One Last Time (R18)

Kabanata LX: WELCOME HOME

Welcome Home.
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         I WAS HOLDING the layout plan as I headed back to the tent. It was already past ten, way past breakfast, and during those hours, ngayon lang ako tinantanan ni Levi. Well, hindi totally tinantanan. Naging abala lang siya sa pakikipag-usap kay Mang Berto at sa mga worker tungkol sa ginagawa nilang buhos, so I managed to slip 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. That was probably why Dad could easily pull me out for this sudden 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 turned and saw him leaning casually against one of the main posts, a faint smile on his lips.

I smiled back and walked toward him. Jaei straightened 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 painfully obvious he didn't want Jaei near, even in front of the workers, who were grinning like they were watching a live romance drama.  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 said immediately, offering 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.”

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

I smiled, while Jaei returned a shy, slightly embarrassed grin. “Sorry,” he said, scratching the back of his neck. “I was just… interested in you back then, so I looked things up. That’s how I found out you had a half-sister at the university who transferred abroad.”

I blinked in surprise. To go to such lengths, he must've really been interested in me. I should’ve felt flattered… special even. But the memory of last night only made the guilt heavier.

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

Ngumiti ako sabay iling. “No, it's fine. I just find it fascinating that someone as smart, famous student as you became 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…

Jaei met my gaze steadily. “I was just like you before. And I didn’t care about your reputation. I liked you then… and I still do.”

I bit my lip, my hand secretly tightening into a 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 ni Jaei sa isang gilid. Levi stood there. His face was expression—a deliberate blankness directed at both me and, but especially at Jaei.