1 Chapter 1: One Last Time

Anna found herself at the doorstep of the Tan family. It has been more than hour and she has not mustered the strength to ring the door bell. She has been taking deeper breaths to calm herself. She peeped into the glass window. There were a lot of people inside. She can hear the loud music and the joyful yells of her batchmates. She sighed.

There was a party going on inside the lavish home of the Tan's. The family was about to migrate to America to follow the Tan patriarch who was already in LA five years ago to establish their export business. Now that their business was doing well having 5 branches opened within just a span of four years, they have decided to follow.

The party served as a despedida cum graduation gift to the Tan's unico hijo Benedict Jay Jr., which Anna fondly called Jay. Everyone called Benedict "Beny", or "Ben". She chose to call him "Jay" because she wanted to be unique. She wanted everything that related to him be different. She wanted her relationship with him be a special one.

It has been a year since they became a couple. They were doing perfectly fine. But there was a certain flaw in their love story- nobody knew about it except for them. Jay had asked about it as a favor before they even got into a relationship.

Anna was insulted at first. Yes, she did not belong to a rich family but she was trying so hard with her studies so that Jay would not be ashamed of her. But a month in their relationship, she found herself accepting the fact that they had to stay under the radar for their sake. She understood that the society they belong was not that accepting. So rather than losing her first love, she was contented to be the wind beneath his wings. She decided to settle with that arrangement- at least for the mean time.

But a week ago, Jay called it quits. Anna was devastated. They were perfectly fine the day before that. They even talked over the phone for six hours. If only Jay was man enough to tell her the reason.

For a week Anna tried to question herself. Where did she went wrong? Was her effort not enough?Anna even tried to approach Jay to get some sensible reason for the break up. But it was clear he was avoiding her like a plague. That broke Anna a lot. She cried and cried until she slept crying.

It was during their graduation when she learned about the Tan's migration to America. That was the realization she asked for. At least now she need not blame herself.

On her hand was a box full of things Jay gave her. Those were expensive gifts he gifted her in trivial or special occasions. She felt the urge to return it to him. Also, she was hoping to see him one last time.

Anna placed the box at the doorstep. She approached the door, held her breath and rang the door bell. She rang it again but to no avail. Maybe everybody was having so much fun to mind the door.

Anna gave up and retreated. She was about to pick her bicycle up when the door opened.

Luckily, the one who opened the door was the person she expected to open it.

Jay was smiling when he opened the door. But that smile turned weary when he saw her.

" Anna, I could not invite you in-"

Anna profusely shook her head. " It is okay. I just came to give you that." Anna pointed at the box she placed on the steps.

" What is this?" Jay asked as he picked the box. "A graduation gift?", he teased to keep the tension between them at bay.

" Oh, I am sorry. It is not a gift." Anna apologetically said.

Jay opened the box and was instantly dismayed to see what were inside. "Anna, you need not return these."

"Please don't be offended. I just thought it would be the proper thing to do." Anna explained. She finally picked her bike and rode it. " So, this is it. I wish you all the best. At last, you got your wish. You'll be with your dad. You won't miss him anymore." Anna smiled to him one last time. Before a tear could loosely fall from her eyes, she hurriedly turned to the road.

" Anna!" Jay called to her.

Anna halted but did not turn to face him. If she did, he would know she was crying her heart out.

" I am sorry you had an asshole for a boyfriend." Jay's voice was strained with sincerity.

Anna bitterly smiled. "I did not fall for an asshole. I fell for a coward."

Anna did not wait for his response. She rode her bike away. Away from her heart. Away from her dream.