Chapter 9: Proving Grounds
851 Words
For the first time since the semester started, Aira chose to sit at the back of the classroom.
Ang literature department ang laging comfort zone niya—a place where metaphors made more sense than people, and solitude was a strength, not a flaw. Pero kahit dito, parang may lamig. Parang ang ingay.
“Uy, Aira,” isang classmate niya ang nag-whisper, “Okay ka lang ba? Di ka sumasama sa group lunch lately.”
She gave a small, almost forced smile. “Okay lang. Busy lang sa project.”
Hindi naman ganun ka-birong sagot, pero what she didn’t tell her classmate was that she had asked to work separately from Liam for now. They’d split their tasks, exchanged feedback through email like strangers, walang personal contact.
Mas madali mag-breathe ng ganito.
Si Liam naman, tahimik—pero hindi nawawala.
He still sent updates, still submitted his parts on time. Still left coffee at her locker every Friday—black, no sugar, just the way she liked it. Laging may sticky note na nagsasabing:
Still here. – L
And even though she rolled her eyes every time, hindi niya kayang itapon.
---
In his world, things were different.
Liam sat stiffly in the family dining room, flanked by his parents and Celeste’s father, who was already nursing a glass of wine, like the conversation had already been won.
“Your mother and I have discussed this thoroughly,” his father said, his voice cold. “The partnership with the Alvarez family is strategic. You know what’s expected.”
Liam clenched his jaw. “And what about what I want?”
“This isn’t about what you want,” his father snapped, his voice harsh. “It’s about legacy.”
“I don’t want a legacy that cages me.”
Celeste sat across the table, silent for once, like she didn’t know how to add anything to the conversation.
His mother sighed. “You’re being impulsive, Liam.”
“No. I’m being honest,” he said, standing up abruptly. His voice shook a little, but his eyes were steady. “I’m not going to be forced into anything—or anyone—I don’t choose. And I choose to walk my own path.”
His father’s eyes narrowed, a glint of anger flashing in them. “Even if it means throwing away your inheritance?”
Liam looked straight at him, his voice low but resolute. “Even then.”
And with that, he left the room, slamming the door behind him.
He didn’t have a plan yet. But for the first time, the chains around him had started to rust.
---
The next day, Aira walked out of the library, her mind still tangled with everything that had happened. Just as she stepped out into the courtyard, Liam suddenly appeared in front of her, blocking her path.
She sighed, exasperated. “Liam…”
“Before you walk away,” he said, holding up his hand as if asking for a moment, “just give me a minute. Please.”
Aira stopped, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.
“I know you’re mad,” he continued, his voice soft but earnest. “Hurt. I deserved that. But I want you to know I’m not letting anyone—my family, their plans, even Celeste—decide my life for me.”
Aira raised an eyebrow. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because you matter,” he said, looking at her with an intensity that made her stomach flip. “Not just as a partner, or a classmate, or some girl I happened to meet.” He paused for a moment, swallowing hard. “You’re the first person who’s seen me beyond the Reyes name. And I don’t want to lose that.”
Aira looked away, her thoughts swirling. Her voice was soft when she finally spoke, barely above a whisper. “Liam… I’m scared.”
“Of what?” he asked, stepping a little closer, his eyes gentle.
“Of wanting something I can’t have.”
His face softened, and for the first time in a long while, she saw that familiar warmth in his eyes. “Then let me prove you wrong.”
Their eyes locked. Walang kiss. Walang dramatic music. Just silence.
At that moment, something unspoken started to rebuild between them. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real.
---
Later that night, Liam uploaded the rough cut of their presentation draft.
The file name: “Echoes of Emotion – Mendoza & Reyes”
And for the first time in weeks, Aira didn’t respond with silence. She didn’t ignore him like she had before. She didn’t put up a wall between them. Instead, she replied with a message that made his heart skip a beat:
Let’s finish this right. Together.
The tension that had been building between them began to unravel. Slowly, but surely. They were on the same team again, not just in the project, but in their lives. And this time, Aira was ready to give it a chance. Ready to give him a chance.
Together.
- Writer
