Maybe This Time

2

Flashback: Three years ago...

It was three days after graduation, a time when the world felt wide open, and possibilities seemed endless. MJ sat on the stone bench near the university library, the last rays of the setting sun casting a warm glow over the familiar campus. His thick brows furrowed in thought as he absentmindedly fidgeted with a small keychain Aiah had given him back in their second year. He hadn't seen her since graduation day, which was unusual. They were practically inseparable in college.

Aiah was the one constant in his life, the one person who made his chaotic world make sense. They had a bond that made people wonder if they were more than just friends. There were whispers, jokes, and knowing smiles from their circle. Everyone thought they were a couple, but neither of them had ever said anything. MJ always thought there was no need for labels. As long as Aiah was there by his side, he was content. She had her quiet way of caring, and that was enough for him—or so he thought.

"Bro, parang nawala si Aiah, ah?" Cole's voice broke through MJ's thoughts. Cole sat beside him, flipping his phone in his hand. "Di ba lagi kang kasama nun? Baka nagka-boyfriend na. Left you in the dust, tol."

"Shut up, Cole," MJ muttered, but there was a flicker of worry in his voice. Aiah had been distant these past few days. She had smiled through graduation day, hugged him, said congratulations—but there was something off. Something he couldn't quite put his finger on. Now she wasn't replying to his messages.

JC stumbled over to the bench with his usual goofy grin, holding two bottles of iced tea. "Pre, iniwan mo pala 'yung iced tea mo kanina sa canteen. Ayaw ko sanang balikan kasi daming tao, pero sabi ni Stacey, kailangan daw maibigay ko. Nung inabot ko nga, sabi ni ate, 'pati ba iced tea iniwan ng tropa mo?' Pakyu ka talaga," JC laughed, shaking his head, earning a chuckle from Cole.

"Thanks, JC." MJ took the bottle absentmindedly.

"Pero seriously, bro," Gian, who had been standing quietly nearby, leaned in. "Hindi mo ba talaga alam kung nasaan si Aiah?"

"Wala, eh," MJ sighed, his brows knitted. "She hasn't been answering my calls or texts. Even Maloi and Sheena are clueless. Stacey said she hasn't heard anything either."

Cole raised a brow, half-joking but half-curious. "Baka... may kinikita na. Alam mo naman si Aiah, bigla na lang 'yan nawawala. Lagi namang tahimik, baka may tinatago na ngayon."

MJ frowned. The thought of Aiah with someone else didn't sit well with him. His mind raced back to the times they had spent together during college—the late-night study sessions, random food trips, the quiet moments when it was just the two of them in comfortable silence. Sure, they weren't officially together, but their connection had always felt deeper than friendship.

"Kilala niyo si Aiah," MJ finally said, standing up, his frustration evident. "Kung meron man siyang gusto, I would've known. Hindi ganun 'yun. She wouldn't just disappear like this."

The truth was, Aiah wasn't the type to vanish without a word. She was private, yes, but never secretive. MJ could feel something was wrong, but he didn't know what.

---

It was that night—three days after graduation—that everything changed. MJ had been pacing his apartment, phone in hand, wondering if he should call her again. Then, as if by magic, his phone buzzed with a message.

"MJ, I'm at the place. Come see me."

It was Aiah.

MJ's heart leapt in his chest. Without hesitation, he grabbed his keys and rushed out the door. He didn't even bother to tell the others where he was going. He knew exactly what "the place" meant. It was their spot—a small park hidden behind the old campus building, a place only they went to when they needed to talk.