WINNING HIS HEART AGAIN

Chapter 14: It's Now or Never

Avery POV.

A month had passed since Ashkent and Sandara's unexpected breakup. I hadn't seen Ashkent since that revelation about their past relationship. He seemed to be disappearing, always elusive, even in his own dorm.

"You look grumpy again, Avery. Let me guess, Ashkent na naman," Sofia teased, her voice laced with amusement. I rolled my eyes.

"Seriously, what’s the real score between you two? Did you even confess already?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

I sighed heavily, shrugging my shoulders.

"Shocks, hindi pa, girl?" she exclaimed, her voice laced with disbelief.

"It's not as easy as you think it is, Sofia," I said, my voice laced with a hint of frustration. She rolled her eyes.

"Duh! Who said it was going to be easy? But you need some guts, girl. Someone might snatch him away again, and before you know it, he’ll be someone else’s. Bahala ka," she said, her voice laced with a hint of guilt.

I rolled my eyes again. "Yeah, right," I agreed, my voice flat.

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After our classes, I made my way to Ashkent's dorm, hoping he was there so we could finally have a serious conversation. I couldn't hold back any longer. I didn't want to lose him for the second time.

I knocked on his door, and after a few seconds, he opened it. He looked surprised to see me, especially at this hour, as the sun began to set.

"Avery? What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion.

"Can we talk?" I asked, and he nodded, letting me inside his dorm.

"What is it?" he asked, as we both sat down on the couch.

"How are you? I barely see you around here," I said, my voice is soft.

"Oh, I'm good. Sorry, being an architecture student is just really getting busier these days. I have a lot on my plate," he said, his voice sounding casual.

I nodded. "I see."

"Anyways, did you just come here for that matter?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I shrugged. "Nope."

"Then what do you want to talk about? It seems serious, huh?" he said, his voice laced with a hint of curiosity.

I nodded, and his expression turned serious as he looked at me intently. "Spill," he said, preparing himself for what I was about to say.

"Are you into someone right now?" I asked bluntly, and his eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"What?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion.

"Just answer it," I said, my voice firm.

He rolled his eyes. "Nope. Did you forget I just got out of a relationship recently?" he said nonchalantly.

I nodded. "Then do you still love her?" I asked, my voice laced with a hint of desperation. His eyebrows furrowed again.

"Why do you care?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity.

"Answer me," I said, my voice firm.

He smirked.

"I told you, I loved her. I used to. But not anymore. Clear?" he said, his voice blunt, his honesty clear. But I reached out and held his chin, forcing him to look at me. I scanned his eyes, trying to read him, just like I used to when we were kids.

I smirked. I could tell he was telling the truth.

"Then, do you still have feelings for me?" I asked, a hint of hope lacing my voice.