"Do not apologize to me! I don't need it, please." 

I bent down and held both of his wrists, trying to pull him up on his feet, but he didn't budge. He just kneeled there and cried, apologizing over and over for something he didn't do. It wasn't his fault. It was mine. This was happening because of me. 

"Please stop saying sorry. It's my fault. You have nothing to do with this." I started begging in front of him so he could stop because it was already too painful for me. His cries, sobs, every word he muttered. 

"Maybe it was wrong to make you hold on to me..." He sat on the floor and covered his eyes with one hand. "I didn't know that it would hurt like this... I don't want to see you in pain again, Samantha." 

"We are both in pain! Please think about yourself too. It's my fault that your family is being dragged into this mess that the people are starting to doubt you and your profession, that you are being disturbed by the media-" 

"I don't care!" He suddenly raised his voice, looking up at me. "I don't care about that. Why... Why aren't you answering my calls? I tried so hard to reach you but you... pushed me away too. Do you hate me now?" 

Was that it? Was he saying sorry because he thought I hated him? That he ended up blaming himself for this? Just... What was running through his mind? 

"I'm sorry." He tried to wipe his tears using the back of his hand. "I just love you so much, and I was praying and hoping that we could be together again ever since the night you broke up with me... Sam, I know I was the one who let you go, but that decision destroyed me so fucking bad." 

I sat down in front of him and tried to hold his wrists again but he moved them away from me. I bit my lower lip and looked down on the floor. Simula noong umalis ako noong gabing 'yon, wala akong narinig sa kanya. Hindi ko alam kung okay ba siya dahil okay naman siya noong umalis ako. 

"I promised you that I will never... never let go of your hand, but you forced me to. How could I... Tell me... How could I stop when the look in your eyes was telling me that you were already desperate to leave?" He looked down, too, trying to hide his tears from me. "And I was mad after you left because how could you just put everything away in one night? Was it my fault? Because I failed to give you enough time? You didn't give me an explanation. You just said that you didn't want me. How could I understand that?" 

"No..." I cried, too, shaking my head. "No, it wasn't like that... Everything was too much for me that night. Naomi... My parents... Modeling... And I didn't want to drag your family name with me when the issue broke out. Part of the reason was that I wanted to save you and your family's reputation-" 

"That time... I didn't need a savior, Samantha." He looked at me with so much pain in his eyes. "I needed you to stay with me... to lean on me... to hold my hand and promise me that we will get through it together, but you chose to leave." His voice broke. I felt my chest throbbing. 

"I know I said so many things to you, and I didn't mean all of them. I'm sorry, especially when I said that you are nothing without your family's money. I didn't mean all of them, and I just said that so you could be mad at me and force me to leave." 

"Was it really that easy to leave me?" he asked, swallowing hard. 

"No... The real reason was that your mom asked to meet me years ago... asking me to cancel the engagement because marrying at that time when my parents were facing a trial was enough to bring all of you down. Your inheritance might also become affected, and I didn't know what to do. It was just that... I didn't want to bring more guilt to myself for bringing everyone down with me." 

I cried, remembering everything that happened. How much I suffered alone. How many times I dealt with everything running inside my mind. Those times when I felt so burned out. I felt so tired. Wala na 'kong maramdaman dahil ubos na ubos na 'ko. 

"Because of what happened with Naomi... I channeled my emotions to something else. I needed to blame someone else so that I wouldn't blame myself alone. I was mad at my parents for so long because they made us suffer for so many years, and we didn't even receive a single apology. Hanggang ngayon, Cy, pagod ako. Hanggang ngayon, masakit lahat sa 'kin. Tuwing gabi at mag-isa, walang tigil ang takbo ng utak ko. All of those what if's kept coming back to me. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko..." My voice broke too. I couldn't talk anymore, feeling a big lump in my throat. 

"You can't change it anymore, Samantha..." he whispered, looking away from me so he wouldn't see me crying. "We can't change it anymore. Sooner or later, we will have to face everything we left behind, and I know that you are not ready for it. We can never be prepared to face the things we fear the most. I'm sorry that it's already here... Right in front of us." 

I swallowed hard and tried to calm myself, but I just couldn't stop crying. I knew that already. That someday, I may have to face everything I was trying to run away from, but I never expected it to hurt like this... And to hurt him like this. 

"Alam ko naman 'yon, eh..." I sobbed and hugged my knees, looking down. "But I failed to protect you again... Just like how I failed to protect her..." 

"You do not have to protect and save everyone!" He raised his voice again. "I know because I've been trying to! I am! But it's impossible! You told me that! We can try... and try... and try until we end up dying inside too! It's exhausting!" 

Was I really living all these years? I knew I had this mindset that I wanted to save everyone, so I always tried my best to help, pushing myself to my limits. Had I ever felt exhausted? I felt nothing. Maybe I was already dead inside. 

"As much as we want everyone to live... It's not possible. Handling death is never easy for me too, especially when I'm working with children. I could just imagine how you felt with Naomi. It was probably worse. I know. I understand so I wanted to be with you. I was willing to get you through it, through everything. Kung pwede ko lang saluhin lahat ng nararamdaman mo noon, Samantha, ginawa ko na pero kahit isang araw hindi mo pinalagpas. Hindi mo 'ko hinayaang makalapit sa 'yo kahit alam kong nanghihingi ka na ng tulong dahil hindi mo na kaya." The pain was also evident in his voice. He was tearing up again. 

Was I screaming for help without actually saying anything? Was it what Naomi also felt all those years? And the only ones who heard them were the ones who loved us the most. 

"Handang-handa akong mahalin ka pero lumalayo ka sa 'kin." He cried again, leaning his back against the wall while seated on the floor. "And you are still doing the same now. Ano pa b'ang gagawin ko, Maui? I feel useless again. I told you to hold onto me, but you're still suffering alone." 

"Your mom came here the other day," I admitted, biting my lower lip. I sighed heavily and held my head. "The same reason. She told me that you stopped getting money from them and that your relationship with your father can get worse because of me." 

"It's not because of you. Bad things do not happen because of you. Bad things happen because I let them happen," he corrected me, making a fist out of anger. "The hell with the inheritance. I didn't take it because I didn't want it in the first place. It's not because of you. I wanted to focus more on treating children than handling the business. It was meant for Charles all along." 

"And he was engaged to another person too. If you were to have the inheritance, would you marry another woman?" I asked, getting hurt just by imagining him with another person. 

"If it's not you, then I don't have plans for marriage." He looked at me with serious eyes. His words were genuine. 

"Cy, I'm sorry," I told him, letting out a small smile. "I am truly sorry for everything I did... For not fighting for us then and now. For making you feel useless, and for making you blame yourself, for making you think that I hate you. Those aren't true. I love you... I could never love anyone else like how much I love you." 

His eyes widened a bit when he heard those three words from me. He parted his lips like he wanted to say something but couldn't form it into words. He closed them again and looked away, waiting for me to talk. 

"So please, if I'm going to stop myself from apologizing for things I didn't do, you should try too." 

He stared at me for a moment before giving me a slight nod. We stayed silent for a long time, still seated on the floor. My back was leaning against the side table, and he was in front of me, his back against the wall. I hugged my knees and wiped my tears away. I just let everything out. 

"Maui," he called me. I looked up to him and waited for him to say more. "It's not your fault. You know what Naomi said to me before she went to the sky?" 

"She talked to you?" My eyes widened. 

He nodded and sighed heavily. "Be with my sister through her ups and downs. Wipe her tears when I'm gone. Keep the smile on her face when she's with you. She is the happiest... when she's free." 

Upon hearing that, I burst out into tears again. I held my chest and repeatedly cried Naomi's name, hoping she was here beside me, even in spirit. Even during her last hours, she thought of me and my happiness. Both of us wanted each other to be happy and free. She knew I would feel like this. 

"You're the happiest when you're free, Sam... So let everything go, even me... And do something for yourself this time," he told me. 

I cried more, so he scooted over and sat beside me, leaning my head on his shoulder and wrapping his arms around me. I felt him kiss the side of my head while I was crying. We just stayed like that until I finally calmed down. 

"Okay," I whispered, closing my eyes. 

"I want to take the pain away from you, my love... I'm sorry." He kissed my hair and held my hand, tracing it with his thumb. 

When I opened my eyes, I was already on my bed, and it was already nighttime. Did I fall asleep? My eyes hurt from sleeping after crying so hard. I got off the bed and walked outside the room, looking around for Clyden. Did he go back to the hospital already? 

"Oh..." I stopped walking when I saw him cooking in the kitchen. "You're still here." I sat on the high chair, avoiding his eyes. 

"Yes, I am still here," he answered before turning his back against me again. "You need to eat. I'll take care of you starting today until the day you leave." 

"Don't you have a job?" I raised a brow. 

"I can always drive here when I'm free," he said. "So while I'm away, please promise me to take care of yourself and start checking your phone. Your friends probably left a lot of comforting messages for you." 

"I guess they did..." I turned on my phone and saw a lot of messages pop up on the notifications bar. Luna and the other girls started flooding my inbox. Luna sent a lot of memes, Via with her encouraging words, and Kierra with so many 'I love you's. Sevi and Arkin sent messages too. Puro mura lang si Yanna dahil hindi ko sinasagot ang tawag niya. I laughed a little. 

"You're laughing," he said, placing the food on the table. "That's good. Do not check social media in the meantime, and just lean on your friends during these hard times. They will never leave you. I know that." 

"They never did. I was the one pushing them away and hiding things from them. They probably already heard about Naomi, but none of them bothered asking because they were considerate of my feelings." 

I smiled to myself. I just felt so lucky to have true friends like them. I felt bad for not telling them everything, but true friends will understand. Friends don't need to know everything to share the pain with you.

"Eat a lot. You should stay healthy." He sat in front of me. 

Siya na ang kumuha ng maraming kanin at nilagay sa plato ko. I glared at him because I was on a no-rice diet but he knew I couldn't say no to his food! Nilagyan niya na rin ng ulam at sinabing ubusin ko. He started eating too para sabayan ako. 

"I saw cans of beer when I cleaned your unit. Uminom ka mag-isa?" he asked, raising a brow. 

Mas kumunot ang noo ko sa parteng naglinis siya. "You cleaned my unit?" I looked around to confirm. He certainly did! "Aren't you tired from your shift?" I looked at him again while chewing. 

"I asked first," he said in a cold voice. 

"Oh, I had a drink with Yanna yesterday. She said she would be back today. Did she come?" I asked in curiosity. I fell asleep, so I wouldn't know. 

"Yeah, she did, but she didn't bother staying when she saw me. She left this instead." He placed boxes of vitamins on the table. Yanna bought them for me, huh? She was worried about my health too. "Take them. You look pale." 

I just gave him a nod like I was ready to obey everything he said. After we finished eating, he insisted on washing the dishes for me so I could take a bath before I went to sleep again. Knowing that he was out there made me feel at ease. I changed into my pajamas and went to the living room, where he was seated. I saw him talking to someone on the phone. 

"Yes, Doc. Malapit lang ako," I heard him say. "Before seven A.M. tomorrow. Opo." 

I noticed the light bruise on his jaw again, so I moved my hands and tried to touch it. He winced, so I put my hand away. When he ended the call, he looked at me and held my wrist, raising a brow. 

"What happened?" I asked. 

"I had a fight with my brother. It's nothing. I gave him a good punch too. You could say that I won," he joked around and put his arms on the back of his head, leaning on the backrest. 

"Was it because of me?" I asked.

"I told you it was never because of you." He looked at me and flicked his finger against my forehead. Napalayo kaagad ako at napahawak sa noo ko. "It was because he was forcing me to apologize to Dad. It's nothing, really. Don't worry about it." 

"I feel like you're also hiding a lot of things from me," I said, staring at his jaw. He had that back then too. He was always in a fight with his brother, and he never told me the reasons behind it. 

He caressed my face and stared at my eyes. "Because it's not worth saying. It will just stress us out."

"You can tell me," I urged. 

He laughed it off. "Next time... When we finally have enough time to waste." 

Time was one of our greatest enemies too. I understood his mother. Clyden was really busy trying to prove himself without his family's support, so he was extra hardworking. He was just trying to make time for me, but how long can he go? Well, there was no need to adjust since I would be leaving too. 

"I'm leaving in three days," I told him. 

He stayed silent for a long time and just gave me a nod. I stared at him, and he stared at me back when he caught my eyes. He gave me a small assuring smile. He was like telling me that it was fine. He will be fine. 

We watched a movie late at night until I fell asleep again. When I woke up the next day, he was gone. He said he had to go back to the hospital since his senior called him. I ate well that day and also took vitamins to look healthy the next day. I took his advice and didn't check social media. I couldn't control what people would think. 

"Are you okay? How are you feeling?" Arah asked the next day while there was staff preparing the equipment for the interview. 

"I'm fine." I drank my bottle of water and placed it on the side. The director of the interview called me, so I sat on the sofa inside my unit and prepared myself. 

"Looking good, Ma'am," Francine assured me when she looked at my face behind the camera. 

The interviewer was one of the people Arah trusted. She was familiar with me too. Maybe she also interviewed me years ago. For some reason, I felt comfortable with her presence. She didn't have those judgmental eyes as others do. She already gave me the list of questions she would ask, so I was already prepared for it. 

It started with introducing myself, and then she smoothly went to the hot issue. I said I was aware of them, so she asked me what I felt. 

"Honestly, it hurt." I smiled and laughed a bit. "It hurt me to see a lot of people accusing me and the people close to me of bad things that we didn't do. The issue with my parents will remain theirs. As what my dad's lawyer said, I had already cut ties with them, and I am not ready to face them again for personal reasons. I will never justify or condone what they did. They were wrong, and I stand with the people. I went to New York not to escape but to continue pursuing my dream. Modeling." 

"It must be hard," she said. "Didn't your parents arrange your marriage with the son of Cristopher Ramirez, the owner of Ramirez Medical? How did you feel about it?" 

"Well, I'm confirming now that I was once engaged to Clyden Ramirez. The person I admitted dating days ago. At first, the marriage was just forced upon us, and both of us didn't like it, but we... fell in love." 

It was embarrassing to admit that out loud. The interviewer smiled at me and urged me to continue, so I did. 

"Clyden wasn't really the guy I was expecting. He kind of left a bad impression when I first met him, but somehow, we clicked. We grew together and helped each other during hard times. We were always there for each other. We also lived together for a long time," I admitted that too. "And we were parents to three dogs. Summer, Maple, and Hail." 

I felt so happy reminiscing about those times. Those were great memories that will live inside me forever. It just made me realize that my past didn't just consist of pain. I was happy too. I was happy with him. 

"We had to cancel the engagement to avoid issues like these. Despite that, Clyden and I found comfort in each other that no one could ever fill in. That was why when we saw each other again, we just kept coming back to each other's arms. We were really happy. We let each other go back then to chase our own dreams, and we are doing the same now. It's still not the right time. I want to focus on my modeling," I told them that too. 

"Do you have anything else to say to your family?" she asked. 

"I have something to say to my sister. I'm sure she's listening right now... in the sky." I faced the camera and smiled genuinely. "I love you the most, Naomi. You were such a good sister, a good daughter, a good person. No one could tell you otherwise." 

I will continue reaching for the stars... and maybe someday I could hold your hand again.

I clarified the issue with Haze, too, and made sure that there would be nothing left. Nasa sa kanila na 'yon kung paano nila tatanggapin lahat ng sinabi ko but finally, I felt free from the cage... From the things I was running away from. 

"Thank you so much," I thanked everyone who worked hard for the interview to happen. I went to Arah and also gave her a tight hug. "You worked really hard this time. I owe you a shopping day on our first day in New York." 

"It's my job, Sam. I'm just doing my best. No need for that." She hugged me back and tapped my back. 

"Can I join?" Francine walked closer so she could hug us. "Ah, the three of us will stick together! Hello, New York!" 

The two of them also left with the staff so they could start packing their things. I also started yesterday, but I still had so many things left. Clyden said he would come tonight to help me. He probably liked torturing himself. 

"Hey." Clyden went inside my bedroom and leaned against the door frame. "I have a spare key now." 

"Did you just steal that from me the other day?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. 

"I was worried that you would lock yourself up again. You can have it back." He placed the key on the side table before sitting down on the bed to help me fold my clothes. "Ang dami mo pang hindi nalalagay sa maleta mo." 

"Yeah, you offered to help me, right? Do your job." I laughed and put more clothes on the bed. 

It felt like a deja vu. He also helped me pack my things when I left back then. He just liked seeing me leave, huh? Parang nasanay na 'ata siya roon. He knew he could never do something to stop me. 

"I won't see you tomorrow. I can't watch you leave," he said in a soft voice. It was almost a whisper. 

"It's fine. I also don't want to cry at the airport," I told him. 

We finished packing after hours, so we weighed the luggage and made sure that there would be no excess. I still left a lot of clothes, bags, and shoes behind that I was just planning to sell and donate the money to the charities I was supporting. Clyden said he would take care of it once I left. 

After changing into my pajamas, I already went to bed and stared at the ceiling. Pwedeng ito na 'yong huling tulog ko sa kamang 'to. Everything still felt so surreal. 

Clyden promised to stay with me tonight until I fall asleep, and then he will leave again around midnight. Humiga siya sa tabi ko at tumingin din sa kisame, nag-iisip. 

"Kumain ka nang maayos, ah," he suddenly said. "Alagaan mo sarili mo. Huwag kang tanggap nang tanggap ng trabaho. Know your limits too. Treat yourself from time to time. Self-care is important." 

"You too. Always take care of yourself. Get lots of sleep and know when to rest. Do not push yourself too hard. You have already proven yourself. You will achieve greater things, but to do that, you have to stay healthy first." 

"I will." 

We stayed silent again until the tears started to fall. I tried to wipe my tears away, but he held my wrists and wiped them instead, using his thumb. I closed my eyes when he leaned and gave me a long kiss. It was deep and genuine. Our emotions were evident. We would miss each other. 

"If you find someone else, I hope that she will make you happy," I whispered, trying so hard to sound normal, but my sobs failed me. "And that she won't make you suffer like this. I hope that she won't leave you... ever." 

"If you find someone else..." He sighed heavily and looked away. "I hope that he won't make you cry like this." He let out a small laugh. 

"I'm serious right here." I lightly hit him on his chest. "Choose a good woman, alright?" 

He stared at me for a long time. "Alright. I will," he said meaningfully. 

"Do you promise me?" I looked at him with hopeful eyes. All I wanted was for him to be happy. 

"Yeah, I promise," he whispered. "So, will you please stop crying?" 

I scooted over and hugged him on the side, leaning my head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around me and started playing with my hair, making me feel sleepy. I could feel his heart beating so fast. It was the same as mine, but it soon calmed down along with the silence surrounding us. 

"I will miss you," he whispered, kissing my forehead. 

"See me when you do," I whispered before I dozed off to sleep. 

I woke up early to spend half of the day with the people who were important to me. My flight was at ten P.M., so I had enough time to say goodbye. I arrived at Luna's condo before lunchtime. They surprised me with a Despedida party. Double daw para kay Via rin. I had to laugh at that. 

"So ilan na lang kaming matitira rito, ha?!" Luna cried and hugged me tightly. She started to get clingy, huh? "Babalik ka, ha! Please?!" 

"I will visit," I told her. "Or visit me." 

"Tutal favorite mo naman ang New York, 'di ba, mars?" Kierra teased, letting out a laugh. 

"Shan ka ba titira roon, Sam? Para alam ko kapag pupuntahan kita. Send mo sa akin address, ha." Luna smugly smiled at her cousin. 

"Mauuna ba 'ko sa 'yo?" I asked Via. 

"Halos sabay lang." She shrugged and sipped on her orange juice. She was thinking deeply about it too. Both of us would miss our friends. "Sevi, sabi mo hindi mo sinabihan, ha. Sure?" 

"Oo nga! May trust issues ba kayo sa 'kin?!" reklamo ni Sevi. "Wala nang naniniwala sa sinasabi ko, ah!" 

"Buti naman," Yanna fired back. "Sa mukhang 'yan, may maniniwala pa ba diyan? Parang nakasulat na sa mukha mo 'yong sinungaling." 

"Hindi ako makapaniwalang nahalikan kita, pare." Sevi shook his head, looking disgusted. "Ganyang bunganga? Nako po! Jusmiyo!" he exaggerated, holding his chest. 

"Why are you leaving, Tita-Ninang?" Avrielle pouted and went to me. "Will I see you again?" 

"You will." I gave her a pat on the head. "I will miss you so bad. Be a good girl, okay? Do not stress your mom and dad out. We will talk through a video call." 

"Don't leave, Tita-Ninang." Avrielle started crying, so I panicked. 

I just gave her a hug and kissed her forehead. The Despedida party started to get emotional. I tried hard to stop myself from tearing up because it would hurt them even more. Before I left, hinatid ako ni Yanna sa may parking lot. She was quiet the whole time. 

"Hindi ako sanay nang wala ka..." she said, looking down on the floor. 

"Are you crying?" My brows furrowed, and I went closer, holding her chin up. My lips parted when I saw tears streaming down her face. "Hey, shush... You can always call me." 

"Mas gusto kong nandito ka..." She wiped her tears away, trying so hard to appear strong in front of me. "Mag-iingat ka, ha. Tumawag ka palagi sa 'kin kung may problema ka... O kahit wala. Basta, tawagan mo lang ako. Promise?" 

"I can't believe you still believe promises." I laughed and showed her my pinky finger. "Okay, then. Pinky promise." 

We did a pinky promise and sealed it with our thumbs before she pulled me for a hug. Ang sabi ko huwag na nila 'kong ihatid sa airport dahil ayokong umiyak kaya ngayon na kami magpapaalam sa isa't isa. 

"Mamimiss kita," she whispered. 

"I will miss you so much too." I hugged her tighter for the last time before letting her go. "Love you always." 

"Love you. Sige na. Baka pigilan pa kita." She lightly pushed me away and took a step back, giving me a smile. 

I gave her a short wave before getting inside the van waiting for me. Naroon na lahat ng gamit ko at deretso na kami sa airport nila Arah. We had to line up since maraming tao sa labas. We had to show a copy of our tickets and they scanned our luggage before we went inside the airport, waiting for the baggage check-in to open. Inasikaso ni Arah 'yong tax kaya umupo na lang ako roon at naghintay. 

Arah came back just in time for the baggage check-in. Pagkatapos namin magcheck-in, papasok na dapat kami sa immigration but I stopped when someone tapped my shoulder. 

I turned around and took a step back out of surprise when I saw Clyden right in front of me. He didn't waste a second and just straight-up gave me a tight embrace. 

"How did you..." He cut me off by letting me go and showing me a paper. He booked a flight so he could enter the airport, huh? I saw that it was going to Australia. 

"I'm attending a conference in two days, but I booked the flight now so I could see you." He had a small carry-on suitcase with him too. Some were already staring at us, probably recognizing our faces from the news. 

"You said you didn't want to watch me leave," I told him. 

"But I want to spend more time with you. Kahit isang minuto lang o isang oras... So let's go?" He held my hand and started walking to immigration. Arah and Francine stayed silent and followed us from behind. 

We went through immigration, and he followed me until we reached the boarding area for my flight. He was still too early for his flight, so he had time to spare. He even bought us sandwiches and coffee. Francine and Arah couldn't stop staring at him like he was a celebrity. 

He didn't let go of my hand the whole time. He stayed beside me, cherishing our remaining time together. When they announced that we could finally board, everyone already lined up. I also stood up and faced Clyden, holding both of his hands. 

"I guess it's time to say goodbye," I told him. 

He stared at me for a moment before holding my face and giving me a soft kiss. I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his neck, letting the tears fall down. When he let me go, his eyes were bloodshot too. He was trying to stop his tears from falling. 

"Kumain ka, ha," he reminded me again. "If you have a problem, reach out to someone. Do not keep it all inside you, alright?" 

I nodded, crying in front of him. "I'm sorry. I told you I don't want to cry at the airport." 

"Then stop crying..." He wiped my tears with his thumb and gave me a kiss on the forehead. "Time to go, Maui." 

I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face in his chest. "One minute," I whispered. He wrapped his arms around me, too, and we stayed like that for a whole minute before I let him go. 

"You're finally free," he whispered, giving me a painful smile. 

"Goodbye," I said. 

I turned my back on him and started lining up, preparing my boarding pass. I didn't want to look back. I didn't want to look back and see him gone... But I still wanted to see his face for the last time. 

I muttered a curse and looked back, only to see him still waiting for me and watching me leave. He gave me a smile, but it faded when he saw me running back to him again. I tiptoed and gave him another kiss. 

"I love you so much," I whispered. 

He smiled and caressed my face. "I love you, Maui." 

I hugged him again before running to Arah and Francine. Clyden watched me leave. Bago siya mawala sa paningin ko, tinaas ko ang kamay ko at kumaway sa kanya. He laughed and gave me a short wave too. 

I forced myself to smile before turning away from him, finally walking inside the plane... And just like that, we parted ways. 

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(not the last chapter)