REY'S ARRIVAL

COY'S POV

I walked back to the judges' table, my heart racing with anticipation. What did he want to say to me? Was it about the competition, or was it about our encounter earlier?

As I approached, he smiled and leaned in close. "Coy, you were absolutely stunning out there," he whispered. "Both on and off the stage."

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I realized he was referring to our tryst earlier. "Th-thank you," I stuttered, unsure of how to respond.

"I mean it," he said, his eyes locking onto mine. "You have a passion and energy that's hard to find. I'd love to see more of it."

I swallowed hard, my mind racing with possibilities. Was he asking me out? Did he want to continue what we had started?

Just then, Dam appeared at my side, a curious expression on his face. "Hey, Coy, what's going on?"

The judge smiled and nodded at Dam. "Just congratulating your partner on a fantastic performance. You two make a great team."

Dam nodded, oblivious to the tension between us. "Yeah, we do. Thanks, judge!"

As Dam walked away, the judge turned back to me.And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving me feeling both excited and terrified.

As I walked through the front door of my house, I couldn't wait to show my parents the gold pendant and cash award I had won at the tango competition. I felt proud of myself and excited to share my news with them.

"Mom! Dad!" I called out, holding up my prizes. "Look what I won!"

My parents came into the living room, beaming with pride. "Congratulations, sweetie!" my mom exclaimed, giving me a big hug. "We're so proud of you!"

My dad nodded in agreement. "You've worked so hard on your dancing, Coy. You deserve this recognition."

As we celebrated, my parents surprised me with an increase in my allowance. "We want to support your passion for dance, and this will help you pursue more opportunities," my dad explained.

I was thrilled and grateful for their support. Little did I know, my brother Rey would arrive the next morning, bringing his own brand of excitement and chaos into our lives.

****************

The next morning, I was still basking in the glow of my victory when I heard the sound of the front door opening. "Hey, family!" a loud voice boomed.

In walked Rey, my older brother, with his signature grin and infectious energy. We hadn't seen him in months, and I had missed him dearly.

Rey swept me into a bear hug. "Hey, little sis! Congrats on the win! I heard all about it from Mom and Dad."

It had been six long years since I last saw my brother Rey. He had left for college and later embarked on a globe-trotting adventure, working as a freelance medical photographer and journalist. We had kept in touch through phone calls, emails, and social media, but it wasn't the same as having him home.

As we hugged, I felt a mix of emotions: excitement, joy, and a hint of nervousness. What would it be like to have my big brother back in the house? Would we still be as close as we were when we were kids?

Rey looked a bit different, too. His hair was longer, his beard thicker, and his eyes had a newfound depth. But his smile was still the same, and it instantly put me at ease.

We spent the morning catching up, sharing stories, and laughing together like we used to. Mom and Dad were beaming with happiness, thrilled to have their son back home.

As we sat down for lunch, Rey turned to me and said, "So, little sis, I hear you're quite the talented dancer now. I can't wait to see you perform!"

I blushed, feeling a bit self-conscious but also proud to share my passion with my brother. "Yeah, I've been dancing for years now. I even won a competition recently!"

Rey's eyes lit up. "That's amazing! I'm so proud of you, Coy. You always had a passion for dance, and it's great to see you pursuing it."

As we continued talking, I realized that even though we had been apart for six years, our bond was still strong. And with Rey back home, I knew that our lives were about to become a lot more exciting.

The afternoon sun streamed through the kitchen windows, casting a warm glow on our faces as we continued our conversation. Rey regaled us with stories from his travels—tales of bustling markets in Marrakech, serene temples in Kyoto, and the raw beauty of the Patagonian wilderness. His eyes sparkled with each anecdote, and his enthusiasm was infectious.

"So, which place was your favorite?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Rey leaned back in his chair, pondering for a moment. "It's hard to pick just one, but if I had to choose, I'd say New Zealand. The landscapes are just breathtaking, and the people are incredibly friendly. Plus, the adrenaline activities there are top-notch!”

Dad chuckled. "Adrenaline activities? That sounds like you, Rey.”

We all laughed, and for a moment, it felt like no time had passed at all. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more beneath Rey's stories and smiles—something unspoken.

After lunch, we moved to the living room, where Mom had set up a cozy space with couches and armchairs. Rey pulled out his camera, a well-worn but obviously beloved piece of equipment, and began showing us some of his favorite shots. The images were stunning—vivid sunsets, candid portraits of locals, and dramatic landscapes that seemed to leap off the screen.

"These are incredible," I said, my voice full of awe. "You have such an eye for capturing moments."

Rey smiled modestly. "Thanks, Coy. It's a lot of hard work, but it's worth it when I get shots like these.”

As we flipped through the photos, I noticed a recurring theme: a sense of isolation and introspection. I decided to ask the question that had been on my mind since he walked through the door. "Rey, are you okay? I mean, really okay?"

He paused, looking at me with those deep, expressive eyes. "Yeah, I'm good, Coy. It's just... coming home after being away for so long, it's a bit of an adjustment. There's so much I missed, and sometimes I wonder if I made the right choices.”

Mom, who had been quietly listening, reached over and placed a hand on Dre's knee. "You did what you needed to do, Rey.

And we're proud of you, no matter what."Rey nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Thanks, Mom. I guess I just need to find my footing again."

"Well, you're home now," Dad said firmly. "And we're here to help you with whatever you need.

That evening, after a hearty dinner, Rey and I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood. The air was crisp and cool, the kind of spring evening that felt full of promise. We strolled past familiar houses and landmarks, reminiscing about childhood adventures and the mischievous pranks we used to pull.

"Remember the time we convinced Mrs. Thompson her cat could talk?" Rey said, laughing.I giggled.

"How could I forget? She was so mad when she found out it was just a recording!”

"You know, Coy," Rey said quietly, "one of the reasons I came home was because I missed this. I missed you. Traveling is amazing, but it's also lonely. I needed to reconnect with the people I love.”

I will be going back soon ….very soon.

Rey's words hit me like a ton of bricks. "I'll be going back soon," he said, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and determination. "I took a year break from college to volunteer in travel medicine, and now it's time for me to resume my studies. I don't know when I'll be able to come home again."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I realized that our time together was limited. We had only just reunited, and now he was already leaving again.

"When do you have to go?" I asked, trying to sound brave despite the pain. I was Can't you continue medicine here in the USA? Is it that you don't like any med school around because I don't understand why you have to go far away again.

He looked at my teary eyes and gave me a deep hug.

"In a few weeks," Rey replied, his voice softening. "I know it's not a lot of time, but I promise to make the most of it. We'll spend as much time together as possible before I leave."

I nodded, trying to hold back tears. I knew that Rey had to follow his dreams, but it was hard to accept that he would be leaving again so soon.

As we hugged each other tightly, I knew that I had to make the most of the time we had left together. I was determined to create memories that would last a lifetime, even if Rey was thousands of miles away.