The Italian sun cast a warm glow over the villa as Heart and her eldest siblings packed the last of their things. Two weeks had flown by in a blur of family gatherings, exploring the cobbled streets of Rome, and laughing over late-night dinners. Yet, as beautiful as Italy was, each of them felt the pull of home—the Philippines was calling.
Heart folded the last of her dresses, tucking it into her suitcase. Alexis, sitting on her bed, looked around the room with a sigh. “I’m gonna miss this place,” she said, glancing at Heart.
“Me too,” Heart replied, smiling. “But I miss home more.”
Charice walked in, her hair up in a messy bun, holding her phone up. “Mom and Dad sent a message. They said they'll miss us and told us to have a safe flight.”
Heart felt a pang of homesickness, even though their parents were a message away. Aries and Alexa had left earlier for a business trip in London, trusting their eldest kids to handle the rest of their Italian adventure.
Saint walked in, rolling his eyes as he glanced at Heart’s half-zipped suitcase. “Are you done yet, Alexandra? Ashton’s waiting downstairs, and you know he’s not the patient type.”
Heart smirked, deliberately slowing her pace. “I’d be done if a certain Kuya didn’t keep interrupting.”
Saint scoffed. “Tss. You need supervision or you’ll leave half of your stuff behind.”
“Alright, alright!” Heart zipped up her bag and, with a final glance around, joined her siblings in the lobby.
Downstairs, Ashton leaned against the doorway, looking at his watch. “Finally! The flight’s not gonna wait for us.”
They all piled into the waiting van, and as they pulled away from the villa, Heart felt a bittersweet tug in her chest. She gazed out the window, watching the Italian countryside roll past, already dreaming of what awaited them back in Manila.
At the Airport
After clearing check-in and customs, the siblings gathered at the boarding gate. Saint scrolled through his phone, checking their family group chat for updates, while Alexis browsed duty-free. Charice & Alexis stood beside Heart, talking about all the local food she wanted to devour the moment they landed.
“Do you think Arielle, Coleen & Charity knows we’re coming home today?” Charice asked, nudging Heart.
Heart’s cheeks warmed. “I didn’t tell them the exact day. I wanted to surprise them.”
Charice grinned. “their going to be thrilled. I bet he’s been counting down the days.”
Ashton, overhearing, chuckled. “You’re really keeping them in suspense, huh?”
Heart just smiled, looking forward to seeing her bestfriend's reaction.
After twelve hours and forty-five minutes of travel, the plane touched down at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Heart’s heart raced with anticipation as the cabin crew announced their arrival. She and her siblings exchanged excited glances, ready to reunite with family.
Once they deplaned, the familiar scent of the Philippines enveloped them—a blend of warmth, humidity, and the promise of home. As they navigated through the airport terminal, Heart’s stomach fluttered with the mix of emotions: the thrill of returning home and the eagerness to see everyone again.
“Finally, home sweet home!” Alexis exclaimed, her voice echoing in the bustling airport.
“Let’s grab our bags and head out,” Ashton said, leading the way toward the baggage claim area.
YOU ARE READING
A Love Unexpected
Fiksi RemajaRyndell Alcantara, a charming law student and star basketball player, is used to getting everything he wants-until he meets Heart Fernandez, an independent nursing student who no longer believes in love. As the daughter of wealthy business tycoons...
