Chapter Four: Crossing Bridges

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Nina sat cross-legged on the floor of her small studio apartment, surrounded by folded clothes and toiletries scattered around her. An open suitcase lay in front of her, its contents nearly packed. She paused for a moment, surveying her surroundings, checking to see if she had forgotten anything.

As if making up her mind, she rose and walked to her closet. On the top shelf, she spotted a dusty box. Carefully, she pulled it down, brushing off the accumulated dust before settling back on the floor. With a gentle touch, she removed the cover, revealing a treasure trove of letters, pictures, and other mementos from her past. Nestled on top of the collection was a small velvet jewelry box.

As she picked it up, a flood of memories came rushing back.

---

Polilio Island, five years ago...

The beach looked almost the same as it had a year ago, with the waves rolling in a steady rhythm against the shore. The sky was a deep blue, dotted with wisps of clouds, and the breeze carried the scent of salt and seaweed. But today, everything felt different-sharper, more vivid-as if the world itself were holding its breath, waiting.

Ethan and Nina decided to revisit the island that summer break, their last one before their final year of college. However, Nina would have to finish it alone, as Ethan's parents' petition for him to join them in the U.S. had just been approved. He would be leaving the following month, and would be finishing his studies at the University of Miami.

They were enrolled in the same university. Ethan Reyes, tall, dark, and athletic, was studying Marine Biology-the only course that suited his passion for swimming while barely meeting his parents' strict expectations. His father was a lawyer, and his mother was a doctor. Ethan's choice of college course had once been a sore point for them, but as he often stated, it was either that or he wouldn't go to college at all. Reluctantly, they relented.

Nina, on the other hand, was pursuing a degree in Journalism with a major in Environmental Science Communication. As an orphan on a full scholarship, she never lacked for anything she needed. Her parents had died in a car accident when she was seven years old. With no other close relatives, her mother's best friend and her godmother, Mich Reyes, became her legal guardian. That was how she met Ethan, who was just a couple of months older than her. Ninang Mich and Ethan's father were siblings, and since his parents were absent for most of his life, Nina and Ethan basically grew up together.

Ethan stood with his back to the ocean, his eyes never leaving Nina as she wandered closer to the shoreline. She stopped just before the water could touch her toes, gazing out at the horizon, the wind playing with the ends of her dress. For a moment, she looked like she was lost in thought, and then she turned back to him, her eyes alight with curiosity.

"What's going on, Ethan?" she asked with a soft smile. "You've been acting weird all day."

"'Weird,' huh?" He chuckled, reaching up to rub the back of his neck-a nervous habit she knew so well. "That's not very reassuring."

Nina laughed, the sound like music to his ears. "Well, weirder than usual. You know what I mean. You've been fidgeting, looking like you're about to burst out of your skin."

"Yeah, well..." He took a deep breath, his smile faltering for a split second before he regained his composure. "There's a reason for that."

Before she could respond, he was moving, crossing the small distance between them. He took her hands in his, holding them gently but firmly. Then, to her utter shock, he slowly dropped down to one knee, his gaze never wavering from hers.

"Ethan...?" Her voice was a whisper, her eyes wide as she looked down at him.

"Nina," he began, his voice trembling ever so slightly, but there was a quiet determination in his eyes that made her heart swell. "Last year, right here on this very beach, I made you a promise. A promise to love you until the world stops turning, and even after that."

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