My Last And My Only

Chapter 70: Almost Within Sight

The rest of the afternoon passed more lightly than Aiah expected.

For the first time since coming back from Cebu, she found herself laughing without forcing it. Christine and Nica were in the middle of another ridiculous argument over who had the worst class schedule, while Francheska quietly fueled the chaos by agreeing with whichever one sounded more convincing at the moment. Across the table, Yves had already taken out her planner, reminding everyone about deadlines that most of them had conveniently forgotten.

Aiah watched them with a small smile playing on her lips.

Some things never changed.

Perhaps that was why being with them felt comforting. Life had been so uncertain lately that seeing the same familiar faces, hearing the same familiar banter, somehow reminded her that not everything had fallen apart.

"Aiah."

She looked up when Yves called her name.

"Are you listening?"

Aiah blinked before letting out a sheepish laugh.

"Not really."

"I knew it." Christine pointed at her dramatically. "She's mentally absent."

"I'm right here."

"Barely."

Everyone laughed.

Even Gwen shook her head, amused by Christine's usual theatrics.

Yves closed her planner and leaned forward.

"I was saying that our university fair is next month."

"Oh."

Aiah immediately remembered.

Every department would be preparing exhibits, performances, and booths. As graduating students from Multimedia Arts, she and her classmates would have one of the biggest responsibilities during the event.

"It's your first and last university fair," Francheska said.

Aiah smiled.

"I know."

Hearing someone else say it out loud made it feel more real somehow.

Her first fair.

Her last semester.

Her last few months walking through the campus that had quietly become her second home.

She suddenly wondered...

Would Khae still be part of those memories by the time graduation came?

She quickly pushed the thought away.

Not far from Mezzo, Khae sat inside her parked car with the engine off. She had no reason to stay. Classes were over. Janice had already texted her twice, asking what time she would be home so dinner could be prepared.

Still...

She couldn't bring herself to leave just yet. She rested both hands on the steering wheel before looking absentmindedly through the windshield. Students continued walking toward the parking lot, some laughing with their friends while others hurried to catch jeepneys waiting outside the campus gates. Life looked so effortless from a distance. She wondered when hers had become so complicated.

Her phone vibrated.

Lindtsey.

Lindtsey: They're still at Mezzo.