Chapter 26
1022 Words
December 22– 10:38 AM – Santiago Residence, Cainta rizal
Mainit ang sikat ng araw habang bumababa si Aira ng kotse. Bitbit ang isang tote bag at may ngiti sa labi, kahit pagod pa sa biyahe.
“Anak!” bungad ng Mommy niya sa pinto, agad siyang niyakap. “Kamusta ang Christmas party?”
Aira laughed. “Masaya, Ma. Nakakapagod pero worth it.”
Lumabas din si Ana, hawak ang bagong laruan, at si Mico naman ay mukhang bagong gising pa.
“Nandito na si Ate!” Ana shouted, sabay yakap sa hita niya.
“Namiss ka namin,” sabi ni Mico habang kinukusot pa ang mata.
“Namiss ko rin kayo,” Aira whispered, her chest tightening with a warmth she didn’t know she needed.
12:01 PM – Family Lunch
“Bakit parang blooming ka?” tanong ng Dad niya, nakangiti habang nilalagyan siya ng ulam.
Napatingin si Aira kay Mommy na parang nagbabasa ng isip.
“Wala po,” sabay ngiti niya. “Siguro kasi mas maayos na yung tulog ko ngayon.”
Pero hindi lang tulog ang naging maayos.
Something had shifted in her—quietly, steadily.
Love was no longer something she feared. It was something she was learning to hold.
2:39 PM – Aira’s Bedroom
She was unpacking when her phone vibrated.
📱 Mira (Group Chat: Babes 👑💅)
> Hoy, gising ka pa?
Magkape tayo pls. Sabik na ako sa tsismis mo.
📱 Jane
> Gusto ko ng hazelnut latte at kwento. Pwede na ba mamaya?
📱 Nhene
> PLEASE sabihin mong libre mo kami para mas madami kang ikuwento 👀
Napatawa si Aira. She hadn’t seen them in weeks. Group chats were different—iba pa rin yung magkakasama talaga.Taga binangonan kasi sila mira at jane then si nhene is angono yung family nila taga dun kaya pwede kaming mag kita sasakay lamang ng taxi
📱 AIRA
> Deal. Coffee date mamaya? Ako bahala sa drinks. Basta kayo bahala sa tanong.
📱 Mira
> Sige na, wag kang magpakipot. May Calix update yan for sure 😏
Aira smiled, heart fluttering.
> “Some friendships don’t ask you to explain. They just meet you where you are—and wait for the rest.”
4:01 PM – Mirror Scene (Aira Alone)
Habang nag-aayos sa salamin, napatingin si Aira sa sarili.
Walang dramatic transformation.
Pero may glow—hindi galing sa makeup o hairstyle.
Galing ‘yun sa kapayapaan. Sa soft kind of happiness. Sa pagiging totoo sa sarili.
And maybe, just maybe… from being loved by someone steady.
4:35 PM – Aira’s Internal Monologue
> “The party was beautiful. But this? Coming home to my family…
Being missed.
Being seen by friends.
It feels real.
And real has always been better than perfect.”
6:12 PM – Brewders Cafe ( Tanay rizal)
The café smelled of roasted beans, cinnamon, and something sweet baking in the oven. Aira slid into a cushioned booth, already seeing her three best friends waving her over like excited toddlers.
“Ang tagal mo!” Mira scolded, half-standing to hug her.
“Hindi mo ba kami na-miss?” Jane added, pouty as ever.
Nhene pushed a drink toward her. “Nag-order kami ng hazelnut latte para sayo. Tama ba, ‘no?”
Aira laughed. “Alam n’yo talaga taste ko, ha.”
“And alam namin you have updates,” Mira said, eyes narrowed with excitement.
6:29 PM – Warm Drinks, Warmer Questions
“So,” Mira began, leaning in with dramatic flair. “Let’s start light. How was the Christmas party?”
“Masaya,” Aira said, sipping her drink. “May exchange gift. May games. May food overload. Masaya talaga.”
Jane raised a brow. “And Calix?”
Aira rolled her eyes. “Wala pang five minutes, lalabas na agad ‘yung pangalan niya.”
“Because,” Mira said, poking her straw at Aira, “you literally confessed to the guy recently.”
Nhene gasped. “Whaaat?!”
Aira sighed, cheeks turning pink. “I told him I think I’m falling.”
The table went silent.
Then—
“Ayoko na,” Mira whispered. “Nauna ka pa sa’kin!”
“Anong sagot niya?!” Jane pressed.
Aira smiled faintly. “He said he’s already there. That he’s been there.”
The table erupted. Mira banged her hand on the table. “Kayo na ba?!”
Aira shook her head. “Wala pang label. Pero… parang hindi na rin kailangan ng isa.”
7:03 PM – Friendships that Hold Space
They stayed like that—sharing fries, stories, complaints about deadlines, and silly tweets.
“Hindi mo na talaga siya kinakatakutan?” Nhene asked softly, when the laughter faded.
Aira paused. “Hindi na tulad dati. Natatakot pa rin ako minsan… pero hindi ko na pinapabayaan ‘yung takot na kontrolin ako.”
Mira nodded. “You’ve changed, Ai. In the best way.”
“Parang…” Jane tilted her head. “You’re still you, pero mas grounded.”
Aira looked at them—her constants. “Kayo rin, eh. I think we’re all growing up quietly.”
7:45 PM – Quiet Reflection (Aira’s POV)
> “There’s a kind of love that makes you bloom. But there’s also a kind of friendship that reminds you: You were never wilted to begin with.”
8:24 PM – Café Exit
They stepped outside, chilly December breeze brushing past them.
“Let’s do this more,” Mira said, looping her arm with Aira’s. “Not just pag may drama sa love life mo, ha.”
Aira laughed. “Promise.”
They hugged goodbye on the sidewalk, one by one.
When Aira turned to walk home, her phone vibrated.
📱 Calix
> Hope your coffee date went well.
I kinda miss you. Is that allowed?
Aira smiled, typing back.
📱 Aira
> Allowed. And mutual.
10:03 PM – Aira’s Room – Journal Entry
> “Sometimes, you return home to the people you were born with.
Sometimes, to the people who stayed through all versions of you.
And sometimes… you realize
you’re finally becoming someone you’d come home to, too.”
- Writer
