Samantha and Rei were high school sweethearts — two dreamers sharing the same sky. Rei wanted to build a band, write songs, and one day, perform in front of thousands. You? You had your eyes on the world — fashion runways, cameras, a life where people knew your name.

You supported each other through exams, deadlines, and life's early storms. Even in college, when everything got harder — late-night study sessions turned into rare text messages, dates became short calls, and weekends got lost in responsibilities. Still, Rei held the relationship steady, always finding time for you. He thought love was enough.

Until you got that offer — a modelling opportunity in the U.S. You accepted it silently, afraid to hurt him, hoping it was better to go quietly than to make it harder with goodbyes.

Three days before your flight, Rei found out. He didn't yell. He didn't beg.

"If this is your dream… then go."

You promised him you'd come back.

You never did.

Years passed.

You're back in Manila — not permanently, just for a few weeks. You're successful now, your face on billboards, runways in Milan and Seoul under your heels.

Jessi, your old college friend, hands you a VIP pass to a local concert — "Trust me, you need this." You roll your eyes. You're not in the mood.

But you go.

The sky was already dark when you and Jessi arrived at the venue — a converted warehouse packed with glowing lights and pulsing energy. You hadn't wanted to come, not really. It was just another night in Manila, just another stop before you left again.

But she insisted.

"Come on, it's your favourite band. You'll thank me later."

You didn't even look at the ticket. You didn't care. Until you stepped through the entrance—and froze.

Because the voice pouring from the speakers?

The one echoing through the crowd, raw and achingly familiar?

It was his. But the moment the voice hits you.. you freeze.

"I ain't gonna cry, no

And I won't beg you to stay

If you're determined to leave, girl

I will not stand in your way…"

Your stomach drops.

That voice.

That voice you knew by heart.

You push through the crowd, weaving between strangers, the music pulling you forward like a current you can't escape. The lights blur in your eyes, but then — the stage comes into view.

And there he is.

Rei Alcantara.

No longer the boy you left. Now the man you were never supposed to face again.

Guitar slung across his chest. Eyes low. Fingers steady. But then… he lifts his head.

And sees you.

Right there. In the middle of the crowd.

Frozen.

And his voice doesn't falter —

it deepens. Warmer. Stronger. Like he's singing straight through the mic, straight through the noise, straight into your soul.

"But inevitably,

You'll be back again

'Cause you know in your heart, babe

Our love will never end, no…"

You can't look away.

The people cheering around you blur. The lights dim behind your eyes.

Because in that moment — nothing exists except you and him.

His gaze holds yours, unblinking, unwavering. No hate. No smile. Just everything you used to be—and everything you lost.

And he keeps singing, never looking away

"You'll always be a part of me

I'm part of you indefinitely

Girl, don't you know you can't escape me

Ooh darling, 'cause you'll always be my baby…"

Your throat tightens. Your chest aches.

Tears threaten, but you refuse to blink—as if closing your eyes might make him vanish again.

You felt it in your throat first — the lump that made it hard to breathe.

Then your chest tightened, your knees locked in place.

Because it hit you—all of it.

You left him. You didn't say goodbye. You promised you'd come back… and never did.

And now here he was… singing those words to hundreds of strangers—But somehow, only to you.

"And we'll linger on

Time can't erase a feeling this strong

No way, you're never gonna shake me

Ooh darling, 'cause you'll always be my baby…"

You just stood there—frozen—as he finished the cover song.

And in that moment, for the first time in years…

You regretted everything...

The applause is deafening as the lights dim. But you can't move. The air is frozen in your chest as your eyes follow his every move across the stage.

After a few minutes, the opening act comes on, breaking the spell.

People around begin to chat and chatter, but your head is still spinning. Your heart pounds, still hearing the echo of his voice, of the song you now realize was written for you.

Jessi grabs your arm, pulling you from your daze.

"Holy crap!" She grins. "Did you see who that was?

You nod slowly, still recovering. "Yeah... I just..." Your voice trails off, unable to articulate the rush of emotions.

Jessi, sensing something is off, looks at you with a mix of concern and excitement.

"Hey, are you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost." She laughs, unaware of the storm brewing in your chest.

"Yeah, I'm fine." You lie, forcing a smile. Your pulse is still racing.

Jessi, oblivious, excitedly rambles on, "That intro was incredible, right? I love this band."

But your mind is elsewhere, still caught in the whirlpool of memories and guilt. You force yourself to focus on the current performance, but behind your eyes, the past replays like a broken record.

Jessi bounces to the music beside you. You try to mimic her enthusiasm, but it feels plastic, insincere. You keep stealing glances at the backstage door, waiting for it to open, for him to emerge, for what you don't even know.

Minutes tick by. The opening act finishes, and the crowd cheers. You applaud half-heartedly, your gaze never leaving the door.

Jessi nudges you, her excitement uncontainable. "Can you believe we're actually here?"

"Yeah, it's unreal." You mutter, still half-distracted. Every fibre of your being is honed on the backstage door.

The stage crew changes sets and prepares for the next act. The air is a nervous buzz of anticipation — everyone is excited for the main show.

But you're more anxious than excited. Your hands are clammy, your stomach in knots, and the clock seems to slow with every passing minute.

The lights go out, plunging the venue into darkness. The crowd roars with anticipation.

The moment of truth is drawing nearer. The door remains closed.

The emcee appears, a spotlight on his face. "Ladies and gentlemen!" His voice booms over the speakers, "Please welcome to the stage: The Last Leaf!"

A frenzy of cheers and applause fills the air as the band takes the stage. Guitars are plugged in, drums adjusted, and voices checking microphones.

And then, he appears.

Rei strides on, his guitar slung across his chest, the familiar instrument an extension of him. His gaze is fixed on the guitar, avoiding the crowd, avoiding you.

The emcee steps back, the venue falling into a hushed silence.

All eyes are on the band. All eyes are on REi.

The band begins to play, their instruments blending into a melodic harmony. The crowd cheers and sings along.

Rei's eyes stay on the guitar, his fingers gliding over the strings effortlessly. But there's a heaviness in his movements, a subtle tension in his frame that only you notice.

Every strum of the chord, every beat of the drum... It all feels like a silent accusation, a painful reminder of the choices you made.

The first few songs pass in a blur. The crowd is wild, jumping and singing along.

But you, you're stuck in a loop, caught in the limbo of memories and guilt. Every note, every lyric, every movement from Rei feels like a dagger to your heart.

Your eyes remain locked on him, studying every detail of his presence that you missed—the tired lines around his eyes, the new scars on his hands, the forced detachment in his singing.

The fourth song begins, and a collective gasp ripples through the crowd.

This song is different, familiar even. It's a slow, melancholic tune, one that resonates deep within your soul.

The words pour out of Rei's mouth, raw and heartfelt, and the world fades away, leaving just you and him.The lyrics carry a tale of hope, of loss, and of longing.

As the song reaches its peak, Rei lifts his eyes to the crowd for the first time.

But he isn't looking at the throngs of strangers singing along.

No.

He's looking straight at you.

In that moment, you feel the weight of his gaze like an iron fist to the heart.

His eyes are burning with a mix of pain and nostalgia — a mirror reflecting every stolen moment, every forgotten promise, every shattered dream.

You can't look away, trapped in the vortex of his gaze.

The song ends, and the crowd erupts into applause. But your mind is elsewhere

The world is spinning around you.

People are talking, cheering, and shouting, but their voices are muted and distant.

Only his voice resounds in your ears—the song, the lyrics, the pain, the love.

The show continues, song after song.

The crowd is energetic, feeding off the band's energy.

But you, you're just a shell, empty and lost in the sea of people around you.

Your gaze flits between Jessi dancing next to you and Rei, still singing on stage, his eyes never leaving you.

The final few songs fly by like minutes, ending in a frenzy of cheers and applause.

The lights go up, and the crowd starts to disperse.

Jessi, exhilarated and still on a high, turns to you.

"Oh my god, that was amazing!!" she exclaims.

But you can barely muster a smile. You're still stuck in the storm of emotions, your head spinning with guilt and confusion.

Jessi, oblivious to your inner turmoil, keeps rambling on about the concert, the music, the band.

Her words fade into the background as you watch the crew start to dismantle the stage.

Your heart pounds in your ears, your vision tunnelled on the backstage door.

People start to file out of the venue. Some fans linger, hoping for an autograph or a glimpse of their idols.

Jessi, eager and excited, drags you along, her phone camera already clicking.

But you're moving on autopilot, your gaze fixed on the backstage door.

And suddenly, it opens.

A few roadies walk out first, followed by the rest of the band. Fans rush over, phones and pens outstretched.

And then, he emerges.

Rei Alcantara stands there, a reluctant smile on his face, signing autographs and taking selfies.

Your breath hitches in your throat. He's much closer now, only meters away.

People keep screaming his name, asking for pictures, asking for a few moments of his time.

He grants them, but his eyes keep darting in your direction.

He knows you're there. He feels your gaze, your turmoil, your guilt.

The line of fans slowly dwindles, leaving you and him face to face — the first time in years.

The world seems to pause, the air thick with anticipation.

He says nothing, his gaze locked on yours, an ocean of untold words and unspoken questions.

You want to speak, to explain, to apologize—but the words catch in your throat, leaving you frozen, speechless.

A long silence stretches between you two, heavy with the weight of years apart.

The crowd disperses around you, the noise of the world slowly fading.

Eventually, Rei inhales. The sound jolts you, breaking the spell.

He opens his mouth to speak, to say the words you've longed to hear...and then, his phone rings.

He breaks eye contact to check the screen. You watch as his expression darkens, his shoulders tensing.

Rei lifts the phone to his ear, his voice distant. "Yeah."

He listens for a few seconds, his hand clenching the phone tighter.

The conversation doesn't last long, but you feel its impact instantly.

Rei's eyes find yours once more, this time with a resigned acceptance.

He tucks his phone into his pocket.

"Follow me."

You nod wordlessly and follow him backstage.

The back corridor is quiet, the clamour of the concert now a distant memory.

Rei walks ahead, his steps measured, his back straight. His silence is heavy, your own guilt weighting you down.

You reach a door at the end of the corridor.

Rei fishes a key from his pocket and unlocks it.

He pushes the door open and motions for you to enter first.

The room within is small and dark, a makeshift resting area for the band.

There are two couches, a coffee table, and a mini fridge.

Rei shuts the door behind you, enveloping the room in semi-darkness.

You stand awkwardly, the silence between you uncomfortable, tense.

Rei sits on one of the couches, his exhaustion visible in the slouch of his shoulders and the dark circles under his eyes.

He doesn't invite you to sit.

Another tense silence stretches.

Finally, he speaks, his voice a monotone whisper.

"What are you doing here?"

The question catches you off guard.

You swallow hard, your mind racing for an answer, but the truth is, you don't know why you're here.

"I..." You begin, your voice trailing off. "I just..."

Rei's gaze doesn't waver. His eyes bore into you, waiting for an explanation.

The words don't come easily. Your guilt is a heavy weight in your chest, a blockade in your throat.

Rei studies you, his face unreadable in the dim light.

"You just what?" His tone is flat, almost cold.

You take a shuddering breath, trying to find your voice.

"I-" You can't say more. The words stick in your throat, an unstoppable lump that threatens to consume you.

Rei leans forward, his elbows on his knees.

His stare is intense, unflinching.

"Why are you here? After all this time... why now?"

His question is like a knife to the heart. You close your eyes, unable to look him in the eye.

"I don't know." You murmur.

Rei's scoff is bitter.

"You don't know?" He repeats the words like a mockery. "You disappear for years... and now you're back, and you don't even know why?"

His words sting, the pain of your own past actions resurfacing.

You look up to find his eyes on you, a mixture of anger and hurt in his gaze.

The room is thick with tension, the air almost tangible.

"I don't know, alright?!" You finally snap, your voice rising. "What do you want me to say? That I made a mistake? That I was stupid to leave? "

The moment the words are out, you regret them.

Rei's gaze hardens.

"Stupid to leave?" He echoes, bitterness lacing his voice. "That's a bit of an understatement, don't you think?"

He pushes himself to his feet, circling the coffee table like a panther ready to attack.

"It's a little late for regrets, isn't it?" He continues, his steps measured, his gaze unflinching. "Six years, you've been gone. Six goddamn years."

With every word, his anger mounts, his voice rising with each step he takes towards you.

"Six years," he repeats. "No calls, no messages, no goddamn update! You just... vanished."

"And now," he halts, his eyes boring into yours, "now you're here—in the flesh—after six long years. And all you can say is, 'I don't know?'"

His proximity is overwhelming, his gaze unyielding.

Your heart is pounding, your head filled with guilt, and his words keep hitting too close to home.

"Rei," you whisper, your voice cracking under the weight of your past decisions. "Rei, I..."

But he doesn't let you finish.

He's too far gone in his anger, the years of silence and longing bursting from him like a dam breaking.

"Do you even have the slightest idea of what it was like for me?" He hisses, leaning in, his face inches from yours.

His eyes gleam with a dangerous anger, his voice hoarse with repressed emotions.

"Do you even know what your disappearance did to me?"

You shrink back, his words a dagger to your heart.

But he continues, his voice rising with every sentence.

"I waited for you. For months. For years. I kept checking my phone, every goddamn day, hoping for your call, your text, anything to show that you remembered you left something—someone— behind."

"Every night, I'd sleep with my phone next to me, just in case, just in case you called. Just in case you changed your mind and wanted to... come back."

He exhales, the words catching in his throat.

The pain in his eyes is clear.

"Six years, and you never even tried to reach out. You disappeared like I never even mattered."

The silence that follows is deafening.

His words hang heavily between you two, the weight of his hurt palpable.

You want to explain, to apologize, to tell him that none of this was what you wanted.

But his gaze is still intense, his anger still raw.

You open your mouth to speak, to say something, anything, but the words die on your tongue.

His phone rings again, the sound shattering the tension.

His gaze flicks to the screen—a brief distraction - a moment to regroup.

He grabs it, his expression hardening.

"I have to take this," he mutters, already turning away.

His steps echo in the small room as he moves to the corner, his back turning on you.

The call is short, his voice curt but composed.

You sense a silent conversation on the other end of the line.

Rei's shoulders tense as he listens, his grip on the phone tightening.

Finally, he ends the call, slipping the phone into his pocket.

He stands there for a few more moments, his back towards you, his body taut with tension. It feels like an eternity.

Finally, he turns back around, and his gaze meets yours.

His eyes are still hard, but the intensity behind them has shifted— from anger to resignation.

He leans against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest.

Silence stretches again, broken only by the distant hum of the venue outside.

He looks tired, older somehow, the years etched in every line of his face.

Finally, he speaks, his voice rough with exhaustion and a thousand unfinished conversations.

"You should go."

The words hit you like a physical blow.

Your heart clenches, and your throat tightens.

You open your mouth, ready to protest, but the look in his eyes stops you.

He's not angry anymore. He's just... weary.

So tired.

Your tongue is heavy in your mouth, but you force the words out.

"What... what do you mean?"

He pushes himself off the wall, taking a few steps towards you.

His gaze is steady, his voice low and even.

"It means exactly what I said. You should leave. Go back to where you belong. Leave me... leave me like you did before."