Love and Resilience

Three Days Away

SERENA’S POV

The sun was beginning to set as Jovana’s car smoothly moved through the Manila traffic. I leaned my head against the window, watching the city’s vibrant colors blur into streaks of orange, pink, and gold. My mind buzzed with thoughts about the gala. It was my first big event as lead organizer, and I felt both nervous and excited. But amidst all that excitement, a part of me wished that Jovana could be by my side. She had been my anchor for the past few months, and now, I’d be away from
her for three long days.

Jovana sat quietly, her hands gripping the steering wheel as she expertly navigated the streets. I glanced at her profile, taking in the way her jaw clenched slightly, probably from the stress of her hectic schedule. Her eyes, however, remained soft focused on the road but calm, as if she was trying to hold onto the moment before I’d leave.

“I’m going to miss you,” I finally said, breaking the silence.

Jovana smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’ll miss you too, but it’s just for a few days. You’ll be busy, and it’ll fly by before you know it.”

I let out a small sigh. “Yeah, I know. But still, it feels weird, you know? I’m used to seeing you almost every day.”

Her smile deepened, and she reached over to take my hand. “We’ll survive, Love. You’ve got this. The gala is going to be amazing, and I’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines, even if I’m not physically there.”

I squeezed her hand, grateful for the reassurance. "You’re the best, Jo."

--

We pulled up to the venue a grand hotel with towering glass windows that reflected the colors of the sunset. My heart did a little flip at the sight of it. Everything was about to start, and the next three days would be nothing short of chaos. My friends were already waiting inside, ready to help me bring the event to life. I’d have to focus, but I couldn’t shake the thought of Jovana and the long hours without her.

Jovama parked the car and turned to face me. Her brown eyes softened, and for a moment, she looked like she wanted to say something but held back. Instead, she leaned over and kissed me softly on the cheek.

“Love, tawagan moko pag may kailangan ka ha? Even if it’s just to talk, okay?”

I nodded, smiling as I tried to push away the nervousness creeping in. “I will. Wag ka mag-alala, magiging okay naman ako dito tsaka kasama ko sila Ava”

Jovana hesitated for a second, her hand lingering on mine. “I know you will. Good luck, Love. And remember I’m proud of you.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, not trusting my voice to be steady.

She gave me one last lingering look before stepping out of the car, walking around to open the door for me. I stepped out, my heart heavy and full all at once. After exchanging a quick hug, Jovana watched as I walked towards the entrance. I glanced over my shoulder once, catching her wave before she drove off into the evening.

As I entered the hotel, the grandeur of the place hit me full force. The lobby was immaculate, and the chandeliers sparkled overhead. My friend Ava, Sabrina, and Mary were already there, waiting for me near the reception desk. Mary, ever the organized one, was holding a clipboard, Sabrina had a giant box of supplies in her hands, and Ava was busy checking her phone.

“Ayan na sya! Ang queen of the night!” Mary cheered, waving me over.

“Hey, guys,” I greeted, hugging each of them in turn. “Are we ready for this?”

Sabrina smirked. “Ready pa sa ready teh. I’ve got the decorations and equipment in the back, so pwede na tayo mag  start setting up kapag okay kana.”

Ava, always the calm one, smiled at me. “You look a little tense, Serena. Everything okay?”

I shrugged, trying to shake off the jitters. “Yeah, I’m fine. Medyo kinakabahan lang, I guess. It’s a big event, and I want everything to go smoothly.”

Mary nudged me playfully. “You’ll do great, Serena. We’ve got your back. Plus, you’re a pro at this. Naaalala mo yung event last year? That was flawless.”

I chuckled, appreciating their confidence in me. “I hope so. But this one’s on a much bigger scale. The guest list is insane.”

“Speaking of which,” Sabrina cut in, “did you hear that some celebrity might show up? Word is spreading fast.”

I raised an eyebrow. “A celebrity? No, I hadn’t heard. Who?”

Ava glanced up from her phone, giving me a teasing smile. “Serena, wag mo nang alalahanin yon. Ma focus ka nalang sa event. Besides, if a celebrity shows up, that just means more exposure for your work.”

I took a deep breath, nodding. “Tama ka. Okay, mag-umpisa na tayo. We have a lot to do before the gala tomorrow.”

We made our way to the event hall, which was still in the process of being set up. The space was massive, with towering ceilings and crystal chandeliers that would cast a beautiful glow during the gala. The caterers were already bustling around, setting up tables and arranging dishes. I scanned the room, mentally checking off everything that needed to be done.

Mary flipped through her clipboard. “Okay, so eto yung plano. Decorations go up tonight, and we’ll have the AV team come in tomorrow morning for the lighting and sound check. Tapos i-me-meet din natin yung performers bukas para ma-finalize na yung program."

Sabrina set down the box of supplies with a loud thud. “Perfect. Mag uumpisa ako sa bannets tsaka floral arrangements. Ate Ava, can you help me with that?"

Ava nodded. “Sure thing.”

As they busied themselves, Mary and I walked around the venue, discussing the final details. She glanced at me curiously as we moved from table to table.

“So, how’s everything going with Jovana? You two seem inseparable these days.”

I smiled, feeling a warm flutter in my chest at the mention of her name. “We are. It’s… it’s good. Really good, actually. She’s amazing, and I feel like things are just falling into place with her.”

Mary grinned. “That’s great to hear. Mukhang ang saya-saya mo pag kasama mo sya, Serena. It’s about time you found someone who makes you smile like that.”

I blushed slightly. “Yeah, she does. I’m really lucky.”

Mary gave me a knowing look. “Well, if she’s the one, then I say hold onto her tight. You deserve it.”

I nodded, glancing towards the entrance as if Jovana might walk through it any second. The thought of not seeing her for the next three days was starting to sink in again, but I pushed it aside. For now, I had work to do, and I needed to focus.

We spent the rest of the evening setting up the hall. By the time we finished, it was late, and exhaustion was beginning to settle in. I leaned against one of the tables, taking in the progress we’d made. The venue looked incredible. Everything was falling into place, and for the first time since I arrived, I felt a wave of relief.

Mary clapped her hands together. “Well, I’d say that’s a wrap for tonight. We did good, guys. Tomorrow’s the big day.”

I smiled, feeling a surge of pride. “Thanks, everyone. Hindi ko 'to magagawa kung wala kayo."

Sabrina stretched, yawning. “Alright, time to get some rest. We’ve got a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

As we gathered our things and started to leave, I checked my phone, noticing a message from Jovana

From Jovama
“Hey, how’s everything going? Thinking of you. Call me if you need anything.”

I smiled, typing a quick reply: "Everything’s great so far. Miss you already.”

The next few days would be busy, but knowing Jovana was just a phone call away made it a little easier.