Three days had passed since Yssa said goodbye, and those three days had been the hardest of Seth's life. He couldn't eat, he couldn't sleep. He rarely left his room.

On the fourth day, he finally stepped outside onto the terrace. The air was cool and fresh, still damp from a rainstorm that had swept through earlier. It was August, and the wet season was at its peak. As the clouds began to part, allowing glimpses of sunlight to break through, the wind blew gently across his face, carrying with it the clean scent of rain. Seth sat down in the chair he used to share with Yssa, lost in thought as he had been for days.

He had spent most of that day outside, replaying their relationship over and over in his mind. He sifted through memories, searching for something—some clue or moment that could help him make sense of how things had ended. He often found himself wishing he could turn back time, relive that day, say the words he hadn't, or take back the ones he did.

Their memories together flooded his mind. He remembered the first time he saw her, the way her smile lit up her face, the countless meals they shared, the quiet moments of laughter and love. Seth glanced up at the sky, mesmerized by the dark clouds swirling above, and watched as raindrops began to fall again, softly pattering against the earth. This was the kind of day Yssa would have loved—a quiet, misty afternoon. He could almost feel her sitting beside him, her presence lingering even though she was gone.

Why am I trying so hard not to cry? he wondered, feeling the sting of loss creeping back in. Their love had begun so simply, in a way that could have easily been forgotten—if it had been with anyone other than Yssa. But now, no matter how much he tried to deny it, he was realizing just how much she had become a part of him.

Everywhere he looked, she was there. He saw her on the porch swing, where he had first truly seen her. He saw her smiling as he played his guitar, her voice harmonizing with his in the warm night air. Inside the house, it was no different. She was there in the kitchen, in the living room, in his bedroom—and most of all, in the guest room where she used to stay. It seemed no matter where he went, he couldn't escape her presence. Even the idea of retreating to the province didn't help; they had made too many memories there, too.

By nightfall, he was still on the porch, his heart heavy with the weight of the day. His head ached from the flood of emotions, and when he glanced at his watch, he realized it was already 10:30 pm. He stood up, walked to the gate, and watched the cars passing by, but his thoughts remained on Yssa. His legs began to ache, so he returned to the porch, sinking back into the chair.

After a while, he went inside, drank a glass of warm milk, and took a long, hot shower. He brushed his teeth and then crawled into bed, pulling out "A Bend in the Road" by Nicholas Sparks. He read for nearly three hours, feeling the sadness settle into his bones, the stillness of the night wrapping around him. By 2:00 am, he closed the book and pulled open the curtains. Moonlight poured into his room, bathing everything in a soft, silvery glow. As he gazed up at the moon, it wasn't Kristina's face he saw—it was Yssa's.

Unable to stop the rush of emotions, he picked up his journal and began to write, tears slipping down his face. Thirty-five minutes later, exhausted and emotionally drained, Seth finally surrendered to sleep, his heart heavy with loss.

* * *

The next morning, Seth was awake before dawn. After a quick shower, he slipped into a pair of jeans, sandals, and a simple white shirt. He felt a quiet resolve as he headed out the door, driving toward Olongapo Memorial Park. On the way, he stopped to buy a bouquet of red roses—her favorite.

He arrived at the cemetery around 6 am, carrying an umbrella against the persistent drizzle. The rain didn't bother him, though. Today, he knew exactly what he needed to do, certain of the feelings that had crystallized over the past four days.

A few others were wandering through the cemetery, some perhaps there for the same reason as him—visiting someone they loved and lost. He noticed the sky growing darker, clouds thickening as if in warning. He'd need to hurry.

Seth reached her grave just as the rain began to pick up. Now alone, he paused for a moment, taking in his surroundings. He glanced around, wondering if anyone could see him, but he was isolated, just as he preferred it. With a soft sigh, he opened his umbrella and gazed at the scene before him. Birds chirped in the distance, and butterflies danced through a nearby garden, oblivious to the falling rain. It reminded him of Kristina. The way she'd loved the simple beauty in life. He stood there for a long while, lost in thoughts of her, until a low rumble of thunder pulled him back to the present.

With a faint smile, he placed the roses on the headstone engraved with her name. For a moment, he said nothing, just standing there, lost in the memories of her. Finally, he checked his watch and sighed again, feeling the weight of what was about to come.

When he was ready, he stepped closer to the grave and closed his eyes. The wind picked up just as he did, gently brushing the hair from his face, as though she was standing beside him.

"I miss you, Kristina," he whispered, his voice soft and tender. "Goodbye."

And for a moment, it felt like she had heard him, because the wind suddenly stilled, leaving the air calm and quiet. Seth stood there, searching for more words, but nothing came. It was as though those few simple ones were all that needed to be said.

The rain began to ease, fading into a light drizzle before stopping altogether. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a letter—the one he'd written last night, meant just for her. Unfolding the paper, he held it in his hands, though he barely needed to read it. The words were etched into his memory. As the dim light filtered through the clouds, he began to read quietly, the sound of his voice blending with the soft patter of water still dripping from the trees.

Dear Kristina,

My life began when I found you, and for a long time, I thought it ended the day I lost you. I believed that holding on to our memories was the only way to keep you with me, to keep both of us alive. But I was wrong.

A woman named Yssabelle showed me that if I had the courage to open my heart again, love could find me, even after all the pain. She gave me her heart without hesitation, and before I knew it, I was falling for her too. I was scared, though—terrified of losing you all over again, not realizing I already had.

I didn't truly understand how much she meant to me until the morning I watched her walk away. When the jeepney drove off, I felt something inside me tear away. I should've chased after her, fought harder to keep her. But I didn't. And now I'm left with the emptiness of that moment.

I'm writing this letter to say goodbye to you. And I'm going to go to this woman and see if I can win her heart.

If I tell you that I love her as much as I have loved you, then you'll understand just how deeply I feel for her. And I know, in your heart, you'll be happy for me.

Rest in peace, my love.

Seth

After reading the letter, Seth folded it and gently placed it beside the roses. Just then, a strong wind swept through, and the rain started to fall once more. He knew the letter would soon be soaked, disintegrated, and washed away by the rain, but somehow, he felt that would be the sign that Kristina had received his message.

* * *

When he got home, Seth dialed the number for the elementary school's faculty office, determined to speak with Yssa. It's now or never, he thought, hoping for one last chance to make things right, to tell her how much she meant to him. He needed her to know that it was her he truly loved.

"Hello," a voice answered.

Seth recognized it immediately. "Brandon!" he said, his words rushed. "Where's Yssa?"

"Seth?" Brandon's voice softened. "I'm sorry, but she's not here."

"What do you mean? Is she in her classroom?"

"No, Seth. She's not at the school."

Seth's heart sank. "Where is she then?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you that."

"What? Why not?"

"Yssa made me promise not to tell anyone where she went. Even to you, Seth. I can't break that promise."

A heavy silence followed. Seth's chest tightened as a wave of desperation washed over him.

"Brandon, please. I need to find her. I love her."

Brandon hesitated, sensing the raw sincerity in Seth's voice. He was torn between his loyalty to Yssa and doing what he knew was right.

"Alright," Brandon finally sighed. "But if I tell you, you have to promise me you'll do everything in your power to make her happy."

"I promise," Seth whispered.

There was a pause, and then Brandon spoke quickly. "She quit her job two days ago and went back to Davao... with Glenn."

Seth stood frozen, too shocked to respond. The weight of Brandon's words hit him hard.

"Seth? Did you hear me?" Brandon asked, worry creeping into his voice.

"I heard you," Seth murmured, barely audible. "Goodbye, Brandon. Thank you so much."

"Seth... I'll be rooting for you. Bye."

Seth hung up the phone, but the truth was hard to face. Yssabelle Gonzales had slipped out of his life, leaving an ache so deep, he wasn't sure how to bear it.

When he entered the kitchen, his sister Jeanne looked up from the stove. "Coffee?" she asked.

Seth nodded and slumped into a chair, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on him. Jeanne could sense something was off.

"You look awful," she said, handing him a steaming mug.

"I'm fine," he muttered, eyes downcast.

"Did you find her?" she asked gently, referring to Yssa. Seth glanced up briefly before looking away, unable to respond. Jeanne exhaled softly, understanding what his silence meant.

"You let her go," she said, not as a question but as a fact.

"I don't want to talk about it," he said quickly.

Jeanne stared at him for a long moment, watching him stir the coffee absently. "What do you want, Seth?" she asked softly.

"What do I want?" he snapped, taking a sip. "She made her choice. What am I supposed to do?"

"Fight for her. Fight for your love."

Her words landed like a punch to the gut, and Seth knew she was right.

"She left. I don't even know where she is."

"Of course, you do."

Seth sighed and looked at her. "Brandon just told me over the phone, she quit her job and went home to Davao with Glenn."

Jeanne thought for a moment. "When?"

"Two days ago."

Without a word, Jeanne dug into her pocket and slapped a handful of one-thousand-peso bills onto the table. Seth blinked, confused.

"Davao," she said, her voice firm. "Get on a plane. Go after her. This is your last chance."

Seth shook his head and pushed the money back. "It's too late."

"Of course, she left," Jeanne shot back. "She's not stupid. You think she wants to compete with a memory?"

"I don't have it all figured out, okay?" he snapped.

"Who does?" Jeanne's voice rose, her frustration boiling over. "It's hard for you, but for her? It's easy for me to see Kristina all around the house. But to her, It's unbearable. You're so insensitive, you don't even know it."

"Just drop it!" Seth yelled, standing up.

"Drop it?!" Jeanne's voice shook with anger. "I won't drop it!"

"Why not?" Seth barked, his face flushed.

"Because you're my brother," she cried, her eyes welling with tears. "You and Elisha... you're all I've got. Don't you see? I just want you to be happy. Really happy, Seth."

His face softened, guilt washing over him. "It's not your business," he muttered, trying to walk away.

"Not my business?" Jeanne's voice trembled with disbelief. "My baby brother is not my business?"

Jeanne grabbed his arm and turned him around to face her. "Just slap my face, you jerk! Just slap me!" she cried. "Not my business? If you're not my business, then, tell me, who is?"

Seth stopped, realizing how deeply he had hurt her. Jeanne stepped forward, tears streaming down her face. "Do you think I don't feel your pain? Every time I see you suffer, it breaks my heart. You think that doesn't matter to me?"

Seth's resolve crumbled. "I'm sorry, Ate," he whispered, pulling her into a hug. "I can't stand seeing you upset. You're all I've got, too."

Jeanne wiped her eyes, calming down. "It's okay," she whispered. "But you know you can't let her go that easy."

Seth looked at her, knowing she was right. "I know. But she chose to leave. I can't force her to stay if she doesn't want to."

Jeanne met his gaze with a fierce determination. "Now it's your turn to choose," she said softly. "Right now, Seth. Right at this moment. Between the past and the future. Pick one. Give all you can to fight for it. And don't sacrifice your happiness for the wrong reasons."

Her words struck a chord deep within him. That afternoon, Seth found himself rushing to the airport, ready to take the chance of a lifetime.