☽ ▬▬ naaalala mo pa ba ang mga araw
na  masamit  nung  tayo'y  magkasama?
abot  ang  ngiti  sa  malayong  bituin  ▪ do
you   remember   the   sweet   days   when
we were still in touch? your smile reached
out          to          the          faraway          stars

☽ ▬▬ kumusta ka? okay ka lang? pagod
ka na yata sa katorpehan ng tao, o baka
naman  sa  akin  pala.   ▪   how  are  you? 
you're okay? it seems like you're tired of
how stupid people can be. or maybe it's
me                you're                tired                of.

(Runa's pronouns are they/them now)

Four years passed. Runa's situation with Kalinda faded into their memory, for they had other matters than just love to attend to. Even Bailey went through an adventure of his own. They had shared many memories and cried many tears, struggled with lessons and made and lost friends. They were in the process of figuring themselves out and accepting who they were. After all, is that not what happens when time passes? Isn't that what growing up is all about? 

They were getting close to graduating. The time for all of those experiences were coming to an end, and their class batchmates had planned to end that era with a party. 

Aruna, their girlfriend Terra, and Bailey had decided to go there together, dressing up at Bailey's house and catching a taxi together. Carrying their invitations in their pockets, they made their way towards the events place. 

"What floor?" Bailey asked, hesitantly looking up at the tall building, sunlight reflecting off its glass windows. 

 "Fourth floor, room 42, says right here," Terra replied, reading from her invitation. Her cardigan fluttered in the wind. Bailey let out a sigh of relief; he wasn't the best with heights. 

 Terra could feel Runa's nervousness. But cae also saw excitement in their eyes, so Terra took their hand and rubbed circles on the back of their hand with caes thumb. 

Bailey patted Runa's back, urging them to go through the revolving door. They didn't move. "Ladies first?" He asked Terra. 

Terra bit the inside of her cheek and lead the trio through the door. They went to the elevator, and pressed the "6" button. As it began to ascend, Runa turned towards the mirror. "Do I look okay?" They ran their fingers through their chestnut hair and straightened out their white sundress. 

Terra bent down ever so slightly to press a kiss to their cheek. "You look great as always." She squeezed them in a half-hug, making them both giggle. She then turned to Bailey. "You, however..." She fixed the cuffs of his white dress shirt. "Don't wanna ask about how much gel you use, but good job on that anyway."

Bailey chuckled and muttered a thank you. He had gotten quieter over the years, and even if those years might have been rough, he had never left Runa and Terra's side, and they never abandoned his.

As the elevator door opened, Runa gave Terra's hand a little squeeze. "I'm so happy I'm with my girlfriend at this party. You're one of the best things that's happened to me in school, you know that?"

Terra's face heated up and her lips stretched into a smile. "Aww. I-I really appreciate—I mean, I'm happy, so happy I'm with you too!"

Bailey smiled at the two and held open the glass door of the room for them. Immediately calm music and soft lights came through. Their invitations got stamped and returned with a flower upon entry, and they were given flower crowns. They located their table, then went off to talk with their schoolmates, greeting each other and hugging.

The party was something Runa would remember for a lifetime. However, amidst the chatter, music, and lights, a familiar face appeared. 

With a jolt down their spine, Runa realized who it was. They had almost forgotten! They were put through so much...

She stood there, looking almost the same as when Runa last saw her, in a blue and white dress and a flower crown to match. She was talking to someone, nodding and laughing every once in a while. Her eyes smiled along with her mouth, and her right hand delicately held a glass of fruit juice. She seemed to be having as much fun as everyone else, reminiscing the past years. She laughed, shaking her head, and then—

Maria Kalinda Banai locked eyes with Runa, but only for a split second. She turned away, grin faded back to a smile, resuming her conversation.

Had she forgotten about Runa? Did she not recognize them? 

If she had, then that was a good thing. It was better if Runa had left her in the past, better off if she simply forgave and forgot. It would benefit them both if they stayed in different paths. 

The sun was too harsh, too big and unfathomable, the moon was too beautiful, shy, and far. May that be the last eclipse in their lives, for the sun and moon might come across each other every once in a while, but they would never, ever truly be together.