My Last And My Only

Chapter 146: Welcome Home

The familiar streets of Manila greeted them with the usual afternoon traffic.

After nearly a week in Cebu, the city somehow felt louder.

"Looks like we're really back," Gwen muttered as their taxi came to another stop.

Aiah smiled as she looked out the window. "You missed this?"

"No."

"Me neither."

The two laughed before the taxi finally turned into their neighborhood.

When it stopped in front of the house, Gwen let out a relieved sigh.

"My bed..."

"You've been talking about your bed since we landed."

"Because I love my bed."

"And yet you didn't want to leave Cebu."

"I can miss Cebu and miss my bed at the same time."

Before Aiah could answer, the front door swung open.

"There you are!"

Ivy stepped outside with a smile that instantly made both girls grin.

"I was beginning to think your flight got delayed."

Gwen hurried over first and wrapped her mother in a hug.

"Hi, Mom."

Ivy hugged her tightly before reaching for Aiah.

"Welcome home, sweetheart."

Aiah returned the embrace with a smile.

"It's good to be back, Tita."

"Come inside first. The luggage can wait."

"The souvenirs can't," Gwen said dramatically. "They're taking up half the trunk."

"I had a feeling."

The three of them laughed as the driver helped unload their bags.

The moment they stepped inside, the house felt exactly as they had left it.

Comfortable.

Lived in.

Home.

Gwen slipped off her shoes and stretched.

"I missed the air conditioner."

"You said that the second we got off the plane," Aiah reminded her.

"And I'll say it again."

Ivy shook her head, amused.

She pointed toward the dining table.

"I've been waiting all afternoon to see what you brought home."

Gwen looked at Aiah.

"Told you."

Within minutes, the dining table disappeared beneath neatly packed paper bags.

"This one's from Mom and Dad" Aiah said, handing one to Ivy.

"And this one is from Chico and his parents."

Ivy blinked in surprise.

"They sent something for me?"

"They insisted," Aiah replied.

"They said you couldn't come this time, so they wanted to make sure Cebu still reached you."