My Last And My Only

Chapter 68: Before You Arrive

The morning started like any other.

Or at least, that was what Aiah kept telling herself as she stood in front of the bathroom mirror, carefully fixing the loose strands of hair that had escaped her ponytail. She had always been the type to leave the house looking neat, regardless of how she felt. It was one of the many things Lou had unknowingly taught her growing up—that no matter how chaotic life became, there was comfort in taking care of yourself.

She stared at her own reflection for a few more seconds before forcing a small smile.

It looked convincing enough.

Whether it reached her eyes was another story.

She grabbed her bag and walked downstairs just as Gwen finished tying the laces of her sneakers.

"Ready?" Gwen asked.

Aiah nodded. "Let's go before we get stuck in traffic."

The two cousins booked a Grab as usual. By now, the driver already knew the route to the university without having to ask. The ride was quiet, though not in the uncomfortable way silence often became after an argument. Gwen simply knew Aiah had a lot on her mind.

Truthfully...

She did too.

Yesterday's encounter kept replaying in her head. Not because something dramatic had happened, but because nothing had.

She had expected tears.

Maybe even an argument.

Instead, she witnessed two people who loved each other so much, yet stood in front of one another as though they were strangers afraid of saying the wrong thing.

It broke her heart in ways she hadn't expected.

When they finally arrived at the university, the campus had already begun to buzz with activity. Students hurried across the pathways, clutching cups of coffee and unfinished assignments while greeting familiar faces along the way.

Aiah adjusted the strap of her bag before looking toward the Arts Building.

She almost smiled.

For the first time in days...

The sight of the campus didn't make her chest feel heavy.

Perhaps she was slowly getting used to being here again.

Or perhaps...

She was simply learning how to carry the ache with her.

Not far from the Communication building, Khae was already seated at the gazebo.

She had arrived earlier than everyone else.

Again.

She wasn't sure why she kept doing that.

Maybe because mornings used to be her favorite part of the day.

The eight of them would eventually gather there before classes started. Someone would always bring breakfast, someone else would complain about an assignment they forgot to finish, and somehow, Aiah always ended up laughing at the smallest things.

Those mornings felt so far away now.

Khae looked at the empty spaces around the gazebo before lowering her eyes to the cup of coffee resting between her hands.

She hadn't realized she had been staring at the pathway until someone sat beside her.

Lindtsey placed her bag on the bench before following Khae's line of sight.