At Last, Him

Chapter 18: Happy New Year

We sat on the soft sand, warm beneath us even as the sun began its slow descent into the horizon. The waves lapped at the shore rhythmically, a calming sound that mingled with the low murmur of voices and laughter from nearby beachgoers. The year had been a whirlwind, and now, as December 31st closed in, there was something bittersweet in the air.

Si Liang Wei, na may malungkot na ngiti, ay sinira ang komportableng katahimikan. "I'm glad I got to experience working with Architect Pablo Roman," he said, his voice steady but thoughtful. He glanced out at the waves, his dark eyes catching the last hints of sunlight. "It's been challenging but rewarding."

Kuya Marco chuckled and leaned back on his elbows. The golden light cast long shadows across his face, making him look older and more contemplative. "Honestly? I hated the idea at first. When I got the news that I was being sent to Bali, I thought, 'Great, now I'm stuck under the thumb of the biggest workaholic in the field.' Pablo Roman is married to his firm; everyone knows that. It's always been his only priority."

Nakinig ako, may bahagyang ngiti sa aking mga labi habang naglalaro ng mga random na pattern sa buhangin. Hindi ko pinalampas ang katotohanan sa mga salita ni Kuya Marco. Architect Pablo was intense, driven, and uncompromising, but that same passion had built a legacy, one I was now a small part of. "It's okay to be single at that age," sabi ko, ang boses ko ay may malambot na paniniwala. "Especially when your career is going so well. Some people find fulfillment in their work. It's their love story."

Kuya Marco nodded, a half-smile playing on his lips as he turned his head to look at me. "True. In our profession, finding a partner who can be patient and understanding is a bonus, not a given. It's rare to meet someone who can handle how time-consuming and draining this life is."

Apinya, sitting cross-legged next to me, let out a small, content sigh. "I'm lucky. My boyfriend knows how important this is to me. He's patient, even when I'm caught up in work for weeks on end. Not many people are like that."

Pumikit si Liang Wei sa kunwaring inis at tumawa. "Can't relate. The idea of love? Sure, it's nice, but when it comes to commitment? Nah. I've tried, but there's just no way I could keep up. So, I settle for flings and one-night stands. No strings, no expectations."

I chuckled softly, sharing a knowing glance with Apinya. The warmth of the sand seeped into my hands, grounding me as I listened to the gentle banter between my colleagues. We were different, each of us shaped by the demands of our careers and personal histories. Yet, here we were, together, reflecting on the year that had tested us, shaped us, and, in some way, connected us.

Apinya's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she leaned in closer, brushing sand off her legs. "So, Shan, what's going on between you and East? I mean, we all see it." Kuya Marco and Liang Wei exchanged knowing grins, their laughter blending with the gentle crash of the waves.

I felt my cheeks warm, caught off guard by their observations. How long had they been noticing? I took a deep breath and glanced at the horizon, where the sun was now just a golden sliver, casting a warm glow over the water. "You guys noticed that, huh?" I said, trying to keep my tone light.

Nagkibitbalikat si Apinya, at lumambot ang kanyang ekspresyon. "It's hard not to. He's always so reserved with everyone else, but with you... he's different."

A moment passed as I gathered my thoughts, the cool breeze stirring the loose strands of my hair. The truth felt heavy, but maybe it was time to share it, even if only a little. "It's complicated," I admitted. "After years of being single—through architecture school, I never really had a serious relationship. It was just casual dating or flings. Nothing serious, just... a way to escape the stress and keep things light."