Kayla's POV

I sat at a corner of a coffee shop, near the glass window where I could watch the people hanging in the nearby park, strolling and biking on a sunny day.

I touched the moisture covered glass of my drink, the ice had already dissolved with the coffee. Fidgeting with the straw, I glanced at the date on my phone screen.

It's today.

A moment later, Eula came barging inside the coffee shop. She roamed her eyes around and immediately waved her hand the moment she saw me. "Kayla!"

She approached me, donning a vintage band shirt, bell button jeans and hot pink leather jacket, accompanied with large platform sandals. She's always been the type of person who's not afraid to express her taste in fashion since college days.

Eula placed her very tiny pink bag on the table and sat before me. "So how are you feeling?" she inquired, watching me closely with her glittery eyes and winged eyeliner.

"I'm okay..."

I took a sip of my watered down coffee and avoided her gaze. But Eula knew me enough that my answer was nothing but a blatant lie to her.

"I heard you took the slot for the series of conference in Cebu," she commented, this time in a more serious manner. "It's a month-long activity, Kayla."

"I know..." I mumbled.

"Kayla naman." She folded her arms over her chest. She's always been a big sister to me or likely a Mom. "It's nearly Christmas, can't you just stay here?"

Pinagmasdan ko ang inumin sa harapan ko, mindlessly stirring at the straw.

"I didn't expect it would be this hard," I mumbled. "It's only been a week but I always see his face around... hear his voice often... on TV, radios, his name on social media. At least at the conference, I could focus on writing."

"Kayla..." Eula offered. "You two could still fix things up."

I shook my head with a halfhearted smile. "Things are slowly getting back to normal for him and for the band," I mumbled. "I don't want to ruin it."

Eula sighed. "I guess you've read the statement Jarvis had released..."

I nodded. "'Yon ang napagkasunduan namin."

"For him to deny his relationship with you?" Eula inquired, her face wary.

I dropped my gaze to my drink. "It's the truth. He no longer have a girlfriend."

"And it's shattering you," Eula, who was never a fan of sugar coating, pointed out. "No matter how often you say you're okay with it, it's shattering you."

Tuluyan akong hindi nakasagot. Eula leaned against the cushion of the velvety coach, like a manager deducing the situation. "I didn't think Jarvis was completely involved with the statement. Some parts yes, but not all."

She tapped her fingers against her arm. "It's the standard procedure when an artist is embroiled in a backlash. The management would limit their access to fans, specially through social media where they could easily post or say something irrevocable."

"As long as the band is in better position... I'm okay with it," I told Eula.

Since the release of the official statement a week ago, the backlash gradually steamed down and their upcoming concert remained sold out and in full swing.

The statement didn't completely satisfied everyone, but at least they became less aggressive with the shipping since the statement also denied Jarvis' involvement with any artist, and that heavily implicated Ashley.

"When is your flight then?" asked Eula, fully understanding that she could no longer change my mind. I might be an emotionally wreck but I have a solid conviction to my plans, specially if it involves my emotional stability.

"Tomorrow evening."

She automatically glared at me. The calm songs playing inside the coffee shop didn't change her mood one bit. "Kayla, it's Saint Claire's anniversary concert tomorrow. I thought you've promised Jarvis to hear his song?"

"I don't think it's still right."

Eula couldn't help but gasped at my decision. She's really like a mom most of the time. Sinubukan kong ibahin ang usapan at inalok na bumili ng inumin sa counter para sa kanya but she only trashed her head from side to side.

"You're gonna cheer for him like you promised," she stated, in a tone more like a threat. "You don't have to see each other. You just need to be there to support him."

I brushed my palm against my jeans before mumbling. "I'm just... I'm afraid of what I might feel if I see him again..."

"Then let yourself feel it," Eula exclaimed. "Feel the pain until you free yourself from it. There are people who are worth the pain, you know. And Kayla... don't you want to hear his song?"

"I don't want to be late on my flight."

Sa naging sagot ko, walang nagawa si Eula kundi ang magbuntong-hininga. "I understand," she muttered. "Still, I'll keep the extra ticket in case you change your mind."

It was just like the first time we went to a Saint Claire concert together. But I knew I won't be changing my mind this time.

After sharing a meal of truffle pasta and margarita pizza, Eula drove me back to my condo. Before I stepped out of her car, isang maliit na box ang inabot niya sa'kin.

"Someone delivered it at the office this morning."

I stared at the box wrapped in gold strings. "This isn't a bomb right?"

She almost burst out a sip from her take-away iced Americano. "Can you warn me next time if you decide to use your dark humor," natatawang paalala niya.

"I'm just making sure."

"The security guard at the company would know if it's a dangerous item," she said to me. "Maybe it's a gift from your readers or one of your fans."

I took the box from Eula even though I was still suspicious of it. Habang naglalakad sa lobby, hindi ko mapigilang alugin ang box para malaman ang laman nito. If Eula was right, it's been a while since I received fan gifts.

Once I arrived at my unit, I changed out of my shoes to comfortable fluffy slippers. Dala ko parin ang box na pinatong ko sa center table sa living room with the pile of things I still needed to pack for my trip. Matapos magbihis, kinuha ko itong muli para buksan, hoping it wasn't something dangerous or scary.

A folded letter was placed inside the box, and underneath it was a smaller box. I unfolded the cream paper with the handwritten letter. Nang mabasa ko ang nakasulat, bigla akong nanghina.

Kayla Veronica,

I don't know if this would reach you. I bought this out of excitement to celebrate our first month together not knowing I could no longer personally give it to you.

Happy first month, my ice queen.

From your number one fan,

Gagong Jarvis

Binuksan ko ang maliit na box na kasama nito. Placed delicately on the cushion was a white gold necklace with a snow flake pendant.

You remembered, silly Jarvis.

My things were completely packed the next day. I packed only the essentials for the month-long series of seminars and conference where I would represent the publishing company. I was excited to see what Cebu and the other places had to offer.

I checked the time on my phone while waiting for Eula to arrive. I sat on the sofa at the center of my small living room and stared around the silent place. It was still early for my flight... to early. But I badly needed to get away.

Eula met me at the lobby fifteen minutes later. She was the one who volunteered to drive me to the airport even though she had a concert to attend. The concert had been trending the entire day. Everyone was excited, from fans, to locals and casual listeners who wanted to see their songs performed live.

Niyakap agad ako ni Eula pagbaba ko sa lobby, sabay palo sa braso ko. "You could have chosen a later flight!" muli niyang asik sa'kin, hindi parin makapaniwala na isang buwan kaming hindi makikita. "Kakatampo ka."

"It's just Cebu, you could fly there anytime."

She rolled her smoky eyes at me. She was dressed perfectly for the concert. Knee high black boots, black sequin dress underneath a large olive green jacket.

"As if the company would allow me to be out every time," she retorted.

Tinulungan niya ako na dalhin ang ilang gamit ko sa trunk ng kanyang sasakyan before we head out to the busy street.

"Looks like you're really determined for a change of pace." Her eyes remained on the road before us, heavily congested by the evening rush hour.

I took a deep breath. "I am."

We were stuck in a sea of traffic on our way to the airport. Good thing I decided to leave way too early. I checked the time on my phone before leaning against the passenger seat.

"Are you sleepy?" asked Eula from the driver's seat.

"I'm good... just tired," I mumbled. "You should be the one to worry. You're gonna be late for the concert," I told her, seeing that the concert might start anytime.

"Do you expect me to let you board a plane without me being a dramatic mom at the airport?"

Umiling ako sa sinabi niya. It was so Eula to make a scene in a domestic flight. Even though she's literally my boss, she's always been the unpredictable one.

"Take a nap for a bit," she suggested, seeing the long lines of cars motionless before us. "Cebu is still a long way from here. You need all the rest you could get."

Kalaunan, at dahil mukhang walang nakikitang paggalaw sa mga sasakyan sa harapan namin, I rested my body completely on the seat. "Just a few minutes," I muttered, before closing my eyes.

Ramdam ko parin ang unti-unting paggalaw ng sasakyan, ang ingay at ang pagluwag ng traffic habang tahimik na nagmamaneho si Eula sa tabi ko. A podcast was playing through the car speakers and the words floated in my sleepy head.

Pagbukas kong muli ng mga mata ko, nasa daan parin kami. I was about to ask Eula if we were close to the airport nang isang bagay ang napansin ko.

Why am I seeing the huge MOA globe in front of us?

Pinagmasdan kong mabuti ang paligid sa labas ng umaandar na sasakyan na tila namamalikmata. We were freaking inside the mall's vicinity.

I turned my head sharply to Eula who was grinning wickedly behind the steering wheel. "Eula, what are you doing? I have a domestic flight in less than an hour."

"Chill," she waived a hand, nonchalant. "Dadaan lang tayo saglit," ngiting sabi niya.

"Dadaan?" I almost gasped. "This is a concert arena, Eula. Not a convenience store."

She chuckled at my response.

"I thought you're on my side."

"Always." Nanatili ang tingin niya sa daan habang ilang grupo ng concert-goers ang nagtatakbuhan papunta sa venue kung saan nagsisimula na ang concert.

"That's why I'm doing this," Eula turned to me with a pat on my shoulder. "I don't want you to regret not going. I swear you'll thank me later."

Napalatak nalang ako, hindi alam ang gagawin. Kahit nagmamaneho, pinalo ko ang braso niya.

"Ano ka ba!" natatawang sabi niya. "Parang hindi ko naman ginagawa 'to dati sa'yo."

She was right. Eula was the only reason why I ended up in places I had no plans on going. Like the time she asked me to accompany her in Pasay and we ended up boarding a plane to Hongkong, or the time she wanted to have food trip in QC and we ended up driving all the way to La Union.

"Did you planned this?" mapagakusa kong tanong habang naghahanap siya ng parking space.

Nakangisi siya nang muling bumaling sa'kin. "Darling, we make our own plot twist."

Napailing nalang ako nang huminto ang sasakyan at niyaya niya akong lumabas. The entire vicinity was full of cars and concert goers running to the venue. The concert had started. The large monitor shaped like an eye was flashing the promotional video of the concert, along with their faces.

Nanlamig bigla ang mga palad ko... maybe it was from the chilly breeze, or the fact that after days of avoiding his face, I might see him again, even from afar.

We passed easily by the entrance where the staff checked for our tickets and things. Sa paanan palang, rinig na ang ingay at musika na nagmumula sa loob ng arena.

The whole place was flashing red and dark blue lights at mas tumindi ang liwanag at ingay pagpasok namin sa loob ng venue. I was never a concert goer so I've never been in such a huge enclosed arena. Surrounding me were thousands of fans, chanting, singing songs, screaming at the top of their lungs, from the highest seats to the standing ground.

The lights all over the venue was blinding. I stayed near the entrance door, a few meters from the fans standing closest to the stage. Even from a distance, I could see them... Rosco with the mic, Sancho and Shun with the guitars, and Jarvis enjoying himself behind the drums. He's like a kid, happy, grinning, playful, whenever he's performing.

The lights dimmed on stage, and an unfamiliar melody enveloped the entire venue. Nagsigawan ang mga tao nang mapagtanto na ito na ang kanta na ginawa ni Jarvis... na unang beses maririnig ng lahat.

The fans were chanting the band's name... his name. It was exhilarating seeing the support of everyone for them... and I knew I did the right thing.

Nasa tabi ko si Eula na tahimik na nakikinig at pinagmamasdan ang lahat tulad ko. "Don't worry, I'll still drive you to the airport," she told me. "I just want you to witness this."

When the lights came back on the stage, Jarvis was standing in the middle of it. The rest of the band was barely visible on the corner. They wanted this moment for Jarvis.

The noise from the crowd mellowed down and the cheers hushed as Jarvis started singing.

—

I've always thought the crowd is what I need
to forget the loneliness, to remind me to breathe
But when darkness veils and the noise fades
the man in the mirror, I couldn't face

And then I saw you on the other side
in the cold darkness, you're a radiant light
Your words saved me, lullaby on sleepless nights
You hug my demons and told me it's alright

So, babe tell me how to get up from this fall
when both broken pieces but you mend me with your soul
Babe tell me how the universe conspire
in the pitch madness you're the sane that gets me by

I was told the cheer is why I'm here
but in silent corners, my inside screams
But then I saw you, smiling at me
calling my name it's like I couldn't breathe

In the cold, you held my hand and said
'You're my greatest discovery' and I'm alive once again

Babe, we never have to get up from this fall
You and I, we could make it through it all
Babe, tell me how the universe conspire
In each other's arms, everything feels alright

It's you
It's always been you
With all this madness, you're the one that gets me through
The moment I saw you babe believe me it's true
This song is to tell the world...
So, it's you.

—

I stood there, my eyes fixed on Jarvis, while half of the crowd was cheering and the other half was speechless. The song... it was his story... no, it was our story.

Jarvis remained on stage. He turned to his band mates standing on the side, who seemed to all be nodding, encouraging him. And then from the stage, I heard my name... in front of the thousands of people listening live.

"This song is for the person who saved me," Jarvis announced to the ocean of fans before him. "Kayla Veronica, kung nandito ka man ngayon at naririnig ako... gusto ko lang malaman mo na hindi ako mapapagod... kahit gaano katagal... maghihintay ako... hihintayin kita."

Tears fell from my eyes one after another. Hindi ko napigilan ang ngiti na sumilay sa labi ko. Silly, Jarvis. You really know how to leave me speechless.

As I watched the dimming light on the stage, the cheering crowd, their confusion and shock, I know Eula was right. I would have regretted not being able to hear his song... to witness this before I leave.

I dried my tears with my hand and faced Eula with a smile I though I could no longer make.

"Let's go?"

Eula and I walked out of the venue, to the car waiting for us at parking lot that would take me to the airport. But before I completely leave, I opened my phone to a familiar chatbox and typed a message.

—

Dec 21 | 10:05PM

Kayla Veronica:
I won't take long

11:55PM

Gagong Jarvis
I'll be waiting :)

//

Author's Note:

The end.

Kidding. Last part is the epilogue. Are j and k safe to sail or is there a possible change of hearts? Hahaha

Show the story some love before it ends! You can use the official hashtag #SoItsYouWP on your tweets and social media post, you can also tag me @breatheapril

Thank you for being part of the characters' journey and for reading my first epistolary story. It was fun sharing this adventure with you.

Until the last part!
April