Zec (COMPLETE)

CHAPTER XVI: Back to Reality

I wished that my fantasy would be our reality…

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The next morning, I woke up with a big smile on my face. I wish I could wake up every morning like this; having her by my side. Lying here with her arms wrapped around me, I can’t help but to feel safe. 

Being in her arms, is the best way to start my day! I chuckled when I remembered how she tightened her hug on me last night. I think that she’s unconsciously missing someone to hold at night. I gently shook her shoulders to wake her up. 

She slowly stretched her arms and legs then hugged me again and mumbled, "5 more minutes please".

She closed her eyes again and I could only look at her in astonishment. She’s still the same sleepyhead that I love so much! I gently cupped her cheeks and leaned closer to her. Being careful not to wake her up. She’s so beautiful! I brushed the tip of my nose on hers. It took me a lot of will power not to kiss her right there and then. I sighed and wake her up again so that we could watch the sunrise together at the top. It’s one of the sweetest things that some couples do, and I wanted to try it with her.

We ate breakfast while we wait for the sun to rise. Then I asked one of her work mates to take a picture of us and the sun behind us. I hugged her, and she hugged me back. It was so romantic! We’re like lovers under the rising sun! After that, we made our way up the Rockies. Milena guided me to where I should put my hands and feet next. When we reached the top, we saw the rest of Batangas. It was so picture-perfect! Our next stop was the Summit! They grabbed some snacks and refreshments from a*****e named ‘7/11’, before continuing our trail. I almost backed out from exhaustion, but Milena encouraged me to carry on with it.

Our last destination was the Grotto. Descending from the Summit takes too much effort than ascending! We passed the shrine of our Lady of Lourdes and the Stations of The Cross. Then 30 minutes later, we completed our Mount Maculot experience! Yes! I survived! Thanks to my lovable Milena!

We took a quick shower at the available rooms at the end of the trail before going back to Manila. We’ve had sore muscles, but we didn’t regret the time and effort we spend on this experience!

Milena’s brother fetch us at Lipa City because we needed another ride back home. We used Jojo's car yesterday, but he and Belle needed to stay. They said they need to meet up with their parents. During the whole ride,I sat beside Milena. I leaned my head on her shoulder, pretending to be asleep.I felt sad. The time I’ve had with Milena was almost over. I wish I could spend another day with her.

I was the last one they drove home. I kissed Milena on her cheeks and said goodbye. I hesitated a little before going out of the car, she hugged me and said, “Thanks for hugging me to sleep last night. I had a good night’s sleep.”

I wanted to grab her and kiss her to show her how much I love her, but I didn’t have the courage to take the risk again. Instead, I smiled at her and waved goodbye as they drove away. I whispered, “Mi, if you asked me to hug you again while you sleep, I’ll do it without hesitation. I will hug you every minute of every day. Just say that you want me in your life and I will offer my heart to you again; My heart that never stopped loving you...”

My phone vibrated. I checked Jojo’s text message: “So… Spill the deets…Tell me what happened…”

I replied, “My tail was tucked between my legs!”

He sent me several laughing emojis then called me.

“Yo! Why, girl? What happened? You chickened out again?”

I sighed and replied, “J, I don’t want to take the risk of hurting myself again. It’s much better to love her without telling her rather than hearing her rejecting my feelings again! I don’t think my heart could handle that kind of rejection from her again.”

“Hmm… Okay. But Frincez, if ever there’s a chance that you two met up again, do everything and fight for your girl! Do you understand me? Don’t let your chance slip away. Who cares if she rejects you again? At least you tried to express all your unspoken feelings to her! No more what-ifs left in your mind! Grab the opportunity and ravish your girl like a wild animal! Show her what you’ve got! Then share me all the details if our friend is really good in bed!”

“What the heck, J! You’re a pervert!”

“What? I’m just proud of our friend! Iona said that Carly always bragged about how good Milena is! I just wanna know if how good she is when you two do the thing! Rate it from 1 to 100!”

“Hey! You’re talking about MY Milena here! Watch your mouth, bro!”, I shouted.

“Oops. I’m just kidding my friend. Ha-ha. But seriously, just man up!Okay?”

“Yeah. Got it, J! Thanks bro!”

“No problem!”

We ended our call and I went to my room. I uploaded the pictures from my phone and tagged Milena on some of her stolen pictures. When she changed her profile picture using one of my pictures, I instantly liked it. I scrolled down her profile to check all the photos she uploaded. I noticed that her Azzhole ex-girlfriend likes all of it. So, this spoiled brat is still alive?! I couldn’t believe it! I thought she was cast away by Super Typhoon Haiyan!

Days passed after our bonding moment at the top of the mountain. I thought Milena would want me back to her life, even only as her best friend. I waited for her to reply to my text and chat messages. But I think she’s busy.

Then Jojo called me one day and told me he has some good news and bad news. He asked me if what I wanted to hear first. I told him, to tell the good news only.

He laughed at me and said, “Alright! I’ll let you hear the good news first! The good news is… Milena is still available...”, he said. Purposely hanging the next sentence.

I felt happy hearing that. But I was dreading to hear the bad news from him.

“J, just say the BUT sentence!”

“Ha-ha. You’re a spoilsport! Alright! Milena’s available but… she and her first love started hanging out again!”

I went silent. I didn’t know how to react.

Jojo continued, “I told you! You shouldn’t let your opportunity passed the last time!”

I ended our call without properly saying goodbye to him. Tears begin to fill up my eyes. I clenched my fist over my chest. I felt like it’s the end of the world! I cried and screamed but nothing could ease the pain I’m feeling inside! Am I too late again? Life’s really has a funny way of playing people around. That spoiled brat is my rival again. And I think I will lose again.What’s the point of fighting if it’s against Milena’s one true love?

I needed a distraction! Work. I needed to add more work! I opened my laptop and made a post about doing some freelance projects. And luckily,Milena’s boss that I met from their team building, was online. He saw my post and messaged me. He asked me if I would be interested in his offer. He has anew project in Batangas and he needed new people. He’s organizing two separate teams of developers and designers. He also asked me if I knew more people who would like to freelance. We would meet up in an ancestral house and will stay for weeks until the project is done.

I easily accepted his offer. I needed work and sort-of vacation.