Tiffany
It feels like it was just yesterday when I thought he was within my reach again. But before I could even hold his hand, he completely turned his back on me. It felt like my heart was stabbed multiple times, trampled upon, and shattered into pieces.
This is how painful it must have been for him when I turned away from him. But I know that the wound left in his heart is much deeper.
Since he left me in Baguio, I haven’t seen him again. However, even without asking, I still know what he’s been up to. Jela willingly provides me with information. As for Jairus, he didn’t bother me much after I told him everything that happened.
But I couldn’t help myself from attending the mall tour of their recently concluded TV series a few days ago. The problem was that I didn’t have the chance to talk to him or even get close to him. Moreover, his answers during the interview they had afterwards didn’t help me sleep either.
I let out a deep sigh as I parked the car. It’s Christmas Day once again. So, I gathered my courage and went to the Vernon mansion.
I stepped out of the car and walked straight towards the door. There was a large Christmas lantern hanging in front, surrounded by garlands.
I took several deep breaths before raising my right hand in the air to knock. It didn’t take long for the door to open, but time seemed to slow down as I came face to face with Travis’ only sibling, Verina.
She gasped loudly, her eyes widening upon seeing me.
“Tiffany!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise.
I awkwardly waved my hand, rehearsing the words I planned to say when this moment arrived. But it’s different when you’re actually in the situation.
“Hi?” I greeted her hesitantly, with a mixture of nervousness and embarrassment.
Before she could say anything, we heard hurried footsteps approaching our location. Soon enough, Uncle Tyron and Auntie Sandy appeared in front of me, their hands covering their mouths in surprise.
My eyes instantly welled up with tears. It had been a long time since I last saw them.
God! I missed them!
“Tiffany! It’s really you!” Aunt Sandy approached me, tears welling up in her eyes as she embraced me. Unable to hold back any longer, I let my tears fall as well.
“I’m sorry.” I couldn’t help but sob. “S-Sorry...” My voice broke.
She gently tapped my back. “It’s okay. Don’t worry. We’re not angry with you or anything,” she reassured me with a soothing voice.
Somehow, it lightened the burden I had been carrying for four years now.
“Thank you.”
“We are glad that you finally came here, hija,” Uncle Tyron said the moment Auntie Sandy and I released each other from the hug.
I wiped the tears from my cheeks before nodding slowly. “Yes. I’m sorry it took me this long to gather the courage to come. I felt embarrassed to see you after what happened.” I clasped my hands behind my back, nervously playing with my fingers.
Auntie Sandy waved her hand in the air. “Don’t be. No matter what happens, you’re already a part of our family.”
My eyes welled up again. Their treatment and words touched my heart deeply. How could I have pushed them away before?
“What are you doing here, Tiff? Are you looking for my brother?” Verina asked mischievously, grinning at me.
Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I shyly nodded.
Their faces seemed to light up. It was as if they found hope in something I wasn’t sure about.
“That’s good to hear! Actually, he is—” Auntie Sandy was about to say something, but Verina interrupted her.
“He’s at the park where you used to go often. He’s leaving for an Asian tour in a few days, so he decided to pass by there before heading to the airport,” Verina said, nodding.
“That place became special to him too. He’ll be gone for quite a while, around one or two months because he has other commitments lined up. And he’s with Jela as well. You can’t separate those two; they’re always together,” she added sadly.
I noticed the furrowed brows of their parents. “What’s—”
“So, if I were you, Tiff, I’d go to the park right away and claim what’s rightfully yours.” Verina winked at me, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
Her words struck a chord. She was right. I needed to reclaim what should be mine!
I held her hands and squeezed them, smiling. “Yeah, you’re right. Thanks, Verina!”
I quickly turned around and ran back to my parked car.
“Merry Christmas, Tiff! Be happy!” Verina shouted, and her words brought a smile to my face.
I heard their parents calling after me, but I just waved at them before getting inside the car.
As I was about to leave, I saw Verina leap into the air and throw a punch in the air. I couldn’t quite understand why Aunt Sandy seemed to be scolding her, though.
I drove off in haste, not caring if I exceeded the speed limit or if other cars honked at me for my fast driving. It didn’t matter as long as I reached Travis and finally said the words I had wanted to say for so long.
In about fifteen minutes, I managed to arrive at the park. As soon as I stepped out of the car, I sprinted towards the park’s entrance.
Breathless, I came to a halt when I reached the spot near the river where we used to hang out frequently. There was no one else around except for a woman sitting on a bench, arranging something in her bag. She slightly tilted her head, and even with sunglasses on, I immediately recognized her.
Why didn’t she tell me about her departure with Travis? Was everything planned from the beginning?
As I started walking towards her, I noticed Travis’ smiling face from a distance. He had brought some food, probably from one of the stores near the park’s entrance.
My heart ached at the sight before me. He handed the food to Jela and even carried her belongings as she stood up.
My fist clenched. I knew we didn’t own this place, but it held special meaning to us. Did that woman have to take everything away from me, even this place?
The whole time, I genuinely thought she was concerned about my relationship with Travis. But it turns out she had other intentions in mind.
I mustered all the courage I had and shouted his name as loudly as I could. I couldn’t delay expressing my feelings for him any longer.
“Travis!”
I saw Travis’ back stiffen. Jela turned her head, her eyebrows furrowing as she looked at me. She took off her sunglasses, and her eyes narrowed as she scrutinized me. Then she let out a loud gasp, seemingly unable to believe what she was seeing.
I ignored her presence and continued walking towards the two of them. I stopped right in front of Travis, his back still facing me, while Jela’s jaw dropped, staring at me.
I forcefully calmed my racing heart before I began to speak. It’s now or never.