Chapter 3 Manila and Jon +Extended
1022 Words
*Chapter 3: Manila, and Jon - Extended*
It didn’t rain the day Elias left.
But when Mara got home from KapeTayo, it did. The kind of rain that hits the windows like it’s angry.
She didn’t cry in the taxi. She didn’t cry in the elevator.
She cried at 2:14am, on her bathroom floor, with Elias’s hoodie over her head.
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### *Week 1: The Quiet*
Mara went to work on Monday. Hair tied. Lipstick on.
"Kiko, I’m good," she said. "Let’s get back to work."
She filed 2 stories. Attended 3 meetings. Answered 47 emails.
At 9pm she was still at her desk. Because home was quieter than her head.
Her phone didn’t buzz.
No "landed safe". No "how are you".
On Thursday, she almost texted him. Her thumb hovered over his name.
Then she deleted it.
Friday night, she opened his hoodie again. It smelled like him less now. Like laundry and nothing.
She folded it and put it back in the drawer. On top of the key.
### *Week 2: Jon Enters*
Jon Reyes. 30. Features writer. The guy who always brought extra ballpens to meetings.
They got stuck working on a typhoon relief piece together. 11pm. Office was empty except for the cleaning staff.
"Want coffee?" Jon asked. He came back with two cups. Black for her. 3-in-1 for him.
"You remembered," Mara said.
"I pay attention."
When they finished, it was raining again.
"I can walk you," Jon said.
"I live in Cubao."
"So? I live in QC too."
In the car, Jon didn’t talk. He just drove. When they got to her gate, he said:
"Text me when you’re inside."
"You don’t have to—"
"Please."
She did.
Jon: "Good. Sleep."
*The Pattern Starts*
Tuesday: Jon brought siopao because she skipped lunch.
Thursday: He stayed late to help her fact-check.
Sunday: He saw her at the grocery and helped her carry bags.
No flirting. No asking her out. Just... showing up.
One night her best friend Bea asked: "Is something going on with you and Jon?"
"Nothing," Mara said. "He’s just nice."
"Guys aren’t ‘just nice’ for no reason, Mare."
Mara didn’t answer.
### *Week 3-4: The Waiting*
Mara checked her email 8 times a day.
Nothing from Elias.
She checked her blocked messages folder. Also nothing.
She told herself she was relieved.
She told herself she was angry.
Jon noticed.
"You’re quiet," he said one overtime night.
"Just work."
"Bullshit."
Mara looked up. "What?"
"You’re allowed to say you miss him. You’re allowed to be mad that he left."
"I’m not—"
"Okay," Jon cut her off. "But when you are, I’m here."
He didn’t push. He just stayed.
### *Month 2: Lola’s Birthday*
Lola turned 78. Small party. 10 people.
Jon showed up with cake. And flowers for Lola.
"Para kay Nanay," he said, bowing.
Lola loved him immediately. "Tulungan mo nga si Mara sa kusina, anak."
They were washing dishes.
"You don’t have to do this," Mara said.
"I want to," Jon said. "Your Lola makes really good lumpia."
Silence. Then:
"Can I hug you?" Jon asked.
Mara froze. "Why?"
"Because you look like you’re holding the whole world and you’re tired."
She nodded. Once.
It was a quick hug. No romance. Just weight.
When he let go, Mara’s eyes were wet.
"Thank you," she whispered.
That night Jon texted: _Sorry if that was too much. I just hate seeing you carry everything alone._
Mara didn’t reply for 2 days. Then: _It was okay. Thank you._
### *Month 3: The Shift*
It started small.
Coffee became lunch. Lunch became "want to watch a movie?"
Movie became walking her to her car.
Jon never asked her to be his girlfriend. He never asked about Elias.
One night after a late shoot, they were in his car.
"Mara," Jon said. "I like you. I have for a while. But I’m not gonna ask you for anything until you’re ready. Or until you’re sure you’re not waiting for someone else."
Mara cried. Right there in the passenger seat.
"I’m sorry," she said.
"For what?"
"For not being ready."
"You don’t have to apologize for healing."
He drove her home. Kissed her on the forehead.
### *Month 4: The Email She Sent*
3am. She couldn’t sleep.
She opened her laptop.
_Subject: I’m sorry_
_Elias,_
_I tried to wait. I really did._
_But it’s been 4 months and you haven’t called. And I’m tired of checking my phone._
_I met someone. He’s good to me. He’s here._
_I hope Europe is good to you too._
_Please don’t hate me._
_-M_
She hit send at 3:47am. The exact time the power went out that first day.
Then she blocked his number. And his IG. And his email.
Because seeing "read" would break her.
Kiko called her the next day. "Mara. He replied."
"What did he say?"
"Just: 'I understand. Take care.'"
Mara nodded. "Okay."
She didn’t cry. Not that day.
### *Month 5-6: Building Something New*
Jon and Mara became official. Quietly. No announcement.
He met her friends. She met his sister.
He helped her move to a new condo closer to work.
She helped him pick curtains.
It was easy. It was calm. It was safe.
But sometimes, at 5am, she’d wake up and reach for her phone.
And for half a second, she’d expect a message from Lisbon.
Jon found the key once. While helping her clean.
He held it up. "This yours?"
"Yeah," Mara said. "From an old apartment."
"Cool."
He put it back and never asked again.
### *One Year Later*
Mara and Jon were living together. Not married. Just... together.
She got promoted. Senior Writer.
He started his own newsletter.
On their anniversary, Jon cooked dinner. Adobo.
"It tastes like yours," he said, proud.
Mara smiled and ate it. And for a moment, just a moment, she remembered the way Elias used to burn the garlic.
But she didn’t say anything.
That night, she opened her old drawer. The key was still there. Tarnished now.
She didn’t throw it away.
She just closed the drawer.
*End of Chapter 3 - Extended
- Writer
