My Last And My Only

Chapter 62: Back Where It All Begins

The shrill sound of Aiah's alarm echoed inside the room.

She instinctively reached for her phone and turned it off before it could ring for another second. A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she slowly sat up on the bed. Her eyes immediately landed on the suitcase resting quietly near the door.

So... this is really happening.

For a moment, she simply stared at it. Last night, she had finally made her decision. She thought waking up today would somehow make everything easier.

It didn't.

Instead, she felt a strange knot forming inside her stomach. She was going back to Manila. Not because she was ready to face Khae. Not because she had already forgiven her. But because Lou was right. She had worked too hard to get where she was today. Four years of sleepless nights, countless plates, projects, presentations, and deadlines had all led to this final semester. She couldn't throw everything away because the person she loved broke her heart. She couldn't. Even if a part of her still wanted to run.

A soft knock came from the door before Lou slowly peeked inside.

"Good morning, sweetheart."

"Morning, Mom." Aiah forced a smile.

Lou noticed the suitcase almost immediately. She smiled to herself before walking over and sitting beside her daughter.

Neither of them spoke for a while. Some questions didn't have to be asked anymore. Lou already knew the answer.

She reached for Aiah's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Are you sure?"

Aiah looked down at their hands.

Was she sure?

Honestly...

No.

She wasn't sure of anything anymore.

Not about love.

Not about Khae.

Not even about what would happen the moment they saw each other again.

But she was sure of one thing.

"I don't want to regret giving up on my dream."

Lou smiled proudly. There she is. Her brave little girl.

"Your dad will be happy to hear that you're going back." She cupped Aiah's face and kissed her forehead.

Aiah smiled faintly. Her dad still believed she had simply gone home to Cebu to spend the break with them. He had no idea his daughter had spent almost every night crying herself to sleep because of someone he didn't even know existed.

Maybe...

It was better that way.

For now.

The ride to the airport felt shorter than Aiah expected.

Dean was driving while humming along to an old song playing on the radio. Every now and then, he would glance at his daughter through the rearview mirror, asking random questions about school or reminding her not to skip meals.

Aiah answered each one with a smile.

She couldn't help but feel guilty.

If only her dad knew...

Would he still be smiling like this?

Or would he insist on taking her back to Cebu for good?

She didn't know. And she wasn't ready to find out. When they finally arrived at the airport, Dean got out first to help with her luggage.