Mahal Ko Siya

Chapter 44: Homecoming

I inhaled the hot summer breeze, Home sweet home.

I smiled as I looked around. Why did it seem like everything has changed? everything looked so foreign. There was this brighter and sunnier vibe here in the Philippines. I inhaled once more, taking all of it in.

I walked step by step, admiring everything I walk past. Nothing could describe the feeling of finally coming home. After all these years, I now feel that comfort and joy of being back home.

I was too excited that I nearly forgot I had people with me. "Hey! Slow down for fuck's sake." My brother said. "Yeah, jeez and you said you were going to tour me around." Klaire said. "I will, I'm also excited to introduce you to the others." I reasoned out.

I ran faster than I ever have to the arrival. A huge smile on my face. Once I got there, I looked around hoping to see the people I've longed to see.

I wanted to see them so bad. It's been almost 5 and a half years since I last saw them in person. And all i want right now is to hug them as tight as I can and never let go.

I looked around again, desperately. Hoping to see my brother or my parents or all of them, but I couldn't see them. Just as I was about to lose hope. Bryce patted my back.

"They're over there." He said while pointing at the other side of the airport. I couldn't help but feel happiness shoot through me. I've forgotten about everything and ran.

The only thing on my mind is having my family in my arms. The feeling of being safe, content, happy.

The feeling of being home.

I hugged them as tight as I can. I felt tears roll down my cheeks as I hugged them. I can't remember the last time I felt this way.

"Uy, tira ka naman ng luha para samen." I heard someone behind me say. I turned around to see the people I've missed as much. I smiled at them. "How could I? Hindi naman ako ganong klaseng tao." I said the hugged them. Smiling happily, "You guys, don't know how much i've missed this." I said separating myself from the hug.

"Wow, my nosing blooders." May said jokingly. "Pfft, don't act like hindi ka nakakaintindi ng english. You were able do gradute naman eh, and we all know kung gaano ka importante yung english sa mga thesis." I said. "Nagbago ka na ah grabe, lalo ka pang gumaling dyan sa english mo." Sabi ni Jaime.

"Pft, I'm still the same Amber you knew before. I was just able to move on." I defended. "Are you sure? Wala na talagang chance na magkabalikan kayo ni Martie?" Tanong ni Jaime.

She seemed so, how can I say this, she seemed so curious. Like she was hoping that I would say no or whatever. She just seemed more curious than often.

"No, I promise. I don't want anything to do with him anymore." I said, observing how she was going to react. "Oh, good." She said. Which made me even more curious. What was she up to?

"Hey." Klaire said behind me. "Oh shit, I almost forgot." I exclaimed loudly that almost all the people around us heard. "Girls, this is Klaire. Klaire they are the gagas I always talk about." I said introducing them to eachother.

"Grabe, sana naman mas maayos yung tinawag mo samin imbis na gaga. Why you so harsh." May said acting like she was offended. "Pftt, doesn't matter. Yun naman talaga kayo eh." I said back at her jokingly.

"Nice to finally meet you all. Never thought everybody would be pretty in person. She always calls you 'mga gagang mukhang tae' so expected you to be pretty but not as pretty. And I actually didn't think you'd be very beautiful, which you are. I mean- you guys are very pretty." She said, making me laugh out loud. "Hah! Sila? Maganda?! Are you kidding me?" I said while laughing even more.

"I swear to God, they are." She defended. "Oh, pana ba yan Amber. Maganda daw kaming mga kaibigan mong mukhang tae." They said while laughing. We were all laughing, we were all happy.

And at that moment I knew I could truly say that I was happy. That I'm sure that I will never be sad again.

"Hoy, take it easy on her. Hindi siya ganon kafluent. Kaya yang mga salita niyo hah!" I said patting Klaire's back. She was like a younger sister to me. A very young, sensitive and immature sister. But I still love her nonetheless.

I said, "I have so much plans tomorrow, and I can't wait to-" but was cut off when Vanessa said, "Hindi mo ba alam? Engagement party na ni Luke bukas."

My heart sank.

"E-Engagement party?" I asked. "Oo, well mga 4 years ago may nakilala siya tas mga 2 years niyang niligawan. Tapos ayun 2 years na sila. Tas nung isang linggo nagpropose siya." Sabi ni Vanessa. "O-Oh. Well, good for them."

My heart broke even more. Why? I don't know. Probably because we never had this 'closure' I expected to get once I got back. I thought I would have a chance.

Siguro totoo nga, there are things that are just not meant to be. Kahit gaano mo pa siya katagal hintayin, maybe it was just not meant to be.

The day went past as fast as a blink of an eye. Everything hazy, the only thing on my mind was that engagement party. Is this for the better? Should I really just forget that 10 or more years of being head over heels for him?

Should I really just forget I ever loved him?

***

EYOW, YAH GEHRLS BACK AND SHE HAS PASABOG. DON'T YOU WORRY MY LOVELY READERS, YOUR AUTHOR STILL HAS SOMETHING UP HER SLEEVE.

AT PARA DYAN SA MGA PRENS KO HAHAHAHAHA GUDLUK GEH IMMA WRITE THE NEXT CHAPTER AS SOON AS I PUBLISH THIS ONE SO IF YOUR READING THIS I'M IN THE PROCESS OF UPDATING.

DON'T WORRY FINALLY THIS BOOK WILL COME TO AN END.

Hintayin niyo lang...

Thanks!