At Last, Him

Chapter 5: Could've Been Different

As I pulled up to Cam's house in Balanga, a familiar wave of excitement washed over me. It had been over a year since we last saw each other, pero lagi pa rin kaming may update sa social media—at hindi niya pinalalampas ang araw nang hindi ako inaasar. His endless teasing had practically become part of my daily routine. I couldn't help but smile, recalling all the memories we'd made here since high school. Hindi na bago sa akin ang lugar na ito, but this time, it felt more special. Alam kong ito talaga ang kailangan ko, to be with people who knew my past, who understood me without needing explanations.

Pagkababa ko ng kotse, nakita ko agad si Cam sa may pinto, nakatayo doon, tulala at halatang nagulat. Sa tangkad niyang 6-footer, madali siyang makita mula kahit sa malayo. His medium-toned skin glowed under the morning light, and his black hair—styled in his signature Caesar cut—made him look sharp but approachable. Alam kong guwapo ang best friend ko, at parang wala pa ring nagbago. Para bang siya pa rin 'yong kapatid ko na laging nandiyan kahit ano'ng mangyari. Cameron David Manara Alcantara, my best friend since high school.

Finally, he snapped out of it, and his usual playful grin surfaced. "Nag-resign ka? Kailan ka pa bumalik dito sa Bataan?" Agad niyang tanong, may halong pag-aalala sa mukha niya.

Tumawa ako, kinindatan siya, at tumingala sa kanya. "Cam, kalma lang! I'm fine, okay? I promise. May mga kuwento ako sa'yo, pero mamaya na 'yan. Kailangan ko muna makita sina Tito at Tita, na-miss ko sila."

Napapailing siyang sumunod sa akin habang papunta kami sa pool area. "Grabe ka talaga, ha. Mukhang mas na-miss mo pa yata sila kaysa sa akin!" biro niya, pero alam kong may katotohanan sa sinasabi niya.

Pagdating namin sa pool area, nakita ko ang mga magulang niya, nagrerelax at nagkukulitan. Tumakbo ako palapit, at nagulat si Tita, pero agad akong niyakap nang mahigpit. "Shan, ang tagal mo nang hindi nagpapakita dito!" sabi niya, ramdam ko ang init ng yakap niya na parang talagang na-miss din niya ako.

Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na nandito ulit ako, surrounded by people who felt like family. Habang kinukumusta ko sina Tito at Tita, pasimpleng tumayo lang si Cam sa gilid, nakangiti pero alam kong pinagmamasdan niya ako, nagtataka pa rin siguro kung ano nga ba ang nangyari at nagdesisyon akong umuwi.

For now, I let myself enjoy the moment, basking in the warmth and comfort of their presence, knowing that later, I'd finally share my story with Cam.

***

As we drove through the bustling streets, I could feel the familiar banter with Cam kicking in. He always had a knack for annoying me, and today was no different.

"Iligaw kaya kita 'no? Para mawala ka, tapos 'di ka na makapag-board exam," biro niya, sumulyap sa akin na may nakakaasar na ngiti.

Napairap ako, bumuntonghininga. "'Wag ka na dumagdag sa stress ko, utang na labas at loob."

"Just saying, it could be a solid plan. You get distracted, I get to be the hero who saves you from all that stress," he said, his laughter ringing in my ears.

"More like the villain! I swear, you're insufferable sometimes," I shot back, unable to suppress a smile. It was comforting to have this lighthearted exchange, especially after the chaos of the past week with the workload at the firm hanging over my head.

"Aw, come on. You know you love my charm," he replied, feigning hurt.

"Charm? More like a headache," I retorted, laughing as we pulled into the parking lot of our favorite samgyupsal place. The familiar scent of grilled meat and the warmth of the restaurant made me forget, even for a moment, the weight of my worries.