Buried Past

Luna and Meagan were left alone in the living room, the soft evening sun casting long shadows. Rocco was finally asleep, his quiet breathing a contrast to the stillness. Jacob had excused himself earlier with a hurried goodbye and a promise to return later.

Luna didn't book any hotel because Meagan insisted we stay at her condo instead. She and her fiancé, Jacob, are leaving for the Maldives right after their wedding, and we can stay at her condo as long as we want.

Luna hesitated, a delicate dance of apprehension and anticipation playing across her face. She weighed the implications of revealing her encounter with Kai, her fingers nervously tracing the rim of a half-empty glass of water. Should I tell her? It was just a brief encounter, really, but... something about it felt different. The memory flickered in her mind, Kai's face, the warmth of his smile, the lingering intensity in his eyes as they spoke. A wave of uncertainty washed over her, a subtle tremor in her hands betraying her inner turmoil. But he's part of our circle of friends. It shouldn't be a big deal, right? Doubt gnawed at the edges of her certainty.

"Uhm, Megs... I ran into Kai at the airport in Singapore," she began, her voice a barely audible whisper, her gaze dropping to her hands.

Meagan's breath hitched, a sharp intake of air that punctuated the silence. Her eyes widened, their usual sparkle replaced by a look of startled surprise. Her hand flew to her mouth, fingers pressed against her lips in a gesture of shocked disbelief. She leaned forward, her body practically vibrating with unspoken questions, her posture shifting from relaxed to intensely curious.

"Seriously? No way... What happened then?" Meagan asked, her voice hushed, a hint of breathlessness coloring her words. Her gaze was fixed on Luna, unwavering and expectant. A playful glint in her eyes was gone, replaced by a focused intensity that suggested a deeper interest than mere curiosity.

Luna's heart thumped. She wrung her hands together, her knuckles white. How do I explain this? How do I convey the strange mix of emotions I felt without sounding crazy? She attempted a casual tone, but her voice trembled, betraying her inner struggle. "Uhm, it was... casual. We said hi and hello and exchanged pleasantries... That's it. We didn't talk much because it was a quick encounter," she said, forcing a tight-lipped smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Meagan's eyebrows furrowed, her expression shifting from eager curiosity to a more thoughtful, almost concerned frown. She seemed to sense Luna's unease, her initial surprise giving way to a more perceptive observation. Instead of dismissing the encounter outright, she carefully chose her words, her voice softening. "Ah... I see. I thought you guys chatted a bit... as... as friends... right, as friends. Hehe..." Her laughter was strained, a nervous attempt to lighten the mood, and her eyes flickered towards Luna, searching for a reaction. She watched Luna intently, her expression a mixture of curiosity and concern.

Meagan hesitated, the memory of Luna's distress during those video calls—Luna's tear-streaked face, Kai's equally anguished expression—flashing before her eyes. The bitter details of their breakup, Luna's mother's disdain for Kai, the fabricated photos that had driven a wedge between them… it all felt raw and painful, even after all this time.

Meagan still remembered her anger, the furious phone call she'd made to Kai, her voice laced with venom. And then, Kai's desperate plea for help, his confession that the photos were fake, and his agonizing hope that she could somehow bridge the chasm between him and Luna.

The memory brought a wave of guilt. She had played a part, however unintentional, in the destruction of Luna and Kai's relationship. Obsessed with her pain, Luna had refused to acknowledge the truth, shutting out any mention of Kai. She cut off contact, and it was only two years later that we learned she'd found a new love and gotten married. Meagan remembered the devastation on Kai's face when he learned the truth—a pain that had resonated with all of them. But what could they have done? Now, how could she possibly bring up the past? The thought weighed heavily on her as she traced the rim of her wine glass, the comfortable silence of the condo suddenly feeling fragile, threatened by the unspoken words hanging between them.

A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the soft hum of the air conditioner. Finally, Meagan spoke, her voice soft, almost tentative. "You know," she began, choosing her words carefully, her gaze fixed on Luna's hands, "I invited Kai to the wedding." She paused, watching Luna's reaction. A flicker of something—hesitation, perhaps?—crossed Luna's face. Meagan continued her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not sure if he'll come, though. He didn't even show up for Tanya and Jovy's wedding; he just sent a gift to Luke. And he's skipped all the holidays and Tanya's kids' christenings. So, I'm guessing he probably won't be there." She reached out, gently taking Luna's hand, her touch conveying a silent message of support. "...Unless," she added, a subtle smirk playing on her lips, "he's changed his mind. Maybe there's someone he wants to see."

Luna's eyes, usually bright and expressive, flickered with an unreadable emotion. Her eyebrow arched slightly, a subtle acknowledgment of Meagan's veiled suggestion. She took a deep breath, releasing a slow exhale. The tension in the room seemed to ease slightly, replaced by a quiet understanding.

"Maybe he should," Luna replied, her voice calm, almost casual. "He's missed a lot. It's surprising considering he's still around." She paused, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Uhm... I think I need some rest. Still a bit jet-lagged," she added, her voice laced with a hint of playful evasion.

Meagan chuckled, her relief palpable. "Of course! Rest up. I got so caught up in talking, I forgot you probably need to relax after your trip."

Before Luna could say something, her phone buzzed. It was her husband, Rhyns. A huge grin spread across her face.

"Hi, love!" Her voice was bright, brimming with an infectious energy. "We just got here. I'm about to take a nap… Yes… Love you… Miss you too… Tss… You're impossible…" A peal of laughter erupted from her, a sound as bright and clear as a chime. A deep blush, spreading from her cheeks to the delicate skin of her neck, intensified the warmth of her smile.

Meagan watched, a gentle smile playing on her lips. She's so happy, she thought, her own heartwarming at the sight of her friend's unadulterated joy. It's wonderful. She observed Luna's eyes, sparkling with an unmistakable light as she spoke to Rhyns, the lines around her eyes crinkling with laughter. The soft glow of the setting sun seemed to highlight the subtle radiance that emanated from Luna. The past should stay in the past, Meagan thought, a quiet wish forming in her heart. I just hope this happiness lasts forever.

The call ended, leaving a pleasant warmth in the air. Meagan, ever the mischievous friend, leaned in.

"So," she began, her voice dripping with playful innuendo, "what was all that about? Sounds like someone missed their… nightly activities. Rhyns probably spent the whole day fantasizing about reuniting with his lovely wife, didn't he? And I bet he had a few… creative ideas for how to celebrate your reunion, am I right?" She grinned, her eyes twinkling with mischief. A suggestive eyebrow raised added extra spice to her words.

Luna's cheeks flushed crimson. "The-heck, Meg's..?" she laughed shyly, playfully shoving Meagan's shoulder.

"Oh, come on," Meagan teased, her smile widening. "What's your favorite position? I bet he's been perfecting his technique while you are gone."

Luna's laughter erupted again, a cascade of joyous sounds that filled the condo. The memory of Rhyns' touch, his warmth, and the intimacy of their shared moments brought a smile to her lips. "You're impossible!" she finally managed to say, her voice still tinged with laughter. "I need to rest!" She playfully escaped to her room, leaving Meagan chuckling to herself.

Meagan watched Luna leave, a thoughtful expression replacing her earlier playful smile. She murmured to herself, "She's a different Luna now—so much more mature, radiant, beautiful inside and out." A wistful smile played on her lips as she pictured Kai's reaction upon seeing Luna's transformation. The question of what he might be thinking lingered for a moment, a fleeting shadow against the brighter present, before fading away.

Suddenly, her smile vanished, replaced by a heavy sigh and a deep sense of sadness. Curiosity tugged at her, but she knew it was better to let the past remain undisturbed.

Meagan felt a sense of regret for her two friends. Kai and Luna had loved each other deeply since high school and through their college years. Kai was five years older than them because he started school late, which was why he became their classmate from the third year of high school until they graduated high school and stayed friends for years.

Many tried to discourage Luna from Kai. While Kai was undeniably handsome, people said he was no match for Luna's other suitors because he came from a poor background. Luna, on the other hand, seemed like the perfect girlfriend—her angelic face, kind heart, and friendly nature made many admire her.

Meagan thought nothing could break their relationship. Luna fought for their love despite the backstabbing and judgment from others. But everything changed when Luna's mother found out about their relationship. Luna's mother was a famous actress, while her father, Meagan's uncle, was a businessman. They didn't want their "noble bloodline" to be tarnished because of Kai.

Seeing Luna now, happily married to her husband, Meagan thought that perhaps this was fate's way of leading them to where they were meant to be.

They had to part ways because someone else was destined for each of them. "I just hope Kai has moved on. I hope so... because he needs to."

Meagan wasn't sure if she would feel happy if Kai decided to come to her wedding. What would happen if the two of them met again? "I just hope... everything will be fine," she whispered to herself.