Between the Lines of Us

Chapter 06

10:30 AM – Andie's Condo, Makati

The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as Andrea "Andie" Villamor stood in her living room, hair tied up in a messy bun, dressed in an oversized sweatshirt and cycling shorts.

A rare Saturday with no work, no meetings, no Quin texting about business dinners.

Just her, a Spotify playlist, and a much-needed apartment decluttering session.

"Okay, time to throw out the past," she muttered, rolling up her sleeves.

She started with the closet, dragging out old boxes stacked in the back. Half an hour later, she was surrounded by piles of forgotten clothes, unread books, and miscellaneous items she hadn't touched in years.

Then she saw it.

A small, familiar wooden box tucked behind a stack of old journals.

Her fingers stilled.

Slowly, she reached for it, brushing off the thin layer of dust.

She knew exactly what was inside.

She just didn't expect it to still affect her.

10:45 AM – The Bracelet That Should've Been Forgotten

Andie exhaled and opened the box.

Inside, lying atop a faded polaroid of a much younger version of herself, was a simple woven bracelet—red and black threads intertwined, slightly frayed from years of wear.

Gab's gift.

Her fingers brushed over the worn fabric, and just like that—

She was seventeen again.

Flashback: Catbalogan City, 2015 – Late Night at the Docks

The docks stretched endlessly under the deep indigo sky, waves lapping gently against wooden planks. The salty night air was thick with humidity, but the cool breeze made it bearable.

Gabriel "Gab" De Castro sat cross-legged beside her, their shoulders brushing as they looked out into the quiet ocean.

"Dapat natutulog ka na, Villamor," he teased, tossing a small rock into the water.

"Dapat ikaw rin," she shot back.

Gab smirked. "Eh, paano kung gusto kitang samahan sa mga kabaliwan mo?"

Andie chuckled, hugging her knees to her chest. "Alam mo, Gab... minsan iniisip ko, ilang taon mula ngayon, nandito pa rin kaya tayo?"

Gab tilted his head. "Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

She sighed. "Ako, aalis ako. Manila ang pangarap ko. Gusto kong marating 'yung hindi ko pa nararating."

He nodded slowly. "At ako?"

Andie turned to him. "Ikaw? Saan mo gustong mapunta?"

Gab was silent for a moment, eyes fixed on the dark horizon. "Hindi ko alam."

Andie frowned. "Gab—"

"I mean, gusto kong maging something. Pero minsan, pakiramdam ko hindi ako para sa malaking mundo mo, Andie," he admitted, voice quieter than usual. "Baka hanggang dito lang ako."

Her chest tightened. Gab, who was always so sure of everything, sounded uncertain for the first time.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, handmade bracelet.