Still Here, Still Waiting
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Andrei's POV
I had just finished taking a bath and was about to get dressed when Mama suddenly called me from downstairs.
"Andrei, come down now, your food is ready!" Mama shouted while I was still getting dressed.
"Yes, Ma, I'll be right down!" I answered while putting on my clothes. After I finished, I quickly went downstairs so I could have breakfast.
"Wow, it smells so good. Just the smell already makes me full," I said while walking down the stairs.
"Of course, son, chicken curry with lots of love," Mama said jokingly with a smile.
I couldn't help but smile as I walked toward the kitchen.
"That looks delicious," I said to Mama.
"Of course, it's Rayver's favorite. I'm just preparing myself so I know what to cook for him when he comes here again. I'm sure he'll love it," Mama said to me, grinning from ear to ear.
I just smiled back at her while walking toward the dining table.
Sometimes, I even wonder who her real child is between the two of us. It feels like Rayver is more of her son than I am. Since we were kids, when he was still around, he was always here at home. Sometimes, he would even sleep over. Mama has cooked almost all of his favorite dishes, while me—back then—she rarely cooked the meals I liked.
She would even defend Rayver whenever we fought, even if he was the one who usually started it or was the one at fault. That's why sometimes I felt jealous about the way she treated him when we were young. But it was fine, because we were already like brothers anyway. That's why we were inseparable, even sharing my room and sleeping side by side. We even went to the bathroom together sometimes—I just laugh whenever I remember those memories.
But now that we're older, and now that he's already here, I don't know if we can still bring back the bond we once had. Maybe those moments will just remain as memories.
That's probably why Mama and Rayver are so close to each other, and why she really wants to see him again. But I don't know how I can tell Mama everything. I don't know how to bring Rayver here, especially now that he already has a girlfriend.
"Son, eat now. You're staring off into space again," Mama said as I sat there, staring at the food on the table.
"Go on, eat," she added, handing me a plate and spoon.
"Yes, Ma," I replied and started to eat.
"How is it? Tastes good?" she asked, watching every bite I took.
"Yes, it's so delicious. I even forgot my own name because of how good it is!" I jokingly answered her with a smile.
Mama smiled back at me after I said that.
"You really are something," she said with a smile.
"Just keep eating. I still have to do something upstairs," Mama said before going up to clean.
"Yes, Ma!" I replied as I continued eating.
After I finished, I cleaned up my plate and placed it in the sink. Then I went upstairs to get my things.
Once I had all my things, I hurried back down. Good thing we didn't have class today, so it was fine to leave a little late. I quickly went down carrying my bags.
"Ma, I'm leaving now!" I called out.
"Alright, son, take care. Just call me often. Don't forget, okay?" she reminded me while sweeping the kitchen floor.
"Yes, Ma, goodbye," I said as I stepped out.
"I love you, Ma," I added as I walked away.
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As I was walking out of the house, I suddenly saw Rayver carrying bags and luggage, walking quickly while wiping his face.
"What's going on?" I muttered to myself.
I immediately followed him outside, but he was walking so fast that I couldn't catch up.
Until I saw him enter a car, where Bianca was already waiting.
It felt like my world collapsed from what I saw. It was as if all the air had been taken out of my lungs.
Maybe he's happy now. Maybe there's nothing left for me to hold on to, if the person I've been waiting for all this time has already forgotten everything.
What's the point of it all anymore?
"Haaah…" I sighed as I walked away, just as their car drove off.
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**At the bus stop**
After several minutes, I finally arrived at the bus stop. Luckily, a bus was already there, so I didn't have to wait long.
I quickly got on, placed my bags in the overhead rack, and sat by the window.
As the bus started moving, I still couldn't get the image of what I saw earlier out of my head.
So, to keep my thoughts from running wild, I decided to play some music. I pulled out my earphones from my pocket and put them on.
I thought I might as well take a nap. The trip was long anyway, so I could still sleep for a while.
While I was dozing off, someone sat beside me and suddenly took one earbud from my ear and placed it in his own.
That woke me up, and I was startled by what he did. I was annoyed at how he acted, but he didn't care and just closed his eyes.
I couldn't do anything but glare at him while he listened to the music.
After about an hour, the bus finally reached Hernan University. I was about to tap him on the shoulder when he suddenly spoke first.
"We're here already!" he said cheerfully with a smile.
I didn't respond. I just pulled the earbud from his ear and looked at him with a poker face.
He didn't say anything else—he just smiled at me.
"Excuse me," I said coldly as I stood up.
He also stood up quickly and walked out of the bus. I grabbed my bags from the rack before stepping out.
When I got off, I saw him waiting outside, as if expecting something.
"Let me help you with that," he offered.
"No thanks," I replied and walked away.
"Cute," I heard him mutter under his breath.
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.
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"Some goodbyes don't need words. Some hellos don't need explanations."
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