Unknown Mishaps

Chapter 5

KHIONE CYRA

It was bittersweet when I dropped Jase and his ex girlfriend in the airport. There was a smug look on her face when Jase hugged me and kissed my lips.

"I promise. I'll call you when we land." Jase whispered softly, kissing my cheek one last time before pulling his luggage and walking towards the entrance of the airport.

I didn't cry, but I felt sad. I sighed softly when he turned back and waved at me. I smiled sadly and waved back. Essia huffed behind me.

"I know what you're going to say and to be honest, I should've said it to him just now."

"Yeah. Yeah, you should've. It's going to be a tough road from now on, girl." She said, pulling me to her side and linked her arm on mine.

"Just a few more weeks and we're graduating and the next thing we know, you're leaving for the US." Essia added, wrapping me in a tight embrace.

I giggled and asked, "But you'll follow me, right?"

"Sure, darling. But for the meantime, let's finish up our requirements and get ready for graduation." Essia exclaimed and dragged me to her car.

We were both in high spirits when we arrived at the coffee shop near campus. I finished all my requirements on time and was happy that I did not think of Jase or Joelle for even one second.

I'll be alright as long as I have people who support me.

°°°°°°°°°°

Graduation ended and in a few days, my family will be leaving for the US. Essia and I hung out almost everyday that I almost didn't get enough sleep on the night of our flight.

Essia tagged along with us and we both cried when it was time for us to check our bags in.

"I'm going to miss you so much, KC! Take care of yourself there, ok?" Essia sobbed on my shoulder and I sniffled.

"Me too! I will miss you so much!" I whimpered.

After a few minutes of crying, I gave her one last hug and and we went in. It was like a fever dream. I sat there waiting for us to board and decided to scroll through my phone. I stopped on a specific picture where Joelle was hugging Jase from behind, her fake breasts are pressed on his back and she was kissing his cheek. Jase was the one holding the phone and he looked so happy because he was blushing.

The captions was:

Day off with my partner in crime. XOXO

I scoffed and took a screenshot of the picture. I sent it to Essia. I didn't cry. No. I felt sick to my stomach. I shut off my phone and sighed. Mom asked if I was alright and I smiled at her and said yes.

I'm not. I'm tired and I want to break things off with him, but I love him too much.

I did not know how long I was lost in my thoughts because the next thing I know, my sister was nudging me.

"Let's go. It's time to board." She simply said.

I boarded the plane like it was nothing. I got the window seat and my sister fought with me about it, but I won so she had no choice.

The plane began to ascend and I looked out the window.

So long, Philippines. Until we meet again.

°°°°°°°°°°

It was a long flight and I was exhausted. My dad's family greeted us and welcomed us with warm clothes. It was still winter in Chicago despite it being February. It was cold and there was snow outside. I shivered.

The drive home was quite long and I wasn't used to the cold so I kept quivering inside the car. By the time we got home, I was so tired and just wanted to plop on the bed. My dad allowed me to sleep it off for a while. I went to my room that my sister and I will be sharing.

Apollon was let out of his carrier and he followed me to our room.

It was spacious and the bed was so inviting with the plush comforter and silk pillow covers. I took off my winter jacket and dropped my bag on the floor. I looked around and there was a vanity table, a plush beige carpet laid on the floor, and a big closet attached to the wall. There was a big window and a personal bathroom.

This is a big house. I thought it would be... smaller.

I plopped on the bed and scrolled through my phone. Jase hasn't called me since the day he left. He was texting me, but that was all. I got suspicious, but of course, he would just lie to my face.

He lied to me that he'd call me everyday. That jerk.

I closed my eyes and before I could even fall asleep, my phone rang. It was Essia.

I answered her call and winced at her loud voice, not getting up from my spot on the bed.

"What the f**k is wrong with that girl!? She knows the guy has a girlfriend! And that ass thought it was alright to let her be all over him?"

I sighed softly, "I know, right? It made me so uncomfortable and I couldn't bear to see it. I blocked him."

Essia was silent for a minute and I checked my phone if she was still in the call.

"I don't know what to say. I'm proud of you for blocking him."

I closed my eyes and said, "Maybe it's better if I leave him a message and say that I'm tired of the lies and the secrets. I'll break it off, but not in person. I don't want him thinking that I followed him here."

"True. I think it's better that way, too. That way, you can save yourself from the heartache."

Truth be told, my heart already hurts, but I have no more tears left to cry.

I rolled on my back and looked up at the ceiling. I hear the door open and heard my sister's voice.

"Is that Big Sister Essia?" Reika asked. I nodded and listened as Essia vented and cursed my boyfried.

I smiled and said, "It makes me feel better that you're getting mad at him."

"Who wouldn't!? He was a jerk through and through up until the day he left."

I smiled and asked, "By the way... why the hell are you still awake?! Isn't it like... 3:00 a.m. there?"

"I.... may or may have been up all night watching Bridgerton."

I gasped and pretended to be hurt. I sat up, "You cheater! We were supposed to watch that together!"

"Don't worry, KC! I'm only rewatching the first season."

I huffed and we talked for a bit before she hung up, telling me she needed to go to bed or her mom will kill her. I laughed and bid her goodnight.

We had dinner after a couple of hours. I still felt a bit shy, but I tried not to. It was fun spending some time with my family in my dad's side, but... there's this feeling of restriction.

After dinner, I took a quick shower and did my skin care. I stared at my phone and decided to chat Jase.

Me: Hey. It's been a while. I saw your picture with Joelle and I got to say, it's a very risqué photo.

Me: I'm tired, Jase. Let's stop pretending. Stop pretending that you don't love Joelle because I can see that you do.

Me: Stop pretending that you care for me, but thank you.

Me: Thank you for the times we spent together. I love you and... goodbye.

I hit the send button and sighed, looking at my reflection in the mirror.

It's time for a change. A good change.