He's back

I woke up to the sound of my cellphone. "Hello?" I asked groggily.

"Alex! Where are you? Why didn't you come to class? Do you know we had a quiz earlier? What's your excuse for Mrs. Galvez? You know she's strict!" Miyah bombarded me with questions.

"I just woke up," I replied, not in the mood.

"Oh! Really? It's already two in the afternoon, Alex. Are you sick? Sorry—How are you feeling?" she asked, concerned.

"I'm okay, Miyah. I just needed some extra sleep," I replied, still not in the mood.

"Okay, I'm on my way," she added.

"Wait, no! We still have the next subject—" I couldn't finish my sentence as she hung up on me.

Miyah has always been like that, treating me like her younger sister. Whenever I'm sick, she's there to take care of me.

She prioritizes me over her own needs, just like now, skipping class because of me.

Miyah arrived within minutes. My dorm is just minutes away from the school.

I heard a series of knocks on the door. "It's me, Miyah, free delivery!" She's always happy-go-lucky. "What time is it, Hija, and you haven't eaten yet? Here's some soup; eat quickly!" she lectured while arranging the containers of food she brought into the kitchen.

"You don't have to, Miyah—"

"Ops! No! No! You know, I wouldn't say I like that attitude of yours. I don't want you sick, I don't want you sad, so get up, eat, and make yourself okay!" she continued, handing me a fork and spoon. She sat in front of me, watching me eat. She's always like this, and I don't know how to repay her kindness.

"Miyah—"

"Eat! Talk to me when your stomach is full. You skipped breakfast, you skipped lunch!" She touched my forehead. "You don't have a fever, but you seem really sick," she continued her lecture.

I finished eating. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing, Miyah, maybe just stress—" I didn't finish my sentence because her phone rang. She showed me the caller's name.

"Answer it," I said.

"Wait a sec, sissy, Mr. Right is calling!" she said happily. Miyah is in love again; I hope I won't see her heartbroken like before.

"Hello?"

"Hi, baby, where are you?"

"I'm at my friend's dorm, baby; she's sick—"

I didn't want to listen to their conversation. I know Miyah deserves someone better. She's right; I shouldn't trap myself in the past. I miss Alex because I feel guilty, but that was five years ago. Everything has changed. I'm the one who can't move on, and it's my fault that I'm like this now.

I heard another knock, and Ken's gentle face appeared.

"Hi!" he greeted. He had flowers and fruits with him.

With Ken, I don't need to dress up or look good because I know he's comfortable with my appearance, even when I haven't showered and my hair is a mess. In front of Ken, I don't need to pretend because he accepts me for who I am.

"You look pale and—" he pointed at my disheveled hair, "cute," he added.

I just laughed.

"What's with the sudden visit, anyway?" I was referring to his unexpected visit.

"Yeah! Miyah called me; she said you were sick, so I rushed here, but I still, she got here first!" he said, laughing while pointing at Miyah, who was happily talking on the phone with her boyfriend.

Maybe I should give it a try. Ken is a good catch.

"Thank you!" I held his hand. He was surprised because this was the first time we held hands. He never touched me before, and that's what I admired about him. He respected me so much.

"I know this is awkward; it might not be a good timing because, look at me, I'm still in bed." I laughed while looking at his confused face. "I just woke up, and I haven't even brushed my teeth—" He laughed too. "but I'm saying yes to you." His eyes widened at my words.

"Really? You're indeed sick, Alex!" he happily said, holding my forehead. "You don't have a fever, but you seem sick," he continued with his lecture.

I finished eating.

Fast forward.

The moment we've been waiting for has finally arrived. It's our graduation ceremony, and it feels so joyful to walk on the stage. After years of hard work in school, it has finally paid off.

Dad couldn't come, as always, so Ken accompanied me. He looked handsome in his pink suit with a pink tie. He looked so masculine.

We've been together for two months, and we've never argued, even about small things. He respects everything I want. He never fails to express his love for me, even when he was still courting me until now that we're together.

Miyah is much more excited because she'll finally meet her boyfriend from London. As she said, he will stay in the Philippines for good now. I'm happy for her, too.

Fast forward.

The ceremony took three hours to finish. There were so many graduates. Ken and I, along with his family, were busy taking pictures.

Yes! Ken's family is very supportive; they were all present.

I missed Mom and Dad, but even though I couldn't feel their presence, at least Ken's parents filled that emptiness.

Ken's family went home first, while Ken and I went to an expensive restaurant. Even though I didn't like it, Ken insisted because it was his treat. He said we would only eat there once, and the rest would be in McDonalds.

We're having a double date today because we're waiting for Miyah to return. She's finally introducing her boyfriend from London to us.

Ken and I were just talking about our future. We've only been together for two months, but he has so many plans for us after a year. He wants us to have a vacation in Baguio.

Of all places, Baguio?

But I just said yes. As I said before, things in the past remain.

"Alex, Ken," Miyah interrupted our conversation. She's here, along with her boyfriend. "Sorry, we're late," Miyah said. I haven't seen her companion's face because he's behind me. I furrowed my brows because I caught a familiar scent. I got nervous.

"Alex, Ken, this is Patrick; finally, you get to meet him!" she happily introduced him to us. I wasn't wrong; it was him. Miyah was happy while holding Patrick's hand. Her eyes are filled with happiness, and I should be happy too.

But why am I not happy?

"Babe, this is Alex, my best friend. And this is Ken, her boyfriend," she cutely said to Patrick. I looked at the man beside Miyah; it was the same guy I used to love five years ago. It was Alex, my first love. He still wears the same perfume I bought him five years ago.

"Hi!" Alex offered his hand to Ken and me for a handshake. It felt so strange; he acted like he didn't know me. "I've heard a lot of things about you," he said happily while looking at me. "Thank you for being with Miyah all these years." He held my hand so coldly. He smiled as if nothing happened between us five years ago. It hurt me a lot.

Of all the times, why now?

Of all the people, why him?

"Okay! Let's sit!" Miyah interrupted my puzzled expression. "Are you okay, sissy?" Miyah nudged me.

"Yeah! Yeah—yes, I'm okay..." I lied to her. I've been stuck in the past for the last five years. I finally let it go two months ago, and now it's happening again—the past is chasing me.

I looked at him intently; he was so happy being with Miyah. They are holding hands. Miyah seems so comfortable with Patrick, and so does he.

Doesn't he recognize me?

Why am I the only one affected here?

So, I broke their conversation.

"Excuse me, Alex?" I was referring to him, but he didn't answer.

"Are you okay? You're the only Alex here?" Ken asked me. He seemed okay, and I felt devastated. I remember again; I was the one who dumped him, so it's right to act as if he doesn't know me.

...to be continued.