My Last And My Only

Chapter 81: Things I Know

The rain had stopped sometime before dawn.

By Saturday morning, the city had returned to its usual rhythm. Cars filled the streets, joggers circled neighborhood parks, and cafés welcomed early customers looking for breakfast before the afternoon heat settled in.

Amanda stood on the small balcony outside her bedroom, her hands resting on the railing.

She watched the traffic below without really seeing it.

Her mind was elsewhere.

The visit to Khae's house yesterday had stayed with her longer than she expected.

Not because anything dramatic had happened.

Nothing had.

They had laughed.

Shared burgers.

Talked about ordinary things.

It had felt familiar.

Comfortable.

Almost like no time had passed.

And maybe that was exactly why it hurt.

Because time had passed.

Neither of them was the same person anymore.

Amanda closed her eyes briefly.

She had known the answer before she rang Khae's doorbell.

Yesterday had only confirmed it.

"Amanda?"

Her father's voice came from inside the house.

"Breakfast."

"I'm coming."

The dining table was simple.

Scrambled eggs.

Toast.

Fresh fruit.

Orange juice.

Her father looked up from the newspaper.

"You seem quiet."

Amanda smiled faintly.

"I'm thinking."

"About?"

She picked up her fork.

"Everything."

He folded the newspaper and set it aside.

"Does 'everything' include college?"

She laughed softly.

"It always comes back to that."

"It does."

He wasn't pressuring her.

He was simply asking.

Amanda appreciated that.

"I've been looking at universities."

"In the Philippines?"

"And in the States."

He nodded.

"Still undecided?"

She sighed.

"I don't know where I belong anymore."

The words came out before she could stop them.

Her father didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he poured himself another glass of juice.