CHAPTER 27

Chapter 27: The Journey Ahead

The following days in Vigan felt like a dream. We explored the town’s historical sites, walked hand-in-hand through the picturesque streets, and spent quiet evenings under the stars, our conversations flowing easily as we shared more of our pasts, hopes, and fears. The love that had been growing between us now felt solid, undeniable, like the very ground we walked on.

One afternoon, as we sat by a quaint café near the town square, sipping fresh fruit shakes and enjoying the warm breeze, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much had changed in such a short time. Only months ago, I had arrived in La trinidad as a fresh-faced student, uncertain of what awaited me. I never could have imagined then that I would find someone like JM—someone who made me feel seen, understood, and, most importantly, loved.

“So,” JM said, breaking my reverie, “what’s next for us, Junno? When we get back to La Trinidad, I mean.”

I glanced at him, a playful smile tugging at my lips. “What do you mean, what’s next? I thought we’d just keep doing what we’ve been doing—being together.”

He chuckled, leaning back in his chair, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Well, yeah, obviously. But I mean, are we going to keep this quiet, or are we going to tell people? I don’t know about you, but I think I’m getting kind of tired of pretending.”

His words made me pause. I had thought about it too—what it would be like when we went back to our normal lives, back to school, back to the campus where everyone had been so eager to gossip about us. I’d never really been one to care about what people thought, but this was different. This was JM. And now that we had shared so much, I wasn’t sure how I wanted to navigate the world outside of us.

"I don't want to hide this anymore, JM," I said, my voice steady and sure. "I don't want to be afraid of what people might think. We’ve already built something real, and that’s all that matters."

He reached across the table, taking my hand in his. His thumb gently stroked the back of my hand, and his eyes softened. "I feel the same way. I don’t want to hide us either."

The warmth of his words settled over me like a comforting blanket, and in that moment, I knew we were on the same page. We were ready to face whatever came next—together.

As the days passed, our trip to Vigan slowly came to an end. We packed our bags, ready to return to the reality of school, but I couldn’t help but feel different. Stronger. More grounded in who I was and what I wanted.

On our last night in Vigan, we found a quiet spot by the river to watch the sunset, the sky turning a soft shade of pink as the sun dipped below the horizon. We sat in silence for a while, simply watching, letting the moment wash over us.

“I’m really glad we came here,” JM said, breaking the silence. His voice was low, full of emotion. “This has been the best time of my life.”

I smiled, squeezing his hand. “Me too. I’ve never felt more alive, more... myself. With you.”

JM turned to me, his gaze soft and intense. “Junno, I don’t want this to end. I want to keep building this. Whatever happens, I want us to be a part of each other’s lives. I want you in my future.”

I could feel my heart racing at his words, a swell of emotion rising in my chest. “You’re already in mine, JM. I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

The moment between us stretched on, filled with unspoken promises. As the last light of the day faded away, we stood up together, hands intertwined, ready to face whatever the future had in store for us—together.

When we returned to La Trinidad, we no longer felt the need to hide. We didn’t go out of our way to announce our relationship, but there was no longer any need to. The campus buzzed with the same gossip, but it didn’t bother us. We were stronger now, more certain of what we shared.

Over the following weeks, things between us only grew deeper. We found new ways to support each other, to be there for each other in ways that were simple yet profound. Whether it was helping each other with assignments, studying together in the library, or simply talking about our day, we knew we were no longer just two people passing through life—we were partners, building something lasting.

One evening, as we sat on the steps of the university building, looking out over the city lights, JM turned to me, his expression serious but full of warmth.

“I love you, Junno,” he said, his voice full of conviction.

“I love you too, JM,” I replied, my heart swelling with emotion. “And I always will.”

As we sat there, side by side, with the world bustling around us, I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, we would face them together. Our love had already proven to be strong and resilient, and I knew it would continue to grow, no matter what.

The journey we had started in Vigan was just the beginning, and I couldn’t wait to see where it would take us next.