Maya turned 100.
The community celebrated for a month.
"Can you believe it?" she asked Glad during the main event. "A hundred years. From scared teenager to ancient elder."
"You're not ancient."
"Older than you were when you went viral."
"Details."
They laughed together—two Manananggals, centuries apart, bound by love.
"What's next?" Maya asked. "For you, I mean. You've been retired for decades."
"Next is whatever comes. Watching you lead. Watching the garden grow. Watching eternity unfold."
"That's enough?"
"More than enough."
Maya squeezed her hand. "Thank you. For everything."
"Thank yourself. You did the work."
"No. Thank you for starting it. For showing it was possible."
Glad smiled. "You're welcome, anak."
Family.
Always family.