Chapter 32
The day had finally come.
The venue was packed to the brim, the crowd pulsing with excitement and energy. Bright banners of LUMINA waved in every corner, light sticks glowing in a sea of shimmering colors. Fans screamed, chanted, and even cried in anticipation.
Backstage, the girls of LUMINA stood in a huddle. The stylists had finished the final touch-ups — hair in place, makeup flawless, outfits shining. The stage crew gave the last signal. The giant LED screen was already flashing the group’s name.
Arianne closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.
She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, louder than the crowd outside. But this time, it wasn’t fear holding her back. It was hope.
Hope… and determination.
Maeve gathered the girls together, holding all their hands tight. Her voice was soft but steady.
"Before anything else… let’s pray."
All four girls bowed their heads.
Maeve spoke first.
"Thank You for giving us this day. Thank You for the chance to stand on this stage again — not just as performers, but as sisters. I pray for strength for each one of us… for clarity, for grace. Protect us. Remind us why we started this dream together."
Her voice broke a little, but she smiled through it.
"We’re going to shine… not just for ourselves, but for everyone who believes in us."
"Amen," the girls whispered together, eyes misty but determined.
"Amen," the girls whispered together, eyes misty but determined.
There was a pause.
Sasha clapped her hands, trying to ease the tension.
"Alright. No tears! Makeup’s expensive!"
They laughed softly, easing the pressure just for a moment.
The stage manager’s voice crackled in their in-ears.
"Lumina, standby. Two minutes."
The girls took one last breath together.
Mavis whispered, her voice small but sincere, "I’m proud of all of us."
Arianne looked at her, meeting her eyes. Mavis smiled softly — a silent understanding passing between them.
Sasha reached out and grabbed both of their shoulders. "Let’s make this unforgettable."
The MC’s voice echoed across the stadium:
"And now… the moment you’ve all been waiting for…
Please welcome back on stage… the one and only… LUMINA!"
The crowd erupted in deafening screams.
The lights dimmed. The LED screens flashed their teaser clips one by one, the intro beats of their comeback MV playing in the background.
The girls took their positions on stage.
The spotlight hit.
The intro music started.
Arianne took center stage.
She felt her breath catch — not from nerves, but from the weight of the moment.
She thought of all the missed chances. All the regrets. All the nights she spent wondering if she should have fought harder.
And here she was.
Fighting.
As the beat dropped, Arianne raised her head. Her eyes scanned the sea of fans — and somewhere in the crowd, she imagined… no, she knew… Celine was watching.
This performance was not just for their fans.
This was for her.
The first verse started.
Arianne sang the first line, her voice clear, steady, and powerful — filled with emotion that only the other girls on stage could feel radiating off her.
Sasha and Mavis followed, harmonizing perfectly, their voices blending with Arianne’s in perfect unity.
Maeve and Zella hit their dance cues with precision, their moves sharp yet elegant, each motion reflecting years of hard work and sacrifice.
The first chorus came — and the crowd screamed louder.
But nothing could be louder than the pounding of Arianne’s heart.
Each line she sang felt like a confession.
Each dance step was a promise.
Her eyes sparkled with a different kind of fire tonight — and the others could feel it.
Maeve smiled during her turn, seeing Arianne giving her all.
Sasha felt goosebumps, their team finally standing strong again after everything they’d gone through.
Mavis felt her heart clench — but in a good way. She knew this was right. This was how it was supposed to be.
And then, the final chorus.
Arianne took center once more. Her voice soared, stronger than ever.
She reached out, as if reaching for someone.
In that moment… she chose.
She chose to fight.
The lights exploded into golden showers.
The song ended.
The stage dimmed for a second… and then erupted into cheers so loud it felt like thunder.
The girls bowed together — some with tears in their eyes, all with smiles on their faces.
And Arianne?
She whispered softly under her breath,
"Celine… this is for you."
The cameras caught everything.
The fandom felt everything.
And just like that — Lumina’s grand comeback wasn’t just a performance.
It was a story of redemption, strength… and love finally being chosen.
Celine sat by the window, the late afternoon sun casting soft golden rays onto the floor. In her hands, she held the ticket — crisp, new, untouched.
LUMINA Grand Comeback Performance.
Special Guest Pass.
She traced her fingers over Arianne’s handwriting on the small note tucked with the ticket:
"If you’re ready… I want you to see me."
Celine closed her eyes tightly, swallowing the lump in her throat.
She remembered yesterday…
The doorbell rang.
Her grandmother went to answer it.
Celine, standing just behind the living room wall, peeked through the small gap in the curtain.
It was Arianne.
Standing there.
Holding that ticket.
Her face pale, her eyes searching.
But Celine…
She couldn’t face her.
She couldn’t make her feet move.
Her grandmother opened the door with her usual warmth.
"Ikaw pala, iha."
Arianne lowered her head and handed the envelope.
"Hello po lola, may pakikisuyo lang po ako… pwede po pakibigay po kay Celine… kung okay lang po."
Her grandmother nodded, taking the envelope.
But Arianne didn’t leave right away.
She just… stood there.
Looking at the door.
As if hoping, praying, that maybe… just maybe… Celine would come out.
But she didn’t.
She watched from behind the curtain as Arianne finally turned away, her shoulders heavy.
And now…
Here she was.
Ticket in hand.
Her grandmother sat beside her on the couch, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Apo…" her grandmother’s voice was soft but firm.
"Hindi mo ba pupuntahan yang binigay sa’yo ni Arianne?"
Celine didn’t answer.
She just stared down at the ticket.
Her grandmother sighed.
"Ilang linggo lang ako nawala apo… bakit nagkaganyan na naman kayo?"
Celine finally looked at her grandmother, her eyes glossy but tired.
And in that look… was confusion.
Hurt.
Regret.
She shook her head slowly.
"Lola… hindi ko rin alam."
Her voice cracked.
"Hindi ko rin alam kung paano nangyari. Parang… parang bigla na lang."
Her grandmother rubbed her back gently.
"Apo… minsan… akala natin kaya nating takasan ang puso natin. Pero kahit anong iwas, kahit gaano ka lumayo, babalik at babalik yan sa’yo."
Celine closed her eyes, leaning her head on her grandmother’s shoulder like a child.
"I hurt her, Lola… and she hurt me too. Ang daming nasabi, ang daming hindi nasabi. Ang daming hindi namin naiintindihan sa isa’t isa."
Her grandmother simply listened, running her hand over Celine’s hair soothingly.
"Pero apo," her grandmother continued softly, "bihira ang taong babalik at kakatok pa rin sa pintuan mo kahit ilang beses mo na siyang sinarhan. Bihira ang taong hindi sumusuko."
Celine gripped the ticket tighter, her tears falling silently.
She remembered Arianne’s expression yesterday.
The hope in her eyes.
The sadness in her posture.
Her grandmother turned to face her gently.
"Kung sa puso mo… may kahit kaunting parte na gusto siyang makita… pumunta ka."
Celine inhaled shakily.
She wanted to say she wasn’t sure.
She wanted to say she was afraid.
But more than anything…
She wanted to see her.
Her grandmother cupped her face.
"Hindi lahat ng tao binibigyan ng pangalawang pagkakataon, apo."
Celine bit her lip, her tears finally falling freely.
Her grandmother wiped her tears away.
"Kaya kung may pagkakataon pa… huwag mong sayangin."
Celine looked down at the ticket once more.
Her heart racing.
Her emotions swirling.
A moment of silence passed between them.
And then…
She slowly stood up.
Her grandmother smiled softly, knowing without words what her decision would be.
"Apo," she whispered, "nasa likod ka man ng kurtina kahapon… pero ngayon, sana sa harap ka na ng stage."
Celine took a deep breath.
She didn’t know what would happen.
She didn’t know if she was ready.
But some moments…
You just had to show up.
She grabbed her coat, the ticket clutched tightly in her hand.
And without another word… she left the house.
###
The music was loud. The lights were blinding.
The screams of the fans echoed throughout the venue — a roaring ocean of excitement and devotion.
But amidst the energy and cheers, Arianne could only hear the pounding of her heart.
They had gone through almost the entire setlist. Song after song, performance after performance. Each one filled with passion, perfection… but also tension.
Because she couldn’t stop herself from glancing at the crowd.
She was supposed to focus.
She was supposed to give her all.
But her heart was searching for someone.
Every time the stage lights brightened and the audience came into view, she found herself scanning the faces.
Row after row.
Cheering fans, waving banners, crying supporters.
But not the one face she desperately wanted to see.
Her body moved on instinct — dancing in perfect sync with the others, hitting every beat and every mark. But her mind?
It was filled with questions.
Did she come?
Is she here?
Did I make a mistake giving that ticket?
Am I hoping for something that won’t happen?
She glanced at the far-left side of the crowd during their water break.
Nothing.
She looked to the right section after finishing their ballad performance.
Still nothing.
And now… this was their final performance before the curtain would fall, before the grand comeback event would officially end.
The last chance.
Arianne took a breath, holding the mic close as the intro music started.
Her heart felt so heavy.
She knew what this moment was supposed to mean — a victory, a triumph after all the controversies and pain.
But right now, it felt incomplete.
She sang her part, voice steady, eyes shining under the stage lights.
But in between lines, she glanced at the center of the crowd again.
Nothing.
She told herself to stop.
Focus, Arianne. Focus!
But her eyes still wandered.
Searching.
Hoping.
Maeve caught her glancing and gave her a soft nudge between choreography steps — a subtle look that said, she might come.
Arianne blinked away the emotion and kept going.
But when the chorus hit and the lights swept across the crowd once more…
She looked again.
Desperately.
Her heart screamed louder than the fans.
Please… show up.
Just once.
Let me see you.
As they reached the final chorus, Arianne forced a smile for the cameras.
But her chest felt tight.
She gave one last glance into the sea of people.
Still…
Nothing.
The music swelled.
The lights dimmed slowly.
And as the final note rang through the arena, Arianne’s heart sank.
She’s not here.
She bowed with the others, the crowd erupting into applause.
But inside, she was still waiting.
Still hoping.
And breaking.
Because some part of her…
Still believed Celine would come.
Even if the curtain was about to fall.
Celine sat in the backseat of the Grab car, her fingers trembling on her lap. The ticket Arianne gave her was clutched tightly in her hand — wrinkled and damp from how long she’d been holding it.
She had been debating for hours whether or not to go.
But in the end, her heart decided for her.
The car sped through the busy streets, but when they hit the main avenue…
Traffic.
Not just the usual traffic.
A monstrous gridlock.
Celine bit her lip, glancing at her phone screen. The GPS said:
"10 minutes away."
Her chest tightened.
Ten minutes… but the show’s already starting their final stage.
The honking cars, the sea of red tail lights — it all blurred in her vision.
She looked out the window, seeing the massive LED screens showing snippets of Lumina’s live performance from the arena nearby.
She could see Arianne smiling, dancing… but she knew that smile.
She knew Arianne’s smiles so well.
And that one was forced.
She was looking for her.
"Fuck it," Celine breathed out, voice shaking.
She leaned forward quickly.
"Manong, dito na lang po ako!"
Before the driver could even fully stop, she handed him cash, thanked him breathlessly, and threw open the door.
"Miss! Miss!" the driver called after her, but Celine was already running.
She sprinted across the street, dodging cars and people.
Her cap flew off, her hair loosening from the ponytail.
The ticket was still in her hand, crumpled but still whole.
People started noticing.
"Si Celine yun!"
"Grabe! Si Celine!"
But she couldn’t stop.
She kept running — her breath coming out in shallow gasps, feet pounding against the pavement.
She bumped into someone and fell hard on her knees.
Pain shot up her legs, but she didn’t care.
She pushed herself up with trembling arms.
Stand up, Celine.
Run.
She ran again, ignoring the burning in her chest and the sharp pain in her ankle.
The arena came into view — massive, alive, and shining.
She could hear the faint echoes of the fans screaming inside.
She pushed through the crowd, breathless, her vision blurry from tears and sweat.
Finally, she reached the side entrance — but the security guard stopped her.
She showed the ticket with shaky hands.
They checked quickly and let her through.
Celine ran inside.
Her heart pounding louder than the bass reverberating through the walls.
But then…
Silence.
The lights inside dimmed.
The stage lights went off.
The fans quieted down.
Celine froze in her steps, staring at the massive screens turning dark.
I didn’t make it.
Her chest constricted painfully.
She lowered her head, biting back tears.
She felt her knees tremble again.
She turned around, ready to leave — ready to accept that she was too late.
But then…
The stage lights slowly lit up again.
The fans gasped in excitement.
A low murmur of confusion and anticipation filled the arena.
Celine stopped in her tracks.
She turned back around, eyes wide.
One spotlight.
Center stage.
And standing there…
Arianne.
Holding the mic.
Looking straight ahead… as if searching once more.
Celine’s breath caught in her throat.
She wasn’t too late.
Not yet.
She clutched the ticket to her chest.
And slowly…
She took a step forward.
###
Arianne’s heart was still pounding from their last performance.
The lights dimmed, and they were supposed to head backstage.
She was supposed to turn around.
Supposed to leave the stage.
But something inside her told her to look one more time.
Her eyes scanned the faint silhouettes of the crowd, barely visible under the soft glow of the emergency lights.
And then—
There.
She saw her.
Celine.
Running.
Breathless.
Disheveled.
But she was there.
Arianne’s breath caught in her throat.
She froze for a second — her mind racing, heart beating wildly.
Her lips slowly curved into the softest, most relieved smile.
"You came..."
She grabbed the mic from the stand with trembling hands and glanced at her girls.
She gave them a silent signal.
Maeve immediately understood, rushing toward the stage manager.
The lights flickered — then flooded the entire arena once again in bright white and gold.
The fans screamed in confusion at first.
Then in excitement.
And then, silence.
All eyes followed Arianne’s gaze.
All eyes found Celine.
Arianne slowly stepped forward, tears brimming in her eyes, her smile growing despite the tightness in her chest.
She raised the mic to her lips, her voice soft but steady.
"You finally showed up…"
The crowd gasped, turning to look at the girl standing near the barricade.
The cameras zoomed in.
Celine — panting, hair messy, clothes wrinkled, tears threatening to fall.
The fans screamed again, louder this time.
Some cheered, some were already tearing up.
Arianne stepped down from the stage stairs, walking closer to the edge.
She felt her heart tremble as her eyes never left Celine’s.
Celine took a step forward.
Then another.
And another.
Their eyes locked.
Neither of them blinked.
Arianne’s breath shook.
Her tears finally rolled down her cheeks.
"Celine…" she whispered into the mic, her voice cracking.
"Mahal… aking mahal… minamahal… at mamahalin pa."
The crowd gasped.
Some fans covered their mouths, others were already crying.
Celine pressed her hand to her chest, her breath shallow and quick.
Tears filled her eyes.
"I’m sorry," Arianne whispered again, her voice trembling but honest.
"I’m sorry for leaving you behind… for choosing fear over us."
Celine’s tears finally fell.
"I wanted to hold onto you," Arianne continued, swallowing her sobs, "but I was too scared. I thought letting go was the only way to protect us both."
She wiped her tears quickly, shaking her head.
"But every day… every night… it’s always been you."
The fans were silent, completely caught in the moment — watching a love story unfold before their very eyes.
Arianne took a deep breath, slowly extending her hand out toward Celine.
"I’m tired of running away. Kung papayagan mo pa ako… this time, ako naman ang lalaban."
Celine took another shaky step forward, tears streaming down her face.
She reached out…
Their fingertips almost touching.
Arianne’s tears fell faster.
"This time… ako naman, Celine."
The crowd erupted into screams, sobs, and applause — witnessing a raw, real moment that no one expected.
Arianne bit her lip, smiling through her tears.
She whispered one last time, soft enough that only Celine could hear —
"Ako naman ang pipili sa’yo."
Celine stood there, frozen, tears streaming down her face.
Arianne’s words echoed in her head.
"Ikaw ang pipiliin ko."
"Ako naman ang lalaban."
Her heart was pounding so loud she swore the entire arena could hear it.
But then…
She decided to break the tension.
She tilted her head, wiped her tears, and with a teasing smile — she shouted loud enough for everyone to hear:
"Ano?!"
The crowd erupted into laughter and screams.
Celine grinned playfully through her tears, cupping her hands around her mouth.
"May naririnig ba kayo?!" she called out to the fans, pretending to ask them.
The fans screamed back: "MERON!!!"
Celine laughed breathlessly, her heart feeling lighter.
"Ahhh... baka ako lang ‘yung bingi!" she teased, looking up at the stage again.
Arianne couldn’t help but laugh through her tears.
She shook her head fondly, wiping her face with the back of her hand.
She brought the mic back to her lips and spoke with all the sincerity in her heart — but still smiling, still teasing back.
"Ikaw ang pinipili ko, Celine…" she began.
Her voice was soft but steady, echoing across the arena.
"Hindi lang ngayon… hanggang sa dulo…"
Celine bit her lip, her smile trembling, heart racing faster.
"Hanggang wakas…" Arianne continued, her voice breaking slightly.
"Kahit walang camera…"
The fans fell silent, all holding their breath.
"Kahit tayong dalawa lang ang nakakakita…"
A wave of gasps and soft cheers filled the air.
Celine covered her face for a second, overwhelmed.
She looked back at Arianne, tears still falling but now mixed with laughter.
She shook her head and shouted again:
"Then… prove it!"
Arianne froze for half a second.
Then her eyes sparkled.
A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips… and then — without hesitation — she dropped the mic.
The loud thud of the mic echoed across the arena.
The fans screamed.
Arianne jumped off the stage stairs, closing the distance between them in just a few quick steps.
She grabbed Celine’s hand.
Pulled her close.
And without any words, without any more doubt —
She kissed her.
The entire arena erupted into deafening cheers and wild screams.
It wasn’t just a kiss.
It was the kiss.
Long, deep, raw, and desperate.
A kiss that made up for all the lost time, for all the unspoken words.
A kiss that told the world: this is mine.
Celine’s arms immediately wrapped around Arianne’s neck, pulling her in even closer.
Neither of them wanted to let go.
The camera panned to the other members of Lumina, who were standing near the side of the stage, wide-eyed and frozen.
Maeve covered her mouth, trying not to scream herself.
Sasha had her hands on her head, eyes bulging.
Mavis just exhaled, a small smile forming — relief and happiness washing over her.
But the kiss didn’t stop.
Seconds passed.
Minutes passed.
The fans kept screaming.
Some were crying, some laughing, all of them completely losing their minds.
Arianne and Celine still didn’t pull away.
It got to the point where Maeve finally yelled, laughing, "Hoy!!! Baka ma-rated SPG na tayo dito!"
Sasha ran toward them and tugged gently at Arianne’s arm.
"Okay na! Okay na! Grabe kayo!" she teased, laughing.
Arianne finally broke the kiss, both of them breathless, their foreheads pressed together, both of them laughing through tears.
Celine whispered, just for Arianne, "Ang tagal kong hinintay ‘yon."
Arianne smiled, brushing her thumb over Celine’s cheek.
"Ang tagal ko ring gustong gawin ‘yon."
They both laughed softly as the arena continued to roar.
The rest of Lumina joined them onstage, the group hugging the two while the fans chanted their names.
It was chaotic.
Messy.
Overwhelming.
But it was perfect.