Player 1 | MIKHAIAH AU

Part 35

"Finally! Finally!" Gab exclaims, collapsing to her knees with exaggerated relief.

"Alam mo, minsan OA ka rin eh," Jhai says, crossing her arms as she watches Gab act like a child.

"I'm just so glad we're back!" Gab says, throwing her arms in the air in celebration.

"Akala mo naman ilang taon ka na sa US," Jhai replies, rolling her eyes. "Kala ko pa nga two years tayo dun, yun pala dalawang buwan lang!"

"Bakit ba!" Gab fires back dramatically. "Every minute I'm not with Shan feels like an eternity!"

Jhai shakes her head and grabs Gab's shoulders, giving her a playful shake. "Gab, hindi ka ganyan. Nonchalant ka, remember? Cool, chill, walang pake!" she says, mimicking Gab's usual demeanor with a smirk.

Their playful banter is interrupted by a calm voice behind them. "Can you both stop it?"

"Mackie!" Jhai turns around, grinning as she throws her arms around her.

"Mackie boi, kamusta ka?" Gab says, grabbing Mackie's arm with a teasing grin.

"I'm good, guys," Mackie says, her smile soft but genuine.

"You do look happier, ah," Gab teases, raising an eyebrow.

"Aba, naka-move on na?" Jhai chimes in, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

Mackie rolls her eyes at their teasing, then just ignores them.

"Ads, sure ka na ba?" Clover asks, her voice tinged with concern.

"Grabe ka naman," Addison jokes, a small laugh escaping her lips. "Kung kailan bayad na yung ticket at andito na tayo, tsaka mo pa ako tinatanong ng ganyan."

"Ate Ads!" Shan suddenly cries out, clinging to Addison like a child, her grip tight and desperate.

"Huy, ano ka ba? Para kang bata," Mandy teases, rolling her eyes.

Clover chuckles, nudging Addison. "Isama mo na nga yan para tumigil na sa drama."

"Ah, no na, no! Ngayon ang uwi ng bebe ko. Miss na miss na ako nun," Shan says, finally letting go with a pout.

"Ngayon uwi nila?... Kasama si..." Mandy trails off, hesitant to finish her sentence.

Addison grabs her luggage and cuts in quickly, her voice light but firm. "Ah, boarding na pala ako, guys. I'll go na."

Shan's eyes well up as she clutches Addison's arm one last time. "Ate Ads, sumulat ka lagi ha," she says, her voice breaking slightly.

Mandy shakes her head, lowering it to hide her grin. "Ginawa mo namang OFW."

Addison chuckles, pulling Shan into a quick hug. "Shan, sa Cebu lang ako pupunta. One week lang. Ikalma mo."

The group shares one last tight embrace, their laughter mingling with a bittersweet air. As Addison walks away, she glances back, their faces filled with warmth and silent goodbyes.

She notices someone lingering behind the crowd, wearing a dark hoodie. The figure is too far to make out clearly, but she's sure its gaze is fixed on her. A chill runs down her spine, but she shakes it off and moves through the boarding section.

"Gab, hindi ka ba sasabay?" Jhai asks, tossing her luggage into the trunk.

"Sasabay, wait lang. Inaantay ko pa si bebe ko," Gab replies, grinning ear to ear.

"Gab ko!!" Shan's voice rings out, and she bolts through the parking lot, arms wide open.

"Ayan na naman po sila," Jhai mutters, rolling her eyes as Gab and Shan collide in a dramatic, tight hug. With Clover and Mandy following her, their hands together.