Sometime In July (2024 edition)

Chapter Twelve

Seth woke early the next morning, the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains. He moved quietly, careful not to wake Yssa as she slept peacefully beside him. Even though it was a Monday, there was no urgent reason to wake up early. There were no classes today as a special national holiday was being celebrated. 

In the kitchen, he made a hearty breakfast—bacon, fried eggs, hotdogs, fried rice, and coffee. It was special and thoughtful, something to show her how much he cared.

When Yssa stirred, he brought the tray to her, setting it beside her on the bed. They ate together, sharing smiles between bites, and as soon as they had finished, they found themselves drawn back to each other. The intimacy they had shared the night before hadn't faded—it was as intense as ever. Their lovemaking was passionate, a powerful affirmation of the connection they now felt. Yssa arched her back, her body trembling with pleasure as she wrapped her arms around him, their breaths in perfect sync.

Afterward, they showered together, the warmth of the water mixing with the heat between them. They laughed and talked softly as they dressed, knowing they had to go back to Olongapo. The morning sun shone brightly over Ternate, a rare, golden light that seemed to mirror their mood. Seth held her hand tightly, unwilling to let go of the moment they were sharing.

"Seth..." Yssa murmured, gently tugging at his hand as if to draw him fully into her gaze.

"Yes? What is it?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

"You know... I'm not usually like this. I don't do this. You understand what I mean, don't you?"

A faint smile played on Seth's lips. "Yeah, I think I do..." He paused, a warmth blooming in his chest. "Thank God, 'cause I'm not like this either. It's only because it's you."

* * *

On the bus ride back, they talked easily, the conversation flowing naturally between them. But every now and then, Seth would pause, his gaze lingering on her. Yssa could feel his eyes on her, and though it made her feel self-conscious, she couldn't help but smile. There was something tender in the way he looked at her, as if he were memorizing every detail.

By noon, they arrived in Olongapo City and took a jeepney to Jeanne's place in Gordon Heights. It was lunchtime and they stayed with Jeanne and Elisha for the rest of the meal. After a quick round of Scrabble with the grade-schooler, they asked permission to leave.

On Monday afternoon, Seth drove Yssa to her apartment, the time they had shared felt far too short. He kissed her goodbye and watched as she waved, standing in the doorway as he backed his car down the street and disappeared onto the main road.

Inside her apartment, Yssa felt the weight of his absence almost immediately. She prepared dinner for herself, but as she sat down to eat, tears began to fall. She missed Seth—his smile, his voice, his presence. She missed the way he cared for her, the way he made her feel seen and cherished. She thought about their conversations, replaying them in her mind, nearly able to recite them word for word. The loneliness crept in slowly, filling the space where he had been.

After dinner, she took a shower, hoping it would help her relax, but even as she lay in bed, she couldn't stop thinking about him. Sleep evaded her, and all she could do was miss him. The minutes dragged on, and it wasn't until the rain began to fall around 9 pm that she finally found some peace. The steady rhythm of the raindrops lulled her into sleep, a bittersweet reminder of the night they had shared.

* * *

"So, what was she like?" Brandon asked as they took their 10 a.m. break. They were in the faculty room, Yssa seated behind her desk while Brandon casually perched on its edge. Both held styrofoam coffee cups and sandwiches, taking advantage of the quiet moment to talk.