Chapter 1: Everything I Left Behind
1150 Words
Gelo:
I stared at the paper in my hand.
“She’ll understand,” I hesitantly whispered to myself.
“John!”
A voice called out. I looked up to see her approaching.
“Seriously? Are you just going to stare at me like that?”
I quickly stood, grabbed her bag, and slung it over my shoulder.
“Are you in a bad mood?” she asked.
I dropped my shoulders and sighed heavily. “I didn’t pass.”
We both took the entrance exam for the student exchange program to BYU in America. I didn’t fail because I was dumb—I failed because I chose to.
“What? That’s impossible!” she exclaimed, clearly refusing to accept it.
Here we go...
I shut my eyes. “I failed it on purpose,” I answered flatly, not wanting to argue.
She sighed.
“John, I thought we were clear about this. If you really want us, you have to pass!” she insisted.
I inhaled deeply.
“Look, Joan, is it so hard to understand that I don’t want to go yet? Are we really going to fight about this?”
Of course, I understand her.
This is her dream. And she wants me beside her while chasing it.
But I just couldn’t leave my parents right now. They need me.
I scratched my head in frustration as we arrived at our usual hangout spot. She sat down, and I could see the disappointment all over her face.
I knelt in front of her, brushing away strands of hair that covered her face as she bowed her head.
“Hey, listen. I’m staying here for my parents, but I’ll follow you soon, okay?” I said, trying to calm her down.
Though I don't want her to be too far away from me—my family needs me... I just need her to understand that too.
“How did you know I passed?” she asked with a pout.
I smiled, relieved...
I cupped her cheek. “Of course. There’s no way you’d fail. My girlfriend’s too smart to fail.” I said, kissing her forehead before I stood up and sat beside her.
“John… please promise you’d follow. Hmm?” she worriedly said.
I nodded.
I put my arm around her, resting her head on my shoulder.
“I will. Wait for me, okay?” I said, kissing the side of her head. “When’s your flight?”
She took a breath. “Three weeks,” she said sadly.
I held her tighter.
“That’s so soon,” I whispered, my chest tightening.
“Yeah… you better follow ASAP, got it?” she demandingly said, and I nodded again.
A while later, we both decided to head home. She had to break the news to her parents, after all.
It felt heavy… letting her go like that.
But I promised I’d follow.
I couldn’t let her go through this alone.
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I had just landed at LAX when someone approached me.
“Good evening. Mr. John Lee?”
I nodded.
He motioned for me to follow him. I did—even though I had no idea what was happening. Once I got in his car, I finally asked, “Excuse me, sir. Where are we going?”
He looked at me through the rearview mirror. “The school assigned me to pick you up, sir.” I nodded again.
I should've read the instruction from the email they sent me before my flight. I didn't know there'd be an arrangement like this...
“We’re here, sir. You can leave your things. I’ll wait for you.” He gestured to a building.
A large restaurant.
Perfect. Cause I'm starving.
I walked in and scanned the place— "Sir, may I get your ID?" a smiling lady stopped me.
"Thank you," she again said when she got it.
She scanned the names listed on her ipad, and looked up to me when she found my name. She gave my ID back and asked for the waiter standing next to her to take me to my seat.
I followed.
He took me the corner table for one person, I thanked him when he handed me the menu as I took my seat.
I was busy looking for food, when I heard a familiar laughing voice.
My eyes automatically scanned the whole place and...
There she was.
My stomach twisted. The chatter of the restaurant faded. All I could hear was her laugh—soft, familiar—against the shoulder of a man who wasn’t me.
I watched, and froze, as the man kissed her.
Then she touched his neck like she wanted more.
My body turned ice-cold.
I managed to stand up and walk toward them, breathing deeply to steady myself.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but I think you owe me an explanation,” I said calmly.
They froze and looked at me.
“Who’s this?” the guy asked her, confused.
I raised my brows as I saw the panic in her eyes.
She swallowed hard, then turned to the man.
“We’ll just talk,” she said softly, then stood and pulled me outside.
We stopped by the curb. She let go of my hand.
“Who is he?” I asked quietly.
“I... I’m sorry,” she replied, unable to meet my eyes.
I took a shaky breath, stepped closer, and held her arms gently.
“Who is he?” I asked again.
She looked down. I saw the tears begin to fall.
I closed my eyes, breathing deeply.
“That’s Jonathan,” she finally said. “He’s... my boyfriend.”
I opened my eyes in disbelief. I slowly let go of her.
Shaking my head, I sighed. “Joanna, that's... that’s not funny,” I said seriously, looking straight at her.
“I told you. We s-should've come here together, but you chose to stay. Jonathan was there when I needed someone. You were gone for three months, John. That’s a long time. I’m sorry.”
I stood there speechless.
I wanted to say something—anything. But I had no words.
“Does he love you like I did?” I asked quietly.
She shook her head.
“He’s nothing like you, John. You’re proper. He’s a thug. He’s reckless. But… he made me his priority. That was enough.”
And with that, she turned around and walked away.
Just like she did the day she left for the Philippines.
I gave up my world for her.
Now, I’m going back to the ruins I left behind.
Because somewhere between waiting and wanting… she forgot about me.
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I stared blankly and sighed as I looked around the NAIA airport.
"Welcome back to the Philippines, Gelo," I told myself silently.
I kept my promise.
But it turns out… it meant nothing anymore.
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