One Last Time (One Shot)

      She heard a knock at the door and groaned. She wasn't in the mood for company tonight. She got up and opened the door, expecting to see one of her friends, but instead, she saw Jackson standing there.

     “Hey,” he said, his eyes searching hers.

     “Hey,” Maycee replied, stepping aside to let him in.

     They sat down on the couch, both feeling awkward and unsure. Jackson took a deep breath and looked at her.

     “Baby, alam ko mahirap ‘to,” he said. “But I wanted to see you one last time before I leave.”

     Maycee felt a lump form in her throat. “One last time?” she said, trying to keep the tears from falling.

     Jackson nodded. “I don't want to leave things unresolved between us. I care about you, babe, and I always will. Pero hindi ko kayang sabihin sa’yo na hintayin mo ako. You know that I hate making promises. So, I really can't promise that things will work out when I'm so far away.”

     Maycee felt her heart breaking. She had known this was coming, but it didn't make it any easier. She looked at Jackson, feeling a mix of anger, sadness, and love.

     “E, ba-bakit nandito ka pa?” she said, her voice shaking.

     Jackson reached out and took her hand. “Dahil gusto kong makapagpaalam ng maayos sayo, Maycee. I wanted to hold you one last time, to dance with you one last time, and…” he sighed for a moment and took a deep breath, “to kiss you one last time.”

     Maycee felt a tear roll down her cheek. “Don't say that,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Don't make it sound like this is the end.”

     Jackson looked at her, his eyes searching hers. “It is the end, baby. For now, at least. But who knows what the future holds? Maybe one day we'll find our way back to each other.”

     Maycee shook her head, feeling a mix of anger and despair. “Hindi ko kaya, Jackson. Hindi ko kayang magpanggap na okay lang ang lahat ng ito. I can't just say goodbye like this and act like it's no big deal.”

      Jackson looked at her, his eyes softening. “Alam ko, Maycee. I'm not asking you to pretend. Gusto ko lang na maalala mo yung mga panahon na masaya tayo. Panghawakan mo yung mga araw at oras na masaya tayong magkasama, hanggang sa susunod nating pagkikita.”

     Maycee took a deep breath and looked at him, feeling a mix of love and resentment. “Susubukan ko,” she said, her voice shaking. “But it won't be easy.”

     Jackson nodded, his eyes full of sadness. “I know. But I'll be thinking of you, Maycee. Every day.”

     They sat in silence for a few moments, both feeling the weight of the moment. Finally, Jackson stood up and took her hand.

     “Let's dance,” he said, his voice soft.

     Maycee felt her heart racing as he pulled her into his arms. They swayed back and forth to the music, both feeling the weight of the moment. She felt tears rolling down her cheeks as she rested her head on Jackson's shoulder.

     As the song ended, Jackson pulled away and looked at her. “I love you, Maycee,” he said, his voice breaking.

     Maycee felt her heart breaking as she looked at him. “I love you too, Jackson,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.