. He leaned in, kissed my forehead. “At palagi akong nasa tabi mo. Kahit anong mangyari.”

The promise in his words made my chest tighten with emotion. I closed my eyes, savoring the closeness, the warmth that radiated between us.

When I finally opened my eyes, I found him watching me, his expression so tender it nearly took my breath away. Without thinking, I reached out, tracing the line of his jaw with my fingertips. His skin was warm beneath my touch, and I felt a shiver run through him.