Averay tightly embraced Haze, unwilling to let go of him at the airport. "Please... Haze. I don't want to go, p-please let me stay here. Haze..." she pleaded, her voice trembling with tears. Her tears flowed uncontrollably. Her chest tightened as if her heart was being painfully squeezed. "Please, Ave. Just go. This is for your own good. It will only hurt me more if you stay by my side. I don't want to see you crying, Averay. Just go inside," Haze said, his voice devoid of emotion. Haze didn't want to see a woman cry because it reminded him of his mother. "H-Haze... please, don't push me away... I want to stay with you, please... I love you." He gently removed her arms from his waist, turned his back on her, and started to walk away. But Averay hugged him from behind. "H-Haze, I love you! P-Please, choose me... love me instead. N-Not Kreza. Didn't she leave you? Please, choose me, Haze, I won't leave you. I love you... Hajinn." She sobbed, but his heart remained unmoved, showing no emotion. "I love her. I waited for her for so long, and now she's back. We can finally continue the love we lost, Ave," he said firmly. "W-What about me, Haze? What about me?" she asked, her sobs growing louder, attracting the attention of the people around them. Almost everyone at the airport was watching. "Ave, before Kreza, you didn't exist in my life. From the start, there was no Averay who loved me, and I can't love you back. Just go, Averay. It will hurt you more if you see me with the woman I truly love." "D-Do you really love her? D-Did you ever love me, even once, Haze?" Averay asked, her voice filled with emotion. She didn't want to leave; she wanted to stay. But now, the man she loved so deeply was the one sending her away at the airport. It hurt, but he was pushing her away. "I... don't and never did." With those words, her arms dropped to her sides, and she let him go. She closed her eyes tightly and cried. "Haze..." she called out. "Haze..." But he didn't respond. "Haze!" she screamed, but he continued walking out of the airport, ignoring her. "Haze! Haze! Come back here, please! Haze, I love you! D-Don't forget how much I love you!" She collapsed onto the floor, sobbing uncontrollably, letting her tears fall freely down her cheeks. It felt like a knife was stabbing her heart. She had no choice but to let go and leave behind the man she loved. She had done everything-begged and cried in front of him-but nothing changed. His desire for her to leave won out. She stood up, wiped her tears, took a deep breath, and looked at the airport doors where she could no longer see him. A bitter smile crossed her face, and once again, her tears fell uncontrollably. "Haze, I love you so much..." she whispered before turning away and starting to walk. This was it; she had to do this. She had decided to let him go. She could only wish him a happy life.
Chapter 1 The Meet-up
Chapter 1
"Haze, son." Haze looked at his father when he called him. They were in the living room, sitting on opposite sofas.
It was Sunday afternoon, and his parents were staying home. It was their rest day from work.
His father was an architect, now in his mid-50s, and Haze knew his father was nearing retirement. His dad was one of the best in his field.
Haze was supposed to be his father's successor, but he had chosen to follow his dream. He became a surgeon, and his parents respected his decision to pursue medicine.
Perhaps his younger brother, Euzen, would take over their father's business instead. Euzen was only in his third year of college but was ready to handle their family company.
Their youngest sibling, Euzel, was in seventh grade. Despite being young, Euzel already knew how to cook, seemingly taking after their mother.
Euzen had considered studying architecture, but he said business management was his priority.
"What is it, Dad?" Haze asked.
"Your Ninong Zerald's daughter is arriving tomorrow, and I'd like you to pick her up at the airport," his father said softly.
"My Ninong's daughter? I... I forgot her name, Dad," Haze scratched his head, genuinely unable to recall his godfather's child.
"She's a girl, son. Her name is Dhea Averay. She's a good kid and very smart," his dad said with a smile, while Haze grimaced.
"You're in trouble, Haze," his mom teased as she joined the conversation. "How could you forget her? She spent months vacationing here, and the two of you were inseparable."
"Hey, honey." His mom sat next to his dad, kissing him on the lips, before turning to Haze with a knowing look.
"Don't look at me like that, Mom. I really forgot her. See? I even forgot her gender," Haze explained, trying to justify himself.
He tried to remember the face of his Ninong's daughter, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't picture her.
"When was the last time she stayed here, Mom?" Haze asked, watching as his mom leaned on his dad's shoulder.
His parents were the sweetest couple, a shining example of love. Even with age and three children, their affection for each other never wavered.
He knew they'd been through a lot, especially his mom, who raised him alone for the first seven years of his life.
He often saw his mom cry in silence, deeply hurt. From his parents, he learned one important lesson about love.
Trust-trust is the most important thing in a relationship. It's not enough to love; you have to trust. Both of you need to have faith in each other.
"Five years ago, Haze. She was such a beautiful girl, and now you're telling me you've forgotten her?" His mom raised an eyebrow, and Haze sheepishly smiled.
"Sorry, Mom. I've just been really busy with work."
"Why don't you take a vacation, Haze?" his dad suggested.
"Uh, maybe after my friend's wedding."
"Dervon? He's getting married?" His mom looked excited.
Dervon Veins Avelino, also a surgeon, worked at the same hospital as Haze. He was a close friend, along with Domein Domingo, Psyche Chan Quraiz, and Andrey Callelan.
However, Haze couldn't bring himself to feel excited or happy for his friend. Dervon wasn't marrying the woman he loved.
He knew Dervon wasn't thrilled about the upcoming marriage.
"Yes, Mom."
"I'm happy for him. Make sure to tell him to send us an invitation. I'm excited for that boy," his mom said with a smile.
"I will, Mom."
Dhea Averay Lacsamana
Haze raised the placard with his Ninong's daughter's name, hoping she would see it.
Passengers and newly arrived travelers flooded the airport. He didn't bother looking at their faces, as he couldn't remember what Dhea looked like. It had been a long time, and he had no clear memory of her.
If his dad hadn't asked him to pick her up, he wouldn't have come to the airport at all. God knows how much he hated airports.
This was where he last saw and spoke to the woman he loved-the one who left him and chose her parents.
Yes, this was where Kreza left him. His first love. But he was willing to wait for her. It had been four years since she left, and he knew she would come back to him.
"Haze Montefalcon?" A girl's voice suddenly called his name.
"That's me," he replied, turning to face her.
He found himself standing before a stunning young woman. She wore a peach blouse, white jeans, and pink sneakers. She held sunglasses in one hand and her luggage in the other.
Her long hair was dyed light brown with bangs. Haze couldn't help but stare at her.
Her brown eyes were beautiful, her nose petite and slightly pointed. Her pinkish lips looked so soft that he felt an urge to kiss her. But no, that couldn't happen. The girl was fair-skinned and only reached his chest in height.
She wasn't just beautiful-she looked like a goddess. She smiled at him, and for some reason, he found that smile very appealing.
Before he could react, she hugged him, shocking him. He could feel the electricity between them, and he had to admit, her body felt soft and warm.
"I missed you, Haze! You have no idea how much I've missed you!" she said cheerfully, clearly excited to see him.
And oddly enough, he felt awkward, especially with how fast his heart was beating.
Gently, he pushed her away and looked at her again, but to his surprise, she suddenly kissed him hard on the lips.
She held his face tightly, leaving him frozen in place, unable to move.
"I've waited for this moment! Finally, we meet again! I'm so happy to see you, Haze!"
Haze was too stunned to react. He was a bit irritated that she kissed him without warning, and in public, no less.
Was this what she was like? Just kissing people out of the blue?
So embarrassing!
"Haze?"
He shook his head to clear his thoughts.
"You shouldn't have done that, you know," he said. He was angry about what she did, but he couldn't show it. What if she cried? He wasn't sure how to comfort her.
"The what?" she asked, confused.
"The kiss," he replied. She pouted, her face falling, and Haze cursed himself inwardly. "T-that's not what I meant. Please don't get me wrong. You can kiss me, just... not in front of a crowd."
He was annoyed with himself. He was too kind to even express his anger.
Well, he wasn't really angry, just shocked. She had kissed him, after all!
"L-let's go? My parents are waiting for you at home," he said, smiling. She smiled back.
He picked up her luggage, but when she clung to his arm, he flinched. He cursed under his breath, feeling uneasy.
Haze, dude. What's wrong with you?
DHEA AVERAY LACSAMANA'S POV
I woke up early today. It's my rest day, but I need to catch my dad to tell him about my vacation plans.
I headed to the bathroom to wash my face and rinse my mouth, then quickly stepped out of my room. I ran my fingers through my brown hair to comb it.
I saw Kuya Derman coming out of the room across from mine. When he noticed me, he smiled. I walked over to him and stood on my tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.
"Good morning, Kuya," I greeted him with a smile. He placed a hand on my waist and returned the kiss on my cheek.
"How was your sleep? It's your rest day, why are you up so early?" he asked as we started descending the stairs, with him guiding me.
"I told you yesterday that I'm going to ask Dad for permission to go on vacation," I answered.
"Oh," was all he said, and we soon arrived at the dining area where our parents were already seated.
There are only three of us siblings Brother is the eldest, I'm the second, and our youngest is Dhelo, who is just ten years old. Yes, I'm the only daughter, but our parents never played favorites because they love us equally.
"There you are. Come here so we can all have dinner together," Mommy said with a smile, inviting us to the table. Brother and I approached her, and I kissed her on the cheek. I also kissed Daddy, while Brother Derman simply took his hand for a respectful gesture, then sat beside him.
To Be Continued...
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