Chapter 9

In the quiet corners of her makeshift classroom, Maiari immersed herself in her studies. Books and assignments became her companions, a distraction from the turmoil that brewed beneath the surface. The world outside continued to spin, oblivious to the storm that raged within her.

One day, as Maiari delved into her reading, a worn photograph slipped from the pages of a textbook. She picked it up, her fingers tracing the image of a young couple, their smiles genuine and carefree. It was a picture of D'Andre and her during their summer in El Nido – a moment frozen in time, a memory she held onto with a bittersweet ache.

As she gazed at the photograph, a mixture of emotions washed over her. The tenderness of their connection, the stolen glances and whispered promises – they had all been a part of a fleeting summer romance that had altered the course of her life. And now, they were connected in a way that transcended those memories.

Her thoughts turned to D'Andre, and the last time they ha