My Last And My Only

Chapter 72: Learning to Stay

The morning rush had already begun by the time the Grab slowed to a stop outside the university gates. Gwen thanked the driver before stepping onto the sidewalk, waiting as Aiah carefully climbed out after her with a sketch tube slung across one shoulder and a paper cup of coffee balanced in her hand.

The drive from home had been quiet, but it wasn't the kind of silence that needed filling. Ever since Aiah moved into Gwen and Ivy's house, their mornings had naturally fallen into a rhythm. Ivy had already left for work before sunrise, leaving breakfast on the dining table with a short note reminding them not to skip lunch. Gwen always made sure they left with enough time to beat the worst of the traffic, while Aiah had gotten used to watching Manila slowly wake up from the passenger seat of another Grab.

As they entered the campus together, Aiah drew a slow breath. She had returned to school believing every hallway would remind her of Khae. They still did, but the memories no longer felt sharp enough to stop her in her tracks. They lingered quietly instead, like familiar songs she hadn't chosen to play but somehow couldn't bring herself to skip.

She glanced toward the Fine Arts building before looking at Gwen.

"Do we still have time?"

Gwen checked the watch on her wrist and nodded.

"About fifteen minutes."

Aiah smiled faintly.

"Gazebo?"

A corner of Gwen's lips lifted.

"Gazebo."

They didn't need to discuss it any further. Some habits had survived everything.

As they approached, voices echoed through the open space.

"Finally!" Christine exclaimed dramatically the moment she spotted them. "The graduates have arrived."

Francheska rolled her eyes.

"There's only one graduating student here."

Christine waved dismissively.

"Details."

Nica laughed quietly while Yves continued highlighting something in her notebook, only looking up long enough to greet the two cousins with a warm smile.

"Morning."

"Morning," Aiah answered as she settled beside Gwen.

For a brief moment, she simply watched everyone.

Christine was animatedly telling a story no one had asked for. Francheska kept interrupting just to make the story sound even more ridiculous. Nica tried—and failed—to hide her amusement, while Yves occasionally corrected facts whenever Christine exaggerated too much.

It felt ordinary.

Comfortingly so.

There had been a time when Aiah thought she'd never get to sit here again without feeling the weight of everything that had happened.

Now, she found herself smiling before she even realized it.

Maybe healing wasn't always loud.

Maybe it looked like this.

Showing up.

Laughing again.

Allowing yourself to enjoy the company of people who had quietly stayed.

Across campus, Khae parked her car beneath the shade of an old tree near the Communication building. She remained seated for a moment after switching off the engine, watching students hurry across the parking lot with folders tucked beneath their arms and coffee cups in hand.