One Last Time

Kabanata LX: WELCOME HOME

Welcome Home.
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         I WAS HOLDING the layout plan while I was heading back to the tent. It's already past 10, way past breakfast, and during those hours, ngayon lang ako tinantanan ni Levi. Well, hindi naman totally tinantanan. Naging abala lang siya sa pakikipag-usap kay Mang Berto at sa mga worker tungkol sa ginagawa nilang buhos, so I was able to sneak away from him and decided to go back to the tent.

Pinupuspusan na nila ang trabaho dahil, sa totoo lang, malapit nang matapos ang project. Kaya rin siguro mabilis akong mai-pull out ni Dad for this unexpected vacation leave.

Minutes later, the tent appeared in the heat haze.

“Hey…”

Halos mapatalon ako nang marinig ko ang mahinang tawag ni Jaei mula sa isang gilid habang papasok. I looked over and saw him leaning casually against one of the main posts with a slight smile gracing his lips.

Ngumiti ako pabalik at lumapit na sa kanya. Meanwhile, Jaei straightened up and moved away from the post to meet me halfway.

I actually felt bad for how Levi was acting towards him earlier. I knew he wanted to talk to me, but Levi had glued himself to my side, making it obvious he wanted to keep me away from Jaei, even in front of his workers who were grinning ear to ear because their boss was making a move on me! They didn't even try to hide their obvious bias, cheering for Levi, which made me feel even guiltier because Jaei was witnessing everything!

“About earlier... I'm sorry—” I began as I reached him, but Jaei immediately cut me off.

“Okay lang. Hindi mo kailangan humingi ng sorry,” Jaei assured me with a sincere smile.

Maikling katahimikan ang namagitan sa'min bago siya muling nagsalita. “I heard you're leaving early today?” he asked gently, confirming rather than questioning.

Marahan akong tumango. “Yes. My father wants me to go with them to pick up my sister at the airport today.”

“Your sister? You mean... Annika Yturralde?”

I smiled, while Jaei returned a shy, slightly embarrassed grin. “Sorry, I was just... interested in you back then, so I tried to look things up about you. And I found out you had a half-sister at the university who transferred abroad.”

I looked at him, surprised. To go to such lengths, he must've really been interested in me. I should feel flattered and privileged, but the memory of last night's events only deepened the guilt clawing at me.

Misinterpreting my silence, Jaei smiled sheepishly. “I can't blame you if you think I sound like a stalker right now.”

Ngumiti ako sabay iling. “No, it's fine. I just find it fascinating that a smart, famous student like you was interested in a woman with a bad reputation…”

Yeah…that's right. Jaei's a perfect catch, and the thought of him deserving better is weighing on me. He deserves more…

“I was just like you before,” he countered, meeting my gaze. “And I didn't care about your reputation. I liked you then, and I still do…”

I bit my lip, secretly clenching my fist. Mas lalong bumigat ang pakiramdam ko.

“I want to continue pursuing you, but I—”

“Keira.”

Isang malalim at seryosong boses ang biglang sumabat kay Jaei, dahilan para sabay kaming mapalingon sa isang gilid. Levi stood there. His face devoid of expression—a studied blankness directed at both me and, especially, Jaei.