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Chapter 14
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The Reunion Chapter 15
Summer, 2012“Boo!”Zoe rolled her eyes, knowing exactly who it was. “Where’s Jake?”“Avoiding you,” Jared quipped snottily.“Ha-ha. Seriously.” She folded her arms across her chest and shot an unimpressed look at him.“Running errands with tita,” he replied with a casual shrug, “So, it’s just you and me today.”“Greaaat. This should be fun.” Her voice was dripping with sarcasm.Ever since the Ocampos moved to Canada two years ago, the two brothers slowly lost touch with the rest of the gang, except Zoe. Jared and Jacob were the ones who did most of the visiting in the Philippines, while their parents hung on back in Canada. And since Zoe lived so close to their family home in Manila, they naturally spent more time with her. There were moments when it would be the three of them. But on others, like now, it would just be Zoe and Jared. Strangely, it had never been just Zoe and Jacob.“Should I text Meg?” Zoe teased.Maintaining a straight face, Jared responded w
The Reunion Chapter 16
Summer, 2016After aimlessly running and walking around the resort grounds, a distressed Megan suddenly returns to the villa, unaware and uncaring of her surroundings.“Heeeeyyy Mega—” Naia greets as Megan continues to walk past her, up the stairs, and straight to her room without a word.“Okay...” Naia sulks, but calls out, “Rude! But good night!” She ends up mumbling to herself, “What’s her problem?”Right then, the front door of the villa opens again and Jared enters. “Of course, I’m happy you’re here, Zo. It’s just that the timing couldn’t be worse,” he softly says.Zoe huffs and closes the door behind her. “I know. But it just looks like you aren’t happy to see me at ALL.”“I AM, okay?” He kisses her forehead tenderly and looks her straight in the eyes. “More than you know.”She is silent for a bit, stunned by the unexpected gesture of affection. “Okay,” she whispers with an understanding nod.“Well, that explains Megan’s entrance,” Naia deadpans, interrupt
The Reunion Chapter 17
Before her eyes have even gathered enough energy to open, Megan feels the entire right side of her body ache. Was she sleeping on this one side the entire time?? The amount of alcohol she consumed really must have taken a toll on her. She’s usually a chaotic sleeper, so staying on one side for that long is indeed unusual. She then slowly blinks her eyes open. And they’re immediately met by an all too adorable Kei, deep in slumber. Megan bites her bottom lip to keep herself from beaming. She takes the time to study his features. It isn’t at all surprising that his eyelashes are long and thin (most men have pretty eyelashes they don’t deserve). All it needs is some good and mascara, and those eyelashes will be an instant envy among plenty of women. Then, there’s his nose. Defined yet childlike. Defined in a way that there’s some pointedness to it. But childlike in a way that it’s subtle and hidden to the “naked” eye. And his lips? The unmistakable highlight of his face. It’s
The Reunion Chapter 18
“Hey, old sport,” Jacob greets in a distinct Leo DiCaprio voice.Megan can only sigh in response.“Tired already??”“You know how exhausting all the greetings can be.” She lets out another long exhale from the mano session after mano session with all the other parents just a few seconds ago. “And that’s not even going to be the end of it just yet.” They’re both aware that lots of other titas and titos will come later. Filipino time, as they say. You have to be at least thirty minutes late after the designated time for the event (in this case, the big reunion) to start. A concept that is beyond any person that has a sane mind in this country.“Look on the bright side: you have me,” Jacob offers humorously.Megan rolls her eyes and sticks her tongue out at him playfully. “I must say, you clean up really nicely, Mr. Ocampo.”“Why, thank you, Ms. Villavieja. I clean myself.”She furrows her eyebrows at him for a bit, feeling confused at his statement. And as their eyes me
The Reunion Epilogue
It takes a few weeks for Megan to transition into moving from her family home to Jacob’s apartment. Rather emotional too. She’s never been one to deal with moving well. Even though as a kid, she and her family moved thrice in Ras Tanura. In the same neighborhood, to be fair. The point is she never liked change. At least at first, she didn’t. Deep down, she knows it’s a way for her to grow as a person. After exchanging goodbyes and see you laters with her family in the main lobby, Megan heads up to the thirty-third floor of the condominium. She turns the lock on the all too familiar door she’s seen about ten times, maybe even more. Lo and behold, her newly furnished home welcomes her. She spots a couple of stuff that aren’t hers in the living room and kitchen.Now that she thinks about it, she hasn’t had the pleasure of meeting her new roommate during her tedious move. Either he would come and leave his things a couple of days after her or even a few hours. If she was paranoi
The Reunion Footnotes
1 “What’s up?”, “What’s happening?”, “What gives?” in Filipino. Depends on the situation. In this case, it’s the first question.2 Child3 Favorite pronounced the “Filipino” way. Not really the direct translation of the mentioned word.4 One of the most well-loved dishes in the Philippines.5 A nickname for Saudi Arabia for some of the kids who grew up there6 Filipino for “big sister”. Used as a sign of respect for a woman older than you. Or when a girl is older than you, but not old enough to be your aunt hahaha. Depends on the situation and the way you were raised.7 Acronym for Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Our main airport in the Philippines and Manila.8 Well-known character from Hey Arnold! Only 90s kids can relate jk9 Short for airport10 A way of saying “Hey”, but in a more boisterous, and annoying/condescending way11 “Big brother”. Like Ate, it is used as a sign of respect and when a guy is way older than you, but not old enough to be your uncle.12 Get cau
The Reunion Prologue
Summer, 2006It was a scene like any other Wednesday. When they'd all gather in the playground that was their own definition of a jungle. Youth, especially early youth, had a way of making even the most ordinary places or objects come to life with a distinct feeling of importance. There's a reason why it's distinct, above all things. A distinct yet unexplainable feeling.The sky was dark, but twinkling in delight. Much like the children below. Dark, in a sense of not knowing what's to come ahead for them. But twinkling, for it was this exact ignorance and naivety that made them shine so bright unlike anyone else.Megan, who remained seated on the same bench for several minutes nearby, could only watch everything before her like a bittersweet television show. Her friends, lost in cloud after cloud of unrelenting joy. It almost felt surreal and far-off to her. But then, the mildly cool and salty breeze coming from the ocean just a few feet away swept her wavy hair natu
The Reunion Chapter 1
Summer, 2016Megan exhales dejectedly before quietly muttering, “It’s not always going to be like this, right?” Her entire face stoic, some would describe it better as lifeless. The scene surrounding her is completely different from the youthful and vibrant playground she used to enjoy. All she hears are the blaring horns of random cars and the occasional ambulance siren. Not even a whisper of air to comfort her during this trying time. What’s she to expect? She’s in the middle of Makati on a blazing hot time of day. Not that a couple of hours would make any difference anyway. The Philippines’ weather could literally be the center of a boiling volcano.Zoe follows and stands next to the familiar slouching figure, fanning herself with what looked like important folded documents for work. “Well, it shouldn’t be,” she replies to the younger one’s question, even if it was rhetorical.Another day at their crappy job meant another dilemma to top off their existing—albeit
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