Chapter 3
1041 Words
“Hey! What’s up?” he greeted cheerfully.
“Man! I’ve got a great recommendation for you—remember how you said you wanted a vacation?”
“Hmm… I’m super busy. Everything’s been hectic. Where is it?”
“Casa Marcos Resort Villas in Pastrana.”
“Maybe next time.”
“Alright, I’ll set a date for you!”
Khalid laughed at his friend’s enthusiasm. “Nah, thanks man. I’m not interested. I’m focused on building my career.”
“What are you talking about? You already built it! Why don’t you just try relaxing for once? We’re not getting younger. I have a family now, Leo too… and what about you and Benedict?”
“I don’t have a specific type. She just hasn’t come yet.”
“Maybe she already has, and you’re just too blind to see it.”
“I’m not ready for commitment,” he said, scratching his head. Why did they all want him to get married so badly?
“I’ve got a kid. Leo’s about to have one too. What about you?”
“It takes time. Maybe next year.”
Joseph sighed. “You know what’s right and wrong. If that’s your choice, fine. But I hope you find happiness when the time comes.”
“By the way, Diana confessed her feelings to me earlier.”
“What?! Seriously?”
“Do I sound like I’m joking?”
“So… let me guess. You rejected her because you’re afraid of commitment?”
Khalid exhaled and sat on the edge of his bed.
“I didn’t reject her. I just told her I couldn’t return her feelings. And I’m not afraid of commitment—I’m just not ready.”
Joseph laughed. “Dude, that’s still rejection. You can’t love her back, and you’re not ready. But you know what, at least you were honest. At least you didn’t give her false hope. That would’ve been worse.”
Khalid let out a deeper sigh this time. “I don’t know, man. I just… don’t want to be in a relationship right now.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not ready to take the risk?”
“Why? Isn’t Diana worth the risk? She loves you. If you courted her, it would be so easy. Don’t you want someone who already loves you?”
“She is worth the risk. Yes. But love isn’t enough for me to force myself into a relationship I’m not emotionally invested in. I don’t want a relationship built on obligation. I want to fall genuinely and deeply. Relationships aren’t a joke. Look at how many marriages end in divorce because people rush in without certainty. When I commit, I want to be truly ready.”
---
Zaira was alone in her condo, clutching an old photograph from her college days. It was a picture of her former crush—her first love. Her fingers curled into a fist, trembling. She couldn't deny it—despite everything, she was still in love with him. Even after all the humiliation he caused her in front of so many people.
Now that she'd found him again, and had even seen him in person, she felt a strange mix of gratitude and bitterness. It turned out he was related to one of Hermionelle’s cousins, which made it easier for her to get close to him. She'd already chatted with him once, and thankfully, he didn’t recognize her at all. He acted like everything was normal.
She hadn’t even realized that tears were already streaming down her cheeks. The pain from that day came rushing back.
He was the reason she almost dropped out of college. She couldn’t go to class because so many students bullied her—especially those girls who had a crush on him. The teasing and the whispers had driven her into isolation. Anxiety and depression followed, pulling her deeper until she found herself wanting to end her life. She had even tried once.
She knew she wasn’t a perfect person—her attitude back then wasn't ideal—but everything only got worse after what he did.
So she changed. She fought back. After graduating with a **Bachelor of English Language** from EVSU, she hit the gym. She didn’t get her dream of becoming a summa c*m laude—he ruined that—but at least she graduated magna c*m laude. And now?
Now she was hotter than ever.
From 76 kilos, she dropped to just 39. The transformation was jaw-dropping. When she showed up to their alumni gathering, no one could believe it was her. Everyone was stunned. Everyone… except Khalid. He wasn't there.
She used to think he was a good man. But after that day, everything changed. That’s why she made a vow.
Someday, when she was beautiful, confident, and successful… she would make him fall. She would take revenge. She would make him fall for her—and then destroy him, the same way he destroyed her.
“I’ll do everything... Everything to make you fall in love with me,” she whispered into the air, eyes locked on the smiling photo of him in his college uniform. She had stolen that photo from the student bulletin board back in college—he was the SSG President at the time. Good thing there weren’t any CCTVs in that hallway. That theft would have added even more shame to her name.
---
The next day, she decided to go grocery shopping—she was out of stock at home.
Zaira walked through the aisles with purpose, inspecting each row with the eyes of a dedicated vegetarian. Fresh vegetables filled her cart. She picked up a small pack of carrots wrapped in plastic foam—₱120. Not bad.
She placed it in her pushcart and continued walking. At the egg section, she picked up four small trays. She planned to bake cupcakes later and give them to her goddaughter and niece, Aubrielle.
"You like eggs?"
Startled, she quickly looked up—and felt her chest tighten.
Khalid.
“A-Ah, I want to bake cupcakes later… that’s why I grabbed so many,” she said hastily.
*Why is she explaining herself?*
*Ugh. Whatever.*
- Writer
