My Last And My Only

Chapter 59: The Quiet Between Us

Aiah had almost forgotten what it felt like to sleep through the night.

For the first time in days, she woke up without a heaviness pressing against her chest. The curtains in her bedroom swayed gently as the morning breeze drifted in from the window, carrying the familiar scent of the sea. It reminded her of summers she had spent in Cebu growing up—days when life had been uncomplicated and love had never felt so frightening.

She lay in bed for a while, staring at the ceiling.

It was strange.

Nothing had changed.

Khae was still in Manila.

She was still in Cebu.

They still hadn't spoken.

And yet, somehow, her mind felt quieter than it had a few days ago.

Perhaps Chico had been right.

Perhaps she had needed this space.

Not to stop loving Khae.

But to hear herself think again.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.

"You're awake?"

Before Aiah could answer, Lou peeked inside with a smile.

"Your Lola's been waiting for you. She wants you to help her make lunch."

Aiah couldn't help but smile back.

"Since when does Lola need help?"

Lou laughed softly.

"She doesn't. She just misses spending time with you."

A warmth spread through Aiah's chest.

She had almost forgotten how comforting it was to be surrounded by family. There were no questions waiting for her downstairs. No one was asking her whether she had talked to Khae or if things were getting better. Her grandparents simply welcomed her home as if she had never left.

Maybe that was exactly what she needed.

By late afternoon, the house was filled with the aroma of freshly cooked food. Her grandfather was watching television in the living room while her grandmother insisted that everyone eat more than they possibly could.

Dean laughed as he watched his wife scold Aiah for refusing another serving of rice.

"She's only been here a few days, Ma. You're trying to make her gain five kilos before she goes back."

Her grandmother clicked her tongue.

"She's too thin."

Aiah exchanged a helpless look with her mother.

Lou only smiled.

There was something about seeing her daughter laugh again that eased the worry she'd been carrying ever since that morning in Manila.

Not completely.

But enough.

After lunch, Aiah excused herself and stepped outside. The sun was beginning to set, bathing the neighborhood in shades of gold. She wandered toward the old mango tree in her grandparents' yard and sat beneath it, letting the quiet settle around her.

Her phone vibrated inside her pocket.

Almost instinctively, her heart skipped.

She hated that it still did.