A man flipped through the stack of papers on his desk, scanning each page with a keen eye.
With a deep sigh, he finally shut the last folder.
"Eto na ba lahat?" he asked, his tone edged with disappointment.
"Yes, boss," his secretary replied with a nod.
The man exhaled sharply, shaking his head.
"Lahat ng ‘to, pare-pareho lang ng plot. Hindi ko ramdam 'yung kwento."
He leaned back in his chair, drumming his fingers on the desk before glancing at his secretary.
"Kindly call for Jhoanna. Sabihin mong pumunta siya rito. And keep all these, just in case."
"Copy, boss."
Without missing a beat, the secretary gathered the folders and swiftly exited the office.
As the woman gathered the stack of folders, she immediately made her way to Jhoanna’s desk.
There, she found the woman in glasses absentmindedly twirling a pen in her fingers, lost in thought.
"Ano, Jho? Umagang-umaga, tulala tayo ah," Maloi teased.
Jhoanna blinked out of her trance and looked up to see Maloi standing beside her.
"Wala… may iniisip lang."
Maloi shrugged. "Well, sana bagong story ’yang iniisip mo, kasi pinapatawag ka ni boss sa opisina niya."
"Huh? Eh, kakapasa ko lang nung latest draft ko ah," nagtatakang tanong ni Jhoanna.
"Hindi niya nagustuhan ’yung mga pinasa ng mga bagong writers natin. Alam mo naman ’yung standard nun."
Jhoanna frowned.
"Eh bakit ako ang pinapatawag?" she asked as she finally stood up.
"Ewan. Punta ka na lang." Maloi said, patting Jhoanna’s shoulder before walking away.
The man in the office heard a few knocks on the door.
"Pasok."
Jhoanna stepped inside, adjusting her glasses slightly.
"Boss, pinatawag niyo daw po ako."
The man gave a curt nod. "Yes. Halika, upo ka muna."
She walked over and took a seat, feeling the weight of his gaze as he leaned back in his chair.
With a sigh, he set his pen down and closed the folder he had been reviewing.
Jhoanna already had a sense of where this conversation was heading.
Even before her boss could say it, she knew exactly what he was about to ask.
"Jho, I need a new story."
Letting out a deep sigh, she turned to face him. "Boss, kakadrop ko lang ng last story ko."
"I know, Jho. But you're one of my best writers, and I know only you can deliver what I need. Your stories have always been heartfelt, full of life, and capable of touching the soul. That’s exactly what I’m looking for right now."
Jhoanna leaned back in her chair. "What about the new writers, boss? Bakit hindi niyo muna sila bigyan ng chance?"
Her boss sighed, shaking his head.
"The board wants something fresh, something different. Pero sa lahat ng nabasa ko, everything feels repetitive—paulit-ulit ang plot, walang bago, walang bigat. I’m still giving them time to improve, pero for now, I want to ask you a favor. Please, do something. Hindi ko naman agad hihingin ang finished product. I’ll give you a month or even longer if you need it."
Jhoanna remained quiet. Time wasn’t really an issue for her. If she wanted to, she could stay up all night writing.
The real problem was… "I can't do it boss. I have writer’s block."
"When did this start?"
"A couple of weeks ago."
"Is it like before?"
Jhoanna shook her head. "No. This time, it’s different. I feel empty. No matter how hard I try, I just can’t write."
Her boss studied her for a moment before nodding in understanding.
"I see. That’s why I’m giving you time. A month, two—however long you need. Ang mahalaga, gusto kong maramdaman ’yung kwento—kagaya ng dati mong gawa."
Jhoanna sighed, her gaze shifting to the stack of folders on his desk.
She could refuse. She had every right to. But the man sitting across from her wasn’t just her boss. He was the first person who ever believed in her stories—when no one else did.
"I don’t have any inspiration anymore," she admitted.
Her boss leaned forward, a knowing smile tugging at his lips.
"Then go find it."
Jhoanna blinked.
"Ha?"
"Take a break. Maglakad-lakad ka. Meet new people. Breathe. Find something—or someone—that makes you feel alive. Kasi Jho, the best stories come from real emotions. And that’s what your stories always do—they make us feel something raw and real."
She stared at him, unsure whether to feel relieved or even more pressured.
But as she sat there, turning his words over in her head, she realized—maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea.
Maybe, just maybe, inspiration was waiting for her somewhere outside that office.
"Jho, kwek-kwek gusto mo?" Maloi asked as she closed the car door.
They had stopped for a bit since Maloi got hungry and spotted a street food stall along the way.
"No thanks, busog pa ’ko," Jhoanna replied, taking a sip of water.
She had specifically asked Maloi to come with her on this trip.
Maloi wasn’t just a work friend—she had been with Jhoanna through a lot, making her one of the few people she deeply trusted.
Jhoanna wasn’t sure if she could return to her old town alone.
There was just too much there—memories, emotions, things she wasn’t sure she was ready to face.
Having Maloi with her made it a little easier.
"Saan nga ulit tayo pupunta?" Maloi asked, taking a bite of her kwek-kwek.
"Laguna."
"Ay, weh? Halaaa… doon ka maghahanap ng inspirasyon mo?"
Jhoanna hummed in response.
"Taga-doon ako."
Maloi nodded knowingly. "So, parang memory lane trip ’to? Ganun?"
"Parang."
"Ang exciting naman!" Maloi squealed.
Jhoanna simply chuckled before refocusing on the road.
She smoothly maneuvered the car along the highway, the soft hum of music playing in the background.
For a while, neither of them spoke, just enjoying the comfortable silence.
But then, Maloi broke it.
"Jho? Anong klaseng inspirasyon ang hahanapin mo sa Laguna? Childhood memories? Family?"
Jhoanna inhaled deeply, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter.
Then, after a moment, she answered.
"An old love."
Maloi blinked, stunned.
Of all things she had expected Jhoanna to say, that wasn’t one of them.
Everyone at work knew how much of a workaholic Jhoanna was.
Romance was never something she openly entertained—it had always been pushed to the sidelines.
Maloi even joked before that Jhoanna’s love life was as dry as a desert.
But ironically, Jhoanna was the same person who wrote some of the most heartfelt love stories their company had ever published.
And now, it all made sense.
"I wasn’t really looking for a new inspiration, Loi," Jhoanna admitted, her voice quieter now. "I’m going there because… I want to see the person who inspired all the stories I’ve written. I want to see her again."
Maloi turned to her friend, finally noticing the sadness in her eyes.
"Gaano na katagal mula noong huli mo siyang nakita?" Maloi asked carefully.
"Tatlong taon na. Hindi ko na rin alam kung nasa Laguna pa siya. Pero kung andoon man siya, kung may pagkakataon…"
She trailed off, letting out a deep breath. "Gusto ko siyang makita ulit—kahit isang beses lang."
Maloi studied her for a moment before shaking her head in disbelief.
"Hindi ko akalaing makikita kitang ganito ka-invested sa isang bagay na hindi trabaho."
Jhoanna let out a soft chuckle, though it lacked its usual energy.
"Siya ang dahilan kung bakit ako nagsimulang magsulat."
Maloi’s lips parted slightly in surprise.
She had always admired Jhoanna’s talent, but she never realized just how personal her stories were.
"So, anong plano mo? Hahanapin mo lang siya? Paano kung… hindi mo na siya mahanap?"
Jhoanna sighed.
"At least masasabi kong sinubukan ko. May mga bagay din akong gusto malaman."
Maloi hesitated before asking, "Naging kayo?"
A small smile formed on Jhoanna’s lips as she glanced at Maloi, lost in a quiet recollection.
"She's my first girlfriend. My first love."
And in that moment, as Maloi observed the sincerity in Jhoanna’s expression, she knew—this wasn’t just some fleeting nostalgia.
Jhoanna had truly loved her.
Jhoanna and Maloi pulled up in front of an old house.
Its design was reminiscent of the 90s, though it was evident that the place had been well-maintained over the years.
Stepping out of the car, they made their way toward the gate.
Jhoanna exchanged a glance with Maloi before pressing the doorbell.
She waited, anticipation tightening in her chest.
Pressing the doorbell once more, she peeked through the gate—and finally, the front door opened.
An elderly woman stepped out. Jhoanna didn’t recognize her.
"Sino po sila?"
"Ah, magandang umaga po. Ako po si Jhoanna. Gusto ko lang po sanang itanong kung nasaan napo 'yung dating nakatira dito?"
The woman’s face softened in understanding. "Ahh… wala na sila rito. Matagal na nilang binenta samin 'tong bahay at lupa nila."
"Ah, ganun po ba," dismayang sagot ni Jhoanna.
Maloi, seeing her friend’s sad expression, asked, "May idea po kayo kung saan sila lumipat?"
The woman shook her head. "Naku, pasensya na po, hindi ko na kasi alam."
Jhoanna felt a deeper sense of sadness settle in.
She was about to turn back toward the car when the woman suddenly added, "Pero ang alam ko, andito pa rin sila sa Laguna."
Jhoanna's ears perked up at the information.
"Ay, maraming salamat po!" Maloi said gratefully before she and Jhoanna bid their goodbyes.
As they made their way back to the car, Maloi let out a small cheer.
"At least may lead na tayo! Alam nating nasa Laguna pa rin siya nakatira."
Jhoanna sighed as she sank into her seat. "Oo nga, pero hindi natin alam kung saan mismo."
Maloi watched her for a moment before shaking her head with a chuckle.
"Alam mo, kumain na muna tayo. Wala pang laman ’yang tiyan mo mula kanina. Baka pati utak mo hindi na gumagana sa gutom. Kakain tayo, tapos saka natin ulit pag-isipan ang susunod na gagawin."
Jhoanna glanced at Maloi and nodded.
She had been overthinking since last night, barely getting any sleep and skipping meals.
If she wanted to continue searching, she needed energy.
Letting out a deep breath, she started the engine.
For now, she’d set aside the worry—maybe a good meal would help clear her mind and give her the strength to keep going.
Dinala ni Jhoanna si Maloi sa turo-turo kung saan madalas kumain ang pamilya niya noon.
The place instantly stirred nostalgia, making her smile as she took in the familiar surroundings.
"Daming alaala dito?" Maloi asked, glancing at Jhoanna.
"Oo eh," Jhoanna nodded, a small smile forming on her lips.
"Madalas kayo dito dati?"
"Oum. Dito ko siya unang nakita."
Maloi gasped dramatically. "Nuks naman! Love at first turo-turo!"
Jhoanna burst out laughing. "Sira!"
"So paano nangyari?"
Jhoanna leaned back slightly, recalling the memory with a fond smile.
"Linggo 'yun, pagkatapos naming magsimba. Dito kami kumain nila Mama. Masarap kasi 'yung longganisa nila rito—paborito ko 'yun. Tapos, nung o-order na ako, bigla siyang sumingit at nagsabing gusto rin niya ng longganisa. Eh kaso, isa na lang ang natitira."
"Hala, lagot! Tapos?" Maloi asked, eyes wide in anticipation.
Jhoanna smirked. "Eh mabait ako eh..."
Maloi squinted at her. "Ah, so binigay mo na lang sa kanya?"
Jhoanna grinned mischievously. "Hindi."
She chuckled before adding, "Pinaglaban ko 'yung longganisa! Gutom na gutom na ako noon, tapos ilang araw ko na siyang kinicrave, parang buntis lang!"
Maloi gasped. "Hala siya!"
Jhoanna shook her head, still amused by the memory.
"Kaya ayun, nagtalo kami. Ang nakakatawa, nagkataasan pa kami ng boses kasi ayaw rin niyang patalo. Buti na lang mabait 'yung may-ari, kaya nagpaluto na lang siya ulit para sa amin."
Maloi clapped her hands, laughing. "Nakakaloka naman pala first meet-up niyo, beh!"
Jhoanna chuckled, shaking her head. “Nakakahiya kamo.”
“So, ano nangyari pagkatapos nun?” Maloi asked, still intrigued.
Jhoanna hummed in thought.
“Ayun, napadalas na ‘yung pagkikita namin dito…” She trailed off as her gaze wandered around the eatery—until it landed on someone familiar.
Her eyes widened. “Aiah?”
At the sound of her name, the woman turned toward them.
Recognition quickly flashed across her face.
“Jho?” Aiah stepped closer to their table, surprise evident in her voice. “Andito ka pala? Kailan ka lang dumating?”
“Ngayon lang,” Jhoanna replied, still taking in the unexpected reunion.
Jhoanna smiled—pinapaboran pa rin pala siya ng tadhana.
Kasi sino pa nga ba ang mas makakaalam ng kinaroroonan ng taong hinahanap niya, kundi ang matalik niyang kaibigan? And that’s Aiah.
"Aiah," she called again.
Aiah met Jhoanna’s gaze, sensing the weight behind her words.
Jhoanna took a deep breath, steadying herself before finally asking—
"Nasaan siya?"
"Sasama ba 'ko?" Maloi asked, her tone laced with both curiosity and concern.
Jhoanna and Maloi remained seated inside the car, their eyes fixed on Aiah, who had just pulled up and parked in front of them.
Jhoanna took a deep breath, steadying herself.
"Hintayin mo na lang ako dito sa sasakyan."
Maloi studied her for a moment before placing a reassuring hand on Jhoanna’s shoulder.
"Sigurado ka? Kaya mo?"
Jhoanna exhaled deeply, giving a firm nod. "Kaya."
Jhoanna found herself standing in the middle of a small private school, one that primarily catered to kindergarten and preschool children.
The campus was modest—just six classrooms arranged around a central courtyard, where a small playground sat.
A handful of kids ran around, their laughter ringing through the air, mixing with the faint rustling of leaves from a nearby tree.
"May klase pa siya," Aiah said as they walked side by side. "Pero pwede natin siyang puntahan sa loob."
Jhoanna only managed a nod.
Three years had passed, yet now that she was mere moments away, a heavy wave of nerves settled deep in her chest.
Her palms felt uncomfortably cold despite the sweat gathering on them.
She trailed behind Aiah, counting the doors they passed—one, two, three, four—until they reached the fifth.
The door was painted a familiar shade of green, her favorite color.
Her heart pounded erratically, breaths shallow, each step feeling heavier than the last.
Jhoanna instinctively reached out, gripping Aiah’s wrist as she came to a sudden stop.
Her chest tightened, hesitation flickering in her eyes.
"Aiah… hindi ba siya galit?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Aiah turned to her, offering a small, reassuring smile as she shook her head.
"Never siyang nagalit sa’yo, Jho."
That answer made Jhoanna’s heart ache in a way she wasn’t prepared for.
Taking a deep breath, she nodded and loosened her grip.
She followed Aiah down the hallway, passing four classrooms before reaching the fifth.
The door was painted green—her favorite color.
Her heart pounded in her chest, her breaths growing shallow.
And then, with just a few more steps, she finally saw her again.
That moment—the kind that only happens in movies—unfolded before Jhoanna’s eyes.
When a character lays eyes on the one person who changed everything, and suddenly, time slows down—warm light spilling over them like a spotlight meant just for this moment?
That was exactly what Jhoanna was experiencing right now.
"Colet." She barely whispered the name, her voice lost in the rush of emotions crashing over her.
She stood frozen, unable to move, unable to breathe, as she took in the sight of the person she had longed to see for years.
Colet looked… happy.
The soft curve of her smile, the way her eyes shined as she spoke to the kids—it was a sight that warmed Jhoanna to her core.
And then, as if fate had decided to test her even more, Colet looked up.
Their eyes met.
Jhoanna felt the air leave her lungs.
She wasn’t breathing anymore.
Colet blinked, momentarily stunned before she spoke to Aiah—words Jhoanna couldn’t even register.
And then, she moved.
Colet stepped out of the room, stopping just by the doorframe—only inches away from Jhoanna.
She stood there, still, frozen, like time had wrapped them in this fragile moment.
But maybe… maybe Colet had always known her too well, deep down to the very core of who she was.
Maybe she understood that Jhoanna was struggling to take the next step, to find her words, to close the distance between them.
And so, just like before, just like always, Colet was the brave one.
With a small, knowing smile, she closed the distance and wrapped Jhoanna in a warm, steady embrace.
The moment Colet’s arms encircled her, Jhoanna felt everything—the years apart, the uncertainty, the longing—all melt away.
She had dreamed of this moment for so long, imagined it a thousand different ways.
But nothing, absolutely nothing, compared to the real thing.
The gentle creak of the swing filled the quiet afternoon air as the two women sat side by side, ice cream in their hands.
One of them gazed down at her dessert, watching as it slowly melted under the warmth of the sun.
The other, however, wasn’t interested in the ice cream at all.
Her eyes were on the woman beside her.
"Ang ganda-ganda mo pa rin, Tin," Colet said softly.
The words sent a rush of warmth through Jhoanna’s chest, catching her completely off guard.
She could feel the heat creeping up her cheeks, the familiar flustered feeling she hadn’t experienced in years.
Just like that, she was back in high school—blushing at Colet’s compliments, feeling both flattered and shy all at once.
She let out a small, awkward chuckle, the way she always did whenever Colet caught her off guard.
"Hindi ka pa rin nagbabago, mahilig ka pa rin mambola," she teased, trying to shake off the butterflies fluttering in her stomach.
Colet smiled, shaking her head. “Hindi bola ‘yun, totoo naman.”
Jhoanna let out another chuckle, trying to suppress the warmth creeping up her cheeks.
It was ridiculous how, after all these years, Colet still had this effect on her.
"Kumusta ka, Tin?"
Jhoanna let out a quiet sigh.
She had wanted to ask that first, but, as always, words seemed to escape her whenever she was near Colet.
"Okay naman. Kakadating ko lang kaninang umaga."
Colet hummed, nodding.
"Grabe no? Medyo matagal ka ding hindi nakabalik dito. Kumusta na sina Tita at Tito sa Manila?"
"Okay naman. Parehong busy sa negosyo."
Colet nodded again, then tilted her head slightly. "Ikaw? Busy ka din ba?"
Jhoanna smiled. "Medyo."
Colet mirrored her smile. "Nagsusulat ka pa rin?"
Jhoanna held her gaze and nodded. "That's my work now."
And there it was—the unmistakable gleam in Colet’s eyes, the kind of happiness that needed no words.
She had always been Jhoanna’s biggest cheerleader, the one who had read every story, praised every page, and encouraged her to keep writing.
And Jhoanna did—because Colet was the one who inspired her from the very start.
"Wow. I'm proud of you, Tin," Colet said, and Jhoanna's heart swelled at the words.
"Thank you," Jhoanna replied, her smile growing even brighter.
Colet took a bite of her ice cream before glancing at Jhoanna.
"Hmmm...ba't ka nga pala nabisita dito?"
Jhoanna hesitated for a moment, suddenly feeling nervous.
A part of her wanted to lie, to come up with an excuse—anything to hide the real reason she was here.
But she was tired of running away, tired of being a coward.
"I wanted to see you," she admitted honestly.
Colet raised a brow, pausing mid-bite. "To see me? Bakit?"
Jhoanna exhaled slowly, feeling her chest tighten.
She had thought about this moment countless times, rehearsed different ways to say it.
But now that she was here, face to face with Colet, all the words seemed to jumble in her mind.
"I wanted to understand what really happened to us," she admitted.
Colet set down her spoon, her expression softening. "Tin… we broke up."
Jhoanna nodded, gripping her cup a little tighter. "I know that. Pero..."
"But I never really understood why," Jhoanna admitted, her voice softer now, almost uncertain.
Colet sighed, looking away for a moment as if searching for the right words.
“Tin… alam mo kung bakit.”
Jhoanna shook her head. “I thought I did. But three years later, I still can’t make sense of it.” She let out a dry chuckle, though there was no humor in it. "I just… I need to hear it from you."
Colet met her gaze, and for the first time since they reunited, her expression wasn’t just surprised or warm—it was conflicted.
"Tin… when you left Laguna to chase your career in Manila, I knew you were meant for something bigger. That’s why I never stopped you. In fact, I was the one who kept pushing you, remember?"
Jhoanna nodded. "Right."
Colet let out a deep sigh. "But it wasn’t an easy choice for me. I knew there were so many opportunities waiting for you, and I believed you belonged there. But me, Tin? I couldn’t see myself in that kind of life. I tried to compromise—I visited you every chance I got. Every time I saved up from my side jobs, I used it to travel to the city just to be with you."
She paused, and Jhoanna watched as the brightness in Colet’s eyes slowly dimmed.
"But at some point, it felt like my efforts weren’t enough anymore. You started asking me to stay longer in the city, and I did—because that’s how much I loved you. But those decisions… they took a toll on my studies."
Jhoanna’s lips parted in shock.
She knew how hard Colet had worked after her father passed away—taking a break from school for two years just to save up so she could go back.
And now, hearing this, it felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on her.
"Ba't hindi mo sinabi?" Jhoanna asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Colet offered a small, wistful smile.
"Because you needed me back then, Tin. You were applying for that big company—it was your shot at something great. You begged me to stay, you needed my support, and I wanted to be there for you."
Colet smiled as she met Jhoanna’s gaze. "And look at you now—you made it, Tin." She shook her head gently, as if reading Jhoanna’s thoughts. "I know what you're thinking, but no, Tin. None of it was your fault. Everything that happened in my life, every choice I made—those were mine alone. And I'm the only one responsible for them."
Jhoanna’s voice was barely above a whisper.
"Then you broke up with me."
The words felt like shards of glass, slicing through her as she spoke.
Colet exhaled, her expression heavy with regret.
"That was my fault. I hit rock bottom, Tin. Nawalan ako ng trabaho. I couldn’t visit you anymore because all my savings went to Mama’s medication. It was a really tough time, and I guess... my mind was clouded."
"Then you break," Jhoanna murmured, as if piecing together the past.
Colet nodded. "I tried to hold it in, Tin. I really did. But it was hard to stay strong when everything around me was falling apart. And then we fought… we said things we shouldn’t have. And after that—"
"We ended." Jhoanna finished the sentence for her, the weight of it pressing down on her chest.
Colet’s tears fell before she could stop them, and Jhoanna was caught off guard.
Colet let out a soft, humorless chuckle as she looked up at the sky. "I didn’t want that. I never wanted us to end. I just needed space."
And when Colet turned to face her again, Jhoanna finally saw it—the sadness she had never noticed before.
For years, she thought maybe Colet had stopped wanting her.
Maybe she had simply moved on. But her tears now told a different story.
Colet swallowed hard before speaking. "I tried reaching out. I sent messages, but you blocked my number. Every social media account—blocked. Para akong nawala sa sarili nun. I kept telling myself maybe you just needed time. But then, three months passed, and you still didn’t reach out."
She paused, taking a shaky breath. "So I traveled to the city to find you. I went to your place, but they told me you had moved. And I had no idea where else to look. Wala na kong pera, wala na kong masakyan pabalik, so I made a decision."
Colet’s voice broke as she continued. "I told myself I’d wait. That maybe, one day, you’d come back to Laguna." She let out a weak laugh, shaking her head. "But three years passed, Tin. And you never did."
Jhoanna hadn’t even realized her own tears had begun to fall. Colet, noticing, fell silent—giving her the space to speak.
"I thought you didn’t want me anymore," Jhoanna admitted, her voice trembling. "I was so hurt. I truly believed that was the end for us. So I did everything I could to move on—I cut ties, distanced myself from anything that reminded me of you."
Colet gave a small nod, her lips curving into a sad smile. "I understand, Tin. We both got hurt."
Jhoanna nodded in return, but something inside her still longed for more—an answer, a reassurance.
Slowly, she turned to Colet, gathering every ounce of courage she had left.
She hesitated. "Do you still love me?"
Colet’s gaze drifted to the horizon, watching as the last traces of daylight faded into the evening sky.
A faint smile appeared on her lips. "I never stop loving you, Tin."
And just like that, a flicker of hope ignited in Jhoanna’s chest.
Her eyes shone with it, the possibility that maybe—just maybe—this time, they could find their way back to each other.
"I still love you too," Jhoanna confessed, her voice filled with longing.
She searched Colet’s face, hoping to see the same light reflected in her eyes.
But instead, what she found was something else entirely—regret.
A sadness so deep, it made Jhoanna’s heart clench.
But Jhoanna wasn’t ready to give up—not yet.
She wanted to fight for them, to try again, even just one more time.
"Can we give us another chance?" she asked, her voice filled with hope.
Colet smiled softly before reaching for Jhoanna’s hands.
At first, Jhoanna felt her heart race at the touch, but the moment her gaze dropped to their intertwined fingers, everything seemed to come to a halt.
"I can’t, Tin. I’m sorry," Colet whispered. "Ikakasal na'ko this Sunday."
Jhoanna slowly lifted her eyes back to Colet, her mind struggling to process the words.
"If only you had come sooner… maybe…" Colet’s voice broke as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.
She tightened her grip on Jhoanna’s hands, as if trying to hold onto something that was already slipping away.
Jhoanna fell silent. She didn’t want to believe it—she couldn’t.
But the ring on Colet’s finger told her everything she needed to know.
Jhoanna’s world blurred at the edges, her mind struggling to process Colet’s words.
Ikakasal na'ko this Sunday.
Sunday. Just a few days away.
She felt like she was sinking, like the ground beneath her had been ripped away.
She looked down at their hands—fingers intertwined, warm, familiar—but now tainted with the weight of goodbye.
Colet was crying, and it hurt even more that she was hurting too.
If only you had come sooner...
Jhoanna inhaled shakily, her chest tightening.
“Mahal mo ba siya?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Colet didn’t answer right away.
But when she did, it shattered whatever hope Jhoanna had left.
“…Oo.”
That was it. That was the end of it.
Jhoanna felt her grip loosen, her heart breaking piece by piece.
Maybe if she had come back sooner, things would’ve been different.
Maybe if she had fought for them back then, she wouldn’t be here, trying to hold on to something that was already slipping through her fingers.
But she was too late.
Jhoanna stared at her reflection in the mirror. Silence. A deep, consuming silence.
She questioned herself—how did she end up here? She could turn around, walk away, save herself from the inevitable pain.
But she wouldn't. Because she wanted this.
She needed her.
With steady hands, she applied the final touches of her makeup, pressing her lips together after swiping on her lipstick.
The door suddenly swung open, and Maloi rushed in, desperation written all over her face.
“Jhoanna, hindi kita kayang panoorin na gawin ‘to. Please, huwag.”
Jhoanna calmly closed the lipstick tube, exhaling softly. “Kailangan kong gawin ‘to. Para sa kanya.”
“Jho…” Maloi’s voice broke. “Sasaktan mo lang ang sarili mo. Please, don’t do this.”
Jhoanna’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, yet her lips curled into a bittersweet smile.
"Kung ang tanging magagawa ko na lang ay ihatid ang babaeng pinakamamahal ko sa altar—sa kaligayahan niya—tatanggapin ko kahit gaano kasakit."
Maloi clenched her jaw, her own tears spilling over as she shook her head.
"Gaga ka talaga."
Her voice broke before she finally pulled Jhoanna into a tight embrace, holding her as if trying to protect her from the inevitable heartbreak.
Jhoanna let herself sink into Maloi’s embrace, her fingers clutching the back of her friend’s dress as if anchoring herself—one last moment of comfort before she walked into the storm.
She wanted to be strong.
She had convinced herself she was.
But standing here, with the weight of reality pressing down on her chest, she felt like she was breaking.
"Pwede namang hindi na lang, diba?" Maloi whispered, her voice trembling. "Pwede namang piliin mong lumayo."
Jhoanna let out a shaky breath, pulling away just enough to meet Maloi’s gaze.
There was a sadness in her eyes, but also a quiet determination.
"Hindi ko kayang lumayo, Maloi. Hindi ko kayang hindi siya makita sa araw na 'to. At alam kong kailangan niya ko ngayon."
Maloi wiped her tears harshly before exhaling in defeat. "Kahit anong mangyari, andito lang ako."
Jhoanna smiled, albeit weakly. "Alam ko."
With one final deep breath, she straightened herself, steeling her heart for what was to come.
And as she stepped forward, the sound of wedding bells in the distance rang like a countdown to the moment she had to let go.
Jhoanna stood still, her breath unsteady as she faced the grand doors, waiting.
Her heart pounded in her chest.
Then, at last, the heavy doors swung open.
And there she was.
Colet, in her immaculate white wedding gown, looking breathtakingly beautiful.
Jhoanna felt her heart tighten and swell all at once. The woman she loved, standing before her, radiant, ethereal.
As Colet reached her, she smiled, and Jhoanna mirrored it—warm, familiar, bittersweet.
"You look beautiful," Jhoanna murmured, taking Colet’s hands and gently draping them over her arm.
Colet chuckled softly. "Ikaw din. Ang ganda mo ngayon, Tin."
Jhoanna raised a brow.
"Ngayon lang?" she teased.
Colet smirked. "Sorry, my bad. You look beautiful every time I lay my eyes on you."
Jhoanna smirked back. "Better. Pero tama na, baka makalimutan mong ikakasal ka dahil sa ganda ko."
Laughter bubbled between them, lightening the air for just a moment.
As they took their first steps down the aisle, Jhoanna felt Colet’s grip on her arm tighten.
"Okay ka lang?" she asked gently.
Colet hummed, nodding slightly.
"Medyo kinakabahan lang."
Jhoanna leaned in and whispered, "Ayos lang 'yan. Andito ako."
Colet turned to her, eyes soft.
"Thank you, Tin."
Jhoanna grinned. "Naku, magagalit si Mama mo 'pag 'di ako pumayag. Baka hindi niya inumin gamot niya sa ospital."
Colet smiled, shaking her head.
As they neared their destination, each step felt heavier, each breath harder to take.
Then, finally, they stopped.
Turning to face each other, Colet’s eyes brimmed with tears.
"I can't thank you enough for everything."
Jhoanna swallowed the lump in her throat, her hands trembling as she reached up, cupping Colet’s face, her thumbs brushing away the tears.
"You deserve all the happiness in the world," she whispered, her voice breaking. "And thank you… for letting me be the one to walk you here."
She exhaled sharply, blinking back her own tears.
"Aalagaan mo ang sarili mo, ha?"
Colet nodded, lips quivering.
Jhoanna smiled one last time before leaning in, pressing a gentle, lingering kiss to Colet’s forehead.
Her fingers traced over her skin one last time as she whispered, "Mahal na mahal kita."
Colet closed her eyes, savoring the moment, their foreheads resting together in quiet surrender.
And then, with every ounce of strength left in her, Jhoanna let go.
As Jhoanna stepped back, she felt the absence of Colet’s warmth almost instantly, like the final note of a song fading into silence.
The moment stretched between them, fragile and fleeting, before Colet took a deep breath and turned toward the altar.
Jhoanna stood frozen, watching as Colet walked forward, her gown trailing behind her, each step carrying her further away.
The weight in Jhoanna’s chest grew heavier with every second.
She should leave.
She should walk away before the vows, before the moment she feared the most.
But her feet wouldn’t move.
Maloi appeared beside her, slipping a hand onto Jhoanna’s arm.
"Tama na, Jho," she murmured, her voice laced with quiet pain.
Jhoanna blinked, forcing herself to breathe.
"Alam ko." But she still didn’t move.
And then—
Colet paused.
Just a few steps away from the altar, she hesitated, her fingers trembling as she gripped her bouquet.
Jhoanna saw it—the way her shoulders rose and fell unevenly, the way her head dipped just slightly as if gathering strength.
For a split second, hope flickered inside Jhoanna.
A cruel, desperate thing.
Colet turned her head slightly, just enough for their eyes to meet one last time.
And in that single glance, Jhoanna understood.
This was goodbye.
A soft, broken smile played on Colet’s lips before she faced forward again, stepping into the future she chose.
Jhoanna clenched her fists.
The ache in her chest threatened to consume her, but she forced herself to breathe, to stand tall, to stay.
Because this wasn’t just about her.
It was about Colet.
And if letting go meant giving her the happiness she deserved—then Jhoanna would carry this pain, no matter how much it burned.
As the ceremony began, she took one last look at the love of her life.
Then, finally, she turned and walked away.