Forever and Always (Book 2)

Forever and Always II - FINAL CHAPTER

3 MONTHS LATER

"Do you think she's coming?" ani Alex na namumuo ang pawis sa noo. He's so f*cking nervous.

Tiningnan siya ng kapatid na nakatikwas ang kilay. "Only if you stop fidgeting."

Tumigil siya sa kalalakad at hinarap ito. "You don't think she changed her mind, right?"

"It's you're graduation tomorrow, Alex. She wouldn't miss it for the world! She's probably at the airport now."

"I should've picked her up at the airport."

"Alex, I told you this is supposed to be a surprise!" ani Gwen na pinaikot ang mata. "Now be a darling and let her surprise you." Gwen was too excited that day Pepper told her she's coming back to New York that her mouth just slipped and told him by accident. Hindi na siya nakatulog sa excitement. Napabuga siya ng hininga.

"Can I wait for her outside?" paalam niya. "I'll act surprise, promise."

Umiling-iling ito sabay himas sa malaking umbok ng tiyan nito. "Yeah, do that. I'm getting dizzy just looking at you."

Napasipol siya pagkalabas ng apartment. Nakahinga siya ng maluwag. Parang dinadaga ang dibdib niya. Will he really see Pepper today? Is she coming back for good?

They had no contact for the past three months. He gave her the space she wanted. He kept himself busy, studied and worked even harder just so he could keep himself from following her. But he stalked her on her social media accounts. He knew that she had spent the last three months travelling, doing what she loved most. She looked happy in her posts. And he had never been so proud of her. He was glad she was able to find her own happiness. In all these days they were apart, he sincerely prayed for her to be happy. That was the least he could do for hurting her so much.

He just wished it's not too late for him though... To be a part of her happiness. Because he missed that kind of happiness with her.

What would he say when he sees her? Gwen said to act surprised.

'Woah! Pepper, is that you?'

'Am I dreaming?'

'Are you for real?'

'Are you really back?'

Ngumiwi siya sabay iling.

"Alex?"

Naumid bigla ang dila niya kasabay noon ang panlalamig ng kamay at paa. His heart started to hammer painfully on his chest and his eyes begin to sting as he heard that voice he has longed to hear. Unti-unti siyang nag-angat ng tingin. And he must have felt the world stopped turning as he saw her, running towards him again.

Hot tears suddenly fell down his cheeks the moment he finally held her back in his arms. It's really his wife. His sweetheart. His best friend. His Pepper.

ERIKA felt nauseous when the plane landed in New York. She just had her last exhibit in Italy and she hurriedly packed her things because it's Alex's graduation tomorrow. She spent the last three months travelling around Europe, painting and attending exhibits. She barely had time to sulk and cry over her aching heart and yet she felt healed. Renewed. Stronger. Braver. She just didn't expect for things to happen so fast. But the past three months was one of the best lived moments in her life.

When she got home from New York, her mom and dad were delighted when she told them she's on vacation. She reasoned that she didn't like the winter season which was a lame excuse because the winter season ends in two weeks. But their faces just literally lit up when she said she'll be back there by summer. Excitement was all over her dad's face. He was too happy because he signed her up a year ago together with other young artists and sponsored a traveling exhibition, showcasing their talent to the world. He thought she won't be able to make it because she got married and moved to New York all of a sudden. She didn't feel like going. She just want to be in her room but she didn't want to disappoint her dad again. She felt guilty because she was aware of the dreams her dad had for her.