Life After Love

Scenic

“Congratulations!” We shouted when my brother entered our vacation house together with our parents, coming home from his Graduation rites.

My cousins and I hugged him one at a time to extend our congratulations.

“Congratulations, Kuya!” I hugged him.

“You’re next.” He said and hugged me back.

“Not yet. I still have a long way to go.”

“Time flies so fast, one moment you’ll realize we’re all getting ready for your graduation.” He said but I just smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“I missed you so much! When are you going home?” he pinched my cheeks. “Give me 2 more months. I just have to finish some prior commitments and I’ll take a long vacation back home.” I cheered upon hearing that.

“You guys are so cute, let me take you a photo!” one of our cousins exclaimed so we smiled when she took our photo.

My brother and I are so close since we only have each other growing up. He said he really wished for a sister and so when I came he really did took care of me. It just sucks that he has to go here just to study for college. I was ugly crying when he left, but we facetimed almost everyday for the whole summer during his first year.

Some of our relatives took my brother’s attention and so I was left with our cousins.

We have a large family so every celebration like this is so fun.

Typical Filipino gathering are the comments about how we look, and the unsolicited advices about our life choices. It can get depressing at first but you’ll get used to it somehow. I learned to shrug it off eventually.

And speak of the devil, I saw one of our aunt who feels like she always have to comment on her nieces and nephews life.

“Lu! You really are a grown up!” I hugged her. Trying to keep it together so I won’t show off as disrespectful. My other cousins immediately took off so the attention won’t go onto them. Traitors.

“Last I saw you, you were this small” she then tried to demonstrate how small I was when she last saw me. I just smiled at her.

“You’re in college too?” she asked.

“Yes, tita. First year.” I answered.

“Nice. You look so pretty, do you have a boyfriend already?” and there she goes. “Don’t go on dates yet, you have to study first. You’ll have a lot of time to date once you graduate.” I just nodded, and I plan to keep on nodding until she gets tired of making comments and advices about my life. “You know your cousin? My daughter Jessica? She didn’t have any boyfriend while studying.” That’s what you thought, your daughter was just good at hiding tita. “Be like her okay?” I nodded again. Yeah right.

Good thing she was called by one of our other aunt. Saved by the bell, I think?

Since my cousin took off I don’t know where they went to I just went to my room to freshen up. I sent photos to Anj and told her what my aunt just told me, basically just to rant about everything.

After talking to her I posted the photo my cousin airdropped me that she took. I made a congratulatory and appreciation post for my brother.

Seanarthuro: when are you gonna be back?

Luciellies: miss me much?

Seanarthuro: maybe. I can’t ask you out on a date while you’re there.

Luciellies: demanding. Smh

Seanarthuro: seriously, when?

Luciellies: I’ll be home on the 12th. Terminal 2. 5am.

Seanarthuro: Sure. See you.

Sean and I have been talking for almost 2weeks now. I can’t help but feel giddy. This feels so young and light.

I’ve been to a couple of relationship before and dealt with a fair number of guys but this time this feels different. I can’t explain it but this feels right. But I don’t want to rush it.

I then received a message from my cousins asking where I am, so checked myself in the mirror and went down again to mingle with my relatives.

“Are you sure you’re fine travelling alone?” My mom asked me as they dropped me off of the airport.

I nodded. “Yes, mom.” Kuya helped dad get all of the things from the trunk of the car.

“Don’t you want to extend your stay here? You still have 2 more weeks left of your break, I can drive you around town, and we’ll catch up.” My brother suggested as he carry some of my luggages.

“Tempting offer but I already made plans and mom always thought me to always honor my commitments.” Mom smiled and pat my head.

“Alright, but let me know once you touched down in Manila, I’ll let the driver know.” Mom said.

“No need, a friend of mine will pick me up. We actually talked about it already so everything’s good.” I assured them.

They all hugged me before helping me get inside the airport. My parents are supposed to come home with me but they both decided to stay and visit my grandparents upstate so I have no choice but to travel alone.

After I checked my bags I went and got myself some coffee because I badly need one. This flight is too early for my lazy ass.

After getting my coffee I proceed with immigration and security and things went smoothly, thank god.

I am finding my gate when my phone rang. Anj is calling me.

“Hey” I said upon answering the call.

“Hey! So excited to see you! I miss you.” She said with full on energy. I was confused for a moment but the realized the time difference we have.

She just checked up on me how I am doing since she knows I am travelling alone due to my parent’d last minute decision.

“Can I come with your driver to pick you up? I’ll also stay over if you want.” She asked.

“Actually, guess what?” I teasingly said to intrigued her.

“What?”

I smiled after remembering that Sean’s going to pick me up in Manila.

“C’mon cut to the chase!” She said which made me laugh a little bit.

“Sean’s going to pick me up later.” I said. Anj’s eyes widened.

‘What?!” She exclaimed

“Legit?” I nodded.

“How did that happen?” She asked. Shock is obvious with her reaction.

“Well after you guys set us up, we talked since then. So far it’s going well.” I told her about the times we talk and he actually is walking me home almost every night since, unless he has classes which is completely understandable.

“You sneaky little hoe. I’m so proud of you!” She said, her reaction now changed into excitement.

“We should definitely do a double date!” she suggested.

“I’m actually trying to keep it lowkey. You know, until it’s for sure – for sure. You get what I mean?”

She shook her head laughing. “No, but sure I guess?” We both laughed at that.

We talked until it’s my boarding time. We promised to catch up once I’m all settled in the plane.

The whole trip was actually smooth, I didn’t ran into any problem. I already got my bags and was about to head out of the airport. Sean haven’t texted me since and I don’t want to message him first to remind him to pick me up as I don’t want to come off as demanding.

I already updated my parents that I arrived safely in manila but I still have no messages from Sean. I felt sad a little bit. I really thought he was serious but it’s fine. Atleast I knew earlier.

I walked my way out of the arrival area when I saw someone holding a banner with my surname on it. There he was, wearing a gray sweatpants and a black hoodie. I smiled the moment I saw him, it’s as if my energy was lit up. Damn that beautiful human being. When he saw me he smiled as well and went towards my direction to help me with the push cart that carries all of my bags.

“Where are your parents?” He asked and then aimed to give me a hug.

“Last minute changes. They decided to stay longer to visit our grandparents upstate.” I said then hugged him back. The butterflies in my stomach are having a rave party.

“I thought I’m going to finally meet them. I even brought an SUV to accommodate all of you.” He then said which left me amused.

“Wait, you really thought I’m with my parents?” We started to talk towards the parking area.

“Yeah. Why? Is there something wrong?” he asked. I shook my head.

“Nothing. It’s just..” I stopped and shrugged it off. “Nevermind.” He then gave me his famous side eye with his smirk.

I’ve dated guys who feels pressured to meet my parents but he’s different. I secretly smiled upon realizing it.

“So, how was your trip?”

“You mean the whole trip or my trip going home?” I clarified. He chuckled.

“Alright, your whole trip.” I smiled when he answered.

“It was fine. Didn’t really get to go around the area, parents are busy and so is my brother. My cousins also went home the day after the graduation.” I started. He was listening intently to me as I continue to tell him my trip.

When we reached the car, I went inside it while he put all of my bags in the back of the card. He really brought an SUV.

“Don’t you fell jetlagged?” he asked.

“I actually don’t know. I slept all throughout the flight so somehow get less jetlagged.”

“Good. So you wanna go have some coffee and breakfast?” He asked me. “Sure.”

He started to drive. We continued talking until I fell asleep. When I woke up he is already parking the car.

“Hey, good morning.”

I smiled at him. I looked around and noticed that we’re in tagaytay.

“Your breakfast place is far from the city.” I teased him.

“C’mon, you know breakfast in Tagaytay is the best.” I agree with that.

After he parked the car, he rushed to open the door for me. What a gentleman. The parking is a little bit far from the restaurant itself but the place is so scenic that I don’t mind at all. I was appreciating that surroundings while walking when I suddenly felt his hand hold mine.