Rekindled

Prologue

I hug myself tightly as the cold wind touches my skin. I was watching the scenery of the city lights and decided to go inside my condo because it's getting colder. I sighed heavily and smiled as I watched my drunk friends sleeping on the couch; some are even sleeping on the floor. It was indeed a wonderful night, especially for Sheena. This is her bachelorette party. They were wrong when they expected that I'm the one who will get married first. LOL.

I don't know how I fell asleep. Nagising na lamang ako dahil sa sigaw ni Vincess sa labas. Vince lang talaga pangalan ng isang to, pero masyado raw lalaki, di bagay sa kanyang mala Disney princess na mukha kaya, I gave him a nickname called, Vincess. Vince + Princess.

"My God, please don't shout", inaantok kong sabi.

"Luto na po yong pagkain, mahal na prinsesa", sarcastic na pagkakasabi nito na tinawanan ko lang.

I just did my morning routine and then went outside. We ate breakfast while chitchatting about old stuff. During our college years, we exchanged heartfelt tears. We never parted since first year till all of us graduated with flying colors.

"You still remember that one subject where we put in a lot of effort but only based on the exam results? HAHAHAHAH...Tawang tawa kami lahat dahil tandang tanda pa namin iyon.

Time flew so fast. Ngayon, yong breakdown namin related na sa work, unlike school days.

"Kala ko talaga dati, si Kaye yong unang ikakasal, si Sheena pala", parang nanghihinayang na sabi Vincess. I just smiled sadly.

"Okay ka na ba?" Biglaang tanong ni Sheena. Alam kong para sakin yong tanong. "Almost there", I smiled bitterly.

"Oh, group hug ", ani Jovane.

We stayed like that for a bit until they decided to go home. Sheena's fiance was waiting for her, and the two still have things to do. And since I'm on a day off, I will have my bathtub thing.

Ilang minuto rin akong nag stay don ng mapasyahan kong lumabas na rin para makapag bihis na. I watched some Netflix movies then nakatulog ako after.

"Girl", tawag ni Vincess sa kabilang linya.

"Yes?", irita kong sagot dahil naiistorbo niya pagtulog ko.

"Galit na Galit?HAHAH", walang kwenta niyang sabi.

I just ended the call and went back to sleep. 5 pm ng magising ako. I went for a quick shower then decided to go to the grocery store dahil naubusan na ako ng stocks sa ref. I just bought the essential and necessary things, then went to the counter, ready to pay.

"Thank you, Ma'am", ani cashier after kong magbayad at nginitian ko ito.

Pag uwi ko ay dali dali akong nag luto para makapaghapunan na.

"Nak, dumiretso ka mamaya sa Korum pagkatapos mo sa trabaho dahil may family dinner tayo. Birthday ng Tito mo", mom said through phone call. Agad na din akong nag ayos dahil papasok pa ako sa trabaho.

I graduated with the course BSED Major in English at PHINMA COC. I was Magna Cum Laude and was already an LPT. I didn't teach; instead, I applied at BFP and thankfully got in.

For all those years, I've never imagined having my own office, called Chief, with my colleagues. And I got invited to graduations to share my speech. It still felt surreal.

"Chief, here's the details of last night's fire incident".

"Okay, thank you".

From the details I got, I made a report and delivered it to the senior superintendent. Nothing much happens today, so I got home early and prepared for the family dinner. When I got content with my looks, I drove to Korum to meet my family for dinner.

"Happy Birthday, Tito.".

When the orders arrived, we sang a birthday song and started eating after. We're just laughing all the time. Tatay from heaven must be very happy.

"When are you getting married, Kaye?" Tito Jigs suddenly asked, which made the table sit in silence.

I was shocked. I didn't know what to say. Like, I'm out of words. Since the day they knew about me and Ryle breaking up, they never opened the topic of me getting married.

"For now, I'm not thinking about it, Tito. I still have a lot of things to achieve and prioritize. I know I'm not getting any younger, but when it comes to love, there are no age limits or basis. At least that's what I believe", hopefully I answered Tito Jigs question.

We all got distracted when people screamed while witnessing a man propose to a woman. I instantly felt so much pain in my chest.

I diverted my attention from the beautiful scenery and just continued eating. Kahit na alam ko na lahat ng tingin nila ay tinitimbang ang reaksiyon ko.

I bid my goodbyes to them after the dinner. My older cousins even invited me to go with them to the club, but I refused. At ng tuluyan na akong makapasok sa condo ko, lahat ng mga luhang naipon ko for years ay nagsilaglagan.

I thought I'm okay. Bakit parang niloloko ko lang ang sarili ko na okay ako?

The echoes of the past still linger, a bittersweet symphony of memories. As time marches on, the realization dawns upon that the love I once felt for him has never truly faded. It remains, a silent testament to the enduring power of the heart.

My eyes were swelling when I woke up. I don't feel like it, but I have to get ready because I have work. When I arrived at the station, people were busy.

"Chief, we got a two-story house fire on Zayas Street. It's a bad one." One of my colleagues, Officer Hans, rushes towards me, panting.

"Got it. What are the initial reports?" I said.

"Structure fire, heavy smoke, possible occupants trapped inside. We've started the initial attack, but the fire's moving fast.".

"Alright, let's move. I'll assess the situation and coordinate the response." I quickly don my helmet and gear, grabbing a portable radio. I rushed towards the fire truck and went to the burning house, the heat intense, the crackling of flames deafening.

"Water on the fire! Protect the exposures! Search and rescue teams; prioritize the second floor!" I shouted to some fire fighters.

As I survey the scene, I notice a window on the second floor. A faint cry echoes from inside.

"Focus on that window! Get a ladder up there, now!" I shouted to the rescue team.

"Keep the water on the fire. Don't let it spread to the neighbouring houses!" I continued shouting.

The adrenaline pumps through my veins as I coordinate the efforts of my team. Every second counts. The fate of those trapped inside hangs in the balance.

The fire finally subdued after an hour. I was wiping my sweat and my dirty face when the paramedics and doctors from the provincial hospital arrived at the place.

As the injured were being loaded into the ambulances, a familiar figure emerged from one of the vehicles. My heart pounded in my chest. It couldn't be...

My eyes met his, and time seemed to stand still. The years melted away, replaced by the intensity of the moment. There he stood, the man I'd loved, the man I'd longed for. His eyes, once filled with joy and hope, now held a mix of pain, longing, and a love that seemed to echo the depths of my own.....