Another month passed and I'm already on my way back to Massachusetts. Tinanggap ko ang offer sa Europe at buti naman na hindi sila nagmamadali na papuntahin ako doon.

Pumayag din si dad sa alok ko na dalhin ang mga kapatid ko. Sina Brooklyn at ang only girl sa triplets, si Melbourne, ang sasama sa akin.

Maraming mga papeles at dokyumento ang inasikaso namin pero buti na lang at tinulungan naman ako ni dad at marami rin siyang mga kakilala kaya mas napadali ang proseso.

Nang makadating sa Massachusetts, sa condo agad ako dumiretso. Hindi ako nag-aksaya ng oras at agad na ginawa ang mga dapat kong gawin.

After packing, I changed my clothes, took my car keys, and headed to the door. Saktong pagbukas ko ng pintuan, ay ang pag-door bell ng mga kaibigan.

"We missed you!" Nabitawan ko ang mga dala dahil bigla akong inatake ng yakap nina Phili, Euxine at Andy.

"Why are you guys here?"

"First we missed you. Second, we have connections so we were informed when you arrived," sagot ni Euxine sabay akbay sa akin.

Sabay kaming pumunta sa parking lot at nag-offer naman si Phili na siya na raw ang mag-dadrive para makapagkuwentuhan kami.

Kailangan kong pumunta sa kompanya ng mga Alvarez para kunin ang mga kagamitan ko at para na rin makapagpaalam ako ng maayos.

"So, aren't you gonna ask me what happened? I mean... aren't you curious or what?" I urged them to ask because I'm now comfortable with opening up.

I'm not the old London who refuses to tell her friends what's been going on in her life anymore.

It turns out that they communicated with the twins to check on me. Anila na alam nilang hindi pa ako handa na pag-usapan ang kung ano man ang nangyari. Ang gusto lang daw nila ay masiguro na okay pa ako.

"I hope you understand what we did," Andy said with a small smile. "We just wanted to know if you're okay without pressuring you to tell us."

"We actually bought tickets to go there," Phili added while glancing at us through the rearview mirror. "But then we realized that you have a reason for not telling us so we decided to wait for you instead."

I then started sharing to them what happened and made sure that I didn't miss a detail. I'm glad that they didn't "baby" me nor throw a pity party for me afterwards.

They just listened, and that's more than enough for me.

We finally arrived at the building and my friends just decided to wait for me at the car while I go get my things and bid my goodbyes to my colleagues.

I asked Engr. Benvolio if tita Viella's around but unfortunately, she wasn't. I also wanted to see Orion for the last time because I want to have a closure. I was really hoping I'd see him but just like his mother, he wasn't around as well.

"So, kamusta?" Euxine asked while helping me with my things.

Umupo ako sa gitna nila ni Andy at saka nagkuwento.

"I don't think Orion's here though," ani Andy.

"I guess I should message him so we could meet up." I saw their judgmental faces so I immediately defended myself. "I just want closure, okay?"

"Closure nga ba?" Phili said in an amused tone. "More like, gustong makipagbalikan."

I slumped my shoulders and pouted. "I'm done with him na nga!"

"Marupok," bulong ni Euxine pero rinig na rinig ko naman.

"Well..." Andy started, trying her best not to smirk. "Whatever reason you have, I don't think you'll see each other. He's not here."

I tilted my head and looked at her intently which she took as my way of saying "please explain why".

"According to the tabloids, he's in Dubai," she said nonchalantly as if waiting for my reaction.

"Ah... yeah... saw it," I answered cooly.

As much as I don't want to get affected, I still am. It's not that easy to forget him.

"Lahat?"

"You mean may iba pa?" Gulat kong tanong.

I saw their expressions change because of my question.

"Huh? San pala tayo pupunta?" Ani Phili.

I rolled my eyes then scoffed. "I have to go back to my condo since I'm going back to Minnesota tomorrow."

I only went back here to get my things and since I'm done, I could go back tomorrow so my siblings and I could then leave for Europe the day after.

Phili, Andy and Euxine stayed with me the whole time. They also suggested that they'll go to Minnesota with me so they could give my siblings and I a proper send off.

"Sure!" I agreed.

We just finished dinner and we're now just watching Netflix and chilling.

Nanlaki ang kanilang mga mata at nagsipalakpakan.

"If that's the case, then we should now go so we can pack!" Andy beamed at me. It seems to me that she's really excited.

Dapat mamaya pa sila uuwi ngunit dahil may bagong plano, nagsialisan na sila at babalik na lang ulit dito bukas.

Maaga pa kaming umalis pagkabukas. Hindi naman ganoon kahaba ang flight pero nalibang naman kami dahil magkasama kami.

"Andy," I called.

"Oh! You're done eating?" Aniya sabay turo sa pinggan ko. "What is it?"

I bit my lips, a bit hesitant to ask. "Uh, you said there were other... uhm... issues about you know... Can I see it?"

She choked on her food but immediately regained her composure.

"Uh... are you sure?" Paninigurado niya.

Tumango naman ako at hinintay ang susunod niyang gagawin.

She took out her phone and typed something before showing me a picture from an article.

It was taken from a bar and oh...

In the picture was Orion on a couch. Straddling him was an unfamiliar girl, different from the girl he was hugging on the pictures I saw last time. His hands were on the girl's hips and they were kissing.

I returned the phone to Andy and leaned on my seat, then focusing on the window.

"Looks like we both moved on, huh?" I whispered to myself, then closing my eyes to sleep.

Hindi naging maganda ang tulog ko dahil sa masamang panaginip. Buti na lang talaga at ginising ako ni Andy.

"Are you alright?" She asked worriedly. "We're here."

Tumango ako at tumayo na. We took our bags and went out to find a cab. Mabilis ang biyahe papuntang bahay at binantayan pa talaga kami ng mga kapatid.

Dad managed to convince us to eat while my siblings were having fun chatting with my friends. We spent the whole day just having fun and playing around.

Maaga kaming natulog dahil may flight pa kami pagkabukas. Pinatuloy namin ang usapan at kulitan at tumigil lang nang ni-remind kami ng ama na kailangan na naming mag-ayos para makaalis na kami.

I don't know why but my heart is pounding really hard right now. I guess I'm nervous because of the fact that I'm moving to a new country and I'll be leaving my family and friends behind.

It's like leaving the Philippines for the States all over again. The nervousness was familiar but at the same time different.

I left the Philippines to study. But in my case right now, I'm leaving so I could find my peace and heal my broken heart.

When we arrived at the airport, my tears started falling. A part of me wanted to stay but I also know that staying in my comfort zone won't help me grow.

"We'll visit you after we settle down, okay?" Dad said while hugging me.

What he meant by "settle down" is that they'll be transferring to another state. He also planned to sell our house here in Minnesota since it will be of no use anymore.

Our flight was called so we bade our goodbyes. Andy, Phili and Euxine assured me that they'll be visiting us soon.

Nang nasa eroplano na, nilagay ko ang kapatid sa bassinet na binigay ng airline. Buti na lang talaga at hindi maiyakin si Melbourne.

Hindi nagtagal, nag-announce na na magte-take off na. I looked at the window for the last time and stared at the view outside.

Goodbye for now, Land of the Free. I hope that when I get back, I'll be free from all the pain... from all the suffering...

...free from all the heartbreaks.