As they drove through the quiet streets, the rhythmic hum of the engine was the only sound between them. Kairah glanced at Liam from the corner of her eye, unsure of how to fill the space that now seemed so pregnant with meaning. The night had unfolded in ways she hadn’t anticipated. The conversation had been more profound than she had expected, yet comforting in its simplicity. And as they neared her apartment, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was different—something important had shifted within her.Liam pulled up to the curb and parked the car, his hands lingering on the wheel as he turned to look at her. There was a soft intensity in his gaze that made her heart beat a little faster. She met his eyes, suddenly feeling more vulnerable than she had all night. “You okay?” he asked, his voice gentle, as if sensing the change in her mood.Kairah swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. She wasn’t sure how to articulate what she was feeling, but she knew she needed to say somet
The following morning, Kairah woke to the gentle light filtering through the curtains, casting soft shadows on the walls of her apartment. The warmth of the sun felt like a quiet promise, one she wasn’t sure she was ready to accept yet. But it was there, undeniable. It was a new day. She sat up in bed, her thoughts still swirling from last night. The conversation with Liam kept replaying in her mind. His words, his touch, the weight of the silence between them—it all felt different. It was as if something had shifted, not just in the air, but within her. She wasn’t sure what to do with it yet, but she couldn’t ignore it. Kairah ran a hand through her hair, feeling the lingering tension in her shoulders. She had always been good at keeping her distance, at controlling what she could. But last night had been different. The walls she’d built around herself had cracked, and for the first time in a long while, she felt exposed. Vulnerable. And as much as she wanted to pull the covers bac
Kairah sat on the couch, the soft light of her living room spilling across the walls, casting gentle shadows. She wasn’t sure how long she had been staring into space, her mind buzzing with everything that had happened. The conversation with Liam felt like a moment suspended in time, something she hadn’t quite processed yet, but it lingered in her chest, warm and heavy, like a promise she hadn’t quite made. She hadn’t been expecting such a shift. Not tonight, not with him. And yet, here she was—aware of everything she had been hiding from. Her phone buzzed on the coffee table, startling her from her thoughts. She glanced at the screen—Liam’s name flashed across it. Her heart skipped. It was late, too late for a casual call. She picked it up, her fingers hovering over the screen before she swiped to answer.“Hey,” she said, her voice softer than usual, still raw from everything she had felt earlier.“Hey,” Liam’s voice came through, warm and comforting. “I just wanted to check in. You
“KAIRAH, maghanda ka bukas. Mamanhikan na,” Biglaang sinabi ito ng kanyang ama."S-Sinong magpapakasal?" tanong niya, halatang naguguluhan.“Ikaw. You are marrying the bachelor."“Ha? Ako?”“We’ve set up your marriage to the heir of a powerful family na deeply involved sa business partnership namin. It's a match made for success, at ayaw kong palampasin ang oportunidad na 'to." Sabi ng ama niya nang walang paligoy-ligoy.Napatingin si Kairah sa kanyang ama, gulat na gulat. Sa paligid niya, naramdaman niya ang mga mata ng kanyang pamilya, lahat ay nakatuon sa kanya."Anong sinasabi ninyo?" tanong niya, at ang nakuha lang niyang sagot ay malamig na tingin mula sa kanyang ama."This is crazy, you’ve got to be kidding me," sabi ni Kairah, hindi makapaniwala.Para kay Kairah Montes, masyado pa siyang bata para magpakasal. Sa edad na 22, kakagraduate pa lang niya sa kursong Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Business Management, agad din siyang sumabak sa mundo ng corpo
KINAUMAGAHAN, Kakababa niya lang ng hagdanan mula sa kanyang kwarto nang biglang tumunog ang phone niya, signaling a new message. Napahinto siya at agad na kinuha ang phone mula sa bulsa, tiningnan ang screen, at binasa ang mensahe mula sa kanyang Ama.'We're going for dinner at your future husband's house tonight. Prepare.'Napairap siya, ramdam agad ang bigat sa dibdib. Future husband? Parang gusto niyang itapon ang phone niya, pero alam niyang wala siyang magagawa para makaiwas dito.Wala siya sa mood mag-ayos, naupo siya sa couch at tumitig lang sa walang direksyon. Kahit gusto niyang umakyat ulit sa kwarto para magkulong buong gabi, alam niyang hindi niya maiiwasan ang dinner na ito. Wala siyang gana mag-effort sa kahit ano—wala rin namang point kung para lang magmukha siyang “presentable” para sa isang taong pinipilit lang sa kanya. Hinugot niya ang phone at in-scroll ang mga photos niya, pilit hinahanap kahit konting distraction. Pero kahit anong gawin, pabalik-balik sa isip n
TAHIMIK ang biyahe pauwi, at kahit ilang beses na sinubukan ng mga magulang ni Kairah na makipag-usap sa kanya, binibigyan niya lang sila ng mga maikli at malamig na isang-salitang sagot. Parang gustong tapusin agad ni Kairah ang anumang usapan, at unti-unti, tila nakuha naman ng mga magulang niya ang hint na wala siyang gana makipagkwentuhan sa kanila.Nang makarating sila sa harap ng bahay, agad na bumaba si Kairah, umaasang tapos na ang awkward na pag-uusap. Pero bago pa siya tuluyang makalabas, tinawag siya ng kanyang ama mula sa likod ng sasakyan at tinanong siya nang may bahagyang excitement sa boses."So, Kairah, anak, kumusta naman si Liam?"Bago pa siya makasagot, biglang sumingit ang kanyang ina, halos kumikislap ang mga mata sa tuwa, "Bagay sila! Para silang match made in heaven," ani nito, na pinaikot na lang ni Kairah ang mga mata niya sa pagkadismaya. Alam niyang wala silang alam sa tunay na nangyari, at kung gaano siya ka-frustrated.Parang hindi pa nakontento, sinimula
Pagkatapos ng ilang linggo ng pagsubok nina Kairah at Liam na magkunwaring hindi magkasundo, akala nila ay magsisimula nang magduda ang kanilang mga magulang sa plano ng kasal. Ngunit sa halip na umatras, lalo pang tumindi ang determinasyon ng kanilang pamilya na ituloy ang kasunduan. Lalong sumidhi ang tensyon sa pagitan ng dalawa nang mapansin nilang hindi natitinag ang mga magulang nila sa mga pagkukunwari nilang pagtatalo.Isang gabi, sa isang hapunan na inorganisa ng kanilang mga magulang, naging malinaw na kahit anong gawin nila, itutulak pa rin ng mga ito ang kasal.“Alam namin na marami kayong hindi pagkakasunduan, pero hindi kayo nag-iisa,” seryosong sabi ng ama ni Liam, nakatingin sa kanila. “Ganyan din ang mga magulang namin noon. Hindi laging madali, pero matututo kayong mag-adjust. Kaya naman kailangan nyong magpatuloy.”Hindi napigilan ni Kairah na suminghot ng bahagya, nagpipigil ng emosyon. “Pero Pa, kung hindi kami masaya, bakit niyo kami ipipilit sa isang bagay na hi
Pagkatapos ng engagement party, muling nag-usap sina Kairah at Liam. Matindi pa rin ang kanilang pagtutol sa nakaambang kasal, pero ramdam nilang mas tumitindi rin ang pressure ng kanilang mga pamilya. Sa kabila ng lahat, alam nila na hindi nila magagawa ang simpleng “oo” lamang para sa isang kasunduang walang tunay na pagmamahal.Nasa garden sila ng bahay ni Kairah, kapwa tahimik at tila nag-iisip ng malalim.“Paano na? Parang kahit anong gawin natin, lalo lang nilang gustong itulak ang kasal,” ani Kairah, bitbit ang inis at pagod sa sitwasyon.Tumingin si Liam sa kanya, bakas din ang pagod sa kanyang mga mata. “Kahit ako, wala na akong ibang maisip. Sobrang lakas ng loob nila na gawin tayong ganito, na parang wala tayong sariling desisyon.”Napabuntong-hininga si Kairah. “Alam mo, Liam… alam kong pareho nating sinusubukang baguhin ang isip nila, pero parang kulang pa rin. Masalimuot man, baka kailangan nating magtulungan ng mas seryoso pa para maipakita sa kanila na hindi tayo natit
Kairah sat on the couch, the soft light of her living room spilling across the walls, casting gentle shadows. She wasn’t sure how long she had been staring into space, her mind buzzing with everything that had happened. The conversation with Liam felt like a moment suspended in time, something she hadn’t quite processed yet, but it lingered in her chest, warm and heavy, like a promise she hadn’t quite made. She hadn’t been expecting such a shift. Not tonight, not with him. And yet, here she was—aware of everything she had been hiding from. Her phone buzzed on the coffee table, startling her from her thoughts. She glanced at the screen—Liam’s name flashed across it. Her heart skipped. It was late, too late for a casual call. She picked it up, her fingers hovering over the screen before she swiped to answer.“Hey,” she said, her voice softer than usual, still raw from everything she had felt earlier.“Hey,” Liam’s voice came through, warm and comforting. “I just wanted to check in. You
The following morning, Kairah woke to the gentle light filtering through the curtains, casting soft shadows on the walls of her apartment. The warmth of the sun felt like a quiet promise, one she wasn’t sure she was ready to accept yet. But it was there, undeniable. It was a new day. She sat up in bed, her thoughts still swirling from last night. The conversation with Liam kept replaying in her mind. His words, his touch, the weight of the silence between them—it all felt different. It was as if something had shifted, not just in the air, but within her. She wasn’t sure what to do with it yet, but she couldn’t ignore it. Kairah ran a hand through her hair, feeling the lingering tension in her shoulders. She had always been good at keeping her distance, at controlling what she could. But last night had been different. The walls she’d built around herself had cracked, and for the first time in a long while, she felt exposed. Vulnerable. And as much as she wanted to pull the covers bac
As they drove through the quiet streets, the rhythmic hum of the engine was the only sound between them. Kairah glanced at Liam from the corner of her eye, unsure of how to fill the space that now seemed so pregnant with meaning. The night had unfolded in ways she hadn’t anticipated. The conversation had been more profound than she had expected, yet comforting in its simplicity. And as they neared her apartment, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was different—something important had shifted within her.Liam pulled up to the curb and parked the car, his hands lingering on the wheel as he turned to look at her. There was a soft intensity in his gaze that made her heart beat a little faster. She met his eyes, suddenly feeling more vulnerable than she had all night. “You okay?” he asked, his voice gentle, as if sensing the change in her mood.Kairah swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. She wasn’t sure how to articulate what she was feeling, but she knew she needed to say somet
The night was just beginning, but the air between them had already shifted. Kairah sat back in her seat, feeling a mixture of nerves and something else she couldn’t quite name. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been this open with someone, or allowed herself to feel this much. As they enjoyed their meal, small sparks of connection ignited in the pauses between conversation. Liam’s steady gaze, his occasional teasing smile, and the way he seemed to listen so intently made her feel seen in a way she wasn’t accustomed to. She took another sip of wine, allowing it to settle the butterflies that had begun to stir in her stomach again. As Liam casually shared a funny story about his childhood, Kairah found herself laughing more freely than she had in ages. It was strange to feel so at ease, especially with someone she barely knew.Liam, noticing the change in her demeanor, leaned forward, his eyes softening. “You’re more fun than you let on, you know that?”Kairah chuckled, brush
Liam opened the car door for Kairah, his smile warm as he watched her slip into the passenger seat. The car was sleek and polished, a stark contrast to her slightly rumpled thoughts. She settled in, pulling her seatbelt across, the familiar scent of leather and the faint hint of cologne making her heart beat a little faster. He slid into the driver’s seat, starting the engine smoothly before pulling out of the parking lot. The streetlights flickered in the distance, casting long shadows as they drove.The night was quiet, and for a while, neither of them spoke. Kairah's eyes drifted to the window, watching the cityscape pass by. The streets were lively, full of energy, but she felt an odd sense of calm. Being in Liam’s presence felt natural, like it was supposed to be this way. But with that calmness came the unsettling feeling that things were moving faster than she anticipated. *What am I even doing?* she thought, her mind racing again. She barely knew this man, yet here she was, go
Kairah’s mind was a whirlwind as she sat in her car, staring at the reflection of the building in front of her. The morning light was creeping in, casting a warm golden glow over the glass and steel. Her phone buzzed in the passenger seat, a message from Zara once again. Zara: Have you seen him again? How are you feeling?Kairah hesitated for a moment, biting her lip. She had barely slept, tossing and turning, and when she did sleep, it was filled with dreams of Liam—his smile, the way his eyes softened when he spoke to her. There was an unsettling calmness in her chest, like something was brewing inside her that she couldn't quite name. Kairah: I don’t know yet. It’s complicated.She pressed send quickly, not allowing herself to overthink it. She knew Zara would understand, but she didn’t want to burden her friend with all the emotions she couldn’t even make sense of herself.Kairah grabbed her things, stepping out of the car with a sigh. The office building in front of her seemed
As the quiet night stretched on, Kairah leaned back against the car, her hands gripping the door for support. Her mind raced, replaying everything that had just happened. There was something in Liam's eyes, in the way he spoke, that made her feel seen, understood. It was both comforting and overwhelming. She wasn’t used to this—this raw, honest connection that seemed to have blossomed so quickly between them. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the cool night air kiss her skin. The sounds of the city were distant, muffled by the walls she had put up around herself. She had spent so many years building those walls, thinking they would protect her from heartache. And yet, here she was, feeling the pull of something she had sworn off for so long. When she opened her eyes, she saw Liam’s figure disappearing around the corner, his broad back fading into the darkness. A strange emptiness settled in her chest, but it wasn’t one of regret. It was a longing—an undeniable urge to close
Liam, her heart still racing from the evening. She tried to keep her composure, but his presence made her feel a mixture of warmth and nervous excitement."Thanks for the dinner, Liam. It was really nice," she said, her voice softer than usual.Liam smiled, his gaze steady and genuine. "I’m glad you had a good time. I did too."There was a moment of silence between them, a quiet tension hanging in the air. Kairah felt her pulse quicken as Liam stepped a little closer, his expression more serious now. "I’d like to do this again," he said, his voice low but clear, the sincerity in his words unmistakable. "Get to know you better, outside of work. If you’re open to it."Kairah’s heart skipped a beat. She had been wondering if he felt the same connection, and now, hearing him say it out loud, made everything feel more real. She was hesitant, still unsure of what it would mean for her personal and professional life, but there was something in his eyes that made her want to take the chance.
Kairah couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty as she sat in her car, the engine running while she stared out the window at the dark streets ahead. The evening had been… different. She had enjoyed the dinner, but more than that, she had felt a connection with Liam that was hard to ignore. It was as if the dynamic between them had shifted in a way she hadn’t expected. She had always admired him professionally, but now, there was something else. She felt drawn to him in a way that went beyond their work relationship.As she drove home, her thoughts wandered back to their conversations. Liam had been genuine in his compliments, and the way he listened to her, really listened, made her feel heard in a way she hadn’t experienced in a long time. She couldn’t help but replay his words in her mind—how he had called her driven and passionate, how he seemed to understand her in a way that few people did. It felt nice, but it also scared her. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to let her guard d