Chapter 26: Before Goodbye14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkbY1rojVE
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb0t6wMVoV
Jeju Island. The last morning.
The sunrise over Jeju was gentle that morning, casting a golden hue across the small rented inn they had stayed in. Erica sat on the porch, holding a warm cup of citron tea, listening to the early calls of seagulls and the slow rustle of wind in the trees. Jepoy stood inside the room, watching her through the open door.
He hadn’t told her yet.
The letter from the embassy came two days ago. His dad's health was deteriorating, and the family back in Tondo needed help with the bills and managing the home. His tourist visa was also nearing expiration. He had tried to delay everything—hoping that maybe he could stay a bit longer. For her. But reality, as always, waited for no one.
And now, the clock was ticking.
He joined her quietly outside. The wooden chair creaked as he sat beside her. She tilted her head slightly.
“Jepoy?”
“Hmm?”
She smiled faintly. “You smell like stress.”
He chuckled, but his chest tightened. “It’s just the sea air.”
She didn’t answer right away. Her fingers brushed the rim of her mug. “You’re quieter today.”
“I’m just… thinking.”
“About what?”
He hesitated.
“Back home,” he finally said. “My dad.”
Erica nodded slowly. “The letter?”
He blinked. “You knew?”
“I could hear the change in your breathing when you read it. I may not see, Jepoy… but I listen.”
He lowered his gaze. There was no use hiding it from her anymore.
“I need to go back to Manila,” he said softly.
A long silence stretched between them. The wind carried the scent of salt and spring blossoms. The moment hung in limbo.
“When?” she asked.
“End of the week,” he replied. “Maybe sooner, depending on the flight.”
Erica tightened her grip on the cup. “That soon.”
“I didn’t want to tell you right away. I didn’t want to ruin our time here.”
“You didn’t ruin anything,” she said gently. “I knew this would happen eventually. You’re not staying here forever. And I’m not staying like this forever either.”
Jepoy leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. “But I don’t want to leave yet.”
“Then don’t,” she whispered, though even she knew how impossible that was.
He turned to face her, the wind sweeping through his already messy hair. “If I leave… would you still talk to me? Even if it’s from afar?”
Erica smiled. “You’re the only one who listens to me when I’m quiet. I’ll always find you, Jepoy. Even in the dark.”
His heart clenched. He wanted to say so many things—how he was falling for her more each day, how her laugh sounded like a song, how her strength amazed him, how he didn't want this to be goodbye. But the words choked in his throat.
Instead, he reached into his pocket and took out a small gift—a beaded bracelet with her name in Braille, handcrafted by one of the elderly artisans in Jeju.
She felt his hand place it gently in hers. “What’s this?”
“A reminder,” he said. “So even when I’m gone, you’ll know I’m still with you.”
Erica ran her fingers over the beads, her eyes misting despite herself. “Thank you…”
They sat there for a while, not saying much. Sometimes silence held more comfort than words ever could.
When they finally got up to leave, Jepoy looked back one more time at the small porch, the wind chimes, the sky. He wanted to remember everything about this morning. The weight of her hand beside his. The sound of her voice. The peace that Jeju gave them.
Tomorrow, reality would knock on their door.
But for now, just for now, they still had today.
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