Ruvy took a deep breath as the pilot announced their descent into the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. She felt her body ache from the fifteen-hour flight as her mind buzzed with restless thoughts. She had not had any sleep from the long flight, leaving her running on coffee, adrenaline, and anticipation.
"We're finally here. Thank God," her seatmate, Claire, said with a weary smile as the aircraft tilted toward the glittering city below.
Ruvy managed a polite smile in return. "Yeah, finally."
It had been twelve years since she last set foot on Philippine soil. Twelve years since she had walked away after high school, pursuing her studies in the United States, where her dad's sister lived. And died.
Her thoughts drifted to her aunt Riva, who lost her battle with cancer three years ago. I'm here now, Auntie. Wish me luck.
Her aunt's memory always carried both warmth and weight. Riva had been her second mother when she left home for college, encouraging her dreams and steadying her when homesickness threatened to undo her. In her final days, Riva had asked something of her - something heavier than any courtroom case: to reconcile with her Dad.
"Mixed feelings, huh?" Claire's remark brought her back to reality; she hadn't realized she was staring blankly at the window.
"Oh, yeah, sorry. I guess the jet lag is finally kicking in," she brushed the thought off.
"Is someone picking you up? I can offer you a ride," Claire insisted.
"Yeah, my friend Viktoria is picking me up. Thanks, though," she replied.
The passengers began to collect their luggage, and some had already started disembarking from the plane. Ruvy managed to fight her jet lag off as she joined Claire in the slow shuffle down the aisle.
The sounds of chatter, rolling suitcases, and flight announcements filled her ears the minute they passed the jet bridge, but beneath it all, she could hear her own pulse - fast, steady, determined.
She wasn't just arriving in the Philippines. She was arriving at the intersection of her past and present. She doesn't know what challenges await her the minute she steps out of the airport gates. And she wasn't sure she was ready for them all.
"I guess this is me, Ruvy, nice to meet you again, let's meet again sometime, 'kay?" Claire bade her goodbye as she rolled her cart towards a group of people who immediately hugged her. She assumed it was her family.
She stood there and scanned the sea of people at the arrival area - families holding signs, couples embracing after months or years apart, children bouncing with excitement. The air was thick with laughter, greetings, and the occasional tearful cry.
Then she saw her. Viktoria stood just beyond the railings, waving with the same energy she had back in college, her lawyer's blazer almost out of place amid the chaos. Her dark hair was neatly pinned back, but her smile was as unguarded as ever.
"Ruvy! Hey! I'm here!" Viktoria called out, weaving her way through the crowd.
Ruvy forgot how exhausted she was at the moment, and she dropped her luggage handle just in time to be pulled right into a deep, warm hug.
"Can't believe it, you haven't changed a bit," Viktoria said, pulling back to study her.
Ruvy laughed softly. "Girl, you're still too kind. I look like hell after that flight. But look at you, Prosecutor Viktoria Sandoval. I am so proud of you, congratulations on the promotion!" She went in for another hug.
"Thank you! We'll get wasted, but for now, I need you to rest," she helped herself to her most oversized luggage and laptop bag.
"Thanks, Vee. You always know what I need."
The drive from the airport was slow; Manila traffic welcomed her perfectly. The city lights flickered against the windshield as they caught up - half nostalgia, half updates. Viktoria's voice carried both excitement and fatigue, the kind that came from juggling too much responsibility.
"So," Ruvy finally asked, "how is it being the prosecutor?"
Viktoria smirked. "Oh, you know, challenging, but fulfilling... and at times lonely," her tone dipped just slightly before shifting gears. "Enough about me, though. I am so glad you are here, Ruvs. I don't think I can ever go on with the case without your help."
"Of course, besides, I'm not here just for the case, I'm here for the spill about your new boyfriend, we've got tons to talk about."
They both laughed and continued their chat. Then Viktoria smiled again, eyes flicking toward the road. "We're almost there."
When they finally pulled into the driveway of a modern condominium complex, Ruvy's eyes widened.
"Vee, this place is crazy."
Viktoria grinned, throwing her a side glance as she parked. "Not bad, right? Wait until you see the place."
"Aww, girl, you didn't have to go this far."
"Oh, you know me, Ru, I always do. And this is nothing compared to the favor I am asking you."
When they reached the condo unit, Viktoria set down the last bag and handed Ruvy the keycard. "This is yours now. Rest, unpack, take a long shower. I'll come by tomorrow, and we'll dive into everything. The case. My mess of a love life. All of it."
Ruvy lingered at the doorway as Viktoria started to leave. "Hey, Vee?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks… for thinking of everything. For thinking of me."
Viktoria's expression softened. "Always, Ruvs. You know that. And rest well, because we still need a lot of catching up to do." She gave a quick wave before disappearing down the hallway, her heels clicking against the tile until they faded into silence
Ruvy stood there, alone in the unfamiliar condo. The city hummed faintly beyond the glass windows, the weight of her exhaustion pulling her toward the couch. But as she sank, one thought echoed in her mind: Viktoria was hiding something.
And tomorrow, she'd find out what.